Tom:
I have the ARC version so the cowl was undrilled. I moved the cowl as far forward as I could and still ended up with 1/4" between the spinner and the cowl. I decided it did not look bad enough to warrant moving the firewall back.
Thanks, Paul

Hi Guys,

I put my DP330L in the air today! I will have to say it flew very nice. To bring everyone up to date I was not happy about having to add so much wgt to the nose. I am using a Saito 180 and the cg was set at 5.5 inches. I added 11 ozs to the nose as far forward as I could. I used Zap Goo to bond the wgt to the front part of the cowl. Total wgt is 13.75.

Take off roll was very straight down the runway and climb out at .75 throttle was very good. The only trim I added was about 2 clicks down. Roll was very good and loops were very round. I set the throws per the manuel for first flights. Granted I didn't anything out of the ordinary since it was the only flight. Landing was very nice even with a crosswind. It seems to be a floater with the light wing loading. After checking it out I found a small amount of up and down motion on the engine so didn't fly again until I can check this motion out.

We had a crowd at the field and I got some really good comments from my flying buddies. Overall even with the added wgt I am very pleased with this A/C. Also the 180 appears to be a good engine for this size and wgt.

H Radar,

Congrats on your successful first flight. If you move your CG back and get the weight out of the nose, 13lbs is going to be a very impressive weight for this plane, with a very light wing loading. The 1.80 should do really well at that weight.

Have fun.

Sounds like a awsome plane from most who have flown.

Correct me if i am wrong at 13.75lbs a saito 1.8 should hover this bird at 3/4 to full throttle.


sk

WOW! You guys are really hard on DP, I can fill you all in a few tidbits as to what may have happened with your Customer Service issues. Sandy, not to long ago actually went to the factory in China, while there she was trying to figure out why they have had such a problem getting the Extra. While there she ran into some quality issues and that delayed her. Once the kits finally arrived in the US, after being on a boat for a month and clearing customs, they arrive at DPM. Then while there each box is opened and inspected by DPM. All of this is taking time!
I never have had a problem getting a hold of them at all. The issues you all are having maybe because they are a small operation and they believe in quality. I have not heard of to many problems with this plane out of the box. This is my fifth large ARF and byfar the best one.

No wing failures or parts that don't fit. No loose firewalls or cracks in the ribs! I am happy with mine and you all should be to! However In agreeance with some of you, the advertised weight is an issue and Dave has made changes to that.

I have powered mine with a Brison 3.2, JR 4721's on the elevators and the rudder and I use MultiPlex Profi BB digi's on the Aileron's all of these have the long Hangar9 titiniaum arms for maximum throw. All my batteries or on the ply tray where the rudder servo is located with the exception of the ignition. I use a redundant battery system in this one. My CG is at 6" with out any additional weight.

I am not sure how this plane flies with less than a 3.2 as I never have flown it with less but, I cannot imagine it being a performer with anything less. The landings are rock solid! My all up weight is just shy of 16#'s and it will do every trick in the book.

Question? Flew the DP330L today Eng ZDZ 40 I had the ailron come off in 90 sec 1/2 thr straight and level flight the hinges broke in 2 . Half in the wing and the other in the ail. soild nylon hinges . Saved the plane but worried about flutter . Yes the ail. are sealed Alum arms titaium 440 w/ rocket city hardware any comments Bill

Wow, this thread has been lost for a while.....My friend just bought a DP Extra, the new version, and had a cracked canopy in the box...their service is less than perfect. Tower and Horizon have set in my book, benchmarks on which others' customer service is judged upon. In order to fix the problem, ( currently they are backordered about 3 weeks, we need a canopy to complete the airplane, which will be in a day or two, and we don't want to have to wait a month for the new part to fly, especially when my friend just forked out 2 grand,) they told him to send in the old part, and would send out a replacement when available.
I told my friend that Dave Patrick has got to be better than that, and I insisted that he try to contact him. After a few attempts, he got through, and Dave told him to screw the canopy on, instead of glueing it, and he will ship out a new one when available, and credit his card when the old BROKEN one is returned. My friend still has to pay for the return shipping, oh well.