That was fun but somehow it almost felt like it was too easy so I decided towards the end of 2016 to take a break from RC again. While having fun with full-size aircraft during the first half of 2017 I was thinking that I still enjoy RC but I need a more challenging class. Way back from about 1983 to 1990 I flew competitive F3A, pattern. Maybe I could try that again?
First I had to see if I could still fly a power plane and if I still had the "feel" and reflexes to steer an aerobatic plane around the sky. As a start I decided to get a simple foam plane and at the same time also start using a tray mounted radio again. I knew from past experience that I could fly with more precision using a tray mounted radio than a handheld radio like the Taranis X9D+ that I used for F5J.
Deciding on a radio was easy, since starting to use the X9D+ I fell in love with OpenTX and I really got to trust the FrSky radios. It was also easy because I had a brand new, unused, X9E just waiting to be used.
As a first plane I chose an E-Flight Timber, the main reason was that the local shop had one in stock!
The Timber and X9E ready for the first flight.
The first flight went well, I was a bit rusty but soon I could feel the old confidence coming back.
Using the tray radio felt strange for a while after more than a year of intensive practice and competition flying with the X9D+ but I could see that it was the way to go.
As much fun as the Timber was I knew it was very limited and I needed something a bit more aerobatic and I needed it quickly!
The search started.....
