Steven Butler

Hi Ross   Is the Yak all finished now?  Not heard anything for a while.  I hope its still going well mate.  The weather down in Kent has been rubbish for flying at the moment so still on the sim.   Steve

Thanks for the replies. I guess they would both work well. Surprised that normal electrical solder would hold whilst in tension like that but you lives and learns Steve

Hi,   I have recently constructed a seagull model that employed M3 threaded bar for the control surfaces (threaded each end and with clevises screwed in and secured with an M3 bolt)   I decided that having now bought a couple of 2nd hand planes that required some 'improvement' shall we say to invest in a selection of common linkage fixings and bolts.  I have now got a selection and have bought some z bend pliers that make perfect z bends in the M2 rods that are threaded one end only (one end metal clevis and one z bend into servo horn).    The question I have is based on the fact that the z bend pliers will not bend the M3 rods.  So if the M3 rods are not threaded both ends for clevises and cannot be bent to a 'Z' what is the common correct method for attaching the non threaded end to a servo?   I apologise if this is a real basic question but would be intrigued in the answer.   All the best   Steve

Hi   I am still a rank amateur at flying having solo'ed today (muddy wet and windy) on an alpha 40.  Have built a ARTF seagull Yak 54 but will not be flying until much more practiced  What is the date/location for this RCM&E fly in as this site has been a great resource (yes I am a subscriber now as well) and would like to attend.   Steve

Glad the engine install went well Ross.  Where did you get the spinner from (what make etc)  it looks so good as I currently have the supplied red one (not good)

I guess the third filler valve is necessary on cowled models as you cannot get to the fuel line to the carb to fill without removing the cowl.  I have fitted a metal collar that attaches to the cowl from both sides then put the filler line through this and used a proper bung to perevent leakage.   Steve

Well done Ross that is looking fantastic.  I have been practicing on the sim with various aerobatic models and have scaled a yak 54 to this specification for now.  Looking forward to hearing about your first flight.  Did the throttle servo position cause any problems with this engine (as I had to use the two stroke mounting position to work with the sc 120 and still make a minor adjustment)   All the best   Steve

well thanks for all the answers my tail restraint will be here this week and hopefully it will be fine   steve

Thanks guys Looks like the one on bay is the same guy who sells via the bmfa. Anyhow I have now placed an order Steve

Hi Could someone let me know the correct term for the screw in device for holding the tail of the plane when ground running (not your mate standing with legs akimbo over your model thanks). Also a link to where I could get one would be great. Thanks Steve

Ross   Sorry too late for pictures as she has maidened.  Went to the club today with the yak where some experienced members gave my build a thorough once over and got the nod of approval which pleased me as I had never built a plane before.   The SC120 FS engine ran perfectly (still rich as its new) and all the control surface movements were reduced for the first flight (the elevator is particularly fierce and was reduced to 40% travel)  Did the range check and it was time for the yak to take to the air.   Taxied, throttle up and she was away.  Paul then did a little trimming before putting her through her paces.  WOW what a fantastic aeroplane.  Very well behaved easy to control at low speed and then the engine cut.  No problem the yak simply glided down for a beautiful dead stick landing.   A couple of minor engine adjustments, some more fuel and she was back in the air for a great second flight.  The engine sounded fantastic and will give loads more power after run in.  I am sorry I did not do a build blog now but as a novice I did not want anyone copying me if I messed something up.  Shame really as it would have been nice to have a photo record for my own use.  Maybe next time eh   Anyhow if anyone wants to build a fantastic 90 size aerobatic model I would not hesitate to point them in the direction of this model.  The quality for the money is superb (120 quid)   I now need to spend many more hours on the sim and set up the buddy box to learn to fly my own Yak.   Best of luck for the rest of your build and thanks to those of you that have helped me with the build and set up.   Steve

No the tx would go to 125 % in both directions but the servo would stop travelling at 44%. Very strange indeed but thankfully it's all working now. Happy new year Steve

definitely AR 6200 (six channel) AR500 (five channel)   As I have both of these being used on my two models   Steve

Frank and Chris   I had set up mix one as you suggested but the problem was that even with 100% settings the servo only moved 44% (ie it would adjust as you changed the values but refused to move after 44% value inputted)   I was very confused with this and am just grateful  have found a working solution.     Steve

The ailerons are on a Y lead   Steve

pinto  wasp webbit

Well Ross   I am built, the electrics are all installed, engine has run and apart from a full once over tomorrow morning and engine tune I am going to take it to the club so the chairman can take it up for a maiden flight.  I may even have a go myself on the buddy box if I am able to contain my nerves.   Good luck with the rest of the build   Steve

Thanks for all your help guys.  I did it in the end by using the flap channel in the end (the reason the aileron lifted was due to me having another mix activated).    I am not going to mess with it now as it is all working  and I want it to maiden tomorrow at the club.    There is a steep learning curve indeed with this hobby but what I have learnt building the yak is certainly invaluable.   Hopefully I can post tomorrow with a glowing report of my new pride and joy.   Steve

I have also tried mixing the elevator into the flap channel and it works BUT when I input elevator controls the aileron moves AARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Hi again I have received an excellent response explaining how to mix the elevator settings so I can run my dual elevators using the gear channel.   I have successfully set the system up except one niggling problem   I  have got them mixed and working in the correct direction but I only have full movement in one direction ie pull the stick back and both elevators come up together and have full throw.   However if I push the stick forward the elevator connected to the elevator channel travels fully but the elevator connected to the slave channel (gear) only moves a fraction before stopping.  I have held the stick in the required direction and adjusted the settings in the mix one channel which has both positive and negative values to select the required servo direction.  The elevator moves has full throw one way (the wrong way) but will only move in the correct direction until the value on the up mix hits 44%.  The servo then fails to respond to any further adjustments to the setting giving a greatly reduced throw.   I have checked the following   Servo in the centred position trim settings all in the middle swopped servos over and both work fine on the elev channel but not on gear tried mixing the elev with rudd and can then get the elevators to work fine (but need to mix to the gear channel)    Also is there any way of disabling the gear switch as I dont fancy knocking it mid flight and giving one half of the elevator full throw with disasterous resultsEdited By Steven Butler on 31/12/2010 08:03:05

Guys, as always there is someone willing to help on this forum.  Thankyou for the replies, I will have her sorted in no time.  I do have the manual but I have found some of it to be a little confusing for an amateur and usually find that people explain things better than manual writers especially for a novice like myself   SteveEdited By Steven Butler on 31/12/2010 06:23:20

Ok thanks

Hi all   I am currently training with my alphe 40 but have almost finished building my Yak 54.  I am going to try and use two channels for the elevators that are in two halves instead of using a Y Lead.    Ross Clarkson has sent me some info he got from Timbo but I am still a novice and have only set up my controller very simply on the alpha 40.   What I am really after is a bit of a step by step guide to set up the electronics to achieve this if anyone can help.   Steve

The supplied tubes were plastic hence the breakage. Your reply is appreciated and helpful thankyou. Steve

Hi all   I am currently learning on an alpha 40 and building a yak 54 (to be flown in the summer when deemed competent by the club)   I have a couple of queries as I have managed to confuse myself when building the fuel tank.   There are three pipes into the tank   1) fuel supply to carb (cut and normal silicon fuel line attached to brass weight fuel pick up).  is normal fuel tube ok as I am thinking that when the plane is travelling directlly down the fuel weight will remain at the rear of the tank due to the fact the fuel tube cannot bend to the front of the tank and therefore will only suck air - I am wondering if this is normal though as I guess they will only be going directly down for a very short time.   2) Vent - Bent up at 45 degrees as per instructions - I assume this is the pipe that is then attached to the exhaust as a pressure line   3) fuel filler - I obviously know what this is for but where does it attach to on the model/engine.  is this tube sim.ply left hanging outside the cowl in order to fuel the model without having to remove the cowl   Also I managed to break the fuel fill pipe about 1/2 inch from the bung - I have attached a small piece of silicon fuel tube to it |  (is this likely to be ok to leave like this)     Obviously on the alpha it is easy to fuel the model through the carb tube as the engine is easily accessed due to not having a cowl.   Sorry for all the questions early on - got myself confused.   Steve