Yellow Aircraft Mako Build Thread
#126
Thread Starter
RE: Yellow Aircraft Mako Build Thread
Jim,
Thanks! No, this plane was built for a customer, and I'm going to fix the CG and get it properly trimmed out then ship it off.
Gunradd,
YOU WERE RIGHT. There, I said it! I don't have any explanation for it, and as the field rep, it's a little awkward to not be the one with the best information on this, but it is what it is. What I can't figure out is why that CG worked fine on the last one....
As you discovered, the landing was SCARY tail-heavy. It was barely controllable on the landing, and I'm sure that if I hadn't goosed the power at the last minute there, it would have stalled and pancaked in. The good news is that there is a lot of battery weight in the tail to make the CG. Some of that gets to move forward, and some of it gets to come out.
I'm going to set up some expo, too, for the second flight. The pitch and roll were really sensitive, but I think the CG will relax some of that.
The total flight was 4:40, with the timer set for 3:30. I'll know later how much juice was left in the packs.
Thanks! No, this plane was built for a customer, and I'm going to fix the CG and get it properly trimmed out then ship it off.
Gunradd,
YOU WERE RIGHT. There, I said it! I don't have any explanation for it, and as the field rep, it's a little awkward to not be the one with the best information on this, but it is what it is. What I can't figure out is why that CG worked fine on the last one....
As you discovered, the landing was SCARY tail-heavy. It was barely controllable on the landing, and I'm sure that if I hadn't goosed the power at the last minute there, it would have stalled and pancaked in. The good news is that there is a lot of battery weight in the tail to make the CG. Some of that gets to move forward, and some of it gets to come out.
I'm going to set up some expo, too, for the second flight. The pitch and roll were really sensitive, but I think the CG will relax some of that.
The total flight was 4:40, with the timer set for 3:30. I'll know later how much juice was left in the packs.
#127
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RE: Yellow Aircraft Mako Build Thread
Great job Shuan.
So what was the AUW, Kv and amp draw at full throttle. My BVM with dynemax/scorpion630 kv with 12s at full throttle draws 70amps. However, someone at the air field said impossible to draw so little amps. I am going to check with a clamp amp meter again instead of the Astro watt meter. It's amp reading may be limited to 70amp. ???
I have noticed many high amp/watt systems here. The interesting thing is that the peak numbers only last for the first few seconds of peak battery life. After that the power drops off.
I, personally am now looking to see what the average amp/watt rating is during the 4-6 min flight. The CC120HV data logging (if accurate) is a valuable tool.
Again, nice job on the whole project.
Steve
So what was the AUW, Kv and amp draw at full throttle. My BVM with dynemax/scorpion630 kv with 12s at full throttle draws 70amps. However, someone at the air field said impossible to draw so little amps. I am going to check with a clamp amp meter again instead of the Astro watt meter. It's amp reading may be limited to 70amp. ???
I have noticed many high amp/watt systems here. The interesting thing is that the peak numbers only last for the first few seconds of peak battery life. After that the power drops off.
I, personally am now looking to see what the average amp/watt rating is during the 4-6 min flight. The CC120HV data logging (if accurate) is a valuable tool.
Again, nice job on the whole project.
Steve
#128
Thread Starter
RE: Yellow Aircraft Mako Build Thread
Steve,
Thanks very much. It's actually a fun plane to build, and although this one took me a little longer than I quoted, I enjoyed the project. I really enjoyed the flight (other than the landing). I doubt if yours is drawing so few amps, though. XPS says I'll be drawing 90 at full throttle. I got a lot of run time out of my ground tests. Over six minutes mixed throttle. I've got to tame down the ailerons and fly this puppy again with the correct (thank you, Gunradd) CG so I can deliver it RTF.
Thanks very much. It's actually a fun plane to build, and although this one took me a little longer than I quoted, I enjoyed the project. I really enjoyed the flight (other than the landing). I doubt if yours is drawing so few amps, though. XPS says I'll be drawing 90 at full throttle. I got a lot of run time out of my ground tests. Over six minutes mixed throttle. I've got to tame down the ailerons and fly this puppy again with the correct (thank you, Gunradd) CG so I can deliver it RTF.
#130
Thread Starter
RE: Yellow Aircraft Mako Build Thread
Hi,
So here's an even worse video (and this guy doesn't have a good excuse like the last guy) of the second flight with the proper CG.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhzXx2Mu0hs[/youtube]
Lots of crosswind, but a good outing either way. What would you estimate the takeoff distance as?
So here's an even worse video (and this guy doesn't have a good excuse like the last guy) of the second flight with the proper CG.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhzXx2Mu0hs[/youtube]
Lots of crosswind, but a good outing either way. What would you estimate the takeoff distance as?
#138
Thread Starter
RE: Yellow Aircraft Mako Build Thread
Aww,
You're calling my F-16 a FOAMIE because it's got a foam wing core? It's got carbon cloth over the core, so can we call it a CARBONIE? How about a BALSIE to honor the balsa skins?
You're calling my F-16 a FOAMIE because it's got a foam wing core? It's got carbon cloth over the core, so can we call it a CARBONIE? How about a BALSIE to honor the balsa skins?
#142
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RE: Yellow Aircraft Mako Build Thread
Yellow Aircraft,
I sent you a PM regarding the Mako with a small turbine instead of EDF (such as the P-60SE), please will you check and come back to me as soon as you can. Thanks.
BusdriverSA
#143
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RE: Yellow Aircraft Mako Build Thread
Busdriver,
Shaun is in production on a play right now and will likely be tied up on that for about 2 weeks. Im sure he will chime in here, but it may take him a bit longer to respond. Quick note, this bird flys great on a small turbine, the trick is finding room for the fuel. A centerline wet tank works well, but finding one is tuff to do. The BVM was the perfect wet tank (user modded of course). Hope this helps. Cheers.
Shaun is in production on a play right now and will likely be tied up on that for about 2 weeks. Im sure he will chime in here, but it may take him a bit longer to respond. Quick note, this bird flys great on a small turbine, the trick is finding room for the fuel. A centerline wet tank works well, but finding one is tuff to do. The BVM was the perfect wet tank (user modded of course). Hope this helps. Cheers.
#146
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RE: Yellow Aircraft Mako Build Thread
jedijingle,
Thanks for leting me know - I'll wait patiently for Shaun. I guess we all have to work to earn money to support our habit....errr... hobby!
Thanks for the offer Falconwings, the centreline tank is not my favourite attachment to the F16. I'm fairly handy with basic GRP moulding so I may try to build some wing tanks rather for the extra fuel. Is it true the saddle tanks are only 24Ozs capacity - in total? Shaun's site says 24, the 'other' site says 42, so not sure which...
Cheers!
Thanks for leting me know - I'll wait patiently for Shaun. I guess we all have to work to earn money to support our habit....errr... hobby!
Thanks for the offer Falconwings, the centreline tank is not my favourite attachment to the F16. I'm fairly handy with basic GRP moulding so I may try to build some wing tanks rather for the extra fuel. Is it true the saddle tanks are only 24Ozs capacity - in total? Shaun's site says 24, the 'other' site says 42, so not sure which...
Cheers!
#147
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RE: Yellow Aircraft Mako Build Thread
Busdriver I think the yellow conformals for the f16 are 32oz or 42. You need to remember these were designed of DF and 32 oz was a perfect amount of fuel. Youre going to be hard pressed to fuel in the wings on this bird. The wings are thinnnnnnnn. I think jettech makes conformals also at about 60 to 72 oz, but that is a BUNCHof nose weight at take off. YOu maybe able to mold some custon tanks. I think the jet techs have to go inbefore the intake due to their size, which makes them non servicible once installed. Hope this Helps. John
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RE: Yellow Aircraft Mako Build Thread
Thanks Jedi, I was actually talking about making some underwing 'drop' tanks like the full size, not fitting the tanks in the wings themselves...though the thought did cross my mind! I'm not sure how the plumbing for the underwing tanks would work or if the fuel pump would be able to draw fuel from so 'far' off. So I might still have to consider the underbelly tank or the jettech/mueller ones in the end...good thing the F16 has some nice big horizontal stabs for trimming.
Shaun, yes I did get your email and I did reply too, but I have re-sent it to be sure. Please let me know if you get it or not. Otherwise maybe we should just use PM's from here if we battle with normal mail. Thanks, hope the show is going well.
Cheers!