Was really nervous bringing the Decathlon out after the Escapade crash last weekend. But, since January I wanted to see the Decathlon fly - so we went.

I putt putted around the dirt runway a few times and immediatly noticed how it veered LT when I throttled up (maybe it was my tail gear set up). I countered it and it wants to go right. I had a heck of a time trying to keep it straight. I wasn't planning to take off but when I throttled up slowly and got it to go straight I increased the throttle a tad and noticed the tail went up (not going very fast). I must have been using a lot of right rudder cuz the plane started to head Right on the runway. I knew I would be in trouble if I continued in this direction so I accelerated - kept her on the ground as long as I can - and the Decathlon went up with slight up elevator. I was all over the place. I was flying like a drunk man - I was getting really worried that I can 't fly this plane and it was going to be one ugly landing. Then thinking for a moment I realized that I haven't trimmed the plane. Having an extra set of hands I had a buddy (who doesn't fly/drive RC) clicked the trimms - To clicks right - couple more clicks to the right (aileron) and a bunch of clicks up elevator and finally the plane can hold level flight at 3/4 throttle. All this took about a few laps around the field. 4min 30sec timer went off and it was time to bring her in. Made one pass over the runway (right to left) - right turn - flew parrallel (left to right) - I then applied flaperons (plane slowed down) - made the last right turn over the orange groves (applied power) - 1/4 throttle and on Final I cut throttle and the Decathlon floated right in. It landed slower than my Avistar trainer - much much slower than the Escapade. From this experience - i gotta say ground control was the hardest. I'll post a youtube video hopefully soon. See, even a NooB can fly this plane. hopefully the plane continues to stay in one piece.

Great! I can't wait to hear how the next flight goes, not that it's trimmed out

Decathlons, doesn't seem to matter what company put them in the box, all seem to have that ground handling problem. But then, most fly really nicely, as you have written.

You get a big ATTABOY!

Have lots of fun.

Ken Erickson

Did better on the second time. In-flight I'm finding myself using the rudder on the turns to keep the tail in line. Same as flying my helicopters scale like.

Here is the link to Youtube of the Maiden Flight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZhtgBYOZ-k

You would find it will taxi much more accurately if you hold full up elevator while doing so. That keeps the tail on the ground, and makes it much less sensitive to the wind kicking at the vertical stab and rudder, and you will stay quite a bit happier. When you go to take off, you hold up elevator for a short bit of the initial roll, then relax the elevator - don't just let the stick slip back to neutral- and as the plane starts to reach flying speed, the tail will come up on it's own. If you let the elevator stick pop back to neutral, the nose will bob down as the tail jumps up, and you will achieve a prop strike or two. Use this technique a few times and you will look like you have been flying this thing for a hundred years.
I have to do this on my old tiger 60, 4 star 60, P-47 Thunderbolt - all my tail draggers.

Good luck!

Friend suggested maybe my wheels are pointing outward. I looked at them - and sure enough - the right one is pointing some out and the left tire is pointing 20 deg out. He said to point them in. I was at the field and I didn't have the proper tool to bend the shafts but with some force I got it to bend some. wheels are pointing almost parallel and the left a tad in. I gave this a try today and boy did that make a difference. Ground control became easier and more predictable - still wants to ya left - I still give some right rudder.

But, after some trimming and with new fuel - Cool Power 20/20 Pro Pattern 4-stroke - Wow, it is a fun plane to fly.

I want to put a pilot figure inside - what size figure would look good in a plane this size? when I do fly-by's the cockpit looks lonely.

I've had two of these, and both were a blast to fly. I ran YS-63's in them and had plenty of power, as you should with the OS-70. As Bingo field said, use your ele when taxing along with aileron when you have some cross wind. The Decathlon has a very effective rudder, so when you start your take off roll, and you know it's going to turn left on you, be ready on the right rudder, but don't hold it there or you'll over correct. I found that it worked best just to tap it once or twice until the tail comes up and you can steer with the rudder.

One thing about this plane is that it has a short fuse compared to a very long and heavy wing, so if it gets ahead of you when it starts to come around there's no stopping it until you get some speed up. Also be aware if you hold too much ele in for too long to keep the tail down, "IT WILL TAKE OFF ON YOU", and you'll have a tip stall condition on your hands. Once you learn it's nasty little habits tho it's a fun plane to fly. I called both of mine "the evil witch" (that's spelled with a B). Have fun with your new baby.

Jim

Nrad
I forgot to mention, check the glue joint for the firewall. On mine Seagull used a glue that I can only describe as equal to dried out chewing gum, and yes because I didn't check it when I put mine together, The whole firewall/engine popped out in flight one time. Sounded like a midair collision. The only thing holding the engine on was the throttle rod. If it looks iffy, epoxy some angle stock in at the joint, or at least re glue the joint all around with epoxy. If anyone asks whats up with your plane ........... just tell them your "edging the grass" on the runway for the club.

I re-enforced a bunch of areas on the Decathalon - but, I did over look the firewall. Mine is painted all black on the front - no evidence of gum like glue. from the inside it looks very clean. I'll add some epoxy from the inside. I'm not sure where to add the epoxy on the front.

Doesnt the Decathlon have tendencies to depart and spiral out if flown too slow or in case of engine failure?

Ameyam

Pull the tank out and reinforce (with triangle stock or at least epoxy) the area inside the nose where the fuse side meets the firewall. Re glue that whole area all around the nose, and you should be ok. Like I said mine popped out like a cork out of a bottle. Anytime I start a new assembly that's an area I always check over well before moving on. A few minutes spent checking this area can save you a lot of rebuilding time later.

Jim

I'm pulling that fuel tank out now. I have triangle plywood that I will cut into small pieces - I'll probably put 6 pieces - and will epoxy all the corners.

I toed in the wheels a few degrees - that fixed the ground control issue. I just need to apply some Right rudder while rollling out and off she goes. Up high I figured out how slow I can go till she wants to stall. It's pretty slow - and with flaperons it's too slow. With flaperons its a floaty landing. I'm getting good vertical with the OS FS 70S II w/ 12x6 Master. Will I bog down the motor if I use a 12x8?

I never tried a 12X8, but it's always worth trying different props till you find the one that suits your taste. I flew mine with a 13X6 MA K series and it seamed to like it. Here's an offer for ya, I just came in from Santa's workshop and in my spare parts box I found some of my left over Decathlon parts. Your welcome to them if you think you can use them. Some are used, and some have never been used. There's a fin/rudder, hor. stab/ ele, (2) sets of gear, tail wheel assembly/ tire.

Jim

I'll hang on to this forum - when the day comes when I need parts I'll PM you. For now, I honestly don't have a place to put more stuff. If my wife would give me an extra bedroom for my hobby I would jump on your offer. thank you for the offer.

I have now epoxied everywhere that I can reach - hopefully nothing will pop off.

Such a fun plane to fly. I'll post another Youtube video with all the trimms set.