Pilot-rc PREDATOR 2.2m Sport jet / full composite
03-13-2019, 01:44 AM
#426
Thanks for the info, Mike! Yeah, the tube was bent about 1.5-2mm at the center. Something I didn't notice until I rolled the tube on a flat bench. It's a pretty weak tube considering the weight of this airframe. My giant scale aircraft of similar weight typically use carbon tubes of over 1.5x the diameter of this tube! I chose not to do the wooden dowel because of a lot of added weight for not a lot of added strength. The carbon tube deal nearly straightened the aluminum tube completely! I found out why it was not fitting so well and fixed that, so I'm less concerned about the gap and may just do the tape thing like you mentioned.
SW170B showed up yesterday so I hope to get to work on this jet, soon!
SW170B showed up yesterday so I hope to get to work on this jet, soon!
03-13-2019, 06:20 AM
#427
Join Date: May 2014
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body werks where did you order your carbon tubes from.. i am looking into a fix to avoid this in mine since i have not yet flow it.
considering tube replaced with one of these
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/45541-rkob
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/c...t/?q=pbrt-2025
both yeild enough to cut and fix two predators so i may go this route and sell one tube
considering tube replaced with one of these
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/45541-rkob
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/c...t/?q=pbrt-2025
both yeild enough to cut and fix two predators so i may go this route and sell one tube
03-13-2019, 11:46 AM
#428
Hi All, I was the original owner of the Predator 2.2 in the military paint scheme.
I can share some of my flying experience.
1. Crow: I try it without and with crow. Without the crow, the wing would tip stall more easily when it gets too slow. I like to land it at walking pace with two wheelies landing. Had scratched the wing tips a couple of times until I added crow into and it would land slower without tip stall. I definitely recommend adding crows.
2. Flaps and Elevator mix. I like to use a lot of flaps for landing, I had the landing flaps set at about 70 + degree. With that setting I had to add some up trim. ( I think it's 3-4 click up) to maintain at level. I add a few click up to release the back pressure on the elevator stick and set the nose at good slight 1-2 degree up and carry 1/4 power on base to final. At this setting I really don't have to apply anymore elevator. I just use throttle to control the descending rate.
The aluminum spar can bend easily. I was going to try putting a wooden dowel in the spar to keep it straight since I flew it with a Jetcat 180RXi. It has a lot of power but I can management to take the spar out easily so I was not aware that it had bent. I hope the gaps can be smaller. It has the gaps since the day one I got it. Hope they can improve in the future
Regards,
Mike
I can share some of my flying experience.
1. Crow: I try it without and with crow. Without the crow, the wing would tip stall more easily when it gets too slow. I like to land it at walking pace with two wheelies landing. Had scratched the wing tips a couple of times until I added crow into and it would land slower without tip stall. I definitely recommend adding crows.
2. Flaps and Elevator mix. I like to use a lot of flaps for landing, I had the landing flaps set at about 70 + degree. With that setting I had to add some up trim. ( I think it's 3-4 click up) to maintain at level. I add a few click up to release the back pressure on the elevator stick and set the nose at good slight 1-2 degree up and carry 1/4 power on base to final. At this setting I really don't have to apply anymore elevator. I just use throttle to control the descending rate.
The aluminum spar can bend easily. I was going to try putting a wooden dowel in the spar to keep it straight since I flew it with a Jetcat 180RXi. It has a lot of power but I can management to take the spar out easily so I was not aware that it had bent. I hope the gaps can be smaller. It has the gaps since the day one I got it. Hope they can improve in the future
Regards,
Mike
03-13-2019, 03:21 PM
#429
Join Date: May 2014
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i have spoken to mfg on a carbon tube for this jet and this should be tons stronger than the alum thin wall it comes with. since i have a 180n in it lets be safe and use this.
anyone want to buy half left over that will be enough for a second plane i wont need. im sure i can cut down the shipping tube and sent it back out to you once mine arrives next week..half cost with re ship will be about 100 bucks if anyone wants to step up and join in on a better upgrade for safety..heck my top model odyssey has a much larger and thicker wall tube than this pilot jet has stock.
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/pbrt-2025
anyone want to buy half left over that will be enough for a second plane i wont need. im sure i can cut down the shipping tube and sent it back out to you once mine arrives next week..half cost with re ship will be about 100 bucks if anyone wants to step up and join in on a better upgrade for safety..heck my top model odyssey has a much larger and thicker wall tube than this pilot jet has stock.
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/pbrt-2025
03-13-2019, 04:08 PM
#430
My Feedback: (25)
i have spoken to mfg on a carbon tube for this jet and this should be tons stronger than the alum thin wall it comes with. since i have a 180n in it lets be safe and use this.
anyone want to buy half left over that will be enough for a second plane i wont need. im sure i can cut down the shipping tube and sent it back out to you once mine arrives next week..half cost with re ship will be about 100 bucks if anyone wants to step up and join in on a better upgrade for safety..heck my top model odyssey has a much larger and thicker wall tube than this pilot jet has stock.
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/pbrt-2025
anyone want to buy half left over that will be enough for a second plane i wont need. im sure i can cut down the shipping tube and sent it back out to you once mine arrives next week..half cost with re ship will be about 100 bucks if anyone wants to step up and join in on a better upgrade for safety..heck my top model odyssey has a much larger and thicker wall tube than this pilot jet has stock.
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/pbrt-2025
if you can cut it to appropriate length, I’ll take it
thanks
03-13-2019, 04:27 PM
#431
Join Date: May 2014
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here is my direct email and please measure your wing tube total length. once mine is here and all fits well i will notify you its a go. and then we can take care of the funds and ship it to you.
[email protected]
thanks joe
[email protected]
thanks joe
03-15-2019, 03:35 AM
#436
Join Date: May 2014
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with my dry weight im already 1:1 pwr to wt ratio.. so the added 8 pounds of full fuel and smoke on take off will be fine...........i wanted the extra power for grass take offs..not for going faster..
03-15-2019, 06:18 PM
#439
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norfolk, NE
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Did anyone have issues with the stabs fitting flush with the fuselage? My right horizontal stab has a gap at the back while the left fits perfectly. Both wings and everything else fits like it should just the one stab. I'll post a picture tomorrow.
03-18-2019, 08:22 PM
#440
body werks where did you order your carbon tubes from.. i am looking into a fix to avoid this in mine since i have not yet flow it.
considering tube replaced with one of these
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/45541-rkob
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/c...t/?q=pbrt-2025
both yeild enough to cut and fix two predators so i may go this route and sell one tube
considering tube replaced with one of these
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/45541-rkob
https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/c...t/?q=pbrt-2025
both yeild enough to cut and fix two predators so i may go this route and sell one tube
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And this one is the center section 'plug' for the two other carbon tubes. Also needs to be sanded a little:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
03-19-2019, 03:29 AM
#442
Join Date: May 2014
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sorry to say i have sold my predator prior to sale i had two jets listed first to sell is this and i shall keep my odyssey. as for the tube i did not get around to ordering the carbon tube but after talking to the company who makes the carbon tubes i decided the pbrt-2025 is the perfect one to use it is also much thicker wall than the stock alum one is. so order it from the above links i posted and fly...one order will do two jets so share the love with others here airborn900 wants the spare one for his
03-19-2019, 07:44 AM
#444
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: jamaica,
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also i need to change the landing gear it's so stiff, i think it is good for heavyer plane
03-19-2019, 03:12 PM
#445
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the gear will weaken with use but the sturdy gear may transfer more load to the wing tube on landings.....i would leave the gear and go with the above carbon tube.
and saying they made the tube thicker does this mean they will send a thicker version for free to those with older thin ones and how do we know which one we have.. mine is 1.7mm wall thickness when my odyssey is 2.2mm wall thickness. i trust the odyssey but not this 1.7 predator... rather see them use carbon tube from the factory even if the cost goes up due to it...........better safe than sorry
and saying they made the tube thicker does this mean they will send a thicker version for free to those with older thin ones and how do we know which one we have.. mine is 1.7mm wall thickness when my odyssey is 2.2mm wall thickness. i trust the odyssey but not this 1.7 predator... rather see them use carbon tube from the factory even if the cost goes up due to it...........better safe than sorry
03-20-2019, 12:42 PM
#449
My Feedback: (1)
It was slightly bent. I ordered a new tube that’s 2.1 mm thick:
https://www.onlinemetals.com/merchan...=71&top_cat=60
had to have a machinist friend of mine take about .001” off with a lathe for it to fit.
Last edited by dccatl; 03-20-2019 at 01:26 PM.
