c130FE

As a first plane I chose to start off with a Kadet Senior (kit built) as my trainer. I got a great deal on one from a club member, and this plane has been passed on throughout the club for years. I am trying to stick to gas engines to avoid the cost of nitro fuel. I am looking at putting the Evolution 10GX in the plane, but am a little concerned about whether it will be enough motor or if I should go to a 15cc gas motor. Obviously speed isn't a big requirement, it's about learning to fly the plane, so slower is OK.

I have tried setting a JBA 15cc on the mounts, but the case is too wide to fit in between them. Based on dimensions of the 10GX, it will drop right in there. I know there are plenty Kadet drivers out there, so what are your thoughts/experiences on gas engines that you are using?

weazel1

a 10 will be than enough for that plane remember they fly on a little 45 motor

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

Two of our locals are now flying Senior Cadets with the OS 15GT and it proving to be a fine combination. I have one Cadet that I call the Catalina Cadet it is a float plane set up for cross country flights that carries one gallon of fuel. Its original engine was the OS 95Ax and later I downsized to a OS .65AX both two strokes but based upon the performance of those two OS 15cc gassers the fellows are using I now have one also to but the installation has not been done yet.


My working Senior Cadet that I use primarily for primary training I use an OS .35AX two stroke, yes less than recommended size but if anyone ever tells you that is too small then they are just ignorant of the combo and blowing wind. That is with either the kit version or the Sig Arf versions. The Nitro Planes clones are far to heavy being typically four pounds heavier that the Sig kit or ARf.

John

deanz406

My Feedback: (28)

Hi-- You have picked a Great plane to train on. Since it was already built, take 2 things into consideration-- the AUW and motor selection. I have a Kadett Senior that I'm using to train my wife on, and it was built fairly light, at only 5 1/2 lbs, with everything in it, and flies fantastic with an OS 46LA engine. It really doesn't take a lot of power to get a Kadett in the air, and after i removed the 8oz tank, and put a 16 oz in there, I usually have a good 40 min of flight time, and still have some fuel left in the tank when i land. Now, mind you, I am only cruising around with a little less than 1/2 throttle, and it is a dream to fly. The wife is doing well, as she get's the hang of controlling the plane. I am confident of the flight time I have in the air, and have a 2500 MA RX battery in the plane, and a 2500 MA TX battery, so there isn't any issue with battery power. The OS 46 motor really only sips fuel, so it isn't as bad as one may think.
I would weigh ur plane, and really opt for a small 2 stroke, or, a 50-60 size 4 Stroke would be more than enough to fly this plane with authority. I think that the 4 strokes are even more fuel efficient than a 2S.
Do let us know how u plan to complete ur project. Best of luck-- Dean

foodstick

Not trying to start a war of any kind, but these planes make great electrics..My last one I built that way and its great way to go...

gene6029

My grandsons Kadet has a worn & tired OS .40 LA in it & once in the air will fly at half throttle! The takeoff roll is a tad long, but once its up there its basically a powered kite........Gene

ratshooter

My Senior had a TT .46 on it and it would be airborn in just a few feet. It would fly on just a couple of clicks above idle. I can't imagine needing more engine than that.

SIX GUNS

I had a SR cadet that was my first plane that I learned to fly on a ton of fun for the beginner it does teach you how to do basic flying
and they do well at club fun fly's so what ever engine you install you will have a lot of fun with it
as far as a gasoline burner make sure that the exhaust is routed well away from any monocote the gas and oil will do a number on it

Sport_Pilot

Get a good .40 or .46 and run on 0% nitro and 15% oil for fuel. Buy the fuel and oil and mix it yourself it will be only a little more than gasoline fuel and oil in cost. It will be lighter and thus fly better.

bmitc64991

love my kadet only thing I could find wrong after I took out the landing gear on a real slow speed landing was they left out the right side hard wood block out at the factory I guest they got in a hurry and just over looked it, that is the thing to say its fixed now and ready to go

ThunderBoat42

My Feedback: (1)

I agree... put an inexpensive 40 in it and the fuel will last a long time. The 40 will be so much cheaper it will buy a lot of nitro. Yes, the nitro is a little messy but sure does smell good in the morning. :-) thats just my humble opinion. (I am building a Kadet Sr and been flying 30+ years ... it's still a favorite. I am also using a K&B Sportster 40 engine)

Hop over to the Kadet Brotherhood thread as well. There are many dedicated and experience Kadet members and you will be very welcome. We love to hear the progress and help with any questions. Personalize any way you like. This plane has even been build as a bipe. Power options galore.

bmitc64991

took off the 46-fx and installed a 61-fx the 46 did ok but left no power to pull out of trouble if you ever needed it. balance is till on the spot only had to move the battery pack from under the tank back to in front of the servo tray, g/c still at 4-1/2 back from l/e of wing. fly around at alittle over 1/4

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

I did mention briefly earlier in this thread about my 'working' Senior I have four for different purposes but this one is the one I use extensively for primary training and on occasion glider piggyback launching. It is powered by the wonderful little OS .35AX, Yes smaller than the recommended displacement but and this is a big 'but' if it is a kit built version that has not been excessively 'improved' with reinforcing or is the Sig arf version the little engine is a highly desirable combination.

If your Cadet is some of the less desirable (heavy) clones I would not suggest the smaller engine. For example before we stopped recommending them the clone called the Super Seniors started coming in ready to fly three to four pounds heavier than the Sig Seniors.

My sig with the thirty five is superb as a trainer and what I start virtually all my students with, but what is a surprise is it even handles glider launching very well with the smaller gliders when we have a Piggyback/aerotow day., Its a working airplane. Depending of course what you are doing with the airplane such as my XC Cadet, there is no need at all for great gobs of power in fact for the new folks you are better off with the smaller engines.

John

Sport_Pilot

How much does the plane weigh?

bmitc64991

(sport pilot) about 7-3/4 lbs the 46 would fly it fine ,but remember this is the new kadet sport arf this is my 3rd kadet the first one had a 52/4s ,second 20cc gas and this one now has the 61-fx and is heaver than the kit built .the 61-fx will take off and fly around at 1/4

Sport_Pilot

That is heavy for a Kadet. Mine weighs less than 5 pounds and with a 46 you have to stack about 5 washers in the rear of the engine to angle the thrust down. The climb is astounding though. Wit a K&B 40 it has enough climb but on a hot day you will have to let it gain airspeed right after take off, afte that it is fine.

Are the ARF's usually that much heavier than the kit versions? I understand it is a sport version but that is easy to do with a kit. Adding ailerons should't add much weight, in fact mine has ailerons, taking out the diehedral adds no weiight, and converting to a taildragger should reduce weight.

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

For all the non belevers:

Standard Sig ARF, OS .35AX, Wind four to five.

Airframe weight six pounds thirteen ounces.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-ipvqIs8C8


John

bmitc64991

I don't know if you have seen the new kadet-sport they really did some work to it,lazar cut lite ply on the top and bottom's that made it a lot stronger but added a lot of weight course I always go over and build up what I thank will be the weak points its still heavy that's why I went and put the 61-fx on it the 46 would fly it fine but left me no power to pull out of trouble if I needed it, i'm running the 61-fx with a apc 13-8 prop

MTK

Great choice....Current design small gassies are not terribly far off power-wise than the glow counterparts. The Evo 10 cc will be enough power. Weightwise, you have the CDI which adds 4 ounces, so your model might be slightly nose heavy but this model is very forgiving so it shouldn't be a problem. Besides, you only need a 4-6 ounce tank of gas where a 12 to 14 ounce is needed for glow; that offsets the CDI weight by an ounce or two.

You will more than likely cruise at 1/2-2/3rds throttle which means 6 ounces gas will fly your plane 20 minutes at least. AND BTW- you may consider shaving the weight of the ignition battery by using the Tech Aero IBEC. Your regular battery becomes your ignition battery as well. Increasing the capacity to around 2000ma is all that's needed.

Good luck and happy flying

EDIT...Forgot to mention that the biggest advantage of the TECH AERO IBEC is thefact that you arm the CDI from the TX. There is no extra switch on the plane. The main radio switch is the CDI switch also. The IBEC weighs next to nothing (about 17 grams) so you shave the weight of the extra bat and the switch, or about 5-6 ounces. It's the safety that has all of mine set-up this way.

ThunderBoat42

My Feedback: (1)

Great post Matt. S&W Giant Scale has 2000 nmh batteries on sale @ 2 for $20 or 1 for $11. I just snagged 2

a70eliminator

I've had a variety of motors on my Kadet Sr. I use it as me engine break in tool, OS 46, K&B 40, ST61, it now has a K&B61 on it. I like the 61K&B combination, with the 40 it seemed like before I got to a comfortable altitude the plane got too far away, but it did make for nice floaty landings.

redjack

My Feedback: (4)

Has anyone mounted a Magnum XL .52 RFS in a Sig Kadet Senior ARF? If so I am in need of some mounting tips.

bmitc64991

redjack I had a 52/4s in my first one mounted it upside down ran great is stick or arf ?

c130FE

Thanks for the info on the IBEC Matt. I need a little help trying to understand the technical differences between an IBEC and an optical kill switch. I had planned on an OKS to turn the ignition on and off, wouldn't that function like an IBEC?

AMA 74894

My Feedback: (1)

the OKS will only 'Close' or 'Open' the CDI power circuit, and that circuit requires a battery separate from the receiver battery.

the IBEC not only functions as an OKS, but also removes the requirement for the second battery. it uses the receiver battery to power the CDI circuit.