wd40

My Feedback: (81)

I use the crow set up ,works great for small runways I have a 350 foot runway and with the crow set-up have no problem getting in. I have the same set-up with the BVM Bobcat. SKS video has the R54 flying at Georia jets.

Mike Grant

booker-RCU

My Feedback: (43)

Tommy & Dave - All good advice. Each individual has their own technique that works for them. I was probably making too much of the landing speed. I have a 2000' paved runway to land on and landing fast presents no problem. What I'm trying to do is be able to touch down within 20' of a spot on the runway. I want to fly it out of a grass strip that is 275' long, so I need to be slow & "spot on" to do that. Between my schedule and the weather I've only been able to get out about every other month. Just need to fly more!!!
Galen

Mike - I've also used the crow setup on both my Bobcat and Kingcat. I'll probably set it up on the R-54 as well.

wd40

My Feedback: (81)

Yes, I would do that it"s almost the same set-up works great,but if you have a strong head wind I would not use the crow may get to slow. I have it set-up with the landing switch so I can turn off with or without flaps.

Mike Grant

afterburner

My Feedback: (18)

Well I've been asking questions in this thread for a while and since I'm almost finished with mine, I though I'd post a few pics. When I say almost finished, I'm just missing a few minor things like a TURBINE and other finishing touches. I might make it to Florida jets this March so maybe there will be some turbine deals to be had.

Marty

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

Looks great marty. Love the colour scheme.

Regards

wd40

My Feedback: (81)

looks good ,and you will love how she flys.


Mike Grant

wd40

My Feedback: (81)

This is my R54

rcguy!

My Feedback: (69)

I'm AMAZED at the variety of color schemes builders of the R54 have come up with! Vey creative! No two alike!

Wishing ALL the new R54's a successful maiden flight!

Dave "got 82 flights on mine" Rigotti

afterburner

My Feedback: (18)

Thanks Tommy , Mike and Dave,
I'm hoping to have it all good to go by early spring. Mike, what color is the trim on yours...gold? It's hard to tell.

Marty

u2fast

My Feedback: (37)

just hit the 15 flight mark today. i have had her out 3 times now. one cut short to rain and today i split time between her and my panther. got some video too, just got to figure out how to put it up, barry

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Barry, it's nice to see a pic of it outside! All the earlier ones were in your shop. Those wingtip rails are growing on me...

Marty, looks pretty cool, can't go wrong with red, white, and blue!

Mike, how 'bout a pic of your smiling face with your R54

afterburner

My Feedback: (18)

Thanks Bruce. Should give good visibility.

Barry, it looks good out on the flightline. Are sidewinders in the works for the wingtips? Would definitely up the cool factor a few notches.

Marty

u2fast

My Feedback: (37)

sidewinders? why not. give me a trip or two to the hooby shop and sidewinders it shall be. those red tips are a top secret laser banger only fitted to the navy seal flying squadron. this baby can be launched from a sub and morph into a raft. back to reality, barry

booker-RCU

My Feedback: (43)

Thought I'd post a picture of my friend Chuck's R-54. His purpose was to make it visable. I do believe he was successful.

Galen

afterburner

My Feedback: (18)

Galen,
Definitely looks like a scheme with high visibility. The test pilot looks pretty relaxed.

Marty

f6hlct

My Feedback: (4)

Things are coming along well on my build. Here is a picture of the wing almost completely sheeted. I have chosen to due the full sheeting, as I will be glassing the plane.

gbjets

Dave

After looking at the pic of the other airplane just sent me, I can just imagine how good your R54 will turnout, looking great, keep it up.

Gaston

causeitflies

OK R54 pilots. Do you think the rudder is large enough? I'm looking for low speed knife edge and smooth point rolls. Would enlarging the rudder be a waste of time?

rcguy!

My Feedback: (69)

Yup. Point rolls VERY good. If ya want 3D type knife edge...then a different story. But she flies just like an ole Super Kaos. You've seen mine fly right?

Dave

causeitflies

Only in the video Dave. If it flies like a Kaos it'll be fine. It's just that I GOTTA change something in every kit I build
I was going to change the wing but so far have only changed my mind

samo

Hi Dave,

I figured out my 9cap radio problem. I had to exchange it for a new one. The transmitter wasn't transmitting. Just my luck. The new one is really nice though. A little different than what I have been using. When going thru the start up procedures for the jetcat, the "idle" position is max. throttle trim. Is that above the center point and clear to the top? (The trim adj. is a little different on this Futaba than I'm used to. ) Then when I go max. throttle,to start ignition, and drop the stick to idle, the light won't turn green unless I drop the trim on this new radio to neutral. Is that sound right?

Thanks for your help!

Steve

rcguy!

My Feedback: (69)

Well...THAT's a different story...Now I remember...leaky tank at Ashtabula! Making it a bit bigger won't hurt.

Dave

rcguy!

My Feedback: (69)

Steve,
Not how I do it. I'm working from memory as I'm not near my TX......

Set the end points on the throttle to 75% each side
activate throttle kill on a switch you prefer
I THINK the throttle needs to be reversed..not sure about this..
low trim in the ECU is with throttle cut on
high trim is with throttle cut off
low idle is low stick.
I NEVER touch the digital trims.
Use single channel ECU setup.

To start...

stick low
throttle cut off
turn on TX, RX
flip throttle cut to on then off
You should hear the tones cycling
move stick to high throttle (this starts the start sequence)
move the stick to low as soon as the starter engages. Actually you can move to low at any time
wait until start sequence finishes and you get a green light on the I/O board.
Go fly.

Shut down
throttle down
throttle up to about 1/4 stick and hold for several seconds to cool down the turbine
flip the throttle kill switch and lower the stick.
Should shut off and enter the cooling cycle until 100C is reached.

Hope this helps and I'm not too far incorrect!

Dave Rigotti

BalsaBob

My Feedback: (24)

Finishing up my R54 and have 2 (more) questions ..........

As far as the forward facing clunk in the fuel tank....... is this setup suseptable to picking up air in climbs when the tank is less than 1/2 full ? It seems like the clunk would be out of the fuel ? ...... or will the UAT take care of any air that is picked up. I know this is a very well designed kit ..... I probably just need some mental assurance ...... since I have never before set up a tank this way.

As far as the antenna ..... if I use the standard reciever antenna (and mount it inside the fuse) it will run past the ECU (probably within a few inches of it). Would a Revolution base-loaded antenna (mounted inside) in the nose area be a better option ?

Thanks again. Bob

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

Ask Dave Rigotti (rcguy!) about forward facing clunk. Mine is rearward clunk and the UAT mounted in the ecu tray, with the ecu mounted in the boat tail.

I get a lot more range with a whip antenna. Why take the risk.

Regards