Four Star 40 Maiden Flight
08-14-2004 | 08:44 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Four Star 40 Maiden Flight
I finally flew my 4 * .40 today. I really enjoyed the plane in the air. It is a great flier and lands ever so gently. Loops, immelmans, split s, 1/2 cuban 8s and inverted flights were all easy to execute. I built the kit stock, with full length wings, so rolls were slow.
The plane required only a little trimming after the first flight. The only problem I experienced was with it's ground handling. At mid speed, the plane wants to go all over the place! Has any one else experienced this? If so, what solutions would you recommend.
My first attempt to resolve the issue was to add some - EXP on my transmitter. This had little effect on the ground, but improved turn coordination in the air. I really didn't care for the tail gear supplied with the kit, or the way it is mounted. I suspect that it is contributing to its bad ground behavior. This evening, I bought and installed a Dubro tail wheel assembly. This is a lot sturdier and stable setup. I hope this solves the issue. I'll find out tomorrow.
This is going to be a great second plane. I see that it has the potential of providing a lot of flying. As I increase my skills, shortening the wings will improve its roll rate, A more powerful engine will increase its vertical performance and its speed. Eventually, I'll start adding weight to it to increase its wingload as a trainer for my first warbird.
Scott
The plane required only a little trimming after the first flight. The only problem I experienced was with it's ground handling. At mid speed, the plane wants to go all over the place! Has any one else experienced this? If so, what solutions would you recommend.
My first attempt to resolve the issue was to add some - EXP on my transmitter. This had little effect on the ground, but improved turn coordination in the air. I really didn't care for the tail gear supplied with the kit, or the way it is mounted. I suspect that it is contributing to its bad ground behavior. This evening, I bought and installed a Dubro tail wheel assembly. This is a lot sturdier and stable setup. I hope this solves the issue. I'll find out tomorrow.
This is going to be a great second plane. I see that it has the potential of providing a lot of flying. As I increase my skills, shortening the wings will improve its roll rate, A more powerful engine will increase its vertical performance and its speed. Eventually, I'll start adding weight to it to increase its wingload as a trainer for my first warbird.
Scott
08-15-2004 | 09:19 AM
#4
My Feedback: (4)
RE: Four Star 40 Maiden Flight
Can't say as I've noticed that trait with mine, but toeing in the mains could help.
Good luck with your 4*, it's a terrific plane. I will warn you about one thing with it though, it has a bad tendency to pitch down when you apply rudder. This is especially apparent if you try knife edge. It's necessary to input a LOT of up elevator to get it to track straight.
Dennis-
Good luck with your 4*, it's a terrific plane. I will warn you about one thing with it though, it has a bad tendency to pitch down when you apply rudder. This is especially apparent if you try knife edge. It's necessary to input a LOT of up elevator to get it to track straight.
Dennis-
08-15-2004 | 05:14 PM
#5
My Feedback: (32)
RE: Four Star 40 Maiden Flight
ORIGINAL: saramos
I finally flew my 4 * .40 today. I really enjoyed the plane in the air. It is a great flier and lands ever so gently. Loops, immelmans, split s, 1/2 cuban 8s and inverted flights were all easy to execute. I built the kit stock, with full length wings, so rolls were slow.
The plane required only a little trimming after the first flight. The only problem I experienced was with it's ground handling. At mid speed, the plane wants to go all over the place! Has any one else experienced this? If so, what solutions would you recommend.
My first attempt to resolve the issue was to add some - EXP on my transmitter. This had little effect on the ground, but improved turn coordination in the air. I really didn't care for the tail gear supplied with the kit, or the way it is mounted. I suspect that it is contributing to its bad ground behavior. This evening, I bought and installed a Dubro tail wheel assembly. This is a lot sturdier and stable setup. I hope this solves the issue. I'll find out tomorrow.
This is going to be a great second plane. I see that it has the potential of providing a lot of flying. As I increase my skills, shortening the wings will improve its roll rate, A more powerful engine will increase its vertical performance and its speed. Eventually, I'll start adding weight to it to increase its wingload as a trainer for my first warbird.
Scott
I finally flew my 4 * .40 today. I really enjoyed the plane in the air. It is a great flier and lands ever so gently. Loops, immelmans, split s, 1/2 cuban 8s and inverted flights were all easy to execute. I built the kit stock, with full length wings, so rolls were slow.
The plane required only a little trimming after the first flight. The only problem I experienced was with it's ground handling. At mid speed, the plane wants to go all over the place! Has any one else experienced this? If so, what solutions would you recommend.
My first attempt to resolve the issue was to add some - EXP on my transmitter. This had little effect on the ground, but improved turn coordination in the air. I really didn't care for the tail gear supplied with the kit, or the way it is mounted. I suspect that it is contributing to its bad ground behavior. This evening, I bought and installed a Dubro tail wheel assembly. This is a lot sturdier and stable setup. I hope this solves the issue. I'll find out tomorrow.
This is going to be a great second plane. I see that it has the potential of providing a lot of flying. As I increase my skills, shortening the wings will improve its roll rate, A more powerful engine will increase its vertical performance and its speed. Eventually, I'll start adding weight to it to increase its wingload as a trainer for my first warbird.
Scott
You will just keep falling in love with the 4*. Between my 4* and twist it's a toss up of which is my favorite.
I agree with the toeing in of the main gear to help the tracking problem
I have done the following to mine and knife edges and roll rate and all around general flight and feel characteristics have really improved
1. Add 2 1mm washers between the motor mount and the firewall (1 each per mounting bolt) on the left side to help with tracking and torque.
2. Seal all the aileron and rudder gaps, helped alot with the roll rate knife edges and general flight and feel of the plane. It makes all the surfaces much more effeicent.
3. I added 1/8x3/8 foam tape to the wing saddles and now my knife edges are straight as long as I keep about half throttle or more. Below half it just falls out of the knife edge.
4. Set book throws for your low rates and do your high rates at 125% with 40% expo on all surfaces on both rates. On low rates with the gaps seals roll rate went to about 2 per second and on high rates about 3 per second and in both modes they were much more axial.
Here is a link for sealing the gaps
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11...tm.htm#1126912
Since this pic was taken I have tinted the canopy and added tweety bird for the pilot. Oh, I also turned the canopy around and cut it in half to make it more sleek looking
