Opinion of the Sportsman s+

[Cclark10]

Hello has anyone had the opportunity to fly one? The Sportsman S + with Gps, According to the reviews and you tube videos it is really newbie friendly.

[Alpha]

Hi Cclark10, welcome to Hobby Squawk!

Someone asked the same question recently and some of us answered here. See my answer there as well, and let us know if you had any more questions about it! We're happy to help see if it's the plane for you or if there would be another one better suited to your goals.

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-airplanes/propeller-airplanes/1670-sportsman-s

Thanks,
Alpha

[Grossman56]

Hey Cclarke10, welcome to Hobby Squawk!
Have you purchased on or are you shopping around for a 'first' plane?

Grossman56

[Cclark10]

Hey Grossman 56. I'm shopping around.
on the fence between the mini apprentice s and the sportsman.

[chopper]

I got a 1st generation Sportsman as my first 'big' RC plane. Although I never used the GPS - based features, the SAFE and AS3X saved my bacon numerous times while I was learning. Even when my lack of skills were too much for the electronics to overcome, repairs were ridiculously easy with CA glue and clear packing tape. Eventually the receiver started having issues with not binding and then losing control (actually more like going haywire in flight). Fortunately, by that time - maybe 6 months or so - my skills had developed to the point where I didn't need the electronic aids so I put a regular receiver in it and still fly it about every weekend. I added the rough field landing gear to fly from rough grass and rigged up an ordinance drop that lets me drop various types of Nerf projectiles, parachutes, and candy. Even fully loaded all i have to do is point it down the runway, hit the throttle and watch it ease itself into the air with almost no input from me. I never get tired of flying it and it always draws a crowd when I'm making my bombing runs. I painted it olive drab on top, gray underneath and used the decals from the E-flite P-47 to make it look like a military plane, it really stands out in the air. Great airplane for a newbie.

[Cclark10]

Thanks Chopper, your description sounds good !!!
I won't always have access to the flying field or an instructor so I need something to hold me over to then. The build video from Hobby zone looks simple

[Alpha]

Good review, chopper, that's a really useful overview of your experience from someone in a similar seat as Cclark10.

The one thing I didn't like about the Sportsman S+ is that the wheel pants and nose strut's thickness limited the landing gear's overall durability when operated on grass. On rolled dirt and pavement, it never gave me any problems.

[Grossman56]

Hey Grossman 56. I'm shopping around.
on the fence between the mini apprentice s and the sportsman.

I just don't know.....The wife got a Apprentice (Full size) and its a good beginner airplane. We looked at the Sportsman and my first concern was the size, simply because of the winds out here. Having said that, I learned on the HobbyZone SuperCub which isn't what you'd call a 'big' plane, so...
First and foremost on my mind is that whatever it takes to get a person into the hobby is a good thing. If this plane gets you through the first flight jitters and into the air, and, more importantly, back on the ground in one piece, I'm all for it. But all the gadgets probably get used for the first one or two flights, then you want to do it for yourself. Pushing a button to land after you've flown a half a dozen times, isn't getting you off your knees in a crawl/walk/run scenario.
So, look at the cost of replacement parts, just so you know what you may be looking for, and be prepared to retire that airplane in favor of a more 'advanced' trainer. Haven't flown my Cub in three seasons, makes a great decoration, but the next airplanes(s) I advanced to were the Pandoras, which have been flown quite a bit every season, just cause they are a great rust removal machine in the Spring! I've got past the point of thinking I need a 'warm up' plane and go usually straight to the Warbirds now, but this will be my 4th season, so I would hope that that would be the case. Still, if I want to fly just to relax or goof around , the Pandoras are great!! I also buddy box with the wife, because, quite honestly, I think they're an easier plane to fly than the Apprentice, just getting her to believe me!
Now, I have no experience with the Sportsman, but my advice would be to check out Ryan's videos, and if feels like the route you want to go, go for it, I don't think you can go wrong, it's just how much 'right' you think you need to succeed.

Grossman56

[Pauly]

I just don't know.....The wife got a Apprentice (Full size) and its a good beginner airplane. We looked at the Sportsman and my first concern was the size, simply because of the winds out here. Having said that, I learned on the HobbyZone SuperCub which isn't what you'd call a 'big' plane, so...
First and foremost on my mind is that whatever it takes to get a person into the hobby is a good thing. If this plane gets you through the first flight jitters and into the air, and, more importantly, back on the ground in one piece, I'm all for it. But all the gadgets probably get used for the first one or two flights, then you want to do it for yourself. Pushing a button to land after you've flown a half a dozen times, isn't getting you off your knees in a crawl/walk/run scenario.
So, look at the cost of replacement parts, just so you know what you may be looking for, and be prepared to retire that airplane in favor of a more 'advanced' trainer. Haven't flown my Cub in three seasons, makes a great decoration, but the next airplanes(s) I advanced to were the Pandoras, which have been flown quite a bit every season, just cause they are a great rust removal machine in the Spring! I've got past the point of thinking I need a 'warm up' plane and go usually straight to the Warbirds now, but this will be my 4th season, so I would hope that that would be the case. Still, if I want to fly just to relax or goof around , the Pandoras are great!! I also buddy box with the wife, because, quite honestly, I think they're an easier plane to fly than the Apprentice, just getting her to believe me!
Now, I have no experience with the Sportsman, but my advice would be to check out Ryan's videos, and if feels like the route you want to go, go for it, I don't think you can go wrong, it's just how much 'right' you think you need to succeed.

Grossman56

Grossman, I totally agree with you! The Apprentice was my first big plane, but seem to have had more issues with it rather then the Pandora. The Pandora has been my go to plane and I love it more so then the Apprentice. I am in the transition stage of moving it to the low wing since I have only flown it in the high wing along with the Apprentice, Skyhawk V2 and my large Neptune which by the way I love and a very big Thank You to Motion RC for that in the sweepstakes. Ccclark, just have fun with what ever you decide to go.

[Grossman56]

Exactly Pauly, never forget the fun factor. If you have flown the Pandora high wind taildragger, the low wing conversion is nothing to worry about. I didn't really see a difference. As I've said elsewhere. I converted my wheels to DB's and with the extra weight, I was able to move the battery back into the cockpit hatch and she flies great. The DB's are awesome, much better than the styrofoam things they give you.

Grossman56

[Cclark10]

Thanks all for sharing your thoughts and your experiences, the free wing pandora looks newbie friendly? And the price tag is good as well plenty of parts too. I have received a. FsCt6b radio and receiver kit as a gift, will it work with the fee wing pandora since it's a Pnp plane. Is there a Rtf version? I watched a you tube video with a 1st time flyer flying the free wing pandora in high wing taildragger position, the beginner made it look so easy 2 good take offs and 2 good landings. The plane looks great in the air.
On Hobby Sqauk y'all make a newbie feel confident and feel like a member of family

[Grossman56]

Hi Cclark.
Have you flown at all? I flew a Supercub before the Pandora just to, basically, see what it feels like. Now, I don't know what your situation is. Is there someone with experience that you flying with? If so, maybe you can buddy box. If not, then I can give you some pointers on the Pandora. First of all, she's tough little bird!! Both mine have been smucked into the ground, repaired and back into the air, one has even had a fire!
They don't come with a receiver, so you have to have one, a 6 channel will do, that way, when you're ready, you can add flaps and you might want to think about an A3L gyro, its a great tool when your starting out.
Don't put obstacles into the mix, find a big open field and fly from there. Hopefully there's an AMA field in you neighborhood. If so, you just won the lottery as there is a wealth of info to be picked up from the guys there and they should be willing to get a newbie up and flying.
Good luck with your flying and welcome to the R/C world. We've all been exactly where you are right now, so hang in there!
Where are you located? There may be some Squawk guys in you neighborhood as well!!

Grossman56

[Cclark10]

I'm in Newark Delaware. I have 2 large parks. That's rc friendly. I was buddy boxed on a apprentice at my son's flying club for drones and quads. That sparked it for me. I need something friendly until I can get to an instructor Or club, for now I'm practicing on a simulator.

[Grossman56]

The wife has an Apprentice that she has two seasons on and I'm buddy boxing her with one of my Pandoras. It's more psychological than anything, I've flown the Apprentice and the Pandora and I think the Pandora is easier to fly. If you can get to the club and mayber have someone buddy box a few times with whatever they have, an Apprentice is good, don't get me wrong, if my wife can fly it with her phobia of flying, then you can as well. Buddy box to get the feel of it, then you'll be off!!

Grossman56

[Cclark10]

I was buddy boxed on an old apprentice awhile ago, my friend moved 100 miles away. I found a local club in the area, waiting for them to call me back. Taking your advise and being patient. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas or his birthday.:D lol. Thanks

[Pauly]

Grossman, I've been thinking about putting a set of DB's on my Pandora as my hero Hippie has done with his. (Hippie is my father-in law) I know he likes it. I love my Pandora and like many want to experience with new type plane like warbirds and biplanes and such. I've just got cold feet and don't know what to expect with it. I do hate to move the Pandora to low since I love the high wing so much, but have thought about getting the FMS 182 since I hear its a bet more sporty and powerful then the Pandora and just enjoy it in a low wing. Cclark, I know you said something about feeling like family here. You are my friend family. We all hear express our opinions on here and experience to help each other out. Everyone on here is more then glad to help someone.

[Grossman56]

Hey Pauly!
So, you're saying, "Torchure me Grossman, make me feel the pain of not flying with a low wing configuration!!!!"
I started out with the high wing and was apprehensive about going low, but, since I wanted to fly warbirds, didn't have much choice.
Now, the cool thing with the DB's is and the low wing, is that you can put the battery in the cockpit hatch!! Lot more room up there and they balance beautifully. I actually cut a bit of foam off the tail end and inserted on pad of sticky back weight there and both mine are perfect!!
You can upgrade them as well by dropping in a 3536 kv 580 (the motor that comes in the RocHobby Waco) and a bigger ESC (I went 50 A) which gives them a bit more poke.

Not a big deal, it was actually anticlimactic when I switched from high to low wing, both mine are low wing and I've never changed them back, so that should tell you something

Grossman56

[boomer108]

I bought the Pandora to replace my Flyzone Sensei that I lost and also liked the good reviews that Grossman gave it. I also wanted more low wing tail dragger experience to get a better handle on flying warbirds. I put 3 inch Dave Brown's on it right off and upgraded to the Waco motor and 50 amp esc later on on the advice of Grossman and OV10. I have over 100 flights on it, what a great plane! You can't go wrong with this plane as a trainer or every day sport flyer and if you want low wing tail dragger experience this is the plane.

Roy B.

[Grossman56]

Great to hear Boomer, the mods just add a bit more zip and I like the idea of not having to replace tires every 6 or so flights. Believe it or not, I'm going to have to swap out motors on The 'Ol' Uncle Sam' Pandora because I think I've worn the poor motor out! Have a brand new one on the Waco that I'll swap out as the Waco has seen her last flight, she's static display now,

Grossman56

[Grossman56]

Here she is after coming out for repair. Ended up having to change the elevator servo, good a s new now. Hard to believe she's crashed a few times and even been on fire!
Grossman56