- Joined
- Feb 24, 2017
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- 2,997
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- Location
- Central Florida
- Website
- copperdawg.com
Okay so real quick; I finally got the Plus updated and calibrated. We were having storms in the area so I thought I would try a little backyard lift off and see what is what. Like a lot of you, one of my biggest apprehensions was 'how does it feel' and how 'does it compare to the 480' from the pilots perspective. As I said, I did NOT fly a complete flight so I only got an inkling of the full parameters of Plus flight. However the parameter I was most looking to get a feel for; I did, and I must report . . . .it is very good, better to this operator than the 480.
The parameter I wanted to feel was the off center movement - does it lurch like the 480 or is it worse? Well its better - I would almost goes so far as to say its smooth compared to the 480. This three minute flight was ALL in Angle Mode AND all at "rabbit" mode. Well now that I said that hold; on I'll be right back. . . .
Okay, I flew again and this time in "Turtle" mode and to be honest - its dead smooth off center. I am not trying to gush here and this does not mean everything is hunky-dory but, the one aspect about the 480 that I found maddening coming from a Phantom is all but gone, if you've got the chops you can fly this thing around like its nothing. I was able to do figure eights inside of a ten foot circle and probably can do it under five. Okay enough of that.
Other things I noticed so far
There is a whole lot more that needs to be found and observed about the Plus to say its a solid craft but so far what I'm seeing and experiencing is very encouraging.
So this is just a first glimpse; I wanted to put out there. I have shot my entire process and hope to put that video as soon as I can, and will get out to a flying site to see more of the flight profile this aircraft is capable of.
The parameter I wanted to feel was the off center movement - does it lurch like the 480 or is it worse? Well its better - I would almost goes so far as to say its smooth compared to the 480. This three minute flight was ALL in Angle Mode AND all at "rabbit" mode. Well now that I said that hold; on I'll be right back. . . .
Okay, I flew again and this time in "Turtle" mode and to be honest - its dead smooth off center. I am not trying to gush here and this does not mean everything is hunky-dory but, the one aspect about the 480 that I found maddening coming from a Phantom is all but gone, if you've got the chops you can fly this thing around like its nothing. I was able to do figure eights inside of a ten foot circle and probably can do it under five. Okay enough of that.
Other things I noticed so far
- The ST16s eats its battery at a rate about twice that of the 480. (In design there is an old saying: There is no free lunch - see belo
- The ST16s has a brighter screen and; I didn't think I would like the new Interface but I do
- Boot up time in the field is quicker than the 480
- In all phases of operation (thus far) the Plus is noticeably quieter - more on that below
- The Plus seems to maintain it's position slightly better than my 480
- You can only turn off the front two lights - the two lights in the rear now indicate flight mode rather than a dedicated LED underneath.
- As mentioned the right stick feels buttery smooth and the rudder rates feel very right. In fact IF Yuneec was to add in the ability to do rate curves - I wouldn't touch them, I would leave it as is - it feels that good to me - again in the slower off hover commands
- The idle speed is slower and thus very quite, my wife could not hear it 20 feet away - at Idle
- As you raise the stick to take off, there is a point at which it just powers up to the point that the arms flex and it lifts off, at first I did not know what to expect but I can live with it as the throttle is very predictable from that point on.
- Landing feels a little different but certainly that is to be expected and one can easily deal with it.
- Warning: To anyone who is used to landing with the "Red Button Technique" of the 480 - be advised it now drops like a rock in comparison. This is obviously due to the lower idle speed but trust me when I say; learn to land it or be very judicious with the kill switch.
There is a whole lot more that needs to be found and observed about the Plus to say its a solid craft but so far what I'm seeing and experiencing is very encouraging.
So this is just a first glimpse; I wanted to put out there. I have shot my entire process and hope to put that video as soon as I can, and will get out to a flying site to see more of the flight profile this aircraft is capable of.