First Jet -- First Flight
12-07-2002 | 01:51 PM
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From: Escondido,
CA
First Jet -- First Flight
Thought I'd share my first Jet experience now that my knees stopped shakin'.
Meet TAZ! He's a Yellow Starfire II. Power is a BVM 91R and Viofan unit. Had to do some modifications to the ducting and cast a new top cover to facilitate this unit. Springairs with Glennis wheels and brakes. Hitec digitals on all flight surfaces. Opted for the removable wing set up.
First flight was a bit shakey (me not the plane) and it took a while to get it trimmed out. Damn this thing is FAST. Managed to get it back to the original starting point and made an acceptable landing (arrival?) even tho I forgot to use the flaps...long run out and hard on the brakes.
Second flight was much nicer and I managed to remember to use flaps for the landing. The plane floats forever with flaps set as per the instructions. Now have the flaps set up to go about 45deg., that should slow it down some.
Highjly recommend this plane as a first jet.
Walt
Meet TAZ! He's a Yellow Starfire II. Power is a BVM 91R and Viofan unit. Had to do some modifications to the ducting and cast a new top cover to facilitate this unit. Springairs with Glennis wheels and brakes. Hitec digitals on all flight surfaces. Opted for the removable wing set up.
First flight was a bit shakey (me not the plane) and it took a while to get it trimmed out. Damn this thing is FAST. Managed to get it back to the original starting point and made an acceptable landing (arrival?) even tho I forgot to use the flaps...long run out and hard on the brakes.
Second flight was much nicer and I managed to remember to use flaps for the landing. The plane floats forever with flaps set as per the instructions. Now have the flaps set up to go about 45deg., that should slow it down some.
Highjly recommend this plane as a first jet.
Walt
12-07-2002 | 05:48 PM
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From: Dallas,
TX
First Jet -- First Flight
Congratulations Walt,
After the 1st couple of flights, its easy to start enjoying the plane and exploring the envelope..
btw, what's the little red flag by the left intake?
Hank
After the 1st couple of flights, its easy to start enjoying the plane and exploring the envelope..
btw, what's the little red flag by the left intake?
Hank
12-07-2002 | 06:54 PM
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From: Raymond,
ME
First Jet -- First Flight
Welcome to jet's Walt!!!!! The Starfire is a great flying aircraft. If you think the D/F version is fast, wait till you put a turbine in it!!!
I fly mine out at MCAS Miramar. Maybe we can hook up sometime.
Congrates..
again,
Jay
I fly mine out at MCAS Miramar. Maybe we can hook up sometime.
Congrates..
again,Jay
12-08-2002 | 03:33 AM
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From: Las Vegas,
NV,
First Jet -- First Flight
Whats does your Starfire weight in at Walt? I hope to build one in the near future and power it with a dynomax / OS .91.
How about its fuel capacity and are you using Yellow's saddle tanks?
How about its fuel capacity and are you using Yellow's saddle tanks?
12-09-2002 | 04:39 AM
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From: Escondido,
CA
First Jet -- First Flight
The plane came in at 13.8 pounds. I'm sure I could have made it somewhat less. The Glennis wheels and brakes are a bit heavy. I also used a up-3 valve for the gear as I put pneumatic actuator for the gear door. 12 servos and a hush kit. Also, I got a little carried away with the paint.
However, at this weight, it flies great!! I now have 5 flights on it and have yet to scratch the paint. It's off in about 100 feet. Having a little trouble with the landings tho. I just haven't learned to trust the slow flying characteristics yet. It seems to land better at half flap than with full flaps. I think I'm coming in too hot for the full flaps and it bounces and balloons several times before it stays stuck to the runway, again, thank Glennis for the brakes.
All in all I'm very happy and look forward to flying this plane WITHOUT wearing Depends some day.
Walt
BTW Hank, the red flag is the power switch. It's from Reliaswitch and is an optically isolated switch that, if it fails, fails on. I am using Powerflight Lith/ion 7.2 volt pack regulated to 6 volts.
The switch is available from RCShowcase. I have used these for some time now and really like them. A little pricey tho.
However, at this weight, it flies great!! I now have 5 flights on it and have yet to scratch the paint. It's off in about 100 feet. Having a little trouble with the landings tho. I just haven't learned to trust the slow flying characteristics yet. It seems to land better at half flap than with full flaps. I think I'm coming in too hot for the full flaps and it bounces and balloons several times before it stays stuck to the runway, again, thank Glennis for the brakes.
All in all I'm very happy and look forward to flying this plane WITHOUT wearing Depends some day.
Walt
BTW Hank, the red flag is the power switch. It's from Reliaswitch and is an optically isolated switch that, if it fails, fails on. I am using Powerflight Lith/ion 7.2 volt pack regulated to 6 volts.
The switch is available from RCShowcase. I have used these for some time now and really like them. A little pricey tho.
12-09-2002 | 02:34 PM
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From: Raymond,
ME
First Jet -- First Flight
H iWalt,
Glad to hear that I'm not the only one bouncing down the runway...)
Once you feel comfortable, get it slowed down and it will stick to the runway. I'm still trying to find that sweet spot on my turbine Starfire. My ducted fan one felt like it landed better at half flaps.
I might have to take you up on your offer to come up.
Later,
Jay
Glad to hear that I'm not the only one bouncing down the runway...)
Once you feel comfortable, get it slowed down and it will stick to the runway. I'm still trying to find that sweet spot on my turbine Starfire. My ducted fan one felt like it landed better at half flaps.
I might have to take you up on your offer to come up.
Later,
Jay
12-09-2002 | 02:48 PM
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From: Escondido,
CA
First Jet -- First Flight
Jay,
Name the day... would love to see the turbine version fly. We are also looking at the new turbine ARF offered by Cermark. I'll be going up to their place in Fulerton on Tuesday to take a close look. It seems like a lot of airplane for the price but have had nothing but good luck with Cermark ARF planes in the past, hope this one matches their usual quality standards.
I'll be in touch
Walt
Name the day... would love to see the turbine version fly. We are also looking at the new turbine ARF offered by Cermark. I'll be going up to their place in Fulerton on Tuesday to take a close look. It seems like a lot of airplane for the price but have had nothing but good luck with Cermark ARF planes in the past, hope this one matches their usual quality standards.
I'll be in touch
Walt
12-09-2002 | 09:31 PM
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From: Sammamish,
WA
First Jet -- First Flight
Tailwheel,
what radio are you using? FM or PCM and what did you do for the Ant? Last Aug I lost my starfire I feel to a radio problem due to routing of the ant but curious as to where you routed yours.
Mike
what radio are you using? FM or PCM and what did you do for the Ant? Last Aug I lost my starfire I feel to a radio problem due to routing of the ant but curious as to where you routed yours.
Mike
12-10-2002 | 08:45 PM
#11
First Jet -- First Flight
Walt,
Congratulations! I'm so glad to hear that you finally got it airborne. She looks great. On the landings, go ahead and chop that throttle and let it slow up. Take it usptairs and drop the flaps. Slow it down to idle speed into the wind and see how slow it will fly. You'll be shocked, and that will give you some confidence as far as slowing it down to land. If you think it's getting too slow, just throttle up. That's when you're glad of those huge inlets, because the plane will accelerate QUICKLY. When you get more comfortable, try this just for grins: Full flaps, full elevator, full throttle, then release brakes. Once it breaks ground, relax the elevators a bit, cuz it's gonna rotate in about 70'! Have fun!
By the way, do you think you got your money's worth? :-)
Congratulations! I'm so glad to hear that you finally got it airborne. She looks great. On the landings, go ahead and chop that throttle and let it slow up. Take it usptairs and drop the flaps. Slow it down to idle speed into the wind and see how slow it will fly. You'll be shocked, and that will give you some confidence as far as slowing it down to land. If you think it's getting too slow, just throttle up. That's when you're glad of those huge inlets, because the plane will accelerate QUICKLY. When you get more comfortable, try this just for grins: Full flaps, full elevator, full throttle, then release brakes. Once it breaks ground, relax the elevators a bit, cuz it's gonna rotate in about 70'! Have fun!
By the way, do you think you got your money's worth? :-)
