ORIGINAL: XTOL
I beg to differ. At least on the one my student had it was
MOST DEFINITELY a 3 blade 9 X 3. Perhaps the supplied blade
was changed at some point in time.
No it's a 10x5. It's the same blade supplied with the Alpha 40. I have an Alpha as well. Both planes use exactly the same engine and prop.
You can check it out a Horizon Hobby web site.
If your student had a 9x3 someone changed it... and no wonder it seemed underpowered... though the supplied prop is purposely no screamer either...
The Alpha requires a good run to get it airborn with the PTS prop, as does the P-51, but both fair well once aloft.
I can imagine that the 9x3 must have been horrid as the plane would be way too underpowered with it.
ORIGINAL: XTOL
That flywheel is two ounces of steel right on the nose of the
plane. To balance he had another 2 ounces of lead in the tail.
Removing the flywheel and the tail weight and putting a good
prop made a HUGE difference.
Yes removing the flywheel does make a big difference, although you don't have to add weight to the tail.
I did initially add weight when I received my first PTS, to set the C.G. as per the documentation, then later found that it was not needed at all.
The C.G. can go back quite a bit w/o adverse effect.
Changing the prop also improves flight performance, etc.... but that's one of the draws of this plane.... that you can take it outside the realm of a trainer by doing the very things you've cited.
You can't do that with a typical high wing trainer.
ORIGINAL: XTOL
Its too fragile and too difficult to fly for a novice.
Mike Hammer
I can attest to it NOT being a fragile craft after having crashed mine against a large rock at one end of our field.
I also lawn darted a PTS at some altitude, and I was able to repair the damage to the firewall area with ease though a new cowl was needed.
Fragile? Compared to what? Most trainers are no stronger and usually quite a bit weaker in the fuselage and gear mounting areas.
I've repaired the wings and fuselage on a PTS. There's nothing more "fragile" about it.
The only thing that is needed is a bit more care in preparation.
It comes as an RTF, but it really should be titled an ARF with everything provided. Approach it that way and you'll do well.
This "novice" also managed to fly it his first time out.... 2 trips later I certified...
My 10 year old daughter also flew it after only one prior attempt with a small electric. She took to the PTS easily and found it easier to fly because it was so docile.
Difficult?
We have quite a number in use at our field.
Our more "set in their ways" trainers grumble when someone shows up with one, but they grow to quickly accept them... especially once the wind starts gusting as the PTS does a much better job than the high wingers.