Where does this plane balance? I was recommended at 2 inches ahead of main gear struts. I find this position to be very nose heavy even with 2 duralite battery packs right behind the fuel tanks. I am ready for a test flight next weekend. I need to know if people have test flown with canards ON or OFF the plane. I havent flown with canards before, so I am not sure about them yet. The engine is a behotec j66hp. Any inputs about first flights would be appreciated.

My Darco is about 10Kg in weight with an Eagle mount on it.
The CG meassured from the back of fuselage is about 56~58cm.

best regards,

Thanks for the info Alex. I will see what my CG is as compared to yours. How does the plane fly with the eagle? I have the behotec j66HP on it. I am afraid it may be slightly low on power???? This is one heavy airplane. Any test flight advice? I have flown my roo before, any similarities? Do you use canards? How did you set them up? Do you need any elevon reflex?

Hi There

I maidened a Draco last weekend, CG was about 60mm ahead of the landing gear. No issues during first flight. The canards were set to be 33mm down form the bottom of the canopy line to the top of the backside of the canard. I will drop it down another mm or two today as it was climbing slightly when inverted. Canard travel was 20mm down travel(up elevator) and only 2-3mm up travel(down elevator). It is powered by a Model Mechanics 70N manual start turbine. Plenty power for this ship. Takes off at about 60m on tarred runway. Don't be scared to use the canards, they definitely help lift the nose during takeoff.

Zane

Hi Ragz

We experimented around with the Draco and found that it is easier to trim with the canard off the airplane. We have theorized that due to the straight panlform of the canard it tends to hunt in flight since the bearings are just simple brass and fit loosely. We tried many CG's starting with 2 in front of the mains and working our way fwd. We never could get the hunting to go away.

So we took the canards off and it flew great! No more hunting.

In Zanes case he might have a tighter linkage or due to his positioning of the canard it is slightly loaded aerodynamically and doesn't hunt like ours. Two Dracos did this.

We thought of 2 ways to solve this. Sweep the canard like a Gripen canard, or Make fixed canard like a conventional elevator, with 2 or 3 degrees of up incidence. Did not have a chance to try it though.

Good flying airplane light on the controls and very maneverable. I have some video but have been very busy moving for the last month, I will try to get it posted.

Aloha Duke

The CG position mentioned here is with the batteries where? IN the nose or behind the fuel tank? Or elsewhere?

Hi Ragz,

It should balance with batteries in the nose or under the canard servo plate. Really does not matter as long as the CG is about 50mm infront of main wheels. Your motor will be more than enough power. I flew mine with a JJ1400. (6Kg) Make sure you setup the canards correctly as this may bring you in big trouble if you are not used to it. I have set mine to elevon mixing on a seperate switch. Like Duke is saying - the nose will hunt and it will be extremely difficult to fly.

Make sure you get the nose up on landing cause she will keep on floating and you may overshoot in the biginning. Do not get her under power in a turn cause the delta will bite you and she will drop like a brick.

Good luck.

Morne

Hi Ragz,

My Darco is waiting to roll out.
A few guys in our club fly with it which is very stable.
I've seen Jetcat P-80, PST, Artes Eagle & Rino mount on this plane.
All those guys use the canards & no hunting were noted.
We don't meassure CG with the location of main gear as reference.
It seem to be some variation with different planes.
So we use the back of fuselage as reference since the fuselage is molded.

I think Behotec j66HP is OK, provided you take off from concrete runway or grassfield with a little bit long runway.

Best regards,
Alex.

Hi Morne,

I'wd like to know the performance of the JJ 1400.
Since I've a Reapter ARF waiting to mount another turbine.
I'm consider a JJ 1400 or a Kj-66.
Please sent me some information of your JJ.

Best regards,
Alex.

Hi Alex,

As far as know the reaper ARF is bit heavier than the draco. The JJ1400 is flying the draco. But if you want "jet style" flying it is way under power. The KJ66 will be a better bet - or wait for the new JJ1800! The JJ1400 will suit the new A10X from RCARF perfectly or any other DF airframe converted to turbine.

The motor is perfect and for the price a must. Since you are not far from the factory, service would also not be a problem.

Let me know what you need and i will be happy to help.

Regards

Exclusive distributor for Skymaster RC in South Africa. Distributor for Yellow Aircraft, Trim Aircraft and JETJOE

Dear fellow pilots,

I'wd like to know the effect the spoiler on Darco.
Any effect on fight path during landing?
Will the plane accelerate as the plane decend when the spoiler is operated?

Best regards,
Alex.

Ragz, have you flown your Draco yet? I am curious how it went, and if you used the Canards or not. Basically, any info you can give I would appreciate.

I will be flying mine with a Simjet 2300 (well the kit version of it anyway). Probably overkill, but I'll be flying off grass.

HI Alex

Sorry did not get a chance to try the airbrake / spoiler on ours. It went in due to a lockout [:@]

Adam, I am waiting for the weather to cool down a bit. Its scorching hot here in India right now. Daytime temps. hit as high as 47 celcius. We are in the middle of summers as you may know. Just imagine what stepping out on a black top would mean? 50c plus i guess? So I am waiting for the moment. My flight will be with a 19lbs engine, NO CANARDS, and from a tarmac. Will post flight reports asap.

Any updates to how the Draco flies? I just got my Simjet Sonic 120 back from Canada and am going to start with the installation soon (hopefully)...

Adam,

The Draco actually flies pretty good. I got to maiden my buddies Draco 3 weeks ago and it handled well. He had his canards mixed with a radio knob on the radio which was good to get them dialed in during flight. I did notice a little hunt for level flight at different throttle settings, but I think this can be worked out as we get more time with the Draco.

JR Gautreaux

I have everything sorted out on my plane now. However the weather needs to sort itself out. Once I have this, I will post my result. I have removed the canards totally for the first few flights.