MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

I made sure that I had enough slack in all wires and air lines so that I could remove the tray and access the Power Pack below. A rundown of my requirement includes a Tamjets Gear Failsafe (below the tray), UP6 brake valve, Robart adjustable air valve, BVM Fill Valves, Powerbox sensor switch and 14 channel Futaba receiver. The receiver is both Velcroed and zip tied in place.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

My electrical system includes two Thunder Power Prolite RX 2800 Mah Lipos for the receiver and one Duratrax 3s 5000 Mah Lipo for the ECU. For the ECU battery I sanded and angle on the battery pocket so that I could slip the battery in and yet have the lip of the pocket hold the battery in place. I did use some Velcro stars but the pocket itself will hold the battery in place. I used some dense foam to reduce the size of the pocket. To remove the battery I remove the foam, slide the battery forward, disconnect the deans and then slide it back and up and out. I did something similar on the RX Lipo pocket but only one battery is held in place by the pocket lip so the Velcro is necessary there. In that pocket I have the dense foam running the length of the pocket (with the airlines underneath) but at the rear, the foam is cut out so that the two lipos can sit side by side. The foam was made tall enough in this area so that I had to depress it a bit to get the batteries in. This is why if fits tight under the lip. Hard to explain but it would make sense if you saw it.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

I had a problem in that there was no good place to run the RX antennas without being blocked by the batteries or Carbon areas of the fuse. I took a page out of Rich Millers build and made this antenna tree. It will undoubtedly give me great reception but it is definitely in the way. Still, I can get the batteries in and out without an issue. I also made the tree removable for when I need to dig in and do maintenance.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Years ago I bought an EZ Balancer II from Dons Hobbies. The price of $229 almost killed me but I must say its the best balancer I have ever used. its design allows one person operation with no chance of the plane falling off the balancer. It is fully adjustable and can accommodate models well over 50 pounds.

Anyway, the manual called for a balance point of 220-225mm back from the wing / fuse joint. Dave and others recommended 230mm which is what I wanted. With a full UAT and what I consider to be unusable fuel in the main tank, my Flash is nose heavy at 230mm but does balance level at 220mm so I am in the range. I thought I was going to need nose weight with all the insulation I put in the tail! I will test fly it at 220mm but may have to add some weight to the tail.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

I forgot to mention the Ernst Charge Jack. This is connected to the Powerpack so I simply plug the Jet Central HDT into this when I want to start the turbine or gather data.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Some shots of the finished plane. Did I mention that I love my Pitot Tube LOL!

My controls are setup close to what the manual says and without any Expo. I never use Dual Rates or Expo in any of my airplanes.
Ailerons: 145mm up and 18mm down
Elevator: 15mm up and down
Rudder: 45mm each way
Flaps: Take off Flap 15mm, Landing 78mm
Mixes: 1.5mm down elevator with TO Flap, 5mm down elevator with landing flap
Misc: The nose wheel servo is programed to not move when the gear is retracted (no tangles) and the brake servo will not move when the gear is retracted (I am using down elevator for braking so this prevents bleeding off all of your air while performing aerobatics)

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Preflight checks so far include triple checking the control throws, Leak testing the gear in the up and down positions, leak testing the brake system, centering the nose wheel (push test for now), verifying the condition of my new lipo packs and verifying my nose gear clearances so that the gear does not hang in the fuse.

A note about the Dreamworks gear. This operates incredible smooth, is 100% leak free and combined with the Robart variable rate valve, operates in a scale like manor.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

It has been rainy here so I have not been able to do my final checks which include an engine run up and range checks. I do my range checks as follows:

• Walk the appropriate distance from the model with the TX in the range check mode
• I operate all the controls slowly and smoothly and have my assistant note any notchyness or loss of control.
• I then repeat this process as we rotate the nose to eight points of the compass while I maintain my position. This checks the signal for all orientations of the model.
• I then repeat the same test but with the engine running at idle and then full throttle. So at idle I move all the controls described above. If that is a pass I run it up to full and move all the controls. That whole sequence is repeated for eight point of the compass.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

I am not exactly sure when the maiden flight will be. Last Saturday was the first time I have flown RC this year! I am hoping to get a lot of stick time in over the next two weeks since Octurbofest in Titusville PA is just three weeks away and I wanted to fly there followed by Arts. Highland Jets!

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

I forgot to mention that my empty weight is exactly 25 pounds. The empty weight includes all batteries, a full UAT and unusable fuel in the main tank.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

I made a nice stand for working on and transporting the jet out of 3/4" PVC.

afterburner

My Feedback: (18)

Looks good Dom! For some reason I get a blank screen when clicking on some pics. Trying to see where the second antenna is?

wblombard

MAJ Wood, from what i have seen here in Dubai, the guys that are running 78mm flap really struggle to slow the plane down. My landing flap is set at 95mm and I can honestly say she glides in like my viper. My suggestion would be for you increase the landing flap. I have added about 4mm crow to my setup.

Art ARRO

My Feedback: (5)

Dom,
Send me a PM with your current mailing address to receive a pilot invite to Highland Jets. I don't have an address for you in my files. Also, note that Griz is hosting a jet rally in Perry/Warsaw on the 17th and 18th of June.. Good luck on the maiden.
Rgds,
Art ARRO

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Hi Marty.
The antenna on the right side goes straight up the tree. The antenna on the right goes up and then forward giving me the 90 degree diversity as called out by Futaba

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Hi Art.
I sent a PM but I don't see it in my sent files. Please let me know if you received it.
Thanks!

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Thanks for the feedback. Perhaps I will dial in a bit more.

smiller

Looks Great Dom !!!

Scott

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Thanks Scott.
what are your plans for Perry and Titusville? I am planning Titusville which conflicts with RCCR.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Scott how concerned should I be about my Cheetah? Griz told me about your struggles with yours. I hope the T1 is ok.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Do you guys think my fuel filter is ok in that horizontal position? With the large Jetcat filters, I always ran them vertical. I was told that was not necessary with the small volume filters.

causeitflies

I always run my filters vertical out of habit. That way there is no way to trap a bubble in there.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Hi Mark.
that is what my gut is telling me. I may have to go back under the hood and change that.

Art ARRO

My Feedback: (5)

Dom,
Got your PM and your invite is in the mail- check your mailbox in a day or 2.
Rgds,
art

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Ok Thanks Art!