FlyerRick

I have a 120 Stick and I know the kit says that it will take up to a 4stroke 180...what I'd like to know is if I could use my Saito FA220 in this plane? Has any one seen this application before? I realize that my Saito 220 is about is about 5oz's heavier than the Saito 180 but the overall size is pretty close!
Any suggestions or ideas here will be greatly appreciated!

Barry Cazier

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Seems like a HUGE engine for this plane. I have a YS 110 on mine and it has unlimited vertical. Weighs 9lbs 0ozs. It's all the engine this plane needs. I actually really like the combo. I can't imagine flying it with a 220?!?!?!?

If you do it you'd need to use careful throttle management.

Thanks
Barry

FlyerRick

Thanks Berry...was just wondering as I have both engine and plane and am trying to put them to use! LOL

Hill202

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I'm putting one together also. Did you guys use the supplied tailwheel?

SONofDLVS2FLY

Hey Hill,

I chose to go with a different tail wheel setup because I didn’t like the fact that you would have to notch out the elevator rod for the tail wheel wire mount to fit properly. Just concerned about the strength of the elevator after putting a notch into it. Plus, easier to install an aftermarket tail wheel assembly and I like the look of them...

Enjoy,
David

Hill202

My Feedback: (24)

I was thinking about a Sulivan, just have to figure out how to attach it to the rudder. Looks like it would mount to the fuse alot lower than the rudder. Maybe add a piece to the rudder?

blownalcohol

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RCRICKB-

I just finished an USL 120 and thought I would give you my input. I used a rather heavy engine....the OS 120 SP. This is their supercharged version, and according to rcu's data it is approximately 2 oz. lighter than the Saito 220. I ended up cutting a hatch in the bottom of the fuse, just in front of the horizontal stabilizer....this allowed me to move the battery as far back as possible. If I want to move the cg aft, I will need to add tail weight as I don't have anything else to move.
I think you will end up having to add tail weight in order to balance your plane, but if you move your battery rearward like I did it probably won't be a significant amount of weight...
One other option, which I'm sure you have seen on rcu is to move your ele & rud servos to the rear.....

As for the plane itself.....it rocks!!! I think a stick is one of the best flying birds made, and the 120 size just takes it to the next level.....it's big enough to actually "fly" maneuvers rather than just be "yanked" through them.

Good luck with your project!!!!

Jeff

FlyerRick

Hey blownalcohol...so from what I'm getting from you , the 220 should work with the CG adjustments made correctly? I know that there are a couple of guys around my club that are running the OS 160's very sucessfully. I know one of the recommended engine choices is the Saito 180 and from my research the engine itself is about the same in size but the weight is about 8 ounces difference??? What do you think? [8D]

blownalcohol

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Hey Rick,

If you want my opinion, here it is. If I had the engine sitting there, I would bolt it on and go fly the thing. The USL120 is so light that I don't think you will ever look back. If indeed the engine is only a couple of ounces heavier than mine, then even with the added tail weight I bet you will only be 3 or 4 oz. heaver than me. Mine absolutely floats around. As for the power, it will be a blast at times and you can pull the throttle back anytime you want....
I don't know what your plan is on the flap option, but I did install the flaps and am having fun playing with them.......I've only got 6 or 7 flights on mine so far...
You might consider reinforcing the firewall attachment points, and make sure on ground clearance for the prop.....
Also, there are a lot of guys running G26's on these birds.....I suspect they are much heavier than your 220. I believe their planes fly quite nicely even at their weight.

Just a bunch of my opinions!!!!

Jeff

p.s.- If you do decide to use the 220, keep me informed. I would like to hear how it turns out and maybe see some pics!!!!!

FlyerRick

I'll tell you what Brown...I'll do a small build up of the whole proceedure so everyone can share in the sucess or failure of this venture. A few start to maiden pic's and commentary kind of thing. I'll be getting started on this real shortly and will keep you posted for sure. Thanks again for your responces here...I do appreciate it! [8D]

Hill202

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Have you seen this thread RCRick?

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_44...tm.htm#4403673

FlyerRick

This is a great link Hill...thank you very much! This is exactly what I was looking to find out. Because of this article...I will also move my rudder and elevator servos to the rear. Thats a "clean" look and no doubt helps off set some of the weight! Kudos Buddy! [8D]

w4stp

I mounted a Webra 1.20 speed on my 120 ultra Stick and an APC 16/8 and toss the stock tail wheel and get an after market tail wheel that does not attach to the rudder! Performance is unlimited and fast!

Hill202

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Will you guys post a pic of your tailwheel set-up?

Thanks

Hill202

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This is a trial fit for the wing. I read somewhere that people were having problems with the wing dowels. Does this gap look normal? With the wing pushed all the way against the fuse you are able to see alot of the dowels. There are hundreds of images of the US lite here on RCU and I cannot find one of this view.

FlyerRick

Hey Hill...I'll be real honest, I've had 3 Ultra Stick 60's over the past few years and yours looks a bit on the "wide gap" side to me. I'm building my first 120 but H9 is H9 as far as Sticks go and I have seen better fitting dowel to wing joints on most! [8D]

FlyerRick

As far as tail wheels go...I just bought an Ohio Superstar (medium-10 to 18lbs.) tail wheel assy. for my 120. I got it from Tower Hobbies part #LXBN39 $17.50+$3.99 shipping. [8D]

Hill202

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Thanks, I thought it looked wrong. Maybe someone will come along with a picture I can compare to. I have not glued the dowels in yet. I'm not sure if there is anything I can do to correct it. I'll probably just let it go.

Hill202

My Feedback: (24)

Here's the progress on mine so far. I have no idea how I'm going to run the throttle linkage yet.

Checklst

Hey Hill......is the wing fully setting down in the wing saddle..............if she is bolted down she is just fine as long as the dowls are long enough..........they need to go inside the fuse a little ways. My dowls were visable, ......Sorry can't give a photo mine just crashed........had a G26 on the front, flew great.

FlyerRick

Thats lookin great Hill...which Saito is that? I'll take a look at the motor layout and see if I can give you a little help on your throttle looking at it through another pair of eyes.

Hill202

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Check, sorry to hear about your crash.Yes the wing sits in the saddle fine. I cut the dowels a little long to make sure they fit in the fuse.

Rick, thats the Saito 182, not a huge amount of power but I had the engine and it needed a home. There's not much room left on the firewall to drill for the throttle linkage. The one area that is left to drill into will cause the nyrod to bend some in order to route it to the carb. i'll figure something out.

FlyerRick

Well my build is coming along quite well...as per others posts and experiences I have moved my 220 Saito's top engine mount up about 3/8", I am using a Ohio Superstar rear tail wheel assembly, have moved my fuel tank back to just in front of the servo tray, and have mounted my rudder and elevator servos in the rear of the plane, just in front of the horizontal stabilizer. From my preliminary tests my CG is looking real good weight wise to the rest of the planes overall weight distribution.
I’ll post up some pics in a few hours to show you all how my bird is looking…

FlyerRick

For my tail wheel I decided to go with an Ohio Superstar 8-15lbs class. To use this tail wheel I needed to beef-up the rear tail section of my US120 by adding a piece of 1/8" (cut to fit) maple ply. Here are some shots of the tail wheel area...

FlyerRick

As per other user/builder posts I decided to mount my rudder and elevator servos in the rear of the plane just in front of the horizontal stabilizer. For the servo's mount plates I again used 1/8" maple (cut to fit) ply on both sides...