What's up with Profile airplanes?

[supermo26]

Why are they so expensive?

I have a super cub and I want to move onto something a little more advanced. I have been searching all different post and a few different fourms. The threads have lead me to al kind of links, to pictures and shops ect.

The one thing I can't figure out is why some profile planes are so expensive? I have seen some that cost more than regular full fuselage planes. I don't understand this.

What are the profile planes used for? Is there something special I'm missing?

Are profile planes good for outdoors or indoors or both?

Are they fast or slow flying planes?

[octanehuffer]

How about some examples?

[eblenkle]

	Quote: Originally Posted by supermo26
	Why are they so expensive? I have a super cub and I want to move onto something a little more advanced. I have been searching all different post and a few different fourms. The threads have lead me to al kind of links, to pictures and shops ect. The one thing I can't figure out is why some profile planes are so expensive? I have seen some that cost more than regular full fuselage planes. I don't understand this. What are the profile planes used for? Is there something special I'm missing? Are profile planes good for outdoors or indoors or both? Are they fast or slow flying planes?

Good Morning SuperMO

I can't answer the question on pricing, but profiles are lighter airframes with side area that lends itself to knife edge flying. So I would say the advantage to profile is in the 3D style of flying. A lighter airframe will allow you to slow down the plane for Harriers and Hovers again 3D. I have used Profiles for indoor and outdoor flying. for Indoor the weight should be less than a pound(the lower the better) for outdoor you'll find one pound or higher.

Best Regards
Ernie

[Wind Junkie]

Yes, please give examples of what you think expensive is to you.

I think you'll find most of the best profiles (at least in the 40 size category) are made by relatively small companies compared to the big names. Great Planes, Goldberg and Hangar 9 really haven't offered what most guys consider top shelf profile birds, despite their marketing prowess. Instead, they bring you U can do's, Twists and Funtanas -- all marketed to the 3D crowd, none of them profiles, and none of them are particularly great at doing 3D.

Extreme Flight, OMP, and Paul Swanson Models make the best ones around IMO. I've really never heard anyone complain about pricing on these models. Most guys I know realize you tend to get what you pay for.

The best profile I own is the OMP Fusion 90 and you could have picked one up at Toledo for $200 (ARF). I really don't think that's expensive considering you can also get a Funtana 100 for about the same price. Each will require the same motor and radio equipment, but the Fusion is hands down a much nicer bird to fly.

So I guess you really need to qualify what you are looking for.

[SlayerDelta]

Supermo,

to answer your question on the price. the price depends on the type of profile airplane and the size. If you looking at a wooden profile plane that takes a big HAULIN four stroke then they are pretty exspensive and along with buying the motor and all the electronics then ur talking upwards to $800 or more. but i would recommend to get an electric foamy profile plane. One that takes a 370 or 400 brushless motor. i have found they are alot more fun than a glow plane and if you get good then you can fly right in your front yard! "3D Foamy" sells good kits along with "Charger RC" and others. it is better to get a foamy with 5mm or 6mm thick depron foam (That thickness handles crashes better).

A profile foamy or light wood plane is better far indoor but can be flown outdoor in little or no wind.

The key is to get it as light as possible with the a large motor, in turn you will have to find a propeller that has the right pitch that fits the motor and the plane so that when flying at above half throttle the plane doesn't want to roll with the propeller.

Generally these plane are meant to go "LOW AND SLOW."

[Tired Old Man]

It comes down to the quantity made and sold. Kits that sell in large numbers can be made in larger automated production runs, lowering the production cost per unit substantially. Larger sales volume reduces the need for a higher profit margin to make producing and marketing the kit worth the effort. There's a lot of work that goes into making a kit, especially those cut by hand, and making only a few to generate $10.00 of profit per isn't worth the time. Making $100.00 per kit on small runs might make it attractive for a few people to do, but not many.

[Edge 540]

Well, from the other side of the market I can tell you that a lot of work goes into any of these planes, and the production time and especially shipping costs are a huge factor. For example all of the OMP planes are designed in CAD which takes time, then a prototype is made (from scratch) which is then tested and modified needed. By the time a production run is made, the plane could be in its 3rd or fourth version. The 80" fusion above our Toledo booth for example is in its 3rd iteration. First was full fuse, second was a profile, now a third hybrid is in the works all of which are scratch built from only CAD drawings. Cut out every single rib, (you know, the long lost building part of the hobby )
Then you have to decide on a good covering scheme, do a manual, get em' built and sent around the world safely....double check everything... etc etc

[Black Bird]

I agree with Pat Roy. Either charge a premium or lower price to increase volume. Supply and Demand curves must be Roy's best friends too. I dislike the pursuit of the perfect plane. Perfect your skill instead. Yes, 200 dollars is expensive. I bought my profile for $69. It flies like a dream. Here is a video of what a 70 dollar plane can do.

YouTube - One Flight of Many Series Part 4

[Tired Old Man]

I saw the Fusion hanging over the booth at Toledo. It immediately got me to thinking about having a 50cc profile.... Oh what fun you could have

Profiles aren't about precison, just great big buckets full of fun!

[Black Bird]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Pat Roy
	Profiles aren't about precison, just great big buckets full of fun!

Indeed....

[Al Lewis]

It's all the Pro Bros fault! They go through about 100 every meet! LOL

[Black Bird]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Al Lewis
	It's all the Pro Bros fault! They go through about 100 every meet! LOL

Fa Sho AL,
We should start our own brotherhood. Po Bros.... You only have one plane, and everyone hates you..LOL

[karlwatt]

	Quote: Originally Posted by supermo26
	Why are they so expensive? I have a super cub and I want to move onto something a little more advanced. I have been searching all different post and a few different fourms. The threads have lead me to al kind of links, to pictures and shops ect. The one thing I can't figure out is why some profile planes are so expensive? I have seen some that cost more than regular full fuselage planes. I don't understand this. What are the profile planes used for? Is there something special I'm missing? Are profile planes good for outdoors or indoors or both? Are they fast or slow flying planes?

Profiles for the most part are not more expensive than other planes - this is an unsubstantiated generalization. There are price differences in all aerobatics types depending on the plane, manufacturer, quality, and volume sold.

Profiles are used for general "fun fly" to all out 3D-aerobatic monsters. Depending on the design they can be as easy and gentle as a trainer.

There is a wide range of profiles from small, light, electric powered indoor foam models to large gas powered outdoor models.

For the most part these planes are designed to be aerobatic and maneuverable even at slow speeds. They fly slow well. They are not designed for the most to fly fast, they are not pylon racers.

Hope this answers your questions.

[Black Bird]

To be more concise, check out
http://www.accelhobby.com/product_de...fd34db6e708ec7

For almost half the price of a fusion, I would recommend the Katana GS 70. Put a four banger on it and it will rock.

[Black Bird]

	Quote: Originally Posted by karlwatt
	Profiles for the most part are not more expensive than other planes - this is an unsubstantiated generalization. Hope this answers your questions.

I knew It was only a matter of time before a Pro Bro would step up. If you read him correctly, he was asking why some profiles were more expensive than some full fuse plane. He was not making a generaliztion, but a comparison.