It’s not often you walk into your local hobby shop and see a Cessna 350 Corvalis staring back at you. Fact is: sometimes the prototype just doesn’t translate well into scale RC. Let’s see how the Corvalis stacked up to the competition in our 5X5 review…
Summary
Whenever you pop a plane off the runway and your fingers aren’t immediately going to the radio trims, you know something’s going just right. That “just right” feeling continued throughout the flight, after the flaps were dropped, and when we finally brought the Corvalis back to rest at our feet. What else can you really say about a great experience? A lot.
The Corvalis:
- Assembles easy
- Requires no balancing
- Has excellent power
- Has even better run-times
- Is extremely stable in 8mph gusts, 5mph constant wind
- Provides a perfect example of functioning flaps
- Has a super-convenient battery hatch
- Is equipped with nav lights, dual strobes, and landing lights
Imagine your highest expectations being met in a model of this class, size, and power. That’s the Corvalis. If you’re keeping track of total value, this is the clear winner of the Flyzone Select Scale series!
RTF Product Spotlight
UPDATE: We got our hands on the RTF version as well and take a look at how the Tactic radio system handles the Corvalis.
Assembly Notes
Hood Latch
When we pulled our Corvalis out of the box, we had a heck of a time trying to get the battery cover off the model. After closer inspection, we realized that the plastic latch was getting caught up on the sharp edge of the aluminum latch receiver. We took a small flat file and knocked the sharp edge off the top of the slot in the aluminum “hook” and our battery cover stayed put, but removed easily. If you’re having a hard time just getting it removed like we did, sneak a flat blade screwdriver through one of the engine cooling ports and gently pry the plastic latch apart while applying some upward pressure.
File the sharp edge off the top of the square receiver notch in the battery hood latch
Re-location of Radio Receiver
Our directions showed us mounting the receiver directly underneath the scale seats in the cockpit (accessible underneath the wing). Problem was, if we followed the directions our wing didn’t have enough clearance to mate to the fuselage. We decided to re-locate the radio receiver directly in front of the seats, against the cockpit bulkhead. Things fit nicely, there was room for the wing, and it preserved the look of our scale cockpit.
Relocate the radio receiver (if necessary) so your wing can fit properly in place
This is a great review!
Thanks, Sally!
Very Professional work!
Thanks
Our pleasure. More on the way…
I think you should have mentioned that the wing can not be removed or installed with the main gear assembly installed.
JIH,
We were able to remove the main wing with the gear installed. You have to angle it pretty hard and it roughs up the edge of the foam that covers the landing gear, but it was possible to do without damage on our test model. Maybe they changed things a bit?
Great review!
I bought the plane after that one.
I do have a question about it. Since I am a rookie pilot, I think I did something wrong with the CG.
My first (and only) time I flew it, it started to roll hard left right after takeoff.
I checked everything before taking off,but some how I hade a huuuuge crash.
Any thoughts about what it could be? Other than maybe CG is a bit off.
Thank god spareparts are cheap on this plane. I know I will enjoy this plane for many years,when everything is sett ok.
Oh No! Well, a hard roll to the left can be caused by a few things:
Check all of these conditions on the ground and consider more ground speed before takeoff, and you should be set. Keep the flaps up until you solve the problem. Flaps extended will only accentuate or amplify the problem. Good Luck!
I ordered a Corvalis, which should be in tomorrow. I how have the Sensei, Focke-Wulf and Corvalis in the fleet. Any recommended expos for the Corvalis would be appreciated. Thanks.
You’re going to find that the Corvalis flies great at 100% on all surfaces. We didn’t even use expos on our setup. The manufacturer recommendations for the HIGH/LOW throws are fine, but personally I leave the switch on high the whole time and don’t even think about it. You may want to consider low rates for takeoff if only for the rudder. Tricycle gear steers very easily so it may seem a little over-sensitive on high rates while you’re driving it on the ground. Word of caution: don’t attempt a roll on anything but high rates unless you’re three-mistakes high or higher. The Corvalis is a slower roller so you’ll want high rates to help reduce the “C’mon, C’mon, get over..” factor. Especially if you’re not completely comfortable inverted. Good Luck!
Hello,
What about replacement of the Nosegear in case of damage from bad landing?
Happened to me and the Nosegear shaft is broken just above the nut and thread in the upper half of the nose wheel pant. Because of the inaccessability of the inner of the nose of the plane replacement of the nosegear arrangement is not possible (without cutting open the whole thing!). Do you have suggestions how to solve this problem?
Unfortunately, the Corvalis suffers from the same replacement difficulties as the Flyzone Sensei. Careful cutting, and re-assembly are the only way to do the job.