After spending some significant time on my 46 size trainer (and numerous crashes and repairs) I got this – phoenix extra 300s 46 size from LHS. I’m not an expert flyer, but can do loops and rolls. No problem doing take offs but bad landings ( I think I do only 1 good landing out of 4 ).

Took long time to set up the model, since I had to do lots of repairs in the wings. Almost all the ribs in both the wings were broken, during shipping I guess. It flies better than my phoenix paragon trainer though it’s very agile for me. Take off and landings are easier as compared to my trainer. When I cut the throttle while landing, I see more predictable sinking of the model , this makes me feel more comfortable bringing it down. Done many flights but only one landing so far. Flying with my instructor still.

I’ve put TT46 pro with Pitts style muffler. Futaba S3001 servos everywhere. 11x6 APC. Here are few pictures…

I really like mine and it arrived with no damage. I use a 55ax with a pitts muffler and a 11-7 wood prop. The factory glued landing gear area that I didn't beef up seems to be holding up fine. After you cut the throttle to bring it in, just give it a tad of throttle about the time its ready to sit down and you can grease it right in with no bounce. It's fast and fun to fly.

Overall it's like flying a "little brick" but a good bang for your buck!

Good luck on your landings and thanks for the pics.

big dan

Thanks for tip on landing! Will try that!. I used lots of CA and epoxy strengthning the structure. covered firewall as well as the wing servo tray area with thinned epoxy.
Had tough time setting up the aileron servo rods. Decided to keep the rods square to aileron (manual didn't mention this), but the tray doesn't seem to have much area to do that easily. In retrospect I think it wouldn't matter if you don't keep the rods square to aileron.

I have couple of top flite 11X6 wood props spare. Will it make some difference in performance if I use them instead of APC?

Your APC prop will give you more RPM's than a wood prop will, but, the APC props weigh more than the wood. I only used my wood prop because I think they look nicer and I have several sitting around doing nothing. On the other hand, if the wood prop hits the ground it will usually be history!

big dan

Here's a video of a guy landing his extra 300s the way you're supposed to. Turn the volume up and near the end of the video you can hear him applying a tad of throtte right before he touchs down to grease it in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTOOp03UNk8

big dan

Thats' some great landing. If I heard it correctely, he applied a bit throttle around 3:00. It looks like around 4-5 feet above the ground at that tme.
Great video. Thanks for the link!!!

How is the knife edge on this model. How well will it hold knife edge with recommended throws on the rudder (CG is right on the recommended spot with no extra weight added).
Also I noticed that during take offs it has tendency to track left. I've tried countering that by adjusting tail wheel, still it tracks towards left on the ground. what could be the reason. I hope I don't have to change thrust angle (Just mounted the engine as mentioned in manual; did nothing to check/adjust the thrust angle).

I flew this plane a couple of years ago. A buddy bought it and went electric with it. It's an OK flying plane, but it's pretty tame compared to my kit built Extra. bss, almost all tail draggers will pull to the left. This usually is reduced once the tail lifts off the ground. Just counteract with a bit of rudder, and ease into the throttle verses fire-walling it.

Mine seems to hold a knife edge pretty well, but, due to it's smaller size the guy behind the controls makes or breaks a knife edge on this little devil. Seems like things happen fast flying this "little brick". lol Inverted flight is a piece of cake.

Mine tracks to the left also on takeoff so I just hold a slight bit of right rudder to compensate for it until it lifts off.

big dan

deadeye - That's really beautiful model you have there!

Did some flights this saturday. Was able to track the model straight (almost) with concious effort on rudder while taking off. Again had eventless take offs. Also did two landings. One was ok another was not so ok. No damage to model.

While preparing for third flight, I noticed that leading landing gear was lose. One of the cap screw which holds the gear to fuse was missing. I think I lost it due to vibration. My question is, how do I check the losening of the landing gear screws (screws into blind nut). Will blue threadlock help here?

How do you guys clean the engine area with the cowling on. I see lots of oil in landing gear area as well as near firewall which is not so easily accessible without removing the cowl.

Thanks.

I think I need bit more experience/courage to try knife edge :-) My instructor didn't recommend it for now, may be couple of weeks later.... Tried some inverted, was almost effortless. Had to hold just a bit of down elevator for level flight. So far doing ok at higher altitudes :-) - settling with transition from high wing trainer to this extra :-)

Yes, using threadlock will help a lot. About the only way to clean the oily area up is to remove the cowling. While it's off you can also recheck the landing gear bolts to make sure they are tight.

When I removed my cowling my screws didn't seem to want to hold very well, so I stuck it back on, took some clear packing tape about 2" X 1" 3 pieces and taped the top and both sides of the cowling in case the screws came loose. Silly way to do it but you can't even tell it's taped. If you can, I only care about flying the model anyhow, not how perfect it looks on the ground. lol

The only way you'll get better at landing that little devil is try, try, again and again. Practice, practice, practice.

big dan

How interesting will it be to use 12x4 APC on TT46pro to get better at landings (even other aerobatic maneuvers for that matter). Will 12X4 reduce risk of stalling at lower speeds while landing? (i.e. will I be able to get it slower than 11X6 while landing?).
My guess is irrespective of prop size you need some minimum airspeed to avoid stall. If I'm able to achieve that using 11x6 then 12x4 may not help.

Thanks.

glad i stumbled upon this thread. I've just ordered a BH Extra 300s 40size which essentially the same aircraft as the Phoenix.
Planning to place my GMS 47 in it which is a pretty thrusty .47motor.

Also thinking of running a 12x4 on this model for use in novice class aerobatics competitions. I have a BCMUOS46 muffler on the way as well which was for the now dead Stik but it'll have to fit.

any tips or advise that may be useful during assembly?

hello. i had one of these. great flying plane and great value. a word to the wise. when your ready to do some knife edges with this plane do not let it get too slow!! it will bite you big time!! dont ask me how i know. rudder not effective at lower speeds. this is definetly an areobat,not 3d. that being said it is an enjoyable airplane. have fun!! andrew wisc.