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crhammond · 11-04-2006, 07:54 PM

Conrad - I am building my first plane now - a 35% Radiowave Panzl.

I have had ARF's until now. Both my GP Cap 580 and my Aeroworks 75cc Yak are built as good or better than I would be able to myself. Niether of them required any trim, trust adjustment etc. I fly standard aerobatics - hardly any 3D. I fly sportsman... so I am not able to wring out a plane or trim it like someone with more experience. Both my big planes required almost no mixing for coupling or down lines and both flew hands off across the box without me ever touching the trims from the maiden flight. The covering on both is far far above my skill level.

I am building because:
1. I want to learn how

2. I want to make sure good glue is used and used everywhere... I have had some ARF's that are less than well glued (the GP Cap is one of those.)

3. I want to have some control over installing things like tubes for the wiring, adding in wiring hold downs, painting inside the fuse and selecting all the hardware; if I were a master builder I might be able to reduce weight too - for now I am building stock.

4. I want my own covering scheme

5. I can't afford a pro-build... well more like I can't afford to CRASH a pro build HA HA.

As far a I can tell the main extra tools needed are a LARGE good level surface, some aluminum angle, lots and lots of clamps (some big ones), larger sanding bars and a drill press. Plus lots more glue, sandpapaer, covering etc etc.

It requires lots of time, lots of patience and lots and lots of planning ahead... and I have yet to glue anything HA HA.

Chris.

11-04-2006, 07:54 PM	#2
crhammond IMAC ARD - Alberta, Canada Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Age: 42 Posts: 971	Re: To build or not to build.... Conrad - I am building my first plane now - a 35% Radiowave Panzl. I have had ARF's until now. Both my GP Cap 580 and my Aeroworks 75cc Yak are built as good or better than I would be able to myself. Niether of them required any trim, trust adjustment etc. I fly standard aerobatics - hardly any 3D. I fly sportsman... so I am not able to wring out a plane or trim it like someone with more experience. Both my big planes required almost no mixing for coupling or down lines and both flew hands off across the box without me ever touching the trims from the maiden flight. The covering on both is far far above my skill level. I am building because: 1. I want to learn how 2. I want to make sure good glue is used and used everywhere... I have had some ARF's that are less than well glued (the GP Cap is one of those.) 3. I want to have some control over installing things like tubes for the wiring, adding in wiring hold downs, painting inside the fuse and selecting all the hardware; if I were a master builder I might be able to reduce weight too - for now I am building stock. 4. I want my own covering scheme 5. I can't afford a pro-build... well more like I can't afford to CRASH a pro build HA HA. As far a I can tell the main extra tools needed are a LARGE good level surface, some aluminum angle, lots and lots of clamps (some big ones), larger sanding bars and a drill press. Plus lots more glue, sandpapaer, covering etc etc. It requires lots of time, lots of patience and lots and lots of planning ahead... and I have yet to glue anything HA HA. Chris.