RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Yep... I saw your review and video..... great job on that

Looks like the OS has excellent verticle... I am sure it has gotten more power since then... takes a few gallons on the OS before it starts pulling hard

Thanks MinnFlyer

SDS

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Might have found a YS 91 AC......

What's the prop clearance with stock gear??

Thanks!

SDS

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

I don't know the prop clearance off hand, but I now have a YS 91AC in mine with a Graupner 14 x 7 prop

Plenty of clearance and PLENTY of power. It's an excellent match!

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Hi MinnFlyer....

I really think that is the hot set up for this bird. Are you running your tank on cg? What size tank and how much runtime?

Thanks,

SDS

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Right now I am running the standard tank in the stock location. But in the future I plan to move the tank back to the CG and add a smoke tank where the fuel tank is now.

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Minn: I fairly confident you could build a removable smoke "tray" that would hold the pump tank and battery right where the stock receiver and battery location is. This would be the smoke system on the CG with minimal change whether you have it in or not...

Just my .02.

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Maybe, but I don't like to put the electric pump too close to the Rx so I stick it as far into the nose as I can

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

MinnFlyer...

Do you get unlimited verticle with your YS 91?

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Yup

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Minnflyer....

What prop are you running now?

How much runtime?

Thanks,
SDS

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Here are some pics of mine now that it's complete and ready to maiden.

What's the concensus on the CofG? With the battery in the standard location my CofG is a finger's width behind the suggested mark. It takes 4oz of lead just behind the firewall to ballance.

I could move the battery forward so i don't have to use the lead, but i'm reluctant to do so if the recommended setting is conservative and i'm only going to have to move it back.

I'm thinking i'll stick the 4Oz of lead in the nose and remove 1/2Oz at a time until i'm satisfied. Then i'll experiment with battery locations to find one which gives me the same CofG without needing lead.

Update: It flies great with the battery in the stock location and no additional lead in the nose. My motor/muffler weighs in at 25.4oz (720gm).

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Custom, you could use a 1 oz weight in the spinner, or a heavy nut, and that would go close to puttin the CofG in the right place for alot less added weight.

I picked up a Skybolt kit from an estate a couple of months back; finished the build up with just covering to go. I've weighed everything that will go into it including covering, and figure it will be 7.5 lbs ready to fly, before fuelling it up.

I have an OS .91 Surpass II for it. Hopefully be flying in a couple of months.

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

sdstick, I'm using a graupner 14 x 7

CustomPC, I put my battery up front (Before I switched engines). Here's a good way to do it:

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

What motor are you using now and how much does it weigh with pipe?

My motor weighs in at 720gm (25.4Oz) with the Turbo-Jett Muffler. I believe that is slightly heavier than the suggested 91 Surpass.

I've read some posts that say the suggested CofG is very conservative, and i've read just as many posts saying they moved the battery up to the front to achieve the suggested CofG and were happy with the way it flew.

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

CustomPC, I wouldn't say the CG is 'very' consertive, I'd say it is 'extremely' conservative. I have an OS .91 Surpass on mine and the have two 1100 Mah batteries located under the very rear of the fuel tank. I think I started out with 12 oz. of weight of lead on the firewall and ended up taking it all off.

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Sure would be nice to know where everybody is ending up on the cg

135mm is my best guess from reading the thread.

Hope everybody had a nice Thanksgiving

SDS

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Semi Retired Aviator: You built a KIT version that will end up at 7.5lbs?!?!?!?!?! Very very impressive!

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

I just put mine together and measured the CG. I have mine at 5 3/4" back on the bottom of the upper wing. I think the manual calls for 4 5/8".

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

CustonPC you are the best!
I am waiting for a vid mate!
Kostas

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

Is that measured from the leading edge back at the center of the wing.... or from the leading edge back ligning up with the side of the fuse? Did I say that right??
SDS

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

sdstick06,

It was about 2" out from the center of the wing.

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

I'm surprised to hear about moving the CG back... While the stock one is conservative, this is not a 3D airplane and does not benefit much from a rearward CG. The snaps only get sloppier and the knife edge starts to couple. At the stock location, I could dang near get a flat spin to climb with a saito 1.25, Minn saw mine fly with a stock CG, I don't see a need to go any further back with it.

Now that being said, we all have different preferences, and I am a student of the game. Could you guys explain to me the benefits you are looking for when moving the CG back on this type of plane?!?!

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

My Skybolt was extremely nose heavy, landed hot, and required a lot of down elevator to fly inverted. I don't fly any 3D with it, and don't try. I mainly fly scale aerobatics with it. I can't fly knife edge well, but it seems to want to pull to the belly. I can't get it into a very flat upright spin even using cross controls. It does very nice tail-slides though. I simply had to move the CG back to get it to fly properly.

The Skybolt is my favorite plane to fly though. It is just smooth in everything it does and is just a pleasure to fly and watch in the air. I have a .40 size Ultimate and the Skybolt flies like a trainer compared to it. I like the Skybolt so much that I am going to get another to have just in case something ever happens to the one I have.

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

The old but tried and true test for proper cg.....

go 3/4 throttle... roll to inverted... establish 45 degree upline... take your hands of the sticks (neutralize the controls) see what she does

If she maintains the 45 degree upline.... cg is right on

Nose drops... she is nose heavy

Tail drops... she is tail heavy

That's all there is to it... hope that helps

SDS

RE: Super Skybolt ARF
 

trixer, well I've weighed EVERYTHING that is going to go into the finshed aircraft, allowed .2 oz per sq ft for covering per specs; engine prop, spinner, spats, all went on the scales, and I came up with just under 7.5, so I'm figuring it won't go over that.

That's it hanging i my basement until I get back onto it which I hope will be soon.