wootdog

My Feedback: (65)

Does anyone out there own the new Aeroworks 31%Edge 540T ARF and if so what are your thoughts about the plane?
I am seriously thinking about a purchase but would like some advise from someone who owns and flys one.
Thanks......Wootdog..........

rcflyguy_26

My Feedback: (8)

I don't own one, but I have test flown 2 of them! They are great!! I was amazed at way it flew. the first one had a ZDZ 80 on it. The second had a 3w 75. Both had digital servos on 6v. I'll see if I can't get one of the guys to chime in here. I would recommend this as a first aerobatic gasser for any one with and intermediate skill level.

Later, Scott

rcmiket

A good buddy just finished one put a G62 flys like a dream no bad habits,NONE.This thing groves like you never seen.Best test flight Ive ever done.Lands like a trainer no joke, flys great.

Andy540T

My Feedback: (9)

I have one with a DA-50 and it flys great, had to add lead to the nose.

john316

Aeroworks has got these on a special for $595.00 and I'm looking real hard. Do you guys recommend buying one cause it sounds all good from what I have heard so far? How about all up weight and build quality? I am not familiar with Aeroworks but I have heard they are well built and fly well too. I'm just wondering if they are cutting corners on the 31% to get down to that price point. Anyway, I am thinking along the lines of a ZDZ 60 or maybe even an 80 for some real vertical performance. What do you guys think?

JMW

john316

Oh one more thing..... what is the servo set up i.e. total servos required, torque rating etc? I am thinking a bird that size will need two per aileron with a matchbox, or cas I get away with one per aileron?

jmw[8D]

BigBirdFlyer

My Feedback: (13)

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I know there are some people that used the ZDZ 80. I am going to use the same engine and would like to know what size prop you are using. Is there an aftermarket landing gear that is taller or will I have to use a 3 blade prop. I already have a Mejhlik 26 X 10 two blade.

Bryant330L

My Feedback: (126)

I had one of these with a zdz 60 in it. It weighed 20lbs and the power was great. The power of an 80 is really not needed on this plane. The 60 gave it unlimited verticle. This plane was really weak in the firewall/landing gear area. They are light for a reason, not much structure in there. As for servos, one per aileron, 2 elevators, one big on for the rudder. Came out pretty tail heavy with the 60. Flew great, but I am not sure I would buy another one.

deputydog

I've had 2! Great plane. 1st one had a DA-50 on it. Weighed 19#. My current one has a 3W-75 and weighs 20#. Very stable flyer and slow speed handling is excellent. I also have a smoke system in it. Single hitec 5925 on each aileron. My first I had a pull-pull on the rudder. My current one has push-pull in the tail. Great lookin with the graphics set you can buy for it. Duralite Plus batts.

john316

Bryant330L, I am curious why you would not buy another 31% Edge. I have heard that there are some quality issues on the 31% that are not typical of Aerworks products. Is this true??? What was the specifics of the weak firewall and gear area and what was your fix?

jmw[8D]

Bryant330L

My Feedback: (126)

I don't know if I's say that I wouldn't own another one, but I would not pay $600-$700 for one because I think the high stress areas are just not built very well. I think that for my money I could find a better built plane. The landing gear/firewall areas on mine were poor wood, not enough glue, and just not thick enough for the high stress of a 20lb plane. Mine came out on a fairly soft dead stick landing. It was not a hard landing at all, but it messed up the cowl and cost me a lot of repair time. I rebuilt the areas with better,thicker wood and didn't have any more trouble. The plane flew nice though. I might buy another if I could find a used one or something a little cheaper. It is always possible that I got a "bad one" that so often shows up with ARFs. Just a chance you take.

john316

Sorry to hear you had problems with your Edge!

jmw[]

AJF--2

My Feedback: (119)

I too am NOT a really BIG FAN! On my maiden flight I had a flame out (not enough exit air) and had to land in a soft, fresh plowed field. The result was a ripped out gear that poked holes in the wings-- completely destroyed the bottom of the fuse behind the gear, and obliterated one of those $60 cowls. Compare that to a battery problem in my PW Extra that had a MUCH HARDER HIT ON A HARD RUNWAY and it was a 3 hour repair and all I needed was a roll of Monocoat and scrap balsa. All in all, it is a great flyer as long as there are no "mishaps"-- but when there are, you will then pay the price.

john316

I am trying to read between the lines here but I guess what you guys are really trying to tell me is "don't crash and you will really like this airplane".

jmw

Bryant330L

My Feedback: (126)

JMW, Not so much don't crash, just grease every landing. Which is not hard to do with this plane unless you have a serious cross wind or a dead stick.

john316

Wow, that sounds like a little redesign is seriously overdue over at aeroworks. Have you tried to contact them with the problems you are having with this airplane? I mean seriously, everbody can have a bad landing now and then but the entire belly of the aircraft shouldn't fall out just because you don't grease it in perfect every time.

jmw

deputydog

Most of the larger planes(ARFS) are built light! Even the Great Planes 330 is a light build. The Smaller GP's are pretty stout!
We are talking a 92" plane @ 19-20#'s here! I'm sorry but it's not a plane to be flying in a cow field. I dont know of many $2500 planes that are!
For the current price, The plane is a great deal. But there are also other excellent planes out there! The GP Patty, any of Dave Patricks birds or even the World Models Extra.
I like my Edge.....ALOT! It's made to fly, not crash damage.
I just got the Dave Patrick Ultimate " OH MY GOD!!!!!"

john316

I hear you deputy dog. I have seen people make what they called a "hard landing" and I would have characterized as a "semi-controlled crash" In any case you are right about the larger aircraft, it is impractical from a weight standpoint to withstand major impacts. Oh and I agree with you about the Ultimate, I am drooling over the new Aeroworks Ultimates myself!

jmw

Bryant330L

My Feedback: (126)

You guys are right to a certain extent. I also have the H9 sukhoi and H9 Extra. Both have stood up to more than the AW Edge. My opinions are just that, opinions. Get one and try it out, you might like it and you might be rebuilding. I wish you the best of luck!

john316

Bryant330L, no reflection on your circumstances intended, I knocked the gear out from under my 1/4 scale GP G-202 on its maiden flight. I definitely stalled it a couple of feet off the deck and was amazed as the gear folded up on what looked like a pretty easy hit, so you never know. I blame that one partly on me and partly on some pretty cheesey glue joints on the gear plate (hot melt). I guess that the lesson learned was that we can't expect these bigger birds to take the abuse the smaller airplanes will.

jmw

AJF--2

My Feedback: (119)

We are talking a 92" plane @ 19-20#'s here! I'm sorry but it's not a plane to be flying in a cow field. I dont know of many $2500 planes that are!

I really don't fly in a cow field. We lease 3 acres for parking and runway and the rest is a hayfield for the owner to do with what he chooses. If we could afford to lease all 300 acres, we would. As long as you don't have a flame out and go deadstick too far away to get back, well then you are OK. Just invest your own $2500 and find out for yourself. I did. I owned the 29% kit and it was much more durable.

PS-- I have a few Miles Reed designs of 72" (Weeks Bipe) 80" and 90" Extras and you have to hurt one of them pretty bad to do serious damage. Just my opinion of course.

deputydog

We are in the same boat. A buddy had a dead stick on a GP Patty and immediately handed me the stick. I set it down as gently as possible in the field but the gear still came off! But... I would have to say the repair was much easier than the edge would be! We weigh close to the same but I have a much bigger plane!!!!
Another buddy did a really hard landing with his H9 Sukhoi. No apparent damage except splayed gear. Came out the next weekend and tried a flat spin. The bird was flapping..... He managed to land it and most of the ribs in one wing was cracked, the wing was bent up at the end of the spar. A miracle no one died!!!! What do you do!

jrjohn

My Feedback: (24)

I had, yes had one last year. I only used on reciever battery, it was from Super Battery Packs.com A tiny thin wire used to jump the cells broke in flight. HuH go figure! the rest is History. I had the battery pack right behind the firewall because the plane was so tail heavy. I had 2 5945 in the tail on push pull rudder set up. I bought another 31% Edge for 595.00 I fugured what the heck the price is right, quality control leaves somthing to be desired thats for sure One wing was totally warped so I sent it back and they sent me a different one that someone had probably retured because it didn't fit to the fus properly I pulled the wing root apart and fixed it myslef. The plane actually flew pretty good, I had a 3w75 IUS in it. way over powered!

. Anyway, to make a long story short, I want to use a pull pull on this one so I'm not so stinkin tail heavy. Is anybody out there using a pull pull and if so can you describe you set up.

thanks

john316

The quality control issue keeps coming up on this airplane and that is what is keeping me from whipping out my credit card and buying one. One thing that everybody seems to agree on is that the airplane flies great. There seems to be like a 50-50 split on landing gear problems and weak motor box problems. Some folks have no problems and others do.

jmw

Columbo

My Feedback: (9)

Motor box you build yourself, so you can reinforce it as you go. Landing gear is the only issue I've had. The plate can come out after several landings. This area needs reinforcing. Otherwise, I've had not other problems with the airframe.

Greg