Comp ARF Flash update
01-28-2007 | 12:04 AM
#276
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RE: Comp ARF Flash update
Wow Jack!
Glad you made it back in one piece, I always had a terrible time in the cold trying to make things work right.
We flew a Rookie when it was 35ish and the brakes didnt want to work right as well.
My Flash is nearing completion, maiden hopefully next weekend, pics soon to follow...
Glad you made it back in one piece, I always had a terrible time in the cold trying to make things work right.
We flew a Rookie when it was 35ish and the brakes didnt want to work right as well.
My Flash is nearing completion, maiden hopefully next weekend, pics soon to follow...
01-28-2007 | 12:05 AM
#277
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From: Jasper,
GA
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
ORIGINAL: Jack28
I finally maidened my Flash with the Artes Falcon in it. I am trying to get it done for Florida Jets , it still needs paint (all white version),but I did get to fly it . The weather has been lousy here in the Northeast. I had problems starting the engine, it was 25 degrees F , very cold .After three time outs it finally lit off. It seems that the egt it very slow to come up to temp, like there isn't enough propane flow, I kept the propane bottle warm in my car then left it hooked up while starting but it still times out, The propane lights right away but ,the temp moves up very slow. I have plenty of flow out of the regulator valve on my propane bottle. I even tried to start it again after I got home in the warmth of my garage, But It still times out and refused to start??. Anyhow , the jet flew very nicely,but the engine flamed out on the third pass, Maybe it was an air bubble stuck somewhere . Luckily I was about 40-50 ft high and a made a complete circut around the field and landed, Oh yeah, forgot to tell you the landing gear wouldn't completely retract , had to land with the gear hanging out of the wing and nose. I belly landed it ,and there was no damage at all, the gear closed when it landed. I carried the jet back to the pits and cycled the gear and it worked normally?? Maybe the 25 degree weather had something to do with the gear. it might have froze in the cylinders or air tanks ,or valves. Overall I am happy, now I can get the paint work done, and try and get the engine bugs worked out.
I finally maidened my Flash with the Artes Falcon in it. I am trying to get it done for Florida Jets , it still needs paint (all white version),but I did get to fly it . The weather has been lousy here in the Northeast. I had problems starting the engine, it was 25 degrees F , very cold .After three time outs it finally lit off. It seems that the egt it very slow to come up to temp, like there isn't enough propane flow, I kept the propane bottle warm in my car then left it hooked up while starting but it still times out, The propane lights right away but ,the temp moves up very slow. I have plenty of flow out of the regulator valve on my propane bottle. I even tried to start it again after I got home in the warmth of my garage, But It still times out and refused to start??. Anyhow , the jet flew very nicely,but the engine flamed out on the third pass, Maybe it was an air bubble stuck somewhere . Luckily I was about 40-50 ft high and a made a complete circut around the field and landed, Oh yeah, forgot to tell you the landing gear wouldn't completely retract , had to land with the gear hanging out of the wing and nose. I belly landed it ,and there was no damage at all, the gear closed when it landed. I carried the jet back to the pits and cycled the gear and it worked normally?? Maybe the 25 degree weather had something to do with the gear. it might have froze in the cylinders or air tanks ,or valves. Overall I am happy, now I can get the paint work done, and try and get the engine bugs worked out.
Make sure the nose gear retracts cleanly without hanging up. If it twists slightly and hangs up, and you are using the stock valve, the whole system gets screwed up. The most common problem with these nose gear is that the steering line causes the gear to twist while retracting, and the strut hangs on the former just ahead of the wheel.
congrats on the maiden.
01-28-2007 | 12:09 AM
#278
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
The most common problem with these nose gear is that the steering line causes the gear to twist while retracting, and the strut hangs on the former just ahead of the wheel.
Thanks
Darcy
01-28-2007 | 04:50 AM
#279
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From: Jasper,
GA
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
Darcy, I glue two wooden blocks to the front firewall just above where the steering arms sit when fully retracted. One on either side. That will hold the nose gear perfectly vertical while in flight. Make sure to leave just a hairs breadth gap, so there is no binding of the arms up against the blocks.
To prevent twisting while the gear is retracting, make sure the steering cable isn't binding on anything while the gear is in transit, causing twist on the way up. Make sure there is plenty of clearance in the nose gear retract opening on either side, and you will likely have to widen the slot in the former just ahead of where the wheel sits when retracted to make sure there is no potential interference with the strut.
Here is a pic of the nose block on one side of the Lightning I have handy ... works the same for the Flash.
To prevent twisting while the gear is retracting, make sure the steering cable isn't binding on anything while the gear is in transit, causing twist on the way up. Make sure there is plenty of clearance in the nose gear retract opening on either side, and you will likely have to widen the slot in the former just ahead of where the wheel sits when retracted to make sure there is no potential interference with the strut.
Here is a pic of the nose block on one side of the Lightning I have handy ... works the same for the Flash.
01-28-2007 | 07:51 AM
#280
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From: Wilts, UNITED KINGDOM
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
Had a trip with Geoff White's Blue Angels Flash yesterday and, having flown nothing since early October last year, found it an absolute pleasure to fly - it 'felt' right straight away, was totally predictable, went where you put it and made even my crap flying look good! If it wasn't for the fact that I'm trying to unload some of my current stock of toys, Dave would be beating up my credit card again...still might be! A lovely aeroplane. Thanks Geoff...enjoy your week up there with the Scousers!
Cheers,
Dick
England
Cheers,
Dick
England
01-28-2007 | 11:55 AM
#284
My Feedback: (19)
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
Thanks to everyone that responded to my post, on my Flash maiden flight. Lots of good info here, I think the nose gear may have bound up when retracting, I could see it hanging partially down , but the mains went up all the way, then I tried to cycle them in flight and they all hung down partially. I am using the stock combo retract /brake valve. I will make some mods to the nose gear. Thanks again. Also I started to paint yesterday and noticed when I took the stab off , the top surface of the stab was blistered where the Tail pipe passes over it, Why would a dual wall pipe get that hot? Is this common? I cut the two air inlets in the bottom of the fuse as per the manual, I never had a hot start, and there was no blistering prior to the maiden flight, I only ran it once for 3 minutes on the ground that day to do a range check, and then flew it and the flight was only about 3 minutes due to a flame out. It was really cold that day 25 degrees F. Seems Odd that it would get that hot on such a cold day. When I origionally ran it on the test stand (Brand new engine) I noticed the tailcone would glow a dull red color, don't remember my Wren 44 ever glowing at all. Thanks for your Help, I have called Eric Clapp and left a message , waiting for him to get back to me, Jack.
02-05-2007 | 07:08 AM
#286
Thread Starter
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
Latest scheme to fly in the UK-I test flew Rob Westwater's Flash yesterday-Jetcat P120 powered.
Flies exactly like my example...
Dave Wilshere
Flies exactly like my example...
Dave Wilshere
02-18-2007 | 04:06 PM
#287
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From: Wilts, UNITED KINGDOM
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
2 more Flashers did it for the first time at Wroughton today - Steve Elias and Rob Howarth - and Geoff put the 40th flight on his too...
Cheers,
Dick
England...a bloody cold England!
Cheers,
Dick
England...a bloody cold England!
02-18-2007 | 04:20 PM
#288
Thread Starter
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
Dick-Guys
Better late than never! Good to know that they have flown.
I think Pete Emmerson was flying his Red/Yellow Custom scheme this weekend so that is about all the colours flown now!
Can't wait for the next Abn meeting... it's going to be Flashtastic!
Dave Wilshere
Better late than never! Good to know that they have flown.
I think Pete Emmerson was flying his Red/Yellow Custom scheme this weekend so that is about all the colours flown now!
Can't wait for the next Abn meeting... it's going to be Flashtastic!
Dave Wilshere
02-18-2007 | 04:22 PM
#289
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From: Wilts, UNITED KINGDOM
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
Hi Dave,
Yes, everybody seems to be well impressed whenever the Flashers are performing! Have to be careful to make sure I don't go outside the terms of my license at AB wrt the public image!
D
Yes, everybody seems to be well impressed whenever the Flashers are performing! Have to be careful to make sure I don't go outside the terms of my license at AB wrt the public image!
D
02-18-2007 | 06:20 PM
#291
My Feedback: (69)
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
ORIGINAL: mu2driver
Here in the States we have been flying the Orange and checker, JetCentral/Artes Super Eagle powered Flash...
Here in the States we have been flying the Orange and checker, JetCentral/Artes Super Eagle powered Flash...
Dave
02-18-2007 | 07:03 PM
#292
My Feedback: (19)
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
Just finished Painting my Flash, Test flew it a month ago without the paint, I ordered the all white version,and painted it with PPG basecoat, and PPG DCU-2021 clear. Panels , insignias ,and rivets are Promark. I chose the Navy trainer scheme that I saw on David Shulmans Ultra Bandit, I see that it is being offered on the BVM bandit ARF now, hope no one gets mad that I used the scheme on a Flash! Thanks to evryone who answered my questions on RCU, I look foward to meeting some of you at Florida Jets. Thanks, Jack
02-18-2007 | 07:07 PM
#293
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
ORIGINAL: rcguy!
Do you have a dry weight on yours? Saw it a Desert Jet Storm and was impressed with its performance.
Dave
ORIGINAL: mu2driver
Here in the States we have been flying the Orange and checker, JetCentral/Artes Super Eagle powered Flash...
Here in the States we have been flying the Orange and checker, JetCentral/Artes Super Eagle powered Flash...
Dave
02-22-2007 | 09:27 AM
#298
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From: Bristol, UNITED KINGDOM
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
[sm=cry_smile.gif] Been waiting since Nov 22 for my flash, cannot blame dave it was ordered from someone else no names.
They have had the money for 2 months I have been told I may get it for christmas if they can find the container! there again it may be on some cornish beach.[sm=drowning.gif][sm=thumbs_down.gif]
They have had the money for 2 months I have been told I may get it for christmas if they can find the container! there again it may be on some cornish beach.[sm=drowning.gif][sm=thumbs_down.gif]
02-22-2007 | 11:05 AM
#299
Thread Starter
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
Guys
Some Flash kits arrived in Germany over the last few days, I may even have a spare airframe available!
More arriving mid March for the next guys.
Most delivery waiting times from around Xmas have been 3 months, so more!
I think we should double the price then there will be no problems meeting delivery dates
Dave Wilshere
Some Flash kits arrived in Germany over the last few days, I may even have a spare airframe available!
More arriving mid March for the next guys.
Most delivery waiting times from around Xmas have been 3 months, so more!
I think we should double the price then there will be no problems meeting delivery dates
Dave Wilshere
02-22-2007 | 11:53 AM
#300
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From: SevenoaksKent, UNITED KINGDOM
RE: Comp ARF Flash update
Most delivery waiting times from around Xmas have been 3 months, or more!
Anyway, I'm sure your rep has kept you up to date and that your kit will ship very shortly!
Rgds,
Mark
