For this maneuver, the pilot enters from inverted flight and pushes to establish a 45-degree climb then he performs 1½ negative snaps. After the snap, another line segment (equal to the first line) is then executed. Once the maneuver is complete, the pilot must pull 135-degrees to exit in inverted straight and level flight. This [...]

  Overview of the reverse Cuban-8 with half rolls. Illustration by FX Models When I first started aerobatic competition, symmetrical maneuvers that combined various elements were of the most complex to perform both precisely and consistently. Let’s take the loop, for example. While it may be fairly straightforward to perform a single loop, try flying [...]

  Behind every great flying airplane is a reliable engine with a smooth transition. To obtain this, you may have to spend some time tweaking the High and Low End needles that can be found on the carburetor. Personally, I always start with the factory recommended settings and run the engine first to see if [...]

Before you attempt the stall turn, take a moment to ensure that the motor thrust is properly set on your aircraft. Sometimes, manufacturers build what is called “right thrust” into the aircraft’s motor box. When you view your model from above, the spinner and propeller should be on the fuselage’s centerline, but the propeller may [...]

In my opinion, the knife-edge spin is one of the most impressive extreme aerobatic maneuvers. It’s very demanding for the pilot and the airframe. First, I’ll describe the maneuver. In traditional knife-edge, the aircraft is rolled approximately 90 degrees from upright level flight. Then altitude is sustained by using top rudder. When the maneuver is [...]

On all of my nitro and gasoline-powered airplanes, I use zip ties to secure my fuel lines going from the fuel tank to both the carburetor and the muffler. When routing lines within your airplane, make sure that they can move freely and are not bent in any odd fashion. After all, you need to [...]