Volantex Trainstar Ascent 1400 maiden

Volantex Trainstar Ascent 1400 maiden. This is a big, great looking and very well behaved high wing trainer or camera carrier. A delight to fly with smooth control and no bad habits. Only down side is the bottom battery hatch and no other access into the fuselage. But it would be perfect base for whatever mods you can think of.
I would consider adding flaps, more access hatches and camera mounts.
Two props supplied, maybe 3S (12x6) and 4S (10x6)
Flying weight with 3S 3000mAH - 1550g
Max current on 3S (12x6 prop) - 35A
CG 65mm, right on the factory marks (not 53mm as stated in the manual)
Volantex Trainstar Ascent 1400mm (Banggood) - bit.ly/2RuaFoB
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[@roadstar499]

Nice big plane! If i ran 4s i would definitely throw a 60 amp skywalker esc in it...40 amp is okay on 3s though.

[@antonblebann6823]

Great Video, Everything fits perfect together, Weather, Plane, Music, and the Presenter, a real Feelgood Video 🙂🤗💆🏻‍♂️🧘🏻‍♂️THX 🙏🏻

[@longjammeriii3323]

Great flight my friend and I think it would be awesome to see it on floats as well, thanks for sharing, regards, Alan, uk

[@mikegriffiths7487]

Pleased to see the maiden flight went so well. I ordered one as soon as I saw you previous video!

[@AndrewNewton]

Nice one Mike, it's a sweet flier

[@mikegriffiths7487]

All built up now and ready for the maiden flight but on hold for weather. We have had two Atlantic storms, one right after the other, will be several more days before wind speed drops to an acceptable level. Model certainly looks good and generally goes together easily. As Andrew pointed out the weak point is access to the interior, which could be better. I used Velcro to fix the receiver onto the reinforcement plate for the undercarriage - the only place I could reach clear of the battery. Hope landing shocks don’t do any damage!

[@KentVanderploeg]

She looks great in the air! Thanks for sharing!

[@KilchevSky]

One of Kyiv RC-enthusiasts brought this plane to our RC-field. I can say that this plane seemed to be made of air - so light it was. It is controlled very easily, due to the lightness and slow speed. It's a real STOL without any additional equipment. And big wheels permit to easily takeoff from short grass. Probably, in strong winds it will need a heavier battery.

[@AndrewNewton]

It's a great workhorse. Pity about the internal access

[@MasboyRC]

This is awesome, nice plane and sight of camera angle. Love it 👍

[@Vested_Investor]

Awesome flying! This flight was the closest I ever came to being seasick while watching a KZbin RC video -- well done!

[@AndrewNewton]

Ha, any time

[@KenKneknaneek]

What a nice aircraft. After watching your demo, I used your link to banggood and ordered one. Now I will have something to put together while I wait for the weather to warm up. That makes about six aircraft I have to maiden. Happy Flying

[@AndrewNewton]

Excellent, change the wheels for skis

[@KenKneknaneek]

@@AndrewNewton ha ha ha right on !!

[@luiscarapito572]

Great video, as always. What an awesome place to fly! Thanks Andrew

[@3v1Bunny]

pretty amazed that those magpies are so docile around rc planes!

[@AndrewNewton]

Wait till spring then it's a battle ground

[@fishalcoholic]

Decided (finally) to pull the trigger on this trainer. Just hope it makes it in one piece to the U.S.

[@AndrewNewton]

It's quite tough so should travel well.

[@sirhilsam]

That is one beautiful bird...no gyro, no as3x...just pure skill👍

[@AndrewNewton]

Naturally stable

[@ukulelefatman]

Very smooth,like watching a simulator.

[@bobfin4291]

That's the best I have seen that field, as well as the plane flying, Cheer's

[@AndrewNewton]

I was flying from the good ovals. Lots of recent rain and grass cutting.

[@flyingweed9671]

Lovely. Even a train horn and spectator (Magpie). When the Magpie begins nesting you may have some competition for the air space.

[@AndrewNewton]

Ha, yes they get cranky in spring

[@flyingweed9671]

@@AndrewNewton there is a other video. How to Magpie proof your foamie.

[@dcsmith5839]

Nice looking plane.I get the feeling we'll be seeing it again.

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes it loves being filmed

[@EnglishTurbines]

Perfect flying conditions, looked solid Andrew...🤔🤔😎

[@edwardlove4300]

Love the music, love the plane!

[@dukejet6997]

Great job as always Andrew!.... Size does matter LOL..

[@reefer2917]

Great flying plane :-) great vid of it too!!

[@bomberaustychunksbruv4119]

Looks like they've improved it a lot Andrew. They still insist on putting the landing gear near the C of G, same as the previous Trainstar.

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, landing gear is positioned OK on this one, but a little further forward would be better

[@crystalbusenitz5426]

Thinking about buying One

[@AndrewNewton]

No complaints from me, apart from restricted internal access. I still have mine.

[@julianhumphrey4843]

Very nice maiden seems a rather nice plane, good on ya sport

[@AndrewNewton]

Ha, no worries cobber

[@flyingark173]

Great video, loved all the different camera angles. You've convinced me, bought one off your link in description. One question, how hard it is to take the wings off for transport and putting them on in the field?

[@AndrewNewton]

Excellent. Wings are designed for easy assembly. Sometimes this style of wing clip won't click down over the retaining ridge, but you just need to poke a screwdriver in to help.

[@mikegriffiths7487]

If it’s the same system as on the Volantex gliders it’s very good. Only problem is I broke one of mine in a clumsy landing. However, you can buy spares and there are 3D printing designs on Thingiverse.

[@stephencantbewrong8250]

Nice!

[@nicholasbrewer9552]

Great video! I can't wait to see how you mod it.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thans, I'll have to think about t for a while. More bottom hatches? or side doors?

[@nickmarangelis2251]

Volantex do it again, my favourite brand

[@socalives]

Nice! Another great flying plane and camera shots! I have 9 planes already, how many is too many ? I think I know the answer but, ….my wife doesn't .

[@AndrewNewton]

9 planes! You have a lot of work ahead to catch up

[@mikegriffiths7487]

Cyclists have a saying that the necessary number of bikes is n+1, where n is the number you now have. I have discovered the same applies to RC planes!

[@chrisleech1565]

Whoa there mister. Taking off RC model whilst towards you? :o !!! May the wind always be at your back :-)

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, good point, dont do this kids!

[@chrisleech1565]

@@AndrewNewton Not what I meant. I am barely able to launch left to right with tail dragger :-)

[@jacksampson7711]

Looks good man. I just found this online for like $140 shipped. I had the previous version a couple years back. Can't wait to maiden this. Odd thing mine came with a 12x6 prop and a 10x5 prop. Not sure if I can go 4s with the 10" prop.

[@AndrewNewton]

Haven't re-assembled mine after our move, but I have the 12" on. Might have broken the 10" but I need to retest it

[@GroundControlRC]

That is awesome! Nice loops & rolls for such a good size plane. The price isn't too bad either ;-) See you in the Air!

[@AndrewNewton]

It is a sweet flier. So well behaved

[@robertcovell2787]

Came for the plane, stayed for the music

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes it's a nice track

[@MrE.]

What a peach, any tips on how to get this one past the other half? Thanks, Andrew!

[@AndrewNewton]

That is beyond expertise I'm afraid.

[@flyingweed9671]

Flowers might do the trick. A more risky idea is to just purchase it and if asked say you have had it all along.

[@MrE.]

@@flyingweed9671 We'll find out I guess (She's not the flowers type).

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@Arduino Stein LOL. And how are things back there in the Ozarks Cuzn Jethro? ;-)

[@prep0wer]

Bird is thinking: Not impressed!

[@JorgePPG]

Nice

[@k6lsn]

I think for the money I like the Esky Eagles more. Nice though..

[@CptAwilliamse]

I have both, Trainstar likes to fly fast

[@Spilverful]

Hi Andrew. What Ail and Elev gains are you used for first flight before trimming in manual mode? First crash is complete:)

[@AndrewNewton]

Oops. Third hole on the ail servo, outer hole on the control horn, 100% weight and 30 expo. Same for elevator from memory

[@GravesGREECE]

Hello Andrew! First of all, thanks for your all valueable information that you provide for free through your channel mate, im excited about the FPV hobby and i literally learned a lot from you! So i was thinking to buy this as my first ever plane, totally noob here only spend some hours in a RC simulator. Only thing i have been flying was a toy drone! :P I wanted to ask you, i read somewhere in the comments about the max battery size that this airplane can fit and i think you said that 4S 5000 will fit. After a research, the biggest 3s battery i can find (zippy, 6.200 mah 40C) is the same grams and size with an 5000 4s. Because i dont wanna spend money on a smaller battery first and then order a biggert one etc, and because im planning to put FPV gear on it after i learn how to fly line of sight, do you think buying from the beginning this 6.200 mah 40c 3s battery is a good idea? Or should i just go for 4S 5000? My only thoughts are that maybe 4s will be too powerfull for me as a beginner, i was planning to upgrade to 4S after i learn how to fly, cause speed right now is obviously not what i want and i know you have to change to a bigger A ESC on this model for safe fly with a 4S battery! Thanks in advance!

[@AndrewNewton]

I would recommend learning on something like a Bixler 2 before flying this one. You will crash often and the Bixler can be repaired much easier than the Trainstar. But it would be perfect once you can fly without crashing.

[@GravesGREECE]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks for the reply man! I know glider style are better for beginners but i really dont like them to be honest! Thats why i decide to go with this one! After i learn how to fly do you think this can do a mid range (like 4-5 km as much as DJI FPV supports) with a bigger battery than the recommended? Also, will a big battery like the 6200 mah be bad for the beginning cause of more weight during crashes etc?

[@paulhazlewood1840]

Hi Andrew. Thank you for all the informative video's you have made. I enjoy all of them. My dilemma at the moment is how to set up a six position switch to activate the flight modes on an Arkbird OSD on a Taranis X9 D TX. Can you help please.

[@AndrewNewton]

Cant help with that. Try Painless 360 or Josh Bardwell. Pretty sure they have done it.

[@thelaughingman79]

i am getting this bird but i got the kit. and as the motor is reverse mounted that somewhat limits my motor options....what motor and prop would you suggest ? i want to do 4s I was looking at the Hobbywing Skywalker 50A for the esc. I am a complete noob. obviously i don't want to just jump in with trying to do higher level stuff. Just future proofing a bit and i also got the

[@AndrewNewton]

I haven't tried any alternatives but the recommended gear is listed on the product page.

[@gamaxgbg]

This plane is awesome. Will you make a video of this on a slope? It would be great! I’m very in doubt if i get this one or the reptile dragon. Which of the two can glide better?

[@AndrewNewton]

The dragon glides better but I prefer the Trainstar all round

[@allanduncanson2816]

Great vid. There's a chap selling one nearby and I'm interested after watching your videos. What sort of flight time were you getting with your 3000mah?

[@AndrewNewton]

Cruising on 8A you should get 18min with a healthy battery.

[@williamhoenstine5057]

Would you make a short video showing us how you mount your cameras to your aircraft? That would be very helpful. Thanks.

[@AndrewNewton]

I have already. Search for camera mounts on my channel, and here's anther kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5e8hJltq8qgiZY but most of the time I just use electrical tape for a temporary mount.

[@mikegriffiths7487]

If you have access to a 3D printer there are loads of designs for Mobius camera mounts on Thingiverse, including gimbal mounts. I will investigate these when my camera arrives but I guess electrical tape is easy and effective.

[@julianhumphrey4843]

must get round to doing maiden on mine

[@AndrewNewton]

Ha, looks like you changed your mind.

[@keithmason3461]

Hello Andy would this fly on 4s 2650mah batteries? Or 3s 3850mah?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, either would be OK

[@christiangough6318]

Hi Andrew. I've just bought my son one of these and it's arriving shortly. The documentation that I've read suggests the plane requires a 2,200 mAh battery however you're using a 3,000 battery. Was there a reason for this, assuming what I've read is correct, and this didn't appear to have a detrimental effect to the C.G. P.S. Love your work, I bought a ASW28 having seen your videos of the sailplane and I'm teaching my son with that via a buddy cable until his trainer arrives.

[@AndrewNewton]

Both batteries work OK. More flight time with a bigger battery and more power with 4S. It's big enough to handle it.

[@Sandokans]

Hi Andrew. Do you still have the plane? What is total weight, ready to fly? Mine have 1.6k all set, not like sayed the manual..?!

[@AndrewNewton]

Sounds right. Mine is 1550g

[@damonharris649]

G’day Andrew, love your channel, keep it up. Just getting into flying, crashed my Dynam Primo but the Bixler is going great. Can you recommend a cheap reliable gyro I can add the the Flysky fs-i6 tx and rx? Still need a bit of help.

[@AndrewNewton]

I'm about to test the NX3 stabiliser with the FS-i6, but I don't recommend stabilisers unless someone who understands them sets it up for you.

[@damonharris649]

Andrew Newton thanks and looking forward to it. Pretty confident in set up I think. Took the Detrum gear out of the Primo and put it in the Bix 2. The detrum gyro is ok but I couldn’t get the tx from mode 1 to 2. Best was I could do was mode 3. Want to start again on all Flysky gear, mode 2 to continue the journey.

[@jocelyncloutier]

You highly recommend the Ranger 2000... considering that its PNP version is $109 USD (USA warehouse) versus $136 USD for the Trainstar PNP (USA warehouse), when would you recommend (if ever) this plane over the Ranger 2000?

[@AndrewNewton]

Just my personal flying preference, but I like the Ranger motor glider style for gliding and sloping over the civil aviation scale of the Trainstar. Really need both, is the answer

[@mdriyasatali]

Extent

[@julianhumphrey4843]

Andrew, can you remember if you fitted the 10" prop or the 12" prop, i have nearly finished my Ascent and not sure what prop to use on 3s, i half guessed the 10" for 4s and 12" for 3s, got stock 1050kv motor but 50amp esc

[@AndrewNewton]

12" prop and 4S. I may have broken the 10", can't recall

[@julianhumphrey4843]

@@AndrewNewton Thank you Andrew

[@MrZeek101]

How were the control horns Now you have a 3d printer you can make your own and Mobius mount

[@AndrewNewton]

Ha, that's exactly what I am doing.

[@Willy_Milano]

Hi, Andrew. How long of a flight would you say you get with your 3s batteries?

[@AndrewNewton]

15min easy, could do 20min slow cruising

[@ronp3191]

Hi Andrew, any thoughts when comparing this Trainstar with the Dynam Primo? Thx.

[@AndrewNewton]

This bigger and calmer, the Primo has flaps so it's more of a STOL bush plane, but it doesn't fly as well as the Ascent

[@mikegriffiths7487]

By the way - I couldn’t find written anywhere the throw measurements for the control surfaces. Any suggestions?

[@AndrewNewton]

Using the pre drilled holes I have ailerons 20mm up and 15 down, elevator 20 up and down, rudder 30 both ways. Could reduce them for a smoother flight

[@mikegriffiths7487]

Thanks Andrew, I will check against those values. Really looking forward to trying the plane out as soon as we get some decent weather.

[@thelaughingman79]

Should i get this or the durafly tundra v2 ?

[@AndrewNewton]

If you mean the Tundra I think the Ascent is bigger and tougher, more of a workhorse.

[@IanF-FPV]

Thinking about this plane from BG but there are no spare parts. Also can I use my 4s2200 lipos with the motor/esc combo?

[@AndrewNewton]

50A ESC would be safer if you're going to thrash it

[@IanF-FPV]

@@AndrewNewton Thx for the tip. I do have an old 60amp 2-6s esc somewhere. Can I run a 10x7 prop as well?

[@AndrewNewton]

@@IanF-FPV Perfect for 4S, might need more than just one 4S 2200 for CG balance

[@IanF-FPV]

@@AndrewNewton really...not enough room in the battery bay to get the right C of G with a 4s2200...?

[@AndrewNewton]

@@IanF-FPV My 4S 3000 is right forward. There is a bit of room to move but it would be slightly tail heavy

[@probante]

I ve used 4s batteries twice and both times i ve burned out motor and esc... i wonder why....

[@AndrewNewton]

Prop too big for the kV

[@probante]

Andrew Newton it’s the stock prop😫

[@AndrewNewton]

@@probante Maybe you're using the 3S prop and pushing it too hard?

[@probante]

Andrew Newton when I throttle up progressively no problem. If I go abrupt, the motor goes out of sync ...

[@psiturbo]

As of 09 Feb 2020, coupon code: AFFBG10 - 10% off *Description says 3S, but you mention on the video 4S...?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes 3S and 4S used in the video. I have now swapped to the 10" 4S prop

[@TheFreakyman81]

what is the largest battery that fits?

[@AndrewNewton]

4S 5000 would fit with room to spare

[@TheFreakyman81]

@@AndrewNewton Is there a video with 4S? Is it much faster? greetings from Switzerland :-)

[@k1ortia]

Thats just begging for a 7 hero black, and some killer footage

[@AndrewNewton]

I do have one of those, a bit of hyper lapse maybe

[@cmaeromodelismoclemente3481]

Olá amigo ,sou do Brasil parabéns pelo seus vídeos,acompanho seu canal estou precisando de uma planta de aula rc com motor vc poderia me ajudar?

[@AndrewNewton]

Plans? Have a look at my blog newtonairlines.blogspot.com/search/label/-%203ch%20trainer

[@bobfin4291]

Or is it some were different

[@AndrewNewton]

Same area but on the well maintained ovals.