37% Ultimates

[smokin]

i like both your airframe and your powersystem decisions! we have the pau ulty with an eq6 in her and it is about the best flying rig you can get for that investment! keep it up... you'll love it!

[castlebravo]

Well, mine is almost done and will probably maiden this weekend if the PNW weather gods see fit. So far they are smiling (probably that awning I sacrificed during the snow storms!) I will try to post some pics tonight when I get back to the redneck ranch house.
Before we start singing praises.....there are a few items that have put a burr under my saddle. They are all pretty minor and I'm sure when I fly this thing they will seem inconsequential but hey......if you dont hear the negative feedback.....you dont know what to fix
1. The hardware........where the he!! did this stuff come from? It doesnt fit any allen wrench. If people are replacing it....why include it? Just provide a list of what is required.
2. The instructions (not included with airplane, I had to download and print) are minimal at best. Sometimes they refer to items that are done at the factory but aren't.....such as the wing tube holes. Not a big deal but for someone not accustommed....its a surprise. The instructions show a picture of the plywood tabs for the inter wing struts but make no mention of them. I also had to grind down two of these tabs to make the strut fit flush.
3. This is a gripe I have with all ARF Mfg instructions..........Mounting the engine should be the first thing in the instructions.....not mounting landing gear or tail components! How many times do you have to twist and turn that fuse to mount the engine? When you got the tail and gear mounted....all you're doing in banging those items up!
4. I was concerned about the "Gap" under the cowl but now that everything is together I guess it doesnt look that bad. Not as scale as it should be though.
5. Paint lines on cowl dont line up with monocote. Just a little off but still.....
6. Wing bolts in the bottom of the wings just asking for gravity to do its work. They could easily be engineered so they mount into the tops of the wing while being flush. They would also be accesible without getting your knees dirty.

See......just a few minor complaints. Certainly nothing that is a show stopper. Just remember before you blast me......The manufacturers would not change a thing if nobody brought up the issues.
By the way, I went with a new in the box DA 100. Santa was really good this year! He got me a new airplane, a new DA100, and a new 12FG. Already flew my 50cc edge and Sukhoi on it and I love it. Cant wait for the weekend!

Chris Elliott
OMAS/Dusters

[smokin]

those are all realistic and well placed comments! i do assure you that you'll long forget about each and every one when you get your bird in the air! we too thought that the fit of the cowl (underside) was a bit weird. the screws used (almost all of them) we went ahead and replaced right away. we most always dump the china screws due to the imperfections in their metalergy. a couple of our ailerons were pretty well warped and we really had to iron such to get them back to acceptable. BUT.... with all of that said, i still believe this to be the best $649 we have spent for a bird this size. ours is powered by an old style 3W 100 on reg muffs and it is an absolute beast! the power to weight ratio is nothing short of spectacular!

when you have concerns about the PAU products... just call PAU and talk to Herve the owner and he really will make you happy! the customer service i received from him was second to none!

i own a small car dealership and each time i sell a used vehicle i give the same speech....

"please don't judge me by whether or not you have any issues with the product you are buying from me.... judge me by how i handle your issues!" ..... i really believe that herve and PAU have the same philosophy!

good luck and happy flying!

matt

[rrandal1]

Castlebravo -

A local Eh? Well, almost.

I have a BME Ulti and I fly out at Molalla with MOLRCA.

We've only got a few visits to the field with mine but I absolutely love it and hope that as I get more comfortable it will get even better!

I agree with most of the issues. My largest grip was the cowl fit and it bugged me enough that I went ahead and re-engineered it. Mine is setup with DA-100 power.

I'm not a 3-d pilot, but my favorite thing about this plane is how it slows when you come off the throttle. We're talking hammerheads to a landing - like you throw a parachute out the back.

Guess I'm not the only guy around in Oregon with one of these bad boys now! If you ever got out to Molalla on a Sunday let me know and I'll bring mine out.

[castlebravo]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rrandal1
	Castlebravo - A local Eh? Well, almost. I have a BME Ulti and I fly out at Molalla with MOLRCA. We've only got a few visits to the field with mine but I absolutely love it and hope that as I get more comfortable it will get even better! I agree with most of the issues. My largest grip was the cowl fit and it bugged me enough that I went ahead and re-engineered it. Mine is setup with DA-100 power. I'm not a 3-d pilot, but my favorite thing about this plane is how it slows when you come off the throttle. We're talking hammerheads to a landing - like you throw a parachute out the back. Guess I'm not the only guy around in Oregon with one of these bad boys now! If you ever got out to Molalla on a Sunday let me know and I'll bring mine out.

Great to hear from ya! I love the Molalla field....its a great place!. I've been out there a couple of times to compete in the IMAC contest (Basic) and plan on comming out again this year. I would fly there more often but its so durned far from Hillsboro. I'm the current Prez out at OMAS in Banks. I think we have the best field around........450' asphalt runway....heated clubhouse....and a 6 acre lake to fly float planes off of. Yes it is a little challenging with the lake off one approach end and the orchard at the other but all these things just make us better pilots (us in general.....not us specifically)! I also extend the invitation........anytime your over on the west side.....come on out and fly with us!

Smokin,
I agree with you 100%. Its not the mistakes.........its how you handle them. Like I said, all my issues were minor and were things a experienced modler would take in stride. You're also correct in that at $650.......its still an incredible deal.
I feel for you and your dealership in these times. I know here in Oregon....Auto Dealerships are fallin like Jenga Blocks. I hope you have figured out a way to minimize the impact of the financial crisis. People think its the car industry at fault...........but when you cant get a loan......you cant buy a car. Anyway, thanks for the reply and good luck to you!

Chris Elliott
OMAS/Dusters

[sweetpea]

SOOOOOOOOO what everyone is saying is that we need an unoffical Biplane Flyin!


I vote for day 2 of the Whatcom Warbird Fly-In. (gives me time to finish mine)

[sweetpea]

DP--deleted

[Flyfalcons]

	Quote: Originally Posted by castlebravo
	3. This is a gripe I have with all ARF Mfg instructions..........Mounting the engine should be the first thing in the instructions.....not mounting landing gear or tail components! How many times do you have to twist and turn that fuse to mount the engine? When you got the tail and gear mounted....all you're doing in banging those items up!

Mounting the landing gear is the first thing I do to an ARF fuselage. It keeps the covering off the ground, protecting it from scratches or accidentally setting on a tool you left on the bench. Fortunately with most ARFs these days you can pretty much build the plane in the order you want.

[Oilsands]

Yes I had the same issues with the allen head bolts, but not a big deal. Before I glued the tabs down into the wings I made sure they fit, found two that did not. Checked the holds and cleaned out both of some foam, but one still need a little trim to make it fit. Again not a big deal. The holes for holding the wings and stabs I like to drill myself, that way I can make sure that the wings fit tight up against the fuse. I too, like the idea of putting the main gear on before anything else for the reason stated in a previous post. I was going to assembly the firewall, but when I made sure the bottom wing was level (0 incidence), one side was and the other was not. This was due to having the struts assembled on one side and the other was in place but not tightened up. So IMO, you have to make sure the wings are fully assembled with the flying wires before assembly of the firewall, that way both wings should be level. The directions are still easy to follow. For those that are brand new and putting this plane or any other plane together, regardless of manufactor, should seek help from a more experienced builder.

[castlebravo]

I may have just run into a real drag of a problem. Not airframe related but I just connected my Ailerons for the first time to the new reciever and they flutter quite a bit and are intermittent. These are Hitech 5955's that I purchased about a year ago for my Sukhoi. They ran fine with my 617 reciever. I have heard that some older digital servos didnt like the the new 6014 reciever. Does this sound like the issue? Dang....I didnt budget in 4 new aileron servos. Maybe I could run a 617 in a dual reciever setup on just ailerons.......wait, I have a Match box..........Ya think this will work?

Chris

[Flyfalcons]

Chris, the 6014 has a lower signal output voltage than the 617 and 608; 2.7V versus 3V. From what I understand, you can send the Hitecs in to Hitec for a free software upgrade so that they will work with the 6014. Another option is to run a power expander, which will increase the signal voltage to the servos. Are you running Y-harnesses on the aileron servos, or one servo into each channel?

[castlebravo]

Running a Y on each side with the thought of being able to dial in differential if needed. Running a 617 at the same time wont work.......FASST 7ch vs FASST Multi. I'm gonna see if the matchbox works for now......it would be as if they were all on a Y harness. A power expander would be less expensive than 4ea. 7955's. Do you know if the servo software can be updated from the programmer? Choices Choices........unfortunately all of them long or expensive for wanting to get into the air this weekend!

Chris