WMAC Group build - Impressivo

Phil-C wrote: This is my first electric model. I am definitely taking that route from now on.

A better picture would be good. I don't feel a hundred years old, but I sure look it. :woohoo:

Another convert! :woohoo:

Pleased to hear successful maidens. There isn't much to go wrong either. They either fly or they just glide to earth... :S The latter I have experienced recently, but working on it right now!

simondean wrote: need to watch landing speeds as I came in too hot but lucky to get no damage

The problem seems to be landings when one wing tip touches first. You got away with it because it landed on its belly. My last landing caught a tip and because the other was still generating lift it flipped over. I've done this a couple of times now and must sit down to programme loads of extra up elevator for landings so the model can crawl in, like Jon's.

I thought I would provide a few notes on where I ended up with my setup

General flight
Elev 8mm up and down 33% expo

Ail 9mm up 7mm down 43% expo, this gives a rapid roll rate at full throw but a nice positive feel around middle stick movement. For those less adventurous around 5mm seems ok

I have set up 3 flight modes, above is mode 1, flight mode 2 has the same as above but elev increased to 12mm both ways and 40% expo, this is just for landing and gives plenty of authority for landing flare which is lacking with 8mm

Flight mode 3 is for launch and is as mode 1 but with 3mm up trim, it gets away well for a self launch with no power, then throttle to full immediately after launch, the trim gives plenty of time to get the launching hand onto the elevator.

My cg ended up bang in the plan location around 152mm from the back of the motor bulkhead.

The biggest issue some had from yesterday was landing too hot. I found from flat out, throttle right off into wind over the strip and fly a wide circuit with no power on, it takes this long to bleed the speed off! A couple of times I needed a little power to stretch the glide, but generally it glided all the way in. I saw some people trying to approach with power on and landing at around 3-4 times stall speed. This results in a touched wing tip and cartwheel, it is vital to get the speed right off and land fully flared.

It is a great little model, very fast but docile at low speed and as Kevin has said the group build process has been a lot of fun, I can't believe how many views this thread has had!

simondean wrote: Thanks for the help yesterday from Jon,Mike and Kevin . Successful maiden and first solo flight, Fun to fly but will need to watch landing speeds as I came in too hot but lucky to get no damage. Take off was easy with a good launcher but will have to master solo launch. As Mike said , with a few up at same time will be fun.

Simon - re difficulties in program mix 1 to enable a launch up trim bias. - Subsequent to discovering the elevon plug orientation it might be worthwhile trying that mix again to see if both elevons will now deflect.

Kevin

Not sure with Futaba, but with JR you have to select 'include mix' to transfer the mix to both servos, either that or set up 2 seperate mixes, one for each surface.

JonTappin wrote: Not sure with Futaba, but with JR you have to select 'include mix' to transfer the mix to both servos, either that or set up 2 seperate mixes, one for each surface.

Simons Futaba works totally different to my old 35mhz Futaba in which case you had to include a LINK to apply a mix to two servos.

We tried to duplicate the first mix in a second mix but it appeared that having allocated a specific switch to the first mix, you could not select the same switch to a second mix. - guess you can't beat progress

I had the same thought Kevin. As the servos are now correctly working I will spend a bit of time trying to set up a mix for launch and landing as Jon suggested .

Nice one Guy's,looks like you had a good day on Saturday

Pete

Servos and receiver en route, parcel from HK will be picked up tomorrow. If it all comes tomorrow and I can get it done, then I hope to maiden on Wednesday. Looks beautiful. If that plan fails then consortium model it is

Hope to get more flights with mine on Wed - see you there

Make sure you employ Jons trim recommendations especially the additional up trim for hand launch & landing