Brett Diedrich   

Hey guys, I thought I’d start off with my first “real” post as a review, seeing I just started in all this I am going to review my tried and true HobbyZone Firebird Stratos, the firebird stratos is a twin engine trainer plane, coming in at only 17 oz means that it is well within the AMA’s parkflyer requirements. But the star of this plane is it virtual instructor, the virtual instructor does a fantastic job of leveling the wings, but it also has pre programmed mixes that gives the plane just enough elevator input when you go into a turn with the rudder, and it also throttle to elevator mixes to help you out with those first landings. Available here http://bit.ly/ZhKg9l

Durability:

The planes durability is amazing, (trust me I know from experience). Firebird stratos is made out of their new z-foam, which is not only extra durable but you can also use any foam or non-foam safe glue. Another great feature it has is a magnetically attached wing which self releases in the event of a crash, which as we all know you will crash as a beginner. To really show the durability of this plane let me tell you a short story. I was out flying and was on my second flight of the day and I was on final approach to land and forgot about the 1 tree which was along the side of my “runway”, as I am coming in very slow on my 3rd attempt to land I notice I am a bit too close to the tree. Once I notice this I give full throttle and pull back on my elevator, The plane speeds up but can’t get up high enough and pewf, the plane goes into the tree at full speed. The only damage that had occurred was a spinner that had come off one of the props. That is the durability of this plane, if it can survive that, it can probably survive anything.

Performance:

Due to this being a trainer, don’t expect to be able to knife edge or hover it, AT ALL. Though this plane will do rolls and large loops very well. It has vortex generators on the wing which is supposed to prevent spin stalls, and let me tell you, they do their job very well. Another feature that assists in “beginner proofing” this is it’s low stall speed, and while I can’t tell you its exact stall speed I can say it has never just all the sudden stalled, you know when its going to stall and the stall happens rather slowly.

Here's a video of me flying it, my grampa was filming it off of my ipod. Sorry about the low quality video.