E-Flite Sportix 1.1m BNF with AS3X+ and SAFE Select - Model AV8R Review

[@mickydee6550]

Respect. Being honest about your crash and taking accountability only enhances your already considerable credibility. I trust your reviews completely.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thank you Micky. That means a lot.

[@fierceflyer5]

Storing the wing & tail tubes in the fuse is the best idea ever. Wish all planes had this

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Cool feature!

[@oldguyflyer9221]

Adam, you are a trusted reviewer, I and many others trust what you tell us. Not always the case these days. The usual great flying and Heidi does a great job in the filming. I just ordered one through your link, least I could do!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much, we appreciate the kind words and the support! Fun Sport plane, you'll enjoy it!

[@williamfawkes8379]

This plane is exactly what Ive been looking for. Excited.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Awesome! Perfect everyday sport plane.

[@payitfwdrcl6171]

Adam, Sweet new model from Eflite. They just keep getting better and better. So sorry to hear about the mishap brother. Man, do we all know how you feel. That can happen to any of us. We just human. Love the Tee shirt! So glad to see you and finally meet Heidi. Ya’ll are awesome. 😉

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man! It was great to see you too! Yep, great sport plane.

[@JeffinLowerAlabama]

Adam fantastic flying and review. Heidi great video. Looks a great flyer for newer flyers and something experienced flyers can grab go rip with it. Jeff in LA USA.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Jeff! Yep, pretty much a perfect sport plane that will do a bit extra.

[@SlowFlyer85]

Nice looking sport plane and you did good on the flight can't wait for your next redemption flight we know it will be great have a good week 😊😊😊

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It is Frank, and me too!

[@purcellrcaviationchannel]

Proof that it can happen to the most accomplished RC pilots! Looking forward to the revisit flights, Adam. One very cool review.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Gina!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

What a well thought out design, I'm impressed 🙂

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It is Cliff!

[@IansRCExploits]

Nice plane, love how easy it goes together!! And the way it flies, can't beat the value of the BNF version 😀👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It is Ian!

[@jollyroger2226]

Looks like a really clean machine. No wonder it didn't want to slow down for a landing. Very nice demo flight !

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Yep, sleek and a great flyer for sure.

[@waynemiller6070]

Good looking plane. Looks like a good price too for all you get. Thanks for the upload.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@michaelclinerc3211]

Great review Adam! Your maiden flight provides plenty of info for me to know I will like this one. It looks plenty capable for me and your “pattern plane” comment sealed the deal.

[@danflom1271]

This bird has your name all over it. I hope the first order shipped goes to you.😀

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks so much Mike! And I agree with Dan!

[@SkipGetelman]

Great video Adam

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Skip!

[@gisall8205]

Great video. I really like this size. Simplicity. I'll probably end up getting this one also.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! It's a great one.

[@DadsRCHangar]

Nice sporty plane Adam, love the colour scheme as well, very easy to see in the sky. Another great review 👍🏻

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Chris! It is a nice one!

[@bhgant813]

Great review and good looking tshirt!! :)

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Ha! Thanks man! Had a great time at Bigfoot.

[@johnturley5595]

HH should have use that wing joiner system in their new Extra 300 model .......... This model I shall buy ........ good review

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Yes, it is a great system.

[@livegood9876]

Looks like a great plane, good video.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! It’s a fun one to fly.

[@john9663]

Great video with lots of useful information on why, or why not, I may want this in my hangar. I've watched 4 videos on this new offering, two ended in crashes, which is unusual on new aircraft maidens since the aviators are usually very experienced and vetted by the manufacturer. Not sure what to make of the high initial accident rate, however, since this is meant as a transition from beginner to intermediate. Thanks Adam for posting, and kudos for presenting warts and all! Looking forward to your follow-up video. I very much appreciate your comments / comparison of this to the 330 as well. This could be my next plane. Edit Update: Oops. Just saw your comment on the explanation of the crash. Very understandable.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks for the kind words! Glad this was helpful. Curious, what videos did you watch that ended in crashes??

[@john9663]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Adam, the individual was Jay kujan, small channel. Ordered yesterday using your HH link. All the best and again, I appreciate your honest reviews.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

@john9663 I didn't see his video. I think his channel is actually pretty big. He seems like a nice dude, but I don't know him personally. Thanks very much for using our link my friend... we really appreciate it

[@3DMOFO2020]

Awesome job on the maiden looking forward into seeing the follow up video of this when you got to "Throw Down" with it.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Me too! It has a lot more in the tank I didn't get to explore I think.

[@SteffenRC]

Nice review, even without the plane to show off. (really? you piled it in???). Eflite is really making some wonderful planes. Looks outstanding, very capable, assembly and price.. Outstanding..

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Will! Its a Keeper...can't wait to really throw one around.

[@ScottPDX]

Was looking forward to your review on this plane as I trust you more than many, sure would have like to hear more about the mishap, that was a missed learning opportunity. Hope to see a follow up, when you get a chance to try some 3d flying with it and let us know what you really think.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks for the kind words. The crash and lack of footage of it is detailed in another comment I answered. Bit of a long story, so please scan the comments for that so I don't have to type it all again, lol.

[@danflom1271]

Great review Adam. I liked the slip approaches. Once a pilot gets used to the float I think this will land as smooth as the Valiant.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It may Dan. I hadn't thought about that but yeah...the Valiant is a brilliant sport plane, and is one is as well...may be even better in some ways.

[@danflom1271]

@@ModelAV8RChannel The Sportix is certainly more aerobatic. I hope you explore a flaperon setup.

[@Bellairvideo]

Such great flights & footage guys…. The crash would have been ‘gut wrenching’ on a new model but it happens to the best of us🥴💥more so me than you brother. Well presented as always🦘🪃🇦🇺

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Noel!

[@D_WallRC]

Glad to have met ya at Bigfoot

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Same here my friend! Looking forward to going next year!

[@AL-RCjunkie]

If you need someone to take the pieces off your hands- for a modest fee, I'm sure- I'm your guy, Adam. Always looking to add to my Eflight parts inventory 😊👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Lol. I may actually fix it just enough to fly (kinda) so we can really tear it up in a challenge...I mean not on purpose, but in a challenge stuff happens!

[@AL-RCjunkie]

Alright, real-talk time, Adam. I can't be the only one watching that is disappointed by the lack of a bucket full of beautiful, yet broken, airplane pieces on a black table cloth next you in this video. Just sayin', dude. You say the word "crash", I wanna see some carnage. Usually, to compare it to whatever plane I've most recently crashed, to judge which one of us did a better job of it. Jovials aside, that sucks- it's crashed. It happens. Might suck worse that it was a demo. Idk. Sucks none the less. My offer to purchase the bits for spare electronics parts stands, if you're allowed to, or want. 👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Oh Al I don't half do anything. If I crash...I crash as good as anybody! Lol. I don't have parts, but email us anyway (email found by clicking "more" below our channel name on the home page...I'd link it here, but YT always erases the comment when I do). I'd like to pick your brain on something.

[@RichieRich980215]

Hi Adam, first thing I would do is change those wheels, it absolutely drives me nuts that noise that it makes when they are of out tolerance and make that god awful noise. Also I would set up reverse thrust because my flying field is only 20X150’ and the way it floats that would be a must. Other than that, I really like this plane colors. Nice maiden flight, Adam. 👏👏😀

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Yeah Du Bros will quiet that down if it bothers you. Reverse thrust should work great, but it probably can be landed pretty easy in 150 ft I think...just would take better approaches than I did on the first flight. Matter of getting used to it. I look forward to playing with the next one!

[@scable-eq7bp]

Really good review, seems like a good product, was hoping to see footage of the crash, was it pilot error, or something with the plane that we need to be made aware of before we purchase it. I really enjoy your channel....

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks, appreciate the kind words! Please scan the comments, I answered the crash question and why we didn't show it in another comment. Long (ish) story, lol.

[@IsaacStAmand]

I am in GA too

[@ironmover5800]

Good vid even with the limited footage ………….you just tested this one a little more than the others

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks, lol. Yep

[@SunriseRCAviator]

Nice plane and to bad you totalled yours. A tip for future videos would be to get a microphone to improve audio so we can hear your nice voice even better :)

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Yeah that sucked. Looking forward to flying one again! We do use a mic. What you're hearing is probably the editing filter we have to use to drown out the sound of the AC.

[@SunriseRCAviator]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Put the mic on you, close to the mouth, and it should sound much better and avoid as much AC noise as possible :)

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

I have a lapel mic, and that doesn't make it better, it makes it worse. The AC vent is directly above my head. We've actually tested several options. Short of being really hot with the AC off (which I did for a while, I'm to old for that, lol)...what we are doing is best option we've tested so far. I appreciate the advice.

[@IsaacStAmand]

what rc field are u flying at?

[@Mountian-Zen]

Nice …. Something between the Commander MPD and the Extra 300 ???

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Yeah sort of.

[@grantfoster9099]

Another Plane I’ll Add To My Hanger!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Have fun with it!

[@artesanrc]

Yery nice looking model. If it were 1.5m wingspan then I would be very interested.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It is really nice looking!

[@wyant4]

Hey Adam. Have you flown the fms mxs and if so how do these two compare?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

I have. The Sportix is a sport plane, the MXS is a dedicated 3D plane. The MXS has bigger control surfaces and more extreme throw. There are a lot of airplanes that can do some 3D...like the Sportix, but they are not made specifically for it. So, while the Sportix can do some 3D, it isn't as capable at it as the MXS. It isn't designed to be. Just a matter of what you want. The Sportix is a smoother flying airplane which is its advantage over the MXS. So the choice is Sport Plane or 3D plane. For what its worth, the Extra 330 SC is a better 3D plane than the MXS. Bigger, smoother, but just as capable.

[@iramiller2389]

How would you compare the Sportix with the Commander as a second plane after mastering the Apprentice?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Both are perfect for that role. Just a matter of what styling you want...of course the AS3X+ in the Sportix is worth a try for sure.

[@jcb6713]

nice looking sport plane...will the 'AS3X Plus' work as a regular AS3X receiver using a DX series Tx ? ( ie. old skool ) thanks...

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Yes. You can fly it on a DX transmitter. If it is a DX that has forward programming and is updated to the latest firmware for a DX (like a DX9 or DX18 or Gen 2 DX8) then you can make adjustments to the AS3X+. If it isn't, you can still bind it and fly it with a DX, you just won't be able to adjust the AS3X+, but you don't need to, the stock AS3X+ set up is fine.

[@jcb6713]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Thanks ! I assumed it would but you know how that can work out sometimes. lol ...

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Happy to help! Yes sir...I know how that goes...lol

[@mikenadler7118]

I think all of would like to know about the crash.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

@mikenadler7118 Already answered, longish story, so please read the other comments.

[@engineerahmed7248]

g8 plane g8 piloting!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks!

[@weshillsberry6275]

Very upset u didnt show the crash wtf

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

I guess you'll have to get over it. Crash was not on camera. Happened right after the footage we featured while I was testing something else and Heidi was checking the exposure on the footage we had.

[@3v1Bunny]

Do I dare ask what happened on the 2nd flight? 😅

[@Flycarve]

I think it would be good to know so that people can learn from your mistake. We all have made mistakes, and if we a smart we don't do them the second time. 🙃

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Yeah you can. I forgot to take a picture of the wing/tail tubes in place for storage in the fuse, so I took it apart and put them back literally just to take that pic. When I pulled the tail tube out I snagged some wiring close to the RX (I was pissed I had to take it apart just for that pic, lol). I was so focused on the pic I didn't bother to check the wiring I snagged. So as it turned out I had pulled the ESC wire partially out of its port on the RX. It was making contact, but just. While Heidi was checking the exposure of the footage you saw on the computer I checked the battery and had enough still for a tiny bit more. So, I shifted the battery a bit to change the CG and took off again. I trimmed the elevator and decided to try a crankshaft before I landed. The sudden negative G's shifted the wire so that it wasn't making contact and I lost power to the RX. Done deal. Not trying to hide anything, just a freak dumb A mistake that no one else will ever make I'd bet. If I hadn't been yanking on that tube like a gorilla...lol. I was in a hurry and at that point annoyed, and it bit me.

[@3v1Bunny]

@@ModelAV8RChannel This sounds like a thing that could happen to me too. Things tend to go south when you are in a hurry .

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Yep, being in a hurry is bad in any kind of aviation.

[@RCminded]

​@ModelAV8RChannel I really appreciate you taking the time to outline the details, I know it can be painful to recount. It is always tough when we make a mistake that could have been avoided. An optimistic outlook is at least you were able to determine a cause and save yourself the greif of a mystery failure.Think of it as a reminder of how fickle these machines can be. After all, if it wasn't possible to make mistakes like this the hobby would not be as rewarding as it is.

[@trevorfurlotte]

Wow, not a Timber.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Wow, good eye...lol

[@trevorfurlotte]

@ModelAV8RChannel LOL my powers of observation are well known my friend. Unless we're talking about my wife's hair.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Lolololol! Same here...except I always fail to notice new shoes. That's okay though...she tells me.

[@trevorfurlotte]

@ModelAV8RChannel SOP

[@JohnDoe50047]

You can't tell us you crashed and then fail to include the video! :D Actually, now that I think about it, if you'd put "crash" in the title, you'd probably get a bunch more clicks.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Well, there is no video to include. You can read the comments, I explained the crash to another viewer. Longish story, so not going to type all that again, lol.

[@williamnordin7976]

Is that a mid wing timber? lol

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Sportix. lol