THSS REVIEW
Trick R/C's "ZAGI LE"

Specifications:
Wingspan: 48"
Weight: 23 oz.
Wingloading: 7.75 oz./sq. ft.
Airfoil: Semi-symmetrical, reflexed
Radio equipment required: standard receiver, 2 standard servos with mixer
Skill level: Intermediate

Why the Zagi LE. After doing a good amount of research on the Web and asking some guys at the slope I fly at, I decided to get the most popular combat plane out there, the Zagi. I heard that it performed well, had great recovery ability, and flew nicely in light lift. All that, and the fact that there was one in a nearby hobby shop for $35, made me buy it.

Building the Zagi LE. According to what I had read about the Zagi, I was ready for the vaunted "3 Hour Building Time!!" Well, it took me a whole lot longer than 3 hours. I suppose my second one will take a lot less time, but 3 hours is not a viable building time for a first timer unless you're familiar with working with foamies. I'd say it took me about 6 hours. Halfway through the building process I bought myself a computer radio. This purchase was prompted by the fact that in order to fly the Zagi, you either need to buy an electronic mixer (around $40) or use a computer radio. It seemed like a good enough excuse for me to get the computer radio. All you need to do to build the Zagi is attach the two wing halves, do a little bit of sanding, cover the thing in tape, cut out the holes for and install the receiver, servos, batteries, and weights, attach the elevons and winglets and balance it. Real simple.

Flying the Zagi LE. There was a good amount of wind on my first flight with the Zagi and I held my breath as I launched it the first time (the slope I was at is *not* a good place to crash). Only very slight adjustments were needed to trim it out. After that, I was having a blast. Being my first foamie, I was doing stunts that I haven't even tried before within the first five minutes of flight. Inverted flight, outside loops, and crowd buzzers (the crowd being my girlfriend and two more spectators) were astonishingly easy with the Zagi. This thing is stable. It can also carry a lot more speed than I expected it to. Since I was the only one at the slope at the time, I was going as gonzo as I wanted to go. Loops could be very large, or so small it was verging on the ridiculous (once you put the center of gravity at about 8 inches from the nose of the plane, as opposed to the 7 inches recomended in the instructions). It even thermalled well. I could really get a good deal of altitude with it. My first landing was pretty rough, and it came out unscathed. The EPP leading edge (reinforced with strapping tape) inspired a lot of confidence and allowed me to try things that fear of damage to other planes have kept me from trying. A few days later I finally got the chance of trying COMBAT! Let me tell you, combat is awesome. It's definitely the most fun I've had since I started flying gliders. If everyone found out how much fun this is, Nintendos and Playstations would rust from neglect.

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