Anyone out there have experience with the Telemaster 40?

Almost finished building mine...never flown one.

I have never Flown one but it has been a recommended trainer for many years. Every comment I have seen about the Telemasters has been good. Hope this helps.

I have one and love it...it's the plane I taught myself to fly on. I built it with flaps and dual aileron servos. With a weak .46 LA it flies quite well and is incredibly forgiving and predictable. It's a plane than deserves the rumble and torque of a 4-stroke (.56 ?). It will fly inverted, roll, loop and do other basic aerobatics. It is critical that you reinforce the wing with fiberglass, otherwise it will fold as construction does not include ply dihedral braces. If you fly from grass, I would also recommend reinforcing where the tailwheel mounts with plywood. Throw out the included tail hardware and get a good set-up.

With flaps and a headwind it will land at a stand-still. Without flaps it gives very predictable, stable approach at a more standard landing speed. I've flown off snow with cut-off XC skis bolted on and it flew really well. Flaps on takeoff reduce roll to just a few feet. I'd like to set it up to piggy back gliders and upgrade to a .65ish 4C. It's a real SUV of an airplane.

One thing to be aware of is that the plans do not fit the parts perfectly. Don't cut the parts!...use the plans as a guide only. My wing built out a few inches longer than the drawings. The instruction manual is okay--no photos--muddy descriptions of what to do. It was my first build and it was challenging to figure it out. I'm working on a Sig kit and a Balsa USA kit currently and their instruction manuals are far superior...idiot proof even.

Have fun and if you've specific questions during the build, let me know, I might have some insight.

Thanks for the input; curious about the flaps.... were there building instructions on that procedure or did you go by experience? I know the 4strokes are the favorite but I was given an OS46Fx so that is what I will use. I was told to use not only a new tailwheel, but also new main gear... would you agree? Look forward to the build.

I would agree. The mains are very soft...which was good when I was learning; a bit annoying now. Definately install a strip of 3/8" ply (or whatever you have >1/4") at the rear of the fuse where the tail mount will be... the balsa just doesn't stand up to the stress. Flaps are outlined in both the drawings and the instructions. If you decide to go with flaps (and you should because they're fun), I'd really recommend dual aileron servos as the mid section will be very crowded...not to mention the linkage nightmare. Standard servos fit perfectly between the ribs with only the face of the servo exposed.

I'd say a .46 fx is the perfect 2 stroke for the plane if you want to push the limits of the standard construction airframe and do some glider tows. You may also opt to reduce the dihedral fom 4" to maybe 2", as you sound like an experienced flyer.

Have fun and keep me posted, I'm interested in your building choices and how they work out.

I flew my friends and was laughing my fool head as I was having way to much, now have one of my own. Now with flaps and a small I was able to get it to backwards and it was stable the whole time. If you don't have fun with yours then you are dead, have your pulse checked!!!!!

Just bought a used Telemaster 40 with trike gear and found it set up at neutral trims with down elevator, right rudder and lead in the nose. Don't have plans - would really appreciate any trim info like CG, down thrust, right thrust and any suggestions to make it fly as it was intended.

Also, info on adding flaps?

Why would you want to add flaps on a plane that will land at a slow walk??!? [8D]

I built the tele 60 and all above is true. CG on spar is great starting point... dual servo is way to go. I was lazy and skipped the flaps they do float so its up to you. Just dont build to right sides [:@] just so much fun cuttin and gluing it's hard not to get carried away. The first flite when the flying tail jumps up is a eye opener LOL.. BTW drop the dihedral to half unless you want a true trainer.
Rich

I learned on a Telemaster 40 converted to electric. It's a great flying, stable plane. I built mine with flaps, too, but never really used them. I did it with the intention of playing with CROW speedbrakes, but never got around to it.

taught son of a friend to fly on one. nice plane but as tail wheel found rudder inadaquate to counter torque sometimes. recommend larger rudder.

I built my First 40 Tele in 1987.. It was my 3rd plane.
I picked up the tele kit after my Falcon 56 found the ground to be a quite unforgiving way to end a dive.

It's an easy build..
I built it with flaps, Tricycle gear and an OS .61 4 stroke.
I didn't have any issues with the stock landing gear but they may have changed things since 87.
I almost never used the flaps since it would hardly land without em anyway..
Do glass the center of the wing..
I glassed mine and still cracked it in half when I piled it in trying to loop out of a low inverted pass (yeah, Dumb I know)

I'll give it credit.. It hit hard enough to put a hole in the dubro fuel tank.

My only complaint would be the tail.. It's not exactly a strong conection to the fuse..
I knocked it off a few times during transport.

It's a great plane.. After the first crash I rebuilt it from the plans and still have it today..
I'd post a pic but it's in my Dad's garage about 1,300 miles away..