Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

Hi guys,

I have a question for the BVM Bobcat community.

My Son has a Bobcat with a P-70 - he is flying it at wide open throttle all the time, it just isn't fast enough for him (www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xMfwBTuwho).

We plan on moving up to a P-120SE - my question is, do we need to beef up the Bobcat in any way and if so what would you do?

Phil

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

I think that throttle management would definately be called for with a 120SE.Way overpowered for a Bobcat.A 21 lb P-80 would be a better choice.

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

I think that Patrick Frost has a 120 SE in his. I spotted for him at Litchfield, Ill , it is very fast .

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

Yes, I have seen a BVM Bobcat comp fly with a Jetcat 120, and hold together, throttle mangement is the name of the game.

However, I have also seen one or two fly with a Wren Super Sport, (18lbs thrust) keep the aircraft light and it is ballistic, all you will ever need, also it will land nice and slow too. Much nicer to fly if they are light, most of the time anyway.

Like Jetlag said the JC P80 is also a good choice (Mine has a P80 installed

P.S. This is Ali's with a P120 fitted

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

Thanks guys but I expect this will be flown WOT all the time. It was only recently that I convinced my Son to use flaps when landing ("too slow Dad").

I have heard of P-160s and Rhino's in Bobcats that were beefed up in someway - I am trying to find out what others have done to make sure we get more than 1 flight!

Phil

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

Phil:

I opened that vid and said to myself, "Wow, what a nice runway. Where are those guys flying." Then I saw the taxiway sign and noted the title on the video.

Thanks for coming. Good luck getting the cat to go supersonic.

Antony

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

Antony,

It was the nicest runway on the planet - thanks for having us!

Phil

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

Well, one thing I can guarantee you – you can NOT fly a P120 powered Bobcat WOT all the time and be AMA legal.

I've have a 120 in my Bobcat and have to do serious throttle management to remain legit.

I've also had that same airframe flying for over 7 years with a 120 in it. Longevity of the airframe is based less on beefing it up and more on treating the airframe with respect.

Gordon

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

The AMA speed limit is not issue when flying at private fields and non-sanctioned events.

Phil

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

Wrong.

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

Safety is a issue for the pilot as well as the bystanders:eek:

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

I would take the toy away.

Kim Foster

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

You might want to look at a Wren Super Sport. It's only 18 lbs, but it has a higher exhaust velocity than other turbines so any plane it's on would be significantly faster without any weight gain over the P-60.

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

You will experience over time when you fly WOT with a P120 that you will start to bend the wing tubes from high G turns. you will also notice the wing tube formers and support blocks breaking free from the fuse. I flew my BC with a super eagle for about 50 flights before it stalled on a landing from a flameout and the fuse was lost.

Also you will be limited to 4 min flights with a P120 when flown at full tilt for the entire flight.



Alan

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

Alan, are we talking about your wing tube bending or Wojteks? The are reasonable limits that no structure should be subjected too.Any one who saw him fly it knows that his throttle management skills were limited to Max power and off! The Bobcat can take the P120 all day long with proper throttle managment. Putting crow in the plane for landings would be a big help . I dont think Phils son is going to be WOT for long. :D Too much pucker factor there ! My new Bobcat is built stronger and lighter than the last composite one I had and I have complete confidence that nothing is going to bend, twist or come un-glued. You can expect about a 7 minute flight with a P120 , 4 minutes for your super eagle? Did you have a leak in your fuel tank ? See you in Hamburg.

Don

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

Don,

Did you do anything special to your new Bobcat?

Phil

RE: Beefing up a BVM Bobcat
 

Phil, the only thing I did was put on a set of the knee action struts.