christchurch and district model flying club

Seagull Arising By Terry Sullivan

Photos by Terry Antell

Model and all equipment supplied by Simon Willey of Model Pro,

Except Datalogger from Mike Redmond of Aurorra Ltd

 Website photo

Part One

Since I started model flying 31/2 years ago, I have flown a few different models and a few different sites. I have looped a scale 5m glider, and a 2 foot span one, flown on sites ranging from a 20 foot gravel bank to a 400 foot vertical cliff, flown brushless/lipo models that climb vertically and under-powered electric gliders that barely get in the air.

But such is the nature of model flying that there are still challenges to be conquered. At present my most aerobatic model is a brushless Formosa, and I want to get something better. I finished last in our club thermal competition, possibly the fact that I am using a 2m slope model against 3.5m thermal mouldies was at least in part to blame, or I hope it was. There remain a lot of things I want to do in model flying, and most require investment in new models.

Until a few months ago, an IC trainer model was on about page 8 of my list of priorities. But when I won the Flying sites competition for a free weeks accommodation at the RC Hotel in Corfu, I realised that my Rise off Ground (and return onto wheels) experience was sadly lacking. In fact I had only once flown an ROG model! So why am I writing a review article about a classic IC trainer? Simple, this one is an electric conversion! Still not my first choice of model, but as my friend Simon Willey of Model Pro is doing the testing of the electric version for Perkins, he wanted to get another opinion from someone who is not quite the expert that he is! So he is loaning me the model and gear to assemble and test it. For me this will be the largest and heaviest powered model I have flown, with the most powerful motor, and the first proper ROG model. So whilst I have no doubts about my ability to fly it without too much danger of bending it, in many ways I am inexperienced in a model of this type, and thus the ideal candidate for the non-expert testing.

 I assembled a team of experts to assist me with the construction and early flying of the model, not because I anticipated any major difficulties, but because this is what a novice should do, and when I was a novice, I did. Also my building facilities are not spacious, and recent developments in my ongoing health problems make prolonged or fiddly jobs with my hands very difficult. So I had two people with experience of models of this size to advise me and do the things that my hands will not allow at present.  

 So what is the Arising Star? First the web site specs:

Wingspan - 63ins (160cm)

Wing area - 645 sq.ins (41.6 dm.sq)

Suits - 40-46 2-stroke. (52 4-Stroke)

4 channel RC with 4 servos (In this case 3 servos and a speed controller.)

Skill Level - Beginner

Approx flying weight - 5-6lb (2.3-2.7kg)

It is a high wing monoplane with a tricycle undercarriage.

Since the building of this ARTF model is very simple, I do not intend to go into this in much detail. I will outline some differences that the electric flier with no IC experience (like myself) would encounter, but mostly concentrate on the Electric conversion aspects.

And so to opening the box. Neatly laid out and wrapped were the complete fuselage, wings in two pieces, the tail feathers and hardware, with a 16 page instruction manual with ample photographs. Also supplied for the electric conversion were the JP EnErg C4220-16 690rpm/v outrunner brushless motor, the EnErg Pro 20C 4300mah 4S1P lipo, the E-Pro SP-80A- Aip Opto ESC, an 1100mah 6v Rx pack, a GWS 8ch Rx and fitted to the motor was a 13x8 Electric propellor

The Box Contents

 I had left the selection of a power train in the hands of the expert. Simon likes at least 100w/lb, and he had tested this set-up to a maximum of 774 watts, more than enough for a 6lb model, even if it ends up at the top of the weight scale. At the power levels this combination is capable of producing, performance will not be lacking. Most people suggest that 75W/Lb is sufficient for a trainer, but like Simon I believe that having the power does not mean I have to use it, not having it means it is not there when I need it!

Ever tried pulling out from behind a truck when riding a restricted moped? I did – once!

First impression was it is BIG. Compared to my largest powered model, this thing is huge! And there is so much room inside. The construction is very simple, but I think if the designers had been intending electric power from the outset, lighter materials and construction might have been used. Not that it is heavy, the fuz and tail, with no motor mount but with the 2 servos, is 1lb 9oz, the wings with aileron servo are 1lb 12 oz. The motor weighs 8oz and the battery 13oz, and then add an rx pack, undercarriage and a few more bits of radio gear plus a motor mount and we should end up just over 5lb, near the lower edge of the intended weight. I have seen electric models of greater size that weighed the same as the “Star”, and larger IC models that weighed less, too.

Part 2 next time

[Contents] [Chairman's Chatter] [Editorial] [Diary of a Flier] [Slicker 50] [Arising Star review] [Soaring DVD review] [RCME Storch build] [Neitoperz] [Sealand jaunt] [I only..] [Bluebird build]