RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

I wanna see this thing fly! I will be getting my motor this week and will be going great guns to get mine completed very soon. Just have to finish an engine retrofit in one of my warbirds first.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

Sorry for the late post. I have been on vacation, which included seeing the shuttle launch.

I never disputed the benifits of tricycle gear, only that when the benifits no longer helped with points they stopped using them. I never said everybody stopped using them the very instant the rule was changed. I doubt you will find a modern pattern plane with trike gear, all conventional gear.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

I equate conventional gear to driving a stick shift. Trikes are like driving automatics. I have never owned an auto vehicle, and oddly enough, I only have one trike airplane.

Sorry though, this topic is a dead horse in this thread. I was very impressed with the retract solution for the trike on this plane. I would not have even bothered.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

This was great thanks!

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

The heat index was finally below 100 deg F, so I headed to the field with my buddy Chris for a maiden flight. I had run a couple tanks through the YS on the ground and did a range check. Ground clearance is minimal with 11" props as I was topping a few weeds during taxi. It took to the air and only needed a couple clicks of aileron trim. I'm extreamly happy with how it flys! Balance was spot on as it only needed a touch of down elevator to maintain level flight. It's very honest and straight airplane. The gear worked great. I do have an issue with the main legs which are turning in the retract, so I need to look into tightening that up.

The YS started running lean on the second flight. Further investigation shows air bubbles in the line. The fuel is foaming up pretty good. I thought that 16oz tank was a tight fit and it seems the foam padding is squeezed too much. I'm going to pull the 16oz and install a 12oz Hayes tank (The only tank that fits the HxW requirement).

I'm only getting 13K on the YS with a Xoar 11x7 wood prop. I think it's due to the fuel foaming issue, but I may experiment with trimming the header some.

Chris is working on a short video. I'll post it when he's done.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

Hey Jeff, will any of the Tettra Tanks work for you?

http://www.centralhobbies.com/Fuel/Fueltnk.html

I do like Hays(Kraft) tanks but I've had rupture issues with them when using YS motors, and would never use them for a pressure system.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

Not real exciting, but here's some video of the maiden flights. :D

Paul. I think that Tettra tank will work. I'll order one. Thanks.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1KujQvcEsg[/youtube]

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

Very cool Jeff!

A well executed and speedily built Sun Fli.

How're the retracts and linkage holding up on your grass runway? Is the YS clocking a little better now?

David.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

Looks really nice, Jeff. I'm enjoying the completed models on the sites this summer. Lot's of Classics with pipes and retracts is good.
Chris...

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

Thanks for the kind comments guys.

Dave,
The gear are holding up great. When the gear are down and locked, there is no stress on the pushrods. I only have 3 flights, but as you can see in the video, the wheels are small and the field is rough and no issues with folding gear so far.
I need to install a new (Tettra) tank to see if my fuel foaming issue is solved. I think I'm down about 2K from what I think this engine should be spinning.
Where are the YS guru's?

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

Excellent!

Err..., that would be Paul.

David.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

What a great looking aircraft! Awesome job. It looks like it just flies wonderfully. Maybe I will get mine done here sometime soon.

One trick to try, put a couple of shots of Armour all in your fuel. This will stop it from foaming. We used to do this with our Control line models and it really works. Does not harm engine either.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

The Sun Fli is no more...

I forgot to loctite the servo screw for the elevator. [&o] If anyone comes across a kit, build it! Its a great flying airplane.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

How about the motor?

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

The motor is fine. Ill put it in something soon. Ive got 3 glass/foam kits sitting on the shelf. A Dirty Birdi, a Tiporare and the Atlas as soon as it comes back from Don. Oh, and one of his Atlanta kits should be here soon as well.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

NOOOO! (sure glad you have others to build...)

You could build another from plans... Unless it's time to move on.

Brian

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

Sorry to hear the bad news Jeff.

I think your engine is well spoken for though...

David.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

Sorry to hear that, Jeff. Glad the engine made it all right.
Chris...

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

Jeff, how was the motor performing before the incident?

I think it would be a good match for the Tipo or even the Atlanta, even though it’s an SE engine.

I think we can still get a header for the install.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

The engine was spinning an 11-7 Xoar wood prop at 14,800 rich. It was a sad sight, watching the Sun Fli slowly decend to the ground. [:o] I killed the engine once I realized I had no elevator.
Luckily it hit soft farm soil. The prop didnt break, but the fuse was pretty busted up. The wing had major damage to the gear mounts and one retract was busted.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

hi there,

I wonder what the differences are between teh Sun Fli 4 and 5 ? is there a place to get a SunFli 5 kit?

thanks from a pattern newbie,

Steve

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

The Sun Fli 5 has been out of production for quite a while. I'll let the pictures do the talking as to the differences.

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 5 Build Thread
 

thanks Jeff, I see the differences clearly :)

Do you know if plans for the SunFli 5 are available somewhere ?

I have see the 4 fly and flown it, really liked it. I do like the lines of the 5 more personally.

thanks, Steve

I am planning on building an Utter Chaos, It seems to be almost a carbon copy of the Sun Fli 5, would someone tell me the differences?

Thanks

Good timing to revisit this thread. I am finally finishing my Sun Fli 5. I was distracted by a couple of projects, but am now back on track. I threw together this DR1 triplane. Now that that is complete, here are some pics of where I am at now. Mounted the engine,and closed up the front end to spinner tonight. Now I need to do a little touch up, sanding, then fiberglass. Thinking of just painting it with dope. The hard part for me will be a color scheme. I made a couple of changes to the design, but it is mostly stock. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1936922http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1936923http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1936924