Sbach - new microplane

The Sukhoi was left behind after the move to New Zealand. This included the radio equipment, so I had to re-stock. Decided to get DX-6 transmitter again, because it can satisfy most of the requirements I can envision having in the near future. At first, I was considered buying SU26 from ParkZone series again, but decided to get something a little more powerful in the end.

Sbach and DX6

Unlike SU26, Sbach's energy source consists for two LiPol batteries that are able to provide more power to the motor. Sbach is much more lively and can do all the aerobatic manoeuvres my hands control.

New Zealand provides great sceneries for flying and a lot of open spaces.

More flying with SU26m

During the Easter holidays, I had a chance to fly the micro Sukhoi more often. Became more familiar with its characteristics. SU26 is capable of all the basic aerobatics. With the fresh batteries it is capable of vertical lift up to the sky, however, it slows down and it is hard to control. Have had just over 40 minutes of flying time with the plane, so still need to discover its full potential.

It still amazes me that I can fly this tiny plane everywhere, no preparation is required; just switch the transmitter on, plug the batteries in and fly. The only condition is 'no wind.'

Enjoyed flying at a few very scenic locations in Scotland.

The SU26m and the snowy Scottish Highlands.

Flying in an old quarry was an excellent experience, nice quarry scenery, quarry lake and good protection from the wind.

SU26m posing in the quarry with the lake

Overall experience so far is very good. The hardest part of the flying is, as always, landing. Landing into grass is easy, any kind of crash landing with throttle off will do. Haven't tried landings on tarmac yet. Take-offs are simple. Taking off from a picnic table was a lot of fun. The plane asks to be played with and invites you to try a variety of crazy things you would not think of doing with a full scale model plane.

SU26M - maiden flight

The Sukhoi kit has arrived! (Or rather I finally picked it up.) The plane looks nice and seems to be manufactured well. There is nothing left to be done except for putting the landing gear in place.

The maiden flight took place on a rugby field, in darkness, almost no wind, but the gusts were sometimes kicking the plane a lot. The plane is rather hard to fly, has ok aerobatic capabilities, does not glide at all, but it is fun.

I shall report back in about a week when I will have more experience in better conditions.

Starting with micro RC planes

I started with radio controlled models of planes in 1996. Back then, electricity was making its way to the model planes and the methanol engines were ruling the scene. I was dreaming of having a small RC model that I could fly anywhere and anytime. I wasn't really paying too much attention to the development in the field in the past ten years; was just flying time to time with my old planes.

My first RC model - a glider, Tracy

This Easter holiday, I went to see my parents and was surprised to see that my dad is using so much more advanced equipment in his bigger model planes. Read through some of his RC magazines and found a model of my dreams!

A micro RC model, fully aerobatic, good looking, ready to fly.

It was a review of an "ultra-micro" P51-D Mustang - 400 mm wingspan, weight about 35 g. Got astonished by this type of micro plane. Researched the web and found a variety of models in this category. Discovery of the planes like this one made me decide to start flying models actively in my current location, Southend-on-Sea. I moved here quite recently but didn't take any of my RC gear.

So, in the end decided to get a micro Sukhoi SU-26M and 2.4 GHz band transmitter DX6i to start my comeback into RC flying.

This is the Sukhoi flying (Credit: Parkzone)

Will report back with the experience from "assembly" and flying. Looking forward to being able to fly anywhere in just a few spare minutes of time.