I had a brand new Flyzone Skylane, which lasted about 30 seconds. TOO HEAVY, and stalled/spun at landing. My instructor was flying the plane, and hasn't crashed like that in 30 years. It is obvious the plane will be too much plane for me as a beginner.

At any rate, I'm rebuilding it and wish to find out where the cowl screws screw into. Also, would be interested in knowing if the landing gear wheel is supposed to be slightly offset from the centerline of the plane--it is a bit to the left side of the plane (right side when viewed from front.)

Finally, the backside of the motor mount (side the goes against the firewall) isn't level. Each hole where the screws mount the motor mount to the firewall has a different depth of material on the backside so that the motor sits slightly off center. Is the motor supposed to angle slightly up and to the right side of the plane (leftward when viewed from front?)


Thanks,

Mike

Mike,

I had the same experience, and I agree, it's an advanced airplane.

The cowling screws should go through the cowling and into the side of the plastic firewall attached to the front of the airplane. If I remember correctly, my front landing gear was aligned with the middle of the aircraft but the plastic retaining straps that hold the landing gear to the firewall are made of very brittle plastic and broke quickly. I picked up replacements made of nylon at my local hobby shop and they seemed to much more durable. The motor mount is designed to provide a certain amount of "right thrust" and "down thrust", that is why the motor mount does not look like it is aligned with the body of the airplane. If you think the motor mount is pointing up and the landing gear is off center then check the firewall for damage. Mine cracked easily. If it is damaged but the foam body is in good repair you can simply make a new firewall out of 1/16th or 1/8th ply and it will last MUCH longer. Be sure to check the balancing (Center of Gravity) afterwards. Adding weight to the front could make it nose heavy.

To be honest I tried to learn with the plane and became so frustraited that I almost gave up the hobby. I logged about 80 hours on RealFlight 3.5 before attempting to fly it, but it was just too unforgiving and fragile. I spent much more time repairing the plane than flying it. On the bright side, eventually you will be able to fly the airplane, you just need to get some experience and be aware of its flight characteristics. Everyone I spoke with at my local hobby store agreed that the plane can be flown, but not by a beginner. The wing loading is high so the flight speed needs to be fast. Anytime the wings are not level stay well above half throttle so it doesn't tip stall, especially if there is any wind. Don't power down during your landing and expect to "float" in like a trainer. Keep about 1/4 throttle until it touches down. It likes to land REALLY fast.

The Skylane is a great value. For the MSRP of an entry level Futaba radio set you get an airframe and all of the electronics needed to get into the air. If you want to be sucessfull with the skylane and with RC flight in general then I really would suggest that you save the Skylane airframe for later and use the electonics in a more suitable airplane until you get experience. You can then transfer everything back to the Skylane. I am using the transmitter, speed controller, receiver, battery, charger and servos from my Skylane with a Mountian Models SmoothE Sport. I bought a GWS 350C motor instead of using the speed 400 from the Skylane. I can't say enough good things about the SmoothE if you are learning to fly. After some time on something like the SmoothE you'll be ready to take on the Skylane.

FYI, A few pics of my SmoothE on the "other" board. . . http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...&postcount=560

-K