Ross Clarkson Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 So, I eventually managed to maiden her today and confirmed a fact i was always aware of, aircraft DO NOT like flying tail heavy. I set her all up, taxied about a little, pre-checked everything and committed to flight. My jubilation in the fact that the retracts coped beautifully with the terrain was short lived. As soon as she lifted off, she wanted to bank right and was very nose up! To be honest i thought i had lost her instantly but managed to coax some altitude at a reasonable angle of attack. However, she was an absolute pig to fly, note i speak in the past tense! I needed full rudder with aileron to get any decent tidy turn and the continuous nose up attitude meant she was doomed from the start and i knew it. Full down elevator trim did nothing. I managed to keep her airborne for about 4-5 minutes and that was just to prolong things really as i knew what the outcome was going to be. As i turned crosswind she suddenly snapped and stalled left wing down and disappeared behind the tree line. I had managed to level the wings with a nose down pitch before she disappeared but once she had disappeared behind the trees there was nothing i could do. I assume i tried to pull up with power which probably compounded things and resulted in another stall and the dreaded BIG BANG!! I actually for a split second thought i had got away with it and it wasn't going to be as bad as i thought until i heard the bang. A short walk around the trees to the adjacent field confirmed my fears, aircraft destroyed and in several pieces. GUTTED, my second ever crash, first on maiden flight. Now, i am 100% sure the CofG incorrectly balanced was the main factor in the crash, obviously compounded by a pilot who couldn't control such a model under those circumstances. It says 75mm back from the wing root in the manual and this is what i set. It seemed perfect so i am shell shocked it was so tail heavy, especially as all the heavy stuff is up the nose. I am also aware that the ESC placed on the right side probably had a say in the fact she wanted to bank right, but that was manageable. Oh well, i suppose that's a risk we take whilst applying power and taking a huge breath whilst your model on its maiden pops in to the air. Pics to follow sometime soon.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Hargreaves - Moderator Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Oh Ross.....I am SO sorry for you mate.....what a way to go!!! She looked stunning too!!! Very frustrating especially as it seems that the given CoG was wrong. It just shows how important the CoG is....check & check again but if its been given incorrectly by the manufacturer what can you do?? That said 75mm sounds about right to me....I wonder where other pilots have set theirs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart-W Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Hi Ross sorry to hear the bad news. Not that its much consolation I set my CG as per the manual and although not the easiest of models to fly she fly's ok. Could the LIPO have shifted on take off ? Stuart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Ah Ross - I'm almost as gutted as you must be! Sincere commiserations, mate...... Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Clarkson Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 Well i put velcro on the battery and on the battery compartment floor so with that and a battery strap i was hoping it wouldnt although i cant confirm it didnt. One thing i did note was that the model weighed more than i thought it was going to weigh, although i didnt check its final weight. Still, on a positive note i managed to get 4 x 10min flights in with the Parkzone Extra 300. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Ross that's really bad news mate. And after you've lavashed so much care on a smashing installation. Sometimes I fear that instruction manuals are written before the model is ever flown and the CoG figure give is a glorified guess in some cases! Easy to be wise after the event but with ARTF's its often worth erring on the safe side and putting the CoG a little further forward than they suggest - afterall as the old saying goes: "nose heavy, flies badly; tail heavy, flies once"! My Sbach is a case in point - CoG on the recomended spot and you have a tiger by the tail. I ended up with it a good 20-30mm further forward and she's by no means nose heavy! Gutted for you - but glad to see the old PZ Extrra is still going strong for you - great little model. I still have mine, but she's looking a little "battle scared" these days! BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksboy Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Ross, Sorry to see read the bad news, I'm sure that I used 75mm back from the leading edge on mine, I'll have to check it. Are there any salvageable bits for mine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Clarkson Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 Thanks guys. @ Bucksboy. Maybe, but i haven't given up on her yet, i fully intend on making her fly again, somehow!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksboy Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Good for you, mine is nearing the return, there's a lot more epoxy and superglue involved. I've waited for a friend to re make the adaptor that screws to the front of the motor, it was bent in my crash (the battery became undone and ejected itself, the bits spirralled down slowly breaking various bits) That arrived yesterday so now I'll try again! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Nah, 'tis nowt but a scratch, Ross..... A bit of encouragement here and here... Pete ps hot water reinflates crushed foam and Gorilla Glue fills the inevitable gaps.... Edited By Pete B - Moderator on 18/07/2013 17:35:17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart-W Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Hi Ross you can get just the Air frame http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=37346 (other shops are available ) Stuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Reynolds LaserCraft Services Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Very unlucky Ross I do hope she flies again.I did read somewhere that the underwing missiles etc do cause quite a bit of drag and also upset the airflow to the wing. Maybe that was a contribution to whst happened?As far as CofG goes mine is set as per the manual and flew great at this plus it was never flew with missiles attached mainly becsuse our strip is rough and I didn't want to lose them. I personally never got to fly mine becsuse the retract broke on the maiden andher second flight (myfirst) she stalled on take off due to low airspeed. She Iis now nearly ready for attempt number 3.A few battle scars won't do any harm you'll soon have her airborn again I'm sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Clarkson Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 All good stuff guys and some great tips, one day she will fly again. Its funny you should say that Dylan, sadly last night in bed i was thinking of this and once i fix her i will be leaving them off initially. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Clarkson Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Ok, so damage report isn't actually as bad as i thought at first, that's my optimistic head on. I have checked all the servos and they seem to have survived and are operating as normal. One wing is completely in tact whilst the other one appears to be fixable without too many issues. The wing strengthener is very fixable and to be honest i think the prop is too. The main areas i think i will have a problem with are the nose and cowling. I am however determined to get her flying again. Also, same as bucksboy my prop adapter is bent but may be able to get someone at work to re-work a piece like that. Certainly not defeated, yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Clarkson Posted July 28, 2013 Author Share Posted July 28, 2013 Hi, After much deliberation, I have taken the decision to break this model down rather than fix her. Mainly as I just dont have the time to spend on the re-build. I will keep the airframe for future use unless anybody else wants her for spares. I am going to sell the servos, ESC and linkages etc.. To be totally honest as well, i think this model may have been just that little step too much for me. I have already purchased my next one, a Kyosho Calmato ST EP 1400. If anybody wants any spares or things included (apart from Rx) let me know. Cheers and thanks for all the help, Ross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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