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Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
Hey Guys,
I flew the Arrow today. I wouldn't exactly say it was a success. [:o] The OS 61 I would say is ok at my weight (11.5 lsbs). I Think it's good enough and not worth getting a bigger engone. After takeoff it took a hight nose up and I didn't have enough trim to nose down so I had to hold nose down. It was all I could do just to get her around for a landing. Then the approach wasn't great so I had to do a go around. I did manage to get her around again and landed but not without minor damage. [&o]All 3 gear got bent and the block on one of the mains broke. No other damage to the airframe or the wings. I set up the elevator as instructed but I think that needs some seruios attention. It will most likely will be some time before I get around to doing the repairs. Thanks Gene |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
Sorry to hear ya had problems, was it balanced correctly ?
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RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
anyday the plane comes home in one (or a few fixable) pieces is a good day
granted it wasnt great, cause you didnt get to fly much but at least you still have a plane to fly you are prob tail heavy check cg. |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
I"m glad to have a plane. CG is right on the money. I added 13.5 ozs on the firewall. The way it was acting you would think it was extremely tail heavy which I know it is not tail heavy. I think the flying elevator isn't set up just right. I'm cleaning it up and then take it upstairs to work on it tonight. I' check and double check everything again.
Thanks chopper |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
how far back is the engine on the mount, if you move it up a inch or so that might help a lot
also try to move everthing up, battery reciever,ect (if you havnt already) since your flying on a smaller engine the less weight the better |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
I have already rechecked the CG and it is right on the money. I really think it's in the elevator. I need to pull the tail cone off and re-evaluate the whole hook up. I'll take a look at it tonight after my little one goes to bed. Hopefully I'll fine something obvious.
chopper |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
Chopper
Check how you engine is mounted. Thrust angle may be off and make it fly like it is tail heavy. Right and down thrust ;) if the engine has any up thrust , all it will do is waltze around the sky under throttle. Not quite a 3D plane;) |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
ORIGINAL: Live Wire Chopper Check how you engine is mounted. Thrust angle may be off and make it fly like it is tail heavy. Right and down thrust ;) if the engine has any up thrust , all it will do is waltze around the sky under throttle. Not quite a 3D plane;) chopper |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
Gene, Sorry about your mishap, but it's still flyable and easily fixable so it's a success.
How does your elevator sit at neutral stick? You *may* have it set at an 'up' elevator incidence to begin with. Got a pic of the elevator with the radio turned on so we can see the incidence? |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
That's what I think. One of the guys at the field kept saying that the elevator just didn't look right. I agreed with him but I know that I set it up just as the book said. This being the first flying tail if you will, that I have ever built or flown I just went with it. I guess that might of been mistake #1. I think that I will set the elevator level reguardless of where the book says it needs to be and go from there and see how it will fly. I will try and get a picture tonight after my little one goes to bed and let you take a look and tell me what you think.
Thanks chopper |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
Check out the plan sheet again, it will show you where the neutral incidence is.
I'll get a pic posted of mine with the radio on and at neutral elevator so you'll get an idea of the setting. |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
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Here's a pic at neutral.
It may be kinda tough to judge the angle because of the blue and grey stripes, but yours should match the angle from the rudder to the elevator in the pic. After the gear block repair, double check the C/G again to be certain. |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
That color combination looks nice. I would like to see a photo of the whole plane, if that's possible. The lighter color looks like either slate blue, or grey and the darker looks like it could be navy or insignia. Nice work.
NorfolkSouthern |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
ORIGINAL: FILE IFR Here's a pic at neutral. It may be kinda tough to judge the angle because of the blue and grey stripes, but yours should match the angle from the rudder to the elevator in the pic. After the gear block repair, double check the C/G again to be certain. chopper |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
Thanks Norfolk. Colors are Jet White, Insignia Blue and Dove Grey.... All Top Flite Moneykote coverings.
Got some pics in Chopper's other thread... May have different ones in my gallery too. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8488136/tm.htm |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
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Here are a couple of photos with the radio on. Thanks for your thoughts.
chopper |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
That definitely does not look neutral.
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RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
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Gene, Here's a closer pic of the leading edge on the elevator in relation to the tail-cone 'seam'. Setting your elev. to this seam will be easier than judging by rudder angles.
Don't go by my curved 'slot' for the elevator travel... I hogged out the slot wider and longer than the moulded-in cut line. Go by the seam. BTW, I love the gold trim bordering the red on yours..[8D] |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
Thanks for the compliment and thanks for the pictures. Maybe I just messed up all together on setting the elevator up. I set mine up to the seam on the wood part. I'm going to set it up with the seam on the cone and see if that is better. The seam on the cone seems to be more down the center of the fuselage. It's to windy to fly today so I guess it is a perfect day to try and do some repairs.
Thanks again for your input. chopper |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
No prob bro, I'm happy to help out.
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RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
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Well I have adjusted the elevator. Here are a few before and after pictures. Tell me what you think regarding the neutral position. This is with the radio on. The ones without the date were taken before my adjustment today.
Thanks Gene |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
Hi Gene, The position looks better, From what I see in the pics, the leading edge may have to go up a bit more. My leading edge elevator center line is slightly lower in relation to the tail-cone seam. As it is now you won't have your hands full on take-off... so it's not too bad.
As you do or have done these adjustments, be sure the elevator servo arm/wheel is 90 to the servo body... this not only gives you equal throw both ways (which we never need to use on a scale plane's elevator). The goemetry of the servo wheel/arm at 90 degrees will give you the best/most authority in the UP elevator stick movement. ....Also, be sure you have enough threaded rod into the clevis. You don't want to find out the hard way that you have 2 or 3 threads into the clevis.. bear that in mind during adjustments. My apologies if you know that kind of thing I stated above, but I'm throwing it out there for any new pilot to the hobby as well. :D |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
Thanks and no apologies needed. I've been been flying professionally for over 25 years and as I always say to my first officer, don't ever be afraid to say anything. I do mess up:D I've been looking at the tail and I think you're right. I may have to adjust the leading edge up a little more. I should have it all repaired for the weekend. The weather is not supposed to be all that great so we will see. Thanks again for your input.
Gene |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
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ORIGINAL: FILE IFR Hi Gene, The position looks better, From what I see in the pics, the leading edge may have to go up a bit more. My leading edge elevator center line is slightly lower in relation to the tail-cone seam. As it is now you won't have your hands full on take-off... so it's not too bad. As you do or have done these adjustments, be sure the elevator servo arm/wheel is 90 to the servo body... this not only gives you equal throw both ways (which we never need to use on a scale plane's elevator). The goemetry of the servo wheel/arm at 90 degrees will give you the best/most authority in the UP elevator stick movement. ....Also, be sure you have enough threaded rod into the clevis. You don't want to find out the hard way that you have 2 or 3 threads into the clevis.. bear that in mind during adjustments. My apologies if you know that kind of thing I stated above, but I'm throwing it out there for any new pilot to the hobby as well. :D Thanks Gene |
RE: Top Flite Piper Arrow Maiden
Looks good Gene. It's right on the money.
Get the strut mounts set back in the wing, fire it up and send it back up again. Post a vid if you can... I love civilian scale aircraft. The flight will be better next time out...[8D] Let us know how it goes for ya. Mike |
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