FEJ A-7 Build
08-04-2014, 04:30 AM
#27
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (112)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: VICTORVILLE,
CA
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Lowell,
Based on my work schedule and free time, I anticipate beingready to fly the A-7 closer to the end of the year. However, you never know, with a little luckand a few good weekends she may be done sooner.
Based on my work schedule and free time, I anticipate beingready to fly the A-7 closer to the end of the year. However, you never know, with a little luckand a few good weekends she may be done sooner.
08-31-2014, 02:16 PM
#28
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (112)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: VICTORVILLE,
CA
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A-7 Update:
The wings are nearly done and here’s the list of issues;
1. The spars are secured by some type of epoxy that grinds out like talcum powder.
2. The main spar support structure (carbon skins with honeycomb filler) is inadequate and will eventually fail
3. The leading edge flaps have:
a. Plastic ball linkage which will eventually fail
b. The control linkage is mounted too close to the hinge line to provide adequate leverage and will lead to flutter and failure
4. The aileron and flap hinges were extending out of the wing trailing edge with inadequate support
The horizontal tails:
1. The internal structure supporting the torque rod is inadequate and will eventually fail
a. The carbon/honeycomb supports have no wood inserts to support the anti-rotation bolts, which were loose
2. There is no support structure outboard of the torque rod which will eventually allow the horizontal structure to flex/collapse and fail
The repairs:
1. Added a 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] carbon wing spar that goes through the fuselage and extends 9” into the wings
2. Added a carbon skin/foam core spar that extends 17” into the wings
3. Removed and relocated the LE flap control mounts to improve the control arm leverage
4. Installed balsa supports around the hinges onthe trailing edge of the wing
5. Replaced the horizontal tail torque rod support with ply, lite-ply, and epoxy
6. Installing a carbon/foam spar from root to tip in the horizontal stabs
FEJ took what could have been an awesome aircraft and did everything possible to ensure failure.
The construction of this aircraft is so incompetent it borders on sabotage. Without modifications to the wings and tails, it is inconceivable that this aircraft will last a single flying season.
I still love the looks and size of the A-7 and the repairs are relatively simple. But anyone that thinks they can take one of these aircraft out of the box and slam it together is asking to become another tragic event.
The wings are nearly done and here’s the list of issues;
1. The spars are secured by some type of epoxy that grinds out like talcum powder.
2. The main spar support structure (carbon skins with honeycomb filler) is inadequate and will eventually fail
3. The leading edge flaps have:
a. Plastic ball linkage which will eventually fail
b. The control linkage is mounted too close to the hinge line to provide adequate leverage and will lead to flutter and failure
4. The aileron and flap hinges were extending out of the wing trailing edge with inadequate support
The horizontal tails:
1. The internal structure supporting the torque rod is inadequate and will eventually fail
a. The carbon/honeycomb supports have no wood inserts to support the anti-rotation bolts, which were loose
2. There is no support structure outboard of the torque rod which will eventually allow the horizontal structure to flex/collapse and fail
The repairs:
1. Added a 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] carbon wing spar that goes through the fuselage and extends 9” into the wings
2. Added a carbon skin/foam core spar that extends 17” into the wings
3. Removed and relocated the LE flap control mounts to improve the control arm leverage
4. Installed balsa supports around the hinges onthe trailing edge of the wing
5. Replaced the horizontal tail torque rod support with ply, lite-ply, and epoxy
6. Installing a carbon/foam spar from root to tip in the horizontal stabs
FEJ took what could have been an awesome aircraft and did everything possible to ensure failure.
The construction of this aircraft is so incompetent it borders on sabotage. Without modifications to the wings and tails, it is inconceivable that this aircraft will last a single flying season.
I still love the looks and size of the A-7 and the repairs are relatively simple. But anyone that thinks they can take one of these aircraft out of the box and slam it together is asking to become another tragic event.
Last edited by foster4u; 08-31-2014 at 02:25 PM.
08-31-2014, 03:20 PM
#31
A-7 Update:
The wings are nearly done and here’s the list of issues;
1. The spars are secured by some type of epoxy that grinds out like talcum powder.
2. The main spar support structure (carbon skins with honeycomb filler) is inadequate and will eventually fail
3. The leading edge flaps have:
a. Plastic ball linkage which will eventually fail
b. The control linkage is mounted too close to the hinge line to provide adequate leverage and will lead to flutter and failure
4. The aileron and flap hinges were extending out of the wing trailing edge with inadequate support
The horizontal tails:
1. The internal structure supporting the torque rod is inadequate and will eventually fail
a. The carbon/honeycomb supports have no wood inserts to support the anti-rotation bolts, which were loose
2. There is no support structure outboard of the torque rod which will eventually allow the horizontal structure to flex/collapse and fail
The repairs:
1. Added a 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] carbon wing spar that goes through the fuselage and extends 9” into the wings
2. Added a carbon skin/foam core spar that extends 17” into the wings
3. Removed and relocated the LE flap control mounts to improve the control arm leverage
4. Installed balsa supports around the hinges onthe trailing edge of the wing
5. Replaced the horizontal tail torque rod support with ply, lite-ply, and epoxy
6. Installing a carbon/foam spar from root to tip in the horizontal stabs
FEJ took what could have been an awesome aircraft and did everything possible to ensure failure.
The construction of this aircraft is so incompetent it borders on sabotage. Without modifications to the wings and tails, it is inconceivable that this aircraft will last a single flying season.
I still love the looks and size of the A-7 and the repairs are relatively simple. But anyone that thinks they can take one of these aircraft out of the box and slam it together is asking to become another tragic event.
The wings are nearly done and here’s the list of issues;
1. The spars are secured by some type of epoxy that grinds out like talcum powder.
2. The main spar support structure (carbon skins with honeycomb filler) is inadequate and will eventually fail
3. The leading edge flaps have:
a. Plastic ball linkage which will eventually fail
b. The control linkage is mounted too close to the hinge line to provide adequate leverage and will lead to flutter and failure
4. The aileron and flap hinges were extending out of the wing trailing edge with inadequate support
The horizontal tails:
1. The internal structure supporting the torque rod is inadequate and will eventually fail
a. The carbon/honeycomb supports have no wood inserts to support the anti-rotation bolts, which were loose
2. There is no support structure outboard of the torque rod which will eventually allow the horizontal structure to flex/collapse and fail
The repairs:
1. Added a 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] carbon wing spar that goes through the fuselage and extends 9” into the wings
2. Added a carbon skin/foam core spar that extends 17” into the wings
3. Removed and relocated the LE flap control mounts to improve the control arm leverage
4. Installed balsa supports around the hinges onthe trailing edge of the wing
5. Replaced the horizontal tail torque rod support with ply, lite-ply, and epoxy
6. Installing a carbon/foam spar from root to tip in the horizontal stabs
FEJ took what could have been an awesome aircraft and did everything possible to ensure failure.
The construction of this aircraft is so incompetent it borders on sabotage. Without modifications to the wings and tails, it is inconceivable that this aircraft will last a single flying season.
I still love the looks and size of the A-7 and the repairs are relatively simple. But anyone that thinks they can take one of these aircraft out of the box and slam it together is asking to become another tragic event.
08-31-2014, 08:15 PM
#33
A-7 Update:
The wings are nearly done and here’s the list of issues;
1. The spars are secured by some type of epoxy that grinds out like talcum powder.
2. The main spar support structure (carbon skins with honeycomb filler) is inadequate and will eventually fail
3. The leading edge flaps have:
a. Plastic ball linkage which will eventually fail
b. The control linkage is mounted too close to the hinge line to provide adequate leverage and will lead to flutter and failure
4. The aileron and flap hinges were extending out of the wing trailing edge with inadequate support
The horizontal tails:
1. The internal structure supporting the torque rod is inadequate and will eventually fail
a. The carbon/honeycomb supports have no wood inserts to support the anti-rotation bolts, which were loose
2. There is no support structure outboard of the torque rod which will eventually allow the horizontal structure to flex/collapse and fail
The repairs:
1. Added a 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] carbon wing spar that goes through the fuselage and extends 9” into the wings
2. Added a carbon skin/foam core spar that extends 17” into the wings
3. Removed and relocated the LE flap control mounts to improve the control arm leverage
4. Installed balsa supports around the hinges onthe trailing edge of the wing
5. Replaced the horizontal tail torque rod support with ply, lite-ply, and epoxy
6. Installing a carbon/foam spar from root to tip in the horizontal stabs
FEJ took what could have been an awesome aircraft and did everything possible to ensure failure.
The construction of this aircraft is so incompetent it borders on sabotage. Without modifications to the wings and tails, it is inconceivable that this aircraft will last a single flying season.
I still love the looks and size of the A-7 and the repairs are relatively simple. But anyone that thinks they can take one of these aircraft out of the box and slam it together is asking to become another tragic event.
The wings are nearly done and here’s the list of issues;
1. The spars are secured by some type of epoxy that grinds out like talcum powder.
2. The main spar support structure (carbon skins with honeycomb filler) is inadequate and will eventually fail
3. The leading edge flaps have:
a. Plastic ball linkage which will eventually fail
b. The control linkage is mounted too close to the hinge line to provide adequate leverage and will lead to flutter and failure
4. The aileron and flap hinges were extending out of the wing trailing edge with inadequate support
The horizontal tails:
1. The internal structure supporting the torque rod is inadequate and will eventually fail
a. The carbon/honeycomb supports have no wood inserts to support the anti-rotation bolts, which were loose
2. There is no support structure outboard of the torque rod which will eventually allow the horizontal structure to flex/collapse and fail
The repairs:
1. Added a 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] carbon wing spar that goes through the fuselage and extends 9” into the wings
2. Added a carbon skin/foam core spar that extends 17” into the wings
3. Removed and relocated the LE flap control mounts to improve the control arm leverage
4. Installed balsa supports around the hinges onthe trailing edge of the wing
5. Replaced the horizontal tail torque rod support with ply, lite-ply, and epoxy
6. Installing a carbon/foam spar from root to tip in the horizontal stabs
FEJ took what could have been an awesome aircraft and did everything possible to ensure failure.
The construction of this aircraft is so incompetent it borders on sabotage. Without modifications to the wings and tails, it is inconceivable that this aircraft will last a single flying season.
I still love the looks and size of the A-7 and the repairs are relatively simple. But anyone that thinks they can take one of these aircraft out of the box and slam it together is asking to become another tragic event.
08-31-2014, 11:25 PM
#34
This plane should be renamed from FEJ to WRF. It's great to see that you're able to reengineer so much of the plane. That's incredibly impressive and a talent that most of us lack.
Last edited by dubd; 09-01-2014 at 07:23 AM.
09-01-2014, 02:45 AM
#35
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dumfries, Scotland, UK
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
congratulations on wasting your money on junk..........FEJ apologists are a disgrace to the hobby if somebody gets hurt because of this junk there will be a lot of people on here just as responsible as FEJ for talking up this crap.....
fixing up this junk and flying it will only cause more problems as others may not know how much work you had to do to make it safe. this may then sway them into believing FEJ jets are safe. (even though nothing can make this junk safe). this will cause people to spend hard earned money buying FEJ jets only for them to fail losing thousands and endangering others........
congratulations.
fixing up this junk and flying it will only cause more problems as others may not know how much work you had to do to make it safe. this may then sway them into believing FEJ jets are safe. (even though nothing can make this junk safe). this will cause people to spend hard earned money buying FEJ jets only for them to fail losing thousands and endangering others........
congratulations.
Last edited by steph69; 09-01-2014 at 03:20 AM.
09-01-2014, 04:56 AM
#36
Now why will this most likely be the last FEJ aircraft I buy?? Not because of the issues in the wing, because this is all repairable although time consuming. I reached the limit of my tolerance when they (James) agreed to my request and only after I received the aircraft and spoke to James about the wings as received, did he say “we can’t change the way we build for one customer”, if this was said in the beginning, I would have had the option of agreeing or rejecting the deal with no hard feelings. That didn’t happen. So now I understand where I stand with James and FEJ and they will continue on with one less customer.
Last edited by Airplanes400; 09-01-2014 at 04:59 AM.
09-01-2014, 06:52 AM
#37
congratulations on wasting your money on junk..........FEJ apologists are a disgrace to the hobby if somebody gets hurt because of this junk there will be a lot of people on here just as responsible as FEJ for talking up this crap.....
fixing up this junk and flying it will only cause more problems as others may not know how much work you had to do to make it safe. this may then sway them into believing FEJ jets are safe. (even though nothing can make this junk safe). this will cause people to spend hard earned money buying FEJ jets only for them to fail losing thousands and endangering others........
congratulations.
fixing up this junk and flying it will only cause more problems as others may not know how much work you had to do to make it safe. this may then sway them into believing FEJ jets are safe. (even though nothing can make this junk safe). this will cause people to spend hard earned money buying FEJ jets only for them to fail losing thousands and endangering others........
congratulations.
Dude, do you like to kick puppies too? The OP is sharing some awesome building skills, put down the FEJ hate for two seconds and enjoy.
No reasonably intelligent person is going to buy an FEJ airplane from this point forward. Its almost impossible not to find RCU on the interweb if you have enough synapses firing in your brain to allow you to turn a computer on. For those who do buy them, they have more pressing intellectual challenges ahead.
09-01-2014, 09:30 AM
#38
A-7 Update:
The wings are nearly done and here’s the list of issues;
1. The spars are secured by some type of epoxy that grinds out like talcum powder.
2. The main spar support structure (carbon skins with honeycomb filler) is inadequate and will eventually fail
3. The leading edge flaps have:
a. Plastic ball linkage which will eventually fail
b. The control linkage is mounted too close to the hinge line to provide adequate leverage and will lead to flutter and failure
4. The aileron and flap hinges were extending out of the wing trailing edge with inadequate support
The horizontal tails:
1. The internal structure supporting the torque rod is inadequate and will eventually fail
a. The carbon/honeycomb supports have no wood inserts to support the anti-rotation bolts, which were loose
2. There is no support structure outboard of the torque rod which will eventually allow the horizontal structure to flex/collapse and fail
The repairs:
1. Added a 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] carbon wing spar that goes through the fuselage and extends 9” into the wings
2. Added a carbon skin/foam core spar that extends 17” into the wings
3. Removed and relocated the LE flap control mounts to improve the control arm leverage
4. Installed balsa supports around the hinges onthe trailing edge of the wing
5. Replaced the horizontal tail torque rod support with ply, lite-ply, and epoxy
6. Installing a carbon/foam spar from root to tip in the horizontal stabs
FEJ took what could have been an awesome aircraft and did everything possible to ensure failure.
The construction of this aircraft is so incompetent it borders on sabotage. Without modifications to the wings and tails, it is inconceivable that this aircraft will last a single flying season.
I still love the looks and size of the A-7 and the repairs are relatively simple. But anyone that thinks they can take one of these aircraft out of the box and slam it together is asking to become another tragic event.
The wings are nearly done and here’s the list of issues;
1. The spars are secured by some type of epoxy that grinds out like talcum powder.
2. The main spar support structure (carbon skins with honeycomb filler) is inadequate and will eventually fail
3. The leading edge flaps have:
a. Plastic ball linkage which will eventually fail
b. The control linkage is mounted too close to the hinge line to provide adequate leverage and will lead to flutter and failure
4. The aileron and flap hinges were extending out of the wing trailing edge with inadequate support
The horizontal tails:
1. The internal structure supporting the torque rod is inadequate and will eventually fail
a. The carbon/honeycomb supports have no wood inserts to support the anti-rotation bolts, which were loose
2. There is no support structure outboard of the torque rod which will eventually allow the horizontal structure to flex/collapse and fail
The repairs:
1. Added a 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] carbon wing spar that goes through the fuselage and extends 9” into the wings
2. Added a carbon skin/foam core spar that extends 17” into the wings
3. Removed and relocated the LE flap control mounts to improve the control arm leverage
4. Installed balsa supports around the hinges onthe trailing edge of the wing
5. Replaced the horizontal tail torque rod support with ply, lite-ply, and epoxy
6. Installing a carbon/foam spar from root to tip in the horizontal stabs
FEJ took what could have been an awesome aircraft and did everything possible to ensure failure.
The construction of this aircraft is so incompetent it borders on sabotage. Without modifications to the wings and tails, it is inconceivable that this aircraft will last a single flying season.
I still love the looks and size of the A-7 and the repairs are relatively simple. But anyone that thinks they can take one of these aircraft out of the box and slam it together is asking to become another tragic event.
Don't ever call this an FEJ jet. That would be giving a bad company credit where no credit is due. If this jet lasts 100+ flights, all the credit will belong to you. In essence, you will have taken a model that was merely designed for static display only, and turned it into an airworthy jet. A few people like yourself have attempted this feat, and have not faired so well despite their best efforts. Best of luck to you. However, you may still run into issues with CD'd who have banned FEJ jets at their events.
Last edited by Airplanes400; 09-01-2014 at 04:47 PM.
09-01-2014, 12:12 PM
#39
No reasonably intelligent person is going to buy an FEJ airplane from this point forward. Its almost impossible not to find RCU on the interweb if you have enough synapses firing in your brain to allow you to turn a computer on. For those who do buy them, they have more pressing intellectual challenges ahead.
You saw this thread, right? http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-j...-1-4-85-a.html Granted, the guy did come on here and ask, but he clearly did not find the HUNDREDS of posts on this topic before he asked - that is, if he's not just a troll...
As a CD, I would NOT want to get into the business of examining questionable planes to see if they have been properly modified - therefore, if I felt the need to ban a certain manufacturer/model, then I would not make exceptions...
Bob
Last edited by rhklenke; 09-01-2014 at 12:14 PM.
02-16-2015, 03:13 PM
#43
I'm with Invertmast on the plug comment. Buy the jets cheap, mod them, make molds and go forth and conquer. They do it 24/7/365 it's only fair. If I had the space and time I'd do it myself.
Love the A-7 by the way, good luck on the maiden and I hope you post vids and pics. I'd really like to have this size A-7 but until SM makes one I'm hanging out.
Love the A-7 by the way, good luck on the maiden and I hope you post vids and pics. I'd really like to have this size A-7 but until SM makes one I'm hanging out.
Last edited by Chris Nicastro; 02-16-2015 at 03:15 PM.
02-16-2015, 04:25 PM
#45
I'm with Invertmast on the plug comment. Buy the jets cheap, mod them, make molds and go forth and conquer. They do it 24/7/365 it's only fair. If I had the space and time I'd do it myself.
Love the A-7 by the way, good luck on the maiden and I hope you post vids and pics. I'd really like to have this size A-7 but until SM makes one I'm hanging out.
Love the A-7 by the way, good luck on the maiden and I hope you post vids and pics. I'd really like to have this size A-7 but until SM makes one I'm hanging out.
