causeitflies

I would think ahead to what other planes you can use the engine in and go from there. The R54 will fly well with any of them though I admit that 3/4 of my flights are at full throttle with the P60.

Bob_B

My Feedback: (11)

Mark,
You fly your Reaction extremely well. I watched you make a number of flights this past weekend in Newton Falls.
Bob

causeitflies

Gee, THANKS Bob!!

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

Good thought Mark. I have heard of several R54's with P70's in them. It's a matter of throttle mangement. A step up to a larger jet is likely in the future so looking at the upper end of the thrust spectrum is what I'll do.

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

Wren Supersport, light weight and powerful.


Regards

maxvertical

John, with only 6 flights on mine, I'm not one to talk but I love the P-70 in my R 54. I came out a bit heavy and still have the ponies to horse around. More flights this next weekend, great engine.

Chris

BalsaBob

My Feedback: (24)

John, I have a P70 in mine and it is all glassed (3/4 ounce cloth) and painted. It is certainly heavier than you average R54 ..... but it flies extremely well and can land at very slow speeds (R54's with a P60 class can land, and fly, at incredibly slow speeds .... its amazing). I have seen many (but not flown any) R54's with P60 class engines in them. Its hard to tell (not having flown both) ...... but mine seems a bit more stable in windy conditions. One thing for sure .... no matter what engine you put in it .... you will love this airplane. Bob

BalsaBob

My Feedback: (24)

John, I forgot to mention that if you come to the Capitol Jets Meet (Albany, NY) next month ...... you will see R54's with various engine sizes. Bob

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

Bob, I will be at the Capitol Jets Rally. I was at the Gardner Scale meet last weekend to meet some of the jet guys there and will also attend the New England Jet Rally in August. Lot's to see and do while I'm building my R54. Thanks for your input. I'm really leaning towards the P70 or even the Simjet 1200. Once I'm waivered, I'll be flying at our club field with a 400' grass runway so I want that extra push to make sure I get up and out of there. The landing speeds that everyone talks about make me feel very comfortable about getting back down. Our "field fairies" are all preaching failure about flying a jet at our place. "To fast, won't be able to takeoff or land". I'm anxious for the day when I fly my R54 out of there and show these guy they are living in the dark ages.

It appears that you are a Yogi Berra fan also. I just love his Yogi-ism's

Hope to see you at Capitol Jets. I'll be concentrating on the R54's.

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks Tom, I looked at the Super sport and the price blew me away. A SimJet 1200 puts out 18# at 2.25# of weight for $900 less.

samo

You guys shouldn't be worried for and 400' runway. With a P-70 and a little headwind it will ge up in 100' easy! Then when you are ready to land, it only uses 1/4 of the runway.

Andrew

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks Samo, the more I hear those encouraging words the more comfortable I feel. Do you think the extra weight associated with the P70 over the P60 will require noticably more airspeed on landing approach or will it still safely drag in like a Cub?

samo

In fact with the added weight of the P-70, the Reaction seems to settle a lot better while still landing the same speed as if it were 20 lbs compared to 25 lbs. It doesn't jump into the air either. Once you touch down, it settles very nicely. You could fly the Reaction off of a 200' runway I bet with a P-70.

Steve and Andrew

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks SAMO. I've been discussing the same weight issue with another Jet Flyer and the same comments were made by him; "Don't worry about the weight, it will make the plane solid on landing". I'm just this close to calling Bruce at BTE and asking him to send me the P70. I'm building like a mad man so the engine will be needed soon. I told every one at home that for Fathers Day I want solitude. I'll probably go to the flying field once or twice to rip up the sky with my "Get accustomed to speed" flying wing and then spend the remainder of my awake hours building the R54.

samo

If you do go with a P-70 it will really scoot. I have flown it with a P-60, and the P-70 is MUCH better! Faster takeoffs, Powerful veritcals and better landings. Although I wouldn't dive full throttle with P-70. Just be careful about that. It is pretty fast though full throttle straight and level across the runway.

Andrew

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

About the diving at full throttle, Bruce Tharpe from BTE warned me about that also. I sure hope I have enough sense to avoid that. Actually, my main reason for going with more thrust is a plan for the future. In the event I step up to a larger or heavier plane, I'd like to have the engine available. I could derate the P70 and fly the R54 like it's P60 powered or leave the 17# rating and behave on the throttle. It's always nice to have that extra kick when you need it.

samo

Well,

In all honesty the way I fly it, is comparable to our Bobcat. I really do wring that Reaction out and I am around 80% power the whole flight. With the occasional burst full throttle across the runway and then I would pull into the vertical. BUT, I will never dive full throttle. Just like Bruce says. You could probably push an 20lbs+ on the Reaction and it would handle it.

Andrew

samo

I certainly wouldn't say that the Reaction is overpowered in any way with the P-70. I think it is just perfect to with the full 17.5 lbs. So if I were you I wouldn't derate it. You will love to have the a little extra kick.

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

I'm getting that feeling like a phone call to Bruce is eminent.

Jeremy300

My Feedback: (6)

Just thought I'd post our Reactions. Mine on the left flew for the first time last year. Powered by the Wren MW54 Mk III, I have about 15 flights on the plane now. The Reaction on the right I built this year for the guy on the right. He saw mine fly last year and was so impressed with the size and performance of the plane, he just had to have one too! Powered by a PST J600R, it was maidened a few weeks ago and now has about 6 flights. We are looking forward to doing some formation flying.

Eddie P

My Feedback: (4)

Looks like fun, flying around in formation with a couple R54's. Anyone flying an R54 with smoke?

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Jeremy300, great pics! And great-looking R54s! The striping on your buddie's ship is very striking and unique. Hope you guys have a fantastic Summer.

maxvertical

So have you made that call yet? Telling you, you can't go wrong with the P-70. Just did a demo at an aviation day show at the Bend airport, about 3500' elevation, 80 degree's and that P-70 just stole the show. Well... Actually it was the R54 that stole the show..LOL The 70 is what I'd call a perfect match for a heavier R54. The only problem I've had is figuring out landings. The thing just doesn't want to stop flying, approaches are pretty flat, but then again I'm using the lower flap settings, and still am happy staying with the lower flap settings. Let us know when you call Bruce! By the way, I plan on flying regularly off 300' paved, so getting up and out with the 70 isn't an issue at all.
Chris

Eddie P

My Feedback: (4)

Chris, do you have the 50 oz tank with the P70? If you have the time, what sort of flight times are you getting, how aggressive is the throttle work, and how much fuel are you landing with? Thanks!

booker-RCU

My Feedback: (43)

See http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4514664


Galen