The steadfast SkyFly just got an upgrade: The SkyFly Max. With a flat, semi-symmetrical wing, a more aggressive motor, ailerons, and swept wingtips, the new SkyFly Max will most certainly be a different experience from it’s predecessor.
Summary
Regardless of how fast it’s moving, you’ll know the SkyFly is on it’s way towards you just by the sound of it’s high RPM outrunner! Pushers are notorious for having the loudest little motors in their class and the SkyFly Max falls right in line. See, for electric nuts, their often denied the sound that comes with a glow motor yanking their plane through the sky. Rest assured, the SkyFly Max will get some attention.
In the air the SkyFly Max does pretty much anything you want, with only the peculiarities of a typical pusher plane. Landing are a little hotter since you don’t have a prop up front to pull your nose up through the flare but otherwise the SkyFly Max is a good progression for people stepping away from 3 channel flyers.
It’s overall speed keeps it well inside of the park flyer class and should be welcomed at any park allowing RC flight. Keep in mind that it is louder than most so it may get you some unwanted attention from people already nervous about RC planes flying in their park, so be mindful.
Biggest drawback? The landing gear, specifically the tail. Without a wheel to turn on, steering the SkyFly Max on the ground is not possible so it really feels at home with the gear removed and as a belly-lander. Take-offs often times resulted in a quick ground loop, so we just started hand launching and everything was much more enjoyable. Rob did manage to install a tail wheel (steerable too!) and the SkyFly Max was a blast to takeoff and land.
Hello,
I am just getting into RC airplanes, I have been flying Helis for about a year. I am concerned by starting with a 4 channel plane with aileons for my first plane however I don’t want to out grow the plane to quickly. My question is: Is it possible to disable the aileons on the Sky Fly and use it as a 3 channel until I gain more experience or will I have trouble controlling the plane?
Hey Trainwreck68: If you disabled the ailerons on the SkyFly Max you would be unable to turn it effectively, here’s why: Whenever a plane is designed for three channel only flying, it has a strong dihedral in the main wing (that’s the “v” shape to the wing design, with the tips higher than the center). This dihedral allows the leading wing to catch air through the turns, naturally rolling the airplane through the turns and then leveling back off when the rudder is again straight. The dihedral also helps self-correct the airplane when you let off the control inputs, making these the most popular trainer designs. If you want a three/four channel plane, look for one with a decent dihedral in the main wing design. This will allow you to turn using only the rudder as you are training. Good Luck!
Thanks for the info Kurt. You guys did an awsome review (as always) on the Sky Fly Max and I really like it. In your opinion would it be a good plane to learn to fly on being that it does have ailerons? Or should I stick with 3 channel to start and stay away from ailerons all together? I plan on self teaching, which I did on my Helis and it worked out pretty good.