Dave McDonald;
I am sending this to Dave McDonald because he is the best informed PBF flier on mosr every subject concerning PBF flying or building, but the questions I am asking should be answered by all you folks out there flying this aircraft.
# 1, What is the most wind speed you are willing to fly your aircraft in? 5-10, 10-20 or what is safe for you or any of us?
I know this is a general question but if you all answer we will get some very useful information that will be great for beginners and some too.
#2, What are all you folks out there doing about landing your PBF with out breaking a prop? Stop the engine just before touch down or fly it in close and slow like dave and simpply reach out and grab it? Or have you foung a prop that never breaks?

Don Condon AMA 13526
Rockriver Aero Modelers, Inc.
Janesville-Beloit WI
[email protected]

I like 5 to 10 mph, and I put landing gear made out of 1/8 music wire and real light wheels and land from a hover most of the time. Have a Norvel .25 with a MA 9x5 and have never broken one on this plane and even did a straight in from about 50' the other day. I hand launch most of the time but can take off from the ground.

Let's see some pictures Flipster ! I want to see the landing gear.

Don C.,
Wind depends on what type of plane you are flying. We have been flying in up to 25-30 mph wind (also with profiles), as long as it is down the runway. A 10-15 mph wind shouldn't bother at all, no matter from what direction it comes. I have not testflown my PBF yet, so I am not sure how it will behave.

I offer free plans for what I call the Pizza Box with Extra Lift (PBXL) or a Pizza Box Foil. You can see some pics of it under "free plans" thread here on RCU. Or you can go to my website and look at the plans there. I have drawings of the landing gear using 1/8" wire. You can omit the 1/2" up turn and slide it into in flute of the 4mm coroplast.
This might help you out with the landing gear issue.
Hope it helps you out.
Kevin