Skymaster F-18F
05-29-2015, 11:37 AM
#102
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Castle Rock,
CO
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Thanks guys. I have the ordinance coming but will not fit it at first. I think the K180 will be good.
The Chief Aircraft container keeps getting pushed back as from what I understand, they keep accepting changes to their order. I am going to have it shipped air freight from the factory, but having trouble getting that accomplished timely as well. Trying to remain patient...
I am going to run the JR AXIS Gyro in mine. I have some installed on my Habu's that I plan to test next week.
You will love the xicoy CG machine. I have one and it is great!
The Chief Aircraft container keeps getting pushed back as from what I understand, they keep accepting changes to their order. I am going to have it shipped air freight from the factory, but having trouble getting that accomplished timely as well. Trying to remain patient...
I am going to run the JR AXIS Gyro in mine. I have some installed on my Habu's that I plan to test next week.
You will love the xicoy CG machine. I have one and it is great!
06-13-2015, 03:44 PM
#110
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuqBVsa6NJM
Found it! Looks great man, and you spent a lot of time in the air. I noticed lots of flap for takeoff, and it looked smooth on rotation. Looking forward to your thoughts.
Luke
Luke
06-13-2015, 05:21 PM
#111
On the Powerbox gear sequencer, I could not get it to work. Values would change after exiting the menu so I just shut it off. I first tried a Jet Model Products gear and door sequencer, but it seemed to work in reverse, when the gear went up the doors would close one second behind and it would catch a gear sometimes. I could not adjust it, so I had this old Jomar sequencer laying around and plugged it in and it worked great with the Xicoy electronic valves, it has two adjustment knobs that work perfectly, so now my gear hold air and work just the way I want them!
I'm getting pumped for this maiden, I just have a few little things to finish up and then CG and I'm ready, weather does not look like it will hold for at least the next 7 days unfortunately.
I'm getting pumped for this maiden, I just have a few little things to finish up and then CG and I'm ready, weather does not look like it will hold for at least the next 7 days unfortunately.
06-14-2015, 07:54 AM
#112
Yep that's the video. So as you could tell it was pretty grey sky's about a 6-7 mph crosswind to slightly down wind. I am more than capable of landing from the left (did that for 4 flights with the smaller jet I brought today) but with the fields I fly at 99% of the time we land from the right and being that I have no experience with this model I decided to stick with that for this flight despite the wind. It was definitely not ideal conditions but I was ready to get that first flight out of the way!
So CG was at 130, it did not feel nose heavy and was very solid at this CG, next flight I will fly it inverted and get a better idea on it.
Craig B let me know that he uses 35mm of elevator travel and the same 130 CG, his recommendation was spot on and I can't imagine using more elevator than that. I normally use about 10% expo on the elevator but I ended up with 25 since the elevator felt a bit sensitive at 10, keep in mind I have the modified stab arms that are much longer than stock so 25% might be linear......
As you can see in the video the take off was great and no pitch! I left it on the ground longer than it needed and I barely had to apply much elevator to get it in the air! I have added 1/2" spacers to the nose gear and a 3/4 piece of tygon inside the strut to stiffen it up. The AOA is not to aggressive looking and you can get a sense of it right before I throttle up for take off. Luke I used 35mm of flap for take off and 65 for landing. Ravil had reccomended 35 degrees which look way to aggressive for my liking, I felt that the better AOA and the addition to the 35mm would be good enough. I am better than 1:1 thrust so worst case if it pitches I just power out of it but that was a non issue (it might have even been slightly downwind...)
So the video is pretty boring and I kept it that way just to work out some things and to inspect the airframe afterward to make sure it is structurally sound.
The first 2 laps were trimming and trying different rates, the next 2 I added some gain for the Igyro 3e to help offset any rudder coupling if I needed it for the crosswind landing. I did a roll to see what the ailerons could do, spent a couple laps playing with the flaps and then landing. I can't say much about the landing with the wind not cooperating. The jet really kept its momentum even with gear down and full flaps, I was surprised how fast the first approach was but again it might have been a bit down wind. On the actually landing it was still a bit hot but I had been up for awhile and wanted to get it down. The jet was crabbing a bit and the rudder corrected it nicely without any aileron correction but the gyro might have helped out.
depite 7:40 from take off to landing I really only used the saddle tanks and the main was 85-90% full. I used 1/2 throttle the whole flight except for an occasional correction and take off.
Really want to get it into some normal wind conditions and clear sky's and see what she can do!!
So CG was at 130, it did not feel nose heavy and was very solid at this CG, next flight I will fly it inverted and get a better idea on it.
Craig B let me know that he uses 35mm of elevator travel and the same 130 CG, his recommendation was spot on and I can't imagine using more elevator than that. I normally use about 10% expo on the elevator but I ended up with 25 since the elevator felt a bit sensitive at 10, keep in mind I have the modified stab arms that are much longer than stock so 25% might be linear......
As you can see in the video the take off was great and no pitch! I left it on the ground longer than it needed and I barely had to apply much elevator to get it in the air! I have added 1/2" spacers to the nose gear and a 3/4 piece of tygon inside the strut to stiffen it up. The AOA is not to aggressive looking and you can get a sense of it right before I throttle up for take off. Luke I used 35mm of flap for take off and 65 for landing. Ravil had reccomended 35 degrees which look way to aggressive for my liking, I felt that the better AOA and the addition to the 35mm would be good enough. I am better than 1:1 thrust so worst case if it pitches I just power out of it but that was a non issue (it might have even been slightly downwind...)
So the video is pretty boring and I kept it that way just to work out some things and to inspect the airframe afterward to make sure it is structurally sound.
The first 2 laps were trimming and trying different rates, the next 2 I added some gain for the Igyro 3e to help offset any rudder coupling if I needed it for the crosswind landing. I did a roll to see what the ailerons could do, spent a couple laps playing with the flaps and then landing. I can't say much about the landing with the wind not cooperating. The jet really kept its momentum even with gear down and full flaps, I was surprised how fast the first approach was but again it might have been a bit down wind. On the actually landing it was still a bit hot but I had been up for awhile and wanted to get it down. The jet was crabbing a bit and the rudder corrected it nicely without any aileron correction but the gyro might have helped out.
depite 7:40 from take off to landing I really only used the saddle tanks and the main was 85-90% full. I used 1/2 throttle the whole flight except for an occasional correction and take off.
Really want to get it into some normal wind conditions and clear sky's and see what she can do!!
06-14-2015, 08:29 AM
#113
Thanks for the info Brian, I thought my elevator throw looked a bit much! I will mess with the nose gear and see if some extra springs I have will stiffen it up a bit. I noticed how it carried its momentum on final, very surprising, if I'm not at half throttle with my yellow F-15 with P-120 it falls out of the sky. I have about 1,500 feet of runway to play with, so getting used to the landing technique will be pretty easy after seeing yours! It looks like a great flyer, really looking forward to it and thanks again for the info. Please continue to post as you learn more about your plane.
Luke
Luke
06-14-2015, 09:39 AM
#115
Thanks guys!
Luke, I have a YA F-15 as well but with a K140 in it and it also needs some power to make it over the threshold. Keep in mind with the wind it was either 90 degree cross or maybe a slight tail wind, with some head wind im sure it will need some power to bring it home! I will add any more details from future flights but so far I'm pretty excited about its potential!
Luke, I have a YA F-15 as well but with a K140 in it and it also needs some power to make it over the threshold. Keep in mind with the wind it was either 90 degree cross or maybe a slight tail wind, with some head wind im sure it will need some power to bring it home! I will add any more details from future flights but so far I'm pretty excited about its potential!
06-15-2015, 04:06 PM
#116
Well, it flew and it is a great flyer! Much better than the F-15 and that K180 is more than enough, I did the whole flight at half throttle and it was moving pretty good. Had a direct crosswind so I decided to fly off the aircraft parking ramp instead of the runways, that left me with just 500ft or less of runway. I was not prepared for what a floater it is, maybe it needs more flap? I had the spoilers out and it just kept on floating with the mighty 180 at idle! Just rolled into the grass at the edge, no damage, I taxied back. Just have to learn how to slow it down properly. I did not listen to the 35mm elevator advice and had to deal with no harmony in the controls the whole flight, but that Canadian scheme is just gorgeous in the air, really easy to see.
Some of the flight was caught on video, I'll see what I have to work with and post a video. Here are some pictures of how it looked ready to go this morning:
I think I am really going to enjoy getting to know this plane, just beautiful!
Luke
Some of the flight was caught on video, I'll see what I have to work with and post a video. Here are some pictures of how it looked ready to go this morning:
I think I am really going to enjoy getting to know this plane, just beautiful!
Luke
06-15-2015, 05:52 PM
#119
Thanks Brian and dbsonic, it's a great feeling isn't it!?
I'm so happy it is a great flyer, just take my time and get it dialed in. I'm going to add flap in 5mm increments, they just seemed to be helping it float and not adding any drag. What I would really like is a big speed brake, that would do the trick.
Well we have a huge storm coming in over the Gulf of Mexico, so we could see even more flooding. I'll try and keep my airplanes dry and hopfull fly on Saturday!
I'm so happy it is a great flyer, just take my time and get it dialed in. I'm going to add flap in 5mm increments, they just seemed to be helping it float and not adding any drag. What I would really like is a big speed brake, that would do the trick.
Well we have a huge storm coming in over the Gulf of Mexico, so we could see even more flooding. I'll try and keep my airplanes dry and hopfull fly on Saturday!
06-16-2015, 09:52 AM
#120
Something current f-18f flyers may want to order and if you are building one now I would upgrade your nose retract pin, I'm replacing mine. It is easily bent by hand, very soft steel. The BVM pin is what should be included in the kit:
http://shopbvmjets.com/zencart/index...roducts_id=884
http://shopbvmjets.com/zencart/index...roducts_id=884
06-16-2015, 09:56 AM
#121
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: san jose,
CA
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I agree. The other possibility is a nice Grade 12.9 shoulder bolt. This is true 6mm shank and bit of modification and you can have several at 1.89 each.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#92981A107
http://www.mcmaster.com/#92981A107
06-16-2015, 06:55 PM
#122
Nice idea dbsonic, but I want to replace the soft bushing as well, just easier to get the BVM stuff and I know it will work well.
Had a few Hobby King light sets laying around and ordered the Dream Works basic light kit for around $12, not bad! lol! Just having those huge fake light areas all over the plane didn't seem right, even all the foamies have lights!
These little square lights are pretty flat from Hobby King, so I just cut a small square in the colored area of the simulated light next to the cockpit. With a dab of medium CA they are held in place quite nicely. I am using the controller from Dream Works, it has a plug in for strobe, landing, flashing and always on lights. Activate the unit when it is plugged into a channel on your receiver with a switch on your transmitter if you want.
Adding lights to the verticals will require that they be removed, there are too many ribs, a long drill bit will have to be used to make a hole through the balsa ribs. I don't feel like doing that at this time, but I may do it later.
Had a few Hobby King light sets laying around and ordered the Dream Works basic light kit for around $12, not bad! lol! Just having those huge fake light areas all over the plane didn't seem right, even all the foamies have lights!
These little square lights are pretty flat from Hobby King, so I just cut a small square in the colored area of the simulated light next to the cockpit. With a dab of medium CA they are held in place quite nicely. I am using the controller from Dream Works, it has a plug in for strobe, landing, flashing and always on lights. Activate the unit when it is plugged into a channel on your receiver with a switch on your transmitter if you want.
Adding lights to the verticals will require that they be removed, there are too many ribs, a long drill bit will have to be used to make a hole through the balsa ribs. I don't feel like doing that at this time, but I may do it later.
06-18-2015, 04:31 AM
#123
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Moss Vale, NSW, AUSTRALIA
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On the Powerbox gear sequencer, I could not get it to work. Values would change after exiting the menu so I just shut it off. I first tried a Jet Model Products gear and door sequencer, but it seemed to work in reverse, when the gear went up the doors would close one second behind and it would catch a gear sometimes. I could not adjust it, so I had this old Jomar sequencer laying around and plugged it in and it worked great with the Xicoy electronic valves, it has two adjustment knobs that work perfectly, so now my gear hold air and work just the way I want them!
I'm getting pumped for this maiden, I just have a few little things to finish up and then CG and I'm ready, weather does not look like it will hold for at least the next 7 days unfortunately.
I'm getting pumped for this maiden, I just have a few little things to finish up and then CG and I'm ready, weather does not look like it will hold for at least the next 7 days unfortunately.
06-18-2015, 04:38 AM
#124
Yea, I updated the software a few months ago. Now that I have the gear working fine and I'm not using the Perbox sequencer, I will probably just leave it as it. The powerbox sequencer just seems way too complex for what I want it to do, gear up doors closed, doors open gear down! I wasted an entire day screwing with it. Thanks for that info though.