Member based Reviews on ARF's and Kits
Open for Business!A Step Up With FlatfoilZ
02-26-2012, 08:21 PM
#1
Team AirfoilZ
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Northern CO.
Posts: 23
A Step Up With FlatfoilZ
Intro
Everyone has flown a "standard" profile foam plane. They are extremely common.
The FlatfoilZ line of airplanes really got me interested because they feature a true airfoil; and they are made in the USA.
It is a slightly different airfoil than you might expect. It is called a KF airfoil. The plane features the KFm4.
The KF airfoil greatly enhances the flight performance and makes it fly like a bigger plane.
It handles wind like no other foamie I have flown.
Build
The build took a little longer than most profile foam planes.
It it very straight forward and there is a good manual. The kit is mostly made from 6 and 3mm depron foam. It is all laser cut.
The plane is glued together with mostly epoxy and CA.
It comes with a very complete hardware pack that includes everything you need except electronics.
The build is relatively easy and should pose no problems.
For more info on the build, click on the link below.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1586752
Finishing (Electronics)
I used the E-Flite Park 400 motor spinning a 10 x 7 prop. It has pretty good power but I suggest a Hacker A20. My
18 amp Grayson Hobby speed control fit my Park 400 motor very well.
The servos I used are Hi-Tec HS-55MG servos.
I like the metal gear servos because they last much longer than plastic gear servos and only add a few grams of weight.
My receiver is a Futaba 6-channel.
In the Air
Tracking: The Edge just flies where you point it. The KFm4 airfoil makes it feel like a bigger plane and it really tracks like a bigger plane. The KF airfoil helps reduce the stalls; and it does a great job of it.
Especially in wind the plane feels very steady throughout the flight envelope.
Simple Flight: I found my Edge to be fairly floaty. It is not a beginner airplane, but with the control travel turned down it is a very nice flier for the intermediate pilot.
Loops and rolls were very easy. Stall turns and Cuban 8s were very enjoyable to fly. I was very impressed by how well the Edge does snap rolls.
It is easy to land and hand launches are a breeze.
Aerobatics: This plane is designed for aerobatics and 3D flying. It shines through many 3D maneuvers.
I found hovers and torque rolls to be easy. Knife edge is almost coupling free and can be done fast or slow. High alpha flight is very stable and easy to control.
My Edge is extremely stable in inverted high alpha. Rolling harriers are very nice; as are the spins. I have no real complaints about how it flies.
Flight Video
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqztwMwSNZ8[/media]
Overall
This is a great airplane. Once you have flown the ParkZone warbirds this is an excellent choice as a first aerobatic plane. The Edge is very durable and also easy to fix. It can take you through your RC journey as it almost progresses with you into an awesome 3D machine.
Everyone has flown a "standard" profile foam plane. They are extremely common.
The FlatfoilZ line of airplanes really got me interested because they feature a true airfoil; and they are made in the USA.
It is a slightly different airfoil than you might expect. It is called a KF airfoil. The plane features the KFm4.
The KF airfoil greatly enhances the flight performance and makes it fly like a bigger plane.
It handles wind like no other foamie I have flown.
Build
The build took a little longer than most profile foam planes.
It it very straight forward and there is a good manual. The kit is mostly made from 6 and 3mm depron foam. It is all laser cut.
The plane is glued together with mostly epoxy and CA.
It comes with a very complete hardware pack that includes everything you need except electronics.
The build is relatively easy and should pose no problems.
For more info on the build, click on the link below.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1586752
Finishing (Electronics)
I used the E-Flite Park 400 motor spinning a 10 x 7 prop. It has pretty good power but I suggest a Hacker A20. My
18 amp Grayson Hobby speed control fit my Park 400 motor very well.
The servos I used are Hi-Tec HS-55MG servos.
I like the metal gear servos because they last much longer than plastic gear servos and only add a few grams of weight.
My receiver is a Futaba 6-channel.
In the Air
Tracking: The Edge just flies where you point it. The KFm4 airfoil makes it feel like a bigger plane and it really tracks like a bigger plane. The KF airfoil helps reduce the stalls; and it does a great job of it.
Especially in wind the plane feels very steady throughout the flight envelope.
Simple Flight: I found my Edge to be fairly floaty. It is not a beginner airplane, but with the control travel turned down it is a very nice flier for the intermediate pilot.
Loops and rolls were very easy. Stall turns and Cuban 8s were very enjoyable to fly. I was very impressed by how well the Edge does snap rolls.
It is easy to land and hand launches are a breeze.
Aerobatics: This plane is designed for aerobatics and 3D flying. It shines through many 3D maneuvers.
I found hovers and torque rolls to be easy. Knife edge is almost coupling free and can be done fast or slow. High alpha flight is very stable and easy to control.
My Edge is extremely stable in inverted high alpha. Rolling harriers are very nice; as are the spins. I have no real complaints about how it flies.
Flight Video
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqztwMwSNZ8[/media]
Overall
This is a great airplane. Once you have flown the ParkZone warbirds this is an excellent choice as a first aerobatic plane. The Edge is very durable and also easy to fix. It can take you through your RC journey as it almost progresses with you into an awesome 3D machine.
Well Done 
