RC Sopwith Camel Bad Battery: Flight Thirteen

The Hangar 9 'Sopwith Camel' biplane features a 1.5 metre top wing, updated 14 x 6 propeller, 6400mAh 4S LiPo setup, and flies at a solid 4.5 kilogram weight with smooth realistic scale power. Flight Review: The Sopwith Camel was prepared for another flight using my usual 4S power pack. Early into the flight it became apparent that the battery was not delivering the performance I normally see from this aircraft. The reduced current draw resulted in noticeably less power, requiring careful throttle management and precise control inputs throughout. Rather than forcing the aircraft beyond its limits, I adjusted my flying to suit the available performance. Reading the aircraft's energy state and respecting its flight envelope allowed the flight to continue safely. I am confident the issue is battery related as the propeller setup has already been refined and multiple other batteries have performed correctly in the Camel. The faulty pack has likely become mixed in with the others and will be identified and removed from service. Take off from the grass was smooth and the Camel climbed away steadily before joining the circuit pattern. During the flight another pilot and his grandson were testing and trimming a different aircraft, and there was plenty of room for everyone to operate safely. The Camel settled into some gentle scale flying with several low passes and touch and go attempts. One of the touch and go landings resulted in a wing strike, but the aircraft remained under control and continued flying without issue. Managing the throttle and staying ahead of the aircraft has been a major focus recently, and this flight reinforced those skills. The Sopwith Camel remains a demanding aircraft to fly, but that challenge is exactly what makes it so rewarding.