OK so I am getting abck into this hobby again after a 5 year break and have settled on a Phoenix scanner as a good 'second' plane. I had one before and it will help me get my thumbs back at a decent price. (See this thread http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10342179/tm.htm)

So the next question is, if I am to get something a bit more special to compliment the scanner would I be able to handle the Hangar 9 Piper Pawnee? I describe myself as genuine intermediate and I am more into sclae and mild aerobatics than 3D or anything like that. Would this plane suit? I am used to seeing these planes around from where I grew up so it appeals to me. Also like the large scale for the engine size.

Also, I note from various reviews and forums that there are a wide range of engine sizes used. It says it is a .46 size but how does a .60 size go or even a 4 stroke? Never used a 4 stroke before but like the sound!

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers

The Pawnee should be fine if you have basic piloting down. As is the case with most planes, setup can make a huge difference in how it handles. Start near the front of the CG range with the factory recommended throws as your high rate and around 70% less as the low. As for engines, stick with the recommendation unless you want to push it extra fast or do lots of vertical aerobatic maneuvers. There should be recommendations for both 2 and 4 stroke powerplants.

The H9 Pawnee is an easy flying plane. The Wing is flat bottomed and it has lots of dihedral. It'll be easier to fly than the Scanner I feel but it may be trickier to land nicely since it has some weird handling traits in the landing pattern, probably in part due to the short tail moment. Its very stable but has has a tendancy to float and then fall from the sky if too nose heavy. Correct balance is important.

Guy at my club has one, powered with a Saito .56 which seems to fly it rather well. I'll ask him where abouts he set the CG from the LE of the wing.

The Pawnee flys like a Cub with the wing on the bottom in my opinion. It isn't as forgiving as something like a Sig 4-Star but not as demanding as a warbird or something like that. You'll likely do just fine with it.

G'day I have a Hanger 9 Pawnee. It has an OS 81 Alpha four stroke up front and it flies well. The engine is on the large side for the model and provides more than enough power.

Take off is extremely easy. I just gradually increase the power and within a few feet the tail comes up and she then tracks extremely well. A little more power and she floats off.

She does not roll as well as other models the same size but then again, I suspect she was not designed too. Turns with just aileron and elevator are fine though proper coordinated turns with rudder make it neater.

Landing is where the fun starts. As has already been noted, she floats and then suddenly sinks and so I land with some power on until she is almost on the ground. My first couple of landings were on the hard side until I realised that a 14 x 6 prop at idle and stays and flying wires cause a lot of drag and she really slows down once the power is reduced.

I bought mine second hand and the previous owner had removed the flap servos and fixed the flaps. I have since put some servos back in but have yet to try the flaps.

Hope this helps a bit.

Mike in Oz

Thanks all. Will let you know when I get one!!

I should have mentioned earlier though - is anyone aware of a Air Tractor ARF? I am only thinking the Pawnee is good because I havent seen an Air Tractor anywhere...