Skysurfer X8 flight review

[@joecaraco7503]

Andrew, Some years ago I had a Multiplex Easy Star pusher modified with a brushless inrunner. It was a wonderful plane to lazily soar. I once flew it for 75 minutes on a 3S 2200 mAh battery with lots of zero throttle soaring. Admittedly the battery was discharged to only 2.8 volts per cell, but recharged nicely and continued to be serviceable for a number of more years. Your video brought back the wonderful memories of that lovely plane. Joe

[@AndrewNewton]

It is a type of plane that makes good memories

[@AerialWaviator]

Such a wonderful flight review and demonstration. Everything seemed perfect, including the weather.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks, winter is leaving

[@The_Pub_]

Best time of day to be on the coast Andrew. I could of just sat back with a couple of cold PA's and watched you and Al cruise around. Cheers.

[@GroundControlRC]

Such great airframes. Nice flight demonstration. I like those planes that are no drama, so stable, and very forgiving. What fun! See you in the Air!

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, easy flying assured

[@ishigamiyu1991]

what a lovely review

[@woogieman02]

These are awesome planes...easy to fly and fun for experienced pilots

[@nickwake3747]

Had mine for 2 years ,they fly for ever,great in thermals.i have had 45 minutes on a 3s 2200 battery. I have changed the prop to a 3 blade pusher. Sum it up. Great

[@npc1130]

that's a very graceful plane

[@archivist17]

Beautiful!

[@geofkane2365]

Lovely flying, filming and commentary.

[@AndrewNewton]

Many thanks!

[@EnglishTurbines]

Nice Winter? evening Andrew...lol. I remember my Biixler 2, an awful plane TBH. This one seems okay though... Lovely conditions for the Maiden flight...🤔🤔😀😀👍🇬🇧

[@ishigamiyu1991]

what was bad about it?

[@EnglishTurbines]

@@ishigamiyu1991 It was a fully loaded FPV plane, GPS, 4 amp lipo etc. Flew like a pregnant duck...Too heavy basically. It could do a 20 km round trip though...😏🇬🇧

[@edsondeliz3655]

Hello friend, nice flight, I also really appreciate this type of plane

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks a lot!

[@fa046192]

I replaced the engine with a TURNERGY D2826/6 2200 Kv with an APC 7*4 prop. Consumes half the power, is much quieter and the controller stays cold. This is really much better, and it is a small cost.

[@AndrewNewton]

Excellent motor mod

[@julianhumphrey4843]

very nice flight, good to see you flying a "proper plane" shame this is so expensive over in UK

[@AndrewNewton]

Crazy prices everywhere

[@philipajones9910]

Keep looking on Banggood i bought mine last year from the UK warehouse £65 freepost ive already got a Bix 3 and a 1.1 but at that price i couldnt leave it there ;0)

[@typxxilps]

I can remember that I got the Ranger 1600 for 100€ or sometimes below but this one is right know 185€ incl. shipping (shipping alone 25€), which is a lot more. I have not found any ranger 1600 anymore but that has the molded fuselage I prefer over this one with a foam fuselage. Nice spot, nice flight, but too close to my Ranger 1600. The runcam is the more important piece for me cause it looks really nice and seems to be easy to use. thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, prices aren't what they used to be.

[@chrisginn5073]

Thanks, great part of the world 🌎 you live. Heading to KI for some sloping this weekend. 😄

[@AndrewNewton]

Oh yeah, that sounds like an adventure.

[@tcz7742]

Tried to order a skysurfer X8 twice from banggood now but neither have shown up.. Just my bad luck I guess cause it looks like a good plane.

[@austntexan]

If you're in North America, you might try ValueHobby. They carry the XUAV version and it's usually in stock. $50

[@roadstar499]

I am finally going to finish up my sky surfer kit i started 3 or 4 years ago...i added cf to strengthen tail section...not a big deal but is COG best where the planes servo wire runs on this bird you are flying or a couple mils forward...thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

About 8mm forward of the wires, but it's so forgiving

[@roadstar499]

@@AndrewNewton great,thanks

[@chrisfrombrisbane]

Thank you for another great effort. Several questions please. What is the location, where you are sloping? My second bixler 2 is getting tired and fatigued. When it comes time to replace. With what ? another bix 2 or a skysurfer 8 or 9 or???? Or what. Thanks Chris

[@AndrewNewton]

Secret location in SA. Buy which ever is available.

[@henkvanderbij6448]

Great job!,thx…and Nice toste,What a spot…!

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks, I am lucky to live here

[@kjenkin53]

What happened to your Fluoro pink signature wing tips? Lol Really like your new flying site. Jenko

[@AndrewNewton]

Had to at least start with the supplied decals, but they will soon come off.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

I didn't realise you could operate the record button on the Run Cam via your transmitter Andrew 👍

[@AndrewNewton]

Still can't Cliff. Record button is on the camera, 5V power only via the rx

[@The_Pub_]

RC Thumb Pro 4k apparently you can.. Via a flight controller..

[@okezsoke]

Thumb cam seems out of stock. Can you recommend any other small lightweight recording device for a glider? FPV is not a requirement.

[@AndrewNewton]

Runcam 2 4K. Can remove the battery and power it from the BEC

[@JPnTX]

Can the Skysurfer X8 be flown as a 3 channel, no ailerons, for a beginner easier to fly plane? For a beginner would you recommend the Skysurfer X8 or the Volantex Ranger 1600 V757-7? Same on the Volantex Ranger 1600 V757-7. Can you start out with it as a 3 channel? Which one for durability? Thanks in Advance! 😎

[@AndrewNewton]

Ranger for durability. Not enough dihedral (or curved up wing tip) for 3 channel control. It sort of works in calm slow flight but not ideal for learning.

[@rodneykemp1009]

Love your content! Just getting into hobby now, at 54 yo.How would you rate this against your DIY Simple 3 channel trainer V3?

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks, fun times ahead. X8 flies much better but doesn't have the satisfaction of a home made model.

[@rodneykemp1009]

@@AndrewNewton thx

[@brianchamberlain9630]

Very nice! What rates did you end up flying with? thanks.

[@AndrewNewton]

100% with 30% expo

[@brianchamberlain9630]

@@AndrewNewton Thank You! looks like a nice one to FPV...

[@jozuavanlangenhove6586]

Hi Andrew, which motor&esc have used on this model?

[@AndrewNewton]

PNP version. Info will be on the product page

[@OskarHeleniak]

Hi, what receiver are you using?

[@AndrewNewton]

FrSKY RX6R

[@makewithmegma]

💕👌👍

[@dronefilmsgermany]

Can I install a DJI o3 air unit on it?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes if you come up with a heat resistant mount and voltage supply.

[@joelxavierbrasil5107]

Bom dia Deus te abençoe comandante Andrew,eu tenho um sky surf x8 ele é muito lindo de mais,eu sou iniciante no Rob,eu comprei um (giroscopio A3 v2 estabilizador de voo pra facilitar os meus voo).

[@AndrewNewton]

That would be very stable

[@docwunder1628]

Charly don' t surf! 😁👍

[@AndrewNewton]

A favourite!

[@shortgreysma1274]

same than Bixler 1.1...

[@AndrewNewton]

Similar but size and details differ.