islandflyer

Roman,

I hope to finally test fly my 42% Extra 260 this week-end. I got the 9Z radio with enough programming done for a start; I finally received the 30x10 break-in wood prop.
In fact I had it ready 2 weeks ago, but my mind was too busy preparing for last week-end's airshow (check out the thread in this forum: "Blue Angels, Patty Wagstaff, AND RC, TOO MUCH FUN").
As much as I wanted to fly the 260, it was not possible to get it test-flown, trimmed out, engine broken-in, and practice flights in time. So I flew my old reliable 33% Cap (avatar).
But now, I REALLY want to fly the 42% !!!!

islandflyer

I finally test flew the 42% Extra today. The only big deal was to overcome the fear of whatever (probably just the $$$). Once in the air this plane turned out to fly like a giant floater, is very crisp on the few maneuvres I did, and as easily as a Four Star. I only had two flights before dark, and the brand new engine is running a litle rough, but I can tell that will have a blast with this set up. I hope to burn over a gallon of gas tomorrow, moving quickly through the break-in.

RobT

My Feedback: (17)

Congrats!

ROMANBM

yeee! good luck do you have more pictures? of your plane

thanks

islandflyer

No new pictures, because I had a little accident this morning: the battery of receiver # 2 got disconnected. I use safety clips on all aileron and battery connection, but not on the receiver it-self. Well, the vibration disconnected the battery during flight # 4, and thanks to redunduncy, the left side of the plane (including throttle) worked so I brough it down. I landed a little hard, so the CF landidng gear delaminated, tore off tail wheel, cracked engine box, cracked wheel pants. It will soon be repaired.
Like full scale planes, a slight mis-hap does dammage, but realistically it could have been a lot worse. It depressing to me, because I keep my equipment pretty well flawless.

islandflyer

I jumped right into this morning's problem in my previous post, but I should say that I had a bast for 1-1/2 flights before that:
This plane has almost zero coupling on knife edge, and I have not trimmed, balanced it, or programmed any mixing yet. I effortlessly did 3 consecutive knife edge passes going up 5/8 of loop (still knife edge) for a turn around. I did only one torque roll (engine only on its 3rd flight), but this is the easiest one I have ever done.
It tracks great, flies very true and light, and the few 3D maneuvres I tried very easily. I can't wait to fix it and fly again.

vypr

My Feedback: (6)

Aww DAMN I hate to hear of damage to something that nice[:@] Work that bird back to speed and make it fly great! THis makes me feel good about taping all my batt connections today!

Get that bird back in the air and GET SOME PICTURS

-Ian

ROMANBM

HOOOO NOOOO!!!!![X(][X(][X(][X(] SORRY about it [:@][:@]

islandflyer

I have often taken crashes pretty hard, but this week-end's fairly mild mis-hap got me quite depressed today.
Most of it will not show, except for a crease on a wing tip, and a few chips in the paint under the cowl.
I decided to replace the dammaged landing gear with an aluminium one (our field is a little bumpy), replace Kavan inflatable tires with Dubro Lights, and Tony Russo is painting a new set of wheel pants.
I will plank the cracked engine box with a combination of plywood and fiberglass.

What I find depressing is hearing comments from the RC grapevine, mentioning that this plane has "structural issues", that it was "engineered for lightness rather than longevity", "that's why nobody is flying it any more", etc...
Just what you want to hear when you have spent this kind of money to get a prized treasure that you have waited for and dreamed about for so long.
As I have said before, I am compulsive about the flawless looks of planes, but I am a flyer, not a collector; and I didn't buy this plane to last 50 or 100 flights.

So for now, I am waiting for the parts and hoping for the best.

ROMANBM

Islandflyer
about the structure on this plane , I just have to tell you if you have a hard landing you can make damage on your plane Gene sold over 150 42% and over 100 35% I don't think the people have any structure problems I don't know . but you know some time people like to talk (S#it) [sm=devious.gif]
don't be depress you have realy good plane !

I going to make a vidoe with my von extra 260 35% wich is 4 years old
so you can see how strong it can be

islandflyer

Roman, thank you for the reassuring word. I just re-read some of the previous posts from people who have had hundreds of flights with this plane, and that is encouraging too.

coverjockey

My Feedback: (1)

Hey guys, This is John McNees ,owner and pilot of the 260 in the previous post. I felt that I had to put in my 2 cents worth about these planes. I've had my 260 now for 3 years and I too have put my plane through some rough times but it still looks and flies like a new one. I will probably never sell this plane because I feel everybody needs to keep the plane that just never gets boring to fly. If I lost this one I would order another one right away. I have 2 Cardens and I have flown many more, but there is something about flying a plane this true and lite that I will never stop enjoying. I recommend this plane too anyone.It's a shame that there isn't someone out there that would take this plane to the level that it deserves. I guess that's why some companys give their planes away for free so they will be overexposed. This plane definately deserves that kind of exposure. Just my opinion. Thank you and GO TBM. They ROCK

islandflyer

I believe that Tony Russo, (who has acquired the rights to the 42%), is building one for Mark Leseberg to fly at some event. If he likes the plane enough, he might then be the one who will give it more exposure.

ROMANBM

Yes and I built one o ready for Mark Leseberge hes plane was the first with large aileron so Gene and I make the 35% and 42%
with large aileron after that to have like extreme 3D qualities and still good for IMAC .
I have a video of Mark lesemberg on my web site ,

I think your plane was the last plane the I built for troy built your plane have short ailerons right?

ROMANBM

Hi again , I going to make a video with Gene and we going to fly a old von extra 260 35% this is like 4 years old and he love to do crazy
stuff , like crazy : [sm=bananahead.gif] you will see this plane go full throttle straight line and pull elevator to make a wall just wach
this guy drive me crazy [sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

vypr

My Feedback: (6)

Definately do not be put off by people calling the TBM extras delicate. I would take a delicate airframe over a heavy one any day of the week. So far as I'm concerned the people complaining are the guys that want to ride elevators tight into the ground and slam down every flight. I treat my planes well and they treat me well.

A guy at my field that flys the same Edge as me was complaining about how spraddle legged his was with the lightweight alum gear and was wondering where I got my lightweight gear that wasnt. I let him know, gently that it was the same gear, stop landing so damn hard.

It all depends on the user. Fly your airplane and know that I would take it over anything else out there if I had the chance.

-Ian

islandflyer

My 42% does have the large ailerons for 3D. It may be overkill, but I have 3 Futaba 9152 servos on each aileron.
I truly appreciate hearing/reading from people who enjoy this plane. This is precisely why this thread was started: there are relatively few comments on this plane, and really rare are the positive ones.

ROMANBM

Adam bry

ROMANBM

Adam bry one of the best pilot with hes von extra 260 good luck in Tucson SHOOT OUT!!!

islandflyer

Congratulations to Adam Bry; Looks like you won the Advanced![sm=thumbup.gif][sm=cool.gif]
I woked on my plane this week-end, and most of it is repaired. I am just waiting for Dalton Aviation to ship my new landing gear and painted wheel pants. I can't wait to get it back in the air.

ROMANBM

JAJAJAJA!!! very good have funn with it

flynbrian

My Feedback: (1)

islandflyer, can we get aluminum landing gear for the extra 260, and where do you get it. I am setting up mine right now getting new servo arms and such. I getting the MPL servo arms. The old ones are crap.
I am trying to figure out if I would need some kind of isolation when using dual batteries and a single receiver. I know you don't have too but it seems like alot of current going through one receiver. Also there is only one slot for battery.

Does anyone know if it is fine to plug in the second battery into an empty slot on the receiver. I have seen it done, but I don't know if it is the wrong thing to do.

Here is a pic of it in the trailer.

ptgarcia

My Feedback: (36)

You can use any empty slot on the receiver.

islandflyer

flynbrian,
I got my aluminium landing gear from Gene Payson at Troy Built Models. He has it in stock.
On your receiver, batteries can be plugged into any open port.
Your plane looks great !!!

ROMANBM

Brian I have thoes aluminum LG for 42% and 35% , for 42% $60