Flyzone Albatross

[19000rpm]

I had a FlyZone 4ch Piper Cub. It was very nice looking, but it flew as well as a rubber powered rock with paper wings. So, I'm not a big FlyZone fan.

The other day I saw a new micro from FlyZone; The Albatross
secure.hobbyzone.com/search/HCAA2551.html

It was so darn cute I had to try one. Very nice detail and fit. It's a little heavier than the PKZ micros, but it doesn't feel too heavy. I hope I didn't get another rock. I'll try it out at the Metro Dome on Tues. and let you all know how it flies.

[akent]

I love the Albatross.
That looks like a nice model.

I hope it flies well!
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I have been slowly building up an Albatross too:
shop.sapacamerica.com/browse.cfm/4,1626.html
Kent

[19000rpm]

I've heard a lot of good things about the SAPAC models.

[19000rpm]

I'd planned on a maiden at the Metro Dome, but we all know what happened there. I took it over to the school gym instead.

Inside the gym and powered up: The first thing I noticed was that the gear box was quite squeaky. It may be just a break-in issue. In fact, it did seem to get better after a few minutes of flying. More time will tell.

It has plenty of power. A nice, scale like, take-off at 50% throttle in about 15 ft.

Handling in the air is very nice even at half to three quarters throttle. Turns are graceful if not super tight. Just like a full sized WWI bipe. No trim was required.

It also looks great in the air. IMO, as nice or nicer than any of the other micros...Except, just maybe, the mini Beast. Scale details like the motor, machine gun and pilot are not found elsewhere in a micro.

It's a little nose heavy. It has a tendency to nose over on a dead stick landing. Landings with a little power and flare are beautiful. It even taxies straight with just the right amount of throttle.

Due to its light weight and high wing area this plane it will be better inside than outside in a breeze. But, still flyable in a breeze. I got a chance to see how it might handle outside by flying through the blast coming from the gym's heater. It buffeted around a bit, but never was it unsettled by, what I estimate to be, a simulated 5 plus mph breeze.

Flights last about 8-10 minutes depending on throttle management on the FlyZone 1s 138mAh battery. Any other similar sized battery works just as well and most are a bit lighter.

Fortunately, I didn't crash into anything so I can't attest to the durability of the foam in a mishap, but if feels like it will fare well.

The bottom line is that I'm very pleased. The only thing that might be a negative to some is the Tx. It looks like a toy. But, it works well and at the reasonable price of this RTF the toy look is forgivable.

The Albatross is great addition to the ever growing line of micros. A definite "must have" for anybody that can't resist the look of a beautiful WWI bipe in the air.

[akent]

Nice review, 19k!

I don't have any Ultra Micro planks yet. Only helis.

I have the Beast on my list, and now this bird for zero wind scale WW1 flying!
Thanks,
Kent

[Raygun]

You flew at the school gym and there is still a roof left?? How did that happen ;D

[19000rpm]

Thanks, Kent. The ultra micro planes fill the same void the mirco helis do.

You'll be able to fly the Albatross in 5mph winds, maybe a little more.

The Albatross machine gun isn't real Ray. Otherwise, I would have taken out that roof too.