Hello good people!

For a complete review of this model, there is one dicsussion thread over at:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...x-PC-9-Pilatus




I purchased it used so, here is my new to me (used) Phoenix Pilatus PC-9 that I acquired the middle of July 2023.

The seller is a very good modeler and RC flyer who I have been purchasing his models for numerous years now and all of his models are just 1st rate and they look like they have never flown. All of his models are setup with the best methods and great attention to detail and it shows.

I did maiden my new to me PC9 back on Saturday, August 5th, 2023 and had two amazing flights with this 58.6 inch wing span (1490mm) super looking model and it just didn't need any trim what so ever. Surprisingly, it has great speed and penetrates wind like a knife and thereby retains lots of airspeed. Flaps are not necessary on this model because it comes in like a gentle typcial sport model and touches down (kisses the ground) like the best I have ever had in my fleet.

The construction (ARF) and most especially the covering is first rate and looks just amazing.

pictures at the RC Flying field during Saturday, August 5th. The pictures while the model is on top of the bed and the mirror represents my setup activity with the AR8000 + SAT receiver and the mirror was an aid to see the binding process / activity from the bottom rearwards hatch on the FUSE.

Setup:

-Leapard 46 size motor
-Hobbywing 80-Amp ESC
-Futaba Ball Bearing standard servos (High Torque on Nose-Wheel / Rudder)
-Hobby King Servoless retracts
-Upgraded Aluminum backed Spinner
-Typical Flight Battery 5-Cells, (3300mAH - 5000mAH) 65C discharge Lithium Polymer battery packs.


Video:

You Tube

Flew my Phoenix Model PC-9 Pilatus of 58.6 inch wing span for three (3) wonderful flights at my other flying site (Moon Port Modelers RC Club, Titusville, Florida) and it didn't disappoint in the least. With cross wind and slight gusty conditions this model just maintained its course without even exhibiting any issues. Presently, Uploading the Video from today and in the meantime, I am sharing a nice picture thart my Sky Bro took after one of the flights.

Video showing today's action!

I just got one and am into the second day of building it. The retracts are now electric and they work very well, although one of the mains has about a 5 degree skew in it. The Allen crew that retains that gear leg is threaded all the way into the support shaft so no way to straighten it but it should track "okay" down the runway even with that bit of skew.

All three retracts plug into a provided control box so you only have to run one cable to the receiver. The mounting for the main retracts is not very well aligned and I had to shim one retract to get it to be correct.

Other than those issues, very impressed with the quality of it so far. Certainly not a beginner model but it sure has the looks!

Glad you were able to overcome those issues.

My friend who sold me mine did all that tinkering with it. May he rest in peace.

Got a bit more work done on the PC-9 so here are some notes for others that might build one up.

Pluses:

-Wing bolts lined up perfectly with the receiving nuts.
-Plane feels so solid when working on it. Impressive quality.
-Wing bedding is pretty good.
-Futaba plastic servo tray fits in nicely when one center ply web is cut from the provided servo tray.

Minuses:

-Aileron/control clevis hardware provided are plastic with screws. Yuck! Replaced the rods and clevis hardware with Sullivan products.
-Aileron horns are good but the screws provided were not long enough to reach through the aileron. Replaced the screws with long hardware I had on hand.
-Aileron servo tray needs to be trimmed to fit Futaba 3004 servos. Smaller ones would fit perfectly but I had the 3004 on hand.

Suggestions:

-Before installing anything in the wing, think about your wiring runs and put strings in place to pull them through when you are ready.
-Chase the wing bolt receiver nuts in the fuse initially with a steel 1/4 inch bolt as one of mine had a flashing inside that did not allow the wing bolt to come through.

Got the airplane sitting on its gear today and it looks sharp.

>>>Aluminum wing tube was 1/8 inch too long and the wings would not completely mate. Cut off a bit and all is good.

Glad to learn and thanks for sharing.

Many builders complain about the cowling alignment, but they likely do not realize that the engine mount holes are off center to allow right-thrust to be built in. The Left Engine Mount needs to be shimmed with washers. Once that is done, the prop shaft of the engine is right in the middle of the front cowling hole. Forget the right thrust, and you will fight the cowling forever! Photo below shows the washers used.

The cowling does need to be trimmed for the retract servo mount and also around the engine carburetor. A large hole is needed at the bottom of the cowling to access the glow plug as well.

Slowly working up the PC-9 and it sure is one sexy looking bird! The cowling was one of the easiest fits I have experienced so very surprised with all the negative reviews on that point. Certainly not for beginners but lots of building fun for around 200 dollars US! Working on control linkages and tail mounting next,

Got delayed a bit trying to find a servo that fits the nose wheel steering mount. The recommended servo is about 80 USD and I've never paid that much for any servo! Found a Hobby Park metal gear waterproof servo (HD0712HD) for 20 USD that is working great but did have to make an adapter plate out of Lexan for it. Next thing is to set up the throws exactly like my ragged 9 year old Tiger and then do a few taxis tests before flying it.

Everything is done and will run the engine tomorrow after a night's battery charge. First flight soon but I always do taxi testing first to see if anything shakes loose. Been a super fun build!

Got a couple of flights in now and found that the wings are warped from the factory. It has one mean left turning tendency that takes a whole lot of trim to sort out. Was a handful on the first take off! You can see the difference in incidence of the wing tips quite easily. Wondering if the factory might send me a new set.......

Oh Dear! That is terrible.

Have not encountered anything like this on any Phoenix Model to date but, not impossible, I guess.

I am sure they can assist you and hope you get a new set of wings soon!

Kudos to Tower Hobbies/Horizon as they sent me a new set of wings that I already have in hand. The new ones look perfect versus the warp you can visibly see on the original. Get this plane before it is discontinued as it is a beauty. Looking forward to flying it with straight wings now!

Glad to learn and happy that Tower / Horizon resolved your problem.