nev1

My Feedback: (10)

Recently got the 26% Pilot RC Yak, since there is little around on this plane , I decided to share my thoughts.

MADE BY PILOT
http://www.pilot-rc.com/

PURCHASED FROM
http://www.prcmodel.com/


INTRODUCTION
I recently decided that a 26% plane would be a great size for me to be able to transport in a regular car and store in a relatively small space when I am not flying it. I have a 50cc bipe but I find getting it to the field and storing it is a mission. When the DL30 motor was announced I did some research for a decent airframe to go with it and I got the urge to rush out to get my hands on a Pilot RC 73” Yak. I liked the look of the plane, the completeness of the kit and what seamed to me to be a reasonably priced package considering what you get. I did some research spoke to PRC and Pilot and got all the right answers in a timely manner. I was sold.

PILOT-RC 73” YAK ARF SPECIFICATIONS
Wingspan 73” (1.85M)
Wing Area 1031 sq in (6652sq.cm)
Fuselage Length 35.8” (1.67M)
Weight 10.5lb (4.8kg)
Engine 26-35cc

DLE-30 SPECIFICATIONS
Ignition Auto Advancing Electronic Ignition
Spark Plug NGK CM6
Performance 3.7hp @ 8500rpm
Exhaust Mount 30.5cm3
Idle 1600rpm Bore/Stroke 36 x 30mm
Thrust 8.5kg @ 100mtr / 7.5kg @ 1800mtr (ASL)
Compression 7.6:1
Prop Range 8x8, 18x10, 19x8, 20x8
Ratio of lubricating capacity 30:1
Weight 910g Engine with Exhaust pipe
Weight 120g Ignition, no battery

MY ELECTRONICS(most likely)
Receiver JR921 RX
Aileron Servos 2 x Hitech HS-5945MG
Rudder Servo 1 x Hitech HS-7955TG
Elevator Servos 2 x Hitech HS-5625MG
Throttle 1 x JR DS821
Choke Manual
RX Battery 2 x 5 cell 1600 High Discharge NiMH
Ignition Battery 1 x 4 cell 1600 NiMH
Ignition Kill Opto Electric

Total Estimated Ready to Fly Dry weight = 11.5 lb…we shall see !

PHASE 1 – FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Drool....Two boxes !
Fuse and parts come in one box, cardboard, ply and foam ! Lots of care has been taken with the packaging.
Wings only in the other box, again cardboard, ply and foam
Wing Box Dimensions : 91.6cm x 52.8cm x 13cm, 2.4kg
Fuse box Dimensions : 153.5cm x 29.4cm x 37.2cm, 5.1kg

Everything comes nicely bagged and securely placed in its spot in the box foam molding. The hardware is top notch..Looks like a bit of overkill at first glance I suspect this is the same hardware shipped in the 50cc kits…looks like there are few extra screws and bolt etc. This is the carbon kit, it comes with carbon landing gear, carbon wing tubes, carbon tail wheel and even a carbon spinner nicely cut to take a suitable prop for the DL30.

First issue…minor but I noticed the canopy does not line up very well where it meets the fuse or sides, it takes little more force than it should to close. Bolts do go in with some persuasion but not perfect given the quality and the fit of the rest of the kit, finding fault with this package is hard so I have to note this. Have I mentioned the unbelievable customer service at PRC and Pilot !! Great to buy from people who stand by their product.

Decent quality fuel tank with metal fitting and gas stopper. Comes plumbed and installed, with T set up and fuel dot installed, but vent line is too short to loop around tank as most of us do. No big deal. Fuel dot is barbed for line and is threaded into the fuse mounted housing, easy to get in and out. I like it.

Covering cut and tightly ironed around openings
Did I mention the quality cowl…what a beauty!

To sum it up :
Overall first impressions, WOW! Complete kit, super quality. Even servo lead clips are included in the kit. I usually use dental floss, it is tough and light but none the less the clips are a nice touch. Great colour scheme, extra tight covering job ironed to perfection in all the right spots. Hinges are glued and pinned except rudder fuse side - brilliant.(large flat strong looking hinges, not robart style for those wondering) Extra light airframe construction, looks good. Rudder pull pull cables installed just have to finish at front to get right length after mounting servo arm. The plane looks a little larger in the flesh than I expected, a perfect size in my opinion. I have not yet opened up all the hardware will do this during the build, hope to find no surprises.

By the way the manual clearly adapted from the 50cc kit, definitely not a manual for an unfamiliar or inexperienced builder but then again that is not who this plane is aimed at – minor issue.

I am thrilled with my purchase, can’t wait to take to the sky!

Let the games begin.


END OF PHASE 1 - FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Phase 2 Next – The Build

More pics to follow

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Good read. A little confused on the claim of 26% scale though. The wing span of the full scale is 26' 9 1/4". 26% of that is 83 1/2" not the 73" this plane is. I have a 27% Yak that is 86". ????????????????????????????????????????????? Your plane is just under 23%, far under 1/4 scale. This would disqualify it for some flying events. Some guys might want to know.

jbflier

Would you mind saying what distributor you got your Yak from and aprox. how much it cost?

ro347

My Feedback: (13)

Very nice. Please keep us in the loop as you go through the build.

Bdegan

He got it from PRCModel. PRC has an agreement with Pilot RC to not sell to the US because there is a seller in the US.

jbflier

I understand that Hobby Lobby and Chief carry the Pilot line, but neither has it in stock. That's the only reason I asked.......I have a Brillelli 26 that's looking for a home and I purchased a Seagull Yak for it, but am a little concerned about being over powered. There are others flying it with a similar setup so I'm hoping I'll be ok............

nev1

My Feedback: (10)

Troy built has them not sure about the small ones though...

http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/categ...ic-Planes.html

SJN

the 148" looks awesome too

nev1

My Feedback: (10)

Why stop there.. 400CC 55% 180" YAK coming soon !!

ro347

My Feedback: (13)

Cheif Aircraft has the new 26% Yak and Extra 260 listed. Expected Arrival sometime this month. $399 - Nice covering schemes too.

MR G

I have one of the 26% Yaks from chiefs currently on backorder. I hope they come in soon.

Also a DLE-30 on hold from ValleyviewRC...waiting to see what happens with the so-called "problem", if there is a problem.

ro347

My Feedback: (13)

Whats the "problem"?

MR G

It seems to be idling issues, I'm not sure if the problem is real, or just bad needle settings.

You can search the forums for more information.

Bdegan

Nothing major, It is also being addressed.
One of the fuel jets in the carb is to small. There are instruction available to fix it your self. Super simple.
Also the addition of a second gasket between the head and the crankcase to lower the compression a little bit.
According to the Canadian distributor all the new ones coming in have the fixes done.

nev1

My Feedback: (10)

Exactly - Thanks Brad.

Saito_56

My Feedback: (17)

I know the holidays are knocking on the door, but has there been any progress with the YAK? I live 1/2 hour from Chief in Deland, and am thinking of picking one up when in stock. Nothing like saving some shipping money!

rager24

My Feedback: (9)

I have the pilot 73 yak.
Got it the around the 1st of sep.
It is a great flying plane, and I have had no problems with the dl-30.
It will idle at 1700 rpm and does not die.
Very easy plane to put together, Got it friday night and was flying it sunday

ro347

My Feedback: (13)

Looks great!

nev1

My Feedback: (10)

Motor Mounting
Decided to mount the DL30 inverted
Firewall is pre-marked for the DL30 mount, a perfect fit. Drill away ! 5mm holes,
The firewall ply is very light and thin, about 4mm (looks like 2x 2mm laminated) so I clamped a scrap piece of wood to the back and drilled through the firewall into it to prevent the back of the firewall from splitting it is very thin.The hatch is ultra light 2mm ply laser cut to a precision fit. Noticed some gaps in joints will inspect closely later.

Next I mounted the engine temporarily to make up the required throttle linkage and decide on plumbing. I landed up using the default engine mount/spacers that came with the motor but it did require me to file away small amount of the fuse where it protrudes past the firewall to accommodate the carb and fuel line. You can rotate the carb 180 Degrees on the DL30 but on this airframe I just preferred the way it mounted stock. I like to do this with the gear off that way I can roll the fuse on the table to suite myself while marking, drilling and filing.

Plumbing and linkages
I was going to install my throttle servo in the fuse, but decided to just keep it simple I also figured I would probably need the weight up front so I went with a conventional approach of the motor box mount and direct linkage. Works out well using the ply mount supplied with the kit. Will strap up all my cables once I test out all the electronics.

I replaced my lines with Tygon and checked my tank set up, the factory set up is fine except for the vent line being too short again I just like to do things a certain way and I never trust a fuel tank that has been plumbed for me.

After mounting the motor and having a closer look at the firewall and surrounding joints, I decided to reinforce the firewall little. I just don’t like wood glue on a firewalls. I like epoxy I just find it more resilient to vibration. I pulled the triangles off the front and glued in new ones with epoxy. Probably not required but it just gives me better piece of mind. I understand the weight saving idea but a firewall is a firewall to me.

Strengthening and Fuel Proofing
I like to mix up small batches of epoxy with alcohol and put a few drops on all fuse joints needing it. This kit does not really need it. I then like to cover all areas of the Firewall with the same mixture, use a tiny amount the idea is to strengthen and fuel proof, adding as little weight as possible. I also paint over the exposed wood under the landing gear again in this case the covering is wrapped and ironed the way it should be neatly round this area to hide any wood once the gear is on so no real need for the epoxy coating.

nev1

My Feedback: (10)

Installing landing gear
Locate the hardware - 4 x 9/16” x 1” socket cap screws and nyloc nuts.
Careful not to over tighten the screws. I will leave the wheels and pants to later.

Installing Horns
Light weight heavy duty phenolic horns are supplied. Roughen up the sections that will be glued, cut the covering where required mix up your epoxy and glue away. The horns are large good quality, but the plates they come with are double slotted for two horns (again probably from the 50cc kit hardware). All the control surfaces are single slotted, so decided to cut down the base plates, it just looks better to me and I am sure it offers no less strength since it is a single horn and once epoxied into the snug slots nothing is going anywhere!

The one Aileron slot was blocked a little by one of the hinges, I had to carefully cut away a small piece of the hinge inside the slot to allow the Horn to plug all the way down.

Mounting Tail Wheel and Rudder
Drilled pilot holes in the fuse for the tail wheel bracket, prepped the rudder for the tail wheel. I could not find screws in my kit for the tail wheel. So I just used 3 small button head wood screws. Drilled holes, threaded with the screw and CA to strengthen the threads.

Installing Servos
I put the servos in place, everything fits perfectly and the ply servo plates are good quality solid plywood. I check the servo fit then drill the mounting holes, thread the holes using the oldest trick in the book, (a screw and thin CA). The kit comes with Light weight heavy duty phenolic horns and 2mm mounting screws and nuts, to mount these to regular round servo horns. I decided to just use the heavy duty large Hitech plastic horns except for the Rudder servo. Center all servos, make up linkages with rods and ball links supplied install and adjust to your liking. I felt the Elevator pushrods, were an overkill, heavy duty steel turnbuckles, definitely lighter ways to achieve the same result, I did not bother.


Mount Engine, Ignition and Power
Bolt the engine in place, I use flat washers and nyloc bolts on the inside of the firewall, I leave the muffler off for now until I cut the cowl.
For better or worse, I also added the DL30 carb mod that is doing the rounds on the forums. I got a simple “kit” from www.thunderboltrc.com you can easily make your own I just did not have the bits and pieces so it was convenient to get them from one source.

Cowl
Test Mount the cowl with screws provided, I also add bonded washers to the mix to help prevent the screws vibrating loose. The two screws inside the cowl that are accessed from the front are a little challenging to get to. The manual suggests making up a hex wrench I just happen to have a long one I used. Screws are 7/64x1”. Mark up the cut outs for the motor, cut and sand to your liking. It hurts to cut into a cowl this nice ! Measure twice cut once. (Shown below uncut, I have to still cut it, no rush Summer is months away !)

Mounting Wheels and Wheel Pants
Wheel hubs and axles not a perfect fit I like a little less play, but decent quality all round.

She is 99% ready to fly. Total Dry Weight TBA – scale is broken !
Wish I could get some nice shots outside...have to wait for summer.

HITS AND MISSES

HITS
[ul][*] Packaging - custom box with custom foam inserts and ply sheets[*]Covering – excellent job, hand cut and ironed decals (covering)[*]Hardware – top notch, up there with the best[*]Carbon Accessories – top notch great bling too[*]Completeness – 90%[*]Tank Plumbed – adequate – except breather line[*]Fuel dot installed – nice touch, good quality[*]Cowl – a thing of absolute beauty![*]Hinges glued and pinned (except rudder fuse side) – nice touch[*]Wheels – top quality, reasonably light rubber not junk foam[*]Wire management – Neat, Fuse Formers manage wire routing
[/ul]
MISSES
[ul][*]Canopy - does not fit as well as it could – have no doubt future kit releases will be perfect.[*]Firewall – use of epoxy would have been better in my opinion[*]Tail wheel – missing screws – just use your own no big deal[*]Aileron Horn – one wing the hinge prevented the horn from going in all the way I had to cut away part of the hinge inside the slot to get it to fit. Definite oversight just a little time consuming to correct no big deal
[/ul]
OTHER MINOR
[ul][*]Manual clearly adapted from the 50cc kit, definitely not a manual for an unfamiliar or inexperienced builder but then again that is not who this plane is aimed at.[*]Horn base plates…clearly adapted from a dual horn set up, purely cosmetic no big deal.[*]Push rods, heavy thick steel turnbuckles, bit of an overkill in my opinion[*]Rudder pull pull cable is non coated steel cable. Quite abrasive if it rubs anywhere. Also not ideal if you still fly FM.[*]Fuel tank vent line is too short – no big deal[*]Mixed hardware metric and imperial – odd[*]Main Wing tube was so tight I could not get my wings on, even ¾ of the way on, it took a lot of sanding to get the tube to fit the wings and fuse without major force. It is still tight but I figured I would wait and see after some airtime before I sand anything any more.
[/ul]
If I missed something I will add it later…

To sum it up:
No matter what kit you get, if you like things a certain way you can find fault with just about anything and this kit is no exception; however the overall kit is great. I am impressed by the completeness and quality of everything supplied. Few adjustments to some of the accessories could make it even better. Some of the issues I found could go unnoticed by some pilots; I am known to scrutinize things! I am sure in time some of these minor items will be addressed. All in all the fit and finish is awesome. Now I have to eagerly await some warm weather to get the most important feedback…the Flight Characteristics. I am by no means a hot shot 3D pilot so I plan to review the flight Characteristics within my capabilities, I am sure by the time I get to this there will be lots of post from 3D pilots in warmer climates! I have already seen some online and so far I see nothing but positive posts.

I would say if you are contemplating the kit go for it! Provided it flies well, which from the videos I have seen online looks to be the case, I think Pilot has a sure winner and I can’t wait to put some airmiles on my new bird.

-END OF PHASE 2 – THE BUILD
Phase 3 Next – Lets Fly ! ( ASAP Canadian weather permitting)

Thanks again to Tony @ Pilot and Raymond @ PRC for a great package and great pre and post sales support.

http://www.pilot-rc.com/

http://www.prcmodel.com/

FlymoreRC

Nev1,
Nice write up.
I just got my Pilot-RC 73" Yak from Chief Aircraft.
Instead of mounting the DL30, I'm going with the Syssa 180HP (30cc) engine. To mount it, I chose to move the firewall back 1 & 1/4".
Attached are some photos of that process.
Can't wait to fly.[8D]

nev1

My Feedback: (10)

Cool. Keep us posted. Looks like you will be waiting just like me for the spring before your baby sees air.

bustedwing

Flymore,

Could you post some pics of the plane. Chief only has the sketch on the website and I'm thinking of getting one of these.

Thanks

FlymoreRC

Here's a couple of quick shots to show color scheme. This is the Red, Yellow, Black version.

Wing on left is the underside, on right is top side. Elevators are patterned like the wing.

jdeltano

Thanks for the Pics. I noticed a Decathlon on the wall behind the Yak. Who makes that one?

-Jeff