RTF Stock SkyArtec Mini Sky Fun 18 MPH Winds

[phillipmorris]

Flew this morning winds to 25 MPH gusts, brief flight did penetrate all stock setup. This is the newer release with built in stabilization.

Will add tubing at least as control rods were flexing, also exposed under carriage needs protection, did a soft nose up harrier type landing.

Even stock will be fun, can't wait for lower winds.

A close peek.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSS6y...e_gdata_player

[phillipmorris]

Turns out this isn't the doggy flyer of earlier ones, 70 plus MPH likely correct. Sharp turns on approaches were a treat, zero drop! Nearing jet like its definitely sporty. My flex rods still need more attention, a minor fix. Bottom side is exposed grass landings enough cushion.

Did lose early visual sun yet to rise, perhaps stabilization was working as powered off and skimmed on pavement, no dings, light scrape only. L U C K Y !

Was on sale earlier

http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php...ilization.html

[phillipmorris]

If you had prior experience it's very solid to fly. I would have slight nose heavy on openers, simply move battery abit forward, Velcro inside mine was preset to proper balance.

2/3 throttle it should launch straight out, mine has micro up trim as not needed but enjoy altitude on early ventures for any recovery.

This is not a large ship so keep things reasonably close.

Enjoying mine definitely!

[solentlife]

This was briefly looked at as replacement for the HK Parkjet - for the Need for Speed campaign ... but boy what a price !!

Glad you like yours ... maybe once you get yours dialled in - you might like to try some of the Parkjet ideas to get real speed out of it ?

Cheers
Nigel

[phillipmorris]

Tnx for the info!

This later release believe is abit smaller in size. Launches great and decent handling. It does have a stabilization system built in already saved it when I lost visual on a twilight flight leveled in with power off minimal dings.

All its features and RTF sale price not bad at all. Fortunate to catch the $99 sale and no shipping cost. Near a beginners entry but small size needs to be kept reasonably close.

I might consider a larger system for improved full jet performance, but at near or over 70 MPH covers territory quickly, as is does cool tight turns rather well, I'm impressed!

Flown the 120 MPH Models, but this ones a comfortable flyer stock. More than fun!

If your a beginner to these types strongly suggest a seasoned pilot to assist and launch the maiden, proper trim and balance a must.

I need a close visual on lowering power for landing, can veer off quickly as has! Lower throttle does best on coming in, but I still love the Deadstick.

[phillipmorris]

Camera man had bright sun on view finder, but will see its easy launch and landing. For stock setup has some speed, see part of the quick passes give an idea of this updated model, caught it on sale from Hobby People. Watch may put it on again, mine $99 free shipping RTF.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w91dn...e_gdata_player

[phillipmorris]

This isn't the durable foam, managed a crack during a windy landing on the bottom, easy fix nothing major. The simplified transmitter is not coarse control as experienced with similar RTF models.

The stabilization does give near hands off stability at times, but lookout its moving quickly, my low passes slightly higher for recovery. Still have mine set with touch up elevon, makes for level launches, if it does turn on release brief micro down followed by correction gives best recovery for me.

Mine did hit the turf only once so far, study the movements prior to flight, still using the thin rods can flex, put tubing on side with most issues, improved things.

[phillipmorris]

This near pocket rocket continues to be a great sporty flyer.

Stabilization doesn't always kick in, as flown wings before, find it more acrobatic as rolls without the stabilization, sharp turn passes fun either way.

It's small size have lost visual orientation briefly, always recovered so far, slight up elevator setting helped me, but will require more down sticks inflight.

Fly in a two block long park area, but covers territory quickly even stock.

Note again this is a newer release version, over 70 MPH nears jet speed, likely keep the beginner flyer more than busy airborne.

Least I can take a breath while flying this stock, more than satisfying.

[phillipmorris]

This ones fun as can handle heavier breeze and winds, careful of gusts.

Turned back towards the sun blocked it with the transmitter and back in view.

Flying further out did lose visual few moments, fortunately at altitude came back into the wind towards to catch the needed glimpse.

Lowered throttle for approach and deadsticked in keeping nose from rising made a soft touch down slightest harrier.

Always inspect it after each flight, a new deep crevice at tip of nose wasn't there on launch. Perhaps a spring bug, hopefully not a slow bird!

Happy Easter!

[stuart]

sun spot!!i flew the hk pkj across the sky wot and went right in the sun.... the pkj totally disappeared for a second but i managed to follow the blue sun spot till my eyesight saw her still flying level at around 100mph[still haven't got an award for speed]. i didn't say anything ,but the heart was racing and i stopped breathing .

when i landed i told a few pilots what happened and they already knew.

i think the arttech is of the same mold as the parkjet in they sure do look alike.

[phillipmorris]

I know the feeling, lost mine on orientation to point I cut throttle fortunately landed level small scuff on a side wing, as skidded on the far road.

Likely what's saved me on losing it have touch of up elevon so less likely to zing down also easy on the launch. Mine rises to point I apply down frequently inflight, else it's smooth sailing, or jetting.

[solentlife]

Originally Posted by stuart

sun spot!!i flew the hk pkj across the sky wot and went right in the sun.... the pkj totally disappeared for a second but i managed to follow the blue sun spot till my eyesight saw her still flying level at around 100mph[still haven't got an award for speed]. i didn't say anything ,but the heart was racing and i stopped breathing .

when i landed i told a few pilots what happened and they already knew.

i think the arttech is of the same mold as the parkjet in they sure do look alike.

You can see in some of my vids where we have total snow cover ... blue sky and bright sun ... loss of sight of model is a killer !

Not only that but landing is strange as you lose sense of height of model above the ground ... often coming up short of intended spot.

The Mini SkyFun is not same ... similar shape - but dimensions are not same. Skyartec is also still in business - but PKJ factory is not.... according to HK mail .....

Nigel

[phillipmorris]

Last broke extra set of blades, abit windy came in too far away, needs slight puffs of power with winds, tried to deadstick too soon.

Believe Hobby People has it on the $99 sale again RTF, but out of stock on the props. So found couple sets on EBAY.

This one is really a fun flyer, hope it's together for later trip on summer vaca, as nice and compact makes easy transport.

Is a nice review on the Mini SkyFun in model mag, believe was Model Airplane News

[phillipmorris]

Found one of the mag reviews, find description rather accurate.

http://www.hobbypeople.net/media/upl...yFunReview.pdf

[phillipmorris]

Dinged props and unable to get replacements from Hobby People, so found an overseas supplier on EBay. Ordered few sets arrived yesterday, took over 3 weeks delivery.

Very windy plus 35 MPH winds, waited till evening just below 20 abit much, it just penetrates but had 2 fun flights. Wanted to nose up more than usual so some down elevator, really zinged down wind.

Landing lowered throttle till close with some height, then heavier down stick it was able to deadstick in extra down nose and some flare near touchdown worked.

Last flight nearing twilight, glad I had the up trim as lost orientation more than couple times, keeping it close able to land safely.

Sunday perhaps better weather, really missed flying this puppie, it's a keeper!

[phillipmorris]

Note the correct placement on the props is the shinny side facing rear, dull side with number markings faces the front.

Bolt holding the prop is easy to remove and tighten, tho small has some size, very easy on replacement of props. Nice and snug, don't over tighten.

[phillipmorris]

Again the mag review is correct, it's near or over 70 MPH likely on the money. Not a hot jet but makes for a more relaxing flight at or above sport plane speed.

And keep it reasonably close as is on the smaller side, if I'm not too far out the flatter side view on banking helps retrieve the needed visual. Give it some height for safety, tho enjoy the close lower passes as it goes by.

Handles the reasonable winds, up to your skill level. Take your time and it should make many enjoyable flights.

Hope to take it along on vaca as a compact smaller flyer.

[phillipmorris]

Some notes on handling.

The supplied mini transmitter works better than others I've experienced, it's tiny but very functional. Touch of down keeps it working smoothly on any unwanted turn for correction.

My personal setting is slight up trim, any orientation loss especially flying directly above overhead I easily loose a view and it rockets skyward gives plenty correction time.

Launch on mine is easy, medium toss above half throttle stays level even a shallow climb on release, if mine starts to do an unwanted turn, first tiny down stick then small correction on turn, easy on the sticks. Remember mines set for going upward.

Inflight pulses of downs stick during flight for level, bank early as this is a small bird.

Others would level things more, these settings saved the day as easy to lose momentary orientation, mine simply climbs, not plummeting down to the turf, but all your call.

Happy Flying!

[phillipmorris]

Flew moments ago 16 MPH breezes, dang wish winds would calm.

Getting smarter kept the sun to my back, still went out too far once, my up trim let it clmb and caught the side view, just able to nose it back zoomed by at altitude.

Lowered abit, advanced to near max throttle, impressive downwind passes.

Now for the breezy landing, let it out aways but not far lowered throttle just above off to keep things flying. Came back smoothly with some height, cut throttle nosing gradually down to keep penetrating, went past but now low, did some flaring for softer landing onto grass just off the baseball mound.

Nice !

[phillipmorris]

Here's the original props from eBay as local supplier has been out of stock. Takes a few weeks as oversea delivery.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MFJ-007-GWS4...item5899de8a3c