BJCraft Episode
02-19-2013, 05:31 AM
#251
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RE: BJCraft Episode
The Episode with the contra fuse is available by special order and + $300 over the standard ARF price. There are also contra versions of the Nuance and Prolog also available via special order for the same upcharge.
02-19-2013, 08:24 AM
#252
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RE: BJCraft Episode
I've seen both the standard and the "contra" versions and the contra nose is very well done. Converting the standard nose is possible, but requires some significant work and some accurate cutting, shaping, and fitting. A carbon ring would need to be glassed back into the post-cut nose to stiffen it.
Not difficult, just that you are cutting back into the nose until you hit the contra spinner diameter. The chin area flares before you hit the diameter but it won't show.
John
Not difficult, just that you are cutting back into the nose until you hit the contra spinner diameter. The chin area flares before you hit the diameter but it won't show.
John
02-19-2013, 12:39 PM
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RE: BJCraft Episode
Many thanks for sharing all this useful info!
Would anyone have an internal picture to show their mounting of the contra in the Episode? And also, how well does the Episode fly on the contra?
Many thanks again,
Gerhard
Would anyone have an internal picture to show their mounting of the contra in the Episode? And also, how well does the Episode fly on the contra?
Many thanks again,
Gerhard
02-20-2013, 09:14 AM
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RE: BJCraft Episode
Hi all, I flew my new Episode for the first 2 flights yesterday. As I have been flying a nuance since last year I was able to use the same program to start with and I also set the throws for the surfaces the same. After getting it in the air I did a few passes trimming elevator 3 clicks up,rudder 2 clicks right and ailerons 1 click right and it felt wonderful instantly. Knife edge both directions was very good with no obvious deviation from straight. It needed only about 10 mm movement of rudder to maintain knife edge. The only vice was it needed a little mix of down elevator to low throttle for downlines. I put this mix in for the 2nd flight and I flew the P schedule from start to finish. Wow what a machine. It snapped lovely, spins and rolls were excellent.
I was going to get the contra version but I would have had to wait too long so I had to do the cutting off the nose ring job, but having done it on my Nuance I found it much easier to do it on the Episode. I am very happy with the result. Having had lots of experience with yaw instability on my Nuance I set up the supplied SFG's at the 95° with no mod to rudder. It's seemed to be working well but I will wait to get more flights before making them permanent.
All in all I am very happy. I am waiting for a blue spinner set which will look better with colour scheme of the Episode.
I was going to get the contra version but I would have had to wait too long so I had to do the cutting off the nose ring job, but having done it on my Nuance I found it much easier to do it on the Episode. I am very happy with the result. Having had lots of experience with yaw instability on my Nuance I set up the supplied SFG's at the 95° with no mod to rudder. It's seemed to be working well but I will wait to get more flights before making them permanent.
All in all I am very happy. I am waiting for a blue spinner set which will look better with colour scheme of the Episode.
02-20-2013, 12:40 PM
#260
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RE: BJCraft Episode
ORIGINAL: pippy
Hi all, I flew my new Episode for the first 2 flights yesterday. As I have been flying a nuance since last year I was able to use the same program to start with and I also set the throws for the surfaces the same. After getting it in the air I did a few passes trimming elevator 3 clicks up,rudder 2 clicks right and ailerons 1 click right and it felt wonderful instantly. Knife edge both directions was very good with no obvious deviation from straight. It needed only about 10 mm movement of rudder to maintain knife edge. The only vice was it needed a little mix of down elevator to low throttle for downlines. I put this mix in for the 2nd flight and I flew the P schedule from start to finish. Wow what a machine. It snapped lovely, spins and rolls were excellent.
I was going to get the contra version but I would have had to wait too long so I had to do the cutting off the nose ring job, but having done it on my Nuance I found it much easier to do it on the Episode. I am very happy with the result. Having had lots of experience with yaw instability on my Nuance I set up the supplied SFG's at the 95° with no mod to rudder. It's seemed to be working well but I will wait to get more flights before making them permanent.
All in all I am very happy. I am waiting for a blue spinner set which will look better with colour scheme of the Episode.
Hi all, I flew my new Episode for the first 2 flights yesterday. As I have been flying a nuance since last year I was able to use the same program to start with and I also set the throws for the surfaces the same. After getting it in the air I did a few passes trimming elevator 3 clicks up,rudder 2 clicks right and ailerons 1 click right and it felt wonderful instantly. Knife edge both directions was very good with no obvious deviation from straight. It needed only about 10 mm movement of rudder to maintain knife edge. The only vice was it needed a little mix of down elevator to low throttle for downlines. I put this mix in for the 2nd flight and I flew the P schedule from start to finish. Wow what a machine. It snapped lovely, spins and rolls were excellent.
I was going to get the contra version but I would have had to wait too long so I had to do the cutting off the nose ring job, but having done it on my Nuance I found it much easier to do it on the Episode. I am very happy with the result. Having had lots of experience with yaw instability on my Nuance I set up the supplied SFG's at the 95° with no mod to rudder. It's seemed to be working well but I will wait to get more flights before making them permanent.
All in all I am very happy. I am waiting for a blue spinner set which will look better with colour scheme of the Episode.
Cheers,
Jason.
02-20-2013, 01:29 PM
#261
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RE: BJCraft Episode
Hi Jason, well spotted on seeing the extensions. Because the props for the contra are 22inches the ground clearance with the stock u/carriage was only approx. 3 inches, and because my flying field is quite soft( especially this time of year), I felt I needed a little more clearance. With the extensions I have approx. 4 1/2 inches. They do look odd but I would prefer no prop strikes than worry about the looks. I will paint them white so they blend in better.
02-27-2013, 03:42 PM
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RE: BJCraft Episode
Hi Guys,
I flew my Episode yesterday for the first time, it flew really well in strong winds with very little adjustment necessary.
As others have mentioned, the rudder power is amazing, I'll need to spend a bit of time setting control throws to suit.
I'm running a Pletty Advance with a PT 21x14 prop, all up weight was 4.8kg with 1170g packs.
cheers GlennO
I flew my Episode yesterday for the first time, it flew really well in strong winds with very little adjustment necessary.
As others have mentioned, the rudder power is amazing, I'll need to spend a bit of time setting control throws to suit.
I'm running a Pletty Advance with a PT 21x14 prop, all up weight was 4.8kg with 1170g packs.
cheers GlennO
02-28-2013, 04:33 AM
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RE: BJCraft Episode
Hi shannah, I have 10 flights on my episode now and I am really happy. I set my CG at approx 270 with no canopy and the wing tube in place. I had to cut the front off the nose for the contra so 0° side thrust and 1/2° down and it seems to be perfect. I also put wing adjusters in but as is the usual it looks like I won't need to adjust them. So my plane is set as in the factory as regards tail,wing and channeliser incidences.
Because of yaw tendencies with the Nuance I put a set of SFGs as per BJ's jig set at the 95° angle ans I had very little yaw problems. I did notice a little drift of heading in some push manoeuvres so I also installed a second set of SFGs at 90° approx half way between the first ones and the fuz. The plane now tracks really straight in all manoeuvres.
Even with the SFGs the rudder is still quite sensitive , in knife edge it only takes approx 10/15mm of movement, any more and the plane start a knife edge loop. But I am finding it manageable. I am using 70% expo on the rudder.
If anyone wants any more info on setup please feel free to ask.
Because of yaw tendencies with the Nuance I put a set of SFGs as per BJ's jig set at the 95° angle ans I had very little yaw problems. I did notice a little drift of heading in some push manoeuvres so I also installed a second set of SFGs at 90° approx half way between the first ones and the fuz. The plane now tracks really straight in all manoeuvres.
Even with the SFGs the rudder is still quite sensitive , in knife edge it only takes approx 10/15mm of movement, any more and the plane start a knife edge loop. But I am finding it manageable. I am using 70% expo on the rudder.
If anyone wants any more info on setup please feel free to ask.
02-28-2013, 05:11 AM
#268
RE: BJCraft Episode
Hi Paul,
I'm assembling an Episode as well.
Which motor you choose with the contra drive?
Can you please add some photos of the installation?
Many thanks!
Ram
I'm assembling an Episode as well.
Which motor you choose with the contra drive?
Can you please add some photos of the installation?
Many thanks!
Ram
02-28-2013, 08:54 AM
#269
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RE: BJCraft Episode
Hi ram, I am using the neu f3a motor as supplied by F3Aunlimited. It is very powerful and pulls the episode around with ease using 10.15 gears and 22x20 rear ,22x18 front. My set up is with a Hyde mount so the 3 screws are screwed from behind a normal firewall into blind nuts installed in the front of the mount. It means my contra plus mount plus motor and even my speed controller can be pulled out thru the front of the model just by opening 3 screws ( see picture of drive with Hyde mount and also of firewall and rear mount. I never have to remove the rear mount for any reason. I can then put them straight into my nuance in about 3/5 minutes.
I went with the recommended set up for elevator and rudder servos except the rudder servo is installed in a small tray I made up so it is vertical in the rear rather than stuck to the side of the fuz.
Please feel free to ask anything else.
I went with the recommended set up for elevator and rudder servos except the rudder servo is installed in a small tray I made up so it is vertical in the rear rather than stuck to the side of the fuz.
Please feel free to ask anything else.
02-28-2013, 07:44 PM
#270
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RE: BJCraft Episode
Hi Paul,
I reduced my rudder throw for normal flight quite a bit because it is very sensitive. I use a high rate rudder for spins, KE loops, rollers, stall turns. Just don't forget to throw your switch back to normal mode... You might try to reduce your throw more so that you don't have to use 70% expo. I found that it was easier to handle overall.
I reduced my rudder throw for normal flight quite a bit because it is very sensitive. I use a high rate rudder for spins, KE loops, rollers, stall turns. Just don't forget to throw your switch back to normal mode... You might try to reduce your throw more so that you don't have to use 70% expo. I found that it was easier to handle overall.
03-05-2013, 10:23 PM
#274
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RE: BJCraft Episode
Hi Paul,
Your battery tray is intriguing as I am considering a removeable tray on my current project. It appears that you have two servo screws in the front that prevents the tray from sliding forward and out of the slots it sits in. Is that pretty much it? Have you used this arrangement before?
Thanks!
Verne Koester
Your battery tray is intriguing as I am considering a removeable tray on my current project. It appears that you have two servo screws in the front that prevents the tray from sliding forward and out of the slots it sits in. Is that pretty much it? Have you used this arrangement before?
Thanks!
Verne Koester
ORIGINAL: pippy
Hi ram, I am using the neu f3a motor as supplied by F3Aunlimited. It is very powerful and pulls the episode around with ease using 10.15 gears and 22x20 rear ,22x18 front. My set up is with a Hyde mount so the 3 screws are screwed from behind a normal firewall into blind nuts installed in the front of the mount. It means my contra plus mount plus motor and even my speed controller can be pulled out thru the front of the model just by opening 3 screws ( see picture of drive with Hyde mount and also of firewall and rear mount. I never have to remove the rear mount for any reason. I can then put them straight into my nuance in about 3/5 minutes.
I went with the recommended set up for elevator and rudder servos except the rudder servo is installed in a small tray I made up so it is vertical in the rear rather than stuck to the side of the fuz.
Please feel free to ask anything else.
Hi ram, I am using the neu f3a motor as supplied by F3Aunlimited. It is very powerful and pulls the episode around with ease using 10.15 gears and 22x20 rear ,22x18 front. My set up is with a Hyde mount so the 3 screws are screwed from behind a normal firewall into blind nuts installed in the front of the mount. It means my contra plus mount plus motor and even my speed controller can be pulled out thru the front of the model just by opening 3 screws ( see picture of drive with Hyde mount and also of firewall and rear mount. I never have to remove the rear mount for any reason. I can then put them straight into my nuance in about 3/5 minutes.
I went with the recommended set up for elevator and rudder servos except the rudder servo is installed in a small tray I made up so it is vertical in the rear rather than stuck to the side of the fuz.
Please feel free to ask anything else.
03-06-2013, 12:08 AM
#275
RE: BJCraft Episode
ORIGINAL: VerneK
Hi Paul,
Your battery tray is intriguing as I am considering a removeable tray on my current project. It appears that you have two servo screws in the front that prevents the tray from sliding forward and out of the slots it sits in. Is that pretty much it? Have you used this arrangement before?
Thanks!
Verne Koester
Hi Paul,
Your battery tray is intriguing as I am considering a removeable tray on my current project. It appears that you have two servo screws in the front that prevents the tray from sliding forward and out of the slots it sits in. Is that pretty much it? Have you used this arrangement before?
Thanks!
Verne Koester
ORIGINAL: pippy
Hi ram, I am using the neu f3a motor as supplied by F3Aunlimited. It is very powerful and pulls the episode around with ease using 10.15 gears and 22x20 rear ,22x18 front. My set up is with a Hyde mount so the 3 screws are screwed from behind a normal firewall into blind nuts installed in the front of the mount. It means my contra plus mount plus motor and even my speed controller can be pulled out thru the front of the model just by opening 3 screws ( see picture of drive with Hyde mount and also of firewall and rear mount. I never have to remove the rear mount for any reason. I can then put them straight into my nuance in about 3/5 minutes.
I went with the recommended set up for elevator and rudder servos except the rudder servo is installed in a small tray I made up so it is vertical in the rear rather than stuck to the side of the fuz.
Please feel free to ask anything else.
Hi ram, I am using the neu f3a motor as supplied by F3Aunlimited. It is very powerful and pulls the episode around with ease using 10.15 gears and 22x20 rear ,22x18 front. My set up is with a Hyde mount so the 3 screws are screwed from behind a normal firewall into blind nuts installed in the front of the mount. It means my contra plus mount plus motor and even my speed controller can be pulled out thru the front of the model just by opening 3 screws ( see picture of drive with Hyde mount and also of firewall and rear mount. I never have to remove the rear mount for any reason. I can then put them straight into my nuance in about 3/5 minutes.
I went with the recommended set up for elevator and rudder servos except the rudder servo is installed in a small tray I made up so it is vertical in the rear rather than stuck to the side of the fuz.
Please feel free to ask anything else.
I find that the aluminum arrow shafts are strong enough and are much more available and a lot cheaper than c/f tube.
Also the o/d of the arrow shaft is consistant....unlike c/f tube.
The 1/4" end grain balsa might have been over kill....next time I'll use 3/16" or perhaps 1/8" if I feel brave.
The setup as shown is not removeable but has proved to be plenty strong...there are about 500 Masters flights combined on both airplanes without any sign of structural problems.
Best...DH
