E-flite Super Cub 25e–Awesome Test Flight

E-flite Super Cub 25e–Awesome Test Flight

I had a great day at the flying field testing out the new Super Cub from E-flite. this electric powered 25e ARF version of the Piper has great looks and even better performance. Watch for my full review in the November 2011 issue of Electric Flight magazine

 Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | E-flite Super Cub 25e–Awesome Test Flight

If you have never flown a tail-dragger, then you are missing some fun! The main thing to remember is to advance the throttle slowly and smoothly and hold a little up elevator until the plane has gained some airspeed before takeoff. As you release the elevator input, the tail will rise slightly and the high-lift wing will float the Super Cub off the ground in no time. Using coordinated aileron/rudder input or if you have a computer radio, add some aileron differential to minimize adverse yaw in the turns.

Stability: Like a rock! All Cubs are lightly-loaded scale trainers at heart and they are great platforms for learning how to use the rudder. Being fairly light, the Super Cub is affected by gusty winds but the aileron and rudder response is more than adequate to keep wings straight and level.

Tracking: On the ground a little up elevator keeps the tail wheel planted so you have good steering response. As the tail rises, be prepared to add a little right rudder and it will track straight down the runway as long as you are taking off into the wind. In the air, rudder is your friend.

Aerobatics: Cubs of all types are great low-energy slow speed aerobats and you can do anything you want with it. You just have to setup your maneuver to maximize your airspeed. Dive slightly first to gain airspeed and then smoothly apply your inputs. Loops are best done large and round and be sure to throttle back a bit on the back side. For rolls, raise the nose a bit and apply full aileron deflection with a bit of rudder thrown in. Then as the plane nears inverted flight ease off the up elevator and if you are doing a slow roll, you can even add a bit of forward elevator stick to stop the nose from dropping too soon. Spins require a fully stalled wing so throttle back to idle and hold it level for as long as you can. Then while holding full up elevator, apply rudder and aileron to enter the spin. To exit, neutralize the controls, let the nose drop a little, gain some speed and gently apply power and some up to reestablish straight and level flight. Piece of cake!

Stall and Glide Performance. The Super Cub’s Stall is very obvious so it is easy to stay above stall speed if you watch the nose. There is a slight wingtip drop depending on the direction of the wind but you have to work to get it into a spin. Power off, the Cub glides with the best of them but you should always hold in a little power in the landing approach. Once over the runway pull power and slowly add up to keep the nose level and then plane just lands effortlessly! It is a great touch-n-go machine.

Final Score: I love the Super Cub 25e

Once you fly the Super Cub you will become a believer. The E-flite Super Cub 25e is a great example of the breed and you can’t really do better for a first serious scale flyer. The best advice I can give is to practice your slow speed flying and use coordinated aileron and rudder inputs. Just like eating potato chips, I just can’t get enough flight time with Cubs!

Updated: July 16, 2015 — 9:47 AM

3 Comments

  1. Hello Gerry,

    I am building the E-flite Super Cub 25e ARF. I have a question. I cannot get the struts and the jury struts to come out right. The holes in the struts don’t match up with the holes in the fuselage mount. Not a big problem, I can always drill a new hole, but I don’t think I should have to. The other problem is the jury struts. They are all skewed and don’t look right. Aren’t they supposed to hang at ninety degrees with respect to the wing? I have mounted and remounted all of the pieces over and over, but no good! If I could move the strut clamps I might be able to make it work, but they are pinned and painted in place. I really want this plan to look right. Could you please tell me what I am doing wrong?
    Thanks!
    George

    1. Sounds like a problem indeed. I would contact the distributor and talk to customer service. Sounds like either the struts are assembled wrong, or the holes in the wing are misplaced, Our test plane went together without a hitch. This was a while back so perhaps a new batch of product has come in with quality control issues.

  2. Hi Gerry

    Nicely worded review.
    I’m buying one of the Super Cub 25e models. I’ve paid for it and asked the supplier to hold it while I work out the power setup.

    Running the figures doesn’t give good results for either the E-Flite Power 25 or Power 32 with various props. What was your setup i.e. motor, prop., battery, ESC?

    I’d be grateful for your advice.

    Best regards.

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