Mavric,

I did the same thing (cut a hole for outboard side of axle to go thru) and it keeps the wheel pants from flopping around on our rough pavement. Just go fly; have you broken in your DLE-20 yet? Enjoy the plane...

i put a 8 oz tank in it and so far only have 3 tanks through the dle 20, so its not even close to broke in. it was running great on the ground with no cowl. with the cowl on in the air it seemed to have a slight lean spot in the mid range. i gotta work on the tuning a bit more but i went for a quick flight anyways and i am not a real big fan of the way this plane flys. keep in mind i am coming from an uproar 40, so i realize this plane is going to fly a lot different. maybe some of you more experienced guys will have some suggestions to help me get it fly more like i want. the biggest thing i didnt like is when cut the throttle to idle (i left the elevator where it was for straight and level flight) when i was coming in to land the noise would pitch up and the plane would slow down but it was real hard for me to get it to lose any altitude. as soon as i cut the throttle the nose would instantly pitch up, do i need less down thrust maybe? my first landing was a bit hard. my left wing stalled about 3 ft above the ground. i dont think the other wing tip touched the ground but i defiantly landed hard all on the one side, but the carbon fiber seems to have soaked it all up with out a problem. my dad got videos of it all but hasn't emailed it to me yet.

Mavric,

If it's pitching up when you cut the throttle, it's too tail-heavy. I've got mine set up so that at the factory CG spot, it's very slightly nose heavy. On base to final, that gives me a very slight nose-up that is easily controllable and helps with a smooth landing. Reset your CG (move it forward) and try again. With scale aerobatic planes like this one, you have a wide CG range, so mess with it until you like it. Once you've got the CG where you like it, work on the thrust line. It will pitch nose down at full power if it's down too much.

i have it balanced right at the recommended cg, 4.5 inches back. one other thing, when i was trimming it, it needed alot of up elevator to fly straight. i used a xoar 17x6 prop. i could put the apc 17x6 back on, i know that prop is heaver. other than that i got everything in the nose all ready other than my rx, i think my wires are too short for that. i could cut out my servo tray or the cockpit floor/ pilot to get weight out of the tail. i was really trying to do everything i could to keep lead out of this plane, maybe i will have no choice. maybe i will just need to put a dle 30 on this plane

If you're putting in lots of up elevator trim to fly it under power, then you're probably right: you've got too much down thrust. Mine flies straight and true with just a couple clicks of down elevator. Check out your thrust line and dial it in so you're not needing so much elevator trim. If you're comfortable flying it out of trim, dial the elevator back to neutral and see if it will fly better that way at idle. Could be scary since the plane can be jumpy if you've got lots of throw...

one other question. would the trim of the ailerons affect the planes flight like what im experiencing? like if i trimmed both ailerons either up or down could it help?

Ordered one, it will be powered by a 20 dle...............................

Well, I did my maiden flight the other day. The plane balanced almost perfect, but added a couple weights to the nose to make it swlight nose heavy. The plane flew great! I don't have much experience flying real rc airplanes, but can say this plane was really fun throwing it around.
I have a video. Now, This is my 5th flight ever flying the real thing so DON"T LAUGH!!!! LOL I have been into airplanes all my life and always wanted to do this, so it came a bit natural to me. 

  I am changing out the tail wheel system because it wouldn't steer the plane. I had to goose the throttle to use elevator.  The landings where smooth as butter. I am seriously looking foward to flying it again. I only had time for that one flight. My wife, not that good at using video camera and couldn't keep up with whatever i was doing. lol She'll get better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxIuPgSAhDI     Let me know if the link worked.

Thanks guys!
John

John,

Nice flying! That DLE-20 just tosses that plane... I also like the mellow landing habits of this bird. It's become my go-to plane for everyday flying.

Nice flying..............

Thanks guys! I have to agree. The landings with it are so easy, it's not that scary part of the flight. One thing that is a problem. I have to take the landing gear off to fit it in the car. That's not the problem. The problem is, this hobby may make me have to get a trailer or something in case I want a second plane and I feel a warbird coming on in the future. LOL  I definitely see why it's your go to plane Capt. ! 

Frivera12, Let us know how it goes with the build and can't wait til you get it up in the air.

<font size="2" color="#00265e">Intruder671</font>

Congrats on a very successful maiden and great video btw...[8D] Cheers: Rich

Will keep you posted with the Edge 540build..................

Had my first splat with the E540 and it was all my fault. I had been tuning my buddy's E540 and got it dialed in. Next trip out to the field, I took mine and mistakenly set the high speed needle with the setting I used on his plane. Result was a flameout due to fuel starvation and a dead stick landing that I misjudged. Learned that the plane actually glides nicely and is well mannered all the way to the crash site. I spent too much time on downwind and lost too much altitude then tried to squeeze it onto the pavement. She stalled about 3 feet off the deck and pancaked in. The impact pulled the gear plate out due to the split gear legs, otherwise no damage. I glued it all back together and replaced the factory gear with a Graphtech Lanier Edge 540 1.20 CF one piece assembly. It's a perfect fit, exactly to the specs of the original gear. Went flying today and it all held together. Need to shift CG slightly forward since lighter gear resulted in a change, but even with the tailweight bias, it still flies great.

Well,I finally finished my Revolver 70" and maiden it on Monday she is one sweet plane,I posted photo's on p234 of that thread if you care to look. Now it's time to start on my Edge540, she going to be a monster with an <span class="squiggly" title="To see spelling suggestions, click this word" splc="splc" state="new" word="EVO">EVO</span> <span class="squiggly" title="To see spelling suggestions, click this word" splc="splc" state="new" word="26GT">26GT</span>... <span class="squiggly" title="To see spelling suggestions, click this word" splc="splc" state="new" word="stby">stby</span> for updates
Cheers: Rich</p>

What servos are recommended for this aircraft???</p>

Any high torque servo of 80 oz to 140 oz- control surfaces are pretty big...I'm using Hitec 5625 on all control surfaces except rudder,Hitec 5645 for it

Hi I started my build this past weekend and I thought I would post my progress on the Phoenix Model Edge 540 120 ARF. I&rsquo;ll try not to bore you with abstract garbage like packaging or how well the Oracover covering is or the lack of good quality control on parts or how poorly the manual is written. Well maybe I will just a little..<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Rating of the Model
</u></p><span style="line-height: 17px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt">So let&rsquo;s get started if I were too rate this kit on a scale of 1 to 10, I will give the Phoenix&rsquo;s Edge 540 a 6.5 out of 10 I would rate it higher, but a cracked wheel pan from the factory and my cowling&rsquo;s clear coat it flaking off after I cutout the engine opening . In Phoenix Model&rsquo;s defense they have done a pretty good job otherwise with this model its build well, the hardware included is okay and it&rsquo;s affordably priced, I paid under $200.00 at Tower Hobbies shipped
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal">
<u>Specs</u>-

</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"> 1.</span>Engine -Evolution 26cc GT with CH ignition<o></o></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"></span>2.Evolution Pitt&rsquo;s style muffler<o></o></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"> 3.</span>Electronics - Tech-Aero IBEC for CH Ignition.<o></o></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"> 4.</span>Spektrum AR7000 receiver<o></o></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"> 5.</span>6.6 v A123 Life battery 3200mah, by Hobbico.<o></o></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"> 6.</span>Miracle switch with fuel Dot.<o></o></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"> 7.</span>Servo&rsquo;s- Hitec 5625 on Ailerons, and Elevator and Hitec 5645 for Rudder
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Modifications-

</u></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in">1.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in">Beef firewall up for Evo 26GT remove blind nuts in firewall and install GP 120-160 size beam mount.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in"><o></o></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"> 2. </span>Add bulkhead/ former behind wing box [weak point on airframe] simple solution lots of photo&rsquo;s<o></o></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"> 3.</span>Replace Rudder, and Elevator steel rods with carbon fiber one&rsquo;s ,linkage supplied are too short to increase throws and control horns would not line up vertically to servo&rsquo;s<o></o></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt"> 4.</span>Build throttle servo mount in firewall box for a more linear throttle response.

5.<span style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in">Now comes my favorite part, photo show and tell, Phoenix has built a light yet strong airframe, the use of light plywood is extensive in the wing and fuselage, but there is one drawback of this construction the rear spars for all the control surface have little bonding area for Robar hinges without cutting the Oracover and installing balsa blocks. Photos is of rear spar of wing note the Tee spar.


Hmm I'm doing somthing wrong, can't upload more photo's.....

</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>

</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>

<span style="text-align: justify; ">So I elected to use the CA hinges supplied with the ARF, I personally have no problem with using them on this size airframe; I did however pin and seal all of the CA Hinges. See photos

</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Firewall- The Edge 540&rsquo;s firewall isn&rsquo;t too bad from the factory but it flexes and since I'm putting a 26cc gasser on the airframe some &ldquo;Guesses&rdquo; needed to be install [balsa triangle block] around all of the firewall former and bulk heads.*****Note**** if you are moving the fuel tank over the wing spar you must install the fuel tank support bracket it is structural to the airframe. More photo&rsquo;s

<o></o></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o></o></p>

Will the Hitec HS-645 servosbe sufficient for this airplane???

Yes if you want to do sport flying,if you want 3D you'll need a digital servo.

<span style="text-align: justify">Originally I plan to install a DLE-20 in my Edge 540, however if you use the DLE-20 you will need to remove some of the firewall so the carburetor will fit. I was unwilling to remove any material from the firewall; firewalls need to be as strong as possible and uncompromised IMHO. I decided to save my DLE-20 for my Topflite 60 size P-47D project and use my Evolution 26GT that has been waiting patiently on my shelf. The Evo 26cc total weight with ignition and muffler is 10oz heavier than the DLE-20 and about 8oz than the OS 120AX . I know I&rsquo;m going to be nose heavy, since this model comes out tail heavy hopefully added lead ballast in the tail will be minimal.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify">Phoenix has missed &ldquo;The Mark&rdquo; with their engine installation- 45 degree engine set-up, Blind nuts glued in with hot-glue. If you are using a Glow engine mount the engine horizontally. IMHO Phoenix should just laser edge the center lines and offsets into the firewall and let the customer decide how they want to mount their engine [rant complete].Next I removed blind nut plates which where held onto the firewall with hot glue, located center and installed the Greatplanes 120-160 engine beam. The rest of the photos show installation on engine.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify"><o></o></p>

<span style="text-align: justify; ">Progress update, worked on the Phoenix Edge 540 this past weekend. First two photos are of the stock tail gear [total garbage] and the Sullivan&rsquo;s tail gear replacement P/N S861,the nice thing about the Sullivan gear is the hole on the gear match the existing hole perfectly&hellip;The rest of the photos show the &ldquo;Tee brace &ldquo;I added to the former aft of the main wing support former and forward of the servo tray, which needed addition support.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o></o></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">I also installed all the remaining servo&rsquo;s, made carbon fiber linkages, cut the cowling and installed fuel tank and fuel lines. Installed IBEC, ignition and receiver. What&rsquo;s left install cowling and propeller, binded receiver and program radio,CG and clean &ndash;up and route wiring. Hopefully I can maiden next week

<o></o></p>

<span style="text-align: justify; ">Here&rsquo;s some photo&rsquo;s in no specific order, Edge hanging with his bigger brother, some photos of throttle linkage in &ldquo;open&rdquo; and &ldquo;closed&rdquo; position some more of fuel tank and switch boring stuff..

</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o></o></p>

Hey proteus!

Which tailwheel assembly did you change to in the latest pictures? The one included in the kit is a bit overkill in weight in my case because I'm using an ASP 1.20 and need to add 4 oz to the nose to just be slightly tailheavy.

..Joe