The Slow Ultra Stick flies great! Ground handling is good and the rudder has plenty of authority to keep it straight down the runway for the 5 to 10 feet it is on the ground. I tend to ease into the throttle as opposed to giving it full throttle, so my takeoff runs are roughly 10 feet. You can get it airborne in 3 feet with full throttle and a little up-elevator.
I set up the rates according to the manual, which gives you high, mid, and low rates. I keep the rudder at a high rate and use mid rates for aileron and elevator when flying for fun. I use high rates when flying aerobatics. I don’t use the low rates at all.
The combination of the semisymmetrical airfoil and AS3X makes for a super-stable aircraft, with no bad habits. The power-off glide is good, and stalls drop the nose slightly, but you have to give the Stick a lot of up-elevator to make it drop the nose with the power off.
It is happy to perform sport aerobatics, such as loops, rolls, and stall turns. As expected, knife-edge flight is slightly more challenging with this aircraft because it doesn’t have a fuselage side area like a typical model airplane.
Point the nose up at full throttle and it climbs well, but it is not a rocketship nor should it be. It has plenty of power on tap to get you out of trouble if you need to climb.
Depending on throttle usage, you can get 5 to 6 minutes of flight on the 1,300 mAh battery. When it is time to land, I gently hold a slight amount of up-elevator, while slowly decreasing altitude using the throttle for a gentle landing.
The Slow Ultra Stick is a fun, relaxing model to fly and does offer some flexibility in the batteries it will accept. I think 1,300 to 1,800 mAh batteries are the best options because, although still flyable, 2,100 and 2,200 mAh 3S batteries make the aircraft nose-heavy and the battery covers the entire area between the back of the motor and the front of the landing gear. If using a larger battery, I would recommend adding a second Velcro strap to ensure that it stays put.
Whether you are looking for your first stick or your fifth, the E-flite Slow Ultra Stick 1.2m BNF Basic is a great option that can be flight-ready quickly and transports easily, with or without the wing attached. To me, it is not an "ugly" Stick; it is a great aircraft that excels in simplicity!
At a Glance
Specifications
Type: Electric foam Stick
Wingspan: 46.77 inches
Length: 40.98 inches
Radio: Spektrum AR630 receiver (included); three Spektrum A345 digital servos (included)
Components needed to complete:
Four-plus-channel DSM2/DSMX transmitter; 2S or 3S 1,300 to 2,200 mAh LiPo with IC3 or EC3 connector; charger
Minimum flying area: Medium-size park
Power system: Spektrum brushless outrunner motor (included); 11 × 5.5 electric propeller (included); Spektrum Avian 30-amp brushless Smart ESC (included); 3S 1,300 mAh battery
Flying weight: 28.2 ounces
Flight time: 5 to 6 minutes with 3S 1,300 mAh battery
Engine: $199.99
Pluses
- Versatile aircraft that will fly comfortably nearly everywhere.
- Sturdy wing that can accommodate one or two aileron servos.
- Can be flown on 2S or 3S batteries without modifications.
Manufacturer/Distributor
Horizon Hobby
SOURCES:
Spektrum RC
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