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Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
Rushed to the field today for the first flight on my Pitts-17.5 LBs without fuel--- there were 20 MPH crosswind at 90o and a threat of thunderstorms but I was determined this was the day--Had this thing since March and all of the modifications and upgrades were done and I could not wait. My buddy Paul (who assembled it for me) was there and we took the cowl off to make sure the Taurus 3.2 was OK with the settings. Many thanks to Bill Pryor for talking me into this engine. This is BY FAR the best gas engine I have owned--(I have had a few)-Bill at Taurus knows what he is doing. First tank-Zinger Pro 22-10 at 7100 (a fellow club member has a ZDZ 60 that turns the exact same RPMs --this is a 50-WOW) This was almost 21 lbs of thrust. We then tried a Mejslic 23/10 6200 RPS at 20 lbs of thrust. For the first flight I opted for the 22/10. The weather was starting to get ugly so we decided not to top of the battery-1400ma- not charged since radio installiation--we were only there for 1 quick test flight and there was plenty of battery left at 5.5v
Taxied out--throttled up--the tail come up quick and almost nosed over--more left stick and we were flying. The cross wind almost blew the right wing over but rudder quickly fixed that. Climbed uot and turned down wind reduced speed and added 2 clicks up and 2 right aliron. Flying around at about 1/2 throttle---decided to back off and see where the stall was--pulled back the stick and the plane kept flying--horror set in as I realized I had no throtle control--I tried the engine kill switch--nothing--(dummy, its a linkage problem) You take on a different attitude when you realize you have nothing to lose and you are going to crash--It is a big tank--a partially full battery and a plane full of digitial servos and thunderstorms on the way. Way to fast to land--cross wind at that--so lets ring it out at 1/2 throttle and I learned quick--this is one SUPER AEROBATIC PLANE --I am no IMAC guy -- but if you are like me and love ROCK-N-ROLL- aerobatics (snaps,spins, rolls, lumchavocs, knife edge spins, ect---hey- all at half throttle even) this is your plane. After 30+ minutes and with lightning poping around me I heard the engine sputter--and the wind had picked up even more--finally the engine died and I landed in the weeds without a scratch--unblieveable--got it loaded just in time for the heavens to break lose-----SO--THE WAY I SEE IT THIS PLANE SHOULD HAVE DIED TODAY--The fact that it didn't means I got a free plane regardless of what happens from hear on! ---A SUPER PLANE! |
Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
Hey AJF, That is the best story I have read in a while! with all that happened, you maintained your cool ! that is great!! I am working on my Pitt's ARF tonight, I have a ways to go but am looking forward to the first flight, but not in T-storms. You did a great job of dealing with your situation!! good luck, Bud...
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Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
Hey Budcop--Thanks for the kind words--This is the first Pitts I have owned since I traded a Decathalon to a guy from Tenn for a Cermark Pitts with a Saito 180--You may know him-- :D Grin :D
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Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
I think I remember having a cermark pitt's with a saito 180 on it at one time :D I have kicked my rear for getting rid of it for a while, but now have the GP Pitts, after reading your story, I'm fired up!!!!! Bud...
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Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
AJF--2:
glad to hear you didn't loose your plane, good job!!,one thing i find to be very strong is the landing gear mount. I installed springs & cables to strengthen mine, I have came in pretty hard about 4 times with no damage. trying to learn how much throttle to chop prior to landing as my plane now weights in @ 18# dry & 21# wet, still unlimited with g-62 & 22x12 mejzlik prop. Man I love this plane!!!! oh I love the old lady too, sometimes ha!ha! |
FREE Plane, INDEED !!!
AJF - you BETCHA you got a free plane. AND you "know" that your 1400 ma battery has a d&$* good shelf life! I wonder if, during that 30 minute-marathon of aerobatics if it hit you that you were flying on a "stored" battery....SHEESH.....Big ones, Ya got BIG ONES....It really is a terrific plane with the power the 52 puts into her...
Of course, I (like everyone else) am REALLY glad you got everything back, and had no mishaps. You dodged about all the bullets....heavy crosswind, high electricity atmosphere, dead-sticking a Pitts (for cryin' out loud..) So...you goin' out tomorrow?? |
Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
Oh yea!--recharging right now.
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PROBLEM????
What was the problem, was a linkage problem?? What type of kill switch?? Hope things go smoother for second flight. Sounds like you had a seasons worth of problems in one flight.
GOOD JOB & GOOD LUCK! |
Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
What type of kill switch?? |
Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
I LOVE MY PITTS. with the zdz60 it is awesome. thats all i can say
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I'm going to call you lucky lucky!
Man am I happy you lucked out. It's great to hear a good result from a situation that could have been catostrophic. It's also good to hear that the Pitts flies great and I'm especially happy to hear you're happy with the Taurus....though I had little doubt about that. :D
I hope you have better luck on your second outing. Let us know. Bill |
Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
Thanks for all of the encouraging words. Could not get to the field today--(too much yardwork and a social function too--Will be there tomorrow) The problem was the arm on the carb--it had come completely off. So the question was answered "How much threadlock can you get on one little set screw--answer-- A LOT!" AEROBOB made a good point in an email about what would have happened if it had hung at full throttle. I am not sure if I could have stayed ahead of it for a sustained period and I am quite sure the plane would not have stayed together--That is one powerful motor. So now the question comes up--"In cases such as this-do we need a kill switch on the ignition switch?" Bob makes a good point! What do you think? It sure could not hurt!
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Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
what do you think about a small limit switch activated by throttle servo when trim tab is pulled all the way down, or does anyone know of such a switch that doesn't need a servo for operation!!
the thought of being stuck @ full throttle with g-62 is scary altho it will run out of fuel in 15 minutes |
Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
Bob and I was thinging of a servo to operate the on/off switch to the ignition. Just a thought....
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Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
that would definately work but my plane is already pretty heavy!!
I will check into this @ radio shack & another electronics supply store near home, if i can get something together that is really light i will post it, i'mm thinking a limit switch that will be tripped by throttle servo when trim is pulled all the way back, when tripped it will cut power to ignition, I am allready set up so pulling trim all the way down will kill the engine with low rpm, this would be an added safety in a case such as yours "linkage failure" |
Remote secondary kill switch
Guys, search RCU for this subject. I don't remember where it is, but there is a complete thread on this issue. I didn't have a separate kill switch on my DP Extra and almost lived to regret it, but I lucked out. That's a whole long story in itself. I usually use some sort of secondary remote kill switch in my planes, but I was trying to save an ounce with the Extra and didn't add one. I regret that decision now, even though it didn't turn out to be a disaster. Bottomline.....always add a secondary kill switch to your GS planes. My current favorite method is a choke servo. It serves two purposes, first obviously it is a great convenience when starting the motor and second it kills the engine instantly when running....and no, it doesn't flood the engine. Use a micro servo and the total setup will weigh in at about an ounce.
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Switches - NOT -
RCISMYLIFE - I have "BTDT" with the switch, and was never able to confirm that it caused the crash of my Edge 540 last summer, but it created a heckuva lot of RF interference. I had a lever microswitch actuated by a micro-servo mounted on the top of the motor box. I WILL NOT do it again.
I have found an optically-isolated electronic power control that has an adjustable "trip point", where it turns "off", disconnecting whatever is connected through it. Recommended by Miles Simmons, it is a kit, but seems easy enough to build. AJF - email me about this.... ALSO - I just came in from trying the T52 with a MA Wood 22 x 8....sheesh. It may have loosened the firewall - gotta go check. But it would be worth it. Such vertical authority....a lot like an F-16 must be....BTW - it turned 6400.... |
Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
hey Bill:
I am using a futaba 6xap with the ailerons split between channels 1&6, smoke on channel 5, I dont have any more channels for extra servo, limit switch is probably my only option, or buy a 9cap, hey thats a thought "hope the old lady isn't reading this" ha!ha! |
Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
aerobob:
is there a site where i can see this electronic power control, would like to study it, might be what I am looking for |
5 channels
Hi RCISMYLIFE,
Sorry about that. I often assume everyone has 8 or 9 channels. You're right 5 channels definitely limits your options. Sounds like you're on the right track. |
Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
Hey Bill:
by the way I love the smoke, looks great on this plane. yes i am limited with channels & i'm not ready for the 9cap but if i put enough thought in it i will figure a way to make it work, my throttle servo is in the fuse right on cg with a nyrod running to bell crank, from there a linkage is run to throttle arm on g-62, i was thinking of running another nyrod off of throttle servo into cowl that would trip limit switch when pull down on trim. worried about expansion & contraction of nyrod. what do you think this setup would keep rf interference from causing me problems |
Redundant?
Hi RCISMYLIFE,
Sounds like that's probably the best you can do with the 5 channel limitation, but it isn't really providing you with redundancy, except for perhaps the linkage at the carb breaking. This wouldn't have helped me with my problem because the issue I had was radio interference(loose ground strap) that made the throttle go to full on. Your fix wouldn't have helped in that case. |
Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
hey Bill:
was just looking @ website aerobob told me about, there is a product called optoglo, I think this is exactly what i am looking for, it connects to throttle port in receiver thru y-harness & has set points as to where switch is off & on check it out @ www.cliftech.com |
optoglo
Yep that looks like a good switch to use. The application as a kill switch certainly isn't obvious unless you really study how it works, and I don't think this should be recommended to everyone, but if you have rudimentary soldering skills and basic electrical wiring knowledge, you ought to be able make this work.
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Gp Pitts--FIRST FLIGHT-I Got A Free Plane!
yes thats for sure, back in 1980 i built my first rc radio set, it was a 9 channel heathkit, had to build radio, receiver, servos & battery pack, it worked very well plus gave me a little knowledge of electronics, on another note I wish I could afford that 3w 150 good luck selling it, I will soon be looking for another plane to fly. Undecided on what i want, I would like to put together a 40% plane if they weren't so expensive, altho i have plenty invested the pitts allready, maybe a funfly like one of the morris hobbies planes. Would like to learn 3d, later bill
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