SD 35% Yak-54 or QQ 102"

[storklappe]

Has anyone flown both the SD 35% Yak-54 and the QQ 102" Yak? If you have flown both, can you compare the two?

Everyone says that bigger flies better and the SD is a bit larger; however, I wonder about the vertical performance with a DA-100 (Troybuilt says it will weigh 30lbs).

Everyone I have talked to that has flown the QQ says it is incredible.

[randy racer]

i have had both, 1 35% SD yak and 2 QQ 102's. all with DA 100's. the SD is a bigger plane and flys bigger but i was not happy with power to weight. it was not what i wanted but did fly very well and was well built at just over 30#. the QQ's come in around 26 - 26.5 # and pull out is awesome. while it doesn't fly as big as the SD it is very close and service from QQ Aircraft is the best around. the QQ comes with composite wing and stab tubes and light landing gear and the optional hardware kit is very good. with the SD you should replace the landing gear and wing tubes to save weight + the gear is a very soft alum and bends very badly. not trying to flame the SD just calling it as i saw it, both are very good planes but when i kill my QQ i will replace it with another QQ 102.

randy racer

[flybye]

QQ all the way i've flown the QQ twice and it is one of my favorite flying planes with a bme 106 in it. I like DA more but it wasn't my plane.

[GremlinX]

I think the QQ is more fragile, but again, how often do you doink them when you get to this stage of skill level. The SD is a bigger plane I think as well. The QQ would get my money.

[Hector]

Once I tried the QQ I was hooked (And I didn't like Yaks). In my Opinion, has the best Power to Weight ratio, Precision and flight characteristics in its class. This is a magnificent ARF.

And yes is more fragile, but that problem is easily solve just by being careful. This airplane will help you expand your flight envelope a lot.

My 2 cents!!!

[dmckeller]

There is no way the QQ is more fragile than the SD Yak. The SD hardly has any wood in it. You actually have to add wood to mount your switches. The fuse can actually be flexed just behind the canopy.
Don't get me wrong, I really like both planes. I have flown both planes powered by DA-100s, which is more than enough for both.
Both fly great, but the QQ is slightly more neutral when it comes to roll and rudder coupling.
In my opinion you can't go wrong with either when it comes to flight performance (3D or Precision). However, The SD comes with hardware you are likely going to want to upgrade. For example carbon wing tube, Carbon stab tube, carbon tailwheel, titanium pushrods, etc. All are standard on the QQ.
I don't know about you guys, but one of the things I despise most about putting an ARF together is gluing the canopy and making it look good. This is not a problem for the QQ because the hatch and canopy are one piece. Its also painted, so it matches the cowl.

I hope this information helps,

Doug

[storklappe]

Randy,

You mentioned that your SD Yak was just over 30lbs. Did you have carbon fiber gear or tubes?

[randy racer]

i did change the gear to graphtec. used stock tubes. it was a great flying plane but the QQ is king with a 100cc engine.

randy racer

[storklappe]

Thanks for all the opinions. I decided to go with the QQ.

[randy racer]

good deal , you will love the QQ Yak. keep us posted on your build.

randy

[Extra260]

I think the biggest problem is that the sd 35 fuse is so large. The qq yaks fuse is much slimmer, making a lighter and more precise plane. I think the sd 35 would be better if it were a scaled down version of the 37.5 and not the 40. I have always wanted a qq yak. Have fun!!!

[Extra260]

I also saw both these planes fly at the shootout and I can say the sd has much more powerful rudder than the qq if that is appealing to anyone.