Do any of you guys know whether or not this plane would fit in a standard size family sedan (Accord, Camry, Maxima) with the rear seats folded down? I'd like to own one, but don't own a truck or van so transportation to and from the field could be an issue.

Now, I don't own any of those cars, but my vote would be "no" to whether it would fit or not. I transport in a Grand Caravan and it takes much more than I thought this 1/4 size plane would... not to mention you're dealing with a 1-piece wing on this one, but I think the fuse will be your problem no matter if you enter from the trunk or door. But again... I don't own those cars. You may cut a rod the length of this model as an early experiment to see if even THAT will fit into the car without bending. Then, you'll have to account for the thickness of the fuse (which is what I think will get ya) - either the main gear or the tail might be the catch. And this plane does have a large tail.

Have you measured the car yet?

-shaun

I ended up shimming in about a degree of each. It could use a bit more right, but it is very good now in the vertical. It enters vertical and stays straighter with less rudder needed.

Schuie Driver, I'd say there's NO WAY you're getting one of these into an Accord. They're not very big, but I bet it won't go in.

Well shucks........guess I can finally agree with the wife then that we need to move up to a minivan In the meantime, I guess if I were to purchase the plane I'd have to rely on a helping hand from a flying friend of mine who owns a Expedition to get me to the field. Considering I'm always flying with him anyway, I'm sure that wouldn't be too big of a deal.

As I've been reading through this thread it appears that this plane is capable of using either gas or glow. As much as I'd like a gasser, I think the initial price of the engine might be a little too much for me. Will an O.S. 1.60 give this plane good 3D performance? I realize the cost of glow could become an issue if I flew all of the time, but usually I don't get the chance to fly more than 5 flights per week anyway.

Schuie,

You can get it to fit in a mid sized sedan if you take the landing gear off.

At least I can with my VW Passat and Extra 300xs.

Lynngordon,

Thanks, that's what I'll put in mine. Also, could you tell me what % your balanced at and what rpm your turning. Here near humid Houston I'm turning 6400 w/20x10 Pro zing. I have the CH upgrade. Not too happy with that rpm.

Cheech,
Maybe I'll make it 1 1/2. ... How do you like the cf gear? Is there too much spring?

Lynngordon,
Forget the rpm question, I found your earlier post. I know of other fpe 2.4 in my area and their getting about the same numbers I am. Gonna try a 20x8 Pro.

Ditto on the spring question on the cf gear, cheech. I'm amazed how much this aluminum gear has. Would have never guessed it with the shape.

Three: I'm not running an FPE 2.4 but rather a Brison 2.4 and get about 7400 with the Zinger 20x8

-shaun

The carbon fiber doesnt bounce like aluminum can. It's stiff, not springy. I'm really pleased with my setup now. Real happy.

Cheech -

Is the gear curved just like the original shape or is does it have the "bent" flat look like more traditional gear? I saw a photo on their website where the somethin' extra's gear is curved like the Extra's but they didn't have a photo for the Extra so I was curious what shape it is. Also, it shows available in black... is that right?

Thanks!

-shaun

Yep, they are black. They are curved and swept about like the stick gear. They may sit 1/2" taller. Hopefully this pic helps.

Hey Three,

I initially balanced at the 27% recommended in manual, or 4 3/8" back from the leading edge of the wing at the fuselage. However, that made the nose really drop quick (total stall?) as I bled off speed coming in for a landing (cost me a busted fuse repair, new cowling and new landing gear to figure this out), so I'm now at 4 7/8" (30%) back and happy with the responses.

Mine will be a little different from most though - I have my fuel tank, a 16oz Hayes, mounted in the wing saddle directly over the center of gravity instead of up in the front section of the fuse. Here in Orlando on a normal hot humid morning, I can turn 6930 rpm on the ground with either a Zinger Pro or Top Flight 20X10 wooden prop.

Lynn

I also have mine balanced at 30%, flies smooth. I have the throws increased alot more than the manual says for that snappy response. I love watching it on final just before she touches down, wheels about 1foot off the deck just floating down . Looks really nice!

There is nothing particularly unique about this one. They all look about like this - they're ARF's . The pic shows the carbon fiber gear from GraphTech and the cowl cutout for the Moki 1.8 glow engine.

Thanks everyone,

I started at 27%, I'm gonna move it back to 30% and put some right thrust in it. I listened to Sig and left it at zero, bad idea. I also gotta get rid some weight, so bye to the nicads and hello to the nimhs, eject the pilot and buy that cf gear. I'm gonna keep my smoke system(no pump required) as long as I can get the vertical I want. If not, then bye smoke. There must be something in this part of Texas cause I have'nt heard of anyone getting those kind of numbers with an FPE 2.4 down here. The plane is a great flier, I just need to do the above to make it better. Thanks again.

Now you're talking. I am struggling with your same power to weight issues on another plane of mine. It sucks when the plane isn't as powerful as you'd hoped.

I DID eject my 5oz pilot and I did put on the carbon fiber gear, for an all up weight savings of 11 oz or maybe a tad more. I'll keep my NiCad; I used it as ballast to adjust CG.

Good luck

After checking Cheech's mods, I now have a great looking pilot figure remaining in the box as well as the carbon gear ordered. Looking forward to reducing the spring factor that is present in the factory gear.

As for degrees of thrust, I think I will be adding a little after now having a few more flights on the plane. I think I'll be needing more down than right though. It seems to pull pretty straight on the verticals - speaking in terms of right to left, but no matter if in a vertical or level flight, if the power is on she tends to lift toward the top-side a bit. Will keep testing.

-shaun

I was'nt very weight conscious when i put it together, I was expecting more from the FPE so I have alot of room to lighten up. Currently weighing in at 15 1/2. Yea I checked the scale, it's right.

smartwork, my stock gear is stiff as board no spring at all. I wonder if it's the same.

Three: Yes, the gear should be the same and it most definitely appears to be stiff but sure has some unexpected spring on the landings. Are you flying off a grass or paved runway? Also, as mentioned before... those wheels have GOT to go... ha, ha! Already replaced the tailwheel but still have to pick up some for the main. That foam is hardly a match for the pavement.

-shaun

I fly off grass. I'll have new gear Friday. I'm giving TNT a try, it was $10.00 cheaper, I hope I like it.........I have a buddy who wore out his foam wheels taxiing out on his street.

I am still using the factory landing gear without any problems. Landings are so scale like.. I did however change the wheels to dubro 3.5" .

I posted my notes and pics at
http://www.devino.org/mark/airplanepics/300xs.htm

Nothing new, just added web page content.

Hey there, Cheech -

Yep, a lot of people will like all that info - just as a lot of us have asked you about the cf gear. Mine arrived but I've not mounted it yet.

With my Brison 2.4, I'm testing props. Originally a 20x8 Pro Zinger and spun it about 7400. I just tested a 22x8 Pro Zinger and spun it about 6800 or so. I also have a 22x6 Zinger but have not yet tested. The original 20x8 offered great rpms and maybe a little too much speed so I am testing to transfer a little of that power to even more low-end torque. Something tells me the optimum would be the imaginary prop of 21x7

So far, plane is flying great! Going to add some down thrust though.

-shaun

Have you gotten Thrust HP from the RCFAQ page? I love this program. I just looked at the Brison 2.4 RPM data on the RCFAQ RPM database and there are only two samples for the 20x8 and NONE for the other props you mention. It is apples and oranges, but I am spinning the 19x8 Mejzlik on my MOKI and I REALLY like the performance. It slows down just fine, to the point of having to ADD throttle to crawl it into a landing.

I sure like this airplane, in some ways better than my BME 44 powered Dave Patrick Extra. It is very very "smooooooov" .

-Cheech

Wow! What a variety of rpms those people are getting with similar props! And I can't believe some were spinning that engine over 8000K. I thought I was riding the edge with the 7400 - yikes - 8 grand!

-shaun

Hey guys,
In reading all this great info, I am now thinking about getting one of these Extra's. Especially with the way my other sig planes fly, I can't wait to get my hands on one of these!! But here is a question. How about using a 3W42 for power? Chief Aircraft has a combo that comes with the plane, 3W42w/ muffler and ignition for 899. Seems like a pretty good deal to me!! Just wondering how this little beast would perform......