I need help choosing a 3D plane for a zenoah G26 engine. I am looking for something like a yak or edge. I have only been flying for about a year, so i want something not quite so unruley at low speed ( like the caps so I hear...). Any suggestions would be appreciated...

Thanks

Paul

drbenz,

This may not be the advice you are looking for, but IMHO the stock (magneto ignition) G26 is too heavy for use in most 3D planes. Good 3D performance requires an extremelly high power to weight ratio and very light wing loading. With a good muffler, the G26 makes about as much power as a Saito 150 (give or take) but weighs substantially more. Also, at least on my G26, the throttle response is not quite as fast as I would want for 3D. That may be due to my setup, however.

Don't get me wrong, I think the G26 is an excellent engine. It's a good flyer in general sport planes like the Ultra Stick Lite, Jerry's Big Boy, scale Piper Cubs, etc.

Greg

To be really usable as something to fly and learn the "3D" stuff -with that engine -the total weight will have to be 10 lbs -11 lbs tops
You simply are not going to get there.

Desertpig built an Ultra Stik Lite that weighed 9 lbs with a stock G26 and muffler...A converted G26 is lighter, the plane would be under 9 lbs...I don't fly 3D, but wouldn't one of those work ? 17 lbs thrust, 9 lb airplane. almost 2 to 1.....Maybe an Ultra Stik won't do the 3D maneuvers ? Not a trick question, I really don't know....

That would be a terrific setup for learning 3D-
The real problem is that most aspiring 3D flyers - simply have not yet grasped the whole picture of putting together that kind of combo - they look at advertised weight of models and HOPE
Hope in one hand and --- in the other .
Check the results

Thanks for the input. is there another gas engine that might be better suited that wont send me to the poor house??

Maybe i should get the g38 instead. would it go well in a 120 size edge 540??

If you go that route, you're right back up there with a plane with heavy wing loading. If you're looking to stay in the 120 size, about the best thing I've seen is the Funtana 90/Evolution 26/tuned pipe set up that Dick H. is setting up. My buddy has been flying one for several years now with an OS 1.08 and the flight characteristics(3D) are great for a plane that size. If you really want to go gas(best thing going in my book), IMO the new 28% planes fitted up with one of the current 50 cc motors is the way to go. If you keep them light, they'll do just about everything the bigger 35% or 40% will do. Not quite as slow and graceful, but they'll do it. As far as price goes, you're going to have somewhere around $1600 to $1800 in it when it's all said and done.........I've seen some killer deals though on this size plane in the classifieds. Some are only flown 20 or 30 flights $1200 to $1400.

Paul,

I originally had my G26 in an Ultra Stick Light. It weighed about 10.5 lbs initially with a lightened (but not converted) G26. The plane was fun in terms of slow landings with the flaps and general aerobatics. I tried some of Desertpig's modifications, which cut the weight some, but it still was not a good 3D plane (of course the G26 makes no where near 17 lbs at 5000 ft altitude).

There are lighter (and more expensive) small gas engines like the 3W24 or Evo26, but IMHO you need to go bigger to get a good power to weight ratio with gas. Really Nogyro is right. For example, the DA 50 weighs less than 3 pounds bare, and will turn a 23" prop.

One other comment - I don't know how much you have flown in a year, but most of the scale aerobats you mention like Extras, Edge, Cap, Giles, etc. can tend to snap with high rates and require some finesse to land well, especially if they are set up tail heavy Cg for 3D flying. There are a lot of fun-fly type planes that will do some 3D and are easier to handle - Banshee G3D, Magic, Funtana 90, various profile planes, etc.

Greg