As far as building time goes, you have to stay motivated. I could never do one as quickly as Mike as I spend an additional 50% of my time scratching my head and redoing things I did wrong the first time. The only reason it didn't take me two years to build is that we had a set building schedule that kept us motivated. It takes a normal human (not a super, plane building cyborg from patternia) much longer than that. With the hours I put in, even at minimum wage I could have made enough to pay someone to build my next one.

In the end I would still do it again as I don't expect the next one to take nearly as long.

Anthony

Yep, the first one is the worst one. Subsequent ones get lighter, stronger and easier....and faster to get from kit to flying.

Honestly I'm the wrong person to ask about the time it takes LOL

Not as long as some others, and a lot longer than an ARF....

-Mike

Anyone who can put a vertical fin on with 5-minute epoxy AND have it come out perfectly straight is definitely the WRONG person to ask how long it takes to build a Black Magic! LOL

John Pavlick
Team Black Magic, Tech-Aero Designs

Confidence...... [8D]

It WILL be straight it WILL be straight it....CRAP!!!!

-Mike

Test flight report after the glimpse of my VF3 project posted earlier. I took the airplane to the Huntsville contest this past weekend with just the intention of test flying it late Friday afternoon. Of course all I heard most of the afternoon was well it won't fly without wings. Late friday afternoon I assembled the airplane ,fueled it up and had The Dragon himself make the maiden flight. He put it thru many tests and told me with just a little more tweaking after the contest your there.
Well we checked the airplane over after the first flight and everything was still there and in place where it's supposed to be. Still looked good and we had a little more daylight left.

Fueled it up again and fired the YS up ,Mike set the airplane down and with enough butterfly's in my stomach I tookoff. What a amazing takeoff,it's the plane,has to be. I haven't made a takeoff light that since the early eighties when we were running trike gear airplanes and tuned pipes. After settling my nerves down and trying to focus on the airplane I put it through a few manuevers and all I can say is WOW what a airplane. Landing was my next big concern because I haven't flown since July and was unsure of what to expect with this airplane. Well it won't dissapoint anyone, this airplane lands about as easy as any airplane I have ever flown and makes you look good doing it. It was getting a little late in the afternoon and all I wanted to do was celebrate in which I did with all that was there. All I have heard about how good this airplane flies and let me be another one to say it's the truth. It is one awesome airplane.

Next day was contest day 1 and in my mind do I want to fly the 5 year old Eclipse or the BlackMagic. No brainer. The Black Magic. So my next four flights were in a contest and I didn't set any records but it was sure fun and enjoyable.

All I can do is thank Mike Hester for a great airplane and all the Help he has proivided me and others with there airplanes.
Keep up the good work and WHAT A AIRPLANE

Mike that airplane looked AWESOME!!!! even with the pink checkerboard on the bottom of the wing. You sure did look really good with the airplane.

In all the years I've known you, I don't recall ever seeing your hands shake like that! Even at the Nats!

I'm really glad you like it. It usually takes 3 flights to trim one, yours trimmed out in one. Now it's just a matter of dialing the throws and expos to your personal feel. Your plane flies REALLY good, at least as good as Arch's or the red plane or Chris's (now that the incidence fairys have tuned the panels LOL). And I have to agree with Chris, you look VERY good with that plane especially for having no flights since July, and your second flight with it was round one. The getting used to the plane was expected...the 9+ on a lot of your manuevers wasn't. I didn't know you could point and slow roll like that! I can't roll that good! LOL

And FWIW that one has the FASST system installed, and yes it has carbon everything. NO issues. I'm convinced on that one, Futaba's system is rock solid. And Szczur is having good luck with the JR version as well.

Now a few flights in Cincinatti this Friday and you should be ready to pour fuel and get back to top form. I have a feeling Austin is going to have to pry that thing away from you by the time you get back Must be nice to have #2 already primed and ready for paint....

And yes the celebration was tasty indeed! There's no feeling like the completion of a project like that, then you fly it and WOW. Modeling: the lost treasure of radio controlled airplanes. Except it's not lost anymore [8D]

I'm just REALLY happy to see you happy with a plane. It being one of ours is just an added bonus.

Now let's go forth and fly it!!!!

-Mike

PS Welcome to the Black Magic love fest! Sorry I couldn't resist......

He's go a gallon jug of kool-aid riding with him now. LOL

Uncle Larry

Mike,

Just wanted to thank you for such a great plane again. I honestly can't imagine any other airplane that I havent even seen in 4 months, showing up totally cold against 13 other masters guys and winning 3 rounds and winning a contest. Even with the new stabs, it felt like I had been practicing earlier this week. The plane is so easy to fly and presents so nicely. I know you are every bit as thankful as I am that it still exists...can you put wheels on top since you have it now??? You are the man, and thanks for everything...was great seeing you guys this weekend. I'm charging the battery on my camera right now..I'll post some pictures of the weekend tomorrow. Black Magic's were out in full force. Mark Atwood's v3 has to be seen in person to be believed. The finish is absolutely incredible and he was flying it every bit as well.

Arch

If memory serves me correctly you landed your Mantis inverted once as well. Maybe you should get a second set of gear as standard equipment.

Good to see you again man, it was worth the five hour drive to see all you guys this past weekend. You, Mike and Dean are going to get the iron butt awards for the distances you drove though.

I am broken hearted that I had to miss it. Missing that contest was the closing act of a HORRIBLE pattern season for me. Lost elevator and crashed my Fashion at the beginning of the season, took forever to finish my BM V.3 during a lot of he flying season, then bumped my head on the DZ learning curve ultimately breaking the gear off after a dead stick landing. I will be back in the shop today getting the landing hgear back on the plane and getting it ready for more trim flights and ultimately next season.

It is not in me to quit or back down from a challenge, if it was I wouldn't be into pattern.

See you all next season.
Anthony

Anthony,

I made the drive and didn't fly. I just went to see friends and drink beer.

And make Dean uncomfortable in his own skin but that is a story for another time.

I just can't believe you got that one back to the field. This plane should be a memory right about now....

If you're wondering, Arch's plane had been sitting for a long time, and the battery that was in the plane was dead...and I mean DEAD. So, he installed a new pack, and flew the contest. No big deal...until after the contest we're playing with the F pattern with the new stabs, and one cell drops dead. no elevator...then gradually, not much else. It was headed down toward the river, bye bye. Somehow Arch managed to limp the plane back to the runway....inverted....and perform yet another canopy landing.

I heard the crunch, I thought the plane was dead (I just walked away, sorry bout that LOL). Next thing I know, the plane is in the pits, with an utterly destroyed canopy, and minimal damage to the front top section....and not a scratch elsewhere! THAT is still hard to believe.

So if anyone is interested I'll take some pics as I repair it. While Emory's 2 electrics are curing I should be able to do the repairs on this one. So, lots of pics coming in the next couple weeks. Not that any other human will ever have damage like this *ahem* but it's interesting to do this repair, and parts apply everywhere. if I ever rip a gear out of a painted plane I'll do that one too, but so far I haven't had that misfortune in the recent past. but if you fly off of harsh conditions and have an "off field landing", it happens like any other plane. the VF3 is much stronger than the V2, but if you hit hard enough, it doesn't matter...the gear is coming loose, the only question is how much of the fuse comes with it.

And yes, the D4 contest was a blast as usual!!!

-Mike

I seem to remember Nat Penton having installed gear on the top of one of his Voodoo Express designs in case he got disoriented. Perhaps Arch could benefit from something similar.

Oh, just wait.....heh......

-M

Some of the Black Magics at the Cincinnati D4 Champs....

Well Uncle Expo,
Get them wheelpants back on that bird!!!!!!!! You had the only one undressed. LOL


Lawrence

I'm thinking a single retractable wheel at the top of the turtledeck with skids!
That would be cool!!!!

Fortunately this was my second inverted landing...had an elevator get stuck in the down position on my Mantis a few years ago..that one came back not a scratch..and no, I'm still not considering two servos in the tail. I flew my V3 with the new brushless servo on the elevator and absolutely loved it. I'm just thankful the plane came back as well as it did. Had the battery I was flying on held out another 5 seconds, I could've skidded it in and not had a scratch on any part of the plane...

Arch

I'm about to start on a pair of VF3 Pro versions soon. They should ship out right away as Mike emailed me they are ready to go. Mike has done the sheeting so I will be framing up, preping and finishing.

Last year I flew a Comp-Arf Integral on a YS170 in Advanced. I wanted something more durable, wood with a paint finish and something I built myself. I also wanted a pair. Next season I will fly Masters OR I may just skip and fly FAI (P only) as my goal is to fly FAI. I fly IMAC and Scalemasters too but I've really got the bug for Pattern now

I have some experience painting RC cars, a couple of warbirds, plastic models etc. I have an HVLP mini gun (Iwata) and some Eclipse brushes. I plan to do a YS170 setup in each plane (hopefully CDI.) I have built a few planes from kits and a bunch of ARF's.
I am looking forward to this build up and finishing. This will be a big learning curve for me also.

I have been experimenting with light-weight glassing on 12x12 sheets of 1/16. I plan to glass the whole plane (wings have lightened cores) so weight is VERY critical especially since I may go CDI. The lightest method I have tried so far is 2 coats of dope, .56 cloth wetted with Varathane 900, final layer of Varathane 900 with micro balloon fill. This is very light and the surface is so good it doesn't really need a high-build primer - just a regular prime and sand 90% of it off to a glassy finish at about 800 grit. VS. Epoxy resin this saves 6 to 8 grams per sq ft and I think it also takes less primer.

I'm not looking for a showroom finish. I want nice - don’t get me wrong - but I am a practical guy. I fly a LOT. These planes are going to see MAJOR usage. 20+ gallons a month usage (that’s why CDI will be great for me :-) – the fuel savings alone! A showroom finish is nice but I don;t want to be afraid to put on some milage.

My current plan is to use Nelson System 3 paint as I HAVE to be able to paint in my basement and I have kids so its got to be safe. It is -20 in the winter here and I don’t have easy (or free) access to a paint booth. Plus I have no intention of hauling a plane back and forth to one I am really bad at covering even with Ultracoat let alone Monokote - give me paint any day!

I know Chad has used System 3 with good success but didn't like the lack of shine in the clear. Has anyone buffed System 3 and/or used an automotive clear over it? I can always do the clear coat in the spring if they are compatible - or I can just use their clear.

The scheme will be VERY simple. Solid color on the bottom (white - maybe a stripe or two) and white/blue/red on top.
Any suggestions or tips would be great – especially on finish and controlling the weight. I have a scale and I will be weighing everything as I go. Mike is supplying all the wood and I know it will be good stuff.

All paint huh? That should be really nice, just watch the weight. Something you might want to think about - instead of fiberglass why not use lightweight silkspan + Nitrate dope, then paint with Urethane. That's what I did on my V2.2 and Mike will tell you it came out pretty good. I also used the Nelson paint because I didn't have access to a spray booth at the time and had to paint in my basement. I wanted a good shine so I shot a few coats of clear over the colors. This added weight but I still came out at 10 lbs, 7oz. Every color was wet sanded and so was the clear. Final rub was with 2000 grit wet paper followed by 3M buffing compound and Imperial Hand Glaze. Yes, it is possible to get a really nice shine out of Nelson Urethane but you have to work at it. I posted a thread on the CAA / Black Magic forum that shows how to cover with silkspan. I'll probably do my VF-3's the same way. The V2.2 has survived a full season of flying and still looks like the day it rolled out of the shop.

John Pavlick
Team Black Magic, Tech-Aero Designs

Thanks John,

I have some Silkspan on order too... how much lighter do you think it is? I'm glad to hear about your success with the Nelson paints

Anybody want a slim jim?

Nah, just a diet coke [8D]

Hey Chris! Yep I'm playing the boxing game with yours now. There's a sizing trick to get it past customs without being warehoused for 3 months somewhere. 2 full tilt sheeted kits to Canada, is interesting...so expect more than a couple of boxes. Also take note customs more than likely WILL have a peek. So don't be alarmed, as long as the stuff gets there intact. I'm still worried about the belly cores, but we'll try it.

2 thoughts: first, the wing panels. On a honeycombed panel the last thing you want to do is glass it and paint it when running a DZ. They are fragile and gain a lot of strength from either monokote or something else, .7 oz glass doesn't really add as much strength as you would think. I haven't actually heard of a wing failure on a Black Magic ever, so maybe this just isn't a concern. But silkspan might be the better way to go.

Secondly, I'll say it again, watch the weight! This plane has a TON of surface area. it has 950 squares of wing, and right at 900 square inches of fuse (per side plus more). It is still to this day one of the biggest planes in pattern. Experiment, practice your technique, and think LIGHT, and you'll be successful.

As for finished weight, I could really get in a heated storm of a debate here, but follow me....I really don't think this plane cares if it's 9.5 lbs or 10 lbs 15.5 ounces. I've flown them from 9 lbs 10 ounces to 11 lbs 5 ounces and if anything the heavier ones flew better. The magic number for this plane is between 10 and 10 lbs 8 ounces. Sure some bizarre FAI manuevers are easier under 10, but the plane just flies better all the way around at about 10 1/2.

Now some advice: Build this thing like you KNOW it will end up 15 lbs and tail heavy. Just proceed with that in your mind and you're almost garaunteed to make weight. Don't get lazy ANYWHERE. ESPECIALLY with the finish. That's how Mike Wingo painted his, and it came out 10 lbs 8 ounces all paint on his first glassed fully painted 2 meter. Heck I haven't even pulled that one off yet....but that's a psychological trick I use and it works. Sort of like some people messing with thier alarm clocks setting it ahead a few minutes as added insurance...and don't look at something and decide it's not strong enough. AKA don't overbuild it, it's overbuilt already. Anything else is dead weight.

Pretty much everything you could want to know is here and on our support forums on my site. The instructions are adequate, but there's no way I can account for everything. if you have a question, ask it with pics if possible...that's what this thread and the support forums are for. However if I recall you have some good experience to draw from so you should find these some of the easiest planes you've ever built. Just give yourself a LOT of time for finish and details. There's no way to rush that part.

Over on my site I have a finishing thread on glassing and painting that's nice. It's not quite finished but it's done through the base coat. if you're glassing and painting that's the best way I have found. Dean also has some good step by step tips in this thread as well. And John has a good thread on dope and silkspan over there too.

Feel free to post pics, and jump in with progress pics and stuff, share!!!

back to work,
-Mike

PS Whassup Greg!!!