SkyAviation’s Arrow ARF build
09-29-2017, 12:54 PM
#1
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Waco,
TX
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SkyAviation’s Arrow ARF build
SkyAviation’s Arrow ARF
I just received the 1st Arrow ARF from SkyAviation’s and I am happy to say it looks very impressive. The covering on the wings and stabs are first class and the fit to the fuse is great. It looks like the wait for the fiberglass fuselage will be well worth it and the glow version comes with added carbon fiber in the glass at the nose and wing sections for added strength. The fuse is very strong and painted in the mold and has a removal top hatch / pipe bay. I will show the weights below but it looks like this plane should come in around 8 to 81/2 lbs. on glow.
SkyAviation’s will also offer an electric version that will also have the fiberglass fuselage but will not have the added carbon fiber in the nose and wing sections. I really believe that the glow version does not need it either since the fuse is so ridged. Over the next week Danny Jackson and I will be doing the build thread and getting info back to SkyAviations on some instructions for the new Arrows that will be shipped.
We are just getting started and should have more info on the build over this weekend. The plan will be to show how we thought the easiest and best way to build this plane will be. I understand everyone will find easier ways but this is where we will start. I know this has been in the works since February but I truly believe that SkyAviations wanted to do the right thing and that took some time. The kit comes with the standard accessories such as tank, wheels, horns, pushrods and motor mounts.
Todd Blose
In my Arrow I will using the following eq.
Motor OS Max 61 VFR
Macs Header
Novi Rossi 50042 pipe
APC 11 x 7 prop
TruTurn 2/12 Spinner
Futaba 16mz
Futaba S3071 HV servos on Ailerons and Elevators
Futaba S3102 on Throttle
SkyAviations retracts
Fuse with top and crutch 26 oz.
Wing right and left 12.6 oz ea.
Stab right and left 2.4 oz ea.
Here is the link for anyone interested. https://www.skyaviations.com/en/aerobatic-planes/
I just received the 1st Arrow ARF from SkyAviation’s and I am happy to say it looks very impressive. The covering on the wings and stabs are first class and the fit to the fuse is great. It looks like the wait for the fiberglass fuselage will be well worth it and the glow version comes with added carbon fiber in the glass at the nose and wing sections for added strength. The fuse is very strong and painted in the mold and has a removal top hatch / pipe bay. I will show the weights below but it looks like this plane should come in around 8 to 81/2 lbs. on glow.
SkyAviation’s will also offer an electric version that will also have the fiberglass fuselage but will not have the added carbon fiber in the nose and wing sections. I really believe that the glow version does not need it either since the fuse is so ridged. Over the next week Danny Jackson and I will be doing the build thread and getting info back to SkyAviations on some instructions for the new Arrows that will be shipped.
We are just getting started and should have more info on the build over this weekend. The plan will be to show how we thought the easiest and best way to build this plane will be. I understand everyone will find easier ways but this is where we will start. I know this has been in the works since February but I truly believe that SkyAviations wanted to do the right thing and that took some time. The kit comes with the standard accessories such as tank, wheels, horns, pushrods and motor mounts.
Todd Blose
In my Arrow I will using the following eq.
Motor OS Max 61 VFR
Macs Header
Novi Rossi 50042 pipe
APC 11 x 7 prop
TruTurn 2/12 Spinner
Futaba 16mz
Futaba S3071 HV servos on Ailerons and Elevators
Futaba S3102 on Throttle
SkyAviations retracts
Fuse with top and crutch 26 oz.
Wing right and left 12.6 oz ea.
Stab right and left 2.4 oz ea.
Here is the link for anyone interested. https://www.skyaviations.com/en/aerobatic-planes/
Last edited by toddblose; 09-30-2017 at 06:06 AM.
09-30-2017, 04:39 AM
#2
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Waco,
TX
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have continued to be impressed by the quality of the components of this kit. Today I started on the installation of the aileron servos and electric retracts in the wing. I finished both the right and left wing panel and have enclosed pictures after completion and the bottom of the left panel prior to starting. The gear block and wheel well were pre-installed as was the aileron mount. The aileron servo and gear cutouts were very precise. The aileron cutout was sized for a standard size servo. Both were precise fits for the expected equipment. The kit is designed for the Sky Aviation electric set, and it is what I installed. The supplied wheels are 2.25” and fit the wheel well without a lot of excess room. It was a very simple installation and worked without any problems. Next I will get the wing joined and let you know how that was done.
Last edited by toddblose; 10-01-2017 at 06:08 AM.
10-01-2017, 06:06 AM
#5
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Waco,
TX
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Both panels have been completed and now they are ready to join. I installed the anti-rotation CF pins in one wing panel using 30 min epoxy and trial fit the wing halves together. The fit matches up very well and I will proceed to joining the panels using 30 min epoxy.
10-04-2017, 01:59 PM
#7
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Waco,
TX
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Motor mount crutch install. (New firewall and crutch will be made for the glow version)
Since the Arrow was originally developed for electric power, the firewall was sized and drilled for an electric motor. A new firewall was made corresponding to the height of the raised pipe deck. The kit included beam mounts for the engine, but I decided to use a Dave Brown 60/70 radial mount. I had to trim the bottom of the mount slightly to allow the mount to be in the proper location to allow the engine to be centered on the proper thrust line. The firewall was then glued to the fuselage with epoxy.
The Arrow pipe deck and firewall that is furnished is to be used with electric power and batteries and the glow version will its own version. In order to be able to install a tank and radio equipment, the deck needs to be raised enough to accomplish this and leave enough room for the pipe. I engaged in a trial and fit exercise to arrive at a good fit that should work. Final fit will be accomplished later in the process
Since the Arrow was originally developed for electric power, the firewall was sized and drilled for an electric motor. A new firewall was made corresponding to the height of the raised pipe deck. The kit included beam mounts for the engine, but I decided to use a Dave Brown 60/70 radial mount. I had to trim the bottom of the mount slightly to allow the mount to be in the proper location to allow the engine to be centered on the proper thrust line. The firewall was then glued to the fuselage with epoxy.
The Arrow pipe deck and firewall that is furnished is to be used with electric power and batteries and the glow version will its own version. In order to be able to install a tank and radio equipment, the deck needs to be raised enough to accomplish this and leave enough room for the pipe. I engaged in a trial and fit exercise to arrive at a good fit that should work. Final fit will be accomplished later in the process
10-09-2017, 10:12 AM
#8
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Waco,
TX
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Update. This step will be done at the factory for both the glow and electric versions. I will leave this in just for a reference.
The fuselage pipe deck / crutch is now installed. Danny and I had many conversations on the best way to not only install the crutch but also an easier way to get to the tank since its always been a pain to get the tanks in through the wing opening. We decided after measuring and trying to fit the available tanks, including the one that came with the kit, a tank hatch was the best option to install and remove the tank. The tank used is a Tettra 4051, 14 oz clunk tank. The Tettra 4061 bubbless tank would work as well. If a more conventional method of installing the tank through the radio compartment was utilized, the wing saddle flange and web would have required trimming to allow installation and removal of the tank. We were not sure if this would compromise the strength of the wing saddle, so we chose the tank hatch instead. The deck was sized to allow enough room for servos in the radio compartment and sufficient room for the pipe and cooling air clearance. After the glue set, all wood that could be exposed to fuel or oil was sealed with epoxy.
The fuselage pipe deck / crutch is now installed. Danny and I had many conversations on the best way to not only install the crutch but also an easier way to get to the tank since its always been a pain to get the tanks in through the wing opening. We decided after measuring and trying to fit the available tanks, including the one that came with the kit, a tank hatch was the best option to install and remove the tank. The tank used is a Tettra 4051, 14 oz clunk tank. The Tettra 4061 bubbless tank would work as well. If a more conventional method of installing the tank through the radio compartment was utilized, the wing saddle flange and web would have required trimming to allow installation and removal of the tank. We were not sure if this would compromise the strength of the wing saddle, so we chose the tank hatch instead. The deck was sized to allow enough room for servos in the radio compartment and sufficient room for the pipe and cooling air clearance. After the glue set, all wood that could be exposed to fuel or oil was sealed with epoxy.
Last edited by toddblose; 10-11-2017 at 06:58 AM.
10-10-2017, 11:14 AM
#9
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Waco,
TX
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stab Install.
The stab assembly is now installed on the fuselage. First, the stab tubes are cut to size from the included CF tube. Then the stab halves and tubes are trial fit to the fuselage. When satisfied, prep the stab root ribs, stab tubes, and fuse where the stab halves will attach by sanding all surfaces and cleaning with appropriate solvent. Then, a sufficient quantity of slow cure epoxy should be mixed. Brush the epoxy to the root of the stab halves, fuselage, and wing tubes. Assemble the parts, check the fit, and set aside.
The stab assembly is now installed on the fuselage. First, the stab tubes are cut to size from the included CF tube. Then the stab halves and tubes are trial fit to the fuselage. When satisfied, prep the stab root ribs, stab tubes, and fuse where the stab halves will attach by sanding all surfaces and cleaning with appropriate solvent. Then, a sufficient quantity of slow cure epoxy should be mixed. Brush the epoxy to the root of the stab halves, fuselage, and wing tubes. Assemble the parts, check the fit, and set aside.
10-17-2017, 07:40 AM
#10
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Waco,
TX
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Arrow is complete and ready to fly. Danny and I worked out the fuel tank hatch and the top canopy hold downs using 4-40 screws into some hard wood blocks. and the tank hatch is made out of 1/64 ply and screws into the crutch. Inside the radio install is tight but was not a problem and if you go with the electric gear that SkyAviations sells the nose gear is a pull pull steering that is not to bad to get installed.
Last edited by toddblose; 10-17-2017 at 07:43 AM.
10-17-2017, 07:47 AM
#11
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Waco,
TX
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Arrow ended up 8 pounds 6 oz RTF. I now have 16 flights on the plane and could not be happier. The plane is very fast and tracks like its on a rail. The rolling maneuvers are solid and I believe one of the easiest plane to do slow rolls and point rolls with. The vertical lines are very good and just a slight pull to the canopy on down lines. The rudder to elevator mix is only about 1 or 2 % and the same on the rudder to aileron mix, SkyAviations should have the electric version flying this week and should be able to start full production soon. I will post more as I get more flights on the Arrow. I want to thank Danny Jackson for taking the time to get the Arrow ready to fly since I did not have the time. We have 2 more on order and cant wait for them to get here. Dad will be running the OS 61 VFR and Danny will be running a Novi Rossi rear exhaust.
