flyboy25

My Feedback: (5)

Im using a futaba msa-10 for the elevators, the bad part is their $64.99 a piece![X(]

cmoulder

Wow, they've gone up that much?! They used to be about $50... and not that long ago.

Well, I switched to the Smart-Fly units a couple of years ago for the price, but found out I also liked the design better. They cost about $40 now...

This is why that long-term you're better off having a TX with more channels, although in the long run you will still need Equalizers for giant scale... multi-servo ailerons, etc.

balsadust74

My Feedback: (3)

One of the few benefits of having to travel for work is I was able to run by Hodges Hobbies yesterday, which allowed me to pick up a JR Match box for $50. I was going to purchase the Smart Fly as I had done a lot of research on it the night before. I chose to purchase the JR because it was only $11 dollars more and will sync 4 servos and the Smart Fly would only sync two. Smart Fly does have one that controls up to four but that was $79. I also went with the JR because I like the design better. I should have it installed tonight and test fly on Sunday.

min$2crash

Actually I wanted to quote your pictures from 1/19... matchbox or not, you still want the geometry to be closer. That's a pretty rakish angle in your pics.
Looking back thru, I notice that your original question got kind of lost with the whole hi-lo asymmetric thing.
Longer pushrods should help as faulknej suggested with the servo arms forward: the angle effect of a given height offset will be lower, so the differential drops some. If you already assembled the CF/brass ones too short, no worries- just Z bend some 4-40 rod because that will weigh less anyway (honest!).
In addition, you can crank the blue tabs closer to the end of the screw at the elevator end to get the pushrods more level at neutral. I have just 3/16" of the screw protruding below the blue tabyour pics appear to have >5/8" protruding. This change to longer moment arm at the control surface would further reduce the U/D differential. Of course, then you'll lose some throw, but she'll fly just fine on the low rate throws in the Phoenix manual if your CG is close (say within 1/4" of book CG) I beleive they suggest plus or minus 10mm on CG which is ~3/8". Some of that lost throw can be compensated with the Tx: you can go over 100% ATV on a Futaba 6X_ to 115% if I remember right. The pros often suggest setting your mechanical linkages "far enough out" on the horns so that your ATV is over 100%; that way you can use all of the resolution of the Tx/Rx and servos. It also tends to give better leverage over the surface, resulting in lower servo current at a given speed and throw. In other words, short horns at the control surface require more pushrod load to apply a given torque to the surface. For reference, using back to back servos at the "bottom" location I have 1" from hinge line to the blue tab's clevis pivot pin, and just over 9/16" from servo horn CL to the last hole that I am using on the servo. My rods are less than 5 degrees off of horizontal.
PS If you move the blue tabs to the END of the screw so that your 5/8"protruding screw drops to 1/16" AND move out on the horn 1 hole, you will still be ahead with a reduced angle and similar throw to before these changes. That's all fine and dandy for your lower servo, but the part I can't figure for you how to do the upper- but I can say that you may need to use a different horn hole at the servo end just to get the pushrod angles to match when the blue tabs are cranked near the end of the screw. If that doesn't work you can move one of the servos up or down as faulknej showed in his pics. I used HS-225 mighty mini servos for my elevators so that leaves more room for moving around (they're smaller than standard but still >40oz-in). they're still going strong after >>100 flights.

faulknej

My Feedback: (9)

Ifinally got mine trimmed out today. Did the incidence mod. It flew really well. Until Ilet it get lowon power on final. The impact ripped the gear out and most the bottom. Good thing Ijust bought some new glue.

seagull extra

My Feedback: (12)

Sorry to see you had a bad landing faulknej. Hope you get it fixed soon. Maybe this will give you a chance to try that YS powered Sea Bee out. I think your going to like that one a lot.

faulknej

My Feedback: (9)

Ijust finished balancing the Seabee. It's ready to go. If the rain holds off til the PM tomorrow, I'll get the maiden in in the morning.But, Iwish Ihad kept some power on for that landing. I'd rather fly the Extra than glue it back together. LOL

faulknej

My Feedback: (9)

The Seabee maiden went well. No bad tendencies, a little left, a little up on the trims. The YS pulls it great. A couple trips around the pattern and a smooth landing. The engine got rough taxiing back in. Shut it down, noticed fuel dripping out. The bung in fuel tank failed, allowing fuel to leak out aroundthe fuel tubes. Nice mess to clean up. LOL

I'm going to like the Seabee. It fits nicely in the car with the wing on, and flies great. A new fuel tank and I'll be ready to go again.

cmoulder

Ouch! But definitely repairable, and worth the repair.

How was your elevator trim before and after the incidence mod?

balsadust74

My Feedback: (3)

Thank Min$2crash,
I will work on making the suggested changes this week. The weather here was not good for flying this week end so I didn't finish installing and setting up the Match Box. I will get the push rods closer to level before hooking up the Match Box.

Thanks again,

faulknej

My Feedback: (9)

Before the mod, I needed a lot of down trim, and it seemed to be a real handful. I just couldn't get it dialed in. After the mod, the elevator trim was about neutral and it flew smoothly. Of course, it didn't float on landing anymore either. Ouch! LOL

faulknej

My Feedback: (9)

The repairs are complete. I hope to be able to fly it tomorrow before the blizzard gets here. Igot my new radio today(SD-10G), so it will be a true maiden flight, as the programming from the RDS-8000 didn't carry over to the new radio. The gear mount is beefed-up, as is the bottom of the fuse. It'ssheetedto give it some extra strength. Ihave to check the balance and I'll be ready to head to the field. Report tomorrow. Jim

maynardrupp

OK I said I would report on my new landing gear. I am in Florida for the winter,(eat your hearts out). I probably have at least 30 flights on this 330 with about 40 landings. My TNT Systems landing gear is just like the day I bolted it on. I think for $40.00, their 6061 T6 aluminum gear was a very worthy addition to this plane. The company is TNT Systems in Swanton Ohio. It may be cheaper now that they have made mine. I had to pay for a "custom" gear. Just tell them to duplicate the gear that they made for me.

faulknej

My Feedback: (9)

Do they have a website?

maynardrupp

Sure hey do. Sorry that I didn't load this the first time.

http://www.tntlandinggear.com/

faulknej

My Feedback: (9)

Iwas using the gear from the GP Extra on mine, destroyed it on the hard landing Ihad. Now Ihave the stock gear on it, and it seems to bow out more after every landing. Ishould probably just order another GP gear or two, it's only ten bucks and held up really well until the stall at 5 feet. Iguess I had 20 landings on it before that. I like the blue color too.

cmoulder

Good to know the "spring aluminum" is doing well. I need to order some for my re-build/re-cover because the Fliton set on the plane have a LOT of miles on them. I'll make sure to order the "maynardrupp special"! Thanks for the effort!

cmoulder

Got a photo or 2 of the fuse repair?

I am almost finished with the wings and would like to see how you tackled it before diving into mine.

faulknej

My Feedback: (9)

I didn't do the repairs. A friend at the club did them for me, Igave him a GPExtra 300 .60 kit in exchange. Idon't think I'm a builder. LOL He did a really nice job.

cmoulder

Thanks! Ok, looks like straight-up sheeting, so I can do that. Mainly interested to see the corner between the bottom and sides. Hard to appreciate how delicate the construction is in the original until you see it uncovered.

Really inspires me to get back to work on mine. Got sidetracked by the Focus II, but it is pretty much finished now.

faulknej

My Feedback: (9)

Do you have a rough number for the total cost for the Focus? Just wondering. Jim

cmoulder

Jim, I'm almost afraid to add up all the receipts because I went all-out and got all the good CF tidbits and lightweight electronics, and of course the SAP 180 and ES pipe, to keep it really light, as these planes are notorious for coming out over 11 lbs.

I would estimate the total package, including servos and hardware, would run a bit over $2k. Still really cheap by pattern standards, where bare airframes can easily run $3k... and UP!!

Did you get to fly the Extra before the blizzards?

BTW, they fly really well with the Dubro skis. It's a hoot to just taxi around on them.

faulknej

My Feedback: (9)

I did get to fly it. The balance didn't change on it, so Itook it out and "let 'er rip." Ihad 50% expo on all surfaces, and it flew nicely. This expo stuff is pretty cool, made me look like a real pilot. It was real jerky before, now I can fly it smoothly. I got it trimmed up and flew some rolls and loops. Pretty good tracking, but not quite on rails. Ithen used my new snap roll switch. Hehe, quite a display. It really snaps nicely. I only tried it twice, didn't want to push my luck. Iflew some approaches to get used to it, then landed. Iwas going to fuel it up again, but my fingers were so numb Icouldn't take it, so Iwent home. I like it! Jim

cmoulder

I take it you were happy with the Airtronics system?

A friend of mine - who was into Airtronics before Airtronics was really popular - was flying with his new SD-10G a few weeks ago, and I got to look at it a little bit. Really had me drooling, sticks smooth as silk, excellent intuitive and flexible programming.

Would seriously hurt ($$$) to get one since I've got so much Futaba stuff, and despite my early reservations about FAAST, I now like it a lot. Maybe I'll hit the lottery.

faulknej

My Feedback: (9)

Ireally like the 10 channel, so much more capable than the RDS-8000. Very easy to program and Ireally like the feel of it while flying. Ibought the Phoenix sim so I'd have something to do with the RDS. LOL