[QUOTE]
Originally posted by PaPa-NeGeorgeo
[B]Thanks for the great reply sigrun, Just a couple questions:
<Quote> Make sure it's straight and that the ailerons are set neutral with the supplied gauge. <Quote>
What do you mean by this, i dont 100% understand.
OK. By "make sure it's straight" I mean ensure the wing is built straight and true and that the alignments and incidences are true as well. ie: wing and stab incidences along with alignment relationship of the wing to horizontal stab, fin perpendicular to stab and aligned with fuselage etc. The ailerons should be set to neutral with the plywood gauge SIG supply in the kit as explained in the Four Star 40 manual.
when using a dave brown engine mount does one mount fit both sizes the .40LA and .46FX?
No
If not does the different sizes have the same placement for the firewall bolts?
That I'm not 100% sure of, but I think so. You will have to cross-check for yourself. The 4045 and 4650 mounts are similar with the FX (4650) one's bearer spacing being wider. Although I suspect the mounting ring is marginally larger, I think the firewall mount hole locations may be the same which would allow the sort of flexibility you seek. Caveat emptor.
About the taildragger someone told me it was best to bend them in slightly so there angled toward each other, smart idea?
Unnecessary.
And does the taildragger only effect the takeoffs or are the landings alot harder as well?
Not so much "harder", just different. You will get significant swing on application of full power on take-off with an FX up front, without the naturally stabilising & steering influence of a nosewheel. If you don't anticipate and correct it, there is a risk of ground looping and possibly snapping that new wing in half or..... worst case scenario with a loss of directional control accompanied by numb thmbs whilst watching your fellow pilots scatter in haste.
Be smart. There is no substitute for good instruction. If you haven't flown tailwheel before, find someone who has AND has good instructional skills to demonstrate and instruct you in correct technique first.
Landing a tailwheel isn't much different from landing a trike. If you're using correct approach technique and flaring OK, after the LT/LA, the Four Star approach and landing will come naturally. You'll probably be surprised at how easy it is to land.
<Quote> The Four Star is a non-approach stalling kitten to t/o and land or fly slowly <Quote>
By this do you mean i should not make a long approach but rather turn directly into the runway? (sorta like a deadstick?)
No. I meant that it has excellent low speed handling characteristics, is capable of very low speed approaches and is not prone to what R/C 'pilots' refer to as "tip stalling". Just fly it as you would your Kadet. As you get used to it, you'll see that the Four Star is an incredibly versatile aeroplane. A word of caution about its glide however. Don't come in hot unless you have plenty of runway. It'll float forever, and if you attempt to force it down carrying excess airspeed, unless you do it so smoothly that you caress and kiss the grass, it'll bounce & balloon, which will follow a rinse and repeat cycle until you run out of runway.
Speed control on final. Just bring her in slow as you would your Kadet, transition the flare on cue, and it'll purr like the cat who's just finished the proverbial bowl of cream.
Im actually very pleased that i chose the .40 LA
So am I. I did at the time of my learning by cogent choice and I was similarly glad I did. I'm pleased for you that you recognise this now. It's a shame more don't realise the benefits imparted by the tools used and importance of
good tuition given in acquisition of early skills and habits.
All the best with your Four Star. You will absolutely love it. If you've acquired good throttle discipline in your training, you can throw the FX into it straight away. Just remember to select and use low rates until you're used to the responsiveness of the Four Star, and use the throttle to control its speed until you've adjusted yourself to staying ahead of its manoeuvreing envelope with the FX at full throttle.