RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46-.70  
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RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46-.70 - 4/11/2007 10:50:18 PM   
joshjonesjammin


 

Posts: 21
Joined: 2/9/2007
From: Statesboro, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for all the help guys!!!!! Right now i have the cg at 4.75 with the tank under the wing and the battery as far back as i can put it under the elavator. If i were to put the tank up front it would make it quite nose heavy full of fuel. Right now when i fell the tank the cg should not change at all. I dont understand why i have to put my battery back so far when my motor is lighter than the os 70 surpass. the saito fa 100 is only 20.9 with muffler!!! i am using the hi tec 225mg and have added no extras. It could be the bigger prop (APC 16x4 wide) and spinner.

(in reply to JustErik)
       Post #: 401

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46... - 4/11/2007 11:00:07 PM   
joshjonesjammin


 

Posts: 21
Joined: 2/9/2007
From: Statesboro, GA, USA
Status: offline 		And buy the way, what kind of weight are yall coming out at ready to fly (full of fuel and everything)?

(in reply to joshjonesjammin)
       Post #: 402

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46... - 4/12/2007 2:37:50 AM   
JustErik


 

Posts: 584
Joined: 7/19/2006
From: Charlottesville, VA, USA
Status: offline 		Josh,

I suspect the plane was designed to fly with any of the lighter .46-size engines, which typically weigh in around 16 or 17 ounces. When we put an extra 3 to 6 ounces on the nose, it's hard not to come out a bit nose heavy. My Reactor, with a YS .63, Futaba 9650's in the tail and Hitec 5245's in the wing, weighs about 5.6 pounds (5 pounds, 10 ounces). I had to mount my battery right behind the canopy to get the plane to balance at the very front of the recommended range. I'm prepared to shuffle it around a bit more should I decide to move the CG back. Honestly, adding tail weight is not that big a deal to me. Given the leverage, it takes relatively little weight to move the CG back. When you're tail heavy, however, it usually takes exponentially more nose weight to move the CG forward. I'll take nose heavy with a bit of tail weight any day.

_____________________________

"Toy airplanes are for people with more money than sense."
- My Ex-wife

(in reply to joshjonesjammin)
       Post #: 403

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46-.70 - 4/13/2007 2:06:19 AM   
Ernie Misner


 

Posts: 3161
Joined: 7/5/2002
From: Tacoma, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks Erik!

Now since regulators use a check valve in the crankcase (or muffler), they can still give good pressure, although they are not technically a pump.... right?

Thanks again,

Ernie

(in reply to JustErik)
       Post #: 404

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46... - 4/13/2007 2:40:41 AM   
JustErik


 

Posts: 584
Joined: 7/19/2006
From: Charlottesville, VA, USA
Status: offline 		You got it, Ernie. I completely forgot to mention the check valve. The Cline unit uses one for sure and I'm almost certain the Iron Bay unit does as well. I also forgot to mention the weight. The whole thing, including regulator, check valve and a couple of t-fittings is less than one ounce. The regulator alone is 17 grams and is supposed to be located as close to the carb as possible, so it adds a tiny bit of nose weight. The check valve and t's can go where ever it's convenient.

_____________________________

"Toy airplanes are for people with more money than sense."
- My Ex-wife

(in reply to Ernie Misner)
       Post #: 405

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46... - 4/13/2007 7:45:57 PM   
Ernie Misner


 

Posts: 3161
Joined: 7/5/2002
From: Tacoma, WA, USA
Status: offline 		>>>You got it, Ernie. I completely forgot to mention the check valve. The Cline unit uses one for sure and I'm almost certain the Iron Bay unit does as well. I also forgot to mention the weight. The whole thing, including regulator, check valve and a couple of t-fittings is less than one ounce. The regulator alone is 17 grams and is supposed to be located as close to the carb as possible, so it adds a tiny bit of nose weight. The check valve and t's can go where ever it's convenient. >>>

Dang Erik, you got me interested in the Cline regulator all over again. It's just a matter of time until I have one I guess. What's the downsides, anything? Cost, maintainance, etc.? Oh, and on small 40 size planes, where to find a place to mount it?

Thanks,

Ernie

(in reply to JustErik)
       Post #: 406

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46... - 4/13/2007 8:15:58 PM   
JustErik


 

Posts: 584
Joined: 7/19/2006
From: Charlottesville, VA, USA
Status: offline 		Ernie,

I guess the biggest downside is that it's one more thing to go wrong. Fortunately, the typical glow engine is fairly straightforward to run and troubleshoot so I imagine the incremental risk of failure is minimal. And yes, it's kinda expensive. Heck, the Cline unit costs more than some of the cheap .46 size engines out there. I guess ultimatley it's a perosnal decision, but for someone who likes to tinker and experiment with new things, it's probably worth the time and money.

_____________________________

"Toy airplanes are for people with more money than sense."
- My Ex-wife

(in reply to Ernie Misner)
       Post #: 407

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46... - 4/17/2007 7:09:09 PM   
rclement



Posts: 2493
Joined: 3/24/2004
From: Auburn, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Got my Reactor done and all ready to fly. Just waiting on weather. It looks great now that it's all put together. No surprizes in the build. I like the way the hatch comes off the bottom. It makes for really easy access. Nice! Anymore flight reports out there? The manual shows the CG at 4 3/4". Anyone found it to work better with the CG further aft?

< Message edited by rclement -- 4/17/2007 7:11:19 PM >

_____________________________

Any government, that''s big enough to give you what you want, is big enough to take what you have.

(in reply to JustErik)
       Post #: 408

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46-.70 - 4/19/2007 9:45:47 PM   
Buka


 

Posts: 68
Joined: 9/11/2005
From: Moscow, RUSSIA
Status: offline 		hi all

i am thinking of getting this airframe and use a saito 82 ... i am quite experienced with 3d and pattern flying ... i wanted to ask does this model actualy benefit from digital servos ... i am thinking of using cs-35 from hobico ...

any comments about the setup would be great

(in reply to JustErik)
       Post #: 409

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46-.70 - 4/21/2007 12:28:12 AM   
ltsprinter


 

Posts: 12
Joined: 12/31/2005
From: mobile, AL, USA
Status: offline 		Are the people that are building the reactor the instructions call for mini servos in the wing but is there enough there to cut out for a full size servo?

(in reply to JustErik)
       Post #: 410

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46-.70 - 4/21/2007 3:40:42 AM   
JustErik


 

Posts: 584
Joined: 7/19/2006
From: Charlottesville, VA, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: ltsprinter

Are the people that are building the reactor the instructions call for mini servos in the wing but is there enough there to cut out for a full size servo?


Yes, I think there is. The manual lists standard servos as alternatives, which must mean that all the openings will accept them with a little modification.

In other news, I finally FINALLY FINALLY maidened my Reactor today. I got in two flights and my first impressions are really good. As others have noted, there is a tenency for nose over, but because I was ready for it, I had no problem keeping the tail planted. I used lots of up elevator and tried to keep the engine running at a high idle when taxiing to maximize airflow over the tail.

After lining it up, I advanced the throttle slowly and it was airborne long before I reached full power. It took a little up elevator and left aileron (if I recall) to trim it out. After that, I started to breath again. I took it upstairs and spent a little time getting acquainted with its stall characteristics. It's very progressive and smooth. Inverted flight required a bit of down elevator, so I suspect it may be a little nose heavy for my taste. I think I'll move the CG back a bit and see how it does.....this will probably allow me to take out the up trim. I also need to laterally balance the palne, which migh help the left trim. The YS performed well and was reliable throughout both flights. It's running a bit rich, but seeing as this is my first 4-stroke, I'm planning to take my time and not do too much tweaking. The engine was purchased used and the prior owner said it was set up very reliably, which has proven to be the case. As I get a bit more comfortable with the engine and the plane, I'll see if I can refine the tuning.

Anyway, after doing a bit of messing around, I flew a few low and slow passes to see what it looked and felt like when setting up to land. After a few passes, I eased back the throttle and greased in the first landing. Yippee! I really hope it's the plane and not my thumbs, because I'm not sure my thumbs will be able to do it every time. The second flight was much like the first and ended in another very greasy landing. Daylight was fast fading so I had to pack it up. After a few more flights, I should be able to give a bit more detailed assessment.

This plane has been hanging on the wall, ready to fly for over 2 months! I'm glad to have finally gotten it in the air.

< Message edited by JustErik -- 4/21/2007 3:41:10 AM >

_____________________________

"Toy airplanes are for people with more money than sense."
- My Ex-wife

(in reply to ltsprinter)
       Post #: 411

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46-.70 - 4/21/2007 4:10:23 AM   
RobertC



Posts: 283
Joined: 3/6/2002
From: Redmond, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Congratulations Erik! It's about time!

I have gotten several more flights on my Reactor and I like it more each time. Very smooth and quick. The YS .63 seems to be the perfect power plant for this plane.

As for the minor issue with taxiing, I have found that holding full "3-D rate" elevator during taxi works well. Just remember to set your rate-switch back before takeoff! :O

(in reply to JustErik)
       Post #: 412

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46-.70 - 4/21/2007 2:29:49 PM   
rclement



Posts: 2493
Joined: 3/24/2004
From: Auburn, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Well, I almost maidened mine the other day. I got it to the field and all set to go anyway. Did some tweeking to tune the engine and did a range check. By that time a bad thunder storm came through and that was it for the day. Here's some pics.

Attachments
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_____________________________

Any government, that''s big enough to give you what you want, is big enough to take what you have.

(in reply to RobertC)
       Post #: 413