New Bird from X-Cell

[Data]

I don't know what I was thinking (dreaming) :D
I was looking at two frame halfs and thought that's all I need.
makes more sense now.
thanks and when can I buy it?

[EricLarson]

Boy I would think that most of the larger shops will carry them. Look at the advertisers on the main page and support one of them. They support this forum, and deserve the buisness.

I know they are not cheap, but seldom is anything cheap when it is very high quality. Also, I have yet to really break a set of carbon frames. They are very strong. I have cracked my ones on the extreme after a very very hard crash, but they where still easily repairable and I would have no second thoughts of flying them.

[mevigavant]

Will a new canopy be made available for it? Something thinner or smaller?

[EricLarson]

The stock canopy fits well, they just need to be trimmed some. I don't for see smaller as I personally like the size as it is easy to put a nice paint scheme on and easy to see. They may get a bit lighter, but if you make them lighter they will not stand up well in accidents. Right they are pretty darn durable, and for the cost of a good paint job that is a nice thing. Time will tell though.

[GJestico]

Oh ya, it is the X-Cell Status :D

Eric, Is the name "Stratus" ? not "status" just to check.
Greg

[EricLarson]

oops, I can not type :) Stratus

[spectrapilot]

Eric, love the video, rumour has it you are coming to Australia soon, will you be bringing the new heli for all to see, cheers Kev

[EricLarson]

I had plans a couple of times, but things did not work out...... Looks like some later in the year though. I am really looking forward to visiting as I have never been to AU and definately want to make the trip. Ah and ya I guess I will have to do some flying to :D

I take it from your screen name you have a Spectra. Sure if a lot of fun to fly. I never really got into gas that much, but it is one heck of a good flying heli. Henry Caldwell did an awsome demo last summer at Ircha with John Garst bird. He really put on a show!

[greenmeanie]

i see their PRE-ordering on the stratus?
how much are they asking for the full KIT not the upgrade?

[WillJames]

HC also did a demo at B-Ham that is in our video forum. Not the greatest weather at the time (rain) but he still put on a good show.

This new machine is HOT! Super rigid and light and super easy to work on.

[Data]

i see their PRE-ordering on the stratus?

where?

[carey shurley]

the conversion kit includes the two carbon upper frame sides, two aluminum frame ladders, the bottom frame plate, fuel tank, and front battery mount plate.

as Eric said, it also has all the spacers, plates and bolts for the conversion. You must have the tempest style clutch driver bearing (which is wider). That will be available as part of the conversion for an extreme and isn't needed for a tempest conversion.

The documentation will highlight what you need from an existing model to make the conversion complete.

[greenmeanie]

right at MIN AIRS website.

i see their PRE-ordering on the stratus?

where?

[Sprocket]

Hey Eric any ideas when we can expect to be able to purchase the full kit? Hopefully soon! Anyhow thanks and keep up the great flying.

[3DME]

Hello

Has anyone heard a release data for the Stratus? (full kit) I am sure Min Air will be at the Orlando fun fly with their new machine. Check the event forum for more info.

Mike

[dorfmann]

It is my understanding that it will be a conversion v. a kit. Can anyone confirm?

[carey shurley]

It will be both. Initially it will be offered as a conversion for an Extreme or Tempest, sometime in mid to late May.

It will later be offered as a full kit for either OS or YS 91's.

[WillJames]

This new Stratus is the most advanced and strong 90 sized glow machine on the market today. MA did a great job on it. As the previous owner of a Spectra G, I know first hand how well engineered and STRONG they are.

As Eric said, there are a lot of upgraded and changed parts in the conversion. Not just frames.

[Data]

This new Stratus is the most advanced and strong 90 sized glow machine on the market today. MA did a great job on it.

and how true this is.
tim brought one to the torchs ff this weekend.
he put the stratus on my table and it was sitting there all day saturday.
what a beauty in engineering it is.
even a rep. (no names mentioned) from another manufacturer was mesmerized by this machine and would get one if he wouldn't be reping for someone else. :glasses2:
all in all, nobody walked by without taking a close look at this new heli and I'm sure it will be a huge success.
and the bonus to the stratus was when marcus showed up and did his thing with a new stratus and a new os engine in it.
the field was coming to a complete stop and there must have been some 50 pilots standing behind mk when he demo flew the stratus inches of the ground.

I hope someone took a video of it, because words couldn't make it just.

[3DME]

I am a rep from another company and I am switching to Xcell because of the Stratus. I was also at the torchs fun fly and I have Marcus Kims demo flight with the Stratus and new OS engine on Dig tape. I need to figure out how to get it to the Willster so it can be posted. There was quite a swarm of pilots around Marcus as on of them says "dont be nervous Marcus, nobodys watching". Marcus laid down some serious smack with that Stratus. He says you can feel a big difference from a fury extreme.


Mike

[Knud Pedersen DENMARK]

Eric Larson,

The Stratus on your homepage is using the Fury-Extreme radio/batteri tray.
The one on the MinAir homepage is not using the Fury Extreme tray.
How come ??? due to CG problems???

Also: The On/Off switch is placed at differences places……

Man - that engine mount looks simple….is it strong enough?

What about the headertank - no need for that?

PS: Great video on your homepage
:cool: :lol: :glasses2:
[/b]

[EricLarson]

Hi, all of the production kits will have the battery/radio tray extension. This will allow for a wide range of batteries. If you are using a heavier pack, it is possible to mount it on the frames and get the C.G. correct, if you are using a lighter pack, you will probably need to mount it on the extension as I have mine mounted. The C.G. of the model is VERY close so pushing weight either way will result in a slight imbalance either way. Most of the older extreme's and tempest's where nose heavy and the fuel really affected the C.G. That is not true any more.

The switch placement was moved. It is now mounted on the frame stiffener in the front, either left or right side as chosen by the builder. This position is better for our nitro powered models. The switch location on the bottom works well for the Gas Spectra, but due to the oil in the nitro fuel the lower location did not work out. The upper position also makes it easier to split the top and bottom frames for very easy maintenance. It takes about 10 min or so to pull the model apart now and maintenance is much easier.

The mount is EXTREMELY strong :) It is a new innovation by MA and it has worked out very well. The engine mount really isolates vibrations and the model is very smooth as a result. One model was completely destroyed in testing due to a radio failure as it fell from a very high altitude. The bottom plate and motor where not damaged. There also have been some other less sever but fairly substantial crashes and the motor mount has proved to be rigid and secure.

I run a fuel clunk called a "Fuel Magnet". They are a special type of foam that allows air to be isolated out of the fuel. As long as the Fuel Magnet can even touch fuel it will not allow air into the fuel system. I am able to run to around 1/10th of an ounce of fuel before my engine dies. There is also NO mixture change in flight from full tank to dry. The only warning you have that you are running out of fuel is when the motor dies. They will be on the market very soon, as the R&D is complete. I hated running a header tank for many reasons. #1 is I like my fuel system to be as simple as possible. #2 is they can cause a bunch of problems for fuel delivery.

The Fuel Magnet is the best part I have put on my helicopter in the last few years. It is something that seems so simple, but took some really smart people to make it work right.

Thanks on the video's. We will be posting some new stuff soon :)

Hope that helps some.

[Scrub]

Fuel Magnet :cool:

http://eastcoastextremehelis.com/eld%20fuel%20magnett.htm

[Knud Pedersen DENMARK]

Eric L.: Thank´s for your super answars

Have been studied the picture some more: :D

1.
I really like the Servo Setup (Visually and due to the Servo cables) on the Fury Extreme, because no servocables has to run to the other end of the helicopter, and outside the Frameside.

On the new Stratus there is going cable to the Tail and Elev servo ,,,,,,,
I can see you have mounted the cables directly to the frames – without using any “rubber” :shock: (Spiralflex – don’t know if you understand this word, cause it´s a Danish word? )
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2.
Regarding servo setup: I guess that servo interactions is less on the Stratus (???) :?:
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3.
I don’t see the “upper rubber canopy support”. :?: :?:
On the Startus the Gyro is placed up there, is there good space between the gyro and the Canopy :?:
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This “Fuel magnet” sounds like a good idea… :idea: ….I will check it out.

PS: Can´t wait to see some wore videos of you and the stratus…. :glasses2:

[EricLarson]

The servo setup improves linkage geometry and the C.G of the model. The rear servo's have to be there, so the wires will need to be routed on the frames.

I don't use the wire wraps. I found a long time ago that most wire wraps damage wires more than they protect them. The carbon frames are smooth on the outside so there is no reason the wires should be damaged. I install fuel tube or some other rubber where the wires run over the sides of the frames to prevent cutting the wires. You will also notice that my wires are "loose" in the front. I like the wires to be secure but free to move around. I have seen too many models crashed due to tight servo wire installs and the wires get unplugged in flight. Also tight wires and wire wrap often stressed the solder joints on the servo board and at the connector ends.

There is no need for a canopy support. The canopy will be secured with 4 canopy screws (Tempest style) and not the pop on grommets like the extreme. With 4 solid mount points, there is no need for the support in the front. I actually have never used the pop on rear grommets and always used 4 screws. I never have installed one of those supports on the front of the frames.

There is enough space for everything. The only thing that runs a bit close is where receiver when mounted on the top of the radio tray. There is plenty of room though.