Before we get into today's flight testing, I'de like to make a few observations from the first two days. You can read about it and see the video here: Skywing 48" Slick__Flight Test I wanted to get more video, but the weather went bad, and a few other things went out of control, and this is why we're doing a follow up with this flight review.
My initial impressions of the Skywing Slick were extremely positive. The whole presentation from packaging to finished product is simply superb. The plane is extremely well turned out.
Flying was much of the same. I liked the plane right away and was confident very quickly. It didn't take long for the plane to earn my trust. With each flight the plane just got better and better. I really like it.
After two days of flying, I had not been able to get out again until now. I used that time to go over my setup and programming, make an adjustment or two, and generally check the whole plane over. This was such a clean build I didn't even wipe it off until today!
I was expecting to have to make an adjustment or two. This is a new brand of plane and power system for me. The servos are different, the hardware is different. Without a manual to work from, I was starting at ground zero. If nothing else, I was going to want to tailor the set up to my liking, but the way it came out of the box was pretty close to what I would have done anyway. I dialed the ailerons back 10% because the roll rate was so fast it was hard to be smooth, but that made a big difference for me.
You might think you can't get a good read on a plane flying it in a lot of wind, but those were the cards we were dealt. I did come away from the first two days impressed with how well the plane handled those winds. The plane has really sweet harrier manners and is exceptionally light on it's wings. It tracks very solidly as well.
Overall, it's not that much different from an Extreme Flight plane in that it is solid, reassuring and has no bad tendencies. This is an extremely nice little piece of work, and I hope Skywing brings us a few more.
Batteries For this plane I needed some new batteries. I went with Thunder Power 6s 1800 70C Rampage packs. You can see where the pack ended up, and I've got plenty of room to move it either way. I didn't know where the CG was so I balanced it on the tube, and she's nice and neutral like that.
Please excuse the mess. I still have to tidy up the wiring.
More Testing, Day Three
Now that I have checked everything for two weeks and the weather is decent, I was out of excuses. We had a relatively nice day, and I was anxious to try the plane with my revised aileron throw. I did a short test hop while I was waiting on my camera guy, and I could feel the improvement right away. She was much more settled on the roll axis and much easier to fly more smoothly.
This improvement was the magic trick for precision, point and slow rolls. Basically, the plane was much better all-around and now I can fly it with the same confidence I have in my other planes.
Now I had something I could work with better, so it's a matter of learning the plane and it's characteristics and start creeping up on the limit. For the most part it's very much like an Extreme Flight plane except for two small exceptions. First the plane flies a little lighter than what I am used to, and that is certainly not a complaint. I can get away with more when I'm flying slowly.
The other exception is this is such a lively plane that the snap timing is different. This is not a complaint either, because it's the pilot's job to adapt, and I'm getting closer. Sometimes I'll hit it perfect and the thing will wind itself up. Other times, when I apparently hit it wrong, the plane will sort of wallow and never really snap. This is not really a concern because I'll get it. I just need a little more time with the plane, and maybe some calmer weather.
For everything else, I just throw caution to the wind and hammer it. Initially I was worried it would not be as easy to set up and extract performance as what I am used to, but outside of running 10% less aileron (it still rolls like a drill bit) the entire set up is the way it came out of the box. Just screw the plane together and fly it.
It's also important to point out a few things about how the power system flies. First, I like to run an idle, and you can't believe how slowly this thing will run. It doesn't spit or sputter or hesitate from start up. It just goes. You may have noticed my improved hover, and this comes from having a much smoother power delivery. Previously our beloved Torque/Airboss combo was unsurpassed for this, but with all the drone power system technology creeping into our fixed wing power systems, the improvement is a bit shocking.
Most people are going to be more concerned with how much brute horsepower this system has and the simple answer (because we forgot to measure it) is it's enough, and then some. Previously I liked a little less power to make it easier to handle, but the smooth delivery has no spike in it at all. It gives you exactly what you ask for.
I also can't say enough how pleased I am to get away from separate BECs and their complexity. The Castle units are bulletproof, but you have to solder them up and mount them and do a clean job. Running this unit with it's own built in BEC is much less complicated, a cleaner installation and a lot less work.
Just guessing because we haven't measured, but I'de say the power system in this plane it right about as powerful and nearly as smooth and linear as a TMotor. Then again, that's a guess, but I'm about as equally pleased with one as much as the other.
Final Thoughts, for now
Where do you start with a project that was so, so very easy yet exceeds performance expectations? It took longer to unpack it than it did to build it, and the set up, right out of the box is stellar. The servos were mostly invisible because I never thought about them, and the power system is about as smooth as a TMotor.
I've never owned a Skywing plane before, so initially I was a little skeptical. This went away as soon as I started dry fitting things together and admiring the plane. There was nothing on this plane that gave me any sort of trouble, and I didn't have to fiddle with a single thing. The quick latch wing and SFG mounts are extremely nice features, as is the wing bag, and extra prop. I think if you add up what it costs to build a 48 with good equipment, it's probably pretty close to what it costs to build one of these, and the difference is you can have a Skywing receiver-ready Slick ready to fly in about a half hour.
Where is this plane going to fit in the market? The first batch was gone in a day and a half, so that's a good start. This is the perfect plane for just about everyone because it's so easy and effortless to put together. Experienced big plane pilots will want one for a beater, and smaller plane enthusiasts will find it fits the budget. New guys are going to eat this thing up, just because they don't have to do trick stuff like hinging, cowl mounting and getting the stab straight. Most of us couldn't glue two pieces of wood together when we started, so this plane will be monumental for them.
Finally, the appeal is strong for everyday sport 3Ders. It's reasonably priced, uses reasonably priced batteries and fits in my car assembled, though with the quick latches you can assemble or break one down in 30 seconds.
Of course, the plane is available as an ARF as well, so if you biff it or wear it out, you can reuse the equipment in a new one.
Finally, some of us were worried about the future of the 48" class, but with planes like these, and hopefully a few more, 48s look set to be as relevant as ever.
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