What to choose for a noob?

[3DGE 540]

I know you said it's not the hinges but im wondering what hinges you are using?

[Rotary R/C]

I'm using fiber hinges. I took it to the club presidents house and found that it appeared the balsa had swelled just enough at the hinge to cause the binding. I ended up taking a butter knife and resting it between the aileron and TE of the wing against the hinge and working the aileron to flaten the balsa a bit, seems to have done the trick.

He had a saito 180 dirt cheap (USD150.00) with prop and aluminum spinner, so I bought for this season. I wanted to go with the os 160 right away but since I'm also looking for a 9cap and some digital servos this deffinately helps my budget


Marc

[Rotary R/C]

Here's a pic of the build so far (actually, I now have the engine mounted and the cowl cut)

It's an ARF though, so I can only take credit for screwing the wings on properly

[hillmanr2]

..

[Rotary R/C]

Hey guys,

I'm back again after a little break. The Giles was test flown last Thursday. What a nice plane! Very responsive even on the low rates. I did buy a 9cap for it (best decision I made yet and it was cheap, USD180). I put an Saito 180 in it and the engine runs real nice and starts easy (semi hand me down engine, price was right).

I just can't get it to pull a vertical climb out! she'll climb about 50 feet straight upand then just hover at full throttle. I'm thinking of trying an 18x6 or 17x6 prop, I currently have a 16x8 on her with 15% fuel. Any thoughts for props?


Thanks
Marc

[Rotary R/C]

Well, turns out my vertical problem was a fuel tubing leak at the carb, she was going lean on me. Lots of power now. She pulls very strong with unlimited climb. Left aileron servo failed on a snap roll though. Brought her in in one piece, but what a pain in the a$$, only three flights on her. Warranty.

[Rotary R/C]

After another long break (saving up for better servos) my plane is almost ready to fly, again....It's tough to scrounge up cash and build it right when your an apprentice so I haven't flown her in a year. Wife and mortgage won that round, but I think she'll be reliable now

As it stands it's the TT Gilles 202 1.20 powered by the Saito 1.80 on 15% Heli cool power turning an APC 18x6W prop. I did buy better servos for her. I went with the 5645 on the rudder and 5625s on on the other four surfaces. The Saito has the OS Surpass muffler (not sure why, bought it used that's what it came with...) and not sure if it's good or bad since this is my first saito. While the plane was down I did retune the engine and checked/adjusted the valve lash. Runs very nice but idle still a bit iffy. So she goes back up this wednesday and I'll spend the rest of the week retuning and remixing...

Wish me luck