ftjets

The build is going fairly well, slow but well. Stabilators are nice and smooth now and installed. Vertical stab and rudder is installed. Retracts are installed and plumbed but when i mounted the engine i realized that the muffler was pointing directly at the right main wheel well and i didn't think to fuelproof the wood retract mounts and former. I assume that i can expect some exhaust mess getting in there. Have i assumed correctly? I hate to remove all those air lines and have to fish them back through the fuse but i guess i have no choice.

k8svrick

Consider installing a diverter on the muffler as well.

ftjets

I thought about that and probably will. I hate using them though.

k8svrick

It's has <some> effect, but not a lot.

ftjets

OK, thanks.

k8svrick

Sure, no problem. I flew mine about one season, then it has been a hangar queen ever since. I don't get enough time to fly and this summer was the worst for that. I need to be on top of the old game before I pull that out of the basement. I have a couple pylon planes and some other aerobatic ships, but the 16 is unique. It is also fast with a Dub Jett .90. It's a handful.

Rick

ftjets

OK, took a little less that two months to build. I'm happy with that. Maiden scheduled for tomorrow morning and weather is looking beautiful in southwest Florida. [8D] Did a quick build on the canopy frame but i build to fly not to show. If i clock at 125 or better with my brand new Jett 90BSE tomorrow i'm happy. Got her all broken in and ready to fly. Video posted shortly. (if maiden is successful that is)

ftjets

Beautiful weather turned into dense fog for most of the morning on Sunday so maybe next weekend. BTW, mine came in at 10.4 pounds. How did i do?

k8svrick

Apparently RCU is having hissyfits this morning, so I am posting this again since the server crapped out.

Mine came out to just under 11 pounds. I am using the Jett 90LX, sport tuned muffler, retracts and a 3000 mah 5 cell battery to counteract the effects of the engine weight.

The CG in the book is wrong if it says it should be 7 1/2" back from the L.E. at the root. See my discussion on http://ricktressler.com/id48.html

Hope you have a good first flight.

Rick

ftjets

Rick, can i assume that you made a minor misprint there or did i read it wrong? The CG should be 7-1/2" should it not? The manual states 8-1/2". Mine balances at 7-1/2" with just a couple ounces of ballast in the tail. I'm trying to find a suitable battery that will fit to eliminate the dead weight and at least add more capacity. I see my weight was on target, i'm happy with that. Actually i mis-stated the weight. It was 10lb 4oz not 10.4 pounds. Thanks for all the info.
John

TXKflier

Actually, Rick's earlier posts were correct when he said the CG should be 7.5 inches. He did mess up on the one just before mine.

You need to make the initial flights at 7.5 inches. When you feel comfortable, fly it inverted and see how much down elevator is required to maintain level flight. If it needs a ton of down, you might move the CG back 1/4 inch and try it again. Landings are another way to know if the CG is correct. On my Cermark F-18P, I started out with the CG too far back. When I came in to land, the nose wanted to pitch up. I think the F-16P will probably do the same thing if it's tail heavy.

Here's a photo of my friend's F-16P that I maidened for him..

http://images.rcuniverse.com/forum/u...44/Wr55301.jpg

Note that the 7.5 inches is measured from the leading edge of the wing panel where it mates with the fuselage.

Lynn

k8svrick

Guys,

I screwed up on my post about the CG on this plane. I stated that 7 1/2" back from the L.E. at the root (where the wing meets the fuse) was wrong.

What I meant to say was that the <correct> CG is 7 1/2" back and that the manual incorrectly states the CG should be 8 1/2" back.

That is what I get for working 14 hours days.

Rick

ftjets

I know how you feel Rick. That's why it took me two months to put this one together. I am hoping for good weather this weekend and get her airborne. I do have the balance at 7.5".

k8svrick

Thanks. It would hurt to be a tad nose heavy. With full fuel, you'll probably have that if it balances right on the CG mark. Good luck with it.

Rick

ftjets

Thanks. I'm looking forward to the maiden. It is a sharp looking bird!

TXKflier

I think you meant to say "It wouldn't hurt.."

;-)

ftjets

It's early.

k8svrick

When I wrote that, I hadn't yet had my first cup of coffee. Yes, I meant it wouldn't hurt to be nose heavy.

TGIF

ftjets

Discovered a bad receiver switch then got consumed by a re-modeling project making my workshop unuseable. Some day i'll maiden it.

ftjets

Finally got it airborne. I had it slobbering rich on the new engine but it was still moving along enough to get everyones attention. Sweet flying jet! Haven't viewed the video yet but i'll try to post it some time in the nar future. I like this jet!

k8svrick

Glad to hear you got that thing in the air. Mine has become a classic hangar queen. That said, if I can get some time next summer, I'll bring it out for a few flights.

Keep it up.

ftjets

The holidays are finally over and i have had some time to tweak and tune. I also replaced the air retracts with Eflite electrics. The airs worked fine but electrics are simply easier to operate and just look cool going up and down. My on-board GPS gave me 142.3mph. A visit to the pitch-speed calculator confirmed that it was probably quite accurate. RPM on the ground was a bit over 17,000 with an 11-9 APC prop on Powermaster 15%. I doubt if that's the record for this thing but i was happy with it. This is one sweet flying jet! The only problem i have now is keeping an exhaust deflector on the muffler. I have tried the Hanger 9 and Hobbico 90 size silicone deflectors attached with professional grade zip ties that were quite tight. One popped off in the air and one didn't even make it to the runway while taxiing out. I'll have to give the Macs hard pipe a try.

LUDS96

My Feedback: (23)

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7591745

My fast mover. Been clocked at 140. Fun bird wish I could get a new one. Still have this one!!

k8svrick

I have not had mine clocked. I am guessing - perhaps 130. Mine came out at just a hair under 11 pounds. I have the Dub Jett 90 and Dub's tuned muffler, a lighting kit, battery and a 3000 mah 5 cell pack in the tail to counter the weight in the nose from that engine. The Jett is turning an 11/8 around 12,500 on the ground but it <really> unloads in the air. Still does not get much flight time.

I have been wrestling with a radio interference problem in my 50cc Extra 260, so I have not been doing anything with R/C except trying to figure out what's going with that. Spring will be here soon enough...

LUDS96

My Feedback: (23)

I've got an 11X12 apc on my OS108 tach's 12,500 to 13'000 on the ground. Get's on the pipe in the air and it's a screamer. Most fun plane I have to fly!!!