RE: Postal Plane Project

RE: Postal Plane Project (Full Version)

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BMatthews -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/1/2008 4:06 AM)
Something is likely pressing up against the elevator and forcing the servo and making that gear or two fail or the jittering in shipment is rubbing the wiper on the feedback pot element. Either way the elevator likely needs to be cleared of any contact or locked. The easy fix would be to disconnect the elevator pushrod from the servo or the control horn.

hogflyer -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/1/2008 6:09 PM)
I got to fly Grace for 3 short flights yesterday, but it didn’t all go as planned. First let me say she’s a great flyer. Just a firm toss it’s off in a nice wings level climb – even though I had to do a cross wind launch in a 7 mph breeze. I found it was docile on the rates listed on the box (which I set as low rates), but was a lot more fun when I went to high rates. Snaps and spins are a blast! Only one other person out there had flown 1/2A before and everybody was very surprised how well it flew and how fast it was when the engine ran right. I think they where expecting something like that flitters and was as fast as a power glider. But these where very short flights. I couldn’t keep the engine running for more than a couple of minutes (longest flight was 4 minutes), and it was very difficult to start since the snapstart assembly is missing. The engine acts like it wants to constantly go from rich to lean. The needle was set 2-3/4 turns open for the nose to be tilted up or down with no change in speed, but after about 15 seconds it would act up. I have fresh 1/2A fuel that others I know have used this brand with no problems, and I even added an extra ounce of Sig Castor to the quart of fuel. There appears to be air bubbles in the fuel line, but there aren’t any holes that can be seen. I’ll replace it anyway just to be sure. I’ll also pull the backplate off and make sure the needle valve, fuel nipple and screen are not blocked. The compression also doesn’t seem to be that strong, or as strong as I thought it should be, and not nearly as good as my Black Widow or QRC. It just doesn’t have that good pop when flipping it over. The weather here is forecast to be windy (upper 20’s to mid 30’s with gusts into the 40’s) for the next few days, and cold. Hopefully it’ll clear out early next week and I’ll get another chance to fly it. My camera man should be able to make it out to the field then and hopefully get some video of it. I have some Sullivan 1/2A fuel tubing – should I use that instead of the standard fuel tubing that it looks like it has? Hogflyer

chevy43 -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/1/2008 6:26 PM)
I think you need to set it richer. As I recall at least 3 turns. It should run rich when it is level and speed up when you point the nose vertical. Set it to run well with the nose vertical and don't worry about the rich at level. There is plenty of fuel and it gets leaner as it flies anyway. We had it where it flew like a control line plane. 4 cycling going down and 2 cycling when climbing. A half A starter will really make life easier too.

hogflyer -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/6/2008 4:14 AM)
Weather is supposed to be decent tomorrow afternoon - mid 40's and winds under 10 mph. Sounds like a flying day to me. I shot some fuel through the nipple with the needle valve out to try and clear any dirt from it but didn't want to try and run it tonight after dark. I can also pull the backplate and see if the reed is clean if needed at the field. I replaced the fuel line with some medium sized fuel (same size as was there) and couldn't see any holes in the old one, so into the parts bag it went. I'm also going to take a spare Sure Start with me. If Grace's engine doesn't want to run right I'll see what a new SS will do. One question - in case I do change engines, what is the run-in procedure for a SS? Its been so long since I've run a new one I don't remember. Hogflyer

dieFluggeister -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/7/2008 2:22 PM)
I dont know of a run-in procedure per se, I just always run it blubbery rich for a tank or so at first and then just run-em. Be sure to check the fuel line inside the tank Hogflyer. Sometimes the brass tube is sharp and will wear the pickup line at the attachment.

hogflyer -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/7/2008 4:01 PM)
After changing the fuel line and engine, it got 5 good flights with 2 pilots yesterday with no surging issues like before, and all the flights where with ½ oz. of fuel in it. I’m going to put the original engine back on and fly it as I think the fuel line between the tank and engine was the problem. If this is the case I’ll pitch the old fuel line (or do you want to keep that as a souvenir DF?) and put a spare line in the part bag for the future. I hope to fly it again Sunday as the winds will be less than 10 mph and temps mid to upper 40’s and get some good video of it. The other pilot besides my self is one of the best IMAC pilots in the midwest, Loren Tregalles. He made it look like it was on rails and said it flies just like the 1/2A Honker does. I tried to get my camera man to fly it but he declined – he has this thing about not wanting to fly somebody else’s plane and wrecking it. DF – would you like me to check the piston/rod for play and reset it if it needed while I have the engine off the plane? Hogflyer

dieFluggeister -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/7/2008 8:00 PM)
ProBroJoe might have done that but it never hurts to snug it up. Not everyone has a reset tool. Thats cool you got Loren give it a try!

layback2 -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/8/2008 4:44 PM)
I have a reset tool i will donate for grace all i need is the next person inline to send it to before grace gets there can add to her bag let me know

Andrew -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/8/2008 5:10 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: hogflyer <snip> .... I couldn’t keep the engine running for more than a couple of minutes (longest flight was 4 minutes), and it was very difficult to start since the snapstart assembly is missing. I'll send a snapstart -- spring and plastic ratchet -- I just need to know the next location.

hogflyer -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/9/2008 5:35 AM)
dieFluggeister can verify it, but from the roster on the Crow River web site, Grace should be heading out to ebeneezer3 in Tucumcari, NM. I'll be getting his address this week and will pass that on layback2 and Andrew when I have it. Winds are forecast to be about 6 mph tomorrow with temps in the upper 50's so I hope to get several more flights on Grace, and there are a few more pilots who would like to get a chance to fly her. Hogflyer

ProBroJoe -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/9/2008 3:23 PM)
Sorry about the snap start guys. Even though that was a new SureStart that I installed, I removed the starter spring / ratchet because that's the way Grace was already set-up, and frankly I can't stand those darn things buzzing and grinding away as the engine's running. Also, I've heard there's 3-400 RPM to be had without it, and with that much friction I believe it! Oh, regarding the ball socket, it was pretty good out of the pack so I didn't touch it, but I completely forgot to check it before I sent Grace on her way - sorry. [:o] -Joe

hogflyer -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/9/2008 6:34 PM)
Grace has serious engine issues. I went and checked the ball/socket (before I read ProBorJoe's post) and there was almost 1/16" travel up and down[X(], and lots of side to side movement also. I've been slowly trying to tighten up the socket and kept fitting piston back in the cylinder to make sure it doesn't mushroom. Right now it's starting to get some drag on the top of the stroke and there is still too much travel in the rod. At this point I think she'll need at minimum a new piston/rod. By comparison my new SS had almost no play when new comapred to Grace's engine, and when I tightened up the socket it was solid in the socket with no play yet not too tight. I'm afraid to try and tighten up the socket any more for fear of mushrooming the piston to the point it won't fit the cylinder[&o]. I think this is one of the infamous soft piston engines Estes/Cox is known for. My problem is I have only one Sure Start, and that's the replacement for my worn out and bent QRC, so does anybody have a spare piston/rod or Sure Start? Right now I'm getting ready to head out to fly Grace and see how the engine runs with the socket tightened up a bit and the new fuel line on it. Hogflyer

dieFluggeister -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/9/2008 8:11 PM)
I can swap you out a new SS for the one you put on Grace a while ago. I have a couple laying around.

hogflyer -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/12/2008 5:12 PM)
Here's a repost since the previous post was deleted.................RCU system issues? Well, it looks like the winds and weather will not cooperate through the weekend so, as much as I’d like to get a few more flights on her I guess I'll get Grace ready to send on. I believe ebeneezer3 is next up on the list. This is such a fun flying little plane I hate to send her off – 7 flights are just not enough (I will make another attempt tomorrow as winds are forecast to be 10 mph, but this not the best time of year in this area to fly a light weight 1/2A model). With the controls set up as recommended on the box it has proven a docile, fun flying plane and can be handled by somebody who is capable of taking-off/landing a trainer. But since most of my flying was on high rates it was a lot of fun. A Grace project is definitely on the “to be built” list. I put my SS back on Grace to send her off with. It has six 6-minute runs (1/2 oz each run) on it and I reset the socket before I first started it, so that should be OK for a while. Hogflyer

dieFluggeister -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/13/2008 3:28 PM)
Looks like Spring is coming and fairer weather is on the way! My wife has already started planning on me being gone the first few nice days! A few housekeeping issues... Sounds like general wear and tear are starting to add up so as part of the SOP for shipping, be sure to disconnect the clevises at the servo end for shipping to reduce damage. (could someone write that in the box please?) Hogflyer is making marks on the horns for quick re-connect. Also, since SureStart motors dont have a thrust washer they don't take kindly to electric starters. I will send along a zero drag spring starter to the next recipient but if you HAVE to use an electric starter, just give it a bump. Most of all, my personal thanks to all of you who have put in extra time and donated parts to keeping Grace in good order! Thanks for taking time to post pics and video too. It all takes time, effort, and even a little $. This is exactly why I love 1/2A - it's more about the people than the planes. You guys are the real deal.[sm=teeth_smile.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

hogflyer -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/18/2008 4:36 AM)
Grace has received some updates. I’ve just installed a set of HS-65HB servo’s to replace the HS-55’s that don’t seem to last very long. I’m not sure if its shipping damage or flight loads getting to the HS-55’s, but these should last through the rest of the travels and adventures. I reset the socket on the engine that was on it and after a couple of short (1 minute or less) runs the socket had loosened up as bad as before, so I’ve reinstalled my Sure Start with a new fuel line. This engine had the socket reset before it was first started and currently has 5 runs of about 6 minutes each. The balance has shifted slightly with the new servos and now sits at the aft limit but should be OK, and anybody who gets her will have to balance anyway. I left everything in the same position and have a Berg MicroStamp 4L receiver installed. The new servo’s sit a bit higher which puts some drag on the control rods, but I didn’t want to get into surgery on the structure to move the up 1/16”. I did 5 flights with a ½ ounce of fuel (about 6 minutes each) and the battery was going to be good for at least 5 more flights with the HS-55’s, so it should be fine with the new servos. I’ve marked the fuselage sides where the neutral points for the servos are to assist in setup after reassembly. Now if the winds would just die down from the forecast 23 mph I’d test fly her. But the way it looks that won’t happen any time soon so she may go out with out a test flight on the new servos. Hogflyer

Bipe Flyer -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/22/2008 8:55 PM)
I just got a PM from Hogflyer about sending the plane to me next. Does anyone think that the fuel residue will cause any issues at the border? Do you guys think that maybe we should group the Canadians together and put us last on the list to minimize the cross border shipments?

layback2 -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/23/2008 2:20 AM)
That maybe something to think about customs may have a ball wondering about the fuel smell

dieFluggeister -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/26/2008 2:56 PM)
I've carried planes through airports, x-ray machines, and past the TSA without so much as a second glance. As long as the tank is well drained there is not enough residue to worry about. Alcohol evaporates and just the castor remains. Besides - my name is all over that thing... If anyone is going to a Canadian prison it would be me! (must remember never to drop the maple syrup) I think Japanman is coming up on the roster fast - that's the shipment I'm looking forward to. Hey Bipe, I wanted to send a zero drag starter to you to include in the kit. Gimme a PM with your address?

vicman -> RE: Postal Plane Project (3/27/2008 4:35 AM)
Wow, I don't know if I am cool with my name on it now or not? LOL Are you guys signing the box too? It is really cool to see this thing go around.

hogflyer -> RE: Postal Plane Project (4/3/2008 12:06 AM)
After not hearing back from ebeneezer3, I contact Bipe Flyer and the first international journey has started - Grace is off to Canada in the caring hands of the USPS. Here's a couple more pictures - one shows how I disconnected the pushrods from the new servos to prevent damage, and for those who haven't see how everything looks packed in, a picture of Grace in the shipping container. Hogflyer

vicman -> RE: Postal Plane Project (4/3/2008 4:51 AM)
Awsome! I love seeing pics of a plane that went across my bench and to freinds a year later. Keep it going!

somegeek -> RE: Postal Plane Project (4/3/2008 7:57 AM)
Anyone mapped the route this plane has taken on Google maps? Would be cool to see where this has been! somegeek

Bipe Flyer -> RE: Postal Plane Project (4/3/2008 9:03 AM)
Got your PM, Hogflyer. Looking forward to receiving this baby and giving her a flight. It's pretty cool how everyone is signing the inside of the box.

hogflyer -> RE: Postal Plane Project (4/3/2008 2:10 PM)
Somegeek, dieFluggeister has a small section set up on his clubs website: Crow River RC He even has a map of the journey. Bipe, Not only has the box been signed, but the wing also. Only problem with the wing is some of the signatures are slowly wearing off in the center portions, even with gentle wiping. I avoiding use any cleaner where the signatures are just to try and preserve them, just some alcohol where I signed the wing. Vicman, I just checked some dates on the project – hard to believe it’s been almost a year and a half since DF first suggested it, and now she's heading to Canada. Concept and design: November 2006 Prototype built and flown: December 2006 Grace built, flown and on her way: September. 2007 First trip out of the US - to Canada: March 2008 Considering the traveling and amount of flight time she's holding up quite well. I think the box may give out before the airframe does. Hogflyer

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