phillipmorris

Flew late Friday just before sunset, winds up 12 to 15 MPH at least, gusts well over that, my swoop didn't swoop yet, abit underpowered, but believe I might get it going just received it today...meanwhile also a Viper Shark or Shark Viper via Bannana Hobbies isn't responding to hookups, gads why is this, looks cool tho, but back to this amazing Thunderbat, it flew well in these windy conditions with ease, high gusts slowed it only momentarily and she cut thru it easily, was super fun, nice to have this type of plane-here's a space ship, the Thunderbat that actually will fly right out of the box, PNP or RTF, simply wonderful ship todate...nice to know their are some bargain tho quality stuff still out there...BEST ..<>..

My latest entries, Parkzone Radian Sailplane, thermals near sunset in December, a floater, and this Thunderbat can't give either enough plus stars, these two are off the charts...BEST ..<>..

phillipmorris

Yesterday Winds near sunset as just off work flew the Radain and it went up easily with 15 MPH and plus 20MPH gusts going on, one turn it went downwind, kiting wasnt' coming back as liked, ended up needed abit more downtrim, anyway gave it 90 percent throttle, not only did it come back but with authority against this strong wind over 30 MPH she seemed to scream by giving it near 50 MPH speed as going against plus 20 MPH gusts, as I was down nosing it, wow, kept lowering the nose looked like a porpose doing tight up and down movements but really coming back quickly, huge bird really showing its stuff, got her upwind, and cut throttle and behaved fine with now correct trim and fun flight, landing smooth as always with this majestic flyer...

Thunderbat experienced a rare zero wind early that day before work and flew with no issues, was super fun not having to battle the environement, landings improving now, again keep it flying abit faster even deadstick simply drop the nose..handles winds about as good as any of my current flyers..smaller trainer lipo now on the back burner seldom used except for checking out its stall speeds but will still zing, yet to try some slow nose up harrier moves, perhaps on the horizon..so far still a great bird..<>..

phillipmorris

Great, again near zero winds moments ago Wed AM today and flew the Radain, peaceful flight landed slightly downwind for what light breeze there was towards me but diagonal to kill more altitude, still slid 20 feet on the snow and landed in the cornor of the practice field right on the sidewalk, so no chasing it into the snow, while inflight it drifted sailed along barely moving at times quite a calming flight..

Now for the Thunderbat, into the slightest breeze was dag nibbity into the low sun so ingnored it and went to the left slightest side breeze, went up with no issues and turned my back to the sun as in the middle of the practice field and the low angle sun illuminated things beautifully, easy to see it bank with the flag banner pattern on top, really shows up, keeping it pretty close was very easy to fly now, did try a harrier move for a brief time at altitude but too enthused on enjoying its brisk flight...sharp banking at times single smooth rolls things going great...just under 2/3'rd throttle was very enjoyable, dove a few times to witness its speed, ducked even tho was over 20 foot high passes, she makes you flinch, what a ride, flew well over 8 minutes or more, cold taking its toll but fingers warm with all the excitement of the flight, brought her down abit into the light breeze responded with airspeed lowering the nose and lifted level prior to touch down on the smooth snow from last night, slid in well, nose finally settled at last and turned slightly to a stop..suddenly felt the fingers get cold marching back from the field, increadible how the body responds staying warm inflight but after its over next time on with the gloves, hi hi, 12 degree temps, yep cold, but hey lets fly...<>..

phillipmorris

Careful if you switch back to the smaller trainer Lipo after flying several times with the larger regular Lipo, Thus took off ok but some stronger breezes, on the turn around dropped and was waaay to low for comfort, went to near max throttle on this smaller Lipo and it responded much better, have to patient to get things flying, diving was fun and had some nice speed, made it thru the near 10 MPH winds, still fun flying, slower turns at the launch sure may have prevented the issue, hi hi...

phillipmorris

Winds smoothed down early this morning but light snowflakes then cleared, took off the Thunderbat this time loaded with the regualr lipo, first time my bare hands started to get abit cold, as getting more comfortable flying this one, behaved on the money from launch to landing, some winds built up but flew with ease, rolls and several dives tho still some safe altitude, banks beautifully making it easy to keep her in visual range, she zooms down with authority, able to pull off over 8 to 10 minutes of flight with the brutal 15 degree temp, one of my better landings scooted level during complete deadstick, kept nosing down for stability...

Can't wait for calm conditions, love to try some harrier nose up passes, anxious to give it a try.....BEST ..<>..

phillipmorris

Winds over 30 MPH really too much for me..

Found my wind limit flying this amazing Thunderbat, winds picked up but not to be denied off she goes, launch was fine then winds picked up even more to plus 25 MPH peaking over 30 MPH, whew, Thunderbat went vertical on me then down she came spiraling all the way, not a chance saving, hit really hard this time breaking in several areas, fixable indeed, found my limit of wind speed...so under 20 MPH I'm comfortable with this one, but plus 30 MPH is certainly above my limit...should know better, will be flying soon, be patient for better conditions....because of the intense winds chased the nose cone across the park, fortunately all the controls are intact...another clue, if you have to turn the bill of your cap backwards to stay on, likely too windy...

Oh, found on the contruction of this otherwise durable craft, are light metal like nails holding the square tail joints, impressed...

phillipmorris

Much better this morning, or was it ? Winds down abit but sure enough airborne winds gusted, my hat popped off, bad sign, winds pounded my back as I walked downwind, but launch was fine and it did penetrate the stronger winds this time, only 75 percent throttle, perhaps more but didn't want to magnify any wrong sticks, did keep it at decent altitudes helped on one low drop under 20 foot way to close for these conditions, winds at or very close to 20 MPH peaks prehaps more but defintely below yesterdays misshap...she handled fine, slowed alot against this strong wind and screamed downwind have no idea the speed but moving out well, now the dreaded landings these are a strong concern with higher winds, use to deadsticks from sailplanes decided to cut throttle upwind near tree top level, block area to land dropped the nose and she came in well even against this wind, kept her nosing down and leveled at the last moments at the far end of the field, smooth and on the money, whew, sigh of relief...

Flew over 5 minutes tho wanted to land during the first moments of flight, hi hi...this plane is not the 4 minute jet flyer, will handle 10 minutes or more even over 80 percent throttle, not a wimp for duration, and fast enough for the novice indeed...

BEST ...

phillipmorris

20-30 MPH winds Thunderbat flight, this is too much...

Wanted to fly the Radian, but too much wind later today, gusting well into the 20 MPH range and above, waited till late this afternoon, front opened and things steadied for moments with break showing a low in the horizon window of sun, winds went below 20 MPH, out I go, but as I marched into the field firmly holding the Thunderbat things picked up again pounding against me, gads...waited for it to settle and at launch she turned over and down to the turf but managed to level it, so no damages, had to unplug the battery as jolt to the ground shut things down, checking connections all ok, so on with the battery, and it responded normally, holding the plane for launch again heavy winds, so waited, settled slightly again off we go, went right up easily and for moments had a good flight going with much more altitude than I normally would use but keeping it fairly close, dang winds picked up, caught this long nose and wanted to dive in but held things level and she slowly made it thru this strong headwind, one pass just over 10 feet up, look out this is too low, gads, then winds lowered slightly and flew well again but gusty so decided to bring her home, this time left some low throttle but lowering the nose carefully to bring it down but avoiding a dive, came in and started to level, actually hung suspended a few feet for near 2 seconds, last made contact with the ground and settled in nicely, whew...lets wait for another day...checking the forecast - 25 to 35 MPH winds rest of the day, ouch...<>..

phillipmorris

Our next venture just might be the Synapse a cutie ducted jet streamline looks, we are having a strong discussion with my veteran competive sailplane flyer on whats going on with this Synapse, our Phamacist has one of these and mentions a bounce during the launch, do see wing dips goin on and even a mention of some handling issues for the novice's first flights on these will check out the Synapse threads, been windy so giving the Thunderbat some rest and enjoyed the Radian, lots of flights ahead, Happy Holidays to everyone...<>..