Piedmont Models News Updates

Summer 2008 >> Focus Sports are Pattern's best kept secret ... but the news is getting out. More and more sport fliers are trying their hand at Pattern and the quickest way to a satisfying and successful experience is starting with our Focus Sport.

feedback from a new Focus Sport customer:

"Well I have finished my beautiful Focus Sport and have approximately 20 flights on her. Flies like it’s on rails and literally goes where you point the nose. My motor of choice is an OS 91 2-stroke with a MAX mini-pipe muffler and it takes her straight up. Total weight is 9 lbs and the wing is set, per the instructions, at ½ degree positive incidence. This is perfect. Also I might add that I was concerned about the CG, I shouldn’t have been. As per the instructions at 6 ½ “ back from the leading edge, was perfect. This is a great flying plane and rather easy to fly. I have been flying for over 30 years but never Pattern. I love it due to this plane. What took me so long?

Thanks for a great plane, It’s a KEEPER."

8.15.2007 >> Focus Sport ARF and ARC's have arrived!

Orders for Focus Sport kits are being shipped! This is the time to call and get yourself on the list!

6.12.2007 >> Focus Sport

The Focus Sport Production Prototype went together very well and we have approved the airplane for production! We've been promised that the kits will ship by the end of the month. Steve is taking names now for early orders so give us a call and get on the list!

We'll be putting some flights on the prototype and will get some pictures up in the next few days. We are delighted with this plane and we're confident that it will be competitive and fun to fly.

05.21.2007 >> Hints and Tips

Check out our Hints and Tips page! We have posted Donny Wright's excellent article about mounting the Hatori 821 short pipe in his Focus II.

05.08.2007 >> Focus Sport Production Prototype

Well folks, feast your eyes on the freshly arrived Focus Sport prototype. This little gem just arrived this afternoon and here are the pictures of the airplane right out of the box. The bar really has been raised on this airplane, as you can compare the ARF version shown here to the custom built version by Dave Guerin to see that this airplane really is a work of art.

The production order is in mid-June. While we won't be taking money until the entire shipment is stateside, you can preorder by contacting Steve Wall to ensure your getting one out of this first shipment. More pictures to follow of this new airplane, so stay tuned!

03.26.2007 >> Donny Wright and the Focus II ARF win Masters at Ocala

On March 24-25 at Ocala Florida, Donny Wright returned to pattern competition after a 3 year layoff. It is great to see him back! We are pleased that Donny has chosen to fly Piedmont Models’ Focus II for the 2007 season.

03.12.2007 >> Archie Stafford and the Focus II Win Masters at Phoenix

February 19 -25, Rusty Fried and the Sun Valley R/C Club graciously hosted a week long event for pattern flyers from all over the country.

I had the pleasure of coaching and practicing with some of the finest talent in the country at one of the nicest facilities I have ever visited. The weather was everything a pattern flyer could ask for and event was attended by some of the best. It was a great week!

Rusty Dose assembled a Focus II from a kit, and installed the equipment just days before heading for Arizona, leaving behind the snow and ice of Milwaukee, WI. I met Rusty in Phoenix on Monday and we did the set-up, pre-flight check and engine break-in.

Tuesday dawned sunny and warm – the perfect day for test flying and set-up. We made several flights and took care of some minor adjustments. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the company of old friends and making some new ones.

Archie Stafford arrived on Wednesday without an airplane. He flew the Focus and we decided that he would fly it in the Masters class in the contest on Saturday and Sunday. He took a few flights and adjusted the control response to his liking and the rest is history.

Our sincere thanks to Archie. He did a great job of showing off the Focus II’s capability. Piedmont Models was excited to have this opportunity to showcase the Focus II ARF in the same arena as the newest high-dollar pattern aircraft. We are very pleased with how the Focus II ARF showed itself as a top performer and yet is one of the best values available today.

03.05.2007 >> Website Updates/Focus Sport Information

After a month of dormancy without updates, the respite is finally over.

The first in the series of tech tips has been published; check out the Tech Tips page for information on how to painlessly install the motor box and motor mount in the Focus II.

Also, we are trying to generate some interest among our products and what better way for this to occur is to have a little show and tell? Send in your pics of your Focus II's and we'll put them in a picture gallery for the entire world to see. A mugshot of the owner proudly displaying his toy would be appreciated, however shots of the airplanes themselves are acceptable as well. The Focus II is a fine competition throroughbread and what better way to show off your ride than right here. Send in your pictures to Dave Guerin and we'll get them up as fast as we can!

Last but not least, we finally have recieved word back from our factory regarding the Focus Sport. The price for the airplane will be $439.95 and right now the delivery date to us is in the eight week range. We will be taking pre-orders for the airplane, however will not be accepting any payment for the preorders until the shipping date is set in stone. To place yourself on the pre-order list, please contact Steve Wall.

Stay tuned! We have a lot more exciting updates in the works!

02.08.2007 >> NYX Sunglasses

Well the first in our line of pattern accessories is here. Piedmont is proud to reintroduce our line of suglasses through a partnership with NYX Sport. NYX is a manufacturer of high performance sunglasses systems utilizing interchangable lenses to account for variances in lighting and weather conditions. They have proven themselves popular in the realms of golf and hunting, and now we have a solution for pattern flyers.

We have selected three lenses whose attributes will account for the different weather conditons we face on a regular basis, either at the field practicing, or at a contest. Please check our NYX Sunglasses page for more information regarding this exciting new addition to our product line!

01.24.2007 >> Introducing the Focus Sport

Piedmont Models is proud to introduce the new Focus Sport, the latest in our line of pattern aircraft. The Focus Sport is a totally new design that draws its heritage from the Focus I and II designs that have enjoyed a proven record of success at all levels of competition.

The Focus Sport is a .90-1.10 size aircraft; designed to provide an entry level competition aircraft that has the flight capabilities of a true precision aerobatic aircraft with the benefit of simple to understand and maintain airframe. It is designed to use any .90-1.10 size two or four stroke engine with a muffler. The two-piece wing with wing adjusters provides the same adjustability as its larger siblings, making it a great learning tool for new pattern flyers learning the art of aircraft trimming.

The Focus Sport uses tried and true construction techniques that yields a light, yet rugged structure designed to withstand the rigors of many hours of flying and the occasional mishap. The fuselage is constructed from balsa and plywood and the wings, stab, fin and rudder are of sheeted foam construction. The ARF version is covered with an attractive scheme comprising of four colors of Ultracote® film and the fiberglass cowl, canopy hatch, and wheel pants are pre painted to match. The large canopy hatch provides easy access to the tank and radio installation and features a one-piece molded fiberglass bubble with a pre-mounted lite ply frame. The cowl is also of fiberglass construction and features a preinstalled lite ply ring for mounting.
Included in the kit are landing gear, wheel pants, wheels, tail wheel assembly, wing tube, wing adjusters, and assorted hardware. In addition, spare parts are also available.

Specifications

Wing span - 66 in.

Wing area - 780 sq in.

Fuse length - 72 in

Weight - 7¾-8½ lbs

Engine -

    75 - 100 2stroke,
    91 - 110 4stroke