Well I finished my Icon in four long evenings, and I am a slow builder. I wanted to have it ready for the Chicago F3J contest, even though I didn't plan on flying it. First flights were on Sunday morning off of a ford long shaft winch, which I could easily stall with the Icon's massive stiff wing. I instantly became one with this model, it is so comfortable to fly. Really nice, just dances in lift. Landings are very controlled with the big flaps and cruciform tail, the second landing was gently into the palm of my hand. Flying it Sunday morning with Capn' Jack for the first time, all he could say on the way home is you have to fly it in the contest. It was against my better judgement since I have proven contest ready models but I couldn't argue with him, he was right. So I did, and it was a blast! The Icon is a F3J machine. After the contest the east coast guys fixed a rig to do 4 man tow launches. Oh my my, what cool launches. They asked me if I wanted to try with the Icon, I was all over that and went and got the Icon. Full tension on a four man tow equals instant rotation and rapid accent!! The wings didn't even flex so I kept pulling back on the stick ever so gently... POW broke the line! Still got a good zoom! I can't wait to get some more stick time on this model, it is impressive. http://www.mapleleafdesign.com/icon.html There were alot of pictures of my model taken this weekend, some will be on the web soon. P.S. Another cool American design in my quiver. Jim Downers Grove, IL Member of Chicago SOAR club ICQ 6997780 R/C Soaring Page at http://www.mcs.net/~bacuslab/soaring.html RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
