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 I first saw the E-flite
Mini Pulse XT is an article in Back Yard Flyer. As with most E-flite models, the
Mini Pulse XT is very attractive both in shape and in finish. The review writer
heaped praise upon the model because of the excellent construction and the ease
of preparation for flying. Being in the market for a small, inexpensive, aerobatic
electric airplane, I decided on the spot that I had to get one.
A trip to King RC, in King,
North Carolina (about 20 miles south of Mt. Airy) got me my Mini Pulse XT. I bought
the basic version without the motor or electronics, for $100+ tax. It ended up being
a mistake, because after just a few flights, the E-flite Park 400 outrunner motor
burnt out (the one I had used in the e-Spirit for a couple years). I ended up spending about $70 (including
shipping) for a new E-flite 450 motor, which is the one that comes with the $210
version of the Mini Pulse XT. So, basically, I would have only paid $40 more to
also get four sub-micro servos and a spare brushless ESC. Oh well, live and don't
learn, as Calvin
would say to Hobbes.
E-flight Mini
Pulse XT Maiden Flight
 I had opened
the box while in the hobby shop, so I knew by the time I got it home that the quality
was everything promised. Unlike what I had read in reviews of so many other ARF
models, The Mini Pulse XT was solidly glued together and there was not a wrinkle
anywhere in the film covering. Everything fit perfectly. The only flaw was a small
crack in the front of the canopy, but again, I had seen that in the hobby shop.
Within about 2 hours the Mini Pulse XT was ready for its first flight. The YouTube
video captures the event. Because the grass at the park was too long to allow a
takeoff from the ground (it only had the E-flite Park 400 motor at the time, rather
than the recommended 450), I hand launched it. There was plenty of power even with
the 2-cell, 1500 mAh LiPo battery. After a few flights, the Park 400 motor crapped
out. Since by then I knew what a great flyer the Mini Pulse XT was, I went ahead
and made an investment for an E-flite 450 outrunner motor, and purchased two 3-cell,
2100 mAh Lithium Polymer batteries for it.
E-flite
Mini Pulse XT Short Takeoff & Landing
 With the new setup, the
Mini Pulse XT would climb straight up on a full charge. It is no exaggeration to
claim that even with a flight full of aerobatics (not a lot of extended vertical
stuff), I consistently got 20-minute flights. It was amazing. The handling during
takeoff and landing was the best I've ever experienced for a tail dragger. As with
many of my airplanes, I ended up selling it. My poor eyesight made me leery about
doing a lot of the aerobatics and taking such a small model far away (it would really
move out at full throttle). A young man purchased it from me at a swap meet in Winston-Salem,
and contacted me recently to say that with a few mishaps, he actually taught himself
to fly. I'm not surprised, because the E-flite Mini Pulse XT is an excellent airplane,
and the guy seemed pretty sharp. I don't imagine myself as being as confident when
I was his age... maybe it's all the video games and simulators that kids grow up
with nowadays.
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