just finished putting this plane together,wow what a nice plane. i have an os 46 on it , any suggestions on set or should i just use the factory settings, also am thinking of running a 12x4 prop after break in. thanks for any info . Lee

Don't take off until you have good flying speed. Decathlons have a nasty habit of torque-rolling back to earth if you lift off too soon.

This plane requires a bit more piloting skill than many others in low air speed conditions, such as take off and landing. Slamming the throttle and jerking the stick for take off usually doesn't work.

As stated at slow speeds this plane bites back. I have had the Seagull and Pheonix model decathlons in the .40 size. The plane's looks are very deceaving. It looks like a perfect transition after a trainer but it really isn't. I would say learn to fly a Piper Cub first as it is a bit more forgiving but has many of the same flight characteristics. Of course I do not know your current level of experience.

Additionally the 12x4 prop will work fine but it also has more braking effect than say an 11x6 that I would recomend for your plane and engine. That braking effect will slow that plane down more quickly.

I have yet to maiden my Midwest 80 inch Citabria. How does it's slow speed flight characteristics compare to the 40 size Decathlon? I am currently flying a 1/4 scale Sig J3. How different is the Decathlon or Citabria from it at low speeds? Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Richard

The larger ones don't seem to have the same problems most likely due to their size they just do it slower so you have more time to react and counter properly. If you want a challenge get a .40 sized one.

The bigger plane has more mass and is less "twitchy" on take off and landing. I have owned the Phoenix 40 size Decathlon (running a 46 2 stroke and a 51 4 stroke) and the Dyna Flite Decathlon with a G38 up front. The 40 size plane was more of a handful to fly. Both planes exhibited a remarkable ability to snap roll on command. The big wing is leisurely in rotation in a roll, but really comes around quickly in a snap roll.

The trick with both these planes is to allow the tail to come up on the takeoff run before attempting to lift off, much the same as the full scale plane.
The 120 version (I haven't seen the smaller one) has a large wing area and small stabilisers and can therefore easily ground loop if you are too quick on the throttle at takeoff time.

I had one with a 26cc petrol engine which probably was around the very top of something you would bolt into this plane but she sure was fun to fly !

I had this Plane, and everyone is correct, it can be a handfull on takeoff; I put a Gyro on the Rudder/Tail Wheel, never had another problem after that, tracked straight down the runway, no ground loops, turned the gyro off once it was airbourne.