Ace Sim RC proudly presents -
the Carbon Falcon TM
NOW AVAILABLE AGAIN
EXCLUSIVELY at ALOFT
HOBBIES
(Note: the following information is
dated from original model - Aloft hobbies production model is FAR improved due
to modern manufacturing technology)
PAGE CONTENTS: Intro,
Main Links, Flight, Specs, Gear, Features, Testimonials, Ezone threads,
Development link.
The CARBON FALCON is labeled as a "portable
indestructible flying wing slow flyer". This is a parkflyer bird of a
different color and in a class by itself. Control is mixed pitch and roll via
true wing warping without any control surfaces using 2 special high torque
servos.
No strings, pulleys, weight shift, vectored thrust, or other cheesy control
methods.
Just pure and simple, direct and effective wing shaping.
We call them Warperons (TM)
. See them in action below in the animated gif.
Read on for lots of information down on this page
but be sure visit these links as well:
Review on E-zone mag:
GALLERYS MUST SEE!
VIDEO PAGE
Owners - be sure to check here for tips and
upgrades.:
OWNERS
HANGER
Try a simulator:
Modeled Carbon Falcon for Pre-flight and FMS flight
simulators
Although it may look like
one, this is NOT a kite! It uses strong, lightweight coated ripstop fabric with
a carbon fiber tube frame and collapses in a couple minutes into a skinny
bundle, but that is where the similarity ends. The wing holds its airfoil shape
at all times from pre-formed ribs with only the washout being controlled via
twist at the wing tips.
FLIGHT
The Carbon Falcon is hands off stable even in
tight turns yet due to its size is highly maneuverable. (see video clips) The slow
speed flight characteristics are incredible since the controls add more washout
at high angles of attack just when it is needed the most.
The slow flight video
clip shows this with a stall near the end of a steep climb. It is also very
comfortable in breezy conditions due to the outstanding control response.
With a cheap GWS IPS-A
motor it can be looped from a dive plus do some amazingly tight turns, wingovers
and even limited inverted. Add a small brushless outrunner motor and it gets
great performance and stunts plus slow and stable flight when desired.
Using 2S 1250 LiPolys we get over a half hour long flight times.
Carbon Falcon SPECS
Wing span - 42" (43" with frame)
Length - 16"
(collapsed size - 24" x 3" x 3")
Area - 360 sq. in. (2.5 sq. ft)
RTF weights tested - 8 to 12 oz. - 9 oz. with 2.5 oz battery typical
(10 oz max recommended with suspension rods -
see owners hanger page)
Wing loading of 3.2 - 4 oz per sq. ft. - 3.6 oz/sq. ft. at 9 ozs.
Motors recommended:
GWS IPS "A" w/ 9x7 SF GWS prop (minimum
performance)
Most CD-ROM based post-mount brushless
outrunners w/GWS 8x4 or 9x5 DD props
Batteries - 2S 1200~1500 Li-Polys or equal
Micro Receiver - GWS R4P or better such as
Berg Microstamp, Hitec HFS-04MG , or Plantraco DSP4
For soaring, a dual conversion, long range receiver is recommended like a Hitec
Electron 6
Spread Spectrum 2.4 GHz radio systems are ideal
ESC - GWS ICS-50 or GS-100 (w/brake) for
brushed motors
Castle Creations Phoenix 10 or ThunderBird 18
for CDRom brushlessmotors
Servos - 30 + ounce
torque
Requires 3
channel radio with delta or elevon mixing
preferably with programmability
(but an inexpensive Hitec Neon works just
fine!)
Size comparison between assembled and collapsed
Warperons in action! (animated gif - wait for all
frames to load)
OTHER FEATURES: Specially designed shock
absorbing nose allows the Carbon Falcon to fly into things and endure nose-ins
without any damage.
SERVICEABILITY:
Besides the carbon fiber tubing, ripstop coated polyester fabric, and a couple
kite fittings that are available at a number of on-line kite supply stores, all
the other materials used in the plane's construction are over-the-counter
materials. Most if not all can be obtained from your local hardware store and
hobby shop. These include: Nylon cable clamps, wire ties, nylon nuts and bolts,
nylon threaded spacers, vinyl and rubber tubing and some threaded rod. Spare
sails, ribs, bands, even complete frames are available in the on-line secure
store if ever needed.
The CF has
also been fully beginner tested. Two brand new "pilots" with only
limited flight sim experience tried their hand at flying a stock CF after I got
them some altitude first and trimmed it out for level flight. My only input was
comments like "better turn it back this way or it will get out of
range" or "you're over controlling it, just let go of the stick and
let it fly itself." I was very impressed that neither crashed or was ever
out of control for very long. This was an ideal day however with no air
movement whatsoever. Also it should be noted that these "pilots" were
persuaded into flying and were afraid to try it at first. Needless to say they
wanted more after getting a taste!
Testimonials & Links
Here's a
couple examples of the many comments customers are sending in:
Hi Ken,
I read rc groups a bunch before I decided
on the CF. It's my 3rd plane (firebird commander and slow stick being my first
two), but it's already my favorite. I'm big into sport kites, so the rip-stop
nylon and graphite "spars" were a big draw from the beginning. And
now that I've nose-planted it a half a dozen times with NO damage at all, I'm
very happy I bought it. I am very impressed (doesn't happen easily in this day
of horrible service and cheap construction); you have made a truely
top-notchproduct. I will reccomend the CF to anyone I know who wants to get
into the hobby. It flies like a dream! After I finally figured out how to get
it into the air (paper airplane launch didn't work; went with frisbie-style
after 4 face-plants), it floated around the field with ease. Surprisingly, it's
even more stable and easier to fly than my slow stick!
Keep up the excellent work. I'm
quite envious of your creativity and ingenuity!
Thanks!!!!
Matt Peterson
Hello Ken ;
Thank you for the prompt shipment of my
Falcon. I am a novice flyer, yet the Falcon is an easy craft to get up and fly
and keep flying. It is pretty in the air.
My first RC model was the GWS Slow Stick.
The Falcon is superior to the Slow Stick as a trainer with it's forgiving
handling with a novice at the controls. The Falcon can fly in light wind which
will fly a Slow Stick backwards! You can go through 3 foam ARF park flyers for
the price of a CF, but the Falcon will still be flying and looking pretty. Keep
the epoxy glue handy for the foamies!
Thank you for a great flyer that you can
enjoy for a long time.
James
Spychalla
Ken
I've had the chance to fly my new Carbon
Falcon two mornings this week. AMAZING! I'm fairly new to RC (since late
spring) and I've already gone through quite a few planes, both inexpensive
2-channel RTF 27s and a few 3-channel ARFs (Great Planes easily-broken Firebat,
GWS Slowstick, Wattage HyperWing) while looking for the "right"
plane. The CF is absolutely the right plane. It's the first 3-channel prop
plane that I've really enjoyed.
The CF is brilliantly designed, elegant
both in the air and in the hand. This morning, I flew it with my local RC guru,
Tony (the highly-respected long-time owner of Tony & Addie's Hobby Lobby in
Burbank, California) and he was also singing your praises. The same from my
best friend and cohort in flying, JR, who had to admit that he likes the Carbon
Falcon a lot better than his IFO. Even my wife was impressed. I look forward to
showing the CF off at the next area electric flying event.
I've developed an understandable dislike
for the tape hinge design on many low-cost planes (Slowstick, Hyperwing, Firebat),
which is another reason why your wing-warping machine has really won me over.
Great climb, great maneuverability, great looking, well worth the price. Really
nice work, Ken. I hope to be flying the CF for many years. Don't be surprised
if I order a second as a backup.
Thanks again! I just wanted to let you
know that you have a very satisfied customer.
For now,
Dave Edison
And please don't just take our word for the planes durability and
versatility, see for yourself what our customers are saying on the E-zone
discussion group:
FLY RC Magazine review -
November 2004 issue
"Carbon Falcon, A Winner! III"
(last active discussion)
"Carbon Falcon flies in Zagi
winds!!"
"!! Two Thumbs Up for the Carbon
Falcon !!"
BACKGROUND:
Go HERE for more info on the
original 5 foot span Carbon Condor prototype
See the LAB page for current
work in progress on the Carbon Eagle.
And if you are just starting out in RC electric flight, be
sure you read the excellent FAQ section there that will answer all your
pressing questions: E-ZONE ELECTRIC FAQ
NOW
AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY at ALOFT
HOBBIES
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Ace Sim RC - Springfield Oregon USA