One of my dream planes: a *superior* UMX Conscendo

[smirkracing2024]

Hey all,

I have lots of dream planes, but a very simple/basic one is this: a superior version of a UMX Conscendo. Although there are loads of options in the sub 1m glider category, I haven't found one that is better than the UMX-C (better as defined below). If you know of one, please tell me.

Here's what I like about the UMX-C: it is the fastest glider I have which is still safe enough for the local soccer field (even when other people are say, walking their dogs). I do have other small speed planes, say a Voodoo, but I would not feel safe flying this at the local soccer fields. I have plenty of other planes for the 'official' flying fields, where there aren't regular people to worry about.

What I'd love is basically an airframe similar so, or perhaps a little heavier than the UMX-C, which uses better (or standard) components. I am not a huge fan of the UMX-class stuff from Spektrum, I find it a little finicky and at times unreliable. Motor is fine, but I don't love the linear servos.

Anyone know of a glider that can outperform a UMX-C that is still safe enough for local schoolyards and soccer fields?

If not, then maybe this is something Aloft could develop! I think there's a need for something small, light, fast, and park-friendly. Even a small composite plane (which obviously goes much faster than a foamy would) is not park-friendly in my opinion due to safety concerns.

 

[Jarron]

We have a wood speedy thing in the works. It's a small pusher delta I believe we'll be calling the Balsa Bullet. We've gotten it to 90 MPH and it's super maneuverable but it can fly slow and plops in for high alpha landings. Here is some flight footage of the prototype, however you will see we had the grain going the wrong way on the vertical stab and the result of that at the end of the video. This was on a 4s 550mAh battery. The power system we chose only draws 7A and it's 6S capable too!

 

[Wayne]

The Balsa Bullet is in final production. She looks a little different, but the same great fun. I have more video footage as we found some other tricks she can do.

 

[smirkracing2024]

The Balsa Bullet is in final production. She looks a little different, but the same great fun. I have more video footage as we found some other tricks she can do.

I like the looks of this! Seems very cool!

Only issue is that pusher props tend to be a lot noisier than pullers, so for my specific use case at the local park, being ultra quiet is helpful. However, in the video, this model didn't sound quite as loud as many pushers do at my local field, except when doing a high powered fly by at full throttle

However, I am still keen to check this out and it might be a good one to have in general. Looks cool and different.

 

[markspark]

Anyone know of a glider that can outperform a UMX-C that is still safe enough for local schoolyards and soccer fields?

I had similar thoughts about a "superior version of a UMX Conscendo". The closest I found, at just 13mm more wingspan, is the Durafly MFX from Hobby King. It's more of a racer, but glides much better than I expected. It's faster and more aerobatic than the UMX. I run it on 4S. It would be a great park flyer on 3S and with the optional extended wing tips. On sale now for $137. Added a couple of pics for comparison:

 

[Wayne]

I also do not like the ripping sounds of many pusher designs. There is no good reason for this on a model, and think it should be avoided as many flying sites around here are threatened with closures due to noise. To this end I design our models to be quite where and when possible. With a pusher it is very simple to avoid this ripping sound, get the prop into clean air. This means putting the prop a little further back. For sure never have a "prop in a slot" design. This is when the prop goes through the middle of a wind or tail. These make some of the worst noises around and also offer very poor power.

On the Bullet we have that prop back pretty darn far. Here is the production version.

 

[smirkracing2024]

Well, if you have already considered and mitigated the noise issue, then I'm in to give it a try!

By the way, now that I've had a chance to look at this plane, it seems like the nose is *almost* ready-made to accept the motor (for a true front-motor design). The nose cone and the motor mount are even vaguely similar in shape.

Anyway, this does look fun and different, so I'm leaning towards trying this out. Initial flying videos were very cool (roll rate was insane). I am guessing it will be great in harrier as well, I love driving planes around very low to the ground, very close in, and then zooming off like a rocket.

 

[Wayne]

I think you will like her.

The front motor would cause CG issues. Tail weight would need to be added to keep the battery under the canopy.

 

[Jarron]

I like the looks of this! Seems very cool!

Only issue is that pusher props tend to be a lot noisier than pullers, so for my specific use case at the local park, being ultra quiet is helpful. However, in the video, this model didn't sound quite as loud as many pushers do at my local field, except when doing a high powered fly by at full throttle

However, I am still keen to check this out and it might be a good one to have in general. Looks cool and different.

We have the prop well behind the airframe and it’ll be even further away with our newer motor mount which will make it even quieter!

 

[smirkracing2024]

I had similar thoughts about a "superior version of a UMX Conscendo". The closest I found, at just 13mm more wingspan, is the Durafly MFX from Hobby King. It's more of a racer, but glides much better than I expected. It's faster and more aerobatic than the UMX. I run it on 4S. It would be a great park flyer on 3S and with the optional extended wing tips. On sale now for $137. Added a couple of pics for comparison:

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Nice pics! I love the EFX Racer series so much that I have all three. I liek the MFX a lot in general, but it is a hot airplane. I don't quite feel safe flying it in a soccer field or schoolyard the way I do with the UMX-C. The MFX probably goes a good bit faster than the UMX-C, and as a result doesn't quite slow down to the same degree as the UMX-C.

Awesome plane, but probably not quite my in comfort zone unless I'm at an actual flying field where there aren't likely to be random people walking around.

 

[Shoelace]

I had similar thoughts about a "superior version of a UMX Conscendo". The closest I found, at just 13mm more wingspan, is the Durafly MFX from Hobby King. It's more of a racer, but glides much better than I expected. It's faster and more aerobatic than the UMX. I run it on 4S. It would be a great park flyer on 3S and with the optional extended wing tips. On sale now for $137. Added a couple of pics for comparison:

View attachment 26304View attachment 26305

That Durafly MFX is RIDICULOUS. I saw a guy ripping one around the other day at Mussel Rock in 20mph winds off the bluff and that thing was absolutely ripping. I think I might have to get one.

 

[smirkracing2024]

That Durafly MFX is RIDICULOUS. I saw a guy ripping one around the other day at Mussel Rock in 20mph winds off the bluff and that thing was absolutely ripping. I think I might have to get one.

Was he flying as a pure slope soarer? No motor?

 

[Shoelace]

Was he flying as a pure slope soarer? No motor?

No... With a motor, on the slope. That thing was ripping.