Need Advice...
 

I plan on giving pattern a try and need some opinions. Budget is a consideration.

So far I have ordered an Epsilon 90 kit (building is no problem) but am wondering if maybe an inexpensive arf like this one might be any good for pattern. It has a longer tail moment than most Giles and maybe under the 11 lbs or would the Epsilon be the better even though its a smaller airplane? thanks!

RE: Need Advice...
 

which size epsilon did u get ?(its a gooood choice)

RE: Need Advice...
 

The 90 size which is in the low 60 inch wingspan range.:D

RE: Need Advice...
 

Yes, the Epsilon will be a better pattern plane. Even though it's smaller.

But if you're considering that Giles, why not an Icepoint from Ultra R/C? It's less than $500 and the same equipment that Giles would take will work with it. And it's a true 2 meter pattern plane.

-Mike

RE: Need Advice...
 

I agree, \

http://www.ultra-rc.com/icepoint/index.htm

RE: Need Advice...
 

You might also consider the Hangar 9 Showtime. I have one and have been pleasantly surprised by it's pattern qualities. I bought it mostly to kick around with after the competition season ended and I keep finding myself running through the sequence with it. Mine has an OS .91 FX and a pipe, which is very adequate to the task.

RE: Need Advice...
 

Thanks everyone:D

RE: Need Advice...
 

No, no, no. You can't leave us hanging like that, you have to let us know what you decide to do! :)

You have 24 hours, then we're taking hostages.

-Mike

RE: Need Advice...
 

Oh Ok,

Well I'm going to build the Epsilon and see how that goes. I still need to buy an engine anyway. If it flys the way its been reported that will be what I stick with for a while. Having seen the two meters I really like them but they are pretty much unaffordable. Something buildable from a kit works for me, having more time than money. The Showtime sounds good also.

Over a year ago I tried IMAC and did like it except that there really seemed to be a push to get a bigger and bigger airplane. That took the fun out of it and was not practical. Also my airplane transportation now is a small car and pattern at least doesn't go bigger than two meter. Where I'm living the runway is not too good and is only 125 feet long, 22 feet wide with 11 of that usable. Early on I actually was flying a Comp Arf from that but sold it for many reasons.

A couple of years ago I had an OS 91FX are they still a recommended engine?


T:D

RE: Need Advice...
 

Yep the OS 91fx will pull it just fine.

That's a good call, it's a competetive plane through advanced....wind being the great equalizer of course.

Fuel and practice, outsmooth the competition....welcome to the pattern world!

Now you should to go to www.nsrca.org and join up if you haven't already. It's optional of course, but it's a good organization with lots of knowledgable people etc.

Keep it light and straight, it'll be a good plane. Realize that it's a 3D crossover plane, so you may want to leave off the counterbalances on the elevator and cut the ailerons so they don't come in quite so close to the fuse.

-Mike

Edited: because I kant spel tonite

RE: Need Advice...
 

Thanks Mike,

The changes to the Epsilon sound like a good idea. Do you have a idea of how much to shorten the aileron? I'll post progress on the kit with photos. Any recommendations for servos?


:D

RE: Need Advice...
 

Flyer Girl,

I'm building the Epsilon now. It is a 60 sized kit even though it is sometimes referred to as a 90. It should weigh somewhere around 7.5 lbs if you build light. I have the Widebody 40 by the same company for pattern and I can already see where the Epsilon is going to be a great tracking plane.

Forget the advice about counterbalances because there aren't any on the Epsilon. I've corresponded with a pattern flyer who shortened the elevators and ailerons so they didn't run to the tips and he claims it smoothens out the maneuvers quite well. I didn't do this on my Widebody and it still is a smooth and very predictable plane if set on pattern rates- about 10-15 degrees of throw on the control surfaces. The rudders are extremely effective, so a lot of expo is definately needed to be smooth.

You probably should look for servos with around 60 oz of torque, at a minimum. I'm going to take a chance and use Futaba S3151s on each aileron. Those are 43 oz. I use the Hitech S-55 mini servo for throttle and have one for the Epsilon. It is cheap and puts out 14 oz. Servocity.com is a great site to shop around and compare.

I'm not building mine to be a speed demon. I'm going to try the Saito .82 at first and see if it's enough. That's a 4 stroke, which I believe in for pattern. Still, a buddy at the field is flying pattern on his Widebody 60 with the 91FX and it has more than plenty of power for anything. Also, I'm using 2-56 control rods to save weight. I think they will be enough instead of heavier 4-40 rods.

BTW, the Epsilon is a refined and upgraded Widebody according to Marcelo Columbo, the designer of the planes. You are going to love working with his kits! You will see and love the precision and quality as you work on it. I had all of my fuselage put together and glued in under 2 hours.

RE: Need Advice...
 

Thanks BlwBlw,

Thanks for the info. It would be nice if a YS63 would be enough to power it,since that is the engine I actually have. What do you think maybe, maybe not (ys63).

[&:]

RE: Need Advice...
 

I'm not familiar enough with YS engines to know. What do you have it on now?

RE: Need Advice...
 

Ok, its time for me to do the shameless plug for the Wooden Roach. You mentioned a kit would be nice, can you scratch build? I am in the process of scratch building my first plane. I chose the Insight for its simple bulding techniques and is proven qualities as a winning plane. i speak from experience here, i flew the plane at the last contest in District 6 that was lent to me because i was having motor trouble and won against a solid class. (intermediate). This plane also placed second in Nats in intermediate. there is a build thread on RCU. Search for articles by Flyintexan. it is a little different that others but... it sure flies nicely. you can check out its new paintscheme in the show me your color scheme thread, very sporty now.

Good luck and if you find pattern is for you... there are planty of people who will help you get into an affordable pattern plane. the community is very giving in time, opinions :D , advice and guidance.

Chuck Hochhalter

RE: Need Advice...
 

Hi FlyerGirl,
If you already have a YS63, you may want to look at the Oxayls 50. The YS63 would be perfect for it. There is a thread on it at http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3033086/tm.htm

It flys as close to a 2 meter plane as you can get with a smaller plane.

Hope this helps

Joe

RE: Need Advice...
 

Last Summer I flew the Epsilon with the OS 91 FX stock with muffler and it flew great once I got throws and trimmed good, I was flying the FAI with and it performed very well, not quite as good as 2 meter but many have told me it looked like it flew the same as 2 meter.
You will be thrilled with the OS in it, don't think the YS 63 will do much for it. I also have the Showtime and the problem with it is all of the control surfaces are way to big. Oh cut the ailerons 3" shorter than whats marked on the wing from the fuse end. any question feel free to PM.
Steve Maxwell

RE: Need Advice...
 

I think they answered all your questions nicely.

I would add with servos, get the best you can justify. I like the JR digitals myself. A couple of 9411sa servos for the ailerons, one for the elevator, and something with more punch...like the 8411sa on the rudder, would be ideal. If that's too much you can look at the hitec digitals, they work ok too.

Really just get all teh servo you can justify, because the better the resolution and holding torque, the more precisely the plane will fly.

I'd plug my Black Magic 2 meter (I AM the original wood roach builder here *sniff*) but I'm making last minute changes to the design and it's not ready just yet. I was shooting for Dec 3rd, and may still make it. But it's going to rock the wood roach world, I can assure you of that [8D]

-Mike

RE: Need Advice...
 

Thanks for the help,


The idea of later building a two meter sounds pretty good. I haven't heard the term "Wood Roach" before is it slang for not big bucks? The Insight looks like a possibility down the road,how many other large volume balsa plans are out there?


:D

RE: Need Advice...
 

FlyerGirl,
If you would like to come up to Phoenix in February we are having a pattern contest. We would love to have you up for it. If we get you interested in Pattern then District 7 would have two female fliers. I think we might be the only area that has any girls flying. The other is Terri from Lancaster, Ca.

RE: Need Advice...
 

Not too many right now, but a few.

"Roach" is a term coined by a poster here, because a wood plane was unacceptable to him. He actually said "I don't want a heavy wood roach" in reference to my plane (which is only about 10 lbs flying, and got 4th at the Nats and a district championship in advanced this year). Everyone building and flying wood planes then took up the term "roach" as a sort of inside joke.

Here's a pic of my current roach, I'm currently in teh late stages of framing the new version which features a larger fuse at the tail, and slightly larger tail surfaces and fixed gear. I just weighed what I have and this plane will be in the 9s. I'm also building 2 electric version for a friend, and that's possibly going to change the theory that ou must have a $3000 composite plane to be competetive. I hate that crap because it's a lie.

Anyway good luck and here ya go..

-Mike

RE: Need Advice...
 

Shar, I have a 2MX2M Patriot pattern plane that is 3/4 way built I will give to you if you want it. Not too much left to do on it. I also have the plans. I was building it for me, but I got a good deal on a Revolution pro and gave up on the build of the Patriot. It now sits in my storage shed collecting dust. Let me know.

Tony Watkins

RE: Need Advice...
 

You might consider jumping on that, a Patriot is a killer plane!

-Mike

RE: Need Advice...
 

Whoa it is.. I have flown a few of them. Really great pattern plane!

RE: Need Advice...
 

Hi Tony,

Thank you very much for the offer. Pmed you!


:D