Originally Posted by JetPlaneFlyer
I've got a few 3D planes with considerably more performance than the stock Yak and I'd not describe any of them as 'monsters' in any way at all. Nor are they particularly fast (despite having over 1kw under the hood in some cases). 3D models aren't about top speed.. 'Twitchy'; well maybe, but only if you have very high rates set. Put in low sports rates and they are really very easy to fly.
I've never quite understood why people seem to spread the rumour that high performance 3D models are inherently hard to fly. Possibly people like to make out they are some kind of vicious monster that can only be tamed by the most expert of flyer to make themselves look good? IMHO nothing could be further from the truth, sure they aren't trainers but they are a lot easier to fly than some semi scale sports models I've owned in the past.
Admittedly I cant speak first hand about the Yak specifically and I know for a 3D model of that size it is a bit heavy side, so probably doesn't slow up as well as my balsa 3D models, but I'd be surprised and disappointed if it was that tricky. If it really is that bad then it must be a total dog and would best be avoided at all costs, there are plenty of sweet flying 3D models out there.
Though I do agree that such models are a bit of a stretch as a second model, but not impossible considering the OP has had some sim time and flies helicopters etc. Compared to a helicopter ANY fixed wing plane is a trainer.
Steve
Your right. I did exaggerate 3D models, but coming off of a super cub and a radian (neither of which have ailerons), IMHO the yak would seem like a monster on high rates. I did say, however, that it does fly nice and smooth on low rates, but i would still not consider it to be "floaty". There are plenty of floaty profile EPP 3d planes that bounce right back up after a minor crash, but the cz yak simply isn't like this. As for the speed side of things, to me and you, (i'm assuming from your name you fly EDFs or fast prop jets
) 70MPH isn't all that crazy fast, but for somebody coming off of a cub and a glider, thats pretty darn fast. I remember my first flights after a 3ch trainer on my T-28, and it seemed like it was going 100MPH, when realistically it was probably going 30 or 40
. I agree with you about his heli experience being helpful, however flying a fixed wing is quite different from flying a heli. It doesn't all transfer over.
Either way, I still think he should go with the PZ T-28 or Wildcat, but i'm sure he could probably handle an EPP profile 3D bird just fine. Your right, it is possible for him to have success with the cz yak, but I think he would be much better off with one of the planes mentioned above.