RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

The Decath flies!

A little windy, 15mph quartering from the right. Too windy to do taxiing to get the hang of its behaviour, we got out on the field, somewhere near center without being blown over, decided to see what would happen. I advanced the throttle slowly, prepared for all the bad ground handling I have read about, the plane advanced steadily and was airborne in about 30 feet. The wind helped! Totally uneventfull takeoff (I felt a little cheated out of the anticipated excitement). A little rt aileron and down trim, and it was hands off. I had a short first flight, some basic maneuvers, loop and rolls and inverted. The landing was equally uneventfull and looked good. The second flight caught a cross wind gust on take off and quickly recovered. Landing was also uneventfull, except my base leg on landing was in a strong headwind, took forever to get to turn final.

All is well!

Primodus

My Feedback: (56)

Congrats Jim! She looks great. Now don't you think that's the best $120 you ever spent in RC? [8D]

IronCross

Great job Jim... Glad to hear all went well... Are you flying off grass ?... Which engine do you have in yours ?... Looks like it pretty well fit in the cowl .. Great looking plane.. Lots of fun ahead of you with it...
I like the way you did your trim too.. That white between the red and black really looks good... May have to revisit mine

ABELL

Thats a good looking plane . Glad to hear the maiden went well[8D]

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

Yes, I fly off grass. Power is a Magnum 52, 4stroke with a Zinger 12X6 prop, 15% cool power. The engine is not fully broken in, had two tanks run through it before the first flight. I am flying at full throttle most of the time, and it seems strange to do so. I expect that will change as the engine breaks in more completely.

The black pin striping is automotive "multi stripe" tape. It is easy to apply and adheres really well.

IronCross

I know where your coming from.. I have a Saito .56 in my first one... Broken in running 15 percent PowerMaster and 12z6 APC prop I putt around at 2/3 throttle... "Scale Like" as some are fond of calling it... I switched to a 13X4 APC and it made quite a difference... Still flying at about 2/3 throttle but loops and stuff got a lot easier/bigger... This is a very relaxing setup to fly... I did however build a second one and put a Saito .72 in it spinning a 14x4W APC .... THis seems like a real nice setup, not really overpowerd but enough to get me out of those ocasional "tight" spots I seem to find so easily

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

Are you able to run a 14" prop with the stock landing gear?

IronCross

No problem with the 14 inch prop clearing Jim... Plenty of clearance... Haven't lost a prop on either one yet... I am flying off an asphalt strip though.. Not sure how grass would figure into that...

swmarkham

I know you have probably answered this before.But will the tower hobbies pitts muffler work on the Decathlon or is there a better one to use with a TT.46 ?

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

Tower sells both Slimline and Bisson mufflers, which will work. However, you will need to reinstall the engine mount to a side mount position. The mount already installed is for an angled installation, not side mount. Its not a big deal, but you may encounter difficulties in getting the engine up high enough to avoid a drooping cowl.

swmarkham

Thanks Jim for the info.I may go with stock tt46 muffler.Just have the wing halves together so far.I know it's an easy kit but I'm a beginner.Thanks again,Steve

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

As a beginner, is this your first plane? If so, it's not a good choice. It is a good plane to develope piloting skills but not as a primary trainer. I recommend you finish this one and park it for a bit while you learn on a trainer. If I have misread your intent, I apologise.

swmarkham

Jim,
I've flown trainers that my friends owned and I have A Phoneix Dolphin which I have flown a few hours..The Dolphin is fine on mostly calm days but to much wing area for me on 15 to 20 m.p.h. days.I just got through building a spad and I think I will get some time built up before I fly the Decathlon.This is a great hobby.I have friends here that have been doing it for years. and they are so much help.I will take your advice and will let you know how it goes. Steve

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

Steve, glad to hear you are working with others; that is a big plus. This thread has a wealth of good pointers about this plane that you might find helpful.

Best of luck to you!

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

Ooops, .....duplicate

ponyracin

My Feedback: (5)

Jim

Thinking about getting the Decathlon, I can get a Magnum 70 for $10 more than the 52 would I be better off with it?

Thanks

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

The Decathlon doesn't "need" the 70, but for $10 more, I would go for it (the Mag 70 is a fine engine). It will make for a heavier plane, as you will likely need to add tail weight to balance, but on the whole. I don't think it will seriously impact this plane. With the 70, just resist the temptation to fly the plane on the prop instead of the wing. This one is a fine wing flyer. Requires it be flown as an airplane rather than an aero toy. Enjoy!

IronCross

Love the .72 in mine... I have a couple of the Mag .70's and they put out some power... I balanced my Dec before installing the battery... Moved the battery back on the fusalgae until it balanced.. Then opeoned the bottom at that point, mounted the battery and closed it back up... No extra lead needed...
Have two of these now, thinking of a third I keep thinking of things I would like to do different to it.. An inverted Mag .70 is running through my mind at the moment.. Along with a little detail in the cockpit etc...
No end to this madness..

Buka

hi all

i test flew mine about a week ago and again yesterday ... i would say the first flight was awful !!! the stock C of G is just sooo off u should move it about an inch closer to the leading edge then this really becomes a realy nice little plane to fly. i think that anyone building this plane should correct the CG to get a better flying plane. i have a saito 82 in mine and its superb with the new cg is tracks straight and lands easy take of is just a matter of pulling the stik and i can fly it round ver y slowly with out any instabilityies

god luck guys

IronCross

Glad to hear you got it tamed down I was looking at my notes, (too many senior moments these days) and looks like I have mine balanced at 3 1/2 inches from the leading edge.. Originaly I had it at 4 inches and it was way too tail heavy even for me .... For me the CG is good where I have it.. Very rsponsive and will fly inverted with just a little down elevator.. I do have to leave a couple clicks on the throttle when landing though till the wheels touch otherwise I get a stall (drops) and an embarasing bounce...

Primodus

My Feedback: (56)

You guys are killing me with all this talk of flying! If it hasn't been for work, or rain, or wind blowing like a hurricane I'ld be flying the wings off the Decathlon. Burn some fuel for me next time out...LOL

IronCross

Don't feel bad, were getting rained out here... Forcast calls for a few more days of this too.. Temp is down in the low 50's too.. Not good..[]

Primodus

My Feedback: (56)

Got some flight time in this weekend. The first after my repair job. Each flight went very well and the repair looks solid. I got lucky and found out my right aileron hinges were busted loose just before one last flight. Mine just happen to be not pinned. Anyone else got unpinned hinges? Check 'em out!

IronCross

Great to hear everything worked out....
I checked my hinges and they are all pinned... Thanks for the heads up
on that one...

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

I got frustrated trying to get the stock struts to stay put, so I built some out of airfoiled wood. So far, they have stood up to 3 flights!