[dean2287]

Well, I got the Kyosho Pitts all ready today and first decided to take it out back and run the engine a bit. After some minor adjustments, I drove the plane around the back yard for a while and everything seemed good.

The wind was up today and a bit gusty in the 30 km/h range, but I couldn't help myself and headed to the field. The Pitts does indeed fit easily in the back of my Mazda 3 hatchback with the rear seats down - so nice not to have to assemble the plane at the field! I didn't ever bother with the field box, just the starter and radio.

She fired up easy and idled nicely, just rarering to go. I taxied out to get down wind and did a final 30-pace radio check. Everything was ready.

I eased the throttle up and was mindful to keep a little down elevator until she had good speed, then eased off. She lifted off nicely, a little left roll which corrected with a few aileron clicks. She built up altitude pretty quickly, and in no time was well up there and humming along. Despite its smallish size, it was easy to spot in the air and the trim made top and bottom distinguishable.

The Evo .46 TPS proved to be a nice match for the Pitts, providing IMO fairly scale flight. Certainly not 3-D capeable, but enough for some good loops and Immleman's. Not the worst sound either, I think the cowling gives it a bit more howl.

This Pitts will snap roll like crazy, and the factory suggested throw rates proved spot-on. Very little travel in the ailerons, but there are 4 of them of course. The elevator settings are perfect also - just the right throw for a tight, straight loop.

The wind was gusting and got a little worse while I was there, but made for an easy landing approach. She came in right at me and with the engine idleing touched down softly, no bounce. To my delight it showed no tendancy to nose over as I had been warned by others. It taxied it right up to me and she sat there purring away.



I hadn't flown too long so I took her up again, although the wind was still gusting. Same basic flight pattern, just fine tuning the trim. This time the landing was harder as the wind was really buffetting the plane on its approach, and she touched down pretty hard on the gear. I found out later that the gear bent a little and that the servo tray came loose - something I was concerned about during the build. I have straightened the gear and glued the servo tray in place with extra epoxy. Should hold better.

All in all, an excellent outing and very satisfying. The Kyosho Pitts flies very nicely and fairly scale for a smaller plane.

[michel gravelle]

Hi dean2287

Very nice flight review , well writen

AAAAHHHHHH................ boy,s with there toys

I enjoyed that

Michel

[Cougar429]

Nice! I have a few winter project "Maidens" to get over this season, as well.

Did I say we like pics and vids?

[michel gravelle]

Originally Posted by Cougar429

Nice! I have a few winter project "Maidens" to get over this season, as well.

Did I say we like pics and vids?

Hi

You couldn.t be more right

Michel

[Pangaea]

Glad you had a successful maiden. Now it's fun fun fun.

Cheers.

[dean2287]

I'd be happy to have a vid ready but I went alone. It's hard to fly and shoot video at the same time

I figure I'd posted too many pics already on the built thread, but here's one more...



It's like a hurricane out there today so no flying. However, I am putting some guy-wires on the tail and want to build up the gear a little. The biggest problem with this plane is that I can't stop fiddling with it!!

[Cougar429]

Krikee, what a beaut!

[dean2287]

...and here are the tail wires. Tomorrow's forcast is winds gusting to 70 km/h

[dean2287]

Second outing with the Kyosho Pitts today - what a great bird. Had a very nice morning for flying with hardly a breeze and clear skies. Looks so good up in the air, especially on a nice low pass. The Evo .46 is a great engine for this plane, really nice fit. Once again, I had a nice landing without any nose-over tendancy as has plagued others. Maybe Kyosho found a way to address this problem with their second design.

I had the camera with me and took a couple pics before and after the flight, as well as a little video on the ground while I was burning off the bit of fuel left in the tank...







And here's the vid...