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FLYING
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The
Skyfox is a high lift, lightweight model, therefore should
only be flown in calm or light wind conditions only.
Blustery winds will flip the model over on the ground or
if you do manage to take to the air will see the model
flying backwards.
Large control
surfaces make the Skyfox respond very quickly. Combine
this with its inherently stable configuration and you will
soon understand that this model requires gentle fingers to
fly it. |
After
completing the pre-take off checks the engine, a brand new OS
LA40 was brought to life, running as smooth as silk.
The
controls were handed over to my personal test pilot Robert
McDonald who had no hesitation to fly the Skyfox.
Full
power and away she went. Next moment saw all hell break loose
when the model climbed vertical, looped over, engine cut out and
model out of control!
The
Skyfox pulled out of the loop and flipped over in long grass
beyond the runway undamaged. What happened? A quick inspection
revealed the aerial had a kink with a break in the wire,
limiting the radio range to only a few meters. I shouldıve done
my radio checks thoroughly before trying out a new model!
Next
time round with all things in order saw some "real"
flying. The Skyfox takes to the air almost instantly with only
about quarter throttle. It cruises with just a tick over of the
engine. The LA40 provided too much power for this model.
As
previously mentioned the model is non-aerobatic, but who cares?
I tried a loop, roll, stall turns very nicely executed, but take
care not to over speed the Skyfox or you may over stress the
delicate frame work.
Time to
land and the Skyfox is lined up on final approach. The flaperons
when put down slow the model to a crawl. In a breeze you can
walk alongside it. The Skyfox floats onto the grassy strip and
stops in no time. I was rapt!
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