When the box arrived I noticed that it looked like someone was playing football with the package. Every side of the shipping box was deformed. I opened the shipping box and was pleased to find that the packaging had prevented any damage to the kit box.
I opened the kit and found that it was packaged well with all parts in separate bags taped in place to prevent shifting and damage during shipping. Then as I was unpacking the components I started noticing the quality of the kit. The laser cutting was outstanding to the point that there were graphics cut out in the main spar. The fuselage was more than just a stick built frame. It is a 3 ply lamination of laser cut balsa. The color is scheme bright and easy to see.
All the hardware was included and the instruction manual was well thought out. There was very little text in the manual but the graphic instructions were easy to follow.
Once everything was unwrapped, I opened the manual and looked through every step in the assembly. I wanted to make sure that I understood every step and didn't miss anything as I was building. ( I have done that once or twice)
The next thing I did was to get out the covering iron and go over the parts to remove any small wrinkles. There were only a few wrinkles in the covering. I also went over all the edges and around the areas where the covering was to be removed.
With a sharp hobby knife I removed the covering from all the servo bays and the wing slots. One thing that I was surprised me, there was a recessed area for the receiver with a slot for servo wires to pass from one side of the fuselage to the other. The recess fit the Hi-tec optic 6 receiver well.
I found only one thing missing in the instructions. The vertical stabilizer is a separate piece that has to be glued into the slot on the top of the fuselage. I first dry fit the vertical stabilizer into fuselage and marked the area of the covering to be removed. With a sharp hobby knife removed the covering from the area to be glued. I glued it in place with thin CA.
The wings installation was very straight forward. Next hinge the ailerons surfaces. Slide the elevator into place first then the horizontal stab, align and glue the stab. Hinge the elevator.
Cheeks are glued in then the motor mount. The landing gear are is held in place with wire ties. The wheel pants glue onto the wheel collars.
Control Horns and pushrod guides are glued into the slots.
Install the radio gear.
The push rods use a "Z" bend at the servo and a 90 degree bend at the control horn. Shrink tubing is provided to secure the pushrod into horns.
The winglet is then glued in place. The instructions have the winglet installed after the radio gear and I would recommend it in that order. This saves wear and tear on the winglet during handling for the equipment install.
The canopy is then trimmed and glued in place.
Everything is together and there is only 2 things left to do. Set control surface deflection and balance the aircraft. Recommended deflections for the ailerons and elevator are 15º for low rates/precision and 45º for high rates/3D. For the rudder 30º / 45º.
There are two different balance ranges, one for precision and one for 3D. I marked both ranges and placed a large enough piece of Velcro® for the battery to be able to balance the plane for either.
Now it's off to the field.
I first went to the field where I normally fly, it's a grass field. Our field is a little rough and the grass is not very dense. I soon discovered that I wouldn't be able to maiden the plane there. The included wheels are just a little small for our field. So I packed up and went to another area where we fly park flyers.
I started with the plane balanced to the rear of the recommended range for precision. Made sure that I was on low rates, and got ready for take off. When I advanced the throttle the plane tracked straight and lifted off with just over half throttle. I was please with the feel of the plane in the air. I was flying in about 6-8 mph winds for the first flight and the Oxalys handled it well.
I started with some simple figures, rolls, loops, 1/2 cuban eights. The plane tracked well. Stall was clean with just a touch of drop to the left. I was surprised to find that the plane handled more like a larger size glow pattern plane.
Now it was time to really put it to the test. The snaps were clean and looked like a snap should. There was not the feeling of flying a small electric. Spins were nice good clean break with a nice rotation.
Where the Oxalys really shined was knife edge. The winglet above the canopy really did seem to improve rudder authority. With the plane balanced for precision it did pull slightly to the canopy and there was minor roll coupling. Both were easy to mix out.
A couple practice approaches, then in for a smooth gentle landing.
Now it was time to rebalance for 3D. I just moved the battery back and double checked with the marks I had made on the bottom of the wing. By now the wind had picked up to 10-12 mph, but I was ready to go up again.
Again nice tracking on the take-off roll and jumped into the air. Just a slight elevator trim change and lets see what happens with high rates.
The roll rate was incredible, and the rolls very axial. There was a slight wing rock in a harrier, more practice with the plane and I should be able to find the "sweet spot". Hover was just a little touchy, but most of the smaller planes I have flown are the same way. Blenders, water falls, high alfa knife edge, it will do it all.
With the change in balance I did notice a difference in the over all coupling. There seemed to be less roll coupling and Knife edge tucked slightly toward the gear. Again very easy to mix out.
The stronger wing did push me around a little more but still very capable of handling the wind.
I look forward to the next time I get to take the Oxalys out.
With the capabilities of performing both precision and 3D by a change in the balance point I have a couple of suggestions.
If you are just going to fly one or the other style set the balance and mark your battery position. Work with your radio programming until you are happy with it and stick with it.
If you are going to be flying both styles, I would recommend setting up two seperate programs on your radio. That way you will have the trims and mixing right every time.
If you fly off grass, I would get larger wheels and not install the wheel pants. Larger park flyer wheels would make it a breeze for a well kept grass field.
For those that fly off concrete or pavement I would add a small tail skid. This will protect the covering on the rudder.
The Oxalys is a great electric airplane. For the times that you don't have the time or the room for a glow or gas powered model, you can't beat the Oxalys. It's just the right size to keep in your car for those lunch hour flying sessions, or just a quick stop on the way home from work (Just tell your wife you had to work late).
I can see my precision improving over this flying season as I get more time on this plane. The Oxalys is one plane that I will be spending a lot of time with.
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