PAU 36% Edge 540 Build

[gdryer]

I have witnessed 3 wing failures for the PAU Edge and in all cases the planes (in my opinion) were not being flown unreasonably hard. In two out of the 3 cases the planes broke during the same IMAC snap manuever. In all cases the pattern of broken pieces looked very similar and it appeared that the glue joints failed.

I am not an expert but statistally these planes seem to have a high failure rate in the North West. I base this on the fact that I have not heard of any other in-flight wing failures at NW IMAC events this year.

[Major_Smackdown]

	Quote: Originally Posted by wylieruneyjr
	I will not allow anyone to say there is a problem with the design on this plane.

There is a problem with the design on this plane. (oops - I forgot you wouldn't allow that) Actually it's probably a quality control issue - It is, however, retarded to assume that because someone has a failure with an item that you have great success with that he is abusing or dis-respecting the item. So in turn - when you have a failure and other people aren't - then should it be assumed you're dis-respecting the product or abusing it ?

I saw Scott's wing come off, and it sure didn't seem like his snaps are any nastier than anyone elses... (I think mine are far more violent) I don't think that anyone will try to stop you from buying another airframe. PAU needs loyal customers to make up for folks like me who probably won't buy this particular model at least after seeing 2 failures myself in person.

The 'expert' witness does exist and he's a designer and kit producer of world renowned aircraft for many many years. His opinion is probably one worth nothing. His anonymity may not endure but it should be his decision whether or not to feed this frenzy.

Another point made by the 'mob' is totally moot and begs these questions:

Should safety only be of concern where there are crowds such as at contests ?
Is where a plane crashes as it fails predictable ?
Is the way in which it fails going to be exactly the same ?
And is the issue of safety different between the practice field and the contest field ? Of course it is - with a greater crowd of people and property and children running around - chances are far greater of an injury during the mishap.

I'm not really arguing with anyone here - just pointing out a few things that might have been overlooked. I don't own a PAU and have no stake in the company or any qualms with its stellar reputation. I was considering the purchase of this particular airframe but that has changed to not considering.

[Major_Smackdown]

Wayne, your avatar is spooky.

[Scotte 540]

I have had my say here (maybe too much) but we all get caught in the heat of the moment............I won't add anything more except I would like to say that Herve & Ken (PAU) are great people to deal with and have a good thing going with this business, their following and with any new prospective customers, that would buy any of their products, that I know they stand behind and are very proud of.........Nothing said should take away from this and I'm sure they will do what they feel is right and is in everyone's best interests and I sincerely hope this only helps, not hurts in any future with this or any other product line they sell..........Scott

[sweetpea]

I have not seen anyone loose a wing on this plane. I'm seriously looking at the 36% to replace my "not so true" 35% Edge I built years ago. I'm a few Franklin's short right now though.

While I see some people's concern.......at the same time I wonder how the plane(s) were flown prior to the failure in all the cases. A full throttle snap/wall/parachute etc puts tremendous stress on the plane that they are not designed for (or any plane on the market for that matter). These stresses could have caused failures well before the actual departure.

Its also a known fact that the wingtube issue was a cause and that was fixed promptly by the company. The 43% also had an issue that was fixed promptly by the company. I have no doubt Herve and Ken have wrung out the 36% planes and had wings inspected to be sure there is no structural issues.

As a side note.....there are far more instances of the H9 Su-26 and H9 260 coming apart and being reported online yet we see these in great amounts in IMAC........makes you wonder.

Heck I've seen more Daltons and Comp Arf's loose wings or delaminate than the PAU wings.


All this from a non sponsored IMAC/newbie to 3D pilot.

[Major_Smackdown]

	Quote: Originally Posted by sweetpea
	As a side note.....there are far more instances of the H9 Su-26 and H9 260 coming apart and being reported online yet we see these in great amounts in IMAC........makes you wonder...

Where are these "far more instances" you speak of ?

Makes you wonder what ?

If you buy the PAU edge, you'll just wish you had bought the H9 Extra 260.

[Major_Smackdown]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Scotte 540
	I have had my say here (maybe too much) ....

Don't feel bad Scott, you tried - you just had to find out the hard way that you know nothing, you abused your plane disrespected it and mistreated it, your wing didn't actually fail because Sweatpea didn't see it happen.... etc. etc.

[Cobra_03]

Wow! Marjor Smack Talker,

A little disgruntled are we? Geeze man.... I though this was a build thread for a PAU 36% Edge and not a bashing thread! I think your point has been made guy!

I have wanted this plane since it came out and have been following this thread since page one. Not once have I decided to shy away from the edge from what I have seen on this thread.
We had 5 PAU edge 540's at our field this weekend and after seeing them fly I'm sold. Despite all the PAU haters out there.

I'm waiting for my new DA100L then I'll be clicking the buy button on this airframe! Yeah Son!!

Major, this ones for you.....

YouTube - HANGER 9 35% EXTRA 260 AIRFRAME FAILURE

[sweetpea]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Major_Smackdown
	Where are these "far more instances" you speak of ? Makes you wonder what ? If you buy the PAU edge, you'll just wish you had bought the H9 Extra 260.

No I won't. I've watched the fuse of the H9 twist and fail on numerous planes in the SW. Also purple isn't my color. If I wanted another 260 I'd get the AW version. I've owned 2 and they were both rock solid. I am looking for something other than another 260 also H9 is overpriced IMHO.

Also I never said that anyones plane didn't fail because I didn't see it. By me not seeing it and the preceding flights I can only make assumptions for the reasons of the failure. IMHO I believe that most of the incidents are caused by overspeeding/stressing the airframe. It will be interesting to see if more planes of similar construction fail by the same pilots flying the same style.

[Major_Smackdown]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Cobra_03
	Wow! Marjor Smack Talker, A little disgruntled are we? Geeze man.... I though this was a build thread for a PAU 36% Edge and not a bashing thread! I think your point has been made guy! I have wanted this plane since it came out and have been following this thread since page one. Not once have I decided to shy away from the edge from what I have seen on this thread. We had 5 PAU edge 540's at our field this weekend and after seeing them fly I'm sold. Despite all the PAU haters out there. I'm waiting for my new DA100L then I'll be clicking the buy button on this airframe! Yeah Son!! Major, this ones for you..... YouTube - HANGER 9 35% EXTRA 260 AIRFRAME FAILURE

This has nothing to do with haters, this has to do with recognizing what appears to be an unsresolved issue. Try reading ALL the words.

Ya, I came across that video too - that was one I'd seen. I couldn't find anyone talking about the new ones or the "glue updated" wings failing. This discussion wasn't really about whether or not H9 extra wings would or could or have failed in droves - but the fact that PAU wings are failing left and right (haha) by their sponsored pilot(s) and they didn't have a clue why. Nor did they care to see the wreckage to try to determine why... and it happened again to the same guy after the wing tube length was to blame.

This has nothing to do with disgruntled - it has to do with my amazement that some people are so stubborn to hear about a problem with a brand they are a fan of. So be it. You can do what you want of course, but you shouldn't shoot the messenger when you don't like the news.

As far as the H9 goes - it flies awesome, it kicks butt on all types of 40% planes in competition, in all sorts of weather - it won the freestyle at Tucson, and there are about 6 of them flying in IMAC NW without any losses to wing failure - unlike the PAU which has had 2 flying in IMAC NW with 3 failures. Just math SON. You can do it too.... Sorry for the robbery, you can have your thread back now. I honestly do wish you luck with yours after you push the buy button.

[Major_Smackdown]

	Quote: Originally Posted by sweetpea
	No I won't. I've watched the fuse of the H9 twist and fail on numerous planes in the SW. Also purple isn't my color. If I wanted another 260 I'd get the AW version. I've owned 2 and they were both rock solid. I am looking for something other than another 260 also H9 is overpriced IMHO....

I was just kidding... but seriously. ha !

Try not to get me wrong - I was a big fan of this edge and would have been flying one now if there was a red version rather than the pale yellow. I'm just saying that with the evidence before me and the not so clear answers as to why they were busting up - I'll pass.

At 950 it's priced pretty fair now, at 1200 it was a little rough. Free shipping is easy to get at a retailer as well. Not much I can do about the purple though. Get your edge together and bring it to a contest and we can test out it's precision at least... (or bring whatever else you got if you think that'll help).

Anyhow you did say H9's were failing with far more instances - that's something I was waiting to see if you would backup rather than making generalizations of brand you're not a fan of.... and in being fair - in those instances what did horizon do for the customer ? Anyhow, good luck with it all. Really.

[tkapfer]

Meanwhile back at the ranch.....Since I am building this kit and am looking forward to flying it....

What is the wing tube length supposed to be?
Should I just dribble thin CA down around all those ribs I can get at to make sure it doesn't happen to me?
Has any of the wing problems happened with the current generations of this plane or has the problem been resolved?

Thanks