Maiden Flight - Parkzone Archer BNF Bonus Footage and RC Plane Crash

This video features my new Parkzone Archer BNF maiden flight, flight review, and fun bonus footage including an RC Plane Crash.

This is the first civilian RC Plane flight I have ever tried to fly and own. I am excited about it with a few exceptions that surfaced when I was using this new RC Plane.

For those of you that missed my unboxing and review video, here are the unboxing and review notes for this plane

Unboxing Review Notes:

Cons
- Hatch design and functionality
- Horizontal stabilizer install
- Odd size and method to secure battery

Pros
- Very nice looking plane
- Nice size for more varied flying locations
- Price point when purchased

Here are the flight review notes:

- Elevator required lots of radio trim
- It is a great little flyer
- Does rolls and loops with ease
- Lands hotter than expected

Horizon Hobby describes this plane like this:

"The compact size, scale looks and smooth flight characteristics of the ParkZone® Archer™ park flyer make it the perfect companion for long trips, short breaks or any time you want to unwind with some sport flying fun. It comes with a striking trim scheme and sleek cowl inspired by the newest generation of Archer planes flying today. Other scale touches include dimpled control surfaces, gas cap details and a painted pilot figure. All that’s left for you to complete is a few minutes of final assembly while you wait for the battery to charge.

In the air, control response is so smooth and predictable, pilots who’ve flown nothing but a high-wing trainer will feel right at home on the very first flight. More advanced pilots will find the efficient brushless motor delivers ample power for sport aerobatics while still making it possible to enjoy flight times of 10 minutes or more using the stock battery. Even ground handling is a pleasure. The wide-stance, tricycle landing gear does a great job of preventing the model from tipping or dragging a wing during taxi, takeoff and landing."

This is the first of several new RC unboxing and review videos I have in the pipeline for you. I just received my E-Flite P-51 Mustang Dallas Doll and my new Spektrum DX6 6-channel transmitter, so expect more videos like this coming in the near future.

The Archer II, which this RC Plane is based off of is a member of the Piper PA-28 Cherokee is a family. It is light aircraft designed for flight training, air taxi, and personal use. It is built by Piper Aircraft.[2]

All members of the PA-28 family are all-metal, unpressurized, single-engined, piston-powered airplanes with low-mounted wings and tricycle landing gear. They all have a single door on the copilot side, which is entered by stepping on the wing.[2][3]

The first PA-28 received its type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in 1960, and the series remains in production to this day. Current models are the Arrow[4] and Archer TX and LX.[5] The Archer was discontinued in 2009, but with investment from new company ownership, was put back into production in 2010.[6][7][8] The PA-28 series competes with the Cessna 172, the Grumman American AA-5 series, and the Beechcraft Musketeer.[9]

Piper has created variations within the Cherokee family by installing engines ranging from 140 to 300 hp (105-220 kW), providing turbocharging, offering fixed or retractable landing gear, fixed-pitch or constant speed propellers, and stretching the fuselage to accommodate six people. The larger, six-seat variant of the PA-28 is generally the PA-32; earlier versions were known as the "Cherokee Six", and a PA-32 version called the Saratoga was in production until 2009.[2][10]

In 1971, Piper released a Cherokee 140 variant called the Cherokee Cruiser 2+2. Although the plane kept the 140 designation, it was, in fact, a 150-hp plane, and was shipped mainly as a four-seat version. In 1973, the Cherokee 180 was named the Cherokee Challenger, and had its fuselage lengthened slightly and its wings widened, and the Cherokee 235 was named the Charger with similar airframe modifications.[2] In 1974, Piper changed the marketing names of some of the Cherokee models again, renaming the Cruiser 2+2 (140) simply the Cruiser, the Challenger to the Archer (model PA-28-181) and the Charger (235) to Pathfinder.[14]

Piper reintroduced the Cherokee 150 in 1974, renaming it the Cherokee Warrior (PA-28-151) and giving it the Archer's stretched body and a new, semitapered wing.[2][14]

It is a four-place, fixed landing gear landplane, Lycoming O-360-A4M or O-360-A4A engine of 180 hp (134 kW), gross weight 2,550 lb (1,157 kg). First certified on 8 July 1975. Changes from the PA-28-180 include a tapered wing.[15]