RE: CA Models VISA
 

The white was easy to see in a blue sky, but was tough to see in the grey sky.

C

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Not gonna have a problem seeing it anymore. I called up Kenny Monday when the rains came and then headed down to his place. We started stripping it on Tues and just sjhot the Clear an hour ago. We worked on it pretty hard for 3 days but now the Visa is finished. Heres afew pics from my cell before clear. More pics tomorrow.

I d reallyto thank Kenny and his family for the help I think we all had a good time. I also think we are going to have one more to contend with in FAI as I am pretty sure he'll be back.

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Looks great Chip.  I spent the day after Thanksgiving at Kenny's re-painting the canopy, and cowl on my Dalton Extra 300.  Kenny can paint faster, and better, than anyone I know.  It would sure be great to see him flying again!

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Kenny is a magician - great job!

RE: CA Models VISA
 

It looks cool. It should be very visible and present a nice line in the air. Its good to hear that Kenny may be flying again. In addition to being an awesome builder, he is an awesome pilot.

Steve.

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Great kid too.. really humble and a nice guy to be around.

The Visa looks great Chip.

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Pink!! Go figure!! Looks great Chip. Kenny is a master when it comes to finishing a plane and he is a genius with a Monokote iron!!

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Update

Well I have been in Cali for just over two weeks and have really enjoyed all the flying. Its been great to have had the opportunity to get several opinouns on what people liked or disliked about the Visa. I am happy to say that the most common thing said when a person was seeing it for the first time was "Cool the pics really don't do it justice" As a designer that is a wonderful thing to hear. Anyhow I am heading back south this week to get my new ones ready for Phoenix but I do have a few last pics to post from todays flying.

By the way we will be flying tomorrow in Lancaster, if anyone feels like coming out. Today was gorgeous and tomorrow is going to be the same

Chip

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Btw the pink will be red on all the production planes

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Another Pic

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Well today wasn't the day I had hoped for but I guess it could of been worse. I crashed the Visa this morning and it was pretty much my fault. I had come up with a way to attach the wings to each other rather then clamping them to the fuselage itself. I ended up breaking one of the 1/4 -20 plastic bolts that are in the wings and the wing slid out and rotated when I was coming in to land. The plane did an outside loop from about 30 feet and hit the ground. When we got out to it I was pretty amazed as it wasn't broken in half. That fuse is stronger then any of us thought. The wings stab and rudder are perfect and I have already fixed the fuse. Hopefully Kenny will be able to touch it up sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Now I do have some info that I think Ryan had requested a week or so ago. To fly the p11 with 4350's or 4400's I have been using 3100-3200mah per flight. I am going to go with the 4350 this year as even in a bunch of wind I don't think we will go over 3600 per flight. BTW the fan backplate has arrived and it is working great. The motor is running almost as cool as the batteries and speed control. The last flight I checked it was only 107.

Thats it for a few days as I am leaving for Ar. in the AM.

Chip

RE: CA Models VISA
 

That was tough to see. But I am still scratching my head as to how the heck that thing came out in pretty much one piece. I was expecting to see pieces splattered all over the place but when we got out to the wreckage site it was basically intact. The nose was broken and there was some other damage on the fuse. My first reaction was "heck, this is fixable", but it would still be a lot of work. I've never had that kind of luck in a crash of that type (well, maybe with a foamy). The thing went straight in but the only piece that separated from the plane was the canopy.

If any of you get a chance to fly with Chip then you will really benefit. He helped me trim out my Passport and got it set up nicely. Chip has an amazing sense for what an airplane is doing and how to get it to work right. He zeroed in and fixed a few issues that I have had for a long time. I got lazy and lived with them but he dove right in and wouldn't stop until it was fixed. Thanks Chip, it was a ton of fun.

Steve

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Steve,

I totally agree with that. I was fortunate enough to fly with Chip a few times last summer in TX as he came and spent time with me. The guy has seen and done everything in the hobby and just has a 'sense' of what's going on and he sees mistakes coming before you even make them. I have worked with many coaches that can see errors, but they really can't tell you how to fix them. Chip knows how to fix them and that is a major benefit. He truly isn't satisfied until he has seen you capable of flying every maneuver as a 10. More than likely you wont, but he will certainly give you the tools you need to be able to do it.

Arch

RE: CA Models VISA
 

I think a big part of it is Chip has been 'seeing' things correctly for a long time, and can therefore point out things you might be missing. Wings level, straight and level, etc. It also helps a GREAT deal to have someone coaching you regardless of your skill level. At least in my case, I'd get so focused in on flying the maneuver that I'd repeat mistakes.. I'd repeat them the exact same way every time, and my brain had been conditioned to that mistake being 'correct'. Then another set of eyes says 'Hey.. you're doing THIS wrong' and suddenly you can fix it.

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Yep, that's a big part of it. He pointed out my brainwashed perspective problem on a few maneuvers that made me rethink the way I was looking at my plane. Having Tony F. adding in his perspective and tips further reinforced things and really made my time with those guys productive.

Chip spent a lot of time with me working out some aircraft setup problems. He has the ability to instantly know what needs to be changed on an airplane in order to really fine tune it. He was seeing things when watching me fly and also when he flew my plane that were very subtle but made a huge difference when corrected. Not only could he see it, but he instantly knew what was wrong. I would have kept on flying it the way it was, or would have spent many more practice sessions spiraling in on the right changes. A few of the things he noticed, I never saw at all. Saved me a lot of work and wasted electrons.

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Steve, can you share the setup changes?

Jim

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Hi Jim,

Sure, but I should probably start a new thread. That will be a long list and I can see where it might take on a life of its own. I'll do my best. We made a lot of changes and mixing modifications.

RE: CA Models VISA
 

It is always a pleasure to work with someone that is willing to try something new. I am sure you will need to continue to fine tune it to get the exact feel you want but I think its pretty close. If nothing else I now have a great flying back up plane lol.

Anyway I have just arrived at the factory and I am very happy with all the changes (Visa, Onas, Passport) The new balsa Visa fuse with all the mods I wanted is here and its perfect. It now has the larger air exits in the rear and the nosering is a perfect match to the spinner. This is a new brand new mold and now the model is exactly 2 meters. I will get some pictures up later but I need to eat first.

Chip

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Chip -

Do they have Hostess Cupcakes down there? If not, I hope you packed a bunch.....I know you can only go a couple hours without your fix :-)

Mike

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Thats the hardest part about making the trip down here is the fact that breakfast is more of a snack then a meal lol. I did find a place that specializes in pancakes and they must have 100 different kinds to choose from but there is 2 problems. 1. They don´t open until noon, and 2. They have no SYRUP of any kind. What a let down, I can´t even describe how I felt when the waitress said that.


Chip

Hey, what happened to the pics of your Passport you promised all of us lol

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Do I need to have Tara send you some Mrs. Butterworth's again?

Arch

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Chip - The thought about you and pancakes makes me remember a late night in an I-Hop type of establishment somewhere in the NW of the US (I think it was the Tri-Cities in WA for the Nats sometime in the 90s).....

I will get the picture up this weekend when my wife returns from FL with my camera. The plane is coming along well. Did most of the split rudder hinging yesterday. Made it removable as you suggested.

If they sell syrup in a grocery store down there, you may as well pick some up and just leave it in the car for when you make your pancake runs. Dry pancakes just doesn't seem right.

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Cool it needs to go to me CO- Ca Models, 512 Charlone, Buenas Aries, AR. LOL Just kidding I will make it just 3 more weeks til Phoenix

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Update

As I had said earlier the new Fuse is really nice, the wood is so much nicer to work with over the foam. We have just about everything done except the Silkspan on the wings and stabs. Hopefully that will be finished this weekend so I can take it to the painters on Monday. I have attached a few pics that show how the inside of the production Visa will be.

C

RE: CA Models VISA
 

a couple more

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Chip -

Looks fantastic! Have you run a motor yet with the rear mount setup that is shown in the pics? Just curious as to how it holds up. I was thinking of doing the same kind of setup in my passport. Am I correct that you are using about a 1/4" balsa/carbon laminate and that each piece is merely butt glued to the fuse side with an epoxy fillet? I know that there shouldn't be much vibration or anything trying hard to break the glue joint since so much of the mounting stress is up at the front mount. Your thoughts?

Again, the new fuse looks terrific. Nice pic of the battery tray....now I understand how it needs to go in my passport.....I am just gonna wait to install until the end so I can get the balance of the plane correct.

Mike

RE: CA Models VISA
 

I think everyone is using a similar method for the rear mount support. I am using a nomex/carbon laminate plate butt glued with an Aeropoxy fillet. Use something like Aeropoxy that has a little give to it.

Chip, the fan backplate and firewall setup looks like it will really provide good airflow. I like the new smaller three point mount as well.

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Mike,

Chip got that rear mount from my PassPort installation. I just used 1/8 ply cut with some lightening holes and glued to the fuse first with a couple of thick CA spots, then final glued with a fillet of Hysol 9462, the same stuff BVM sells as Aeropoxy. Good stuff. It's slightly filled, thixotropic so it doesn't move from where you put it and very strong.

RE: CA Models VISA
 

OK inquiring minds need to know. Who's the hottie on the cover of the KFactor? It ain't Chip either so don't go in that direction please. M²

RE: CA Models VISA
 

That's Chip's new friend down in Argentina. A good reason why he's spending so much time down there!

Tony

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Hmmm good reason. Thanks

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Mike,

Please post your weights in the Onas thread when you can.

Thx!

Chris

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Will do Chris.

RE: CA Models VISA
 

O.K. forgive me if these questions have been answered. I did a fast read of the thread and didn't find the answers.

1) Is there a time frame of when this will be readily available? 2011 season?
2) Will it come in ARF form like the ONAS?
3) Will it have various firewall options included to allow for a Pletty?
4) Is there a "ball park" price range?
5) Aerodynamically is it geared towards FAI skill levels or is it docile enough for Intermediate to Advanced pilots?


Inquiring minds want to know :D


Thanks!


Joe P.

RE: CA Models VISA
 

1. It is available now the first ones are being built as I type this.
2. It will be available in an RTF form like the Onas .
3. Yes there will be optional firewalls
4. $2000.00 is the price of the RTF. (RTF ready to finish)
5. Aerodynamically it is geared toward all levels of pattern flying. Just because a model is designed for FAI shouldn´t mean its any less for the other classes.

Hope this helps

Chip

RE: CA Models VISA
 

How much for Covered and Painted version, and when will they be available, Chip?

George

RE: CA Models VISA
 

The all painted version is $3495.00 and the Painted fuse with Ultrakote wings and stabs is $2995.00. The first run of Visa´s is underway as we speak. There is about a 3-4 week lag between when you order and when your model will be shipped. 50% is due when we tell you the Fuse has arrived here at the factory and the other 50% will be due at the time of shipping. All that is required for us to ship is a copy of the wire transfer. Once we recieve that it will ship even though it will take 7-10 days for us to recieve the money. Shipping to the US is an additional $200.00 on top of the price and that is for Fed Ex Air which normally takes between 3 and 5 business days.

Hope this helps

CHip

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Just back from the paint shop. I am super happy and I realized one thing for sure. I truely have no vision when it comes to paint schemes.

Chip

RE: CA Models VISA
 

Beautiful Chip, can't wait to see the wings!

Isee that you removed the cooling vent on the top of the nose and now have vent holes below. Looks like the vents are very small. Did you test the bottom vent only configuration on your prototype? How confident are you that this will be enough cooling for motor, ESC and batteries?

Thanks,
Keith B

RE: CA Models VISA
 

more pics