Originally posted by PaPa-NeGeorgeo
would like to apologize for bad mouthing the .40 LA as i didnt realize what this combo was cappable of)
The plain bearing 40LA (or 40FPS) and Kadet is the perfect beginner setup. Simple, reliable, easy to tune, adequate power.
A student
taught properly with this combo will learn far more than
dragging that huge drag generating airframe around with excess power in an envelope and at speeds at which it wasn't designed or intended to operate.
in the process of completing my 4 star 40 <snip> What would i have to look at when maidening my four star. What are the major changes im going to notice?
Nice (& smart) aircraft choice for transition from the Kadet. Now be as smart with the engine as you were with the LT/LA combo.
More on that in a moment.
Three things to look for on maidening your 4 Star. Make sure it's straight and that the ailerons are set neutral with the supplied gauge. If you haven't flown tailwheel before, get some hands on tailwheel instruction first, especially if you put a powerful engine (46FX) up front. Third, use low rates all round for its initial flights.
The Four Star is a non-approach stalling kitten to t/o and land or fly slowly, but turns into an aerobatic tiger on high rates with lots of grunt up front. Great aeroplane.
Ill probably be using a .40 LA but later move on to a .46 fx. Will these two engines be able to use the same holes in the fire wall or will i have to drill new ones (i really dont want to have to do that).
The LA will be perfect for the Four Star to start with. The FX is also OK if you know what throttle control is. I've had both a Super Tigre S40 and Enya 45CX in mine. The thing is a rocket when flown with lots of throttle with either of these. Although it will cope, they really are a little too much power for the Four Star airframe which is again, a high drag and slightly built wing. Flown slower with a torquier engine for which the airframe is designed is actually a better choice. The .46 undeniabley has an excess of power, but is better in a clean (low drag) sports-pattern style model. The LA will be perfect speedwise, but will probably disapoint you with vertical performance in this model as your skill improves.
Hope that helps. Several years ago now, but I've actually owned and flown both models, also being model numbers 1 & 2. Perfect progression. And no, the OS 40LA has totally different crankcase and mount width as well as longer hole spacing to the FX. You will need to both drill new holes in the firewall for width if you use the SIG mounts as well as require new mounts for the engine bolt hole spacing. A way around this is to use a Dave Brown mount which should (?) elimnate the necessity for new holes in the fierwall, but still require a new mount for the FX.
Have fun.