Opinion of the Sportsman s+

[Cclark10]

Wow!! Looks great. The paint job is awesome couldn't tell if you had damages.
I have a question about the eagle a3 gyro. Do you have to have a special reciever and radio for it to work? You guys changed my mind sbout my choice of plane with great pics and good advice and the good and some bad experiences I'm adding this plane to my wish list.

[Grossman56]

With the Pandora(s), I use a Spektrum AR 610 channel receiver so I have a channel for the ESC,Ailerons, elevator,rudder, flaps and the 6th one is for the A3L gyro. On some planes like my FMS Pitts, there are no flaps so I have a spare channel so I can use it to vary the gain of the gyro with the knob on my radio (Spektrum DX8, old style). With the Pandoras, I just set the gain at about 11 o'clock and tried it from there. I also routed the gyro to one of the three position switches so I can at least turn it on or off. You have to ensure that the gyro is functioning in the right direction, as described in the manual but even so, sometimes its hard to tell, so on flight one, I take off with the gyro off., get some altitude and the briefly switch it on then off. If it behaves normally you're good, if not, leave it off and land then adjust it. It's a great tool for flying in strong wind. I've flown mine when the wind has come up to the point of doing a harrier landing, then grabbing for the plane so it down't get blown away!

Grossman56

[Grossman56]

Oh, and by the way, that pic was taken after she came out of the repair shop from a failed elevator servo. I've said it before but it bares repeating. In this hobby you become a mechanic and body repairman long before you become a pilot!!

[Pauly]

Awesome, Thanks Grossman! As soon as I get a chance to I do want to get a few more flight on her before I do make the wing switch over and just may upgrade the motor and ESC. Is that still a 3s 2200 battery?

[Pauly]

Grossman, It does look like you became a good body man and have mastered it along with being a master mechanic!

[halcarol]

As beginner got my Sportsman S+ Sept 9, 2017 and still trying to resolve problems. !st trouble compass config- Hobbyzone video shows "revised compass config" procedure. Presumed to be best way since says "revised". Multiple tech calls finally told me to return Rx for check. Got back after maybe 3 weeks - checked OK- but said this Rx requires the original 10 step config. Thought someone should have told me. Got plane flying but fence, holding, auto land wouldn't work and could not get beginner mode. Made 4 tech calls going over setup steps and settings for my DX6i. So after each call made changes-fly-crash till buggered up plane pretty good altho still repairable each time. Finally they said "return the plane". UPS wanted $110 shipping. HobbyZone the blessed me with a free shipping label. So waiting for outcome.

Followup -- Tech called said my plane bench tested OK. Offered to send Apprentice instead. Decided to try Sportsman again anyway because really needed the rescue features if they would work. The new one said on box "upgraded software for better AL." Tried it and all features worked well and never even crashed. This one does not require the 10 step calibration dance. Happy now. Either the bench test did not address all issues or the upgraded software made the difference.

[Grossman56]

Pretty harsh halcarol, like I said near the beginning of this thread, all the gadgets will be something you barely use after a few flights.
I have it on a very good authority that the Sportsman can be a pain to program correctly, and that you spend more time flipping it around to get it oriented than its worth.
We have a couple of guys that fly the Apprentice at our field and the one fellow bought his second hand from an old experienced flyer who really knew his set up procedure. Simply amazing in that he needs no trim on anything. He flies it on experienced and this thing does aerobatics that I wouldn't believe you could do with an Apprentice if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes!!
Now, having said that, I would like to reiterate that if you can buddy box with someone experienced, the Pandora is the way to go IMHO. (The only reason for buddy boxing is to get over the first flight jitters, personally, I didn't have anyone, so it was off to the nearest deserted side street )
The simple reason is that you can start out with a high wing tricycle configuration and go to a high wing tail dragger, then convert over to low wing and go tricycle or tail dragger from there or in any order you prefer, where you are limited to a high wing trike with the Apprentice.
Also, what I did for the wife, is put an A3 gyro into the one she flies rather than an A3L. The reason is that the A3 gives you the option to program a safe button where, when hit, the airplane will fly straight and level. They are super simple to program and Ryan has a great video on how to do it on the Motion RC You Tube website.
There a a huge number of Pandora fans on this forum who can attest to the qualities of this airplane, I'm one of them.
Had her out at our fly in last week

Grossman56

[rifleman_btx]

My son acquired one of these from my late friend Bud. He passed last week so now that plane means more than any other plane I've ever had. We had issues with the GPS system off and on, but my son loves flying it, so I know that has Bud smiling down on us every time we take the plane to the field

[halcarol]

Appreciate the feedback, Gross and Rifle- Looks like I should buddy up before the plane is totally destroyed. Sorry about your friend Bud. Interesting that you have had some GPS issues. Eager to get plane back and try again.

See my followup added to my original post.

[rifleman_btx]

Most importantly just have fun with it!

[Pauly]

Speaking about the Apprentice, it was the first plane I started some aerobatics with and was actually my first plane and now it sits mostly in the trailer. Now, my go to plane is as Grossman had said is my Pandora in low wing tail dragger. I always fly it more then anything I've got. I love it. Just as Rifleman had said just "Have Fun". I know this is a older thread, but just my 2 cents.

[Grossman56]

It really depends on what mood your in and the weather of course. Compared to the Warbirds, the Pandora is pretty tame, but that in itself makes it great. I love the plane when the wind is up and you can hover it and make vertical landings! I had a spare motor from my E Flite Spitfire, so I now have it in the Pandora, just for the hell of it. The Kv rating is the same as the motor I had in it (which was out of the Roc Hobby Waco) but the can is a different size. It makes the prop extend out a bit, but what the heck, its a fun plane, right??

Grossman56

[F22trainer]

Never tried or used the GPS based features on my Carbon Cub, but the flight modes helped get my fingers re-trained as well as saved a few oops from becoming a dust clouded dirt nap. Much easier than the 3 channel trainer I learned on back in the 80's - which got a resto-mod conversion to electric and flies again regularly.

[Pauly]

I agree gman! If the winds are up the Pandora is what I choose for sure. I remember some time back I asked the question of going from high wing to low wing and you said you didn't notice much of a difference. I agree. There was a little more responce, but not like I was thinking it would be. I've thought about putting a bigger ESC and motor in it to make it faster.

[Grossman56]

I put a 50A FMS ESC in mine and the motor out of the Roc Hobby Waco, which helped a bit, still no screaming hell, but then it's not supposed to be. Besides, I have plenty of faster planes to fly when I want to punch some holes in the sky. The planes seem to have their own personality, for instance, the Tigercat just loves to fly pattern and have everyone drool over her, the Bearcat loves to punch vertical holes and thinks its a jet. The P-40 with the 6s system wants to be a full scale P-40 and flies that way. The Avanti just laughs with joy as she rips up the sky, you get the picture.

Grossman56

[Almost4real]

As beginner got my Sportsman S+ Sept 9, 2017 and still trying to resolve problems. !st trouble compass config- Hobbyzone video shows "revised compass config" procedure. Presumed to be best way since says "revised". Multiple tech calls finally told me to return Rx for check. Got back after maybe 3 weeks - checked OK- but said this Rx requires the original 10 step config. Thought someone should have told me. Got plane flying but fence, holding, auto land wouldn't work and could not get beginner mode. Made 4 tech calls going over setup steps and settings for my DX6i. So after each call made changes-fly-crash till buggered up plane pretty good altho still repairable each time. Finally they said "return the plane". UPS wanted $110 shipping. HobbyZone the blessed me with a free shipping label. So waiting for outcome.

Followup -- Tech called said my plane bench tested OK. Offered to send Apprentice instead. Decided to try Sportsman again anyway because really needed the rescue features if they would work. The new one said on box "upgraded software for better AL." Tried it and all features worked well and never even crashed. This one does not require the 10 step calibration dance. Happy now. Either the bench test did not address all issues or the upgraded software made the difference.

That's interesting! The only change that I am aware of in Gen 2 (..."New software") is the introduction of an optional abbreviated/shortcut (2 steps vs 10) compass calibration procedure to reduce customer annoyance. In fact, I believe that you can still perform the more complete (...and accurate) procedure (the only one available for Gen 1) 10 "attitudes" procedure, as it is still document in the manual; you just have to turn off the transmitter later in the calibration process. There was no new manual published for the 89XX series of Sportsman S +; it is still the one from the 84XX series. In actual fact, if you know about the workings of what is referred to as Integrated Navigation System (combining GPS, Compass and, on real things,...Inertial sensors), where nav sources complement each other continually during flight, a more accurate compass "swing" (...as it is referred to on real aircraft), with multiple positioning and readings, is a better thing to be able to continuously correct GPS errors or take over during temporary "dead reckoning" (which happens). So, in actual fact, putting aside the extra time and trouble to do the compass calibration the "complete" (10 steps) way, the Gen 1 Sportsman S + is a more accurate bird for all functionalities.

[Bill Wakeley Jr.]

I bought the Sportsman because I was learning to fly myself. Bad move, for me anyway. The first time I flew it with the GPS and auto land and auto this and that and the plane just went berserk. It flew high, almost out of range and I coaxed it back down to a manageable height. It flew around for a while, wherever it wanted, and then some guy supposed to be helping me drove it straight down into the asphalt. I then disconnected both the GPS and the supplied A3172, and hooked it up with AR610. That was three years ago and I'm still so down on the thing I haven't repaired it yet. Do yourself a $250 favor and pick a different trainer.

[F22trainer]

The auto land and other GPS functions really should not be used until you fully know how to fly the plane. Even experienced pilots lose these models in about 2 minutes or less because they don’t understand how the functions work or how to disable them. The beginner modes are great, but again they take away control and it limits inputs, especially when for instance you are using up elevator as you accelerate on take off - you won’t have enough rudder to overcome the torque. Same thing in turns. If you add rudder in the turn aloft the rudder input will reduce the present bank angle. Don’t get me wrong, they are a good tool, but should only be used once the airplane is up and handing controller or Buddy Box to the novice.
In fact, I would recommend a good glider to learn on, to learn basic control input and avoid over control. A 2 channel glider is perfect for the novice to teach him/herself to fly models...if that is your only option.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to get someone that knows the airplane - not just knows how to fly. The SAFE / AS3X, etc can ruin an airplane if the person does not understand the systems or worse, make adjustments to flight surfaces where none was necessary and make the condition completely uncontrollable. Trust me I’ve seen a very competent RC pilot nearly lose a Beginner’s airplane several times, and got wind of a few at our field that didn’t not fare as well. When I’ve explained how the systems work, the competent pilot disables them and then uses the beginning/ Intermediate modes when handing the plane to the learner.
You must get the right kind of help when you need help, and in this realm there are a lot of variables that can create a moving target.

[Woodcock]

I bought the Sportsman because I was learning to fly myself. Bad move, for me anyway. The first time I flew it with the GPS and auto land and auto this and that and the plane just went berserk. It flew high, almost out of range and I coaxed it back down to a manageable height. It flew around for a while, wherever it wanted, and then some guy supposed to be helping me drove it straight down into the asphalt. I then disconnected both the GPS and the supplied A3172, and hooked it up with AR610. That was three years ago and I'm still so down on the thing I haven't repaired it yet. Do yourself a $250 favor and pick a different trainer.

I relearned on a few models. But my favorite by a wide margin was the Durafly EFXtra, coupled with that 6 channel stability receiver by Specktrum. I pretty much hate that receiver, (due to the setup of the receiver) But once it was set it does great. The reason I like the EFXtra is durability. Naturally I crashed it 6 ways to Sunday. Still got it, and still fly it to this day. Also it covers the entire spectrum of flying. This plane can do it all, and you will never outgrow it. I put landing gear on mine, as it comes as a hand toss. FYI.

I have learned after many trials, errors, and destruction. The self flyers actually do present quite a bit of craziness and then ultimately splat.

I also like the Eflight Visionair. Or I guess its a Night Visionair now, as Eflight has decided in their ultimate wisdom to not offer the plane without the lights anymore. Once again this plane will do it all, including be a good trainer, if you have help from an experienced pilot you trust, (very important). The emergency bailout works great, and it is a bind and fly. Don't care for the looks to much, thinking about trying a T33 custom paint job on it. Might make me like it better.

Best Regards
Woody

[Pauly]

From what I've once heard there is a certain process you have to follow to setup the GPS correctly in order for it to work correctly. Yes, you are better off to learn to fly and land first before using some assistance tools as auto land.