[craigk]

At the risk of starting a war or other serious altercations, over the next few months I will be pondering whether to get a bigger airplane for IMAC competitions or keep the venerable 100cc Aeroworks Extra 260.

I think I improved significantly over this season, even though I managed to solidly secure the cellar in every event.

So I'm looking for advice/comments on whether to continue with the airplane I'm comfortable with or look for something bigger.

And whether a Carden or Hangar 9 Su26 or Aeroworks Extra would make a difference to me.



Thanks for your comments.

[BMG]

You already know what I think.

For classes above sportsman, the trend, and for good reason, is 40% as a minimum. The stability of these planes is incredible when you have any wind or are into more complex maneuvers.

I don't want to discourage anyone here but keep in mind there are some great deals out there on used planes. Transportation definitely becomes a concern though.

The 40% 260 with a 150 was the plane to fly up until a few years ago. It still is a terrific plane as Ivan Kristensen proved with his up until he sold it last year.

Brendan

[Billpilotca]

Craig - as you know I have a sister plane to your yellow AW Extra. "Old Yellar" as Brendan calls her has almost 400 flights. You also know I have a 40% Suk and Carden 260.

I won't comment a lot on the Carden as I am still working with my mentor to get it dialed in, however I have about a 140 flights on the Suk.

As Brendan said the stability and general flight characteristics of the larger planes makes flying easier. I notice a heck of a difference between the 35 and 40% planes. The larger plane is just so much nicer to fly.

I also agree that you don't need the larger plane until you get to the upper classes. Certainly not for Basic and Sportsman, Intermediate is seriously debatable but I need every advantage I can get due to pilot limitations. For sure it makes a difference in Advanced and Unlimited. But for ease of flying you would not regret it. Transportation is an issue but lots of guys fit the 40% planes up the centre of their vans.

I would say go for it if you can. Keep your eye out for a used deal or buy a new airframe and try to find some used parts and pieces. I have not priced the H9 Sukhoi lately but it was down around $1400 U.S. and free shipping at times within the U.S. I picked mine up in Niagara Falls NY but you of course would go across at SSM.

Should warn you though that if you do buy a Suk new it comes in a box that must be 8 feet long (big coffin). And there are two other boxes for cowl and wings. I remember taking it all apart in my driveway and had a huge pile of cardboard to get rid of.

[Randy Brown]

I give u 50 for your aeroworks

[craigk]

I still have the Katana
You can have it for $50

[Jimmy P]

So just curious, what is a 40% plane worth to build to compete?

[19pointbuck]

I would think around 3G. 1000 for motor, prop, spinner, another 1000 for servos, and a grand for miscellaneous. (servo extension, fuel tank, SmartFly, A123 batteries). Just a guess what it cost me for my 38% Decathlon. Plus the aircraft it's self.

[Billpilotca]

Originally Posted by Jimmy P

So just curious, what is a 40% plane worth to build to compete?

Answer has a lot of variability and whether you go new or used and low end to high end. So cost can be as low as 3.5-4 K up to a high end around 10-12 K.

I have done fairly well buying used planes, engines, servos from people I know and trust. But for a 40% I would say $4000 is likely the low end of the range for a 40%.

If you go high end then a new Carden Pro kit is $2000, custom built by an experienced builder adds $2000 so total $4000 just for the plane. A new DA200 is $2800 US !! Pick whatever US-Can rate and go ouch. Then new exhaust system and headers, high end servos etc then you can run the bill up to $12,000.

Do you need that much plane, if you are flying at the top competition levels then it provides power to weight advantages, upline and multiple snap rolls. But for us regular middle of the road guys, we can get by for less. Bottom line is still pilot skill, to a point.

I cannot afford high end, but I get by OK with used parts and pieces and try to keep the cost down. For instance I selectively buy used servos and send them in to the manufacturer or service centre over the winter to be checked out. Buy new batteries every couple of years and new props etc. Still not cheap but there are ways to economize.

The other thing that can be said is I aim to maintain 3 flying planes and not a hangar of 15-20 planes. Although 4-5-6 K is a heck of an investment in an airplane, I hear guys brag all the time about having 25-30 planes, many of which cost on average $300-500 each. Add it all up and it comes to a lot of cash either way.

I decided a couple of years ago that I would just have one primary competition plane, a back up plane if the inevitable happens, and one old beater hacking around plane. I sold off everything else to help finance the 3 planes I keep now.

[Mike Sebastien]

I have a 40% Carden extra 260 for sale.

[scaleguy]

Originally Posted by Mike Sebastien

I have a 40% Carden extra 260 for sale.

Mike,

Nice looking plane but it has that "F" word plastered all over it!

Sorry being a JETI owner I couldn't resist.

I have a 40% Carden Extra 260 as well but I'm keeping mine even though I won't be able to compete this year.

Craig come clean and tell everyone you've decided to stay with your tried and trusted 35% for now.

Mike it's too bad you are in Moncton as your price is very appealing.

Maybe we will be lucky enough to have someone heading out that way this summer that can bring that back to Ontario where I am sure there a few other people interested in that fine 40% Carden.

What do you have in it for power again?