Well, it finally flew this weekend, and holy cow, am I impressed. The only new pieces of equipment were the APC 16/8 prop, the DB motor mount, the wheels and the 3004 servos in the ailerons and throttle. Everything else was second, third or 4th hand(the plane itself). Heres a breakdown of hardware.

Dr Jeckyll PHD with Phenom wings and tail (brand new with Gator wing adjusters and new tube/socket). Wing has also been moved slightly forward. (72 in ws/76 inch fuse from spinner to rudder) $120.00 with retracts, retract servo, and linkage installed. Did put new 2 3/4 in wheels on it to improve ground clearance.

Saito 150 ($250.00) on a soft mount similar to the Piedmont Models mount (10/32 neoprene well nuts holding a Dave Brown 120 mount.) No nosering needed, and thrust adjustments can be made by adding washers between the mount and the firewall. A new firewall was made (old one was knocked out), so we test fit everything 6 times, then mounted the mount to the firewall, engine to the mount, slid it in, put the spinner and prop on with a 1/16 inch piece of material as a spacer. Epoxy and flocked the backside of the mount in place, removed the engine 48 hours later, and gooped the front side, locking the new firewall in place. Very quiet mount considering the size of the engine. Using the stock muffler right now, just to get the engine situated. Using RedMax 15% fuel, and no Perry pump (perry will probably be installed later this month)

Servos: Elevator/Rudder servos Futaba 9201s ($40.00 for the pair at a swap meet) These were installed in a heli, but never flown, so they are practically brand new). Not enough oomph for tumbles, but its a pattern plane, right Futaba 3004's on the throttle and ailerons (got those with my 9C transmitter).

Battery: 1600 NiMh 4 cell pack from Radical RC (had this in the last sport plane I had (Kyhosho Majestic). Since I need to add some nose weight, I'm going to put a 5 cell 2700 nimh pack that I'm getting from my neighbor.

All up weight right now is 10lbs 9 oz, but will get to do some rearranging to drop that down a slight amount. I'll be happy with 10 lb 6 oz. (have two tanks in it right now. one on the cg that came with the plane, and a 14oz up near the firewall that I'm doing the engine testing with. Didnt want to have to worry about siphon or pump problems on a new to me engine.

Flight performance:

Wingspan99 did my maiden flight for me, and it needed about 4 beeps of down elevator trim (due to the somewhat aft cg). No aileron or rudder trim needed. Rolls are very axial, but neutral (CG). No down elevator needed for inverted flight (again, aft CG).

All in all, it will be a great plane to learn the pattern on, as well as get some stick time doing something other than sport/3d flying. I could actually manage a somewhat decent roll/slow roll with it on my first flight. 4 point roll was limited only by my fingers. I spent most of my time doing passes with it, just getting used to the speed and the airframe. I deadsticked my first two landings (one was due to running out of fuel, and the other was too lean on the low end), and slightly overshot the runway on the 1st, parked it at the end of the runway on the second. I cannot get over the glide rate of the plane. That is going to take some getting used to.

I managed to put together a 1.20 sized pattern plane for less than what it takes to outfit a brand new GP venus, and have 3 times the airplane. So, definately keep an eye out for used pattern equipment guys, you can get a deal if youre willing to be patient, and dont mind having something that looks used. I plan on flying the snot outta this plane.

Steve

Gotta love those photo passes......

There is no greater satisfaction in modeling than a sucessful maiden flight.

Great job! Glad to see someone put together a good plane with just a little judicious shopping. Lots of luck but be careful pattern is addicting!

Steve, the plane looks great!!! and very visible in the air I might add. Congratulations on your accomplishments and have a great season!

tschmidt

I flew my first TRUE pattern plane this past weekend and now I can't wait to get the Focus together. What a joy it is to fly a truely trimmed out plane.

Pugs

Thanks Guys. I'm going to spend the next month or two just getting the plane trimmed and dialed in. The color scheme is as I got it, including the vinyl lettering. I didnt even bother to peel it off the fuse. I always try to shoot for visually appealing and highly visible planes, and ones that are photogenic as well. I think it just puts the icing on the cake. The closest contest of the season is the 26th of this month, so I may go to that just as a caller for wingspan99. I'll bring the plane with me, in case I just cant stand it and have to give it a shot LOLOL. I have a couple of major projects at work that have been keeping me out of town, hence unable to get any stick time at all (minus this weekend). I still havent even memorized the sportsman pattern yet, much less fly it. LOLOL. Maybe I'll compete in a couple of contests at the back end of the year. Many thanks to wingspan99 and Dean Wilson for providing awesome insight on flight characteristics and trimming suggestions.

Steve

Would an Ultrasport 1000 if built to 2M be reasonably competitive as a beginner/sportsman/entry level pattern plane? I'm building 2 right now (1 for me & 1 for my brother) and am considering building a 3rd modified to a mid wing plug in wing configuration. If the stock low wing location flies well I'm thinking maybe just to stick with that. I couldn't help but think of this seeing the wing was located relatively low on this plane. Any comments?

BEAUTIFUL Steve.

I would like to come out and see it sometime. Are you going to be out this evening by any chance? My dad is letting me fly us down to Shreveport, Louisiana to see my mom's side of the family so I will be gone for most of the week. We might leave tomorrow to dodge the weather but it's looking like Thursday is the day. I wish I could find a plane like that at a swap meet. It might help if I went to one LOL. When is another one? Looks great, I would like to see it, and I would be willing to trade you a flight on a Hydeout for one on that if you are interested...

Take care.

Ryan,

I'm not sure if I will be able to make it out today. I have conf calls all afternoon, so I might not be able to cut outta work early enough to make it to the field. I also have to track down a new tailwheel/bracket for it, I broke mine off on the third flight, and flew it with a "skid" instead of a wheel for the last flight. I also need to do some more tuning on the engine (burbles on uplines, have a fuel delivery problem.) Once I get it set up and stabel, we can swap flights. I'm not sure when the next swap meet is, but you might be able to find out some info on the Winston Salem RC club page (I dont have the URL handy). You could probably also email some of the guys from over there and see if they want to get rid of anything. The WS swap meet seems to have the most pattern hardware for sale. That GP Venus you saw at KC was sold a couple weeks ago, so you were outta luck there.


How much of the flying will you be doing to LA? That sounds cool. Tom said he will prob be out at the field this evening flying his heli (dont ask....). His conquest is down to do bearings and a piston sleeve that need to be replaced. I need to go ahead and order bearings for the Saito, I'm sure that will give me a few hundred more RPM's, as well as make it run a lil cooler.

What does your Hydeaway weigh in at?



Daryl,

Just about anything that is stable in upright or inverted flight would be fine for Sportsman. There arent any snaps, knifeedge, etc. Just has to be stable and track consistently.

Steve

Steve,

I get to fly all 7 1/2 hours of it left seat. I need to get my cross country time in, so my dad thought this would be a good time to do it...

To be honest with you, I haven't weighed the airplane, bu t I imagine that it is around 10 pounds, or a little less.

Are you and Tom going to that swap meet?

What are the specs on the 3004 servos? Do they center good and do they have enough torque? I have JR 7005's on my ailerons, and they are around 62.6 oz/in.

The WS swap meet is sometime in November. All of our decent swap meets are in the fall/winter it seems. Man, your sub 10 lb hydeaway makes mine sound like a pig LOL. Although I think should be able to get mine down to 10lbs 6oz without too much work. I look at it this way, with about 1.3 to 1 on the power to weight ratio, it will keep me from doing some reallllly stupid stuff (3d ), not to mention keep me focused on flowing kinetic energy, and constant speed management.

The 3004's have 44 in.oz at 4.8, and 57 in.oz at 6 volts. Again, if I know the electronics train wont take full throttle tumbles and snaps, I wont do it . I dont think I'll be trying any kniffedge loops with it anytime soon anyway, I'd be scared to death LOL.

Steve


Is your dad an instructor? Is that how youre getting the left seat time, or is it unlogged time?

No my dad is not an instructor, and no it isn't unlogged time.

Since I have soloed and I have been checked out in our airplane (I have been ready forever ), I can log that time as pilot in command time.

I wouldn't worry too much about your airplane being heavy, or having stuff about it that you don't like right now. My airplane is the same way, and I have been ungrading things as I go along. After I get a few contests under my belt, I'll probably get a new wide body design (Quique's Partners sure looked nice the other day...), I am really looking at the ZNLine Hydeaway, since I love my Hydeout so much, and that seems to be the plane to have right now. Plus, ZN is a little bit more prompt, and the have better American customer support (Mark Novack) than PL from what I've seen. Don't get me wrong, I like PL, and the Smaragd has been my favorite airplane since I first saw it in 2000...

So many planes, so little money

I hear that. I wouldnt have gone this large had I not walked into this deal. I'd love to have a focus or a temptation, but still cant bring myself to spend that yet. Maybe next year, after I'm totally hooked or something. I'd love a full blown focus with two sets of wings and tails for AA and pattern. Then I'd only need one engine, etc LOL, think my wife would fall for that?

I am going to wait a year before getting a new pattern plane, just so I can see what advancements are made in the gas engine area. That might be the route for me.

Even though I'm not an expert, or a veteran pattern flyer, I'm still skeptical about gas at this stage in the game. But 2 years ago, nobody ever dreamed of seeing a couple bipes at the worlds because of structural and power limitatations, however if everything pans out, there will be at least 2 this go-around.

I think that gas would be a suitable alternative if there were an airframe that was designed to handle all that weight. I'm sure a designer will come up with a leightweight airplane that has a little larger wing to compensate to the added weight and make it fly like an airplane that is not at the 11 pound max. Tere are some out there liek Geryy Dale ( I have personally seen hs L'Essance, and seen pics of his Smaragd Gas) and Dick Hanson.

Also, gas is very loud and Gerry's plane has essentially no fuse belly because his header and pipe run all the way to the tailwheel bracket.

Like I said, they are merely obstacles to overcome, and I'm sure someone will do it.

I'll have to show you my new pattern design when I see you next. I think it's pretty neat, I'll have to tell you about itecause it is too much for me to type, LOL.

To find imfo. on the Winston- Salem swap-meet go to
www.wsrconline.com
we will have a swap-meet in the fall. but if you don't want to wait that long I do have a Dr. Jeckell for sale with supra retracts, Y.S. 1.20, and servos for only $500. this includes covers.

Ryan,

Are you a Private Pilot?

Billy

Billy,

No I am not a private pilot, I am not old enough yet. I will be taking my checkride on May 19 of this year, that's my birthday and I'll be 17.

Congratulations to you and Phenom Maker, I am responding to you on my 283rd post, you both get a cookie! I don't know how I can get them to you, and I don't know why I picked this post number to do that, but I did.

Phenom Maker, I will hold off on that for right now, it is a good deal though. I will probably be ready to buy something this fall to have to play areound with. I would like an airplane to learn how to set-up since my cousin set up this one for me, since he's a TOC competitor.

Phenom Maker (Are you Kevin or Terry?)

Do you you have any close up pics of the Phenom? Pete's airplane looks nice. I have heard some good things about it from him. Are you just selling them through Central Hobbies or could I buy one direct from you. It would be a lot closer if I bought one from you since I live just north of Greensboro. I am Warren Thomas' cousin and I fly at his house with Dean Wilson and Joey Hayes. I bought my Hydeout that I am flying from Joey, and I might be looking for a new plane for next year just to have a new plane that I know the history of. The Phenom sure does look nice . Do you go to very many local contests? I would like to see one in person, I might get to see Pete's though, he said that he might be able to come down and fly with me som. Thanks alot!

I am Kevin, there is a contest next weekend doun at Midland N.C. we will have some Phenoms thier (Mike Hill, Mike Radiky, Terry Darr, Kirk Gray, and myself will have them).
If you can make the contest you will have a chance to see them .

Kevin

Steve - thanks for the reply. I'm excited about eventually getting the Ultrasport 1000 finished.