BJ Craft G2 Essence
03-30-2015, 07:21 PM
#101
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Bit of a fallacy that large fuselage models are affected more in a crosswind. Totally not true. The airplane only feels a crosswind in a gust. In steady state all it feels is the relative wind, which is directly opposite it's forward motion. The only way for crosswinds to have less effect on an airplane, basically the amount of heading change required to maintain a ground track, is airspeed. Faster requires less, slower requires more. In fact, the increased side force available in many of these larger fuse models can make crosswind flying easier.
Last edited by TonyF; 03-30-2015 at 07:24 PM.
03-31-2015, 08:34 AM
#102
At the contest last weekend in Orange County CA, we had both an Essence and a YS powered Invitation. There were lots of questions about the differences between the Invitation and the Essence. I'll try to answer some of those here.
First, the Inviation is a different color scheme, obviously. It really looks great:
Second, everyone was asking if the fuselage is different. The answer is no. They are the same. The Invitation and Essence fuselages are identical. The Essence was the first of the G2 designs from B.J. Park. The Invitation is just an alternate adaptation.
The differences between the Invitation and the Essence are primarily as follows:
1. The Essence is Electric only. It does not include any parts for mounting a YS motor. It does have a chin cowl.
2. The Invitation can be EP or GP. The Invitation uses a fuel proof clear coat on the fuselage paint. You can also special order clear coated wings, stab and rudder.
3. The Essence standard version uses the BJ Craft DTFS wings and DTFS shaped flying stab.
4. The Invitation standard version uses traditional tapered wings and traditional horizontal stabs with two elevator servos, one in each half.
5. Special order options for the Invitation can be made for a flying stab, but the flying stab is EP only. Likewise, special order for the Essence can be made for standard stab.
As for flying characteristics, they are nearly identical. Tony Frackowiak flew Alex's YS powered Invitation and my Pletty Advance powered Essence. He really liked both of them and felt small differences between the two which were mainly due to power and flying stab. I think his reaction after flying Alex's Invitation was that it was really impressive, especially since the plane only had 5 flights on it and he couldn't see anything he would change with it.
As B.J. told me previously, in the end it really comes down to personal preference and the overall look. The Invitation has a great color scheme that goes well with its traditional wings and stabs. The Essence has more of the BJ craft color scheme found on the Episode and BiSide. B.J. has flown these back to back for a long time and really can't see a performance difference between the two.
First, the Inviation is a different color scheme, obviously. It really looks great:
Second, everyone was asking if the fuselage is different. The answer is no. They are the same. The Invitation and Essence fuselages are identical. The Essence was the first of the G2 designs from B.J. Park. The Invitation is just an alternate adaptation.
The differences between the Invitation and the Essence are primarily as follows:
1. The Essence is Electric only. It does not include any parts for mounting a YS motor. It does have a chin cowl.
2. The Invitation can be EP or GP. The Invitation uses a fuel proof clear coat on the fuselage paint. You can also special order clear coated wings, stab and rudder.
3. The Essence standard version uses the BJ Craft DTFS wings and DTFS shaped flying stab.
4. The Invitation standard version uses traditional tapered wings and traditional horizontal stabs with two elevator servos, one in each half.
5. Special order options for the Invitation can be made for a flying stab, but the flying stab is EP only. Likewise, special order for the Essence can be made for standard stab.
As for flying characteristics, they are nearly identical. Tony Frackowiak flew Alex's YS powered Invitation and my Pletty Advance powered Essence. He really liked both of them and felt small differences between the two which were mainly due to power and flying stab. I think his reaction after flying Alex's Invitation was that it was really impressive, especially since the plane only had 5 flights on it and he couldn't see anything he would change with it.
As B.J. told me previously, in the end it really comes down to personal preference and the overall look. The Invitation has a great color scheme that goes well with its traditional wings and stabs. The Essence has more of the BJ craft color scheme found on the Episode and BiSide. B.J. has flown these back to back for a long time and really can't see a performance difference between the two.
04-12-2015, 08:48 PM
#106
I decided to start today's flying session off with a check on the baseline flight characteristics of the repaired airframe. I first rechecked the battery placement for the correct CG location. I ended up 1/4" forward of original rather than the 1/2" I tried yesterday.
I retraced the initial flight trimming and adjusted as necessary:
1: set hands off trim for straight and level at 70% throttle. In order to ensure that I was truly at 70 % I set the throttle limit to this value so full throt was 70%. I recorded all trim settings at this value
2: set throttle to elevator mix on downline at zero throttle. I recorded the mix points. I rediscovered the 18mz fine tune capability using the rotary dial switch to set it.
3: re-checked thottle to rudder mix at 50% throttle. Then at 0 on downline and 70 and 100 on horizontal and vertical.
4: Updated the program to include all the values I gathered and mapped it in to my 100% throttle setting.
I made no changes to rudder aileron mix.
I then flew several F15 flights and it felt great. As good as new.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at Arvin next weekend.
I retraced the initial flight trimming and adjusted as necessary:
1: set hands off trim for straight and level at 70% throttle. In order to ensure that I was truly at 70 % I set the throttle limit to this value so full throt was 70%. I recorded all trim settings at this value
2: set throttle to elevator mix on downline at zero throttle. I recorded the mix points. I rediscovered the 18mz fine tune capability using the rotary dial switch to set it.
3: re-checked thottle to rudder mix at 50% throttle. Then at 0 on downline and 70 and 100 on horizontal and vertical.
4: Updated the program to include all the values I gathered and mapped it in to my 100% throttle setting.
I made no changes to rudder aileron mix.
I then flew several F15 flights and it felt great. As good as new.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at Arvin next weekend.
04-22-2015, 12:24 PM
#111
Thanks for all the great pics Alex!
We had a great time at Arvin for sure. I was really happy with the performance of the Essence. It was good to see that most people couldn't even tell that my airframe had been repaired!
I found a good overall pace for P15 which presented very well. It was slightly faster than I fly the BiSide but still relatively slow. During practice on Friday I made a couple small adjustments which gave me some additional benefits. First, on my 18MZ I added a slight "out" delay on rudder which smoothed things a bit and I also reduced elevator throw on up and down by about 7%. I had both the rudder and elevator a bit too sensitive so these small changes made a good improvement.
I plan on continuing to work on the small tweaks between now and the next contest and will focus on F15 setup. I really feel very comfortable with the airframe and enjoy flying it.
We had a great time at Arvin for sure. I was really happy with the performance of the Essence. It was good to see that most people couldn't even tell that my airframe had been repaired!
I found a good overall pace for P15 which presented very well. It was slightly faster than I fly the BiSide but still relatively slow. During practice on Friday I made a couple small adjustments which gave me some additional benefits. First, on my 18MZ I added a slight "out" delay on rudder which smoothed things a bit and I also reduced elevator throw on up and down by about 7%. I had both the rudder and elevator a bit too sensitive so these small changes made a good improvement.
I plan on continuing to work on the small tweaks between now and the next contest and will focus on F15 setup. I really feel very comfortable with the airframe and enjoy flying it.
05-06-2015, 04:10 AM
#112
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http://www.f3aunlimited.com/essence-std
I have a standard scheme available.
This was a show plane and I'll offer free shipping on it to the first buyer who would like to have an Essence shipped right away. It's in pristine condition.
http://www.f3aunlimited.com/essence-std
Mike
I have a standard scheme available.
This was a show plane and I'll offer free shipping on it to the first buyer who would like to have an Essence shipped right away. It's in pristine condition.
http://www.f3aunlimited.com/essence-std
Mike
05-07-2015, 06:41 AM
#113
Ok so the only stupid question is the one don't ask, right!!
How are you securing the elevator, I am guessing glue in the tubes to the righthand stab, but are you securing the left with screws? I ask because of the anhedral I am concerned about the length, depth of these screws?
I think the screws got trashed as i didn't see them, what size are they and how long? I guess 2mm but length?
cheers David
How are you securing the elevator, I am guessing glue in the tubes to the righthand stab, but are you securing the left with screws? I ask because of the anhedral I am concerned about the length, depth of these screws?
I think the screws got trashed as i didn't see them, what size are they and how long? I guess 2mm but length?
cheers David
Last edited by Daveeast; 05-08-2015 at 07:21 AM.
05-08-2015, 07:56 AM
#114
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Dave,
If it is the same as the Inspire which I believe it is you will find two circular hard points in the bottom of the stab at one end of the two stab tubes. You then assemble the stab and drill a small starter hole through the hard point and into the carbon fiber tube for the sheet metal screw.The screw should be 2mm and long enough to go through the hard point and into the stab tube. I also fit a wood dowel into the stab tube at the end to increase the strength. You can get the length of the screw by how deep the hole you drilled is on the drill bit. As I recall the pivot rear hole was deeper then the front one.
Also you should glue in the the other half of the stab tube like you said.
Herb
If it is the same as the Inspire which I believe it is you will find two circular hard points in the bottom of the stab at one end of the two stab tubes. You then assemble the stab and drill a small starter hole through the hard point and into the carbon fiber tube for the sheet metal screw.The screw should be 2mm and long enough to go through the hard point and into the stab tube. I also fit a wood dowel into the stab tube at the end to increase the strength. You can get the length of the screw by how deep the hole you drilled is on the drill bit. As I recall the pivot rear hole was deeper then the front one.
Also you should glue in the the other half of the stab tube like you said.
Herb
05-08-2015, 08:58 AM
#115
Cheers Herb,,that makes sense, and the reinforced panels are on both panels,just one?
Problem in this region we struggle with basics,like finding long 2mm drill bits etc and the screws. I have to ship everthing in.
BJ has been fantastic supporting me, but there is limit and I am guessing I trashed them, Dooh.
Problem in this region we struggle with basics,like finding long 2mm drill bits etc and the screws. I have to ship everthing in.
BJ has been fantastic supporting me, but there is limit and I am guessing I trashed them, Dooh.
05-08-2015, 12:19 PM
#116
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Hi Dave
The hard points are just on one side for the screws. Hopefully you can find substitute screws locally. Any small size will do with a smaller size drill bit as a starter.
Herb
The hard points are just on one side for the screws. Hopefully you can find substitute screws locally. Any small size will do with a smaller size drill bit as a starter.
Herb
05-08-2015, 04:12 PM
#118
Cheers Herb,,that makes sense, and the reinforced panels are on both panels,just one?
Problem in this region we struggle with basics,like finding long 2mm drill bits etc and the screws. I have to ship everthing in.
BJ has been fantastic supporting me, but there is limit and I am guessing I trashed them, Dooh.
Problem in this region we struggle with basics,like finding long 2mm drill bits etc and the screws. I have to ship everthing in.
BJ has been fantastic supporting me, but there is limit and I am guessing I trashed them, Dooh.
You just need to look a little harder
http://www.lasaero.com/site/products...e?id=W041XKYB3
http://www.lasaero.com/site/products...e?id=S00U5YNQN
http://www.modelfixings.co.uk/
http://www.pro-bolt.com/
Brian
05-11-2015, 07:45 AM
#119
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Last edited by griff7166; 05-11-2015 at 07:59 AM.
05-11-2015, 08:09 AM
#120
Hi Dave,
You just need to look a little harder
http://www.lasaero.com/site/products...e?id=W041XKYB3
http://www.lasaero.com/site/products...e?id=S00U5YNQN
http://www.modelfixings.co.uk/
http://www.pro-bolt.com/
Brian
You just need to look a little harder
http://www.lasaero.com/site/products...e?id=W041XKYB3
http://www.lasaero.com/site/products...e?id=S00U5YNQN
http://www.modelfixings.co.uk/
http://www.pro-bolt.com/
Brian
Brian, I was trying to bypass ordering via the net, I have found some 3 x20mm which are working nicely. Cheers for the help.
Dave
05-11-2015, 08:31 AM
#121
Next construction question everybody? How tight are you assembling the stab. I have the Washer fitted, thanks BJ and have also added some sticky felt seals on the stabiliser routes. Nothing is final glued yet but the rear left is rubbing against the fin. I can loosen the assembly and all is ok, but how big are your gaps?
Cheers Dave
Cheers Dave
05-11-2015, 11:26 AM
#122
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Daveeast,
on my planes both the invitation and inspire they have around a 2 to 3 mm space and if you move them manually they drag. but when the servo moves them they are fine,
on my planes both the invitation and inspire they have around a 2 to 3 mm space and if you move them manually they drag. but when the servo moves them they are fine,
05-11-2015, 11:51 AM
#123
Matt
Many thanks, and battery trays, how do they work out, BJ or Gator? Position, I have not seen many internal shots?
Cheers Dave
Many thanks, and battery trays, how do they work out, BJ or Gator? Position, I have not seen many internal shots?
Cheers Dave
Last edited by Daveeast; 05-11-2015 at 08:56 PM.
05-12-2015, 02:36 PM
#125
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Mike,
Thought you might like to know I have maiden-ed my Invitation. No issues what so ever. Flying stab was dead on for first flight. Used BJ setup included with the kit. Only needed to make a small change in wing location to remove a small amount of aileron right trim . Working on CG currently. CG is currently set as Shannah had shown. Very close. I used the battery tray included with the kit and located it as shown on BJ's page. Do need a small mix for for down lines. (Throttle to Elevator) Very nice plane! It is very solid in the air! No hunting what so ever. Currently flying with a 21.5X13 Falcon Prop. Heading out tomorrow to dial in CG, Snap condition, and spin condition. Pt rolls and slow rolls are easy with this plane. The flying stab is very smooth. Seems to help in maneuvers needing down elevator. Inverted flight is very easy to maintain.
So far so good!
Larry
Thought you might like to know I have maiden-ed my Invitation. No issues what so ever. Flying stab was dead on for first flight. Used BJ setup included with the kit. Only needed to make a small change in wing location to remove a small amount of aileron right trim . Working on CG currently. CG is currently set as Shannah had shown. Very close. I used the battery tray included with the kit and located it as shown on BJ's page. Do need a small mix for for down lines. (Throttle to Elevator) Very nice plane! It is very solid in the air! No hunting what so ever. Currently flying with a 21.5X13 Falcon Prop. Heading out tomorrow to dial in CG, Snap condition, and spin condition. Pt rolls and slow rolls are easy with this plane. The flying stab is very smooth. Seems to help in maneuvers needing down elevator. Inverted flight is very easy to maintain.
So far so good!
Larry