smchale

My Feedback: (67)

Thanks Dave. Took about a week of afternoons to put together, but could be done quicker. Can't wait to get it out again.
No flap. Just traditional elevators and ailerons. Simple.
i haven't really looked to correct the canopy hatch fit. I suspect if you got a new canopy you could remove the existing one, tweak the frame to follow the fuse contour, then glue in your new canopy in holding the canopy frame in the new position while it cured.
That being said, it's not bothering me enough to mess with it.

EDFCrazy

Nice scheme Sean. Been looking at getting one of these as my next project. what is the length of your grass strip and what you got under the hood for power?

smchale

My Feedback: (67)

Thanks Simon. I believe the field is 300x1000ft. Guessing it uses about half that.
power is the K140G.

emart

Looks great ,,looking forward to seeing it at the field .

smchale

My Feedback: (67)

Thanks emart. Was out yesterday with it, a little breezy but still nice day to be flying!

patrnflyr

My Feedback: (7)

Went to Warbirds over Texas this weekend and my son flew this plane about 8-10 flights over the two days. I haven't flown it yet, but, to me, looks like one of the best jets available ever. Light, beautiful, durable and stable. Everybody fell in love with it and he won "Best Jet" award with many spectacular flights. It's really a winner!

Now, to speculate on what's next to come in the PNP series?!? Any hints, Dustin?

smchale

My Feedback: (67)

Congrats patrnflyr. Glad to see the +'ve reports on your f-16. Hope your son will share the tx with you.
Btw, nice paint on the tucano. liking the military scheme.

patrnflyr

My Feedback: (7)

He offers the me the sticks every flight, but I'm just a little too nervous to fly at shows, etc. I fly the snot out of my Elan, etc but just don't want to risk such a nice, ironed-out plane. Thanks for the compliments on the Tucano. It sure beats the low vis gray scheme it had previously. Still a few things to iron out. Will probably stay with the SPT-5 as it has "adequate" power. BTW, the JetCat 140RX is plenty of power for the BVM F-16.

Yank II

Is there something wrong with the BVM web site? I cannot get it to open.

smchale

My Feedback: (67)

Works for me.
if all else fails there is always the phone.... tel (407)327-6333

George

My Feedback: (57)

Me 2

ddennison

My Feedback: (15)

As long as everyone is here...

I took my tanks apart as it seemed I was getting some uneven draw from visual inspection. From measuring the volume though it looked pretty even.

I found though that the vent line, plugged to the double o ring included vent extension line to my overflow tank, was not allowing proper vent inflow. When I would remove the vent line the plane would "suck" in air through the vent line. I checked and replumbed the vent lines and even checked the plastic tanks for any flashing and made the vent hole in the plastic just a bit more clear with a drill bit.

I don't know how that extension could seal the vent. Has anyone else had any trouble with that fitting?

Plane flies great, very happy with it.

Dave

gunradd

My Feedback: (9)

Dave a got rid of the entire vent fitting and installed the dreamworks system. I didn't like not having a female part for the overflow tank so I just ditched the whole system. I also plumbed the smoke tanks in with fuel and don't really use the overflow tank anymore.

BVM supplied the addendum for new springs on the mains and they work out pretty good. Much better stance. Still the nose strut is a little high. Might try and change the spring rate some. I also orderd some new lower main gear parts and when they showed up I could see they are beefed up now and different and allot stronger. More nice improvements from BVM Most of the newer F16s I see already have the beefy gear pieces installed already so not sure when they made that change.

I got to fly allot of flights this past weekend with it and LOVE IT!!

ddennison

My Feedback: (15)

Thanks.

I will likely do a little more plumbing revision; also moving UAT a little lower as it spills out the vent a bit too much right now when full.

Can you expend on the beefed up lower main gear parts? Mine was purchased in Feb 2014 and probably made 1-3 months before that - is there a BVM upgrade for the lower gear? Why did you need to order new parts?

I got my new springs last week. Maintenance being scheduled for the viper shortly...

Dave

gunradd

My Feedback: (9)

Dave at Kentucky Barry and I where seeing how far back you can move the CG and moved it a little to far back....... and bent the gear some. Here is a pic of the old parts and new parts. The brakes need to be changed also to work with the new parts so I am still using the old ones for now until I get a fix for the brakes. If you have the old ones I would say use them until they bend then change them. It takes a pretty decent smack to bend them.

Last weekend when I flew I did touch and goes for an entire flight full of fuel even smoke tanks full at the beginning and didn't harm anything. So the old ones are fine but the beefy ones would be nice.

ddennison

My Feedback: (15)

Thanks.
wondering if BVM will offer these to those with the older units at any reduced cost or if we just purchase the upgrades as needed?
Dave

gunradd

My Feedback: (9)

Purchase as needed im sure. Nothing wrong with the old stuff just not quite as robust.

smchale

My Feedback: (67)

Dave,
like Kris I also plumbed my fuel system with the smoke tanks for extra fuel (I have the military grey scheme so felt smoke not necessary) for added flight duration. I pulled the tanks and went thru the plumbing on mine and found no issues from the factory, but it did offer peace of ind to see the internals with my own eyes.
While filling if one tank looks to fill first I'll pinch the vent of that tank, dial down the fill rate and let the other saddle tank catch up. Once they are even I release the pinched line and continue to fill. After doing this they drain at an even rate.
I've had this happen on other models with saddle tanks so I don't see it as a unique situation here.
Regarding the gear, I've been very impressed with both how robust it is and how responsive and proactive Dustin and BVM have been to support and improve it.
Heres a flight we did with two of them on Wednesday, mines the one with the tanks on, you can see I slammed it down pretty hard....blame the pilot lol. No issues, gear is still fine.
http://youtu.be/MC_7wTsX3dY
I did add the spring upgrade earlier in the week. With the model upside down this can be done in about 15 mins without having to remove the struts from the plane.
if we can offer any further assistance just post or PM....enjoy it, winter will be here soon!

ddennison

My Feedback: (15)

Thanks Sean.

I do the same filling to even it at the top. It is funny thought that with everything symmetric it still fills a little faster on one side. Anyway, manageable per the pinch-that-tank-vent line.

If I get ym 140 back soon (trip 2 to CA this summer) I hope to fly again before October!

Dustin Buescher

Let's drop the term, improved. Lets call it easier to assemble... Lol if you happen to hit hard enough to bend a part, it does not matter which version you have. So there is no reason to change anything until parts are worn out. Then we can discuss options, but I will have parts to service both.

ddennison

My Feedback: (15)

OK Dustin, thanks.

Will you have replacement servos soon?

Dave

jfetter

Here's a little video from this past week ;-)

BVM F-16, Windows Media, High Definition, 221MB

Jack

ddennison

My Feedback: (15)

Hi Dustin,

Any news on replacement servo availability or price?

Trying to decide whether to drop in the same or go to a JR servo refit.

Thanks
Dave

Dustin Buescher

Dave
ill have some next week. Let me get back to office to get you pricing.
Thanks!

gunradd

My Feedback: (9)

Nice video Jack and great flying Rob!