Ultrafly PC-9
 

Anyone have any experience with this plane? Looks pretty cool, wondering how it flies and how durable it is, since it has no gear and has to be belly landed...

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXHEY1&P=ML

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Just maidened mine tonight as a matter of fact. I planned to go brushless so I built it a little heavy on purpose. All surfaces are glassed and/or re-inforced with CF cause I plan on doing high g aerobatics. RTFW is 21.2 oz but the manf rec RTFW is 20 oz anyway so I was close. Full size RX cost me about 1 ounze as well. Without the glass it would have come out around 18 oz which would have been awesome. Anyway here is one flight report:
AUW 21.2oz
Stock Falcon 400 on 1500 mah 3s Lipos
AETR
FAST. This things like speed. The faster the better. It has reasonable stall characteristics from a shallow angle, spins from steep stalls. Recovery holds no surprises...so far.
The rec CofG may be a little far forward, will experiment with that. I had to add weight to the nose to get it to balance and I hate doing that! As well, as soon as you roll into a turn the nose drops quite a bit requiring a fair amount of back pressure. Not ideal.
The rec throws for aileron and rudder seem about right. The elevator could use a little more - if you have an exponential radio! I was into dual rates right away cause it needed more authority in the elevator. Exp kept it from being twitchy. Will pull very tight loops.
The Falcon 400 on 3s is suppose to be near brushless according to the manf. Not quite IMHO. Good power but it will not go vertical for very long. Aerobatics are all about energy mangement with this one as there is not such an excess of power available to power out of poor manouvers. Rolls are not axial but never are in a low wing airplane. Inverted flight is a snap.
Landing was no big deal, floats real nice in ground effect.

Not a bad plane. If built lighter it might be better behaved at slow speeds and the power might be more useable. I liked the quality of the parts. The instructions are in "Engrish" but understandable enough.

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Thanks for the review!

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Late to the party again I see... ;)
Just picked one up today - looks like a sweet little plane. I'm going brushless right off the bat with this one, and aiming for under 18oz.

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

i maidened my pc-9 today and it was absolutely brilliant. the foam is nice quality and the kit is like an upmarket gws kit, which it should be as it costs $69 insteaed of the average $29 for gws slope gliders. the only problem i had in building was the screw for the rea wing mounting was difficult to get in and the wings quite thin here. anyway i used a himax 2025-5300, 5.3:1 gearing and an 8x8 prop and tp2100mah 3 cell lipo. it's so fast, over 60mph i estimate. really nice plane. likes diving at speed !! i used a cf rod in the wing instead of the stock nylon rod. i've put a 7x9 prop on so i'll see how that goes.

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Just finished mine today. Sure hope I have good luck with the 1st flight...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...t6final002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...t6final003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...t6final009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...t6final010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...grel/t6002.jpg

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

hey 509thBoomer, looks really nice, my plane is very workmanlike. the only trouble i have had with this plane was the rear wing mount, it's very thin and the wing ripped off on my last landing so i replaced the foam there with a big block of balsa. are you running stock ?

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

The first flight was today, and I am verry happy. I did the colors and tail markings that are on the aircraft based at Laughlin AFB in Texas, matter of fact the plane is done as tail #3603 which a close friend and fellow co-worker flew and had his name on when he was an instructor pilot stationed there. When I bought it the kit was missing the cockpit, but a simple phone call to Great Planes customer service fixed that and a week later I had the plane done including paint. I powered it with the stock 400 motor, a 3C 1900 MaH Lipo battery and a 50amp speed controller. The CG was right on the money with out adding any weight.

The first flight was with about an 8 knot wind. I started it up and gave it a firm toss nose high. It got right on step and climbed off straight and level with zero trim needed. I had no problems with unlimited vertical and knife edge was actually a breeze as were loops and rolls. Low and fast is really cool looking. I flew it around at about 1/2 to 3/4 throttle most of the flight. I then climbed up to a high altitude, cut the power to see where the stall point is. The problem was I could not get it to stall, it just dropped the nose and mushed forward! I finally rolled it to final, cut the power and landed it at my feet. I am very happy with this plane. Up close it looks like painted foam but in the air, I would swear I am looking at the real thing. IMO, Ultrafly did a great job with this plane, well worth the $60!!!



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...tFlight001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...tFlight002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...tFlight003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...tFlight005.jpg

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Hello, I am going to purchase this plane probably today. I was wondering what "glassing" the planes surfaces mean? I am taking it as, fiberglassing it... is this correct? if so, is there any links on this site that go into detail how to do this properly?
thanks
Rob

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Just finished painting my PC-9 and hope to maiden when the weather cooperates. I am new to electrics and have a question. Since this plane must belly land with no gear, how to you keep from striking the prop on the ground when landing? Is there a way to get it to stop horizontal? Any suggestions or comments welcome!

Steven

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

hey capswb, the esc may have a break function you can program to stop the prop

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

With belly landed planes you just stop the prop and land, trying not to get too much down angle on the nose (so the prop can bump out of the way when you touch down, instead of catching and nosing it over). With nitro planes, you can time the prop to stop so it's not completely vertical, which is good enough. With electrics, you can't time the prop, but there is no engine compression to keep the prop from rotating out of the way as you land. If you keep you landings in short grass, and try to flair as much as possible before you touch down, you shouldn't have a problem...

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Thanks for the replies. I will check on the esc as it is programmable and see if there is a brake. Otherwise sounds like a little practice is in order. Thanks again.

Steven

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Here are some pics of my PC-9. Being new to electrics this is the first time I have ever had to paint instead of cover. Must admit it was a lot more fun...

One question for those who have built this plane. My plan came out tail heavy (CG is about 55-60 mm back from leading edge instead of 50mm as listed in manual) regardless of which battery I use. (I have 10 cell NiMh and 3s lipo packs) I have everything pushed as far forward in the hatch as possible and it isstill tail heavy. Anyone else have this problem? Any recommendations?

Steven

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Gentlemen
I use a Graupner 8x6 cam folder on my AXI 2212/20, this thing will hover and thermal, indidently Solafilm light adhears at 80 deg so will not melt the foam I'v covered mine in the Rouletts scheme look good and has many favarable comments to its credit both flying and static.
Mike

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

How do you chaps get your pics on the thread, I 'v tried to no avil.
Mike

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

hey CaptSWB, i think you'll have to put some lead in the nose. i use a tp 2100mah 3 cell bat with mine and it balanced out perfectly.

hey Baldeagle, you have to press the reply icon in the top right of someone's post and at the bottom of the imput box is 'click to upload'. look forwards to seeing your pics. by the way, i come from Orpington. how's the beer were you are ???

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Mike,

At the bottom of the post screen, under where you type the text is a link "Click here to upload!". Click that link then browse on your computer and select files. Thats all i have to do. Hope this helps in some way.

Steven

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

iam on my3rd one ( i learnt to fly with this plane hense why i am on 3rd)
i have to agree with everyone that this is a great plane, out of all of my
plane this is still my fav

iam running
himaxx 2025-4200 5:1
apc 10x7
hacker esc
bluebird servo's
jr receiver

i don't know how fast it is but wow!!!

chris

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Thanks for the help, I think I uploaded the right one, if not its a photo of a Pheasant.

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Stephen
Thanks for the help. see pic.

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Have you guys seen the new version of the Pilatus designated PC21, it is stunning I'm drawing up plans at the moment to get one up and running, I'm also thinking of a turbo prop version about 100" span, but in the first instance I will concentrate on a brushless design about the size of the Ultrafly PC9. What do you think?
Mike J

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

You are right about that, it is a beautiful plane. I have seen it up close and personal, and heard it many times; the 5-bladed carbon fiber prop on that thing makes the weirdest sound in flight. The two PC21 test pilots did some work on a project that I was doing for them last year.

Can I ask where you got three-views of the PC21. I would love to build one myself, but don't have good accurate three-views to copy from. If not, I would be interested in the plans that you draw up.
Doug

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Unfortunatly I do not have accurate three views, just side and plan views in photographs only, from this I will extrapulate what I think looks right, if you look at some of the slab sided offers that you get for the PC9 (i.e. Seagull) that still look fairly OK I'm sure I can make a resonable job of it (I trained as a structural engineer and draftsman with Ove Arups in my early years which will help)
I am envious of you actually seeing and hearing the PC21, I'v only seen pics, will keep you informed of progress, but I am a bit side tracked at the moment with a Phantom II F4 I'm building dont get too excited its a VMar Kit, which despite what you may read in these threads, is not a bad kit for the cost. My Seagull PC9 is also undergoing surgery to have retracts put in, I hate to see a fast aircraft with the undercarrige hanging down, don't you?
Mike

RE: Ultrafly PC-9
 

Hi grounded in japan
Sorry to have ignored you previous comment, but the beer is Sheperd and Neam normally known as S*** & Scream over hear, I'm afraid i am a larger drinker.
I note your reference to gliding in your post, are you into sailplanes, I'm an ex instructor on sailplanes and power, lots of hours, been around a while.
Mike