Oh...DUH, I forgot your location.

Good luck getting the kinks worked out so you can get it flying.

Waldo, we were extremely pleased (Rick was ecstatic) with the OS .46AX performance on the Twist, 10x7 MAS prop. There was NO trouble with inverted flight , through outside loop, to vertical flight--which was Rick's REASON for changing out the OS .61FX. Though the carb/tank differential with the AX is STILL almost an inch, I had no trouble, almost full tank, getting through that manuever. At nearer an empty tank, it DID flame out, at absolute idle, going inverted, through outside loop, to vertical. But that's asking an awful lot of any engine/airframe combination.

Rick's .46 hovered well and DID pull out of it on demand, but not nearly so fast as the .61/13x4 APC prop combination.

And I'm with Tim about engine size: there has to be an end to it. I wouldn't consider going larger than a .61 on the Twist. What would be the reason? The only time I'm at full throttle with the .61 is when doing inverted spins--and going, when in that spin, from half to full throttle, over and over, produces interesting visual results. I seldom if ever take off at full throttle. Now, the reason for the .61 is obvious: fuel economy, predictable performance, excellent hovers, and power to get me out of trouble when I need it.

Raining here, so it's a fix-up, clean shop day.

Waldo, you see the Super Skybolt is now in an ARF (Tower: $289)? They've only had it in kit form before. I'll have to give up eating for a couple months to be able to afford it, but if it flies ANYTHING like the one they have on RealFlight G3, one of the hottest, aerobatic bipes I've flown on simulator, I want it. I'd put an OS .91 on it--which would mean I'd have to give up drinking, too. Hoo-boy, guess that Skybolt will have to wait.

J

I installed a Magnum 91 Four stroke and agree that there is a limit to motor size and weight. I made taller gear to allow for the 15x4w prop. It will hover on a dime with plenty of vertical power. But you do loose alot of other characteristics. I've tried other props and the 4w works great for the hover but acts like a speed brake when power is cut. There is no more gliding in on landing, too low of speed and she stalls and tips over on the nose.

I really have no problems at all to speak of with the .70 4 stroke, I take off at full throttle 99.9% of the time, I go from an idle at the runway to full power and she rolls about 1 foot and then straight into orbit, [X(] its very impressive to see, but I think the motor may be a little heavy for her as I have to fight into the hover, but everything else rocks!!!!

This is also my first 3D plane, so to learn how to hover has been quite a challenge, but it is coming more easily now, a friend of mine let me fly his foamy the other day, and to go into a hover with that was like putting syrup on your pancakes, I didn't even have to think about it, it just went there, I called him a cheater & said try that stuff with this plane, he wouldn't take the challenge though, I feel a little better now about learning it all on the twist, as I feel like I am actually controling every single little move, so I have no problem with the Challenge, as its only helping me become a better pilot.

And I don't think my budget is going to allow for a $280.00 Kit Jack, [] The reason I buy kits is not only for the fun of completely building them, but the cost is way more reasonable, I'd actually like a Cardinal Edge Like Blaine Austin flys (1/4 to 1/2 scale or larger) but I can't even think about spending $8,000.00 for that Kit. not without getting stabbed by my wife anyway, and she is pretty easy going when it comes to me spending in this Hobby. But that might be pushin it a little to far. So I am trying to get a friend of mine to help me build a life size Twist, I wonder if I could handle all the G's that I put it through,, Most likely not.. [&o]

Waldo, when applying rudder the plane is going to mostly yaw. Usually when turning we are coordinating rudder and elevator. Try (just) hitting the rudder though and make mental notes of what happens. Usually there will be some unwanted pitch and or roll coupling.

Ernie

I know I have done just the rudder, but never really payed attention to its actions as far as pitch and coupling, story of my life though, I'm so broke I can't even pay attention I will make special note of it this weeekend just for you Ernie, Right now my last memory is ,,left went diving left,, until I added elevator and then snapped her into a nice roll to a Knife edge with a touch of aileron.

I think I fly the Twist completely out of control most of the time, I don't even know what my fingers are doing half the time until I actually try and do a certain move like a Hover or something, But its great to just crank on the Aileron with full throw and watch this plane do exactly what it was made to do,,, TWIST,,,, I try and cruise around the sky most of the time constantly snap rolling, its quite the challenge. and it makes you a little Dizzy I might add, but its a blast. My latest practice has been doing a constant snaproll while completeing loops and figure 8's. I'd like to be able to snaproll right into a hovering torque roll but I still need lots of practice practice practice, which I am most willingly going to do.

And don't worry to all who remember, I'm also still practicing the Death spin into the inverted flatspin and then get her flat spinning rightside up to a flatspin landing, I haven't met with success on this but only once by accident, which has made me try and try again. I'm certain to smash this plane into little pieces attempting this, but thats what they make glue for I've come pretty close a couple of times but its still not there yet, the hardest part is from God knows how many feet up, start spinning and actually be over the runway to land spinning, I hope to get it on video for ye'all.

Waldo, who was it that used to have "Inverted flat spin landing club" as an appellation to their name?

Okay, Rob and Gary (gjeffers), I need an application to the "Inverted Flat Spin Landing Club." I've already paid my dues. [Waldo, listen up. You'll enjoy this.]

I crashed my #8 Twist.

I maidened my new Futaba 7CAP radio today, with the Katana .46, 3 long flights. I love the touch, adjustable, of the sticks, and I read the entire 81 page manual, plus FAQs on line while she was charging up--for 18 hours. Then I tried the Twist with the new transmitter. She, too, did well. I was hovering and flat spinning all over. Early in the second flight, the radio beeped at me. (It has a timer per charge which read 3 hours, 10 minutes. It took me a while to set it up before I got to the field.) Battery low. I landed, left the .61 at idle, turned off the receiver, then the radio. Grabbed my old Futaba 6EXA, made sure it was on the right model, turned on the receiver, checked out the surfaces and took off. I was doing fine, showing Rick how to get into the flat spin. Then, at 300 yards altitude, I put her in an inverted spin with ailerons only, went to zero on the ailerons and held full up on the elevator, then gave full rudder, first with half throttle, then at idle, then at full throttle, back to idle....

Well... I was losing altitude all this time, of course. At 50 yards, low idle, I decided to get OUT of the spin. IT WOULDN'T STOP SPINNING. I tried goosing the motor, giving full ailerons and down elevator. No effect. Then it was too late, and I just stood there watching her go down, moaning somewhere within, but I think I kept pushing up on the elevator, ailerons at zero. The Twist requires about 5 yards going nose down to pick up enough speed for the control surfaces to work. I didn't do a thing to take her out of that spin. (This is my #8 Twist, about three weeks old, brand new OS 61FX on it.) She hit the ground in the field.

Damage? One broken 13x4 APC and a slight bend in the top of the rudder balsa strut. That's all. THAT'S ALL! I won't say it landed like a leaf on a windless day, but I KNOW I've landed Twists harder on the wheels. I checked her out, battery, servos, range (Rick helped) from where I crashed [FIRST WITH THE AERIAL DOWN! Chatter, but control. That place where it hit was 75 yards from the flight line!], everything worked fine. Somehow the vortices created in that spin wouldn't release the plane. Weird, but I've heard of it before. DownTrodden had the same problem with a Sturdy Birdy once. Good thing Rick was there. Nobody here--or at RCUniverse--would believe me otherwise.

So I changed out the prop, fueled up, and took off again! Marvelous flight, including inverted flat spins, very high, of very SHORT duration. Now if that doesn't buy me admission to the "Inverted Flat Spin Landing Club," what does it take? [Gaw, don't answer MONEY!]

At least I don't have to send Horizon another $115.49 for Twist #9.

J

P.S. Waldo, I TOLD you you'd like this story.

Jack 211,

That is an amazing story! I can't believe how little damage you sustained. Did you go to the Casino or buy a lottery ticket on the way home? As far as i am concerned, you should be the president of the inverted flat spin club.

How much power and wieght is too much?

I was wondering when this would come up. How big is too big of a motor for the Twist? I find the OS 61 fx to be just fine as ar as wieght goes. I moved everything as far back as I could. The motor is sitting so close to the firewall that the fuel tube is almost pinched. I have the receiver battery as far back as it will go in the radio and servo campartment. I haven't moved it back into the rear section yet. I am afraid the extra wieght back there will only add to the possibility of breaking the fuse at its notorious weak point. Even with all of this, I still have 1/2 ounce of lead on the tail to get a good aft CG.

Taking all of this into account, I think that the .61 is the most wieght that I would put in the plane. When you have to start adding large amounts of lead to get a plane to balance, I would say that is too much. Not only are you going to start changing flight characteristics, but structurually it is not designed to handle it.

That being said, it sure is fun putting a big old motor on a plane and seeing what it does. The twist being so reasonably priced, it is a great plane to experiment on. I can't see needing any more power that what I have now, but for those of you that want to give it a go, I would love to hear the flight reports!

Adam

Personally I think a 351 cleveland motor might be a little too much for the Twist, But you never know..[8D]

Jack, That is a hell of a story for sure, and as always you were right, I did enjoy that!! Maybe you should start your own Flatspin club, God bless the damage report, And I can't believe this is your 8th Twist and I'm still on number 1, of course its been glued back together 3 times so I should be on number 4, anyway I look at it, I don't feel as I'm pushing the envelope enough when I hear your stories, But I don't know how much closer to death I can put this plane when I'm flying her, I'm usually always at full throttle and with the stunts I'm doing I'm lucky to come out of it at all I don't know how many times I've gotten her to skim the grass baldes at full throttle coming out of some wreckless sort of spin, after I recover sometimes I have to reach out and grab my heart and stick her back in the rib cage, a couple of times I thought the Twist would have to hook it to get it back.[X(][X(] But I don't hold a candle to your stories. Congrats and great job.

Almost on topic here: since you're tlaking about engines, nobody ever answered as to whether a 65LA has been put in the Twist. Although it's butt ugly, it is supposed to be more powerful than the 61FX:

http://www.modelairplanenews.com/cli...60engines1.asp

And another engine question:

Which of you fly a Super Tigre? (I know ghee-grose does) I'm wondering what plug you use in your .45 or .51?

So far mine seems to be a total dog on the ground, and I'm wondering if I'm using too hot a plug (A3 or Enya #3 - tried both). I thought this would help with a new engine but it won't idle and the midrange is appalling. I think I'll take the carb off and try rotating the spraybar or something...

Matthew

I use a standard plug on mine. I haven't tried the "hot" plugs yet.

Meaning an OS 8 or something similar? That's the plug I'm trying next.

Matthew

I think it's a Dynamite or some other brand plug. They only cost $3 or so.

Wow, great flat spinning stories! You twist guys are awsome. My 4* 40 will finally flat spin too since *****g out the throws. Dihedral planes won't flat spin inverted though. Are you guys flat spinning your twists at idle, or with a fair amount of throttle input? Sometimes a quick goose of throttle along with the down elevator will help pull out of a flat spin.

Ernie

I'm ready to maiden my Twist today. This will be my 1st tail dragger and only my 2nd plane. I've been reading this forum for nearly a month and am only on page 60. Hmm, nearly 100 more to go. This has to be a record of some sort.

Anyway, I mounted a Magnum 46 as far forward as I could, put the battery under the fuel tank, addded the sullivan tail wheel mount, and it balanced right at 4-1/2". I'm going to try the 12.25 X 3.75 APC prop that everyone is using prior to page 60. If anyone has an 11" prop that works well I'd be interested in going smaller for the ground clearance. Wish me luck...

I've used an APC 11.5x4 before with nearly the same great results as the 12.25x3.75. It's one of the wide blade props too. At least that will give you 3/4" more clearance.

May the Twist gods be with you... [sm=thumbup.gif]
Good luck!

Let us know how it goes.

Gary

Wizzbang,

Good luck on your maiden! I flew mine last night in 18mph winds. That was a real kick. I was harriering backwards over my head. I wouldn't call my futile attempts at hovering actually hovering, but for the 5 seconds or so I maintain an ugly hover, I was really getting blown accross the sky.

I was a little nervous about landing during the flight. When I brought her in, I came down so smooth, I had to go back up and land again. It is amazing at how stable this plane is at low speeds.

Adam

Wizz, I have a magnum 46 that I love..... hope yours works as well. I have on OS carb and a magnum 52 (extra volume) muffler on mine. It just screams. I run an APC 12x4 on it (4* 40 plane) and it is perfect. Go to larger wheels or bend the gear in a bit or whatever it takes to run a 12 inch prop. The extra diameter and low pitch is great for 3D or in close flying.

Ernie

Ordered #3 today. Tower has them on sale for $332.00 minus $20.00 for ad number. Makes for a good price.

I love this plane! I flew it for the 1st time yesterday and any doubt I had about buying it was put to rest. At first I had the controls a bit high and it was difficult to manage with how sensitive they are. Even with 50% expo this plane will turn, spin, and loop on a dime. Of course that's a big part of why it's so fun, however it was a bit hairy for that first landing. I reduced my ailerons another 20% for low rates and that helped me quite a bit. The Magnum 46 seemed to pull the plane slowly at first but began to loosen up after my 3rd flight (it's not really broken in yet). The APC 12.25 X 3.75 prop might be a little big for this motor but I'll give it some time before I decide to go smaller. The plane does hover well with this prop and I didn't have any problems with it, it just takes a while for the RPM's to climb. After flying I slipped with the screwdriver as I tried to unbolt the wing. Now I have a nice hole in my new plane. I hate it when that happens []

Good show WizzBang. Bummer about the new hole though. Here's my take on expo. I admit technical things make my head swim but here goes: If you watch a control surface move, most of the movement is at the first bit of stick movement, gradually reducing as the servo arm swings around to aim more at the horn on the surface. I don't know what %, but it would seem that adding a certain amout of expo would make the movement of the control surface more match the movement of the stick. More linear if you will.

Tim, I think the real reason for expo is for newbies who over-control. And bless the technology for giving us expos. Even us old timers could use some once in a while. I find, for example, that -40 expo on the Futaba 7CAP, allows me to hit full throttle or all the way down without messing up the line of flight by a slight left or right of the stick, inputting rudder. The 7CAP, new to me, is better than the 6EXA in that regard because the sticks' tension is adjustable, hence you feel the center more, and when off center, better.

With the 6EXA the rudder has no expo because it has no high/low rates or expo at all. The 7CAP fixes that.

Waldo will tell you you simply need to educate your thumbs: don't over-control. The real problem is not the plane, the set-up, or the radio. The real problem is staring back at ya from the mirror. That's the hardest lesson I had to learn, but once DownTrodden taught me that, I began to learn to fly.

Expos makes the transition easier, I'll give you that. But the goal is 100% throws and no expo. Yet, a pro told me that when competing, you can set up your radio to give THREE adjustments for throws and expos for given maneuvers. I ain't there yet, but I understand.

J

To be completely truthful, I have not felt the difference in the expos at all, After Listening to everyone on expo advice, I decided to give it a try (last year this was) I even sat the plane in eye view on my work bench And I couldn't tell what the expo was actually doing, so i tried flying with 75% expo on elevator and aileron, and I didn't really feel any difference at all, but I'm a weirdo anyway so who knows, anyway all expo is off for me, just the way I like it, I found myself trying to find out more what the expo did for me then to just fly the plane, now I don't have to worry about it any longer, Thumbs thumbs thumbs is where its at. it might be harder to get the touch without expo, (if in fact it does anything) "once you get the touch it will never leave you".. Maybe Aerostotle maybe not.

But I too came from the old school with a 3 channel Futaba box and an .049 motor the plane crawled and crashed, every week we would get just a little farther, then I finally received my first OS .10 and then an OS .20 and success had started, Mind you I was 8 at the time, I used to fly with my Ailerons hooked up backwards,,, left was right etc.. and only thought they were used to level the plane during landings, I flew this plane all over the place for months, when someone asked if they could fly it and he was an awesome pilot, so I said sure, he pile drived it in the ground just feet after takeoff. he felt terrible, I laughed,, especially after just watching me fly it and land it with no problems at all, then he told me after checking out the plane I had the Ailerons hooked up backwards, luckily he had the same plane already built but not monocoted yet, so he gave me his that night, and I was air born again the next day. so you see it doesn't matter what the hell the controls are doing, practice the touch, and you'll crash for some other reason sometime.. [X(]

Glad to hear of the maiden wizzbang, I'm sure your going to be a Twistoholic for a long time now. Just think,, the hole you put in your wing was a good thing, now you don't have to worry about dinging up the new plane while your flying,, its already done, you are now a free man better that happen then to be ordering twist #2 after your first maiden, Yes I'm a the glass is half full kind of guy. Congrats and happy twistin ahead.

Tomorrow is Saturday winds are suppose to be in the 20's, but no rain,, so the Twist is air born Yee haa,,,,, I'm going to check out the rudder thing Ernie... Later Twisters