RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

I read in a review that a slight negative incidence on the top wing is desireable. It supposedly helps with the way the plane handles. My incidence came out right on, but setting for a few weeks, i rechecked the incidence and now my top wing is also setting at a little less that -.5 degree. I am going to leave mine alone and see what happens. If anyone else knows for sure that the incidence should be the same as the bottom wing, please let us know before we re-kit these planes. :D

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

I finally maidened my ultimate today. Start-up was great and the os70 ran strong. Overtheedge came to the field to watch and offer some support. It was a tad breezy, but after some deliberation, I finally decided to give it a go. I decided to taxi up and down the runway and if I felt comfortable, I would ease it into the air. I started down the runway and that os just sounded right, so I gave it about half throttle and up it went. I gained some altitude and started a right hand pattern. On the second pass I noticed something fall off of my plane. After a slow fly by, we noticed I lost one of the two most important items required for making a successful landing. Thats right, I lost one of the tires. From that point on, I really couldn't tell you how the ultimate performed, I was too busy worring how in the he-- I was going to get my first kit built pride and joy back I one piece. I went around one more time and settled into a landing pattern. I kept the wings tipped in the direction of the one tire that was still there. I did notice how well this plane handles on final approach. I touched down about 3/4 of the way down the runway. (we have tall weeds at the far end of the runway and I was set of putting it down in there, but at the last minute, I decided to set it in the runway so I would not tear up the covering.) The on tire touched down and rolled out for a while and then the other wing tip lost lift and the tireless gear touched the ground. The plane spun around and flipped once and came to rest upright. As we approached, we notiiced the there was no damage. Maybe a little tweak on the gear, Maybe! This thing held up great. This is why I will continue to build planes. If this was one of my arf's, who knows what it would have looked like.
Tomorrow I will fly it again. I got rid of the other bolt style axle and put on a set of dubro axles with thread locker. I will let you know how things turn out tomorrow. :D
Tim

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

Congratulations on the successful maiden, even though you had the tire incident. Glad it went ok.
I'm still slowly building mine.

-tychoc

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

Congratulations! Be sure to give us a full flight report when you have another chance to fly.

Mine is just about finished except for the cowl, which I plan to order from Fiberglass Specialties this week.

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

I got a chance to actually fly my bipe yesterday. It was amazing. The OS70 is a perfect match for this plane. It was a bit breezy, but I felt comfortable enough to ease it off of the ground. I once again started a right hand pattern and gained altitude. It flew like it was on rails. I ran a tank throught it to finish the break in process and came in for a landing. This thing lands like a trainer. I gased it up and back to the air. I gained a little alt. and pulled it into a loop on low rates. It tracked perfectly. Snap rolls were axial and quick, again on low rates. I debate on throwing the switchs to high rates, but after I saw how the plane reacted on low, I decided not to try. (I set the throws way higher than the plans recommended.[>:]). I will probably set the low rates a little lower to accommodate for sport flying and set the highs as recommended. I also did some whip stalls, and just plain tossing around and this thing was predictable all the way with no surprises. It is considerably smaller than my HogBipe so it was a little intimidating at first, but this has just become my new favorite airplane.
I would recommend this kit to anyone. This is my first build and obviously even I got it right. The destructions are easy to follow, and it seems that everything just snapped together and lined up perfectly. Build time was short for me, (4 weeks start to finish.)
I just love this plane!
Tim

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

I'm moving slowly on this one. 4 weeks is about the time I've spend sanding the cowl and wheel pants.[:o]

Maybe I should order the fiberglass cowls as well.

longanjoel: Glad to hear that the plane flies nice. I'm anxious about flying mine as well, but it probably won't be for another couple of monts.

Here's where I'm at.

-tychoc

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

After going through a fair number of Bipes, somewhere are 15 over the past 20 years, you're right about setting the upper wing with a bit of negative. I've found that everything from Aeromasters, bipe-stiks, even hog bipes really become a joy to fly once you get the incidences set properly, ie. a slight bit of negative. don't be afraid to shim the wing and try a bit more or less, it can make a big difference. Try some down and right thrust in the engine too!

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

I maidened mine Sunday after a 1.5 year build (life kept getting in the way.)

Magnum .61 2 stroke on mine, with a 12x6 APC prop. Stans cowling, and U-can-do .46 wheelpants (~$15 from Tower)

Came out to 7.35lbs RTF on a calibrated/certified digital scale.

flew very nice after some trimming - but needed about 6 clicks of down, and kept trying to climb at full throttle. Inverted it wanted to dive with centered sticks, so I'm thinking it needs a little downthrust added to the motormount.

They day was breezy - with some 6-8mph gusts, and the little plane didn't seem to mind at all. I had mixed in a little up elevator to rudder mixing, but it was pulling to the canopy in Knife-edge flight so I took the mixing out for now. Once I get the downthrust put in, I might need to add the mixing back.

Snaprolls were awesome, and if you hold the elevator a little longer than you normally need, it just comes to a dead stop in a hover, every time. Not that this is a 3-d plane, but I wish my U-can-do 60 had this trait.

It liked to be landed pretty hot though, but had the best ground handling traits I have had in a while - plane taxiied and rolled out better than a lot of my other planes.

Landing gear seemed a little soft, and I did bounce it in on a dead-stick landing (lean low-speed needle).

In all - great flying plane, and though I'm now moving into larger scale airframes, I'm not going to be in a hurry to get rid of this one.

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

Mine is finally covered and almost ready for the maiden. It right at 6 lbs with a Saito 72. I replaced the stock cowl with one from Fiberglass Specialties and I decided not to bother with wheel pants at all. This was an 8 month build.

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

@ 6pounds I thik the stock gear will be good. I just have to grease it in since mine is a little heavier.

I also think my wood was heavier than the balsa I find in some other kits - I didn't do any lightening to the fuse while building. I also did a dual servo setup in the bottom wing.

I just wanted a good sport-aerobat, not worried about it being a 3D machine - I'm happy with the result. Wing loading at 7.35 lbs is still only 22oz/sq ft. - @ 6 lbs yours should be around 18oz/sq ft - should allow you to land a little slower.

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

OK folks need some help please. I am pulling my hair out ( if you saw my head you would see I can't afford too much more). Are there any tricks to covering the cabanes on this plane. First time building a Bipe and I can't get them to look good no matter how hard I try. Just can't seem to get the ultracoat to follow the curves. Anybody got any good tips???

TIA
Gary

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

My first piece of advice - you're going to have to try a few times before you're happy.

Second piece of advice - try using monokote instead. I'm not downing Ultracote - but it's such a lower heat covering, and it seems to shrink up waaaay more than Monokote - also I have trouble with Ultra cote where there isn't much overlap between pieces - I end up shrinking until the overlap is gone - it's like the UC doesn't like sticking to itself very well.

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

A heat gun is very helpful for the carbanes.

One bit of advice... try to replace those silly balsa sticks that glue to the sides of the carbane plywood with hardwood of some kind. The balsa is very delicate and I have broken mine several times. I keep squeezing too hard. I don't know where to get hardwood sticks that skinny. Maybe someone else has a solution?

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

Hey Bipe lovers.

I have the solution to my teeny hard wood sticks on the struts, After I had a roll over crash with the Ultimate, I rebuilt her and those little sticks were broke, so I took them right off and just monocoted the flat strut, she still flys great no problem, I say " why bother with them," but thats just me, I too love to build and this was a fun plane to build, I am glad to hear that the plane flies well with an OS 70 Surpass, I have one also on a Twist plane that just went in due to Radio problems, It was actually a blessing, because I've been dying to see how the Bipe will fly with that Os .70, Now I can,, :D I'm using an Os .46 right now and It flys pretty nice, but its not what it should be by any standards, Has anyone tried to fly it with out the top wing on her?? I know all my other bipes can But I haven't tried with this one yet. I'll send some Pics of my ultimate it is definetly one of my favorite planes in the hanger...

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

Oops fogot one

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

Maybe now :eek:

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

I have flown my bipe several times now and I am finally satisfied with its performance. For the first 5 or 6 flights, after my fuel tank is almost empty, my plane would "glitch" either roll over or I would lose total control for about 2 seconds. At full throtle 2 seconds is a lot of time. I checked all of my electronics and they seemed ok, but the high torque aileron servo seemed labored. My battery pack seemed ok and checked out fine. Another pilot at our field was having similar problems and we sat down and discussed what the problems may be. We ultimately came up with bad reciever packs. I did away with the 4.8 volt pack and built a 2500ma 6 volt pack and ta da! problem solved. I have about 5 more flights on my plane now and no more glitches. I guess the chore of moving 4 control surfaces on my aileron servo was killing my 4.8 volt pack. For now I will leave my plane as is, but this winter, my plane is getting 2 aileron servos. I have the plans and traced all of the parts, so maybe I will just build another wing. For those debating on what to do, If I were to do it all over again, I would definitely put in 2 servos.
Just my 2 cents.
Tim

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

waldopepperaxel, I was wondering the same thing. It looks like it should fly with just the bottom wing, but i bet it lands HOT! I think i will try it next time I got to the field. What the heck. I'll let you know the end result.

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

Yes by all means it will land Hot,[>:] but you shouldn't lose any stabilness during flight, when i tried it in the past, the top wing of a different bipe got wrecked, but no other damage was done, so I tried it out, it actually flew great, I've tried with 2 other bipes and had the same results, so I'm not even scared to try it with this one, but you do have to wonder,,,,, [sm=confused.gif] I may try it this weekend myself, but I think I'm going to wait until i get my other bird repaired, so I'll at least have something to fly if a small mis hap does occur. good luck, i'm routing for you.

I have no problem at all with the one servo for the wing I'm using a Futaba s3004 ball bearing.. everything is ball bearings these days..:D I was even going to make the fuselage Ball bearing...

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

Finally!!! The Ultimate is finished and went for its maiden flight on Monday July 3. This was an 11 month build.

Ground handling was excellent with no tendency to nose over in grass at all. Flying charcteristics were nice. Nice axial rolls. Quite responsive, although not like my 3D profiles. Nearly unlimited vertical. I'm still getting used to the visuals of a biplane in flight, so I didn't try too much. Landings tended to be fast. I'm thinking I may need some more elevator deflection or add some tail weight. Although, inverted flignt required almost no down elevator. It was a gusty day, I'll know more when I fly it in calm weather.

I noticed that for level flight I had a fair amount of down trim. I'm wondering if my wing incidence is not quite right.

Final weight came in a 6 lbs 14 oz, about a half pound heavier than I estimated. I'm using a Saito 72 with a 13x6 APC prop. Cowl is from fiberglass specialties. I didn't use the wheel pants. I mounted the batteries behind the wings in a compartment I added to the fuse. Did not have to add any weight for balance.

Best part is I can fit the Ultimate in the back of my Cherokee without taking off the wings. Also, I have an exhaust extension and cleanup is a one paper towel affair.

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

JPMacG

Congratulations on a nice looking Ultimate and the maiden !

I really need to get going and finish covering mine now.

-tychoc

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

Flew mine for the first time last weekend. OS70 seems perfect for this aircraft. Lands a bit quicker than i'm used to, but other than that - love it, lovelly axial rolls and snaps, just seems really sorted.

http://homepage.mac.com/paulstead/IMG_3855_adj.jpg

skOOby

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

Hey Both of you guys!!! GREAT JOB !!!!!!! on the Looks of the Bipe, I just put mine into the ground this past weekend, it just started snap rolling and went in, I was able to give it full left rudder and full left aileron and shut off the motor to stop the roll just before impact, so it only ripped up the one lower wing tip and a few ribs and tore off the landing gear, It has crashed much worse then that before, so it will be a pretty easy fix.

I have an OS. 46 on her which is a dog for this plane, It flys very nice, but not what I'm looking for, I have OS 70 in my Twist, that I have been wanting to put on the Ultimate for quite sometime now, But I really love the performance with the Twist and can't bare to take it off there yet.

How is the Vertical with the 70 on there??

I believe I posted a pic of my Ultimate on this thread a few pages back.

Have a good one and let me know how things are going for you guys with the 70's on there.

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

The vertical of my Ultimate with the Saito 72 is good, but not unlimited. I'm using an APC 13X6 prop and 15% S&W fuel. Eventually it will slow down and fall off to one side. There is not enough rudder to keep it pointed up, but then the Ultimate is not intended for 3D.

The Ultimate is the first model that I have flown that will do a fullscale-like spin - entered from a power off stall without aileron input. Recovery takes about half a turn and a fair bit of altitude. Scared myself the first time I tried it.

I'm really liking the Ultimate -it has become my favorite plane. It took me some time to get the landing flares right. You need to keep up some airspeed when you start the flare or it will just fly into the ground.

RE: GP Ultimate Bipe Setup
 

I completely agree with you on the landings, even with a .46 on there I have to bring her in around 1/4 throttle and then I chop it right as I hit hit the begining of the runway, its funny though, its like having air brakes when you throttle down to idle.:D it took a little getting use to, but I never really had a problem with it, It was my favorite plane to fly for a while and still ranks up there for me, I'll put her back together and eventually I will bore out the engine mounts to try my 70 on there, I'm sure that will make a world of difference in the stunt capability. Like I said it handles pretty nice now, but it could use a little more zest. The plane I'm flying now with my 70 on it is awesome, I'm swinging a 14x4 for 3d, but if I want that bird to scream, I throw a 12x8 on it and she shoots like a missle to the stars, completely unlimited vertical, at a rocket pace, I know it will carry the Ultimate just fine. lot of power in that OS. I only use 15% in everything I own.

the last time the Bipe went in was a radio malfuntion, and she pile drived from pretty high up, lots and lots of wood to repair, she still looks like the original picture though, I don't mind rebuilding at all, hell after this many years in the hobby , you know you'll be doing it at 1 point or another anyway. :eek:

Thanks for the Info, I will keep you informed when I do get around to trying my 70 on there, it might be a while, but i will continue flying the Bipe everyweek as its great to watch in the sky.