Does anyone know the CG of the original composite bandit? We have a very import maiden perform.

Thanks,

Joe

I seem to remember between 8.5 and 8.625 inches aft of the leading edge of the wing at the root. I thought I was going to be able to make it down today but my knee is killing me this morning.

Make sure he has a ton of "up" elevator throw as well, at least 1.125 inches. And take off holding full up elevator, releasing it on rotation, this takes the load off the nosewheel, the thing can get away from you REAL fast if you just slam the throttle to it with no elevator input.

When are you guys going down, maybe I can time my drugs.

Thanks Matt! I'm waiting for Jason to call now and say he is on the way! I have been through a very similar surgery Matt, not fun! Drugs!mmmmmmmmmmmm!

joe

Matt is right on with the elevator throw dimension, but if I recall, the "as published" CG should be set at 8 1/2" as a starting point, measuring from the TE aft down the fuselage on the wing root. Make a mark or drill a #40 hole on the bottom of each wing fillet (fuselage) at that location to make it easier from then on. Drill the hole about 1/4" inboard of the edge of the root.

Balance it with zero fuel in the mains and header, making sure you have a full UAT, and the landing gear down. It should hang very slightly nose down at that measured point. When the nose gear retracts, the CG will move very slightly aft.

Weigh each wing panel, seperatly, of course. Note the difference in weight, and add 1/2 of that weight difference in the light wing's aileron servo pocket. That should take care of the lateral imbalance. No aileron trim should be needed if you accomplish this step.

As you become more familiar with the flight characteristics, you can start to sneak the CG aft an 1/8" at a time until you get freaked by the pitch sensativity.

As Matt suggested, you will certainly get a "Snake dance" takeoff without the up elevator input at the start of the take-off roll.

Hope your knee heals soon, Matt.

Harley Condra
BVM REP
JetCat REP

HI, can you tell me what servos you are useing in the Bandit.
Rcpete

Thanks Matt, thanks Harley! Everything went really good today. JasonP got 2 flights on it. That is a very nice flying and clean bird. Really really nice!

RCpete, I will check with Jason and tell you what servos he has in it. Sweet machine!

Joe

Can you anyone here tell me the difference between the Composite Bandit AND a Super Bandit? Patty from BVM had told me a few weeks ago there was a difference in size but cant remember the exact details she told me. My Compsite Bandit doesnt seem too much different than the Balsa Bandit I had a couple of years ago. Would be helpful for someone who has owned both. Thanks -Patrick

The fuselage of the Super Bandit is the same length as the heritage Bandit. I assume that the heritage Bandit is what you mean when you say "composite".
As I recall, since I don't have a heritage version in the shop, the fuselage is from totally new tooling, and is very slightly larger in cross section. There is more interior volume allowing easier equipment installation.
I measured it when I got the Super version a few years ago, and as I recall, it is about 9% larger (cross section/volume) than the heritage bird.
The canopy and power systems hatches are not "alternate and interchangeable" with the original, either. The fuselage is wider at the wing root, and won't fit in the mounts in my jetcase the same as the heritage version. It is around one inch wider at the root.
The horizontal stabilizer incedence angle has been recalculated,in the new tooling, and the mounting location on the fuselage side fits correctly and looks much better now. The stabilizer attachment has been revisited and redesigned.
The Super Bandit and it's Balsa brethern are a general clean-up of the original design, and are a better airplane all around. There is an improvement change in the wing bolt frame. No more 10-32 nuts to aeropoxy to the forward side of the frame. There is a machined aluminum flanged and threaded bushing that replaces the nuts. You will find this same part in other BVM Jets, like the F-100's.
The aileron, elevator and rudder hinging is totally different in the composite version too. It is quite an improvement. The balsa Super Bandit retains the same hinging as the earlier composite and balsa versions.


Can't think of anything else.....
Harley Condra
BVM REP
JetCat REP

Just thought of something else....the Super packs more fuel too. The header tank is conformally shaped to fit between the inlet tracts. It has a rectangular cross section, and the top view is pointed so that it fits into the "crotch" formed by the inle juncture s just ahead of the bypass tube.
The original fuel capacity was 2.2 liters plus the 16 oz. header, and the new tanks are considerably larger...I think it is 3.6 liters plus the UAT that the heritage Bandit did not have in the fuel capacity calculation (pre-UAT).

Harley Condra
BVM REP

Harley, you insight is educating at the least! Thanks. One thing I noticed about this bandit yesterday was how quickly it reached the 199mph speed and was limited. Jason is running the jetcat titan engine. What is the common engine for this plane and where does efficiency take plane in both engine weight and fuel weight and power usage? Does the P-70 size engine fit this plane better in these terms? This is one clean little bird and I love the look of it, has that axial look the twin booms planes don't.

Regards,

Joe Kelley