RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

I went home and checked my aileron hinge point installation method. There is less than 1/16" gap and the hinge elbows are not visable without VERY close inspection. All in all, it looks neat and scalish.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Gary and Luke. You two Southerners are probally able to find several descent flying days in the winter. Poor ole me stuck up North here don't hardly ever get much of a chance in the winter months. Today could have been the exception though here in Illinois because it is a balmy 55 degrees right now, and the winds are not to bad, but wouldn't you know that the ground is like a big wet sponge, and everywhere is a sloppy mess. Thats just my luck. I did get to fly a couple of my electrics this morning cause I can just hand toss them, but I sure would rather be flying my edge. So I am counting on you Gary to get that Edge in the air so I can at least enjoy reading some flight reports even if they are not my own. I have allready maidened mine several weeks ago, but I was so nervous, and both flights were so brief that I can't really give any kind of detailed flight report. I was so nervous that it seems kind of vague now. I just remember taking off both times, messin with the trims some, climbing out a ways, coming around and then lining up, and landing. I do remember that my landing speed was a little fast, but I got the Plane in fine. I just remeber driving home thankful that it was in the back of my truck still all in one piece. I have had to haul a few wrecks home in the past. Every Plane has an experation date, but I just hope I get to enjoy my edge for awhile before that date comes.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

I usually get pretty good flying weather in the winter months but, using during this time im so up in balsa wood and saw dust i never get a chance to go out. This is the time where i take all my planes apart and modify or fix them. So when that perfect day comes up, i have no plane to fly because something is always in pieces.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Chin up Ray :D Just think of the winter break as an extension on the expiration date.:eek::) I would like for each of us to continue to post build AND flight reports on this thread. Two reasons, to keep the therad alive, as well as, to help each other fine tune this incredible product. By compiling all our info, we can each get the maximum performance possible. Keep it up guys! :D

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

rc
A guy has to find things to keep himself occupied with in the Winter. My next ARF going to be the VF Extra, but I like balsa sticks and sheeting, and that yummy sawdust to. I just ordered me a GP Cap 232 Kit yesterday to help keep me occupied till spring, but if Gary keeps comming up with these great mods for my VF Edge, that will help me pass some time to. I have a light kit on one of my Planes which looks super neat even in the daytime, as long as it not to bright out. I am considering maybe adding a few lights to the edge just for show. I don't think I would ever be brave enough to night fly the edge, but like I said, landing lights still look neat even in the day as long as it is cloudy. I use the High Intensity LED's that can be found at probally most any Radio Shack, and come in many different colors including flashing ones also. They make for good conversation, and really draw attention to a Plane.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Luke
The instructions that come with the Planes are a little on the lacking side even though I had no trouble understanding them, and the Plane went together fine, but this thread really serves as a good addition or other option to the Manufactures instructions. A guy could almost assemble his Plane easier and and do it in a better way just by reading through this thread, and applying some of the ideas here to his or her own VF Edge Assembly. If I was just now starting assemby of my edge, I think I would have just had you and Gary, and others on here just walk me through the assembly process. That way a guy catches all the great mods, tips and improvements as he is assembling, and not later after he has allready assembled. I am not saying that the Plane can't be built well by using the supplied instructions. I am just saying that it can be done better by learning from the guys who have built the Plane, and have figured out what works O.K, and what works the best. So like you, I really hope this thread stays alive for awhile so folks just starting assembly can take advantage of the good tips that are here.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Guys,

I too would like to see this thread continue to grow. Hopefully we will get some new faces into the game and they can share the wealth of info that has been posted on this thread. I am extremely pleased that some of my mods have been put to use by others. Maybe I should start getting patents...[sm=bananahead.gif] (I'm joking of course....)

Ray, I too am anxious to get the Edge up in the air. I am getting ready to load up my car as soon as I finish this post. It is a bit windy here at home, but hopefully it will be better at the field. I wish I had a voice activated tape recorder. That way I could tell myself, in detail, how the flight is going so that I could write it up when I get back. Guess I will have to bring a pen and paper and write down what I noticed after each flight. I want to get at least 2 good flights in today.

Well guys, I am off to the field. Wish me luck with mother nature. She hasn't been very cooperative lately.

I will post my results as soon as I get back and unload. Later.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Man I am nervous for you, and it isn't even my Plane!lol

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Check out my Photos below. Camera actually done a fair job this time!

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

I went to hang the edge back in the Hangar after doing the Nylon bolt mod, and decided to snap a couple photos while I had it out of my dark shop.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Well, my VF Edge has been shipped and I should get it by early next week. I have been reading this thread every night and I sure thank all you who have contributed your building suggestions and modifications. I will be copying most of them on my Edge. I hope you don't mind. I also hope you do not mind answering some of the same questions again as I go through my build. Good luck to those who have not yet flown their Edge and wish me luck on getting mine to look as nice as all of yours.[8D]

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

If my VF Edge _ever_ comes, I plan to put up posts as I go along with the assembly. I've already started a supplemental assembly / reference manual comprised of posts and pics from this thread.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Ron,

>> Well, my VF Edge has been shipped and I should get it by early next week.<<

When did you order and did they notify you by email when they shipped the plane?

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

I know the wait time is tough, but I think you will find it well worth the wait once you open the box! I look forward to following your assembly, and I am sure there are plenty in here who would be happy to offer any help, or answer questions. You may come up with a few suggestions or tips yourself that you might want to share with us.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Sometimes they can get pretty bogged down with orders I believe. I think Gary will vouch that they were pretty backed up for the Christmas Holiday, cause he had a pretty long wait on his due to ordering before the Holidays. I think VF was trying to please Customers who were requesting there Plane by Christmas, and the ones who were not requesting it by Christmas got bumped up a tad. With a small Manufacturer like VF, you have to cut them a little slack when it comes to wait time. First they compete in a very competitive Market, second they put out a High Quallity Product, Third they offer their Products at an unbelievable low price. Fourth they have Customer Service that is absolutely 2nd to none. Now I personally would not want them to jepordize any of these good quallities just to get my Plane to me a few days quicker. As a matter of fact I expect all companies to be this good, it is just sad that this is not the case. There are much bigger Plane Manufactures that would do good to follow the example of VectorFlight. I think you will find the Plane well worth the wait, and I look forward to reading your thoughts on the Plane, and following your assembly.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

rcjon, they did not notify me by email, but they might have if I did not contact them by email first. I ordered my Edge a few days before Christmas. I was not one of the people asking for it by Christmas. I emailed them shortly after I ordered it and asked for their honest estimate of when it would be shipped. They said by the 10th of January because they were quickly catching up on their backlog. I emailed them again on the 10th to see if they were going to be able to ship it as they said. They said it had been shipped and I should receive it in about a week because it had to go through their Detroit distribution area. All my emails were pleasant, I did not ask them for anything but updates. They always got back to me within a day. I agree with all the great reports on VF as a company. They are top-rate. I can't wait to get my Edge. I will post any suggestions I have as a build mine. But, I must say, that you'all have covered the subject very well. Thanks. [8D]

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

I ordered mine December 7.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

I ordered mine Dec 7. Guess I should have told them I wanted it for xmas. Last word was that they expected to ship last week. I understand and anticipated a wait. But if others get their's in 3 weeks and mine takes 5 or 6, it's disturbing.

And they charge the credit card when the order is placed, not when the plane is shipped. They are probably just making mine better than everyone else's.;)

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

I think 4-6 weeks is probally the most accurate estimate. I know Gary(ez2bgman) had a pretty long wait on his. Mine took about 5 weeks, but I didn't use my credit card for this purchase. I sent a Money Order which probally added some to the wait time. Hang in there! Just when you are about ready to give up on it. There it will be.

Now I am not speaking for VF, but I think I read somewhere that they use a service that processes Credit Card orders for them, and they charge you just as soon as you charge your Plane.

Maybe they going to make you a special edition blue one instead of the red like everyone elses.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Well guys,

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaccccccckkkkkk....

Before I get into the flight report let me add my $0.02 about VF. Yes I was a litlle agitated for the delay in my order. But Chuck at VF answered every question that I asked about my order. He was always upfront and honest. He did not have to volunteer the info that my order was pushed back in order to satisfy the last-minute Chrsitmas shoppers. He could just as well as continued to tell me there was a backorder. His honesty is proof in the principles that VF stands for. They are the only company that I have dealt with in the R/C industry that is as straight forward as they are. Now that I know that they produce such a high quality aircraft, I would wait 2 or 3 months for another plane. I would rather wait and have a near bulletproof plane, than get one in 1 week that can't even stand up to your average hangar rash. The product that they produce is second to none. The price is a bargain compared to other companies. Look at Seagull Models Edge 540. They are almost identical in dimensions to VF, yet they cost $20 more and I guarantee that their quality is nowhere near the level that VF is at. I am 100% satisfied with my plane and I know that 99.9% of flyers that decide to purchase one will be too.

Ok enough of that, now on the meat and potatoes of this thread...

I packed up and headed to the field immediately after my last post. I was half way there (about 20 minutes into the drive) when I realized that I left the belly pan on my workbench. As you can imagine, I was cursing myself out with just about every word I know. [&:] I turned around and made it home in half the time it took me to get there. Yes I drive really fast, that's one of the perks to being in law enforcement (and no, I didn't run with lights on...:eek:).

I got to the field at about 4:30 pm and unlocked the gate. The road to the pit area was still water logged and I got stuck in the mud. After several tense minutes I was able to get out. I reached the pit area and setup my table and stand. I was running out of daylight and quickly assembled the plane, only to realize that I forgot to connect the aileron leads. Maybe all this was a sign that I shouldn't have went out there today. Anyway I quickly attached the aileron leads and placed the plane back behind my safety stakes. Can you tell that the anticipation to get her up was causing me to make several mistakes?

I fueled her up and she cranked on the first blip of the starter. I let the engine warm up for a couple of minutes and then range checked my radio. Just as I was getting ready to taxi out, the wind picked up considerably (I told you mother nature doesn't like me :(). I looked at the wind sock and it was blowing straight out at about a 35-45 degree angle to the field. Oh great, a strong crosswind on my first flight [:o]. The wind was approximately 15-20 mph and gusting, but I had flown in higher winds. I really wanted to get her up in the air.

I taxied out and positioned her in the middle of the field into the wind. I checked the surfaces once more and made sure that low rates were on for the ailerons and elevator. Now or never..... I slowly advanced the throttle and she leaped into the air at about 1/3 throttle with only a 40-50 foot rollout. I added more throttle and brought her to altitude (about 150 ft. for this flight). I turned her around and noticed that she kept wanting to climb. I leveled her out and began adding down trim. I turned around again and she was still trying to climb. By the time I got her to fly level, I had used up almost 3/4 of the down trim. I attribute this to a few things that I changed (like the wing-fuselage gap mod) and didn't rebalance her.

Due to the strong winds it was impossible to check the rudder trim because she kept weathervaning with the wind. Aileron trim seemed dead on, but again it may need minor adjustment. Trying to trim in high winds is not the smartest idea. I made a few circuits on low rates. I did a couple of rolls on low rate and she lost a bit of altitude.

I clicked the high rates on and her response to my inputs was immediate. Rolls were very crisp and axial. I almost dumb thumbed her in. I forgot that she was on high rates and made a climbing turn. Everything was fine until I realized I pulled too hard on the elevator and was now heading straight down. I pulled her out and throttled down (phew that kinda scared me) at about 50 ft. I made another circuit and heard the engine sputter for a second. This, combined with the hig winds, was a sign that it was time to land.

I flew around and entered the landing pattern. On the downwind leg, I throttled back to about 1/4 just before I made the final turn. As I made the final turn to line up, I continued to reduce the throttle. Just as I reached the beginning of the field, I chopped the throttle. I had to add considerable right rudder to counter the crosswind. She floated in nice and gentle and touched on the mains, with no hop, almost right in front of me. 10 feet later the tail wheel came down. I turned her toward me and taxied back. I was losing sunlight rapidly and knew that I would not be able to put her up again. I parked her between the safety stakes and continued to let the motor run at about half throttle.

Man were my knees and hands shaking the entire time. She is extremely responsive. Be prepared because she will go where you point her. As stated in many other posts, these planes are very pitch sensitive. It seems that the recommended elevator throws wouldn't be enough. Trust me when I tell you that there is plenty of authority with the elevator on hig rates. On low rates, she flies very gently. I cannot wait to really wring her out.

The first flight, although brief (about 6 minutes total), was a complete success. The onyl thing that happened occurred while breaking down the plane. After I unscrewed the belly pan, I turned to put something in my trunk and a gust of wind caught the rudder and blew the plane out of the stand on my table and onto the ground. She hit the rudder and landed on the wheels. The rudder broke off at the hinges due to the impact, but nothing else happened. I have already rehinged the rudder with Robart Hinge Points :D.

I hope I provided enough detail on my first flight. I promise that the next one will be much more beneficial and longer. Until next time.... Happy flying.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Now this is top secret and I am not supposed to show anyone this, but I will show it just this once. If you are a real special customer VF will make you a Purple Edge like they did for me................................................ ...or maybe this is just one of my poor attempts to try and color a Plane with my picture editor. You decide!

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Nice try Ray. NOT !!!!! LOL

That almost looks good until you expand the picture.

rcjon, my Edge took about 6.5 weeks from the time I placed the order until the Postman delivered it to me. Don't sweat it, you will get it and will be more than pleased once you open that huge box.

Later

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

YIIIIIPPPPPPPEEEEEE! Congratulations on the maiden Gary! Sounds like everything was working against you, but you managed to get it done. Great determination! Glad everything went well during flight. Sorry to hear about the Rudder, but sounds like that gave you a chance to improve upon it anyway. When you said your tailwheel fell off, did you mean the whole assembly, or did the collar just come loose on the axle? It may have been Luke or possibly someone else that I read lost their tailwheel during maiden also. Anyway sounds like she lived to see another day! Great report!

Please disregard the part about the tailwheel. I misread the post above. Don't know how I got from the tail wheel comming down to the tailwheel comming off. His Flight report was interesting enough without me adding mistruths to it! Great Report!

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Ray, my tailwheel didn't fall off. You must have me confused with someone else. How could you confuse me with another pilot? I thought I meant more to you than that. :( LOL

It went well. It was shorter than I planned, but still a success.

I don't think I will be able to take her up for another 1.5 weeks. The weather is about to get nasty wet and cold. Hopefully I will have better luck with the elements on my next flight. It is hard as heck trying to trim your plane in a 15-20 mph crosswind.

RE: Vectorflight Edge 540 build
 

Dang! You got me! Guess I will just have to be happy with my red one like everyone else!

On another note. I forgot to ask in my last post about how well you liked the stripes on the bottom of the wings now that you have had it in the air. I have been debating on adding something to my underside, so I just curious to how well you thought yours showed up.