Customer Reviews

Slow Stick Airplane: NPS

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

awesome plane. had mine for 9 mo now with tons a flights from it. as a beginner i pretty much learned how to fly using this plane. it took a learning curve, but once u get the cg right its very stable. very durable, sure can take a beating, minor tears can easily be fixed with CA

When I go flying, I usually carry 3 planes. The Slow Stick is always the first one up, to find out how the wind can be handeled, because it is easy to fly and it lets me warm up, to fly my more difficult (complex 4 to 5 chanel planes.)
Great trainer for new fliers and fun for more experienced RC pilots.

I purchased the Slow Stick NPS (no power system) purposely, because I was not satisfied with GWS' standard motors. They will fly the plane reasonably well, but the 400 motor is too heavy and performs less well than the 300 motor. The 300 motor has problems because it is wired backwards in order to spin the propeller the correct direction using the gearbox. This makes the motor not very durable. Neither motor is very powerful, making the Slow Stick more difficult to fly in the wind. It is still a great plane in spite of those limitations when purchased ready to fly.

I chose the NPS version because I could build a much more powerful and reliable version for a total price of about $100 including radio receiver. I already owned a Spektrum DX5e transmitter. I purchased from Hobby King a $7.95 OrangeRX radio receiver, two $1.69 HK15178 servos, a $13.00 Turnigy 2217-20 motor, a $39.95 Super Brain 40A electronic speed control (could have saved some money there but I had reasons for wanting extra capabilities), a $15.00 Rhino 1300 mAh 3S 30C battery, a $4.00 APC 11x4.7" SF propeller, a $2.00 stick motor mount, some velcro and strapping tape. When I was done I had a great learner plane that weighs 400 grams but has 1200 grams of thrust. It thinks it's the Space Shuttle, able to take off from the ground and fly vertically to 400' in less than 10 seconds.

If you're a true beginner, buy a ready to fly plane with transmitter and all. I would recommend the Hobby Zone Champ. But for your second plane it's time to learn to do a truly easy build, buy this NPS Slow Stick and learn what easy flying PERFORMANCE is all about. This will be your favorite plane five years from now. No other plane has so many long-time experienced and expert flyers who say "this is my favorite airplane: the first thing in the air every time I fly." Spend some time on the Internet radio control forums and you'll hear it again and again only about the Slow Stick. Be sure to visit the RCGroups Ultimate Slow Stick Help Thread part 7 where Slow Stick lovers have posted 16,376 times (as of yesterday) helping each other to make their Slow Sticks the best they can be. Your success is guaranteed if you do.

This is the real deal. Buy one.

I ordered this and had it direct-shipped it as a gift to my grandchildren in another state. I had no idea that it was just a bare airframe with no motor or radio control system. In other words it is worthless to them as is, and if we were to keep it there is an unknown amount of additional expense and assembly required to make it fly.

Got this for my daughter (8) she flies it every day and has flown it in our house
going to get another so I can fly when she isn't in school
p.s. she's a better pilot then me

This is the best trainer on the market. The best part is you will continue to fly it for years. It is that much fun to fly.

This is an economical way to start flying. It takes a crash better than most. It's slow which makes it easy. All beginners should start out this way.

I had no idea why my GWS Slow Stick rc plane had a hard time taking off initially, and why it would quickly pull to the lef. There are 3 issues:

1) The hard plastic that is glued in the middle of the wings is hard to install. If you are not too careful, the wing's dihedral angle will be affected. I ended up having to fix my wing by cutting the hard plastic in a couple of spots, bending the wing by hand and taping them in the correct shape.

2) The tendency of pulling upwards and to the left is common with the Slow Stick. The motor mount is off by 5 degrees upwards and to the left. I found at least two video clips where other people have encountered the same problem.

The Slow Stick is not a good first plane. A plane with the prop in the rear would be a better start. The best way to start is with a flight simulator!!

The GWS Slow Stick is a very good trainer for RC pilots seeking a second model aircraft. The model goes together well with minimal problems and is easily adjusted for optimal flight characteristics. A common mistake is to install a permanent motor mount that doesn't allow an electric motor upgrade and thrust angle adjustments. Most RC pilots will want a brushless motor upgrade after a few flights for challenging manuevers and improved performance. The important thing to remember is this model is a slow flyer and it would be a mistake to mount a powerful motor made for heavier models. The design of the Slow Stick is tailored to those seeking a training model for relatively long, slow, and relaxing flights during times of minimal, calm wind. A 1Ah (1000mAh), 2 cell LiPo battery pack with the proper brushless electric motor will provide a respectful 15 minute flight time if the throttle control on the transmitter is managed carefully. It is possible to fly the Slow Stick longer without losing power due to low battery pack voltage, but it is often necessary to use a 3 cell LiPo battery pack of the same rating for increased endurance and motor performance. The longer flight time provides the endurance a less experienced RC pilot is looking for while practicing basic skills before the challenges of other RC model aircraft.

When you use initials (N.P.S.) to describe something.... you should define what those initials mean as well (No Power System)!!!!!!!!!!!! I dont know anything about "building" a remote control airplane and never would have purchased this product had I known that it didn't come with a motor or a remote control. Now I have to spend hundreds of dollars to "build" this plane for use, and I have to pay someone to build it. This was intended for my 12 year old to fly. I would NEVER have purchased a ready-to-use remote control airplane that cost hundreds of dollars for my 12 year old to play with. Next time you write a description of a product, SPELL IT OUT!!!!!! I believe this was false advertisement and I won't ever buy a product that only has initials in the description again.