U-STICK can HOVER
 

Hey, Ma-c-la-ne, here are the pics from this morning out at Markaham park. They're not the best quality, but it's hard to shoot pics and fly at the same time! :D

U-STICK can HOVER
 

Ray, here's pic #2

U-STICK can HOVER
 

I think we're there :)

U-STICK can HOVER
 

You're next, Bro!!!

U-STICK can HOVER
 

I'm interested in your setup for your U-stick...

Where's the CG?

What are your throws?

I have one myself and just can't seem to get it to stay in a hover... :confused: I think my CG is too far forward.

Thanks,

Bobby

U-STICK can HOVER
 

Bob, I've got my CG back to about 50% :eek: . You'll find that to be at the trailing edge of the blue stripe on top of the wing. I'm using a pumped OS 120 w/ an APC 16x4W and Wildcat 15%. I'll shoot some pics of my set-up and post them on here 4-u tomorrow. Lots of mods, increased tail surfaces/ aft mounted servos/ fuel tank on CG, just to name a few.

Steve

U-STICK can HOVER
 

Steve,

I look forward to seeing the pix... I've currently got the CG about where the manual states it should be... But I had to add 3oz of weight to the tail... which I detest doing. I've been considering moving the servos to the back of the as well...

I'm running an OS 91 Surpass that will pull it out of a short hover... It'll do it, but slowly... If I can get rid of the 3 extra oz's it'll be that much the better.

Thanks again.

Bobby

U-STICK can HOVER
 

Bobby, sure, your .91 should pull it out all right, especially when you get rid of that dead weight. But you'll need the right prop as well (15x4?maybe). Is your .91 pumped? Sit tight, when I post mod pics, I think that you'll like 'em. They're not difficult to do, and they'll improve the U-Stick dramatically!

U-STICK can HOVER
 

My OS91 is not pumped... and I think I'm swinging a 14x6 somewhere just under 10,000rpm...

look forward to your pix and comments.

Thanks again,

Bobby

U-STICK can HOVER
 

Hi Bobby, sorry about the delayed response, however, I think you might be swingin' too much pitch for 3D. Try maybe a 15x4 on that .91, and go w/ wood if you can't seem to get a few more rpm's. As stated, I've got an APC 16x4W on that 1.20, and it might seem rather small, but it's a heavy prop. And because it's a little under-sized, my engine revs-up RIGHT NOW! (you may need to x-tend your ldg. gear). But first, try to lighten up that plane. As suggested move all equip. back and as promised I've posted several pics of how I went about doing so w/out compromising deflection

another shot...
 

...I've eliminated the piece of hardwood that ties both elev halves together, and to make them swing simultaneously...

U-STICK can HOVER
 

...I've connected a 5/16"Dia rod from one side of the fuse thru to the other side. Nose gear blocks retain the rod...

U-STICK can HOVER
 

(just another view)

U-STICK can HOVER
 

...and nose gear steering arms, on both sides, not only hold the 5/16" rod in place, but also drive the 2-56 rods to the control horns simultaneously. And, the nose gear steering arm on the other side is connected to the servo that drives the entire mechanism w/ a 4-40 rod. IMPORTANT: The 5/16" rod MUST be filed flat at the point where the steering arm set screw makes contact w/ it.

another view
 

Note how 5/16" rod passes thru hole in fuse. In this view, rudder pull-pull is also visible.

another view
 

I could've simply added another servo to the other side of the fuse and driven ea. half independently, but this method not only kept the cost down, but most importantly kept down the WEIGHT.

IF...
 

...you decide not to remove the hardwood stick that ties the elevator halves together (which by the way would be your lightest option) you could simply mount the servo aft on the fuse, and use a 4-40 rod from servo arm to horn. However, as you may notice, that elev.stick binds w/ the tailwheel wire when deflected and that is why I chose to remove it all together. Notice deflection... :eek:

In this view...
 

...you can see the beefed-up area on the horiz-stb (hardwood), required for the nosegear blocks. Note battery also located aft.

ENLARGE
 

I also enlarged the control surfaces. Enlarged elevator halves...

U-STICK can HOVER
 

...and rudder, by using the supplied ailerons for the "non-crow" version, as extentions. lots of control area & deflection :devious:

U-STICK can HOVER
 

I've eliminated the servo tray (for obvious reasons) and mounted the throtle servo behind the CG as well, leaving nothing ahead of the CG but half the fuel tank and the engine.

Bobby,
 

I believe that if you change your prop, try 30% heli fuel, max out your throws, reduce the weight on that U-STICK (to it's minimum) and move your CG back to the trailing edge of the blue line, you will have a good starting point. Your OS .91 is quite powerfull and even though you will not have ballistic vertical I think that you will have enough power to hover w/ a little "bail-out" on reserve. I hope this info is enough to relatively get you there. Let me know how it goes...good luck. :)

Steve

U-STICK can HOVER
 

Man, looks like you spent a lot of effort modifying your Ultra Stick. I think I could accomplish the same thing by waiting a few months for the Fun World 3D

Yea, but you've got to admit...
 

IT SURE LOOKS COOL :cool:

U-STICK can HOVER
 

Wow! You spent some time on that thing! Wanna trade!? Ha!

Ok... You've inspired me... I'm gonna make some changes to the stick. Probably not ALL of those changes, but I'd definately like to get the servos to the aft and outside - and ditch the extra weight.

Thanks for posting the pictures and comments, it was way more than I expected, but I enjoyed it very much!

I'll let you know how it goes.

Bobby