RE: GP Cap 232
 

I always try to start at the manufacturer recommended CG point, that's usually a good reference point. Test fly it and then get adventuresome and move it in the desired direction approximately 1/4 inch at a time. I had good luck when using the Great Planes CG Balancer on this plane, it works perfectly. Try to move heavy avionics parts (i.e. batteries) around before having to add weight. Secondly, if you must add weight make it a useful load instead of just dead weight. Use heavier batteries with much larger capacity in a location that will place them the furthest from the CG. You have to use less weight the further away your moment arm is from your fulcrum point, CG, or Datum as in most full size applications.

Specifically with this model I have noted the empennage is very, very light. Accordingly the CAP tends to be a tad nose heavy when you utilize a gas engine for power. So if you are using a gasser place all your servos in the tail, forget about the pull-pull system. Then try to pack all your electronics in the middle servo trays. If you like you can mount your gas tank further back (between the tank bay and the electronics tray), that's where "5 3/4" from the leadig edge at the root" falls exactly in the middle off. That way there is no CG change as you burn fuel. In my case I replaced the big 32 oz. tank with a 20 oz. one, but left it in the original position. I then mounted the smoke system at the C.G. point. The smoke system is a penalty of 16 extra oz. added to the dry AUW, but being placed at the C.G. eliminates that variable.

RE: GP Cap 232
 

SOrry i forgot some important details.. I am using an Evolution 26GT for power. It weighs 33ozs plus 5 for the ignition and another 4 for the Evo wrap around pitts muffler. I have the Fromeco 2600 battery for the ignition on top of the motor box and another 2000mah 6v up under it that is not plugged up because of interferrence from the ignition being so close, its mounted on the side of the motor box. The reciever battery is right behind the fuel tank which is up against the wall where it would b for a glow engine. Tryin to keep it at least 12 inches from the ignition. The rudder servo is in the tail. Just for kicks i took it out today and it did drop the nose past level but i hate pull pull rudders.. Suggestions ??

RE: GP Cap 232
 

Hi all.
Well, here's the progress to date. The basic airframe is done with all control surfaces hinged. I really like these hinge points. This is my first time using them. Pretty Idiot proof with the holes already drilled. I have the Spektrum receiver mounted mid ship, right were the forward rudder servo would have been, powered by a 6v, 2700 mAh battery mounted right on cg. The little satelite receiver is mounted on cg in a hard foam cutout that is glued to the plywood plate. It fits in tight but I Scotch taped over it just to be safe. All servo leads are zip-tied into a harness and hidden under the soft foam to get them out of the way and minimize vibration. I have installed the aeileron and elevator servo's and if I can ever get to the LHS before they close I'll have the rudder servo to install. In this trim with cowl, canopy, throttle servo, and spinner the weight is 7.7 lbs. After I add the rudder servo, Engine(Moki 2.10) pilot bust(maybe) prop and some trim enhancements I'm shooting for 12.5-13 lbs AUW. Should be a great wing loading with awesome power to weight, just under 2-1:D

Now, let the bashing begin:)
I'm playing guinea pig. I'm going to give the Cirrus high torque servo's a shot. After reading up on them, both pro and con they seem to have made some positive changes. At $35.00 with a spec sheet that more than rivals the big guys and 190 sumthin'oz's and .17 speed at 6v, well, why not. I will say on the stand, anyway, they seem rock soild and center everytime with no lag or searching and no slop in the gear train. If I don't like 'em I'll yank 'em and put them in my son in laws trainer:D. I'll let you all know after maiden.

Oh, hey sewerdude. My dad was the superintendant of the water district in the town I grew up in. I spent MANY a hot summer day at the sewer plant servicing and unplugging pumps and directing flows to the different feilds. When I became a plumber the crap was no biggie. Kudos!

:D

Check out the pics and as always feedback is appreciated
Rod

RE: GP Cap 232
 

It is somewhat sensitive. You are not that far back so as long as you keep the rates on the elevators at book throws, you should be fine. I haven't measured mine in a long time but I know I'm at least that far back. On an inverted 45 degree upline, if I let go over the sticks, it just stays right on the 45 degree line.

Do not let the throw amount fool you when you look at it. It looks so small on low rates, but it's plenty to pull a very tight 90 degree turn to a vertical line. I can even get mine to KE spin on low rates, it just looks bad. High rates, the KE spin turns very quickly.

Remember, a Cap's elevator is hugely powerful, tons of throw are NOT required, stay with the book settings

The Evolution 26 may not be to your liking. It has about the same power output as the OS160 but a bit heavier and at 12lbs, the OS160 just does 3D.

This plane absolutely needs a 40cc or bigger gas engine to do what it's designed for

You are nose heavy at whatever CG you checked it at

RE: GP Cap 232
 

You say the CG was at 5 7/8”, which makes it only 1/8" tail heavy. I am sure that exchanging the FROMECO LiIon battery on the engine box with a heavier, higher capacity (5 cell 3000 mAh or better) Nickel Metal Hydride will bring the CG slightly nose heavy. Which is a good thing on a maiden flight. Good luck.........

RE: GP Cap 232
 

ISee you kept the supplied 24 oz. fuel tank. Even if you are powering with a 50 c.c. engine you don't need nearly that much fuel. Only if you are using a gas guzzling 1.6 nitro engine that you may need that much fuel. With a 16 oz. tank that's a saving of 1/2 lb. from the max wet weight

RE: GP Cap 232
 

Well, with all of that foam at least it will bounce if anything goes wrong! LOL I haven't heard anything on the Cirrus Servos. Are they metal gear? That would be my only concern. I used all metal gear servos in mine due to the large flight surfaces. The torque ratings and transit times sound great. Should be plenty. Good luck!

RE: GP Cap 232
 

I agree on the pull-pull systems but sometimes you have to have them. I wanted to put the servos in the tail of my WH Edge but no such luck. I have to agree with Bubba on the engine choice. I hope you didn't buy that new for this plane. You could have stuffed a nice 53cc in there for the same price and put the servos all in the tail with more then enough power to 3D the heck out of it.

RE: GP Cap 232
 

I am not really into 3D. I just like to fly around and watch them land.I bought this plane cause it is gorgeous. My Evo 26 is a great engine and runs very smooth THe engine alone only wieghs 33 oz's and thats less than an OS160 without its muffler. Starts on the first flip everytime sure cant say that for any other engine i know of even the renowned DA 50 which is prolly what this plane willl end up with. I also can get 50 minutes flight time on a 24 oz tank. It was in my Giant Ucando. This is the first time i have had to use pull pull which i did yesterday and it balanced on the mark!! I still dont like it though but thats how it is till i get the DA. My little EVo 26 aint the most powerful but it surely is the easiest to start , just flip it forward and its running, that goes along way in my book.

RE: GP Cap 232
 

I bought one of the BCMA MT-52 Pros (3MM 53cc) and it starts the same way. The main thing is that you're happy with it. As long as it flies the plane the way you like to fly, it's the perfect engine.:D:D:D:D

RE: GP Cap 232
 

Hey Lou
Oh, yeah they're metal gear. Like you thats pretty much all I use as well except maybe on throttle. They look just a tad bit taller than the usual hi-teks but there is plenty of room in this wing.

Should get to maiden it as well as my Extra next weekend. Got to mount the engine and do some trim stuff. I can't wait as we've had high winds the last three sundays in a row(darn dessert):)

I'll post pics and final specs when she's ready

Happy flyin'
Rod

RE: GP Cap 232
 

Lou tell me more about those BcMA engines. I have read abit about them but no firsthand experience. NO one here will buy those odd engines so to speak. I have read some about the Brilleli engines also but dont know anything about them either. I am a believer in u get what u pay for, is this true about those engines or r they really a deal and a good engine?? Thoughts, observations?? thanks

RE: GP Cap 232
 

The MT-52 Pro is, IMO an excellent engine. I'm not sure if BCMA is going to continue to carry them but you can get one from Wild Hare or Dawghouse RC sold as the 53cc 3MM. They have a weight and power comparable to a DA 50. Even the guys who fly DAs and have gotten one of these say so. Wild Hare has them for $429 I believe and I think Dawghouse is $400. BCMA has sold out of them and I don't know if Adam is going to get any more in but I hope so as I love his EI unit not to mention his warranty (2 years on the engine and lifetime on the EI) and enjoy doing bussiness with him. If you'd like to see one in action here is the video of the maiden flight of my 16 pound 10 ounce Wild Hare Edge 540T with one in it. The hovers are at 1/3 throttle and the plane has unlimited vertical with 25 pounds of static thrust with the Vess 22A prop. Keep in mind that the engine in this video is brand new and never flown so it's not even broken in yet. It has a TBM 22X8 on it in the video as I had to get longer bolts to run the Vess. This thing would power the dog snot out of the CAP.

http://media.putfile.com/Maiden-Flig...e-Edge-540T-V2

RE: GP Cap 232
 

What happens if u do need service for them??

RE: GP Cap 232
 

I know all about those winds. I use to teach advanced desert warfare to Air Force, Air Base Ground Defense troops about 25 miles north of Vegas and 10 miles south of Indian Springs at Silver Flag Alpha. Just like standing in front of a giant hair dryer. Spent 3 weeks in a fox hole out there. NOT a lot of fun.

RE: GP Cap 232
 

Adam at BCMA services all of his own engines. Don't know about the rest but I believe DawghouseRC does the same. You'd have to ask Tom Fawcett about Wild Hare. I'm not sure if Tom is servicing them or having someone do it for him. I know I bought 4 engines from Adam and the few problems I've had he fixed right away. Usually by shipping me a new carb or EI without me having to return the bad one. Gotta like that. He's also coming out with a new 50cc this summer. Same price I believe.

RE: GP Cap 232
 

That sounds like my kind of people to deal with. I will check him out on Monday. Thanks

RE: GP Cap 232
 

OMFGGGGGG[X(]
REALLY?
Do you have any pics?

RE: GP Cap 232
 

Only one that I scanned. This is me in 1982.

RE: GP Cap 232
 

Hey all. Just to let everyone know my Evo 26 will fly the pants off my cap!! Hovers with a little pull out but not a blast off, but since i dont do 3d i am set. FLew it almost 40 minutes on 12 oz's of gas. Comes in a little fast so i figure its a little nose heavy so i am goin to change to a wood prop from the APC to lighten a little. The cg is right on level at 5 3/4 back. Gonna leave the battery on top of the motorbox till i get my spinner nut so i can attach my spinner so i am hoping it will come out on the money. And at 12lbs its funnnnnnnnnnnn ! lol thanks yalll :D

RE: GP Cap 232
 

Tennwalker,

Congratulations. That 26 problably doesn't even feels the plane behind it. At 12 lbs. that Cap will fly like a lunar rocket.

I expect to maiden mine this week. So far I have heard some reports the Cap is a real floater. Some I have heard some people are setting reflex flaps (Flaperons) with some up ailerons to kill some lift. I saw Jason Knoll flying his electric version and noticed he lands at a very shallow angle of descent (low and slow), but that could be a tad dangerous. Your CAP coming it so light have a much lighter wing loading increasing the landing problem. Good luck.

RE: GP Cap 232
 

Yep ur right it does take up some space to land lol.. no worries though i got plenty..

RE: GP Cap 232
 

Go to page 9 on this thread. I put my mixes in there some time ago for Bubba to get the lift out for landing. Works great. Once you set them try them at altitude to make sure you have the same settings as me and get the same effect.

RE: GP Cap 232
 

And they work well. I do not use them all the time but in a strong head wind they really shine. I use them in that situation where I will come in about 2 inches over the ground and all but stop the plane in the headwind, then I'll hit the spoileron switch and the plane just sets down smooth as silk.

Cools as all heck to watch

RE: GP Cap 232
 

I see everybody has been taking a break from the thread. Anyway, I finally, yes finally got the Cap all done . Ended up going with 5985 servos. I had 645's on the ele and ailerions. Couldnt get 2 of the servos to center for the life of me. So, I just went with the 5985's all around, I know its a tad overkil. I broke the 160 fx in tonight out in the yard. I'm sure the neighbors love me now. The 160 runs great, lots of power, more than I thought. After a few tanks I got the idle set and the transition set, its good to go. I didnt have abit of trouble running this engine from rich to lean during breakin, even with the Brisson muffler. I backed it off from peak rpm a couple of hundred and lifted the nose straight up in the air and it didnt miss a beat. Guess I owe Bubba for that, the 1/8" fuel line did the trick. I'll maiden it within the next couple of days............Now its on to the Aeroworks Yak- DA powered. Hopefully it wont take me as near as long as the Cap did. Sometimes life just gets in the way I guess:D