RE: 40 pitts structural problem
 

Nice Stearman.

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I flew my NM Ultimate 40S with a completely cracked interplane strut one time.

I didn't realize it had been broken during a botched landing, when I cartwheeled the plane over the field.

I was doing hard blenders and snap rolls with it this way.

I didn't even notice the damage until I had the plane on the ground!

Needless to say this area is now greatly strengthened.

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Re: Hopping

Have you checked the tracking?

Normally this happens when the tail rudder is not consistent with the tail wheel.

e.g. you may actually need the tail wheel to point straight backward when the rudder is effectively applying a bit of rightward thrust.

Consider running the plane up and down the field, adjusting the wheel each time until the "hopping" tendancy stops.

I was all over the place with a few smaller tail draggers until I got the hang of offsetting the wheel correctly.

RE: 40 pitts structural problem
 

My little super stearman has always liked to hop to a stop. My friends does it too. Im talkin about on the main wheels, not the tail wheel. It hops if I turn too sharp too. I've toed em in, out, and every which way with no improvement. Real short coupled biplanes have a tendancy to be a bit crazy on the ground. It's mainly because the landing gear is flexing, you can see it flexing when it hops. If your real careful, it can be avoided, but it's kinda tricky. The shorter they are, the worse they handle on the ground. The Pitts should be fun too ! The longer planes don't do that at all...

RE: 40 pitts structural problem
 

Ah, ok... I get you.

Yeah, did this today with my Brio 10 too.

Jumping like a rabbit...

RE: 40 pitts structural problem
 

Brio 10 ? Was that a real plane ? Never heard of it...

RE: 40 pitts structural problem
 

The E-Flite Brio .10 sized electric. A small pattern plane.

It too hops like mad. Especially with the long thin landing gear.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo...FL2275-250.jpg

RE: 40 pitts structural problem
 

Thats a cute little plane... Bet it flies great ! Im just hooked on four strokes. I won't even own a 2 stroke plane. I got rid of my heli because it had a 2 stroke on it. lol Now I wanna put a 4 stroke on my Revo ! That should be a dandy trick, and require alot of gearing.

RE: 40 pitts structural problem
 

O.K., I gotta ask. If the mfg says cg is 4" from top leading edge, how can the BUILDER shange where the cg is.

I thought you need to add weight to balance the plane where they say the cg is with a small amount of varience.

Never heard of changing where the c.g. is.

I put 2.25 oz. of weight in the tail end, and it balances great at 4", just a hint of nose down which should be perfect.

Any suggestions.


Hank

RE: 40 pitts structural problem
 

The C.G. is where ever it actually is, no matter what the manufacturer says.

It's "at" the point where the plane balances ( OR shows NO preference for nose or tail after many tries... ).


You can affect the C.G. point by moving components around. The easiest to move is the battery pack. Fortunately the battery tends to be a heavy item, relatively speaking, so moving it behind the canopy will move the C.G. towards the tail.

The manufacturer RECOMMENDED C.G. is NOT absolute either.

You can have the C.G. spot on and still find that the plane is too tail heavy, etc.

You are always better off setting the C.G. slightly forward of the recommended for safety and working backwards after you've put a few flights on the plane.

RE: 40 pitts structural problem
 

Update
I was flying my pitts (with Hitec HS81's) Doing fun aeros. I heard a POP and my top wing was flying away without the rest of the plane[X(]. The plane does fly with just the bottom wing ,I hit max power, flew a circuit and bought the plane in for a hot landing. Not a scratch on it. There was a round of applause from my club mates. I needed a sit down and a can of Coke after that one I can tell you. My top wing landed gently in the long grass and was undamaged. I have almost completed repairs and she will fly again soon. Check your struts and wing attachment points.:D

RE: 40 pitts structural problem
 

I just ordered this plane. On sale for $79 with an additional 6% off with coupon codes. I wonder if anything has improved in the last 3-4 years since anyone commented..

Will power it with a Saito .72. Will try to prevent the top wing from flying off....