RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon  
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RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 10/24/2005 5:21:08 AM   
markmeijer


 

Posts: 16
Joined: 9/25/2005
From: , NJ, USA
Status: offline 		I flew my decath with a Thunder Tiger .91 mounted. I changed the stock tank to a "dubro 14oz square tank", I used the great planes adjustable engine mounted (engine mounted inverted) and I added 6 ounces of stick-on weights to the tail to get the plane balanced right.

Take-offs were short and very easy to control, overall it flew very well. I would definitely suggest this combo to anyone interested in building this plane. The Thunder Tiger .54 is 189.99 at tower, and the Thunder Tiger .91 is 199.99 at tower. For $10 more you get a whole lot more power. I was flying around at 1/3 throttle for most of my flight and I was getting 15-20 minute flights with a little less than 1/4 tank left after landing. aerobatics are fairly easy to perform with this plane. it is a large plane, very easy to see from a distance.

(in reply to markmeijer)
       Post #: 26

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 10/25/2005 3:48:24 PM   
ArcherIIDriver


 

Posts: 71
Joined: 10/18/2005
From: Spring, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Well, I have received my Decathlon & am about 1/2 way through assembly. Out of the box, the covering needed a little touching up...not too bad, though. The airframe is extremely light and the pre-installed & pinned hinges are a nice touch. Unlike the rest of y'all, I did have (am having) quite a few issues putting this thing together. 1) One crushed wing rib (probably shipping damage) 2) fuselage slots for tail feathers were undersized...much trimming & sanding required 3) wing halves did not match up @ LE & TE (hole for aluminum tube placement was off)...again, much sanding & trimming to get it right 4) wing dowel holes in fuselage were drilled way too low (I will have to remove the entire plate & fab a new one) 5) elevator is warped...when the inside of both of halves are centered (neutral), the tip of the left elevator half is +3/32" while the tip of the right side is -3/32". Did any of you run into these (or simmilar) issues? Or maybe I just got a "lemon"? Am I just being too picky?

I still like this plane, and I can hardly wait to get through all of the building isuues and see how this puppy flies. I know that the extra time I am spending now to get things true & correct up-front will pay off in the long run.

(in reply to markmeijer)
       Post #: 27

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 10/26/2005 12:03:09 AM   
markmeijer


 

Posts: 16
Joined: 9/25/2005
From: , NJ, USA
Status: offline 		I had a tough time getting the wing into the fuselage as well, I am not sure how tight your wing was (is) but I was able to get it on there, once I did I left it screwed on over-night. The next time I went to put the wing on it was much easier. My wing joined perfectly with the aluminum rod when I was assembling the plane. My elevator was (is) a very small amount lower on the left side. This however did not affect me when flying as far as I can tell. There were a few things that I had to figure out for myself, and I did have to guess a few things as the manual seemed to skip a step or two. I still think you should be fine. let me know if you have any questions, I usually check the forums around 6-6:30PM EST.

-Mark

BTW, I found another thread on this plane a few weeks back, their may be a few more people there that could chime in on this too.

(in reply to ArcherIIDriver)
       Post #: 28

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 10/26/2005 3:18:16 PM   
ArcherIIDriver


 

Posts: 71
Joined: 10/18/2005
From: Spring, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Mark,
Thanks for the reply. I would agree that the manual can be quite vauge in places, but nothing I couldn't figure out. I have fabed a new front wing mount & glued it in. Once the epoxy dries, the wing should fit well. That will wrap up my airframe assembly, with only engine & radio installation left to complete. This is turning out to be a good looking plane and if it flies as good as it looks all the extra time & effort will have been worth it.

(in reply to markmeijer)
       Post #: 29

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 11/12/2005 5:49:07 PM   
tigger_roo


 

Posts: 9
Joined: 8/26/2005
From: Hazen, ND, USA
Status: offline 		I have flown and crashed this plane Justed ordered new one love this thing fly it with a tower 46 has plenty of power for me. also have great planes kit version crashed that one two but put that one back together need to fly hire as my dad would say. That just is not any fun. I am only 27

(in reply to ArcherIIDriver)
       Post #: 30

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 11/13/2005 2:04:03 PM   
markmeijer


 

Posts: 16
Joined: 9/25/2005
From: , NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Hahaha, I agree! I am 25 and I really have a hard time flying high. For me it is all about the low passes and the verticle manuevers. Shame that you crashed it. I had a close call yesterday, I deadsticked a landing, didn't quite make it back to the runway, landed in the tall grass and ripped my tail wheel off. Still flys like a gem either way. This plane is really a lot of fun to fly. The Tunder Tiger .91s I have mounted is great, lots of power, and with a 13x8 prop it takes off in less than 15 feet! That is a big change from a 12x8 prop which would take all 30 yards of the runway to get off the ground safely.

(in reply to tigger_roo)
       Post #: 31

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 11/15/2005 2:39:27 PM   
ArcherIIDriver


 

Posts: 71
Joined: 10/18/2005
From: Spring, TX, USA
Status: offline 		What do ya'll think about the CG on this plane? 100mm (3.9" from leading edge seems pretty far back...would take over 1/2 a pound of lead in the tail to get mine there. Currently, it balances @ 2.75", flown 3 times and is very flyable, but the elevator seems a bit sluggish. I could just increase elevator throw, but wanted to hear what you guys have to say on the matter.

(in reply to markmeijer)
       Post #: 32

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 11/15/2005 8:07:30 PM   
markmeijer


 

Posts: 16
Joined: 9/25/2005
From: , NJ, USA
Status: offline 		I added the weight... 6oz total under the horizontal stabilizer. Elevator is responsive (I did not take measurements of control throws, but I do have it setup to pretty much the maximum recommended)... My plane balanced on the recommended CG, but still had a tendency to tilt forward a little. I did not attempt to move the CG around at all so I may not be much help on how my CG compares to your CG @ 2.75".


I had quite a mishap at the field on Sunday...

I kept trying to flatspin and was getting pretty close. On one particular attempt I did not allow the proper altitude, I let off the controls just above the tree line but she kept spinning. I added a few notches of throttle and brought it out of the spin using all of the controls (anything I could do to level it off before I hit the ground)... I should first mention that this was VERY FAR away from where I was standing. The plane went level behind a bank, I could not see it anymore, a second later it reappeared. I could not judge from the distance how far it was from the ground so I did my best to keep it level and just let it land. It glided between a Red Oak tree and a nasty little thorn bush finally coming to rest on this old rock wall that divided the farm fields (had no idea where it landed until I walked closer to pick it up).

After about a 5 minute walk across the field my friend and I arrived at the "crash site" only to find the plane in one piece!!! Damage report was very small, a little crack on the bottom just behind the firewall and the smallest tear (less than 1" ) at the end of the wing. I used a little CA on the crack under the fuse. 10 minutes after crashing/landing I started the engine back up and took off using the same 13x6 Master Airscrew prop that I had during this whole ordeal.

This plane is either very strong or I am very lucky or a little of both. I know one things for sure; I bought myself a lottery ticket after leaving the field that day!


< Message edited by markmeijer -- 11/15/2005 8:09:31 PM >

(in reply to ArcherIIDriver)
       Post #: 33

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 11/15/2005 8:29:02 PM   
ArcherIIDriver


 

Posts: 71
Joined: 10/18/2005
From: Spring, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Glad to hear it survived. I haven't gone wild with mine yet, just a few loops, rolls & hammerheads. Before last weekend, I hadn't flown in over 12 years. (for those reporting their age, that would make me 16 last time I flew)

My flights this past weekend (including maiden) were uneventfull. Nice plane & very fast wide open. To give a bit more elevator authority, I plan to add more weight in the rear & increase elevator throw (a little bit at a time, of course). When slowed down for landing and about 3 ft off the runway, I found myself holding full up elevator which produced a nice slow sink rate and great wheel landings...no flair, but no stall either. Keep in mind that I did not use manufacturer's recomended CG. Must be way nose heavy.

(in reply to markmeijer)
       Post #: 34

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 11/28/2005 6:03:39 AM   
airborneSGT



Posts: 1468
Joined: 6/4/2004
From: Boca Raton, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Hey all, I want my old trainer back so I might order one up. My DP ultimate hucked into the ground ;( It was one sweet bipe able to elevator down to a landing, hover right off the deck, and flat spin something sick. I did all this with a saito .72 on 30% heli fuel, which is the only thing I run in 4 strokes. It was the .40 size DP ultimate....I would be an amazing builder to hover the normal DP ultimate on a .72 fs.

Would it be enough to fly this thing around something decent? The 30% makes a world of a difference as compaired to 15%. This will be the only nitro plane in the hangar and I build light (33% at 23lbs 28% at 16.5lbs) and just wanted honest opinions.

Also whats the average weight of this thing?

(in reply to ArcherIIDriver)
       Post #: 35

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 11/28/2005 6:10:14 AM   
airborneSGT



Posts: 1468
Joined: 6/4/2004
From: Boca Raton, FL, USA
Status: offline 		On that flat spin with the Decathlon issue...

Like I said I learned to fly on a Decathlon and I too experience this but always stayed nice and high to avoid a meeting with the ground. It would spin something nasty, and then continue to spin....and spin.

FWIW proposed setup:
Lion battery -3.5oz
Saito 72 on 30% heli fuel (Youngblood mix)
HS 645MG rudder
HS 225 MG elevator
HS 125MG x2 ailerons
HS 85bb throttle
Hitec 6 channel RX
2 1/4" Tru Turn spinner
JR 9303

More or less all the goodies out of my DP ultimate If this is built anything like my other Decathlons it probably has rods for the ailerons and rudder. Ill go for pull-pull on rudder, and maybe elevators to get max throws.

Yeah I know its not a 3D plane, but I like trying to tear the wings off anything I fly. Maybe I might go nuts and put a little smoke system in it.

(in reply to airborneSGT)
       Post #: 36

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 11/29/2005 10:15:00 PM   
markmeijer


 

Posts: 16
Joined: 9/25/2005
From: , NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Well... You seem to be far more experienced than I, so I am not sure how much help I will be. With the Thunder Tiger .91 on mine I have plenty of vertical. My decath weighs in at a little over 8lbs (sorry no sophisticated scales, just my digital bathroom scale).

It looks that you will be saving quite a bit of weight by using your existing servos and battery. I have Futaba s3004 servos, a 1400mah nimh battery. I have also swapped the fuel tank for a larger dubro 14oz square tank.
I should add that this fuse has plenty of room for a smoke system! This plane is great as it is, but with smoke it would just top the cake!!!

I am pretty sure someone else has a saito .72 mounted on theirs, I hope they see this and chime in.

My decath flew somewhat scale like with a TT .54 4 stroke, it now flys with authority with the TT.91 mounted. I have not been disappointed yet, this plane has done just about every maneuver that I know how to do, It literally falls into a knife edge as if it wants to fly that way, snap rolls are impressive, and I LOVE how smooth this plane fly’s around at 1/4 throttle. As I slow it down it just holds steady, no stalls yet. I have been able to hover it for about 5 seconds, but it is not built for this kind of flight so I was impressed! I should add that I use 10% Omega fuel. I am confident that with the .72 this plane will fly quite well!

Let me know if you have specific questions or need pictures or anything.

Hope this helps!

-Mark

(in reply to airborneSGT)
       Post #: 37

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 11/30/2005 2:53:13 AM   
airborneSGT



Posts: 1468
Joined: 6/4/2004
From: Boca Raton, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Checkout my flying video: www.airbornesgt.com

Thats my 33% sweet flying 260. Its really some tame flying as compared to what I have it doing now. I am not any good I just like to have fun! The first one I hucked into the ground on account of a bad regulator. It was interesting to see a plane rolling circle and not come out of it ;(

So that one in the vid. was my new one with a rebuilt DA that was just breaking in. I since switched to my Mejzlik 28x10 and its a big foamie!

Yes I certainly miss my trainer plane and my first nitro plane - which was a Decathlon. When I was learning I thought it would be easy enough to fly and land, but had enough to do some aerobatics.

Well I already orderd mine so hopefully its in my hands Friday. I might just use it to test out a JR 10channel synth RX. I dont want to risk my larger planes with that new rx.

Thank you for the imput! I imagine the Saito 72 on heli fuel should be enough. My setup is light enough. My Lion pack is like 2800mah so I will recharge like once a month...lol.

(in reply to markmeijer)
       Post #: 38

RE: Phoenix models Super Decathalon - 11/30/2005 2:54:35 AM   
airborneSGT



Posts: 1468
Joined: 6/4/2004
From: Boca Raton, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Mark - What prop are you running on your TT .91 fs? I am running either a 13x4 or 13x6 APC on my Saito 72 for 3D.

(in reply to airborneSGT)