Phase One V3.0
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Design by Ken Blackwell, Precision Model Design

From the Designer:

 The Zimpro pre-production run of the PHASEONE includes three aircraft. The first airplane is complete and being flown by Jim Woodward, who is campaigning it in Masters, NSRCA District 7. The other two aircraft are being finished by Ken Blackwell, who will be flying them in Advanced this year. The No. 1 airplane is being flown with a Mintor 3M 1.70 engine, while a Webra 1.45 Aero-x and a YS 1.40 DZ will be used in the other two aircraft. The first airplane weighs 10.25 lb with no special efforts taken to achieve the weight.

All three aircraft can be seen and will be flown at the NATS this year.

The flight characteristics have met or exceeded my design goals. Below is Jim Woodward’s initial report on his flying of the PHASEONE V3.

Jim Woodward’s PHASEONE V3 Report

My name is Jim Woodward and I've been fortunate to be designer Ken Blackwell's test pilot for the new Phase One V.3. Ken has definitely met his goal of improving the flight qualities over the 2002 Advanced Nationals winning design. This newest version rolls, tracks, and snaps better than ever! Here is a short list of changes over last year's model:

1. More fuselage side area
2. Thicker horizontal stabilizer
3. Wing and stab placed higher
4. Canopy and wing moved forward
5. Fixed gear installed in fuselage
6. Traditional "pattern" vertical fin & rudder shape.

Each of these changes have allowed for improvement in targeted areas, while maintaining an overall outstanding flight regime. With a final production weight of 10 lbs 3 oz you can present your flying slow or fast with no trim changes.

Slow and point rolls can be flown on-a-string, even at low horizontal velocity. Maneuvers such as the Avalanche with 1.5 snaps (inside or out), 45 degree down-line with 1.5 snaps, and FAI 1.5 snaps opposite 4/8, require only minor heading correction to maintain flight path.

The entire Masters or FAI (PO-3) patterns can be flown without use of dual rates or special "conditions." The new rudder design allows for effortless stall turns.

Knife-edge flight has been improved with the canopy being moved forward, and knife-edge loops are "just another maneuver" to the Phase One.

Rudder authority is quick and responsive, yet on full throw does not over-control the plane. The width of the fuselage is perfect for windy or still air conditions, allowing for good penetration with power-on, and slower down-lines when power-off.

The wing is positioned so that positioning of your typical battery pack will give you the correct CG for either 2-cycle or 4-cycle engine choice. My plane uses the 3M-170, with a 2 cell li-ion battery pack positioned behind the firewall (no ballast weight needed).

The Phase One V.3 retains all the distinction of an original design and offers user friendly design features such as: open pipe tunnel, large canopy access, and ready-to-fly assembly with just one 4-40 screw. With roughly 20 flights, I flew it to 2^nd place as the Las Vegas, NV pattern contest (May 17-18, 2003) against some tough District 7 Masters fliers. Made in America by Tennessee craftsman, you are guaranteed quality and product support that is only a phone call away.

Jim Woodward