I have read here of the Lightning pitch sensitivity and the use of as much as 80% expo to smooth it out. I have the impending maiden flight of mine, is there any way of getting around this as I hate using any expo.

Rob.

Dear Rob
Yes there is get a proper Lightning.
Regards Phil G.

Thanks for that Phil, nice looking E.E. Lightning, I hope this version of the Lightning flies as well as the previous fullsize that carried the name.
Rob.

I cut down the throws a bit to dampen elevator in flight. I am using around 50% expo in flight mode, and 10% expo in landing mode. Throw is 5/8 inch measured at the tip.

I am interested in knowing more about this plane, and I would like to know if this pitch sensitivity happens at high speed flight, or at lower landing speeds? and this was told to you from more than
one pilot?

Thanks, Enrique

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4023470/tm.htm

Rob.

Thx, I already read this thread too, I didn´t understood at first that you also got the info from it, sorry.

Enrique

For a build thread, go to the JPO website, log in as instructed, go to the members section, pick knowledge bank, and look for the lightning PDF.

www.jetpilots.org

thx for the info... [sm=thumbup.gif]


Enrique

Guys

It not so much that it is pitch sensitive, it just has a powerful elevator, which makes it sensitive in pitch (elevator)
Its a different set up needed thats all-BVM Jets are very soft in pitch (elevator)

I'm at around 50% exp also

Rob, you will have to use some...

Dave Wilshere

I have over 150 flights on my Lightning and have never found in to be pitch sensitive. In fact it's one of the best flying planes I ever had my hands on. I wish people would take the time to properly set up an airplane before they start bashing it with poor reviews.

As Comp Af States its a fully 3d capable plane so i guess we soon are gonna se some hovering lightnings ..

it should be possible with those large surfaces.

How Fast is this bird i havent seen it flying full speed ,does anyone have some compares of it to other jets in speed range.?

I don't think anyone was really bashing the plane. Dave hit the nail on the head -- the control surfaces are authoritative and throws/expo need to be set up to a particular person's flying style, same as with any airplane. I land the plane with only 10 percent expo and have no problems, but I have the throws cut down a bit.

My suggestion to those of you building this is that you set the recommended throws per the manual on high rate, with around 50% expo on the elevator and aileron. I would then program in successively less throw on mid and low rates, so you can ballpark the right level of sensitivity for your flying style on your first flight.

The nice thing about having a lot of authority on the control surfaces, particularly ailerons, is the precision. When you give it roll, it rolls. When you center the stick it stops. No slop whatsoever. Makes the pilot look good, and the plane responds in a very axial fashion.

I found out after my first flight that there was a cop chasing me with a radar gun, keep in mind that if was the first flight and I was not pushing it at all. I was surprised to find out that I hit 180MPH. I'm sure the plane will do over 200. Before you ask, I have the Jet-cat Titan engine in it. Great combo.

OK, maybe bashing was a little strong, it just makes me mad when people start faulting a plane when in fact it's poor set-up. These kit manufactures are working hard to bring us high quality products at a price that was unheard of even just 5 years ago. I would hate to see the Lightning’s rep hurt based upon one comment when in fact it a great plane.

Thanks Dave and all for the valuable info, I'll dial in the expo and see how it feels on the initial flights, hopefully I can get comfortable enough beforehand to fly it at Long Marston next weekend.

The idea of the thread was just to glean a concensus about the use of expo, I know it's a fine aeroplane, no bashing intended, I would not have paid out $k's if there were any doubts about it's flight manners.

Thanks again, Rob.

I have flown a lightning and I can confirm there is a definite pitch sensitivity issue. I think it would be fair to say that the particular model that I flew was correctly set up, and at the time the owner also acknowledged that despite his set up changes it still did not feel as solid on the elevator control as he would like.
Now I am probably going to get shot down in flames in here (But to be honest I dont give a damn) I have flown the plane and I have an opinion of what I thought it flew like and I am sticking to it.
On roll and rudder the model felt great. In normal medium speed flight the pitch was ok. not great but acceptable. At high speed and especially during aeros the elevator was so detached that it gave a very tail heavy feel. Yet when I tried to snap the model (positive) all I got was a corkscrew as appose to the full snap I was expecting)
I also had some issues with power and the flap set up but thats for another thread.
Rob. Good on you for asking the question. As you said you have major $Ă‚ÂŁ tied up in this jet. You are entitled to everyones experience. After all I thought that was the idea of a forum like this.
Rest assured it is nothing major and shouldn't cause you any problems. There are a few other issues that might and if you want to talk about them just email me and I would be happy to share my humble (yet I am sure someone will bring it into doubt as slanted) opinion

Just how could the Lightning hover? Large control surfaces have zero authority when there is no airflow over them? Just curious...

I flew a Lightning with a AMT NL Pegasus HP this weekend and sensed no pitch sensitivity whatsoever. Really great plane to fly! Handled just like a pattern ship.

Sorry but I do have to jump in, correct me if I wrong but you stated two different things, You said that it is pitch sensitive, then you states that the elevator was not as solid as it should be. Out of curiosity do you know anything about the set-up?
i.e. throws, cg. expo?

No problem feel free to jump in with both feet Correct. In other words the elevator felt detached. Much like it was tail heavy. This was my original reaction and the rep told me that he had moved the Cg forward to the instructions suggestions and increased expo. I would Be guessing to say around 40-60% As it was not my model I can not be 100% sure. But still it did not feel right. Remember this is not me saying the model has a fault, just a handling peculiarity
Regards Al

I agree, especially with this kit. I really like it, for a lot of reasons.

Sorry but, are you saying that the elevator was too sensitive or not sensitive enough?

Al, something had to be amiss with the setup. While my elevator was certainly sensitive (as were the ailerons) at the suggested throws in the manual, I dialed down the throw a bit and mine flies fine. It is solid in the turns, stable in level flight and shows no tendency to roll in verticals. The CG instructions were unclear and were republished just a short time ago. If I hadn't gone looking, my CG probably would have been wrong if set off V1 of the manual. If you think it was tail heavy, my guess is it was.

If your friend posts here maybe he can provide some specifics and we can see if we can deduce the problem.

By the way, Susan at Covercraft got the dimensions for covers at Florida Jets and they are now available. The set includes wing, stab and fin covers. Cost is $250 for the set.