Multiplex Sonic Liner for AP?

[Riverman]

Merry Christmas!

I received some gift certificates to the LHS for Christmas and I am contemplating putting my trusty Aerobird Xtreme to sleep in favor of an upgrade. I noticed the LHS has a Sonic Liner kit on sale for $99CAD and it sort of peaked my interest.
Whatever I purchase it will need to be able to lift my camera as I don't fly without it ever since I got into AP! The Sonic Liner has two motors and would seem to be up to the task in terms of power. Not sure how the whole delta wing/canard configuration would be for lifting payloads. Any thoughts on that?
I'm also considering the Twinstar II but it just doesn't look anywhere near as cool! I just wish they still made the Cargo. Four motors and a cargo bay would seem ideal.
One thing I am noticing is that park flyers aircraft equiped with landing gear are few and far between. Doesn't anybody takeoff and land anymore? That's my favorite part!

cheers!

[Flyer 1]

The Sonic Liner is a fantastic flyer - and on top of that, it's discontinued! GRAB that ASAP!
It should make a pretty good platform for AP. The only downside is that it's a canard design (elevator in front), so you'll have to mount your camera somewhat inventively... possibly on the underside somehow. OR, just position it high enough above the fuse so it's got a clear view ahead (make a pod, in other words).
The Sonic Liner is well-known for being an extremely smooth, forgiving flyer, and these qualities are good for AP. One thing to remember, though, is that it's aileron-controlled and while pretty stable, it does NOT have the self-righting qualities of a SlowStick, Magpie, or other AP-type bird. That's not necessarily a BAD thing, since it'll be better in wind, but you've got to keep your eye on it at all times.
Here's a link to the manual in case you want to look it over:

http://www.multiplexusa.com/Support/...sonicliner.pdf

Flyer

[Kosh]

It really depends on the camera weight. The camera can really only be place on CG and that puts alot of drag on the airframe but speed is not friendly for AP anyways. I think it would also take some carbon fiber on the inside to keep the body from braking in half on landings and a 2100 3 cell minimum but it is doable.

[Flyer 1]

Originally Posted by Riverman

One thing I am noticing is that park flyers aircraft equiped with landing gear are few and far between. Doesn't anybody takeoff and land anymore? That's my favorite part!

Ya know, it's interesting...
For the most part that's true, the advent of more warbirds have taken a toll on landing gear usage as we strive for the ultimate scale look. And, the fact that most parkflyers use wheels too small to take off from grass is another factor.
But - I am considering this very thing as I design my newest AP bird. I'm just getting into it, true (and already have done my first gig!), but it seems to me that, given the right design or mods to an existing plane, it would be the BEST configuration for an AP bird meant for heavily-populated, crowded areas.
IF the plane could be made to slow sufficiently for a hand-catch (flaps, spoilerons, etc.), it seems that handlaunching and catching would be ideal for the purpose. Who knows what your runway will be if you're hired to snap a pic of a small house surrounded by other small houses served by a one-lane road. Heck, there might not be any usable road/sidewalk at all and no field handy. In those circumstances handlaunching is the only way (and catching the bird the only way to avoid damage).
I'm sure we've all seen SlowSticks and other stick planes caught by their wing. Not hard to do - but then, they aren't hauling along a fairly heavy camera, possibly a wireless camera at the same time, or other airborne gear. The weight piles on in a hurry.
Since I don't work tomorrow the Merlin's getting a set of flaps. We're gonna experiment with this.
Flyer

[Riverman]

Thanks for the advice Flyer1 and Kosh

After reconsidering, I don't think I'll go with the Sonic Liner. While I'm sure it makes for a great flyer, I think positive stability is what I really need for my AP rather than the futuristic flash of the sonic liner.
I really like to push the altitude envelope when I'm taking pictures and filming and I don't think the Sonic Liner would lend itself to that.
I'm thinking Twinstar II more and more.

[Riverman]

So I went to the hobby store tonight with my X-mas gift certificates in hand to find the shelves pretty much stripped bare from the Boxing day frenzy. I was hoping to get a Multiplex Twinstar or Easy Glider electric but it was not to be.

I circled the store in dismay. I was going to be forced to order my plane and wait <gasp>? 3-4 weeks for to arrive. I was just about ready to give up and place the order when <it> caught my eye. That Sonic Liner I had asked about a couple days ago had survived the rush and was practically calling out to me for a good home.

Having no will power whatsoever, I decided to purchase Sonic Liner with hopes of making it my new AP platform. I quickly developed buyers remorse and considered returing the plane to the store as I drove home. How could this totally unconventional looking futuristic reject make for a good AP platform. When I got home I decided to open the box and really check the plane out on my own turf and evaluate it as my future AP platform.

Long story short, I am totally amazed at the potential of this plane as a camera hauler. First off, it's huge! Most importantly, the entire roof of the huge passenger compartment is mounted on clip fateners that allow for easy access to the cavernous avionics/battery bay. I haven't gotten very far into the build, but I can already tell that mounting my mini DV camera will be no problem at all. Heck, I could probably fit three!

I'll let you all know how it turns out and I'll hopefully be posting some Sonic Liner on board vids soon.

Cheers

[Flyer 1]

Sounds great!
One of the advantages of most of the Multiplex designs is that they were designed with (by today's standards) HUGE components/batteries in mind. This leaves room for danged near anything you want to chuck onboard!
Looking forwards to your pics/vids!
Flyer

[thomdoe]

Riverman, the sonic flys GREAT very smooth. those clips don't last very long so be looking out for something else. there may still be a vid of mine on my friends site. www.rcsuperpowers.com. good luck it's a very nice plane. Keith