ANDY GRIFFITH andy@customcutgraphix.com


blow back during launch. Depending on weather conditions, you’re only going to get a minute or two with such a launch, but the Whipit will react to even the slightest lift. My best flight was in the late afternoon. I saw a column of small bugs concentrated in one area and threw the Whipit right into that area. I started to second-guess my decision to pass on applying the orientation stripes. Several times I flew out of the column


of air, did a couple of loops to lose altitude, and again centered myself in the small thermal, and the Whipit went right back up. Flying the E-flite Whipit is quite easy,


I used my DX18’s flight modes to set up a slight right rudder offset (for right-handed launchers) during launch. A little


experimenting with the amount—and a lot of practice with my throwing technique—gave me consistent launches.


Photos by Andy Griffith


was correct. Small U-shaped bends in the pushrods are opened or closed slightly to adjust the trim. The rudder needed a little tweaking to get straight and the elevator looked fine. The aircraft isn’t intended for heavy


wind, so I did most of my flying early in the morning before the wind picked up or late in the afternoon. There were no big thermals popping early, but as things warmed there would be rising air and the Whipit thermals in the lightest of lift. There is no peg or fingerhold to


launch the model. You gently squeeze the wingtip between your thumb and forefinger where the carbon spar is located. A decent throw will get 15 to 20 feet of altitude and with a little practice, 20 to 25 feet was the norm for me. Lacking a peg, the Whipit can be launched equally well by left- or right- handed pilots. The linear actuator servos use a rotating jack screw in the receiver brick. Even when launched with gusto, the servos won’t let the rudder or elevator


and I let several people try their hands at launching and flying it. Those with the least amount of glider experience tended to stall or porpoise until they backed off the elevator and let it come slowly down. Experienced glider pilots had a blast. One might think that the lack of ailerons would mean less control, but the combination of a relatively large rudder and a bit of dihedral make the rudder quite effective. Turning inside the smallest lift is no trouble. Landing is accomplished by settling


into the grass, but after a little practice I could almost always catch it in my hand. I avoided landing on paved or hard surfaces because the rudder sticks down pretty far and could be damaged. The manual says to recharge the battery after 45 minutes of flight time, but my arm was tired from throwing long before I felt that the battery might be depleted. If you have a fancy transmitter, you


The Whipit has generous tail surfaces and the large rudder helps the model turn with authority, despite the lack of ailerons. The U-shaped bend in the control rod is used to adjust the trim on the model instead of transmitter trims.


can program a launch mode with just a little rudder opposite your throw to help it go straight. As a right-handed launcher, I programmed approximately four clicks of right trim, which I switched off when I grabbed the transmitter to start flying. Practice makes perfect, and the Whipit


will give you a lot of practice. It’s so much fun that I found myself packing it in the truck, no matter what else I planned to fly. While my big batteries were charging or when I was waiting for the ceiling to lift, I would make a dozen or more flights on the Whipit. It’s easy to store and transport, and extra batteries are extremely inexpensive.


THEPARKPILOT.ORG 35


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