I just did 4 flying runs on my new zen-50. With a 50SX running a bolly 11.5x6 prop without nitro, i couldnt gety any power. is is cz theres no nitro in the fuel or is id due to the lack of a tune pipe? THe aircraft flies extremely heavy. I cant make out for the cg being rt or wrong.In Inverted flight it comes down on the nose. In knife edge it comes towards the canopy n big time!! The engine's revving high n u can tell that its the max power u can expect from this engine. One more thing, the retracts suck! either they bend or one of them doesnt lock. What do i do?

Sell it to me for 150 bucks!!

I told ya it is an ordinary patternship.If you really want a good precision patternship buy the MK synergy, Thunder Tiger Champion 45L or Spectrum if you can find one.Otherwise get yourself an Ultra Sleek 60 and sit back.Believe me it is unbeatable in its flying characteristics with no pitcthing in knife edge.I am flying one with OS 61 SF ABC it even hovers in Knife Edge.

how do u adjust the incidence? could it be cz my plane has too much of a positive angle of attack, such that it tips towards the canopy in knife edge?

Hey guys, Khizer is asking an honest question and if you look a this location .. i guess there are not many pattern fliers in Pakistan; so please if you can help not joke around
Khizer, OS engines are usually made for nitro content so if you can get 10% nitro fuel and a tuned pipe it will help teh power on the plane, now tuning the pipe is a bit involved trial-and-error with a tachometer youha ve to progressively cut the pipe until you reach proper power.
I think your combo is fine, just need to straighten some things up. The retracts are a major problem with this line of models, you either replace them or use a fixed landing gear.
My advice is to post for help in the Pattern forum under the IMAC, #D and Pattern section there are some people there that jhave the zen 50 and will be able to help.

If the plane pulls to the canopy in knife edge it could be nose heavy. THe up elevator trim that keeps it flying level will pull it to the canopy in knife edge. The fact that it drops nose down inverted would also support the idea that it's nose heavy.Try moving the CG back a little at a time and see if things improve for you.

Also, SwampFlier is giving good advice about running some nitro. OS engines like the nitro, 10, 15 or even 20 percent would be great too if you can get it where you live.

David

thanks , i'll work with the cg n the nitro too and i'll let u guys know. thanks for the help

RCFREEK,
First the engine you have selected is very good and will fit the Zen just perfectly; however, OS engines need a 5% nitro minimum, 10% better.
The prop you have selected seams to small for this engine, try to use 11X7 or 10X8.
CG as you described is far too forward, Try to do the following:
Check the wing angle of attack relative to the fuselage and stabilizer. (It has to be +1 deg) if it bigger than that adjust the fuselage "opening" for the wing
Move the battery as far as possible towards the tail. (You may need an extension)
Same goes for the receiver.
Check if it possible to move the engine backwards on the engine mount (you may need to drill a new holes)

There are a couple of things you can do in addition to great suggestions in reply to all your posts. I fly pattern a lot and have Zen50, 90 etc. I flew a lot in New Delhi when I lived there and am used to flying zero nitro conditions there and aware of high cost of nitro etc. I was just lucky, I used to travel to HK, JA and Singapore every month.

1. A properly setup Zen50 is a great aerobatic pattern machine, knife edge, axial rolls, unlimited vertical etc. the larger Zens 90 and 120 are better of course. however...
2. The Zen series of models prefer a rearward cg; use suggestions in this and other forums; pull the fuel tank rearward, even a little bit helps, move battery back using only a heavy duty extension. I also use 1oz (4x.25oz) at the trailing edge of the fuselage, installed vertically just below the tail fin.
3. Use 1/8!QUOT! or 5/32!QUOT! shims under the leading edges of the retracts to keep the struts facing forward to stop a nose over during a landing.
4. Use Lite wheels replacing originals.
5. Lighten the spinner backplate (if you are using a metal spinner) by drilling a few holes in the backplate.
6. Use a lower pitch prop to let the engine run at rated rpm on zero nitro conditions.
7. Replace retracts with better quality ones, Not easy for you to get them in Pakistan though unless you have someone who is traveling abroad regularly.

Lastly, a piece of advice to the modeling community in Pakistan: when selecting an engine for aircraft running on near zero nitro content, select high compression engines using hot plugs(I hope I got that right) that do better in zero nitro content. In the OS range, look for an older OS50fsr, an extremely powerful engine that will run great on zero nitro. Another range of superb and extremely powerful engines is the ASP brand, made in China. Ballistic power on zero nitro. However these engines benefit from better performance using an OS carb. The ASP61 for medium size and ASP108 for larger aircraft to 11-12lbs are great. All this is from personal experience. You may also want to consult some UK forums where they use a much lower nitro content due to high cost of nitro fuel; I should know, I lived there for too long.

If you still have problems, email me and I will try and help you with more advice and tips to improve your flying experience. By the way, I stopped by in Lahore for several days at friends, when I drove from London (UK) to New Delhi (India), yep done that several years ago.

PineBaron