3DownLow

My Feedback: (4)

Here's my latest project. It's taken over a year, 3 different motors, tons of fixes due to warped wing(sheeted foam core), bad glass work on the fuse and a host of other issues to overcome. Most importantly weight! If this plane was anywhere close to the advertised weight I would be happy, but it's not even close. Headed toward 9lbs AUW. And the fixes didn't help reduce weight. I saved about 5oz total using as much carbon/kevlar as possible. Wing tube, LG, firewall mount, etc. With the Cyclon Elite 24 being the lightest most powerful setup I could find(12.3oz @1900watts) I'm saving a few oz. right there. Still going to be a pattern pig at this weight/wing loading with some 3D thrown in. Would like to see 1-1.5lbs shaved off. Am starting off with a 6s, 20 x 10 prop setup and then trying a 7s setup if that's not enough. The Cyclon team assured me that 6s would be "creazy" power. Going to get it all buttoned up and go for some power tests this week and hopefully maidened this weekend. Someone else got a Z3D flying @ 8.7lbs (141 watts per/lb) and said it flies excellent. Still has a problem with high alpha I quess. We'll find out soon. I'll post some video as soon as it's dialed in a little. Should be interesting. Later...

3DownLow

My Feedback: (4)

Someone sent me some pics of his Saito 1.25 powered Zafiro. He says it weighs in at 9.26lbs and 3D's excellent. So there's hope yet!

3DownLow

My Feedback: (4)

Had my friend maiden the Zafiro today. Got a couple of flights in before the rain set in. Mixed results. The CG needs to be shifted forward for sure. Couldn't get the MK bellcrank elevator assembly to center, have to find out what's going on with that. Kind of porpised a little in spots. Going to recheck wing/elevator incidence again. Power wise with the 20 x 10 prop needs to go up to 8s. Not enough ass on 7s. [&o]getting about 1400 peak watts settling to about 1350 @54 amps or so. (20-30% more with Gearbox to the prop -so about 1600+watts) Target was 1500-1600. Will try the 20 x 11Wide E prop too that will load it up a little more.
The roll rate is crazy. Blake was getting about 3 rolls per second in the harriers! Rudder authority is good. Will have a better idea about flight characteristics after some more adjustments. Inverted stuff seemed good, still the CG needs improvement. Back to the shop, will try and update soon...

3DownLow

My Feedback: (4)

I got the Z3D sorted out and flown this weekend. Didn't have anyone to help with video/flying so there's no footage. Just as well. Not very happy with the way this one turned out. Had to go up to 8s with the 20 x 10 prop I'm limited too. Got 1750 @ 64amps or so. Plenty of power this time, great vertical. Unfortunately the weight has turned this one into a pattern flyer with a little 3D hovering thrown in. Rolling harriers great just doesn't harrier very well. Lots of wing rock. Tried to shift some weights around several times but still about the same results. If this plane could come in around 7-8lbs it might be a real performer but not @ 9lbs+. Too bad too once the CG was a little more forward, control was much improved and I think I did the best landings I've ever done. Wheels didn't even know they were back on the ground! Once it was trimmed the KE's were great-end of field to end of field with no corrections. Crisp lines and lots of power now. Just not overwhelmed by the 3D stuff though. Oh well another disappointing plane. That's 2 planes for me this year that haven't lived up to their advertising. Time to put this one up on the market and go for the QQ Yak 69". Anyone interested let me know will make a good pattern glow plane too.