Hey Guys, Flying in the snow looks cool but that is the problem way to cool Ugh cold for me! I dont like to freeze so would not be to much fun for me
Mac

mga:

Do you have any problem with the exhaust heat on the top wing ?

Ed

No problems whatsoever. I think in this cold weather and I used it on a few days that was very warm the heat dissapates before it reaches the top wing. The only thing I get if the engine is running rich, is some black sut on the pilots winshield and on his forehead, actually it is pretty neat, we get a great laugh out of it.

Al, I'm just finishing my Stearman. All I have left to do is start the break-in on the engine. I'm using the BCMA 26 for power........glad to hear you have some experience with this engine. Could you tell me what size battery you are using to power the electronic ignition. And, I think you said something about a 18-6 prop?........Doesn't Adam recommend a 16-8 prop? Anyway, thats what I'm going to start with.......I'm going to start a fire in the shop today and see if I can get the 26 to run.......if successful, I plan to run a couple of gallons of gas through it before I bolt it on the plane......never been a fan of breaking in the engine on the plane.
Thanks

The EI runs off of a 4.8v battery pack. We run a 16x8 on my sons 26 which is the benchmark prop. I run a 18X8 on my 40cc and an 18X6 on my OS 160 in my Christen Eagle. Sorry for the confusion. You should be able to start that motor with an electric hand starter. They run really sweet. Make sure you put a nipple in the pulse plate and run a piece of fuel line from there to the inside of the fuse though. It doesn't like a left banking knife edge without it.

My Stearman is also just about ready to get back in the air. I was afraid that this winter was going to keep me from flying... but with an average temp of around 45 to 5o degrees it's hard not to go flying. The grass is still green! With the exception of this week it's been real nice.

I was running a OS 120 but that is being replaced with a BCMA 26. Other than a Homelite 25 mod I did last month I'm new to gassers. What does the nipple and fuel line do? Is this a pressure equalizer of some sort? I would think because the nipple is on top of the diaphragm the fuel line does not go to the fuel tank.

Hi my stearm is just about done,also but Im having trouble getting the cowl on with the dummy engine,the engine is a g-26.The black carb inlet is hitting the cowl with the dummy engine on but the cowl fits good with no dummy engine in the cowl.
ffdq

The nipple and fuel line show the diaphram a constant atmospheric pressure so it keeps on pumping. Without it you can get the engine in the wrong position (in our cases it was a right to left, left banking knife-edge) where the plate is in the back and it seems to read this as a vacuum and stops pumping gas. It's not just these engines but nearly all gassers. My buddy had so much trouble with his DA that he finally ran the end of the fuel line in the fuse into a hole in the top of a plactic medicine bottle so it was out of the sir completely. Just be sure that after you tap the plate and put the nipple in you grind off the inside portion of the nipple smooth so it doesn't cut the diaprham.

Thanks Al,

I assumed that it was a pressure fix. I would have never thought you would need to mess with equalizing the pump. After thinking about it ... it makes sense. Thanks for the tip.

It is not looking good for this weekend. According to NOAA's aviation weather site were expecting big wind with gusts up to 47 mph!
I may sneak out to the field Tuesday. I had a blast flying my Stearman this summer. I can't wait to get it back in the air.

I have read about that drilling and adding the tube. But in three winters of flying in very cold weather, like yesterday, and deep snow, I have never had this problem with any of my FPE motors. These pictures were from yesterdays flying and it was extremely cold, no problem starting, just make sure lots of gas on the choke the switch on the ignition and second or 3rd flip she starts. It is a great plane to fly, especially upside down, she stays leve and is very stable. So it is not a problem to come across the run way a couple feet off the snow. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do. I have mentioned this before, but she has over 1000 flights.

mga,

I've got to give you a lot of credit for your cold weather flying. I have a set of skis that are still in there packaging due to lack of enthusiasm. I don't mind the snow as much as I mind the COLD.

I agree that this plane is a smooth flyer. Extremely stable in moderate wind. My old setup was with an OS 120 pump and a smoke system. I'd guess it was around 12 to 13 lbs. The CG was a little aft even with weight in the box up front. I'd need to slowly run it down the runway until the tail came up than throttle it up for take off. The landings were smooth as silk with no bounce. I love flying this plane!

In my case with the FPE 40cc the plane takes off within 10 feet, no matter how deep or sticky the snow. Mine weighs around or close to 18lbs, and it lands like a sweetheart. Lots of wing area plus a flat bottom wing. Also having the xtra weight I do fly it up to 20 to 25 miles per hour winds. But light cross winds does not even affect it. So light is not always good. Plus with all that power I can go straight up, but I fly it most of the time at half throttle, I like to fly it as scale as I can. Nice slow low passes with nice climbing turns. There is nothing prettier.

Well guys, they all come to an end. Yester after the 4th flight, did something I never did, forgot to check the batteries. It was extremely cold but sunny and just beautiful. Take off nice, then oh, oh, right ailoron turn, and oh, oh, wont come back, did rudder, and it rurned the plane back towards me, and throtted went to low, that was the last signal it took, and nose down it came. not much left as you can see by the pics. The inverted pass was my last one the flight before. Would you believe the batteries were at 3.6 with no load. Lesson learnt, check, check and check those batteries before it happens. She owes me nothing, over 1100 flights in one summer and three winters, as she became my winter plane only. I am a lucky guy, also found a brand new in the box Super Stearman GP Arf for 350 cdn. So will have one back in a good 3 or 2 weeks at the most.

Tough go, MGA---- Thanks for sharing all your experiences with the plane. Eventually, the cost of admission gets us all, and with 1000 flights, you got a ton of fun out of that beauty. Got any ideas of what you'll do different with the new one? Did your engine survive?

Yes, the engine is OK. Re changes, I will definitely reinforce the landing gear block, from inside with carbon fiber. Also carbon fiber as much as I can see the firewall, that is a weak point of this plane, for engines my size. 40cc. Also make sure the stab is well glued, take off the monokote and make sure it is wood to wood, with 30 minute expoxcy. The wings are OK, will still go with only two servos, never had a problem, and I like the look of the strutte that runs both ailorons. Again, I will use this plane only for winter, so skis will be the way to go. It is a wonderul plane, and a great kit for the money. even at full price. Also will re glue or cover with fiberglass cloth the small wooden pieces that have the holes to put the bolt through to reach the blind nut in the cowling ringg. This is a very weak part of this plane. The wood is cheap and most probably will go to a better plywwod and a little thicker.
Wil coat these pieces with epoxy and very light fiberglass cloth.

MGA:

Bummer .............. but if you average it out, at 350 for the plane, it's about 31 cents a flight.

That's cheap entertainment.

Ed

Don't forget that US .31 cents, canadian we paid 439 cdn dollars so it is a little under .43 cents per flight. Cheaper than a cup of coffee and more thrilling. The new one if it last me that long will be under 30 cents a flight as I got it for 350 cdn on the internet, brand new in the box.

Oh Wow! Sorry Dude!!! That looks a lot worse then mine did. Hope you can salvage something out of it. Couldn't help but notice the earlier pics. How's the fishing in that shack???

Winter started late this year, not sure if they are going to bring out the fishing huts, hope so, nice way to fly,Fly and Fish.

Sorry to hear the bad news. You did have a good long run with this one. Glad your going to fix her up.

only 1100 flights, over 4 years. not fixing up, as I got a brand new kit for 350 bucks Canadian. There is more on the thread about the winter flying if you go back a couple of pages.

That is the problem with most people, they don't read the whole thread and don't understand what they are commenting on. Looks like you got a great deal, your motor is still good. Good luck with the new one. I have a Saito 150 in mine and it flies great. Maybe I will put a redundant battery in though. Winter flying is fun, not very crowded and you get a lot of flying time. You just have to dress for it.

R/C Foolish

Go to poste 671 and 674 you will see how I dress, yes I dress very warm as sometimes it is 30 below. I wear Ski gogles and that really helps. Yesterday I was flying again but with my 108" Cub
I know this is a Stearman thread, and will be back with a new one in about 3 weeks.

Ya know I think it would be really awesome to tack some skis on the Stearman and fly in the snow but number 1 we don't get much snow and number 2 I ain't flying when it's 30 below!!!! I left South Dakota years ago but I remember the winter of 88 when it went to 65 below with a windchill of 110 below and that ain't no weather to be flying in. Dear hunting maybe but flying NO!!!![8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D]

Sorry. I did read the post it just did not sink in. Not enough caffeine in my system yet.