nolefan1961

NRAD2000

I forgot to mention that on take off, like most tail draggers, it will need some right rudder to keep it straight. This is normal for this type of airplane so don't sweat it.. The plane gets airborne by itself without pulling back on the stick. What landing gear are you using? Did you go with the one that came with it? 

nrad2000

I'm expecting to use right rudder on take off. Hopefully, it goes straight on take off.

I'm using the stock landing gear - should I change it? I can - I don't know what too but I can. I've got bad weather thru tomorrow. maybe Thanksgiving morning I was planning to go maiden.

I deflected the ailerons down some. looked at it from the side and the ailerons were pointing up on the inside closest to the fuse. the distal end looks fine.

nolefan1961

nrad2000

Stock gear should be ok for maiden. Most of us find after a few landings we are hunting for a different one.... Sounds like you are ready to go, good luck on maiden, and do post pics and or video.

I think you will like this plane once it is dialed in.

If you need help with finding a gear there are a couple of options.

1. TNT in Ohio

2. I bought Du-Bro tough gear and had it cut down on a band saw. It has been TUFF!!!

nrad2000

Tomorrow afternoon - hopefully the wind stays calm. over cast - possible rain. I have a couple people for witness and a video woman.

nrad2000

Finished the maiden flight. I was just going to putt putt it around the field but I just decided to take it up. Throttled up - picked up speed - tail went up and she flew level at a couple feet - gave her some up elevator - WOW, very sensitive compared to all my other trainer like airiplanes. First thing first - get it up high and level - started trimming. Only needed 2 clicks up elevator and 3 clicks right aileron. seemed to track straight. Engine set really rich - I think I can lean it out some. Did a few circuits - looked sloppy - still trying to get a feel for it. Did some slow passes up high to determine how it would stall. Right wing dropped first. came in for the first landing approach. with a 14x6 Master Airscrew she slowed down quicker than i expected. Just clearing the trees the tail began to drop - I was going pretty slow - plane wobbled - throttled to half throttle to pick up speed and I tried it again. Second time I came in faster but again as soon as I dropped the throttle the plane slowed down quickly. At idle I just glided the plane in. about a foot and a half from touching ground the plane was going slow enough where the Right wing stalled. Plane landed on the right landing gear first almost hitting the Right wing. I figure I need to ease off on the up elevator when gliding in. In all, it was a successful first flight. Didn't take her up the second time. figure it came back safely - lets just keep it that way. maybe Thanksgiving Morning I'll give her another try. I'll try to fine tune it some more especially the engine.

My first impression: I'm just a beginner pilot (doing this for almost 1 year) and I thought the plane flew fantastic. It went where I pointed it. And the landing felt very similar to my escapade. She glides really nice. I just gotta get use to the larger control surfaces.

I'll post maiden flight video sometimes this week.

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Good job getting it up and back. The trick with these aerobats is to fly it in nose high with some throttle. Practice doing low passes with throttle control: back off the throttle on your downwind leg, turn to base, adjust your descent line, then turn onto final. At that point, it should be nose high (3-point landing stance) and descending. Throttle up, go around again, and get used to how it descends.

When you're committed to landing, control your descent line with throttle: if it's floating, back off the power. If it's dropping too quick, roll on the power. Use the rudder to adjust your track over the runway; avoid too much use of ailerons at this point. Keep pitch changes to a minimum; too much messing around with the angle of attack will bleed off your speed and energy, and result in a stall that drops you onto the runway. As the wheels approach the ground, flare and keep flaring. You'll know you have it right when the tailwheel often gently touches the ground before the mains. Once you get it right, it's easy and a thing of beauty. I've got two seasons on my Phoenix Extra and it remains one of my favorite airplanes.

nrad2000

Thanks for the tip - I will definelty try that.

reaaz

Well guys, good news.. looks like I'm joining the Phoenix Extra club, mine is on the way from Towerhobbies. So will be fitting it with YS 91AC for muscle and Futaba R617FS for brains and Hitec HS-325HB for control and Hydrimax 2000mah 6V for power. Will be looking to scrape some weigth of the plane, will see how that goes.

nolefan1961

nrad2000

First i want to congratulate you on your maiden flight.

I should have mentioned to setup expo and dual rates. Glad you readjusted the ailerons, and like I said, it will glide like a trainer at those settings.  Make adjustments to dual rates and expo, the next flight should go better.

nolefan1961

reaaz

Welcome aboard!

learn from our experience, and you will have a wonderful flying airplane.
Watchout when assembling the elevator stab, make sure it is at zero incidence. It is very easy to misalign that. The next thing, make sure the ailerons are not reflexed up near the fuselage. If you have a pump on the fuel line then moving the fuel tank back 4 inches will help even more. And as many have noted the landing gear is not very good. Several of us have found alternatives, I am using the tuff gear from Du-Bro but you will need it cut down to fit. Or you can get a custom gear from TNT landing gear.

nrad2000

I'm putting in 40% expo. what is dual rates?

nrad2000

Here is the Youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV73es53OaM


Looks grainy - sorry.

nrad2000

Forgot to ask, but i'm getting this Clanky sound at full throttle - usually when climbing. Is it the clunck in the fuel tank thats making the sound? sounds almost exactly the same as if you were to take the tank and rattle it with the fuel clunck inside. Knocking of the engine? I'm running Cool power 20/20 full synthetic 4 stroke pattern fuel. Carb is set at manufacturer default. around 4 clicks richer on the high. (OS FS 91S w/ pump) turning 14x6 MA.

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

A clanky or raspy buzz at full throttle might be fiberglass parts rattling, the cowl, or the canopy. Mine initially had buzzy wheelpants and a bit of buzz from the fiberglass cowl. I used short pieces of fuel tubing to shut up the wheel pants, and a strip of foam tape to quiet the cowl. All good now.

reaaz

Thanks nolefan1961 glad for the info, as for the tank position, I should be able to mount the tank at 4" or more back, as the YS engine is supposed to be pumped. I plan to seal all the hinge gaps to reduce chances of flutter at high speed as well as checking the aileron reflex etc..

As for the landing gear, I have seen one person in this forum drill a couple of holes on the flat center section to reduce weight, perhaps inadvertantly (or purposely) relieving some of the stiffness and thus reduce the plane's tendancy to bounce. I shall take a look at the gear and see if I can reduce its stiffness with a some holes, blind holes etc..

Wild Bill 1

Hello do you think a OS 61 sf long stroke is powerful enough for the Pheonix Extra 330S 60 ?????????

THANKS BILL

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Do you mean an OS .61 four stroke, or a two-stroke engine? A .61 two stroke is adequate for sport flying, but you'll need a bigger four stroker for this bird.

cmoulder

An OS .91 2-stroke with a Pitts muffler will fit completely within the cowl.

With a remote glow adapter, you won't even need a hole in the side of the cowl for a glow driver.

Wild Bill 1

The OS 61 sf long stroke is a two stroke

cmoulder

In any event, .61 is just not enough displacement for anything more than moderate aerobatics.

It probably would have a tough time doing a good loop from straight-and-level flight.

You'll be much happier with a 2- or 4-stroke .91

reaaz

a 60 sized engine was the desired engine of choice for allmost all rc aircraft in the earlier days of rc aeromodelling. Although aerobatics has evolved mush since then, the current 60 engines do quite well for standard aerobatics and loops in airframe sized for that class.
However don't expect them to hover... I had a K&B.61 baffle piston type engine. that flew standard aerobatics quite well on on of the older lanier foam & vacuformed plastic Plane I had.

jasburrito

I,m interested,, do tell about build!
How did it balance?
prop to ground
Think I,m gonna do the same thing
cheers

Wild Bill 1

I have a Magnum 108 2 stroke i think it is powerful enough for the Pheonix Extra 330S 60-90

Thanks Bill

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Good choice there Wild Bill; that Maggie 1.08 will haul that thing around easily. You'll have a hot rod on your hands.

reaaz

By the way, how does this plane glide in a dead stick situation?? does an engine cut bring the nose up/nutral or down... how is the glide?