Parkzone Radian Repairs And New Flight

After the crash back in the summer I had to wait for some of the parts to come off backorder and finally arrive at my local Hobby Store. During this time it allowed me to use some of the neglected RC planes in my hangar such as the Hobbyzone Super Cub and Parkzone Corsair. Well the parts finally arrived months later and they sat with the damaged plane untouched for several more months. During the Radian's long retirement I also purchased a Parkzone Sukhoi and an E-Flite Blade MCX helicopter, both which kept me entertained for some time. I finally got disgusted at looking at the Radian's current state of condition and started to organize all the parts both new and salvageable in order to get the plane back in the air.

Parts I had to purchase:

• Bare Fuselage: Radian
• Prop Adapter & Spinner Set: Radian 
• Propeller 9.5 x 7.5_1: Radian 
• Canopy: Radian 
• DAP 100% Silicone (servo glue 2.8floz)

I could have replaced the wing due to several cracks and a huge split down the right wing in particular. But with a little Gorilla Glue and some strapping tape I determined that it was stable but would keep and watchful eye on it during it's repaired maiden flight(s). I installed larger, stronger neodymium magnets in the wing mounts using silicon and X-acto blade to recess area then covered with a piece of strapping tape. I also was undecided at replacing the ESC as it took a nice dent in the front and wasn't confident in it's ability to deliver uninterupted power or worse a complete failure at altitude. After re-installing the ESC 30A E-Flite and motor testing it seemed ok.

Started with the new bare fuselage which needed everything installed. First was the servos from the old fuselage that I removed with the help of an X-Acto blade and then pliers to lightly pull out. The Parkzone servos where installed with a flexible white caulk of some sort and which I assumed was silicon. Others have installed servos with a hot glue gun, which I have, but thought I would use the original silicon adhesive which would make removing them at some point easier. I purchased 100% DAP silicon which was labeled as Kitchen and Bath sealer and tested it on the old fuselage's foam which worked well. So the servos went into the slots with silicon already bedded in and excess silicon that squeezed out I smoothed off. The old AR500 receiver was installed with new double sided foam tape and then I proceeded to the install the Brushless Motor, the Prop Adapter/Spinner, Prop, ESC, and binded everything to my Spektrum DX6i. Everything worked well and I added necessary trim and programmed some exponential and high/low rates for the Radian. Only thing left was to test fly it at the local park and hope that all is well with the repairs and the ESC holds up as well as the wings. And oh ya, DON'T FORGET TO INSTALL THE CARBON SPAR PRIOR TO FLIGHT!

Flight went perfect, an even better hand launch as it needed almost no additional trim. Did a few slow, throttle on laps at low altitude to ensure all is well. Then I flew at higher altitude and powered off for a 25 minute flight in moderate/light wind. Everything felt great and I was relieved to see the Radian fly so well and missed flying it all these months. I had quite the audience from the moment I arrived at the park with the huge wingspan of the Radian the kids and eventually the parents came closer to watch. The Radian is very easy to fly and while I was gliding I was casually answering questions from a curious Dad on the plane, flight times, costs, last crash I experienced at the same location etc. I'm glad to have the Radian back in the active hangar rotation.