Zippi

My Feedback: (10)

I pre-ordered the [link=http://ne-aero.com/2maquilaf3aarfarc.aspx]Aquila[/link] in the yellow version last night and they are supposed to be across the water by the end of August. We'll see about that. I'll be running an OS 120AX on the business end as it only weighs 9.3 lbs with this engine. That is plenty of power to haul it around with authority. After the plane arrives I'll be posting more info and pics of the plane.

ruddleto

I have nearly finished mine,John arranged to have it shipped to me direct from the factory as I am in New Zealand.,I am waiting for the header from Karl Mueller before I can finish it.
In case anyone was wondering the motor mounts inverted and the header snakes around the head and down to the pipe tunnel.
I put it together without instuctions with no problems apart from a few e mails and phone calls to John,by the way his customer service can only be described as fantastic and all delivered with a smile !!!!!!!
Ill update this as things progress.

Cheers ,

Tony

Tony

Zippi

My Feedback: (10)

ruddleto,

I was beginning to think this thread was dead. I got an email that said the boat is due in Boston on Sept. 2 so the planes may be shipped out a week or so after that. What is your take on the fit and finish on this plane? Post any pics you have of your setup and engine selection.

cweimer

Is a four stroke not recommended for this airplane?

Claude

NJRCFLYER2

My Feedback: (42)

I was involved in the test flying of the Aquila prototype, using the OS 120AX. There's no reason you could not use a 4 cycle engine. The main thing to keep in mind when selecting an engine for the Aquila is that it is designed for an engine in the weight range of the 120 AX, so consideration of CG with other selections should be done. The performance was good with a muffled 120AX, and very good with a tuned pipe on the 120AX. For perspective, I used it in Masters competition as a backup on a windy day. My Prestige had snapped a rudder cable and I had all of about 3-4 flights on the Aquila. It kept me in 3rd place and it wasn't trimmed yet. This was with a muffler, and it had enough to perform in 15mph cross winds. With the extra power on a pipe, it handles wind and the Masters sequence with ease. This is another way of saying that you don't even need a 1.40 size engine to get performance from this design.

Zippi

My Feedback: (10)

NJRCFLYER2,

Glad to hear the plane served you well. I am planning on running the OS 120AX so any pics of the gear and exhaust setup would be great. I was wanting to get a little time in on the plane before the cold weather sets in but I'm not sure if the plane is going to get here quick enough.

NJRCFLYER2

My Feedback: (42)

I have pictures from the prototype, but it was quite a bit different than the production model is for stuff like mounting a pipe. John's original design had no pipe tunnel, so after I had done a lot of test flying with just a muffler, I hacked out a pipe tunnel opening and laid it in with 3/32" balsa. Things that are now right in the production model were in the way for the tunnel in the prototype, such as the landing gear mount. The production model is really nicely done in this regard. The pipe tunnel is already complete with a fiberglass inset, which on the ARF version is covered at the factory with Monokote (in case you're just using a muffler). If you want to use a pipe, slice off the covering and voila, you're set to go.

This picture is from the pre-production Aquila I received in Feb 08, which was produced to verify the production setup for John. They got it mostly right, but it wasn't quite up to standards, so he had another one done, which proved out. This process has taken longer for him to get the Aquila to market, but it will be worth the delay. Do it right, or don't do it!

NJRCFLYER2

My Feedback: (42)

I forgot, I had a few more pics of the pre-production pipe tunnel:

Zippi

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NJRCFLYER2,

Thanks for the pics. Can you explain a little about the "floating firewall".

ruddleto

Zippi ,the fit and finish are exemplary ,I had the whole model together ie wings and tails attached etc within an hour of its arrival,alignment perfect.
I am using an OS 120 AX in mine, with an ES Composites 120 AX pipe.
If you have put a few ARFs together you wont have any problems.

NJRCFLYER2

My Feedback: (42)

You can slide it into the correct position to match your engine & mount to the length of the cowl, then just glue it in place. It's a very snug fit with the fuselage frame as you slide it into position, so it's not going to be easily knocked out of position as you work with it.

NJRCFLYER2

My Feedback: (42)

Some engine box pics:

Zippi

My Feedback: (10)

NJRCFLYER2,

Pics show it all. I get the concept now. Very nice way of setting up the engine to cowl clearance for the backplate. I have put a plane or two together over the past 20+ years. Can you direct me to the web site that has the header and pipe setup your going to use?

jlkonn

My Feedback: (1)

Does anyone have any recommendations for electric power?
JLK

NJRCFLYER2

My Feedback: (42)

I have a Karl Meuller header for the 120AX. He made it on request, but as I understand it, he is going to make a "standard" header for this model with the 120AX. I recommend you check with NE Aero to see when it should be available. The pipe I have is just a .90 size ES pipe. I got it used, not sure what the model number is anymore. I suggest going to Central Hobbies website to see their selection of ES pipes.

AAbdu

My Feedback: (18)

I was thinking the exact same thing John, That plane might be a great way to try out electrics.

jlkonn

My Feedback: (1)

Anthony,
I've emailed Dean Pappas a couple times about it but no response.
NJRCFLYER2 was going to ask him personally but don't think he's found out anything yet either.
It would be nice to know if it's feasable with this model and what equipment would be needed.
It doesn't seem like the full blown F3A stuff would be required but I'm sure not one to be able to tell what it would take.
Maybe someone will have some ideas.
Let's keep our fingers crossed.

JLK

J Lachowski

My Feedback: (46)

The website says a 10S setup with AXI F3A motor was what they had in mind. I have flown the prototype a little bit too. I am going out on a limb and saying you will need to go 10S with an outrunner like the AXI or the Hacker A60 series. Considering the availability of the True RC packs which are fairly cheap, it shouldn't be that expensive to do as a 10S configuration. I think the plane is just too big for an 8S setup.

can773

My Feedback: (1)

Unless you can keep the weight to 8 lbs or a bit lower 8s is not going to cut it.

10s will do it, but the F3A size motor is too big IMO, you can go 10s on something smaller like an A50 or 5320 maybe. Something up in the 250 kV range and prop it with an 18x12. You will save a lot of weight in the motor going that route.

NJRCFLYER2

My Feedback: (42)

John, I'll try him again this weekend. Keep the faith!

d_bodary

My Feedback: (85)

I have one of these on order also. Planning on a 10S pack from tru-rc.

As far as a motor goes. what about a E-Flite 110 outrunner with a CC85HV? To small to big just right? I already have the CC85HV also have a 5330F3A but listening to Mr. Moon he also thinks that the 5330 will be on the big side. Any other options for a outrunner? AXI something or other.

Thanks Dennis

Zippi

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I received an email from Northeast Aerodynamics and the Aquila kits have made it across the water and are at the Port of Boston. They'll still need to go through US Customs and Department of Homeland Security inspection and then be shipped out.

NJRCFLYER2

My Feedback: (42)

Quoting myself. Oh well. A few days ago, I received the production example that NE Aerodynamics has had for a couple of months. This was shipped separately to them to prove the final changes before the full production run was done. So now I have it and will be flying it this Sunday. Today I also received the standard Karl Mueller wrap-around header for the Aquila when equipped with the OS 120AX. It fits very well with a 2 1/8" drop. Some pics here as I go along getting it ready, showing a pressure tap into a Tettra check valve to pressurize the fuel tank a bit. This arrangement worked well on the Aquila prototype, although a VP30 pump tapped into crankcase pressure could be used instead.

NJRCFLYER2

My Feedback: (42)

The KM header fits completely inside the cowl. Some simple plenum work was done with 6mm Depron.

NJRCFLYER2

My Feedback: (42)

Radio installation & tank. The factory setup for the elevator servo mount was not used, in order to avoid any side to side pushrod movement.