Estarter Evolution

GWS E-Starter

Note the engine sticking out past the cowling.

The E-Starter was actually the second plane I bought. But I saw several crashed and miserable examples on the local flying fields and was determined to build mine right and learn to fly adequately before putting it in the air.
I would be different!
However, I was already annoyed with the plane. I carefully tried to balance it out using the stock battery compartment, but it simply could not be done. So to get it in the air, I stuck on a Cyrano motor mount, which looked absurd. But it balanced.
So of course on my very first flight I had a rough landing. It's better than it looks, though: no damage. I did manage to get it off the field intact!
It actually flew pretty well! Sedate, easily controlled, and did some simple aerobatics (slow loops and rolls).
So I took it home, made a more forward battery holder, put on some tape and window stickers -- then got it some better wheels to cope with the grass.
After that I was able to deal with the landings pretty well. Here's a nice approach shot of the final "stock" version.

Then disaster struck.

This happened while starting a landing approach. I had been hanging out in a very empty area of sky, and started my approach well behind the main flying area. Nevertheless, someone managed to stray right in front of my plane and I centerpunched it. This was the result, and the end of the Estarter in stock configuration.
I took it home and shelved it for a couple of weeks, then chopped out all the ruined stuff and made a smaller flat-wing version on which I put a Himax brushless for a short while. The plane was still boring to fly, and the motor made an awful sound. Sold the motor, retired the plane.
It's sitting on the back porch now.

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The E-Starter was actually the second plane I bought. But I saw several crashed and miserable examples on the local flying fields and was determined to build mine right and learn to fly adequately before putting it in the air.
	I would be different! However, I was already annoyed with the plane. I carefully tried to balance it out using the stock battery compartment, but it simply could not be done. So to get it in the air, I stuck on a Cyrano motor mount, which looked absurd. But it balanced. So of course on my very first flight I had a rough landing. It's better than it looks, though: no damage. I did manage to get it off the field intact! It actually flew pretty well! Sedate, easily controlled, and did some simple aerobatics (slow loops and rolls).
So I took it home, made a more forward battery holder, put on some tape and window stickers -- then got it some better wheels to cope with the grass. After that I was able to deal with the landings pretty well. Here's a nice approach shot of the final "stock" version.
Then disaster struck. This happened while starting a landing approach. I had been hanging out in a very empty area of sky, and started my approach well behind the main flying area. Nevertheless, someone managed to stray right in front of my plane and I centerpunched it. This was the result, and the end of the Estarter in stock configuration. I took it home and shelved it for a couple of weeks, then chopped out all the ruined stuff and made a smaller flat-wing version on which I put a Himax brushless for a short while. The plane was still boring to fly, and the motor made an awful sound. Sold the motor, retired the plane. It's sitting on the back porch now.