[8D] This is a nice reminder to anyone building the C-ARF Flash. I love this jet and it being my first, I've learned a LOT. I'm passing this on just in case you run into the same issues I had.

I'm running a P80 without the wing tank, as I thought it would be too much weight to carry around. I might add a mid-size tank to the wing later, but as I have it now I should be getting about 7 1/2 minutes with the UAT still full. Prior to making these changes I landed the jet with a completely empty UAT. It flamed out on the runway after about 6 minutes!

1. Keep the stock hopper tank. Put it in it's holder that came with the kit and stick next to it a BVM UAT, which should be the final air trap before your turbine. They fit VERY EASILY next to each other between the intakes! See the pic.
2. Use the felt clunk that came with the plane in the main fuse tank! I noticed that I'd thrown mine away not ever having used one before. (It doesn't look too special). After flying I noticed that the main fuse tank would still have about 1/2 inch of fuel still in it that the clunk couldn't get to. The tank, (in my plane) has the slightest forward pitch to it, and in level flight or landing almost posed a very big problem for me. I found another felt clunk (the EXACT one I threw away) at a lawnmower repair shop for about $5USD! USE IT. It will wick the fuel up and save your UAT.

The other tank, the hopper, will be sacrificial in the way it feeds all it can to the UAT, but will starve occasionally while the main tank isn't getting any supply (in a vertical dive or other maneuver). The way the baffle is set up in the fuse tank, the clunk hits it in a dive and cannot reach fuel if the tank is 1/2 empty or more. The hopper fills a valuable role in these maneuvers.

This is my two cents, take it or leave it. I bet a lot of you already know tricks like this. I wish I had an article to advise me before I flew, though. It's a sweet plane and I can't wait to fly it tomorrow!

I used only the BVM UAT but also used the BVM header tank that comes with the Bobcat in the wing. It fits great and adds either 12 or 16 oz. I draw from the wing tank first and the main tank last. Wing tank catches the air from the main tank when it gets almost empty. My main tank is bone dry when flight is over! Unless you fly from pavement exclusively I, personally, wouldn't add the CompARF wing tank! It does make it heavy on takeoff, especially in grass, and is not necessary to get a reasonable flight time.

I added their tank after changing to a P120! Almost finished with a second Flash but using a Titan this time!

Thanks

I've used those felt clunks and they always worked great.
The Composite Bobcat has the same issue drawing all of the fuels from the main tanks, these would probably solve this issue.

Awesome. It sounds like I did the right thing. I won't worry about a wing tank yet. You're right, it's another 1.4 liters to drag around on takeoff. Honestly, after about 6 minutes I'm usually READY to bring this thing down.

Some good information, thank's for sharing it. Waiting for my new flash to arrive [sm=72_72.gif]

JetCat Jimmy
How did you orient your turbine? With the plug on top like JetCat recommends or bottom like the instructions show? I mounted mine with the kerosene start on top like JetCat says to but to change it out I have to pull the engine. I was worried that the kero start would give me problems on bottom!

I don't have kero-start on my turbine, so I mounted it just like it shows in the pics. the pics are for a P120, but the dimensions are the same for the P80. It's easier to access the plug for me on the bottom. And it's turned so that it's almost pointing right at the edge of the fuselage. As far over rotated in the mount as possible. That doesn't rub anything on my end.

Also, my inlet joiner DID rub my wing once it was mounted. I actually trimmed out a huge section and rebuilt it so it wouldn't bind up. Then, heard from my rep that since I'm in HOT Arizona, to take that joiner out. It helps it breathe better. I'm also wrapping the thrust tube in a $15 ceramic blanket from BVM since I still noticed the rudder area is VERY hot to the touch.

It's only been in the 90's here. I dunno what the Flash is complaining about. ha ha

I have about 100 flights now and everything works like it should, I am running the Super Eagle 120, both wing tank and main will get me 6.5mins at WOT. and about 8 mins of normal flying, even full of fuel this plane flys light.

Edited because I was missinformed of the facts,

Jimmy be paitent ans take your time!

Also guys helping him, dont be afraid of using the flaps on landing, they will help stablize the plane and slow it down to a crawl, very managable at slow speeds

LOL!!!

Hi Guys , I fly mine with a Artes Falcon, great combo, I use both the wing tank and main tank, with a BVM Uat, I fly 7 minutes with a lot of full power passes, and land with 1/3 still left in the fuse tank. It lands easily even with full tanks, mine flamed out on the maiden flight, (air bubble) around 30 feet high, as it flew past me, I made a complete circut around the field dead stick and landed easily, with my friend talking me through it. I was nervous , but It really does glide nicely dead stick, No bad habits. Its a really nice flying jet, I found the aileron rates in the manual a little too much , so I reduced the throws. One question for the pros out there, Do you hold Up elevator as it runs down the runway? I have been letting it get off the grass by itself, with only a tiny bit of up elevator, using Mid flap setting on take off, But it seems to use up alot of the runway this way , Thanks , Jack.