RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Thanks Bill,

I'll measure it tonight.

Bob

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Thanks everyone! The weather is looking good for more flights after work today. I plan on getting my flap-elevator mix set up on the next flight and then see if I can get it stopped on our 400' runway. So far, all of my landings have rolled of the end at least 50 feet into the grass.

I have already replaced the mains with dubro wheels because I anticipated landing in the grass a few times before getting the feel of it.

I estimate it takes about 5 or 6 seconds to spool up from idle. The gentleman keeping my insurance legal says it feels about normal to him (and the one landing he made, he was able to stop on the runway) but for me, it seems to take forever.. On one landing, I could see that I was a little (lot) fast so went to full throttle. I swear I was at full throttle for a second or two and didn't hear the rpms increase at all. I went to idle again, landed long, and rolled into the grass (again). If I could shorten the spoolup time, it would be great!

Bill, I have a suggestion for the ARF. Consider having your builders do a camo scheme along with the ones you have now. I think it would resemble a military attack or observation aircraft if done so. A couple of people told me they would like an uncovered version so they could put their finish of choice on it. That would have been great for me because I pulled your covering off and recovered mine. Found out monokote does not come in camo so went with my favorite colors. Not that it was a bad covering job, as a matter of fact it was just about flawless as far as quality was concerned, but the style was not to my liking.

Oh yes. Is anyone using the "hot start tube" shown in the instructions or found it necessary to use something similar? Haven't had any hot starts but I'm sure the day will come!

Later;

D.W.

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

like this?

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Egg-zackly!

D.W.

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

While Not Egg-Zaklee this is in the works for the next shippment.

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Close enough. Guess I will have to get a backup when they arrive.

D.W.

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Bill,

My JetTech Tanks is 8" long x5.25" high x 5" wide. The top part of the tank is a full radius from side to side.

The bottom is flat.

Will it fit??

Thanks
Bob

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

the available space is 5 1/4 wide and about 5 1/8 high, this height is the wing mount plate so no space there to cheat. length is about 8 inches stock, but by removing part of the radio tray another 4-5 inches could be gained. so if the max height of the tank is 5 inches you should be ok. you could always lay the tank on its side maybe. Kevin

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Thanks Kevin.

It's only the very Front of the tank that measures 5.25". It tapers down towards the back of the tank to match the Taper on the top of the Baby Boomerang's fuselage.

Looks like I have a winner! :D

Bob

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Thanks to everyone for the advice about flaps! They are VERY effective. I went from overshooting the runway, even with a headwind last sunday, to landing short of the runway with no wind yesterday. What I have to learn now is how much power to leave on when making my approaches. This is going to be a fun airplane! I have a feeling it will be one of those designs that will be around for a long, long time. Might turn out to be the Ugly Stik of the turbine world.

Has everyone been using the wing mounting washers supplied with the kit? The attachment area on the wing is balsa and it just doesn't look strong enough to keep the tiny washers from pulling through. I went to the hardware store and picked some 1 inch washers. Would rather it look ugly and the wing stay on than pretty and it come off in flight. Might consider wicking some ca into the balsa to strengthen it a little.

Later;

D.W.

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

D.W. I thought you would like the flaps. Don't be afraid to slow the plane down. When it stalls it just drops the nose and you can fly right out. The next time you have any wind at all take it up put in take off flaps and pull the power back untill you are flying a kite. I have gotten the planet to go backwards in a good wind. Have fun with it.
We use some large washers on the back wing bolts also.

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

I removed the small blind nuts and replaced them with 1/4-20 and used large area washers. using p-70 for power, will test fly this Friday at Fresno jets. Kevin

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Hey Guys,

I maiden’d my Shokjet and then some at a local jet meet last weekend! Got about 20 flights and about 2 ½ hours on the turbine. I have attached some pics of my setup with a jetcat p60se. I think my install is pretty clean. I used some of the wire clips from TBM and they help clean up the install. They’re pretty inexpensive – definitely worth it.

All I can say is if you’re new to turbines (like me) this was a great plane to understand a turbine setup. As for the flying…awesome. Had a blast! Couple of things I agree with from reading this thread:

1) Use a start tube. I wasn’t going to but Bill at TBM talked me into it. Good thing. I had a little too much propane on a start and it belched a flame through the tube. If the tube wasn’t there it would have melted the monokote on the elevators ( I saw this happen to someone else at the jet rally).
2) Do glue the wheels (I used hot glue) to the hubs. Mine are holding up fine on a paved runway.
3) I used thin CA in the wing bolt holes to harden everything up. Worked good.
4) I need to put some washers to change the turbine thrust. Mine climbs at full throttle.
5) Make sure your canopy is glued on tight. Mine needed a little more glue to ensure I didn’t loose my pilot in flight.
6) I put two A123 batteries (ecu and recvr) in the nose. It balanced fine that way.
7) Get someone with you for the first flight. I met a great guy at the jet rally that talked me through the whole thing. Just makes it more relaxing. I also was lucking enough to see a Shokjet fly a couple of weeks ago. Thanks to Georbeckha for taking the time. That was helpful also.
8) The 50 once tank goes quick. Add an extra tank like some other guys have recommended – I know I will. Georbeckha’s recommendation of putting a “boat” tank above the 50 once tank seems like a good way to go.
9) Put in down elevator mix with the flaps. I have about 10% on half flaps and about 35% on full flaps on my 12X. It was perfect. No pitch changes with flaps whatsoever.

Let me tell you boys, I have been flying for almost twenty years. Getting into turbines was a learning curve but once you’re there it is a blast. This plane is about the best you can get for learning. Above anything else, it will help you build confidence that you can do it.

I flew with another guy this weekend you was maidening his first jet – an F16. Now this fellow is a good guy and a great pilot. I have flown IMAC with him. He’s very good and experienced. Long story short, this was his first jet and first flight. It lasted about 15 seconds. Too fast, too small too quick, too big an engine. $7000 day for him. Don’t let that be you.

I am actually building another jet but thought for the money I’d be hard pressed to not build the Shokjet for some experience. I AM GLAD I DID. GET THE SHOKJET!. It’s well worth your time and it doesn’t cost much (esp if you buy the turbine with it).

- Tony D. (aka Cagmo)

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

I can fly turbines but can't figure out how to post pics. It says they're too large. Can someone PM with idiot instructions. Thanks

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Good post Tony D!

What engine are you running?

Later;

D.W.

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

JetCat P60se. Highly recommend. Very fast spool. didn't really notice a throttle lag.

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Ready to fly, P-60
Bob

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????

All I can say is that if you are new to turbines you are REQUIRED to get help. It's called a WAIVER !!

Did I misunderstand something here?

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Let me clarify...I have my waiver (you should too if you're flying jets). I meant on ANY maiden flight of a jet it is good to have someone there. It calms the nerves. However this jet is ***** cat...but it never hurts to have another set of eyes.

Many of the long-time jet jocks commented on this airplane. They were very impressed. When I told them the price of the jet they were even more impressed. It is an honest airplane. Gonna burn some more kero tomorrow.....

-cagmo

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Anyone tried spins with the Shok? I haven't had the nerve to try it yet.

Later;

D.W.

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Here's the pics I promised of my Jetcat P60se setup. Thanks to all those that helped me get this pics uploaded (I feel stupid).
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/6118/img2317jn3.jpg
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2610/img2313kc1.jpg

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

put six flights on mine at Fresno jets the last two days, p-70 power, flies great, three foot take off roll to vertical climbout. took some flap out due to the 10-15 headwind, it wouldn't come down.. may have to get another as it is so much fun to fly. Kevin

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Agreed with the play. I got another 15 flights on mine this weekend. Strong wind yesterday afternoon. Much better landing without full flaps in the wind. LOVE THIS JET!!

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

I tried to get it to spin this past weekend, I think the cg will have to be moved further aft, and the rudder has very little effectiveness. I did get a nice smoke on corkscrew out of instead of a nice flat spin. Kevin

RE: TBM Shock Jet
 

Seflyer, not sure what u meant. But, as a reminder, there are spins and there are "flat spins". Different animals.

Could you not get it to spin at all? Just spiral? Where's your CG?

Thx, don.