I just purchased a Composite-Arf extra 330 2.6 (House scheme)

I am debating on whether I should go with a DA-100 or a 3W-100.

I believe that the DA-100's plug wires will force me to cut small holes in the sides of the cowling while the 3W-100 cylinders do not stick out to the sides as far as the DA-100 and I can avoid cutting holes in the cowling.

Does anyone have any suggestions or any information that might help me make a decision?

Thanks

You will not need to cut holes in the cowl using a DA-100. You can see photos of mine at http://home.nc.rr.com/jamiesnipes/extra.htm.

I personally prefer DA-100, but this thread can quickly become an engine war over this topic.

Good luck whichever you choose .... it's a great flying plane.

Jamie

I know of two Composite Afs 2.6s in my area which have the DA 100 , from what I can see there are no holes cut in the cowl for plug wires . I have one ordered but I am putting a ZDZ 80 single in it. Did they give a date when yours will be shipped ? I understand that a container has just arrived from Thailand, mine should be on it. Good luck with your Extra 330.
jef

My link above includes a period "." at the end which makes it not work. Remove the "."

JS

I am not wanting to spread bad rumor, but I do want to help you prevent hard times......

Rumors are that many people have been having problems with the 3W 100 class engines......I have yet to hear anything that might represent a problem with the DA engines. 3W used to be the engine to have, but I think that leverage has drifted to the DA. I would suggest that if it fits, use it.

The problems being reported about the 3W Engines are the cowl/spinner alignment however Cactus Aviation now sells a Paragon Aero Spinner that is designed to fix this. It has a recesed backplate to allow perfect spacing. If you want to go 3W go with the 106 very powerful. I own both DA and 3W and not to start a noob war over this I prefer the 3W.

I have the same airplane/engine (DA-100) set-up and did not have to cut anything for the plug wires nor does anything rub. It is a great combo fits like a glove. Ricky

Jamie,

Thanks for your reply and the link to the pics.

What a great looking airplane!!!
I feel better about using the DA-100 now( I did prefer the DA over the 3W anyway)

My rep eMailed me and said they have it in stock. But mine has not yet shipped.
My status shows still pending. I am really excited and can hardly wait until I get it.

Thanks again.

It looks like I'll have to cut a hole in the cowl for the plug on my ZDZ-80. Doesn anyone else have this engine running on the 2.6M? Was a cowl hold needed to clear the plug?

-Ben

I am curious to know also if the ZDZ 80 is a good choice for this plane. Thinking 2.3M but I think the extra wing loading on the 2.6M would be better.

I am seriously considering the purchase of a 2.6m Extra 330. I think I'm about to do it.
I will probably use a DA 100 on it. I thought this plane needed the weight of a DA 100 up front to balance properly. How are you guys going to get away with using a ZDZ 80? Is it still going to balance without adding lead up front? If it will, then I may consider using the new BME 110 Extreme.

I thought I had heard it would not balance properly with less weight than the DA 100 though. Does anyone know for sure?

Thanks, Jim

I'm moving the rudder tray forward and will relocate the batteries forward too. I'm also running a canister muffler in the fuse.

-Ben

I'm sure the 2.6 would fly great with the ZDZ-80, but you'll have to mount all your stuff as far forward as you can. Adding a cannister will definitely help bring the CG a little further forward. If I had a ZDZ-80 I'd get the 2.6 over the 2.3. The price difference between the two planes is minimal.

CitationX

Great pic. I think you need to get a little closer to the trees and brush though, I can't tell if those are maple or elm.

You are either one hell of a flyer or crazy.... maybe a little of both!
Nice flying.

DP

Seems balancing would be pretty tricky, due what I could to balance it out. Depends if I feel like it. Right now electrics have me tied up[8D]

Since I ordered my CA Extra 330 I have seen my status go from Pending to Processed.

I am eagerly awaiting the status to change to Shipped.

My Rep told me that they had it in stock, I am wondering what the average time it takes to go from a processed state to a shipped state. Does anyone care to share their wait time for the Shipped status as well as how long it takes once it is Shipped.

Mr G,
I had a an Extra 330 on order since early December my status showed processed up till Thursday morning when it went to shipped status. I would think that your plane will be from the container that arrived last week end. I suspect that your status should change to shipped any day now. My Extra was shipped to Florida. I expect to have it by late next week.
Good luck with your Extra..
jef

Mr G, appreciate the compliment. That was production model #3 out of the Thai plant ... it was still FiberClassics when I got the plane. I sold the plane in mid-year 2003 to a guy in TX so I could get the 40% Edge that's also pictured on my site. As luck would have it, Forward Air completely DESTROYED the plane by dropping another crate on top of the crate it was shipped in. The crate the plane was in was 2x4 frame with plywood sides all around. What a shame ... nearly two years of flying it (several hundred flights) without a scratch and then destroyed in shipping.

By the way ... a tip to make this and any model look 10x better ... polish the exhaust pipes. See the pics in my link. Wet sand using progressively finer paper (start with ~ 400) and then use a metal polishing cream. Man ... what a difference. Trick not needed with the newer black coated DA mufflers, I guess.

Enjoy ... it is a great flying plane.

JS

figueroa,

Thanks for the information.

I was wondering about the servo setup on the 2.6 330,

I realize that the manual will suggest two servos for each aileron.

I was wondering and thinking about using a real strong single digital instead of two lesser digitals in order to save the weight of two extra servos and the matchbox(2 of them). Is this not a good idea, or should I go ahead with the dual servo technique.

Thanks for any advise you can give me.

I thought about using a single 8611 on each but decided that the only way to do it would be mount the servo in the middle of the wing - the aileron is very large and just using the inboard mount wouldn't be ideal in my opinion. In the end I used two 8411s with a matching device on each aileron.

Ryan,
I agree, you would have a point, if it was build up or foam ailerons. I think the composite ailerons may have enough torsional strength to work fine with only on 8611 each. Look at their Yak55SP, that thing runs four servos to one horn on each aileron, those rons must be extremely stiff. The ailerons on the two models may of cause have different internal bracing, anf the 2.6m 330 may not have the stifness required, I don't know.
DKjens

You're right, they are quite a bit stiffer than the ailerons on almost any other plane. I had twin servos in my ailerons and was deciding between getting matching devises or going to 8611s and in the end just decided to get the matching devises. If I didn't already have the 8411s then I may have gone in another direction.

Hi Mr G,
I just found out that my Extra 330 will be delivered on Monday, can't wait !!!!
Has your order status changed to shipped yet ?
Jef

Hi figueroa,

I just checked my stsus...still reads processed.

What paint scheme do you go with?

After you recieve yours and check it out please let me know how it all looks.

I'm getting really pumped up for it now, loookong forward to hearing about yours.

Hey Guys,
I ordered mine on Friday and my rep told me that the container is supposed to arrive at the warehouse this coming week. When they unload it they have a list of planes already ordered and will put them in a separate place. It should leave the warehouse late this coming week or early next. So I would think that if Mr G's is in the same container, that him and I will see our planes in about 2 weeks.

Jim