Some of you may remember I posted some questions about the fun 51 about a month ago. Well now the plane is built, and I do have one more question, but after the flight report.

Weight-Unknown, but it feels way to heavy
Engine-46FX
Control surfaces-Enlarged
Prop-11x5 MAS
Balance-Fairly nose heavy

First flight was uneventful.

Then I got more comfortable with it, and started seeing what this plane could do. Knife edge is obviously not a problem. The rudder is extremly affective. When going up to do a hammerhead, with the throttle at about 1/4, all you have to do is touch the rudder, and the plane flips over in an instant. One second its facing the sky, the next it is facing the ground. Rolls tend to corkscrew, but I believe that is because I dont have any differential in. Flat spins are quick, but I haven't used full throttle yet on them, so I don't know how flat they can get. With a high throttle setting on the upline, pushing full down elevator gets that plane to whip around with amazing speed.

One thing I am surprised at is how much this ended up weighing. The same engine on an ultra stick had better verticle. The Fun 51 will only slowly creep upward.

Any ideas on what I can do to lighten it. I am going to put lighter tires on, but that won't help much. I have Du-Bro profile landing gear, is there anything on that I can drill out without sacrificing strength. Should I invest in a micro servo for the throttle, how much weight will I lose if I do that? Since it is already covered, I dont want to do anything to the frame unless it will be a big help.

Let me know what you guys think, and thanks for your tips in the other post.

Alex

The first thing I would do is get a different prop. I have the same combo 46fx/fun 51 and the best prop I have found is the APC 12x4. Can pull out pretty good now. Even a APC 11x5 is better then the MAS, IMHO.

BTW, it's a fun little plane, you'll enjoy it. I wish I had enlarged the elevators when I built it. The rudder is plenty powerful, but the elevator loses effectiveness easily. Also, I've added some lightweight foam wheels and have about three oz of lead in the back to get the cg back.

Joe

Mine has a TT Pro46 and 12.25X3.75, and it rockets. I'd asume the pro46 and 46fx weigh close to the same. I mad no attempts to lighten. In fact it's a little heavy due to a couple of mods. Are you sure your Pro46 is pulling it's wieght? Maybe it's not broken in yet. Just my thoughts.

Definitely go up to an APC prop...Try the 11.5x4 as well as the other two that have been mentioned. If you're like me, you will like the 11.5x4 the most and think the other two are too big!

I never did any mods to my Extra Special and it was 4.2 lbs...I used light wheels, but that's about it. Yours can't be much more than that unless you built it with plywood...

I'd say try the different props and you will get some vertical. Also, move the CG back for those climbing flat spins...