ORIGINAL: Axel40
"Fun to fly??" bet your ass it is
Mike, I maidened today, weather was pretty much perfect. Took her up, few clicks here and there for trim and there she was. I'm balanced about 5 1/4" from the LE at the fuse btw. AUW is 6 pound 4 ounces if I can trust my kitchen scales
Plane tracked wonderfully and I even had a few hovers 2-3 mistakes high but when it falls out the hover it just gently floats away on the prop, awesome fun.
I stuck to low rates for today (had about 4 flights) but I will be setting them high for the next go.
I made the mistake of going with a 14x4W (Magnum .70) but I will switch it out for a 13x4W (picked one up on the way home actually) as I was only making 8200 rpm.
I think I'll see an improvement.
These things can hold a massive amount of AoA, it's almost freaky
So much fun for beginners in 3D.
Anyway I can't fly again for 4-5 days or more as the weather is taking a turn for the worse from tomorrow but you can bet I'll be back out soon as it clears up.
Seriously, a great fun aeroplane, I can't get enough!!
My first UCD .46 was one of the promotional/introductory models, that I was fortunate enough to be in the LHS when the two kits arrived. I also installed an OS .70. I used an APC 14x4W with great success, but we are only between 600-800' above sea level. The engine performed great on Byron's 15% fuel. I got several other pilots addicted with this plane, and they immediately oredered theirs. My friend Jason (who now works for Hobbico) finally got his and started experimenting with helo engines and higher nitro fuels. Most of us ended up with Hyp .50's running between 15-20% nitro and either an APC 12X4 or 12.25X3.75W props. The later is a hardier prop if flying off grass. I usually fly mine on high/3D rates all the time. I put enough expo in the make it soft in the center stick, since I am an old, shaky man of 60.
Some of the top 3D pilots in our area have flown mine, and advised not to change a thing. I am pretty close to the factory recommend rates, but my CG has been moved back to the rear limits, which requires a slight forward elevator stick pressure on landings and almost no stick pressure to fly inverted and half throttle.
Don't go too far back all at once on your CG, ease into it. Most of us just move the battery pack rearward to do this. I started with my 5 cell AAA pack up by the tank, but now have it firmly velcro'd in the furthest accessible area behind the servo tray area. I don't fly with a cowl anymore, which also takes off nose weight on the heavy Hyp .50 and I use a light GP, aluminum back-plated, nylon cone spinner.
Glad to hear it has worked out so well. I would suggest leaving the wheel pants off, if you are flying off grass, and haven't reinforced the landing gear mounting system, since it will be only a matter of time on grass runways until it breaks loose. The wheel pants will go through the wing which is a PITA to repair and make it look decent.
Have a happy fourth of July,
Mike Boyd
AMA 7197