RE: 4-stroke for Somethin' Extra
 

Plan to maiden tomorrow AM. Here is what I've done to this point:

Saito FA-72. Break-in prop APC 13-6, 14-4 and 13-4 standing by
Sullivan 10 oz. flex tank
Sullivan Golden Rods
TNT main landing gear
SIG Heavy Duty tailwheel
3 M tape around canopy, then screws attached
Du-Bro Quick Charging jack
Hobbico Volt Watch
Slimline G-Man pilot
Futaba 6XEA

Mile-Hi Flyer

RE: 4-stroke for Somethin' Extra
 

Looks great.

You will thoroughly enjoy that setup.

Remember she rolls extremely fast on full aileron travel. It's a good idea substantially reducing the rate on them for the first few flights.

David C.

RE: 4-stroke for Somethin' Extra
 

Thanks David,

I have everything set for LOW on the dual rates. I've previously been flying with exponential so I have that dialed in as well; at least until I get used to it.

The SE weighed in at exactly 6 lbs. according to the digital fish scale. Hopefully that is in the ballbpark. The CG is basically at the 3 1/2" mark from the LE and I'll see where it winds up.

Take care,

Ray
AKA, Mile-Hi Flyer

RE: 4-stroke for Somethin' Extra
 

That setup sounds exactly right.

I have had two SEs and both flew great.

No tendency to tip stall or snap, even on tight loops.

If you are wondering why I had two, I sold my first one and immediately regretted it, so I built another one! They are almost as much fun to build as to fly!

Good luck,

-David C.

RE: 4-stroke for Somethin' Extra
 

David,

Flew the SE on Sunday and then again today. While the model flew great on Sunday, I tried to kill it. Got so low, (lulled to sleep), that when I pulled up from Zero feet AGL, I knocked off the main landing gear. It kept flying. Did a flight control check at pattern altitude and then shut the engine down and dead-sticked it onto the grass (tailwheel only landing). Post flight inspection showed minimal damage-knocked off the main gear and punctured a hole in the leading edge when it attacked some form of oversized weed during the buzz job. I did find a cracked servo tray the next morning as well.

Fixed it yesterday; flew it today.

We had winds 15-20+ today and I got three flights in. It flies so much better in the wind than my trainer did (I understand why). Flew several upwind legs to a point abeam me and had the thing stopped, pushed up the power and added up elevator and off she went.

The last takeoff was full up elevator and fairly rapid throttle advancement. My buddy estimated the roll at 10.' It went vertical until I became uncomfortable with how small it was getting. The landings were pretty much the same. Left enough power on to fight my way through the gusts down final, ease the power to nearly idle in the flare, and the dang thing rolled about 10' again.

I maidened the airframe on Sunday; I maidened the landing gear today...

Mile-Hi Flyer

RE: 4-stroke for Somethin' Extra
 

Sounds like you are having fun with it!

Did you notice how it doesn't snap at all, even at very slow speeds and extreme elevator movement?

A great plane that is excellent for learning aerobatics. The only think it doesn't do well is a knife edge.

Good luck and have fun!

;)

-David C.

RE: 4-stroke for Somethin' Extra
 

Hey guys, thanks for all the great info about the Something Extra. I'm currently flying my Avistar with an O.S. 40 FX engine. I'd like to be able to transfer this engine over to the SE but I wasn't sure if this airplane would be underpowered with this engine installed. I am a beginner but learning fast every time I fly my Avistar. Thanks for the advice.