bkg1956

Thanks, Dave. I was wondering why many of the photos I'd seen had that option in place. My hinge gaps are sealed full length, do you think that will make a difference, or should I just go ahead and modify? What throws do you recommend? I got the kit partially completed and without plans, so had no specs to go by. Thanks for any help before the maiden flight.

wmicky

Well i have great news! Mike Wooten the owner of Lonestar Balsa, who is the son of Reilghy Wooten is in the process of putting the Scat Cats back on the Market!
Yall give him a visit online at his web site! You can also order Balsa wood from him straight from his website! The Company is Lone Star Balsa! Located in Forney TX! His number there is 972-552-2922 or 972-552-3939! My name is Mick! I also worked for him in Lancaster TX before the Fire!

jk464

Sweet, they make so much better sport fliers than the new q500's.

airraptor

My Feedback: (66)

I have three of the orginal kits with foam cores in the box. Will these have built up wings. i would like to see them with a built up fully sheeted wing over the foam core ones

bkg1956

Took my Cat up yesterday for maiden flight! Great! Will shorten ailerons because of full-length flutter. Otherwise just as I expected!

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

Funny how deltas run huge full span flaps and flutter isn't as much a concern. The wing sweep must have something to do with that..?

airraptor

My Feedback: (66)

most of the cats run a single servo. when you have 20-22" of soft balsa and only one end is secured to a servo, along with non sealed surfaces will have some flutter. when i get around to building mine will have two servos and stiffer built up ailerons.

CP yes wing design can play in to the flutter as well.

bkg1956

Right. The flex in my full-length ailerons is very noticeable, even after generous hinging, sealing the gaps, and covering. But, based on the performance yesterday I will be just fine with about 6" on near the wingtips!

BUDMAN27

Never had a Cat but, I,v been flying the Sonic 500 for years. They say its nothing more than a Scat Cat.

bkg1956

I meant to say 6" attached to the wingtip, not 6" of aileron near the wingtip. I'll keep the inboard ailerons!

Meschmidt

My Feedback: (15)

Yea, but for years, it took a Scat Cat to outrun a Scat Cat.

daven

My Feedback: (1)

Sonic 500, Scat Cat, China Clipper, essentially very similar planes.


I personally like the stability of the modern day quickie, and thats probably why they are not as fun to fly, they are just to "neutral" in all aspects.

For throws, I was going to say about 3/8" each way for aileron and elevator would be a good spot to start. About 1" on rudder, not sure you will use it much, its not very effective other than keeping straight on full power take offs and crosswind landings.

jk464

Really, I find performing aerobatic maneuvers much easier with a scat cat than with my viper. It seems like the viper was always trying to fall out of anything I tried, that being said I do think the viper is easier to fly around pylons.

bkg1956

Flew my Cat again today after shortening the ailerons. Wow! What a blast! Quick turns, good knife edge with little rudder, solid loops and rolls...even a few snaps! Lands FAST, though!

Crazy4Flight

My Feedback: (540)

bkg1956

Check your CG you may be a bit nose heavy.

Mine never landed FAST but faster than my trainer or Falcon 56 MK III.

Power was, older OS .30MAX TT pro .25 than a K&B .40 BB

bob

bkg1956

Thanks! Built it without complete documentation. What is the CG supposed to be? Mine is where a local knowledgeable pilot recommended.

proptop

My Feedback: (8)

I have my modified Sonic 500 balanced at 3" back from the L.E. or 30% of the 10" chord...no fuel. It slows down nicely for landing...no nasty tendencies at all...[8D]

Mine has a FIRE K&B 6.5 Q500 that I put a Perry backplate pump and pump carb on...and a Magic Muffler.

Mine is definitely on the porky side though at 4 lbs. empty. The wood that the ARF is made of is either really dense, hard Balsa, or some other species like maybe Obechi? (sp? )

Been thinking of getting a genuine Scat Cat to see how a light wt. "real" one flys...

daven

My Feedback: (1)

I wouldn't be surprised if it was nose heavy, most people who build them chopped about an inch off of the nose to help move the CG back.

Can't remember the C.G. for it, but I would suspect they would recommend something around 2 3/4". Most people are flying modern quickies in the 3" range.

bkg1956

I know some cut off the nose of their Scat Cats, but that hurts the fuel capacity and, I believe, the looks! However, I believe my CG is very close to what you are saying.

jk464

Anyone know when these are going to be available?

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

While the Scat cat certainly brings back fond memories, as far as sport flying goes, I would like to see them kit the Skooter II> I really loved that plane for sport flying.

jk464

You have to post a pic.

proptop

My Feedback: (8)

The Skooter II (or was it Skooter too? ) is kind of like a Scat Cat with a "Fun Fly" type wing. Similar fuselage design, with a short, stubby wing... thick airfoil...large control surfaces...
Foam core with thin cardboard covering.

jk464

Oh I guess I should have been more specific. The Scat Cat is an excellent speed sport plane, for regular sport flying I tend to like pattern style planes. I have an excelleron 50 with an OS 55AX engine and it is tough to beat for precision aerobatics in its size range. I can generally perform maneuvers as well as people flying 70" extras and what not. Sometimes I just want to mess around at high speeds though and that is where something like a scat cat comes into play.

bkg1956

Well I believe I've got the Cat sorted out now. What a great flyer! Fast and fun. Still having problems with ground handling, but I think I have a solution with a different tail wheel set-up. My original design used too thin a wire so it would squat when power was applied and the wire would actually drag instead of the wheel. Ground loops are quite exciting...in a bad way! Anyways, that change has been made and I hope that's the last issue.

Did find out it likes to land power-off. Any prop movement keeps the thing in the air for a LONG glide path. Power-off lets it settle down and land quite nicely.

All in all, I love this design! Now I want to put on an engine with a bit more RPM, say a SEMPRA Jett SS .40 I've seen around??