Horseman, once you get some time on that Saito try an APC 15X6 prop on it. I think you will find both the engine & thr plane will thank you.

The Ryan is one sweet flying model. I have a Magnum 1.08 two stroke mounted slightly off inverted (right in line with the cowl inlet). Made a 90 degree adapter so the stock muffler is at the cowl bottom with exhauset exiting out the bump on the cowl bottom. Using onboard glow. Also has Robart struts.

It's wide flight envelope amazes everyone, from wild aerobatics to slow, scale fly bys. It sure is pretty.

Great Planes/Tower now shows the STA as discontinued so grab one if you find one somewhere.

jmikesh, Glue some hardwood blocks to the wing (remove the Monokote) underneath the wheel pants, otherwise you don't have enough "grab" for the screws which attach the pants to the plane
I power mine with a Thunder Tiger 120 2 stroke and the Ryan flies real nice. I also installed the Robostruts
Jeff

I meant to say that I power my Ryan with an OS 91 2stroke. The TT 120 is in my Spacewalker
Jeff

have one for sale with robart landing gear. E-mail me


Hope this doesn't irritate RCU

Just the sta is disc. the M is still available (and is my choice).

Does anyone know where I can find an STA? I've come up blank so far.

I was re-reading all the reviews on the Ryan. Comparing the specifications between STA and STA-M model there is a difference of 2 " in the wing length. The RC Report mentioned some updates to the STA - M.

IS there maybe more than a cosmetic change between the two models ???

Just in case anyone else is hunting for the civilian plane. I found them at Hobby Barn. www.hobbybarn.com
I ordered mine!

WANT TO BUY THE LARGE RED/WHITE RYAN.

ANONE???

Military is 82" and 2 cockpits; Civvy is 80" and 1 cockpit. Both have 60" fuse. Military looks cooler .

Who is flying that rig? Looks like a good fit from your picture. I'm building one currently. After seeing all this input and pictures I can't wait to get it in the air!

Correct that the STA-M is still available and it is a bargain right now at Tower. $219.00 with a $20.00 Rebate plus a $20.00 Gift Certificate!

My STA. Course I had to fancy it up a bit with custom decals from the era.

A few more details.

Anyone have a flight repot on this plane. I would also like to know how it handels aerobatics. One more thing can I put a small gasser it her.

Thanks
Robert

I considered a gas but came to the conclusion it would be way too heavy. Maybe wrong but that's why I got the saito 100 instead. IMO.

Nice looking dressing-up Dick.

I've got a Ryan STA that I'm starting on and have a couple of questions.

A local guy had one a couple years ago and folded the wing on it. I think he was flying it more like an aerobatic ship than a scale plane at the time, but it still makes me a little nervous. Has anybody else had a wing failure? I'm planning to replace the lite ply wing joiners with some good aircraft ply. I considered opening up the bottom covering to inspect/reinforce the spar too, but I'd rather not if it's not an issue.

I ordered a set of the Robart struts. The method of installing the wheel pants by screwing the flanges into the gear blocks seems pretty lame. Anybody have a better way?

Thanks,
Lenny

I wring mine out pretty good in aerobatics, however I use good throttle management too. Replace the doublers if that is your choice, won't hurt anything.

You can fold a wing on any airplane due to excessive speed and anything but smooth manuevering while at speed. May have been his flying style. We have guys folding wings occasionally at our field but their transmitters have dents in the stick assemblies from their banging them stop to stop.

I mounted the pants per instructions but traced around them on the wing bottom first, laid a bead of clear silicone. I enlarged the screw holes in the pants so the mounting screw threads were a loose fit. Once the pants were mounted on the silicone bead and allowed to dry, I put a bullet of silicone in the screw holes and drove the screws in but did not allow the screw head to touch the pant. Once all was dry, the pant could flex. I then put a big dollop of silicone between the inside of the pant and the Robart strut (in the narrow area of the pant) so it became attached to the strut. This way the pants couldn't vibrate on their own and moved a little if the strut moved. By the way, the Robarts don't flex much so the whole unit remains fairly stiff yet can flex slightly. No problems with the pants, no cracks, no scuffing.

The stock gear was pretty flexible and probably did more damage to the pants than anything else. Once I added the Robarts and new pants all ground handling issues, including ground loops due to the gear flexing, disappeared. Two seasons on the Robarts and nary a scuff mark on the pants.

Hi Dick,
Thanks for your comments. I do like your method of mounting the wheel pants. I felt that some kind of flexible mounting would be beneficial and this sounds like a good way to go.

Any good ideas on mounting the cowl, or does the stock mounting arrangement work well enough?

Thanks,
Lenny

Dick T: Great STA. i have two of them. Can you tell me where to get the cool decals seen on the plane a few posts up?
Thanks my friend,
Dudley

Dudley,

I produce the decal set pictured. They are fusion printed on premium sign vinyl and cut accordingly. The wing/tail numbers are your personal AMA number. Wing numbers are black/red outline for wing top, red/black outline for wing bottom.

Cost is $60.00 plus USPS Priority Mail.

Send an email for details if you want a set.

I am building the STA-M with OS120 w/pump. I have a few questions for those of you that have built one....

1 - What servos do you recommend using on the STA-M? I have never used Hitec servos before, but was planning on using the following Hitec servos:

Rudder and elevator = Hitec HS-625MG
Aileron = Hitec HS-635HB
Throttle = Hitec HS-325HB
Does anyone have any experience with these particular servos......the only requirement called out in the STA instructions is for servos with a minimum of 50oz/in of torque for the rudder and elevator.

2 - What battery set-up are you guys running?

3 - I want to install some wire stays (more for appearance than functionality) per the prototype. Has anyone attempted to do this and what products are available on the market that would make this work "easier"?

Dick T: Do you make graphics for the STA-M and do you have a website?

Thanks!

Ed

Ed,

I do graphics on a custom basis, no charge for art preparation, cost for finished decals only.

A full size paper proof along with cost estimate is mailed prior to printing/cutting decals, all subject to your approval. No Web site yet although I have been doing custom decals for five years now, accept PayPal or personal checks via invoice with decal shipment.

Email your requirements and/or documentation. [email protected].

Thanks,

You should be fine with those Hitec servos. Its a big slow flyier, use your throttle on the down side of loops to keep your wings together. I am building one right now and changed the elevator using one rod down center to a piece I made hooking the halves together. I did not need to save any weight from the back as the Laser 120 makes it nose heavy. I wish I had a Saito 100 for the nose.

Carl

My Ryan is coming along (can't wait to see it airborne). I purchased the Robart struts (superb quality BTW) but I am not sure how to fit them through the wheel pants. What is the trick to get these installed?

Is anyone running 4" Robart aluminum wheels/tires with the Robart struts? How is the fit and are they worth the cost? Any other recommendations other than the stock wheels?

Thanks!

Ed