PAU 43% Edge 540 Build

[macanaw]

Here we go, picked up the plane today and started work on it as soon as I got home.

Here is what I have so far. The plane was packed BEAUTIFULLY, all the little bags of parts have a label indicating it's use (canopy screws, main gear bolts, etc...). The hardware that is included is top notch. I unpacked it in my front room to get a look at it all and much to my wifes irritation I started working on it right there.

On with the build

[macanaw]

Started with the main gear and wheel pants. This was about as quick and easy of an installation as I could ever imagine. Even the wheel pants have a wood backing in them for the bolts and blind nuts........except I forgot to move my finger when I drilled the hole

Tailgear went on in about 90 seconds.

Canopy time

[macanaw]

Used a little masking tape to hold the canopy in place and marked the holes for the screws with a red marker. I drilled pilot holes in the plastic and zapped in some screws. A little trim on the plastic then used 1/2 clear tape to seal it all down.

[macanaw]

Ken is working on the 36% build, be sure to check that one out too.

[sweetpea]

Nice.....can't wait to fly your plane!

[macanaw]

Looks like the rudder is the only things on this plane that you have to glue.........so what the hell, lets glue on a rudder and put it to bed for the night.

[astrohog]

Hey Dave!

Careful where ya build that thing! You would hate to have to cut a hole in your house to get it out!! DOH!!

Looks great! I can't wait to hear the flight reports!!

By the looks of it, you oughtta have that together in a couple of days!!

Is this time of year flyable for you? It looks like we may get a day of flying in here on Sunday!!

Regards,

Astohog

[macanaw]

Astrohog, I fly year round, even in the snow

The engine is on it's way for the plane but I haven't decided what I will run for exhaust. Today I'll start setting up the control surfaces.

[macanaw]

Elevators setup and ready for use. The stab tube is a perfect fit in both stabs and the pheonalic through the fuse. The elevator are setup so you can use 2 per side, since I am running 8711's I opted for 1 per side and used the opening in the center of the stab. Hard points are already drilled, and the servo trays are a nice clean fit.

Time to move on to the ailerons.

[gforce]

Nice hardware package,I like what I see.

[astrohog]

Gforce, You talkin' about the hardware package that came with the PAU Edge, or the gal in your AVATAR?

(hoping that's not your wife now that I opened my mouth!!)

Astrohog

[macanaw]

Aight, WINGS!!!

The wings have (3) bays for servos but I am going to run (2) 8711's. I mounted a servo at the inboard most bay and the bay slightly out from center. The center servo uses a 36 inch extension, the inboard servo uses an 18 inch. All the servos are being installed with the output shaft of the servo closest to the hinge line, this allows you to get as many thread as possible into the ball links. The heads of the bolts in the ailerons are clipped off when the installation is complete.

Again all the hard points are pre-drilled and installation is very quick. I took the time to hook the servos up to the radio and match up the closest pairs, this helps eliminate the need to use matchboxes and reduces the amount of sub-trim needed.

Hmm, what now........lets do a rudder pull-pull install

[macanaw]

I should probably give some details of whats going into the plane. All the servos are JR 8711's except the throttle, not sure what I'll put there. The engine is a DA 150 (Thanks Bill) and the exhaust is yet to be decided, that decision will be made on Monday.

Smart-Fly power expander with a Spektrum 9ch on top of it. The batteries I need to build tomorrow, they are a123 packs. I will use (1) 2 cell pack for the ignition at 2300mha, and (2) 4 cell packs at 4600 mha for the on board power.

Back to building.

[CSpaced]

[macanaw]

I do need to mention that using (2) servos per aileron is NOT supported by PAU. The design is for (3) servos and it has not been tested in a (2) servo configuration.

That being said, I am going to test it out on (2) servos but I am prepared to add a third if/when needed. Please do not attempt this on your own plane. This is being done for testing purposes only.

David Fox