AEROWORKS 35% 260, assembly, discussion, and flying thread

[GremlinX]

Beautiful plane, but it just looks heavy. I looked at one in person and man.. it just looks heavy, but well built..

[Flatlandman]

were did it look heavy heres apic bodywerks posted of the inside of the fuse

[bodywerks]

I think it's because the fuse is so darn fat. I have only gotten one non-aeroworks employed weight report thus far, but it was on a bathroom scale, not a postal scale. He said it was 27# with all servos, dual 4800's on the Rx and a smoke pump. If that is accurate, it ain't bad, but being a bathroom scale, I don't know.
I have seen a video of a customer flying his, and it definitely flew light and had absolutely ZERO problems with vertical. Trust me, if you sealevel guys want real quality and very good performance, keep your eye on their new line of ARF's, including this one. As for me, I'll have to wait til I move to Tucson (if it happens) before I can own one.

[TheTank]

	Quote: Originally Posted by gstjohn
	I was just on Composite-arf.com website and the 2.3M is designed to be around 20-22lbs. so I am only 2lbs heavier, which could be a mix of a lot of things. paint I know only added 1/2 lb. I have also added a carbon/balsa sandwiched brace across the Landing gear for added rigidity. I have also added carden landing gear cuffs, and of course a smoke system with a 24oz tank. so by adding all of those small things up I can see adding an extra 2lbs.

WOW! My 2.6m Comp Arf weighs 23.5 pounds dry with a ZDZ80/cannister combo.

[red_z06]

	Quote: Originally Posted by TheTank
	WOW! My 2.6m Comp Arf weighs 23.5 pounds dry with a ZDZ80/cannister combo.

Hmm you must have a lighter airframe. My yak with bme110 (1lb less) and stock muffler (6oz lighter than your can) with 10oz receiver pack, 5oz ignition pack came in at 24.5lb

[bodywerks]

Must have...still, you need to compare apples to apples. The DA is a pound heavier on stock muffs than your ZDZ on a can, and you didn't say whether your 2.6 extra had smoke or not, dual or single servos everywhere, or what kind of batteries.
I already know that this plane is a tad heavy compared to some of the other WOOD ARF offerings, but 27 pounds for sealevel flying is very respectable, and it is just about the nicest-looking ARF I have seen in a while of this size, aaand it is still 2 pounds lighter that a stock-built Carden.

[red_z06]

Just finished AW Extra 260.

Equipment:

DA100, MTW TD75K canister setup with stock length non-flex 70mm drop header ( left one cut 1/4" to clear LG bulkhead)
7 5955 on surfs ( 1 more may go on rudder )
5.4v miracle swith with fromeco 2400mah li-ion on ignition
7.4v lipo 4000mah on power expander ( no regulator other than PE to receiver at 5v )

Stock tube, LG, TG

Dry Weight 28.5lb without wheep pants. That means 27.0-27.5lb with stock muffler or 25.0-25.5lb with bme110

[red_z06]

There was minor snag on engine testing. No fire and no sucking fuel.
No fire was traced to bad hall sensor module.

Trouble shooting sequence.
1. check fuel line for sign of fuel in line or smell
2. check ignition batt voltage through charge port.
3. check ignition voltage through output side of ignition switch.
4. pull the plug out and put in the spark plug cap ( no need to ground and the shild provides return path) and flip prop while holding spark plug so the gap is visible.
5. if spark is there check for fuel related problems.
6. If no spark, check for power in the ignition module ( checking bad contact ) by using multimeter by poking with the probe on wire

Now the problem is narrowed down to ignition module or pickup sensor.

7. ignition module from DA50 was first tested to see if it works ( spark )
8. It was plugged to da100 picup sensor with plug in the cap and batt connected
9. No fire! so we have a bad pickup sensor.
10. Although PS is bad, ignition module should be checked also as there is a double failure is possibility.
11. da100 ignition with batt and spark connected to cap is plugged into da50 pickup sensor. Fire! ok so there is only bad pickup sensor.

This is rather disapointing as the engine leaves factory bench tested.
I will call DA on monday to straighten this issue.

Meanwhile, pickup sensor from 2nd da100 will be fitted rather than swapping the engine.

The fuel sucking issure bothers me a bit but will worry about it after firing the engine.

[Dennis C]

Red this is a new 100 ?

[red_z06]

After many many flips, I decided to check to see if there is fuel inside of diaphram. To my surprise the diaphram was not engaged to the valve and it was completely dry. Can an engine leave the factory tested with completely dry diaphram with the valve disengaged?

[red_z06]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Dennis C
	Red this is a new 100 ?

Brand spanking new less than 2 months old with s/n 3256

[red_z06]

Extra 260 comes with thin ( relative ) gage al gear with center section punched out. I normally machine out between bolts on one piece gear to reduce weight. It is close to ( forgot to weigh ) 1/2 the weight of AW Katana LG so you may not save much if any weight by going to CF LG.

If the rain stops I'll go outside and test fire the engine and possibly go for a maiden today.

[Dennis C]

	Quote: Originally Posted by red_z06
	After many many flips, I decided to check to see if there is fuel inside of diaphram. To my surprise the diaphram was not engaged to the valve and it was completely dry. Can an engine leave the factory tested with completely dry diaphram with the valve disengaged?

I guess it could if it sits long enough, get it wet and it should draw fuel

[blaze]

I didn't read every thread here but I did see you were going for the Graph Tech Gear for the main gear! Don't expect the gear to hold up. Go back to your Aluminum gear. Mill it out to lighten it and you'll be happier. My 36% Katana just took a dive on Graph Tech new and improved 3D weave gear and I was in a little side wind, about 12mph, but the gear snapped off on one side about 4" up from my wheel just on one side. It then continued to tear out the rest of the gear and rip up the under side of fuse. Luckily I had just removed the wheel pants to do some repair work on them. If I had the stock gear on the plane I would be out today flying it!
I also took off the new and improved 3D weave gear from my F-90. Back to dependable aluminum it will bend a little or bounce but won't break! No more CF gear for me! Too many failures. Mike, at Graph Tech says the new ones wont break. I've got 2 sets to send him.

[bodywerks]

do a bad enough landing and anything will break! I will definitely agree that CF is only for people who land consistantly, and softly, and are willing to sacrifice a little durabilty to shave weight, like me! For me every ounce counts!