pilott28

My Feedback: (27)

Scott, it does, though I have built a number of FB kits and this one obviously had some different (read: better) approaches to construction and quite a bit of oversight from a quality perspective.

There are a few things they need to address, but the kit is still in its infancy and that is to be expected. Time will tell if the Der Jet folks are responsive to input.

Given that this is a holiday weekend, I am hoping to have it done and the final build photos posted by early next week. Three weeks from start to finish is one of the faster builds I have accomplished. Very little "reenginering" required.

pilott28

My Feedback: (27)

I finished the plane this weekend.

The first photo shows the completed wing. Went together very smoothly and the fit into the fuse recepticals was perfect. It does use twin carbon spars with an anti rotation pin. Very snug fit.

I next went to the fuel system. As you can see from the photos, the kit comes with a UAT that fits in a slot in the main tank. I think I mentioned this earlier, but this big tank holds 5 liters of fuel. It is held in place at the bottom with a removable plate and at the top by Kevlar thread. The canopy sits right in front of the tank as well, and it is a snug fit vertically, so nothing else is needed to keep it in position.

pilott28

My Feedback: (27)

There isn't much to see on the split flaps on the bottom of the fuse. The fuse formers come with a pre cut servo tray and you simply screw in the servo, V-poxy in the control arm, and hook up the linkage.

With all that done, the next step was the engine and pipe install. The engine rails were a perfect fit for the Rhino ... just needed to notch them slightly for the mounting tab bolts. Pipe is installed, bellmouth screwed and attached, and then the pipe is affixed to the engine rails. The tabs on the pipe are very thick steel ... not at all what you would find in pipes designed to attach to bypasses, and support the pipe extremely well. As you can see, I decided to forego the bypass. With wheel wells and main doors that close with the gear down, I am not too worried about junk thrown up by the wheels.

I decided to put the engine equipment up in the nose cone. It is in the vicinity of the fuel system and is easily accessible. It also moves weight forward.

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

Keith,,,, very clean install,,,,,,,,,,,, have a great flight

Dave

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

RHINO,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, dang

pilott28

My Feedback: (27)

The radio install was next. The mainboard with the receiver, regulator, matchbox and air systems sits on top of the engine. The batteries were installed on the opposite side of the nose from the engine equipment.

pilott28

My Feedback: (27)

Final finishing touches included installtion of the pilot in the cockpit. The cockpit simply slides into place and is held with four screws. Scale details such as the nose wheel spring and forward antenna were added as well.

pilott28

My Feedback: (27)

Radio programming was last on the agenda. I used matchboxes with my 12x. I think a Smart Fly EQ 12 would also be an option. Ultimately, the flaps and elevators will be on matchboxes. This leaves dual channels for the ailerons and separate channels for speed brakes, wheel brakes, tail hook, operating canopy and nose geer steering. Speaking of the operating canopy, I am looking at minature robotic jackscrews for operation. There is a 6 inch throw to the canopy and it works best with a linear pull and push, since it doesnt ride on rails.

The nose cone has a rotating lock on four bolts with a nose screw for added security. The canopy and main hatch fit neatly in place with no work. And she was done.

The only last piece I am waiting on is CG. The factory provided one, but it looked awfully far foward, and my calculations that have worked well on other prototypes showed it 3 inches aft of the recommended spot, even with a 10% static factor built in for conservative positioning. I watched the video and the test flight looked nose heavy ... it landed really fast.

Once the CG is resolved, I will maiden the plane. Looking forward to seeing the bird in the air.

pilott28

My Feedback: (27)

The plane came out at just over 33 pounds with residual fuel. If my calculations are right, I will need about 4 ounces of nose weight, so that is about it.

I like having the spare power, though I doubt this plane will ever see full throttle after takeoff. I just happened to have the Rhino laying around and it fit well with the fuel capacity, pipe diameter and mounting rails. I can't stand flying a plane all the time on the last three or four clicks of throttle ... I like have the range and particularly the vertical performance when I need it. I think an eagle or a P160 would be great choices as well.

I hate planes that sound like jets but look like ducted fans in the air.

mark handley

Hi Keith

I've got one of these coming so have been following your thread with great interest.......could i trouble you to post a few more pics if you have them and I wish you the very best for the test flight.!

Regards Mark

pilott28

My Feedback: (27)

Mark, the manual is basically finished ... I am working out calcs on CG with the factory and want to add a little section on flap programming and then Eric will ship it out to you. It has a lot of pictures of each construction step. You will have it by the time your plane arrives for sure.

meps

My Feedback: (10)

When is Jetcentral going to put this airplane on their website? We still haven't seen a price.
Steve

meps

My Feedback: (10)

Any new news?
Steve

pilott28

My Feedback: (27)

The prototype is ready to fly, hopefully this weekend. We delayed a bit to make some adjustments to the rudder servo and linkage installation. We have been talking to the factory throughout the build and they are making some minor updates to the production kits. My understanding is that the first few kits sold will be shipped by week's end. The instruction manual is done and Eric will provide this with the kits.

Eric had an instant message conversation with the Der Jet people this morning, and hopefully he will post an update here.

meps

My Feedback: (10)

Thanks for the update. I'd like to put one of these on my Christmas wish list.
Steve

BluFox

My Feedback: (10)

Steve:

www.jetcentralusa.com

Thanks for the reminder. . .

Eric

BluFox

My Feedback: (10)

Hello to all readers. . .

IM is a wonderful thing. . .during the course of almost one hour of communication much informaiton was exchanged with the three parties involved. . .Diya, Leo and myself.

Some very positive points.

1. No customer waits more than 4 weeks for their order. Most will ship within 2 weeks
2. Shipping will not exceed $200. USD for US deliveries and $250 to $300 for European deliveries.
3. The complete cockpit line is available to all Jet Central USAcustomers.
4. Jet Central USAwill (in the near future) have a cross section of replacement parts
5. Der - Jet is incorporating all engineering, construction and parts changes asrecommended by Keith Sievers, Sievers Air, Jacksonville, FL
6. Der Jet agreed to participate (read this as "show specials" ) in all Jet meets attended by Jet Central USA
7. Der Jet has asked and we accepted the roll of advisor to the kits being planned
8. Der Jet agreed, it will not release any new Jet Model until the engineering, construction, parts and flying are thoroughly tested and the "bugs" worked out.

That gentlemen and Ladies is the cornerstone necessary for a successful jet model. Der Jet has one objective. . .to offer the best value for each of their releases and for each customer to have an enjoyable building experience coupled with an exceptional flying experience.

See The Der Jet Cougar at Jets over Kentucky. . .kits available there as well.

No, don't ask, because I am bound by confidence as to what the next release will be. I will tell you, it will be for an 8kg (18 to 20 lb thrust) turbine.

Regards,
Eric

olnico

That is a very good start Eric.
I hope that this will set an example to Chinese manufacturers ( I know, These guys are in Taiwan )...

Leo518

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u29rhpUkNbI[/youtube]

pilott28

My Feedback: (27)

Status report: We now have 3 flights on the prototype Cougar here in the states. This has allowed us to get a good handle on CG, throws, dual rates and trim. The final version 1 instruction manual has been provided to Eric.

There are still a number of test flights to go before all the operating aspects of this aircraft have been explored, but so far, so good.

JMSU

As Leo has posted video of my F9F Cougar, I want to say it is a beautiful and highly detailed jet plane.  I love it.
The dry weight of my Cougar was about 13.4 Kg ( I didnot install any for  ventral flap at present )and I mounted JetCentral SuperEagle for power drive. The Cougar could easily  take-off in about 100 meter runway and she would speed up in straight fight. I could also enjoy her slow fight and landing. This jet has good flight characteristics, just like Keith's saying, so far so good. 

mark handley

Hi all
Had my Cougar for a few days now and had a good chance to look it over and the quality is superb..Glue joints are superb the live hinging including the gear doors! is very well done...paintwork is first rate with a lovely matt finish...Now its a case of gathering the electronics, choosing how to actuate the gorgeous gear and doors either the excellent UP valves or maybe one of the new combined electronic valves. I have to say a big thanks to Eric at Jetcentral for his quick replies to all Emails and has made buying the jet a pleasure...A highly recommended jet and dealer
Regards
Mark

pilott28

My Feedback: (27)

Here is a brief video of the fourth flight of the US prototype. Through the first three flights, we have been shaking down CG and control throws. We had some wing flap problems last weekend traced back to a faulty servo, which was replaced this week and worked fine today. We had a gusty crosswind as you will hear from the video, but the Cougar seemed to handle it OK. On the next flights, we will experiment with the split flaps and speed brakes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml4rNfIbIT8

meps

My Feedback: (10)

Did this jet fly at Kentucky Jets? Any video?
Steve

meps

My Feedback: (10)

What's the latest on this airplane?
Steve