ZN Line 40% Extra 330

[Buzz Lightyear]

Hi Guys

I have just bought a ZN Line 40% Extra 330 kit and would like to get an idea of how they fly compared to some of the other 40% models around these days. I haven't seen one fly and I only have the TOC up until 1999.

In fact, I haven't even seen my kit yet

If you have flown one of these models can you please post your opinion here.

Additionally, if you have pictures or building tips please post them here too.

Best Regards

Anthony

[dmichael]

Anthony,

From what I have seen these are some of the best flying 40% planes out there. I predict that you'll be very happy with it.

[Mithrandir]

I bought mine used. It had 12 flights. Builder was a noob at composites. In your build, be sure to do proper bond prep for all composite bonds. I swore up and down at what a rookie job the builder did the whole time I set it up for myself. My first flight was almost with a mffed 'tude and an expectation of a crash.

50 flights later, it is the funnest plane I have ever flown. It prolly weighs in around 37 pounds. I can do four snaps on a vertical upline, and fly away with some speed. It has a very small amount of yaw coupling with rudder... the good news is about 3 to 5 percent mixing will make it Knife perfect. The mixing is linear and perfect for all yaw conditions. It is a plane without flaw. It has a longer tail moment then my Super Extra, so it is very smooth in low rate.
It has two issues you need to be aware of.
1) If in a harrier, rolling harrier or other High Alpha maneuver, if you allow the nose to drop, it takes immediate and aggressive action to recover the high angle. Solution: Learn how to not let the nose drop. (In all honesty, I compare this to the Super Extra. It will recover the dropped nose INSTANTLY!)
2) In inverted Harriers, if you get the nose above about 65 or 70 degrees, it will stop moving along, and it will want to pitch the nose straight up. You will need to be very aggressive with left rudder and not be afraid to pull the nose back down to some angle less then 70'ish degrees with UP elevator. It does not happen suddenly, but it will do this if you allow it.

As I mentioned above, I have 50 flights on this plane in the past few months. I was flying a Super Extra, and even now I can't believe I like this plane as well as or better then the SX. (220 flights on my SX!)
Pictures here;
http://valleyflyers.com/gallery/Misc...smaller?full=1
and
http://valleyflyers.com/gallery/Misc...smaller?full=1

The stock ARC does not have 3D sized Control surfaces. Mine have all been enlarged. There were no special actions taken to make a proper CG.

[1bwana1]

Anthony,
Like Mith, I bought mine used, so I cannot provide much in the way of building tips. Mine was built by a A.J. Lee, who is a well known builder out here. I have no complaints about the plane or the build. I have put hundreds of flights on it with no issues. A friend of mine is almost done building one right now. He will have some great tips for you. Here is a link to his contact info here on the FG site: http://www.flyinggiants.com/forums/m.../rmarsden.html.

PM him and provide him a link to this thread, so he can answer where everyone can share. he is also doing a detailed build thread on another site.

There are at least 6 other guys flying them in IMAC out here. The ZN competes well in all classes. I think it would show up in most competition pilots list of the top 10 aerobatic models.

I love the way the plane flies, and I'm sure you will as well. Although the guy I bought it from flew it primarily for 3D, I use mine is a dedicated IMAC competition plane. It is very smooth, and stable. It can do anything you can think of. In it's current setup it has over sized control surfaces as Mith mentioned, and three servos on each aileron, two on each elevator half, and three on the rudder. After this season I will refresh all of the servos. I am planning on using only two servos on each aileron, one on each, elevator half and two on the rudder. This should provide plenty of power for the surfaces, and save about a pound. I will also be swapping the aluminum wing tube for a carbon one. These changes should get the plane down into the 36 pound range. At it's current 38 pound weight it flies light, and has plenty of power with the DA-150. But, lighter always seems to fly better, so why not.

Keep us updated on your build.

-STEVE-

[Downhumpty]

Rocket Ron And Mike Chandley both own or have owned ZN Line Extra's. Maybe they will chime in. I did fly Mike's. It was like a dream!

Kent

[greg young]

Anthony, this plane will work great for you, just like any other plane the more time on it the better. You can bring it in at 37.5lbs without and extra work, i'm using one servo per elevator, 2 per wing panel and two on the rudder all are 9152's the gears are holding up great. There's a rudder set-up that working with only two servos, will send some pictures showing it if you want. Good luck.

[Mithrandir]

I often have people walk up to me after they see it fly for the first time and they will say how bad ass it is... I just smile.. the plane flies like a video game.... give it rudder and it yaws... thats all it does... yaw... give it aileron.. it rolls... thats it.. it is such a pure and clean flying plane.. I feel like I am cheating.
I have 220 flights on a SX and never felt comfy bringing a KE down on the deck... 24 inch KE's are common every day things for me with the ZN!

I can't wait for you to fly your plane... You will have so much fun with it!

[Buzz Lightyear]

	Quote: Originally Posted by greg young
	Anthony, this plane will work great for you, just like any other plane the more time on it the better. You can bring it in at 37.5lbs without and extra work, i'm using one servo per elevator, 2 per wing panel and two on the rudder all are 9152's the gears are holding up great. There's a rudder set-up that working with only two servos, will send some pictures showing it if you want. Good luck.

Greg

Photos would be great.

Guys, thanks for the replies.

Mine will be set up for IMAC only and will be getting Futaba 9156s all round.
I already have a set of KS1090 tuned pipes and I hope by the time it is ready there will be a DA170 with my name on it

cheers

Anthony

[rmarsden]

Anthony,

Congratulations! Did you get a kit with CF tubes and gear, or aluminum? I have a kit with CF for both and using a Weatronics radio/power/servo distribution, two servos/aileron, two servos on the rudder and one per elevator (all JR8711's) I should come in around 36 pounds (16.3 kg).

One day I'll finish my build and talk first hand about how sweet she flies. Did anyone tell you how much work it is build this bird??? The guys who get them used are missing all the fun

Randy

[mike chandley]

One of the most awsome flying airplanes I ever owned period.
I lost mine at the 2006 Nats (shotdown)

Kent and I flew it at the Farm Imac 2 years ago and the best pilots good see the difference it made in our flying.

If they ever make a 50% I am in!

[greg young]

How many are using 3 blade props on this plane, i'm flying a 32x10 at this time. I was told a 30x12 is the best prop, what do you guys think.

[Rocket Ron]

Buzz...Anthony,
I built mine 1 1/2 yrs ago and still fly it. CRAPPY AIRPLANE!!! It's not worth your time to build it. But...seeing how I'm such a nice guy will take it off your hands before you invest all this time in it. What would be a fair price? Please let me know.

Nice guy,
Ron
Atlanta

[xtra330]

ron,

you get your s fixed..if not, I have a katana you can fly next weekend....lol

[samsrc]

Anthony,

I built the 35% version years ago, and I have to admit, it is one very nice airplane. In both workmanship, and flight characteristics. I'm sure you will be very happy with it. I have a build thread on the building of my plane, the link is:

http://www.samsrc.com/Extraznline.htm

It is not the 40% version, but they both build the same way. It might give you some ideas. I hope it helps

Sam

	Quote: Originally Posted by Buzz Lightyear
	Hi Guys I have just bought a ZN Line 40% Extra 330 kit and would like to get an idea of how they fly compared to some of the other 40% models around these days. I haven't seen one fly and I only have the TOC up until 1999. In fact, I haven't even seen my kit yet If you have flown one of these models can you please post your opinion here. Additionally, if you have pictures or building tips please post them here too. Best Regards Anthony

[Talbs]

Any of you guys got a recomendation of wing and stab incidences for this znline 3m extra. Is it 0deg and 0 deg or has it got a 1/2 deg pos on the wing? And a good starting point of a C of G for Imac.
Thanks for any help!
Talbs
Australia