Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Sup people,

I just ordered A Vectorflight Edge 540 and need some opinions on engine selection. I have narrowed my selection to 3 possible choices: an O.S. 91/108 FX, Saito 1.00/1.2, or YS 110 FZ.

Could I here from any/all experienced pilots that have used these engines before? I have read that the YS should be the best of the three. I would just like to here about some actual applications/uses of these engines.

One more thing: this will be my largest plane/engine yet. What size prop should I use on this? I am quite fond of APC props and will definitely stay with them.

I am not looking to do any type of 3D moves, just basic and advanced aerobatics. I would like the plane to have nice speed and vertical perfomance.

Thanks for the assistance.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

I am building a VF Edge as well. I am putting in a Magnum 91XLS 2 stroke in it. They are on sale for $129 and I have heard very good things about them. I am hoping this pairing is a great cost effective match. I won't know until spring though. :-) I am also moving up to this size. Keep us posted on your engine choice.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

jmps,

Is the Magnum 91XLS enough weight to balance the plane without additional weight?

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

jmps,

I too was looking at cost effectiveness. My original engine choice was a ST 90. But after much thought, I decided that I wanted more than just "adequate" power. I have learned my lesson the hard way. I now overpower my planes and use throttle management to keep the speeds/stresses in check.

I think I may go with the O.S. 91 or 108 2 stroke. Two of my club members have Edge 540's close to the size of the VF Edge 540. Both of them have the O.S. 91 FX and it pulls the plane very well. One of the guys can hover his Edge at a little more than 1/2 throttle with the O.S. 91 FX. But his plane is also lighter than the VF Edge. I may go with the O.S. 108 2 stroke. Same size as the 91, just a little concerned about the weight.

I will keep everyone posted on my engine selection. I may also start a thread with a step-by-step of the build when the plane arrives. Thanks again for your replies and I welcome more.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

For what your wanting to do, I dont think you could go wrong with any of those choices. I have a Saito 1.20 in mine and it is very strong with this plane. Maybe too strong. The Saito 1.0 or OS91FX would probably be more suitable choices for this plane given it's flight characteristics. It is not a strong 3D plane, but is very strong in the IMAC style of flight. After just a few flights, I have found it easy to learn the Basic IMAC routine steps.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Primodus,

Do you think the O.S. 108 FX would be overkill? I was comparing this motor to their 91 FX and they are almost identical in size. Would the additional weight of the 108 FX negate the added power it has over the 91 FX? According to O.S. it makes about 10% more power than the 91 FX.

Thanks

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

I haven't gotten to the stage in the build to see if the 91XLS will allow balance without extra weight. The 91XLS and the OS 91FX are just about the same weight so I think I should be OK based on some other posts. My other choice along with Ez2bgman was the Saito 100 but I like the idea of a 61 sized 91 for this and future use. I am not (yet?) into 3D either so it seems like the best fit. The VF isn't on the light end of Edges so I am trying to trim any weight that I can.

I wish I was down in New Orleans so I could try this combo before spring up here in cold Illinois!

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

LOL jmps...

Actually we just got our first taste of COOL (not cold) weather this passed weekend. October, normally a mild month for us, was unusually hot for us. We blew the record books away for the average monthly temperature (almost 80 degrees). The last week had record high temperatures everyday. ATM it is a very comfortable 70ish and will remain like this for the majority of the week. Then another cool front on Friday with accompanying rain. Saturday should be absolutely perfect flying weather again. This passed Saturday was so nice that we had a barbeque at the field. I stayed out there all day and got in 5-6 great flights with my H9 US40 and Aresti 40. I guess living down here has a few advantages. But our summers are absolutely horrible (90-95 degrees avg., w/ 80+% humidity). I bet your summers are better than ours.

I think I have made up my mind on my engine choice (after much research). I will put an O.S. 91 FX as the motivator for my Edge. I was really impressed at how they hauled my club members' Edge 540's around. With the weight of these planes, I wasn't planning on doing any type of 3D msnuevers anyway. I am more into precision flying than 3D.

Good luck with yours. As soon as I get mine (all VF planes are on back order atm) I will definitely post pics of the build.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Gary,

Here's a couple of shots of how I set up my throttle servo. Using two balsa blocks screwed to the side of the fuse. This is the best I could think of based on the instructions interpretation.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Primodus,

How is your tank held in place? Is it suppose to sit out that much from the former? Did you get all your plumbing figured out for your fuel tank? After doing more research I think that I may switch over to fuel dots. I read on here that the fueling valves, such as Dubro's and Great Planes', may develop an air leak over time and cause your enigine to run inconsistently. It makes a lot of sense.

My Edge should arrive, hopefully, in the next couple of weeks. They were back ordered about 2 weeks or so. The anticipation is just killing me.... But as I did with my H9 Aresti 40, I will take my time building it. I took extra time with the Aresti to ensure that everything was straight and true. And knowing me, I am never satisfied. I know that I will make modifications as I build it. One modification that I will do is convert the rudder to pull pull. I really like the precision you can achieve versus a conventional pushrod.

I fly fairly hard, meaning I really like to wring out my planes and push them to their limits. Therefore I know that I will need to strengthen a few areas to cope with my flying style. My club members always comment on how daring I am when I fly (I don't think 6"-12" off the deck inverted is that daring). The way I look at it: if your plane goes down, then it was meant to go down. So when the time comes for one of my planes to go down, that's just a fact of life that I have to deal with. That's one of the risks we take in our beloved hobby. That's why I fly like I do. You only live once, so.....

Happy Flying....

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Actually, the fuel tank does go in a bit further, remaining only 1" to 1-1/2" out past the former. I have finished the fuel plumbing, though I have still have to reseat the tank and put in a balsa crossmember to hold it in place. There is plenty of room for foam insulation as well. The 3 line setup tested well, and shuld make a cowled fueling much easier with the fuel dot placed in the fuse side behind the firewall.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Here is a photo of my new VectorFlight Edge 540. I used the Saito 1.00, and it mounted up in the Plane perfect. I will be breaking the new Saito in with a 15X6 APC Prop, but plan on trying the 16X4w APC a little later down the road. With this engine and prop combo, I am sure it will pull the Plane around in the air with ease.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

ckangaroo70,

Keep us posted on how the plane handles. I am very interested in how the Saito 1.00 pulls the plane around. I am still awaiting my Edge from VF and plan on purchasing a Saito 1.00 for it.

Thanks.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Hey man... Looking very sharp. With your saito 1.00 how do you have it mounted. Did you have to cut the cowl pretty good with it? Do you mind posting a pic of your cowl.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Well, with engine choices being bantered about here...I must chime in and report that my Super Tigre G-90 is a great match for this airplane. Nice transition, really good idle (even during break-in with just a few tanks-full of fuel.) I look forward to every chance to fly this plane.

On another note...I used some of the left-over red decal material to doll-up the canopy installation. I cut some strips about 5/16 inch wide and stretched it on the canopy/fuselage joint on the front and back of the canopy/fuselage interface. I just cut it where the white and black stripes are on the bottom edges of the canopy. I can post pics if my description is too ambiguous. Really helps the appearance.

Keep the feedback coming!

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

ckangaroo70 - Looks great, but... WHERE IS THE PILOT??? ;)

Kolar - I'd like to see those pics. I like pics.

Also, to anyone, I'd like to see some pics of mounted engine with and without cowl, please. I'm leaning towards a YS 110, but I may save that for a Funtana and get a Saito 100 for this one. Still thinking about that one...

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Skydude: Sounds like your in the same boat as me.. Im still up in the air on which is the best way to mount the motor. But, for ease of use I think keeping it at 90 deg is better.

Kolar: I think i know what your talking about. After looking at the cowl on the bottom half looks like the 2 pieces were taped together with red tape. And of course its a totally differant color than the rest of the plane. Im thinking of spraying a dull coat on the cowl to keep it from looking like plastic. Need to find the right color though to match the rest of the plane..

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

LusterKote TRU Red looks pretty close. Missle Red a little to bright, and has a tent of orange. If you look at my photo above, I did not use the wheel pants that came with the Plane. I used a set of Great Planes Extra 300 Pants which I painted TRU RED. Matched up pretty good I thought. Hope this helps, and I will get some better photos on here of my engine installation.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Hey guys, I was just flying my Vector 300 extra today here in northern Alberta, Canada.
Temperature was around 5 degrees celius.
I have a OS 91FX on it with about two gallons of fuel through it now.
The bad news, not unlimited vertical.
Pretty good vertical, but, not unlimited.
I put in a 16 oz tank and when it is full the plane will porpoise somewhat, you have to watch the elevator.
This plane is about the toughest one I have ever owned, hands down.
Very good build quality as well, they say the 540 is the same.
I don't know where the weight of the 540 compares to the 300 but the OS will not provide unlimited.
I would think a 120 two stroke would be perfect.
Hope this helps.
Lean540

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Here's how I used some of the red trim "tape" to make the Canopy installation look cleaner...

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Here's how I used some of the red trim "tape" to make the Canopy installation look cleaner...

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Thats a very good idea with the trim tape. On top of it it secures the canopy even more. I always had issues with screwing in canopies.
What kind of trim tape did you use? Is that the Top Flite tape? I think it was Top flite or was it Great Planes.. oh well..

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

I have the YS 110 in mine, vertical is forever. May be overpowered but the left stick makes it behave.

Kent

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

The trim tape, as I called it, is the leftover red "decal" stuff which came with the ARF. Anyone should have plenty left over after decorating their cowl. Use it on the little turtledeck piece on the tailfeathers too.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 engine choice
 

Lean540,

If you're experiencing porpoising, you might have a significant CG issue...remember these Extras and Edges (Caps, Yaks, Sukhois, Giles, Lasers, etc) are not like your garden-variety fun-fly birds...their CG location is vital. The smallest shift from "ideal" may yield flight characteristics you won't like. So if you are significantly off...like an inch or more, your plane may barely be flyable.

If you built the plane properly, and your CG is pretty much on the spot, this plane will groove like a much larger craft.

Good luck.