Is there a right answer? (Loaded Question)

[Cranet561]

Planes Planes and more planes. I am new to giant scale RC. I am a retired RC heli guy going back to my original passion RC planes. I want to compete in IMAC and improve my flying abilities, currently my class if judged by others would be master debater. I have yet to master anything other than not crashing.

I fly an overpower cheap wood model. A giant U Can Do 3D with a SAITO 220, running an 18 x 6W. I am afraid with any more pitch the front of the model is going to fly off. Here's my dilema. I am getting close to buying a big plane. As most of you know we live among experts, and I have been given far to much info to make a decision. Unfortunately I am not a good enough pilot to take advantage of all the advice given. Let me explain.

I want a 100 sized plane, I research the web, I have read tons of forums I have watched numerous competion pilots, I have spoken to many others, and I look at the planes in the winners circle in IMAC events. I have trouble because my love of planes offers many model selections; mainly for all the wrong reasons. I will list my models of choice.

1) BVM 100 CC Edge. I love the looks of this plane.
2) 2.6-3.0 meter yak from CARF I have flown the 2.6 and can handle the slow characteristics.
3) Carden Big bad Extra (thats what the cool guys have)
4) Pitts Python (I love Byplanes)
5) Super Extra Carf (The sales guy says its the shizt)
6) Air Wild Edge Looks great.

So in conclusion I am going to buy a Yak? Imediately upon making my decision I am buying a prop at a hobby shop when told the "yak sucks, it fly's slow, rolls like pig, and he sold his 40% the day he flew it". Those are some strong words. I asked what do you fly, and response was a "carden, but was switching to a BVM edge". My favorite looking plane. Thinking maybe I have someone turning me the right way, considering an edge has never been brought up to me as the 1st 100 sized model of choice. I asked why, response is it is "fast 3d's and rolls like a mother f". So I am back to groung zero, I don't know if I need fast or mother f roll. I want to become a better pilot, buy the best and hopefully not wreck the plane the first day out. With that long winded intro I hope I could get some opinions. I still think a yak might be better, and the extra is widely available, but I am still confused, is this like many other things that you can adapt to anything or am I potentially going to spend money on something that may not ever do what I want. If so I am trying to eliminate that action. I am asking for more opinions and hoping there will be a process of eliminations as to what is the first big boy bad arse flying machine to buy.

Thanks
Adam

[wildhare]

First, consider the source of the advice you get. Many people give out bad advice, especially when it is anonymous. Trust your own instincts and judgement, and consider the resale value in case your instincts are wrong! If the advice you are getting does not make sense, get a second opinion.

Second, talk to the vendors, all of them. Some will come through as credible, some will not. Support after the sale is also important. Stay away from those who just want you to buy something and won't spend the time to discuss the strong and weak points of the products they are pushing.

This will probably not be your only plane, so don't struggle too much. You are not marrying it.

TF

[buttface]

Go with a plane thats got a big rudder so it will be easy to master knife edge.I have a Carden 40% Edge that I like.Yes It rolls like a muther f. , torqe rolls,and rocks at 3D , but it is heavy for its wing loading and has a weak rudder(small serfaces)
I have the TOC 37% Yak and it is the easiest flying 3D monster I have ever flown,(NO couping AT ALL!)It dose fly slower and is a lot more stable.Yes It rolls slower too but not like a pig...In high alpha it is much more controlable due to its large serfaces,large wing area.I was so comfortable with my Yak that on the maden flight I took of in to a knife edge climed up to 100' and slamed the rudder over the top into a hammer head and droped into a knife edge slideing all the way down to the runnway while in a slow locked inhigh alpha KE about 4' high all the way down to the other end of the runway.

[dontmesswithgus]

Fly what you like. My son started flying IMAC this year and was flying a Hanger 9 -46% ultimate and was told it was the worst plane we could have picked. He ended up in third place in the southwest regional. Alot of people will not give the pilot any consideration. The most important part is to remember that this is a hobby and to enjoy it. Fly what you want and enjoy all the good I mean great people that fly IMAC. Have fun and let us know what YOU pick to fly.

[Tex]

Over the past 5 months my list went as follows.
Han 9 Ultimate
WildHare 35% Extra
Hang 9 35% 260
WildHare 40% Extra
WildHare 35% 260

Today I wired money for my new Comp-Arf 2.6 Extra 300SX. I have heard that the Yak is prob the best flying plane in the air. But my favorite is the Extra 300. I had a .60 size that EZ models used to make a long time ago and was a great plane. I will end up with 40% WildHare Extra 300 I'm sure. So........get your butt over to your local Hobby Shop.........Go online........Just get your plane and start flying....because it wont be your last. And if your planning to fly IMAC as myself you will learn alot from the pros and will end wanting what they fly. Good Luck.

[BillyGoat]

Adam what you have is analysis paralysis. You’ve collected a bunch of information, now you’re afraid of making the wrong choice and feel you need more info. Take a moment and review the reasons you choose the Yak in the first place.

I’ll bet you'll have just as much fun with the Yak as the “Yak’s sucks” guy does with whatever his plane of the moment is. Also it sounds like this guy just wanted to strut like a rooster. I’m sure he had a Yak and didn’t like it but his statement was made to establish some sort of superiority with airplanes, not to provide you with helpful info.

[Tex]

Exactly right Billy Goat, he's knocking the Yak to justify his new plane.

[flyin woodbutcher]

Yaks form Comp ARF fly great. Southeast IMAC is packed full of Yaks. Sportsman and Basic was dominated by two different 2.6 Yaks. I also flew a 2.6 Comp Yak , flys way better than I am capable of. Now flying a 40 cent Carden Edge.

FWB

The Yak is for sale.

[Bob S]

I say go with the Yak also. You've flown it and like it. Also I think the Edges have some snap quirks as far as IMAC goes.

[jack01]

It's good that you've done your homework, but it sounds like you've researched yourself into a corner. lol. Here's my $.02:

To say that Yaks suck, is an incredible overgeneralization. That's the same as saying Cap's suck. It makes absolutely no difference how good the full scale airplane was, if the model is designed poorly, it will fly poorly. If someone just tells you, "This plane sucks.", but can offer no meaningful insight as to why, then they probably aren't really worth listening to. Since he also said that he sold it the day he bought it, he likely didn't spend much time trying to set the plane up. You could take the best flying airplane in the world, monkey with the radio settings, goof up a few linkages, and it will fly like crap. If the guy had said, "I spent weeks trying to get it dialed in, and the knife edge was just pathetic, coupling was horrible, and I could never get it to track straight..." then I would be more inclined to listen.

[AHP]

You'll never really get 100% reliable info, as everyone has their biases. If you don't have the luxury of being able to testdrive err.. fly.. each airframe, pick which one appeals to you the most as far as specs, looks, feautures, etc.. Provided you buy something from any reputable manufacturer and equip it right, it's going to fly well. As stated previously, the setup is WAY more crucial.

I've owned Edges, Extras, Yaks and Caps and they all fly great and they all have their quirks.

[bodywerks]

If you plan on competing in IMAC, even at the basic level, stay away from Edges. I don't care how cool you think they look or if everyone you talk to about them says they fly awesome - the simple fact of the matter is that, for example, at the largest IMAC event of the year (Tucson Shootout), out of ALL classes flown, do you want to guess how many Edges there were?
Zero.
And there's a reason for it, just like no one flies the Giles in competition anymore. Doesn't matter what reason people give you, just know that they are rarely flown in competition, at least not to victory...
Also, you say you want a Carf Super extra - that's a HUGE 150cc plane. It does fly awesome, but it's not a 100 size plane and again, it is not the number one choice in IMAC.
I personally don't care for the Carf Yak, looks-wise, but of your list it is the best choice for an ARF. If you want a kit, the Carden is always a good choice.
Personally, if I wanted a 100cc plane for fun and IMAC, I'd consider, in no particular order:
QQ 102" Yak
Aeroworks 100cc Extra or Yak
Comp-arf 2.6m Extra 260
H9 35% Extra 260
For a kit, the Dalton 35% extras or Carden extras or Yak
If you want to be different, rumor has it that the Wildhare Sukhoi is a swell flyer.
For the record, the guy that told you Yaks fly like crap and Edges are sweet, can't tell the difference between his face and a pile of crap.