Finally was able to finish the GT Trainer up. Everything turned out great and it was a fun build.
It took me a little more cause of the electric conversion, but Aeroworks did a great job on the kit and the manual. I had to have some custom made 3 1/2'' stand offs made for the electric motor. Also added a couple small washers under the left legs to get the right thrust to match the cowl.
I'm sharing some pictures of what I did.
I can reach down inside to plug the packs in, just barely. They sit just inside the area where the tank would go. I cut the lower rounded corners out where the tank would rest. Also removed the bulkhead
cross piece just at the middle of the side windows.
I made the front lower hatch removable so the receiver pack can be removed after use.
Installed a Smart-Fly HD switch to turn the servo power on and off. Top hatch is removed to just unplug after the flight. That was a great feature that AW did.
I did have to lengthen the Power Wires 12 inches. I used Castle 5.5mm Bullet connectors in between.
Also used the 5.5mm Bullet connectors on the esc and motor connection.
I drilled a few small holes in the firewall to allow some air to come in along with the ones that are already there.
I have not made a exit hole for the air to escape. I may or I may not. The power system is not going
to get hot, but maybe warm. I'll check it when we do the maiden.

The weather is cold this weekend. Hopen to do the Maiden next weekend. Should be around 45-50 degrees. I just want to put it in the air and then let my daughter give it a shot.
Graphics will get put on and some more pictures to come! Candy drop is being added as well.

Here's what I used:
Motrolfly 4330 / 298kv motor
Great Planes spinner
Xoar 19x8E prop
Castle Creations Phoenix Edge 100amp esc
Castle CC Bec Pro
Smart-Fly HD switch
Hitec HS985MG servos
Kavan Tires
Power Batteries: Magnum Energy 4s 4500mah x 2 to make 8s / 70c rating

AUW 13LBS with batteries

If there is any questions please feel free to ask.

Update: Candy Drop Pictures. 1-3-2014
I bought a two sided female 5'' extension to plug into the charge port that I installed on the bottom.



Cory

Ordered mine sunday from tower (same sale price) and a DLE-20. A few years ago I had a Sig Senior that I loved...I could park it into the wind and it would just sit there at idle...OS 46...at times, with a good wind, I could fly backwards...a lot of FUN.

Hope this oversized Senior can come close to that lazy type of flying...will also use it for a trainer. Have a friend who wants to get into the hobby but is not sure where to start...I think this will be just the ticket for him.

Enjoy,

Ed

Originally Posted by loop an roll

And you can make it a taildragger?

Second that Question! Is there a taildragger option?

Originally Posted by ULTIMATE1

Second that Question! Is there a taildragger option?

I stopped in at AeroWorks last week and they were telling me that someone converted one to a
tail dragger. They moved the Gear forward, reinforced that area, and installed a tail wheel with a direct
linkage to a servo in the tail. It's doable.


Cory

I got mine yesterday. Ordered it Saturday it arrived Tuesday, that's quick! 20cc gas and I'm going to convert it to a taildragger.

Originally Posted by b7smith

Was the GT Trainer nose heavy with the DLE 30?

no it wasn,t, but i have two LiFe batteries .

Can you post a picture of your battery placement?

I have one of these on the way, thinking maybe my OS33

Changed my mind. The extra weight of tailwheel/servo needs to be offset in the nose. I'm mounting a DLE 30 instead. Te throttle linkage is a hassle. Other than that everything's going fine.

Getting close. Now I just have to balance and wait for better weather to maiden.

Nice looking plane

Finally was able to maiden this guy. The maiden happend on wednesday the 1st.
Had a small window cause the weather. The weather has been horrible when I get time
and the holidays were busy. I charged up two sets of batteries for two flights.
Take off was perfect and the GT had more than enough power to go vertical!
The GT only required two clicks of right rudder. I have my cg so that it is neutral.
The plane will fly level upright at half throttle, and just dives a little inverted. The GT flies awesome!
Doing a KE across the sky looked very cool. Pulling loops from half throttle is no problem. I have not
checked to see what my electric power system is putting out. I knew it would have plenty to spare.
Flying for 8 minutes I only used 40% of the battery power up. I still had 60% in the packs. I'm gonna push it out to 12 minutes next time to see where we're at.
My daughter came with me, but did not fly cause her fingers would of froze. It's not fun when it's cold out
and trying to learn to fly. My fingers were freezing with small gloves on, but I had to maiden this guy!
Landing's were a three pointer. I couldn't believe how perfect it landed! My daughter can't wait till we have good weather now. We will get video next outing and pictures! We will also play with the candy drop.
Aeroworks did a Fantastic job at creating a Trainer plane for the beginner!

(check above in my post for updated candy drop install pictures)


Cory

I'm still waiting for weather. If it's not freezing cold, the wind is blowing mach2. The GT balanced perfectly with the DLE30.

I have been flying mine a couple of weeks now with the DLE 30cc.... It is very fun to fly with the 30cc. On an 18x6 prop it has nearly unlimited vertical, once I get an 18x10 and max out the throws, it'll be the perfect fun-fly. On low rates it is a solid trainer with no bad habits and lands big and easy. Only complaint: I am upgrading to a Fults nose gear, I think the stock one is a little bit too light with the 30cc, it tips a bit if you turn with any kind of speed and gets squirrely. I have the candy drop module and plan to rig it for towing as well... quite a versatile airframe!


-Thanks to my friend for the flight photo.

I installed the Fults gear this evening. Looks great and is much more stout than the stock single coil.