Adrian Smith 1

Looking at the end point ranges. In my test flights the elevator which is set at 30mm +/- and rudder at 40 mm +/- seemed fine for early flight testing. However, the ailerons at +/- 20 mm didn't seem to be enough. I am going to increase the throw here to 30 +/- and see what happens. I dug out a couple of bits of kit to make sure the working surfaces precisely doing what I wanted using the radio's computer settings. Given that the main wings are a symmetrical pattern it will be a simple job to fit the throw gauge to the main wings with the rubber base block equidistant from the trailing edge. this should, hopefully, tell me accurately whether the full length ailerons are exactly in the neutral position to start with. I will probably do the same with the elevators and at the same time check up/down measurements of the throw limits. While I am at it I am going to check the wing incidences with this- There is no information on this being at ARTF, but at least I would like to know what they are by levelling the fuselage using a spirit level. More on that later. I am a bit dubious about changing too many variables at one time so I am thinking I may only change the propeller after this bit of testing. Incidentally I did run the motor without the prop after the programming box adjustments and noticed a big difference in motor rotation. I will also put my inline ammeter on to see how many amps I am pulling, although on the ground it will not tell the real position as to when the prop unwinds in the air.

Now to start on the serious fine tuning. First job is to go into the Hobbywing OPTO ESC with my programming box. I began with the timing setting. The available range is 0-30 degrees with 30 degrees being the highest. The ESC is still on the default setting of 15 degrees. I decided to adjust this upwards to 22 degrees. While this will increase the motor output somewhat there are two things to be aware of. Firstly, this will mean a reduction in duration (not sure how much until I test it) and will be accompanied by a slight whining noise at the higher throttle settings which is something I have encountered before. Clicking through the other fixed wing settings I decided to increase the start up force. The range is 1-7 with a default at 3. I increased this to 5. Those were the two things I chose to alter as they have a direct bearing on performance. Next on to the working surfaces.

Thanks, Peter. I think I will start there just to be sure before I look at everything else.

I know how you feel GG. It'll be gloves this weekend! 🥶

Nah, 50cc size powered electrically! 😀

Maidened my electric Capiche 50cc today. A bit cold and I had to watch my finger action as I could see the feeling beginning to suffer. see the link below. https://forums.modelflying.co.uk/index.php?/topic/52940-weston-uk-capiche-50cc-revisited/page/7/&tab=comments#comment-979816 At least I got her down safely after 3 flights 😅

DEBRIEF. First my impressions are that she is lacking forward power/speed. She has a tendency to roll out of an upright bunt while in the roll she has a habit of dropping out. Loops are fine, knife needs a bit more control than some of my other models but not too onerous and she almost flat spins upright so a bit of work there is needed. My first thought is to try a higher pitch prop and swap out the 24x8 to a 23x12 which I also have ready. The only trim needed to start with was 3 clicks of up elevator with nothing else touched. The motor ESC /combo/ power packs are the same as my other 50cc aerobat jobs although it must be noted she has quite a long body moment for her class (discovered when I tried to put her in my trailer!). I did wonder about the servos capacity/rating. My other 50 cc planes have Magregor 7232HV servos rated at 31kg where as the ones in the Capiche are MG5921HV which are 20kg at the highest voltage. Looking at the manual The aileron recommendations are for Hitec HS 5625MG which look completely inadequate at 9.4kg torque at the highest voltage! The two elevators are recommended at HS7955TG which rate at 24kg which is much better. I did find that the rudder servo screws needed tightening up as did the servo horn, but not a big deal. She also weather cocks quite strongly more so than my other 50cc aircraft. The other thing to check is the neutral alignment of the full length ailerons as I did this by eye which is not Ideal, so I am looking for a piece of kit that will do this for me accurately. The elevators are not full length and therefore easier to do. Much thought to be had, but at least something to get my teeth into ........

Well, the morning dawned for the maiden. A bit chilly, but at least the wind was about 4-6mph down the strip. I bit dull although the sun was threatening to show itself. Checklist for the pilot - bicycle clips .. tick, nuts and bolts checked ...tick, flappy bits all in the right sense .......tick. Off we go. https://youtu.be/41Xe18Ue2fU A short video of the maiden which I curtailed a bit due to shall be say her slightly wayward tendencies. You would have thought I would have mastered takeoff by now! Anyway I had two further flights and some attention is required. Debrief follows in the next post.

Looks like it, Peter. https://sussex-model-centre.co.uk/products/cml-extreme-40-51-2-st-53-91-4-st

The Capiche went back on the jig + batteries with the CoG template measuring at 230mm (225-240mm is the starting range). She balanced there with 4oz resting on the nose. Off came the prop and cowl to allow me to bolt the weight to the motor box. I did blue thread lock the nut, but it will be easy enough the remove/add a smaller weight after I have flown her. Back up on the rig. Just a tad nose down, but that will do for starters. All I need to do now is check all bolts and fixings for tightness .........

I started off on the Fly Boy. Two flights in and I crashed it irrevocably. I think it said more about my ability, or lack of it, rather than the plane itself!

Sounds good to me, Peter. In this case it might be best to leave well alone!

Yeah. I was out this morning and it was pretty cold although the wind was barely 5mph in Suffolk first thing. Better that the the infernal rain. 😃

Thanks, Peter. When I get a run of days in the work shop I am toying with the idea to check and see if there is some inadvertent down thrust in the motor which causes the need for up elevator trim. I am a bit dubious about it purely because when I close the throttle on finals there is no ballooning in fact she she keeps a nice line. I am not a one for tinkering too much, but it will be interesting to measure if there is any down thrust at all which I don't think should be present given the pure aerobatic nature of the plane (only side thrust) . As I have noted previously given the ARTF nature of the aircraft altering wing incidences is not a place I wish to go. Additionally, I have noted that the CoG if anything is a bit rearward. I am not going to stress about it too much as she is a treat to fly even given the trim dialled in.

Where's those darn Spitfires when you need 'em! 😃

Just a bit of a debrief after flying the GW Slick 91" for 20+hours. Firstly the 26x10 prop works well with the Dualsky GA8000 motor. The vertical performance is excellent with good power. The larger diameter/low pitch allows for better slowing capabilities, not withstanding I need to keep more than my usual throttle on to stop the possible stall. I am still having to fly it with some up trim on the elevator, but I have just learnt to deal with it and this doesn't affect my overall enjoyment of just "getting out there to fly". 😀

Lots of examples on YouTube, Peter.

One footnote to finishing the assembly. I drilled out my other test prop this morning. As it's 23x12 the prop hub is understandably somewhat deeper than my "go to" 23x8. This means the prop driver bolts which come with motor are not long enough for safety at 45mm M5. In my bolts spares box I found four 55mm M5 bolts which fit the bill and will be used when I change the props. I will also have take a bit more off the spinner cone where the prop fits.

I managed to spend a little time in the work shop ostensibly to make sure everything is battened down ready for storm Ciaran. I did have time to drill out the spinner back plate and fit the prop. 24x8 is my starting point. I had to replace the spinner M5 bolt for a longer one which in this case was a 55mm length one. I have a 23x12 on the bench that the hub needs drilling out. Thank goodness for having a drill press - what a great piece of kit that is. When the storm had passed us by, hopefully I will be able make the final adjustments/checks and report back before the maiden.

I see. Just purely an observation the Capiche 50cc doesn't seem to be over-engineered compared to some I have owned (Pilot RC for instance), although I am trying to keep the weight down as much as possible. I accept that compared to the very modern 3Ders like Extreme Flight and SkyWing, the Weston Capiche 50cc comes out heavier despite having what I consider to be a narrow fuselage compared to some on the market today.

Crikey, Peter I don't know how I missed this thread. Very interesting from start to finish 👍

Thanks, Peter. My flight packs of choice (5.8A 6s x2) and weigh around 1.6kg. The one piece of latitude I have is the space to move them further back as the extended platform goes aft by some way. I know when I did my initial CoG check with the internals roughly in place I required another 4oz of weight within the motor box. whether this is the case will be seen when I do the final check. I am sure, given the nature of the model I will be able to get away with a rearward CoG as long as it not too much. As you say flight testing will reveal all! I will see if I can find you Anthem build on here to view your arrangement.

The Hobbywing ESC 160 HV OPTO I have weighs around 10 oz, and whilst not particularly scientific, leaves me with nearly 10 oz of shortfall in the comparative power plants.

In a navel gazing moment I thought I would compare the weights of the recommended 50 cc petrol engine (DLE/DA) including ignition & muffler and my electric motor set up. The petrol package weighs around 54 oz, which is what the Capiche was designed for, while my Dualsky 50 cc electric equivalent motor is 35 oz before ESC which is strapped under the motor box. I am not sure of the ESC weight (I will check it) , but it easy easy to see why I am having to load as much weight to the front as possible to get anywhere near the correct CoG........ That said I still think she is a good subject for electrification.

Same process for the throttle lead on the other side encased in protective tubing. Next I removed the choke and throttle servo cut out pillars and refitted the lipos. All good. Next I tested the motor again without the prop and all was well thankfully. Back on with the cowl and with me being a happy bunny. Really now I am not too far from thinking about the maiden. The only things left to do are to drill out the spinner base plate to accommodate the prop driver bolts re-check the CoG and if necessary slightly reduce the elevator throws if she is still a bit tail heavy.