Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

Just got this one a few days ago and have a couple of questions.

1. What is the recommended CG? The manual is pretty crappy and I dont see it listed anywhere, unless I am just overlooking it.

2. The manual shows the elevator control rodexiting the tail of the plane, however this one exits the side (tail is solid...not hollow). And although its not a big deal...it seems the control rod is binding a bit where it exits the fuse. Is it meant to be "bent" just at the exit to relieve the bind?...or just move the control horn out a bit to compensate. I would guess bending the rod is preferred to keep the horn closer to the center of the elevator?

Here is a link to the plane

http://www.nitroplanes.com/nircaisptr461.html

So far it seems to be pretty good value for the money. Time will tell though.</p>

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

I would think with the wing style that it is, use the spar as a starting point for the CG. Remember to balance with the fuel tank empty.

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

Yes, you can bend the pushrod about an inch beyond the exit. Looks like a nice plane. I have had trouble with wire landing gear on some Nitroplanes ARFs, the metal was soft and didn't stand up too well - Hopefully they've gotten better.

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

Thats what I thought I would do buthad to askbecausemaybe someone here already built this bird and had some exact numbers. Thanks for the reply though just the same.

I have read that here on rcu as well (NPs weak landing gear). I thought about heat tempering them before installing them just to be safe as I dont have a runway so to say. I fly off my own property so its just hay field I mow very low into a landing strip. Rough is one word that comes to mind. LOL

It really does look like a nice plane. Has a great big ole wing! The covering is going to need some iron and heatgun treatment...but really not a lot and not as much as I expected it would given its price.

Only bad thingI can say,so far, is some slight damage to one of the wingtips done by the other wings aerilon control rod in packaging. Gonna have to patch a hole.

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

Don't worry about exact numbers as the CG range is just that - a range.

Balance it so that it sits just slightly nose down when balanced on the spar with an empty tank. Once it has flown, if it has a hard time slowing down on landing, shift a little weight back. If it's too sensitive to elevator input, shift a little weight forward, but it will be pretty close if you do it that way.

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

Will do!

Thanks

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

Had one, its a brick for sure but my OS .40LA would fly it, I had to contact them too, they said the CG was like 3mm past the leading edge?...its close enough to be on the spar to not matter,,,dont remember any landing gear or connecting rod problems...Rog

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

3mm??? Even not knowing it, that wouldnt seem nowhere near right.

I'll do as suggested and start out around the spar and adjust accordingly.

Thanks

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

Also, what prop were you using with your LA? I think I have a couple of 11 x 6's in my stash...else I'll have to buy something different.

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

9x6 master airscrew is the last prop I had on the .40....Rog

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

I have a 10 x 6 and an 11 x 6, both Master Airscrew.

I think I'll go with the 10 and see.

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

Rog,

When you put your engine in, did you use the supplied mounts? Or did you use another type?

I am uncertain if the supplied mount is going to position the engine correctly. It looks as if it will center properly...but the vertical position seems wrong. Also and again...the manual isnt much help as it shows the engine to appear to be mounted on TOP of the mount rails, the diagram shows it mounted below the rails.

If I place the engine on top of the rails...it appears to be too high above the fuel tank. If I mount it below the fuse will have to have quite a bit of material removed in order for the exhaust to clear.

See my attached pics and any input is appreciated.

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

I went on top of the rails,, most all models need a little dremelling/carving to fit in mufflers and needle valves just seal the exposed balsa back up with glue or paint....Rog

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

By doing so...how was your carb in relation to the tank? Seems either way I turn the rails (they arent centered on their mount so one way will set the engine about 1/4" higher than the other way) the carb is quite a bit higher than the center of the tank. Its not higher than the tanks top...but definitely higher than center.

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

You'll see a LOT of talk about Tank/Height differences and how things "must" be in line.

For-get-about-it!!!!

The only time this is an issue is in relation to siphoning fuel ( something you will not have a problem with ) or when there is quite a bit of distance between the carb and the tank.

As I tell people, if 1/4 - 1" made SUCH a difference, our planes would conk out every time they go a bit nose up or down.... yet they keep flying!


Most trainers are designed much like the one you have, and they are wonderful flyers.

Just mount the engine properly and securly, keep the fuel lines as short as you can, fly with an instructor at first, and go have fun!

No need to overthink it.

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

ATVA, your main concern on a trainer is gonna be the CG...once you practice touch and go's and deadstick in a time or two, its your main plane, check it after each flight, some arfs are better than others, but it is heavy so it'll fly/land pretty fast, I'm sure you'll be fine at it,,,I would have recommended the Tower trainer myself, but, we're past that now, its a good pound lighter and my fav....Rog

RE: Nitro Planes EZ Trainer
 

This isnt my first plane (actually will be my 4th) but is my first ARF and first plane (glow)I will have flown in about 11 or 12 years. Ibought this trainer to knock the rust off my thumbs since it has been so long since I had been into the hobby.

Ido appreciate the advice and will heed it. I just know its better to ask when you dont know (first ARFbuild for me as all my previous models were RTF, minus an Air Core kit) so thus my questions. In my past Inever really thought about it (was much younger then)...just filled um up and went for it.

Ialso just recently bought a little electric HZFirebird Phantom and have flown it a few times. Great little plane, although hard to see when at altitude. Iwas skeptical when reading some of the threads about the weak tail boom, but so far I havent had any issues after several flights.

Hopefully by months end I will have the NP EZ Trainer ready and can get it in the air as well. Looking forward to getting back into the hobby.

Thanks for your advice, I will heed it.



Its not any heavier than an old Air Core trainer Ihad. I also had a Right Flyer 40T that flew well...until Icrashed it. LOL This NP plane reminds me a lot of the Right Flyer....but dont remember the weight of that one.

Thanks for the input. Ido appreciate it much.