Purchased a new Pilot RC "Millie G" 30% 87" Yak 54 from the Chief Aircraft tent at Joe Nall. Due to money constraints (and being new to giant scale), this is going to be a slow and painful build.

I've got a couple experienced builders/pilots that have agreed to help with the build so I'm fairly confident we can get it together pretty well but I'm open to any advice I can get.

So far Ive got the plane http://www.chiefaircraft.com/prc-yak30-mg.html

And a yellow power board from Redwing RC http://www.redwingrc.com/Power-Board-PRO-SERIES-Yellow-4105/ that I intend to power with two 3 cell lipo batteries or 3 cell life's (if I can find them at a reasonable price)

Once my wallet cools off I'll start purchasing other items. For servo's I'm thinking either
Savox SC-0251 http://www.amazon.com/Savox-SC-0251-.../dp/B004K3EZW2
Is the "larger than standard" going to be a problem? Will the slower speed of the 251's cause an issue?

Hitec 5645 http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...P?I=LXUZ80&P=8 Will the lower torque and speed be a problem?(the online manual calls for a minimum of 180 oz's)

XQ 4020 http://www.redwingrc.com/XQ-4020-digital-6v/ Good specs but no one at my field has any experience with them. These are at the top end of what I'm willing to spend but I'm not sure of their reliability

For engines I'm looking at

DLE 55RA http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXCPZD&P=0 Will this be plenty of power? The firewall of the Yak is already marked for the 55 and I like not having to carve up the cowl too much.

DLE 61 http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXEBGM&P=0
Only $30 more than the 55 RA but fit with the stock muffler maybe an issue

BE 62 http://www.valleyviewrc.com/estore/be-62cc-engine.html A little more than the 55 RA (after Tower discount) but definetly looks interesting

Thanks for reading and any advice will be appreciated
Eric

P.S. I'll try to get some pics a little later. The covering and scheme are really nice

Well.........for starters, I guess I'm not sure, why the "3 cell batts."........also the Hitec 5645 servo is one you can probably cross/off the list, IMHO........let the experts take it from here....

I have been using the Savox 0251 on a 30% Edge for a year now with good results l am installing a set now in a 50cc Pitts 12

the Hitec 5645 servo is one you can probably cross/off the list, IMHO

why the "3 cell batts."

The power board I've already have requires a minimum input of 7.4 volts (max 14), so 2 cell Life's are out and 2 cell Lipo's are at the lower end of the required input. Three cell Lipo's are readily available (and cheaper than a 3 cell Life) with a required XT 60 connector. Of course there is a safety and ease of use factor to consider with the Life's. Mainly, they don't need to be discharged to storage after every day of flight.

I have been using the Savox 0251 on a 30% Edge for a year now with good results

Thanks, so the "larger than standard" size isn't a factor?

Give me a sec and I'll post a couple quick pics I took of the plane mocked up

Spatz, wheels and fuel dot. I think I'm going to add some color to the spatz


Mounting the power board may take a little more effort than I thought

Fuel tank comes pre-installed and plumbed

Originally Posted by Eric D

Purchased a new Pilot RC "Millie G" 30% 87" Yak 54 from the Chief Aircraft tent at Joe Nall. Due to money constraints (and being new to giant scale), this is going to be a slow and painful build.

I've got a couple experienced builders/pilots that have agreed to help with the build so I'm fairly confident we can get it together pretty well but I'm open to any advice I can get.

So far Ive got the plane http://www.chiefaircraft.com/prc-yak30-mg.html

And a yellow power board from Redwing RC http://www.redwingrc.com/Power-Board-PRO-SERIES-Yellow-4105/ that I intend to power with two 3 cell lipo batteries or 3 cell life's (if I can find them at a reasonable price)

Once my wallet cools off I'll start purchasing other items. For servo's I'm thinking either
Savox SC-0251 http://www.amazon.com/Savox-SC-0251-Torque-Standard-Digital/dp/B004K3EZW2
Is the "larger than standard" going to be a problem? Will the slower speed of the 251's cause an issue?

Hitec 5645 http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...P?I=LXUZ80&P=8 Will the lower torque and speed be a problem?(the online manual calls for a minimum of 180 oz's)

XQ 4020 http://www.redwingrc.com/XQ-4020-digital-6v/ Good specs but no one at my field has any experience with them. These are at the top end of what I'm willing to spend but I'm not sure of their reliability

For engines I'm looking at

DLE 55RA http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXCPZD&P=0 Will this be plenty of power? The firewall of the Yak is already marked for the 55 and I like not having to carve up the cowl too much.

DLE 61 http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXEBGM&P=0
Only $30 more than the 55 RA but fit with the stock muffler maybe an issue

BE 62 http://www.valleyviewrc.com/estore/be-62cc-engine.html A little more than the 55 RA (after Tower discount) but definetly looks interesting

Thanks for reading and any advice will be appreciated
Eric

P.S. I'll try to get some pics a little later. The covering and scheme are really nice

take a look at the Bluebird line of servos. I'm running a couple right now. So far they are very good bang for the buck.

Here's a pic of the included hardware package. Does anyone who has a similar plane from Pilot know if they usually include the servo arms with the hardware? I have the control horns but no servo arms.

And thanks, I'll look into the Bluebirds

No the larger than standard size was not an issue for mine and no it didn't come with servo arms

Originally Posted by Eric D

Here's a pic of the included hardware package. Does anyone who has a similar plane from Pilot know if they usually include the servo arms with the hardware? I have the control horns but no servo arms.

And thanks, I'll look into the Bluebirds

No......

Originally Posted by tande

No......

Dang, I was afraid of that. Everything I had researched showed them as coming with the ARF. Here's a pic of the hardware from Pilot's site and the few build threads I've been able to find seem to show them

Originally Posted by fixedwingonly

take a look at the Bluebird line of servos. I'm running a couple right now. So far they are very good bang for the buck.

Steven, how you liking the Bluebirds? I have been wanting to take them for a test run, but nothing in the works at present that would be suitable for them.

Originally Posted by Eric D

Purchased a new Pilot RC "Millie G" 30% 87" Yak 54 from the Chief Aircraft tent at Joe Nall. Due to money constraints (and being new to giant scale), this is going to be a slow and painful build.

I've got a couple experienced builders/pilots that have agreed to help with the build so I'm fairly confident we can get it together pretty well but I'm open to any advice I can get.

So far Ive got the plane http://www.chiefaircraft.com/prc-yak30-mg.html

And a yellow power board from Redwing RC http://www.redwingrc.com/Power-Board-PRO-SERIES-Yellow-4105/ that I intend to power with two 3 cell lipo batteries or 3 cell life's (if I can find them at a reasonable price)

Once my wallet cools off I'll start purchasing other items. For servo's I'm thinking either
Savox SC-0251 http://www.amazon.com/Savox-SC-0251-Torque-Standard-Digital/dp/B004K3EZW2
Is the "larger than standard" going to be a problem? Will the slower speed of the 251's cause an issue?

Hitec 5645 http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...P?I=LXUZ80&P=8 Will the lower torque and speed be a problem?(the online manual calls for a minimum of 180 oz's)

XQ 4020 http://www.redwingrc.com/XQ-4020-digital-6v/ Good specs but no one at my field has any experience with them. These are at the top end of what I'm willing to spend but I'm not sure of their reliability

For engines I'm looking at

DLE 55RA http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXCPZD&P=0 Will this be plenty of power? The firewall of the Yak is already marked for the 55 and I like not having to carve up the cowl too much.

DLE 61 http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXEBGM&P=0
Only $30 more than the 55 RA but fit with the stock muffler maybe an issue

BE 62 http://www.valleyviewrc.com/estore/be-62cc-engine.html A little more than the 55 RA (after Tower discount) but definetly looks interesting

Thanks for reading and any advice will be appreciated
Eric

P.S. I'll try to get some pics a little later. The covering and scheme are really nice

My son and I have built a number of the 30% Pilot airframes. What we have found is that though the Hitec 5645 is a pretty good servo, it is kind of marginal for what you will want for this airframe. That is just my opinion. If you can, jump up a step or two to something around 200 or more ounces from a more up to date servo. As for the power board you plan to run, we have been using the Smart Fly Power Expander Pro in everything from 50cc clear up to our really big 40%'ers. In the smaller 50cc, you will find its best location to be right at the back of the can tunnel. You may have to add a support for the back of the board. I am not sure of the size of the Yellow board, but the SF fits in there quite nicely. Like what was mentioned earlier, a 3 cell anything really is not needed. 2S Lipo or LiIon is plenty for this bird. My son is running two Fromeco LiIon 2600's straight into the SF which feeds the rx., servos, ignition. The entire plane is run from these and uses about 200 mah per pack per flight. More than enough to fly ten long ten minute flights in one day without worry of draining the batteries. The nicest thing about these darned Pilots, is they are so versatile in set up. My son just maidened his little Yak and it flies awesome. More stable than the Edge, just as quick and completely insane with it's capabilities. You are going to LOVE that plane. Good luck with your build. Oh, one other thing. The DLE 55 is plenty of motor for this plane. It will build at just over 15 pounds. Or there abouts. If you want with insane? Get brave and slam a 61 on there. It should be a missile from the start.

My Yak rebuild story at RCGroups might help you. Used very similar setup and at least you can check where I placed the power board...

My Yak uses HS-5955TG / HS-7955TG and it's currently using cheap RCG 55cc engine. Original DA-50 is being maintained. I just came from flying and RCG 55cc gave nice power, couldn't ask for much more... 60cc+ engines will give really good performance!

Originally Posted by Late99

My Yak rebuild story at RCGroups might help you. Used very similar setup and at least you can check where I placed the power board...

My Yak uses HS-5955TG / HS-7955TG and it's currently using cheap RCG 55cc engine. Original DA-50 is being maintained. I just came from flying and RCG 55cc gave nice power, couldn't ask for much more... 60cc+ engines will give really good performance!

Thanks for posting that. Looks identical (except for color) to the board I have. Did you do anything to your added mount to minimize vibration. I know the receiver mount has some padding but will vibration affect the board itself? How much clearence is there to the rudder pull-pull? and lastly, are your batteries 2 or 3 cell lipo's?

Stangflyer, thanks for the advice. I just ordered the DLE 55 RA from Tower, (just came back in stock, easy pay's a real life-saver).

dusturbd, thanks for that. I'm really leaning toward the 251's and should be able to order them in a couple weeks.

Thanks to eveyone for all the great advice. I really appreciate it


Crap, just noticed I put the wings on upside down when I mocked it up in the photos

I'm using two 2S 2200mAh LiPos. Didn't even consider 3S, for some reason it didn't come to my mind that I could have used them... And I also had those 2S LiPos left from the crashed setup. But now as you say, I would have had plenty of 3S LiPos, too...

There's plenty of clearance to rudder servo & pull-pull. I can check tomorrow for exact amount, but I would say that at least an inch... I just used the rubber gaskets & screws that came with power board to attach it. And of course glued & screwed those wood pieces it is attached to. So far everything ok.

I can take more detailed pics tomorrow...

Originally Posted by Late99

I'm using two 2S 2200mAh LiPos. Didn't even consider 3S, for some reason it didn't come to my mind that I could have used them... And I also had those 2S LiPos left from the crashed setup. But now as you say, I would have had plenty of 3S LiPos, too...

There's plenty of clearance to rudder servo & pull-pull. I can check tomorrow for exact amount, but I would say that at least an inch... I just used the rubber gaskets & screws that came with power board to attach it. And of course glued & screwed those wood pieces it is attached to. So far everything ok.

I can take more detailed pics tomorrow...

Thanks for the info, pics would be nice. Feel free to post them here or I'll catch them on your blog over there. Good to see the board doesn't interefere with the pull-pull set-up, hope you don't mind me copying your set-up. Did your CG land pretty good with the board and batteries so far back? Depending on how my CG looks when I finish, I may use a separate CDI battery instead of having to shift around lead weight.

On a side note, I went ahead and ordered the Savox 0251's today straight off the Savox (or whatever the new distributor site is). They had them for $20, which is $15 cheaper than anywhere else I'd seen + free shipping on the 5 I ordered