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07-11-2010 01:08 PM | ||
flytwice |
Re: Scarry maidan E-Flight PT17(Success!) Hi BJ: As always, I let a pro take her up the first time (thanks Paul). It flew exactly as it was intended, lift off at half throttle, in a mild 3-4% climb. No bad habits at all, very gentle flyer and perfect three oinst landing first time too! Yeah!! This is also the very first plane that required NO trim adjustments, anywhere!The wind came up that day right after maiden- so I chickened out. About a week later, after storms, then wind backed off, I got two flights on the Stearman myself. Same senerio, advance throttle to half, tail came up, very slight elevator, climb out at very mild angle. Total elevator is 3/8" low rates for flying, 3/4 for taxiing! Aileron is 3/4 on low rates, 1 inch on high!. No rudder mixed with ail but use 60% expo on rudder ,and 40% on all other controls. First landing was on it mains, a little fast, 1/4 throttle, plane just rolled out and settled as I cut the power. 2nd landing was slower, 1/8th throttle, alower to the touchdown, 3 point with one small bounce. Not bad for me! Beautiful plane in the air, very stable in all axis, not over sensitive in any position, but can be trhown around quite a bit for what it is -- not 3D tho, just the standard stuff. Tested the stall twice, one into wind, once with wind, the same, stalls, drops its nose, no snap or roll, and starts flying again! Now to put a scarf on the pilot!! flytwice |
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06-24-2010 10:59 PM | ||
flytwice |
Re: Scarry maidan E-Flight PT17(Success!) Well, the Stearman is ready to fly. I've taken it to the field twice now, conditions never got better than terrible - so no flight report - soon. I tested my motor - a Turnigy 3538-800 with a 12/6 Apc on 3S, only putout 225 watts @ 19 amps. Next I tried a 13/8, it went 275 w @ 23 amps. The motor obviously has a lower KV than stated! Some have said its closer to 700kv. 12/6 on 4S = 415 watts @ 35 amps, 13/8 went 570 @ 44 amps, I'll try the 12/6. If the 12/6 proves too much, I'll go to an 11/5.5. I believe excess power will cause a lot more trouble than its worth on this plane! AUW is 69 oz, CG set at 3 3/8", elevator preset down 1/8" 5.6 oz lead to balance. HS 81's for rudder/elevator, Fut 3115's in ailerons. flytwice |
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06-11-2010 08:36 PM | ||
flytwice |
Re: Scarry maidan E-Flight PT17(Success!) Hi Big John: Reset your throttle travel adjust on Tx, make it 100% both ends. Then do a throttle recognition cycle with your esc to establish end points that the esc recognizes. Sounds like you have got her flying pretty well as it is, BJ! Mine i coming from Great Hobbies, haven't heard anything yet, but wanting to get it here and get er done. Two servos arrived today! I've seen a Navy version done all in yellow on RC Groups, very cool! Also a conversion to a Super Stearman. I guess its all in the details!! The Stearman has got to be one of the prettiest planes in the air- ever!! I was priveledged to fly in a Stearman in 2002 at the hamilton Air Show, and no, its not fast, but instead gives the impression of being suspended in the air, a flight I'll never forget. flytwice |
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06-11-2010 08:11 PM | ||
BigJohn |
Re: Scarry maidan E-Flight PT17(Success!) Quote:
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06-10-2010 01:38 PM | ||
flytwice |
Re: Scarry maidan E-Flight PT17(Success!) Hi Big John: 58amps, youser, that over 600 watts!! You could probably take the wings off, and it would still fly! hehe I'll be proping mine for approx 400 watts, 3548/800 motor, about 35 amps, the motor can handle 55 amps if required. On RC Groups, this plane has flown well on anything from 275 watts to 525w ( most I noticed). Looks like anything from scale power (275) to real sporty (500+) works fine, quite a variety of options. FWIW, the real Stearman with 7 cylinder 225hp radial originally flew on 61w/lb by my calcs. As for your prop spinning loose, I suspect that your Esc has the brake on! Some esc's even have two brake options, soft and hard. Failing that as the answer, a drop of blue locktite on the prop nut should solve the problem. The glider guys tend to use the brake on the folding props, I've never used the brake on airplanes I have. flytwice |
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06-10-2010 12:08 PM | ||
BigJohn |
Re: Scarry maidan E-Flight PT17(Success!) Sorry I made the mistake as to the controller I have in the PT 17.I have a HobbyKing 60/70 with a BEC in there and am using the TowerPro 40 in my T-Craft.The reason I didn't use the 40 amp controller was I am pulling 58amps at peak throttle.I relised this last night as it was raining here so I thought I would do a check on the planes to see if all was tight and relised the mistake I postedJohn |
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06-09-2010 04:38 PM | ||
BigJohn |
Re: Scarry maidan E-Flight PT17(Success!) Well I put two more flights on the PT17 last night before it started to rain and enjoyed both flights with the timer set at 8 min's to be safe.I can go longer times but then I start to get deeper into the battery and it takes longer to charge.I also am flying the T-Craft from E-Flight and am loving that one as well.Setup for the Stearman is all stock items that came with the ARF.I used a Turigy 35/42 1300 KV motor,Tower Pro 40 amp heli controller with built in BEC which powers the 4 servos/motor/Spektrum 9000 receiver(its what I had on hand).If anyone is looking for a great priced controller in this size range I would recommened it to anyone as it works great for this type of plane and servo combo as well its only $18 Canadian from a mail order shop here in Canada.I'm spinning a 10/5 APCe prop and it does a great job of flying the plane as I fly it at about 1/3-1/2 throttle.I do see the prop free spin when I lower my throttle setting to just above idle and not sure why this is but I just carry 1/4 throttle to just before touch down.I have an off shore 3/3000 25c battery pack to power the hole setup and if I would have known now I would have used two 3/2200 packs instead.Problem is with such a small area between the top wing and the fuse it would be hard to get my hand in there to place that small of a battery setup up front.I have enough of a hard time trying to place the bigger pack and tying it down with bad hands.The plane is a good investment as it builds into a great looking and flying plane and would tell anyone with some time under there belts to try it.Just do some research on it and do what has been done by so many others to get a good flying plane.I wish I had read about it on the web instead of the mag as it would have giving me the proper setup before the white knuckle flights I had at first with finding the proper setup.Now that I have it flying its time to start to add some small touch's of scale to it to make it look the part even more with a little spray here and a little string there it will look better aech time I do something to it.I will try and post some in flight photos as well as close ups of the plane but am going to have to remember to bring the camera out next time.John |
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06-09-2010 12:16 PM | ||
KWRC |
Re: Scarry maidan E-Flight PT17(Success!) My friend bought the same plane and had a similar experience.... I was nearly crapping my own pants watching the maiden :P It's defiantly a plane that needs to be balanced dead on, he has since adjusted his balance, throws...etc and it fly's great now. |
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06-08-2010 03:32 PM | ||
flytwice |
Re: Scarry maidan E-Flight PT17(Success!) Hi guys: Some people have installed a smaller tail wheel, used carbon rods to replace the ele/rudder steel rods.That saves about an ounce. Quite a few have also used HS65 or HS81 servos instead of the heavier units recommended by Eflite, saving approx another ounce behind the CG. People are flying this plane at 70 oz + with no ill effects. Big John: Glad to hear your happy with your PT17, I'll be powering mine with a 35/48/800 Turnigy on 3S, 40 amp Plush ESC, 12/6 or 13/4 and either 2- 2200/3S or a single 3s 3600 20C, depending on balance. I'll use heavier Robart 3 1/4" wheels to help with the balance and the bounce. Guess I'd better go buy some lead-eh!!! Sure is a pretty airplane in the air (videos), can't wait flytwice |
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06-08-2010 12:38 PM | ||
BigJohn |
Re: Scarry maidan E-Flight PT17(Success!) Don't think so without cutting up the tail but I did use smaller servos to try and help out in the first place,but didn't relise I was so far out with the setup.All is working fine now with the setup and hope to get out tonight for a couple more test flights.John |
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