Okay,
I just got back from my friends house where we are buliding the planes. We didn't weigh them but with no extra weight added we balance at 4-5/8" back from the leading edge at the wing root where it meets the fuse. It looks to me that were going to have to add TAIL WEIGHT??? to get a "3D" CG. The guys at Creek told us to add nose weight to get it to 4-1/4" for the first flights 'til we know what to expect. Especially since our control surfaces are maxed out for throw.

My friend and I are in a big debate as to how to proceed. I'm leaning towards taking the advice and adding the weight. However, Creek did say it would fly where we have it and could use dual rates to cut the throw down.

On the other hand, my friend points out that were not newbies and should be able to handle anything that presents itself. We've both been flying for a while.... just not "Large" 3D. Also, The RCU review states that he had to fly with his CG at 5" back and that it turned out to be fine and not maliciously snappy???

I countered that some things in that review didn't pan out for us.

Anyway, Whatever we decide to do will happen Saturday morning. Tomorrow we are going to take out the irons and smooth out some hanger rash and drill some holes to get to the low speed needle. We ran his engine up before it got too dark and the low speed was way too lean with no way to get to it.

Right now were running Mach7 (Cool Power) 15% heli fuel which is basically just 15% nitro and 18% all synthetic oil. I have a case of Mach7 "Super T" fuel (10% nitro, 15% oil) to try as well.

Joebob,
I guess I sound like I'm knocking the kits when I'm really not. Sure there are a few things that bug me but we got 'em for $200 each. If a few things are all we have to worry about then these are definitely a good deal. Even at the regular price I too would buy another one. Maybe when they get a new stock of Sukhois in I'll pick one up but the web site says they're also getting a 72" Giles. Can't wait to see that one.

However, Remcl is right, they really need to do something about the instructions.

Mhawker Mike,
Okay I understand. I don't agree either.

There will always be people that will be intimidated with other planes or aircraft in the air. Like you, I'll wait 'til free air. But, if the place is busy and people aren't giving me a chance then I'm flying with 'em. If they don't like it, they can land and do the waiting. What I try to do with my helis is just not do any of the hovering stuff when flying with others. I suppose the same would go for big airplanes. I find that once in the pattern and open sky you are just as hard to hit as the other guy. Mid-airs in typical weekend situations are pretty rare. Have you ever watched those R/C combat guys. Its absolutely incredible that with all those planes in air at the same time, in the same airspace, and intentionally trying to aim for each oither that they are not knocking each other out of the air like rain

Actually though, our field is pretty kick back. Usually when others or myself fly a heli, most of the others like to sit back and watch. The same goes when the big scale guys bring something out. It'll be neat to see some of the faces when "I" bring a large plane to the field.

Keep it fun,
Mike