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GreatPlanes 27% Edge 540 Product Video

Product Review:
GreatPlanes 27% Edge 540

Perspective By:
Cracky

Manufacturer Contact:
http://www.GreatPlanes.com/contact.html




Manufacturer Website:

www.GreatPlanes.com

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Introduction

Highslide JS


Great Planes has been offering wonderful airplanes for a very long time. Giving modelers many good options in airplanes keep people satisfied. Looking at their lineup of planes lately shows that they are paying attention to what a lot of modelers want......bigger bigger and bigger. This is a look at their 27% Edge 540.


Out of the Box:


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Goodies goodies and more goodies. I love opening up the boxes on a new project. Pulling the Edge out of the box was enjoyable. The very first thing that I noticed was how light the fuse was. There was not a lot of unneeded wood. This was sure nice. It goes to show the level of commitment to putting out a nice product.
The setup that I am using is one of the recommended setups from Great Planes. There are three power options for this plane. A 1.60 sized glow motor can be used as well as a brushless outrunner for those who like pushing amps. The route that I am choosing is the 43cc gas motor from Fuji. This motor offers electronic ignition for trouble free use and a muffler is included with it. Another nice point is the included aluminum spinner. That saves the modeler probably $40 or so. Nicely done Great Planes!


Product Specifications

SPECIFICATIONS
Stock Number: GPMA1414
Wingspan: 78 in (1980 mm)
Wing Area: 1088 inē (70.2 dmē)
Weight RTF: 13-15 lb (5.9-6.8 kg)
Wing Loading: 28-32 oz/inē (84-97 g/dmē)
Length: 74.5 in (1890 mm)
Engine Requirements: 2-stroke 1.6-1.8 cu in (26-30 cc) or 4-stroke 1.8-2.1 cu in (30-34 cc) glow or 1.9-2.6 cu in (32-43 cc) gasoline
Electric Motor Requirements: 63-62-250kV out-runner brushless motor, 100A brushless ESC, 33.3V - 44.4V 3200mAh LiPo battery
Radio Required: 4+ channel radio with 6 high-torque servos & 1 standard servo (optional for glow/gas engine throttle control)
Prop Required: 20 x 10 or 18 x 8


Building

Like I said earlier I'm going with a recommended setup. Within my goody boxes I found a handful of s3305 servos, a couple extensions, an ignition battery (NiMh) and a pair of switches. I've chosen a 2700 6V NiMh pack for my flight duties.

Now on to the construction of the airframe:
This plane has a 78" wingspan. In order to offer the plane utilizing glow and electric power, steps had to be taken to keep it simple and lightweight. Here is where the one piece wing comes into play. To join the wing halves you will have to take the wooden spar and two strips of metal and scuff them up with some sandpaper and use some epoxy and glue them all together. Be careful though, there is a right way and a long way to assemble these.
In keeping with the lightweight ideas the stab is one piece also.  I used my 3M Scotch Weld gun with 420 epoxy in it to inject epoxy all around the stab once I got it into position. It worked flawlessly. Much easier than trying to brush epoxy onto the stab and socket.


Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS

Running cables for the built up ailerons were easy as can be due to the fact that there were strings taped inside the wing to pull your servo wire through. Very nice touch. The rest of the servos went in just fine. I used the included hardware for everything. The pushrods are a 4-40 rod with a solder clevis on the one end. Very easy to do. With these servos (124oz @ 6v) it is recommended to run two rudder servos. I just ran a y-harness to them and flipped one around backwards so that its rotation is correct. With these not being digital they don't fight each other as hard as some of the digital servos would. The airplane's electronics are pretty simple. A 4.8v 2000 nimh on the ignition and a 6v 2700 nimh on the servos. Mounted the throttle servo in the tray for the pull-pull rudder servos that you use if you run the 1.60 in it. I epoxied the tray for the receiver battery and receiver right underneath the canopy.

Installing the landing gear is quite simple. Six bolts is all it takes. As you can tell the gear on the Edge is a little different than a lot of other Edges out there. I also wondered this but now after looking at the plane I know why it was done the way it was....lightweight. Like I mentioned before the fuse has been lightened wherever it can be. Instead of putting in a heavy gear plate the gear is mounted to the motor box. In planes the strongest part is the motor box and the rest of the plane is attached to it. It is a great way to do the gear to save weight on a model this size. How well did the gear do at the field? Find out during the flight report! Putting the wheels and pants on was easy as pie, just had to trim off a little of the axle. The pants already have the blind nuts installed. Just as simple as bolting them on.


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Installing the Fuji was so easy, a caveman could do it. In the manual there is a printed template that you cut out and tape to the firewall. Then drill for the blind nuts and install them. The only way it could get any easier is if the blind nuts were already installed, but with all of the different power options there would be no way for that to work. There is an included ignition bracket that gets epoxied together then screwed to the side of the motor box. Put a piece of foam on it and rubber band your ignition to it.

So this is my first time using a Fuji. I got a hold of one of the shortest FG members out there, Jason Danhakl or better known as BigBird, and asked him about the engine and what prop it likes. He said that she likes to spin and that he had been running a 18x8W on it. Well my fingers don't like APC props.....something about cutting my finger tips way back when. So I was thinking about what other props would work and I remembered that Vess Propellors (www.vessaero.com) had a sport line of props. I sent Mr Robert Vess a message asking if he had something in that size and he said that he had the perfect prop for me. A couple days later I get a package at my door with a shiny 18x8 in it. Thanks Robert! I bolted her up and she sure looks purdy.


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Performance

Time to run it in the backyard. I was very excited to see how the Fuji runs. I flipped and flipped and flipped. She was pretty dry. I shot a tad bit of fuel into the carb to wet her whistle and she popped a couple of times. A couple more flips and she was running like a kitten. I did not touch the needles at all and she sounded good with just the slightest bit of hesitation. Sounds like they were set perfect from the factory! I ran probably a half tank of gas through her between three or four different runs. Start her up for a while then let her cool down, then do it all over again. Everything seems fine, time to head to the field!

Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS
Well I finally got out to the field. A friend of mine met me out there to give a helping hand, thanks Chris. It was a bit windy but I've flown in worse. This plane does not take any time to put together. Two canopy screws and two 1/4-20 bolts to go through the wing. Had to snap a couple of pics before I flew her.

If anyone was at the STL Huckfest this year you'll recognize the field. I was a little worried at first because its a newer field and sometimes it can be a little rough on gear. Well my worries were for nothing as the gear worked out great. I paid close attention when I was pushing the plane out to the flightline and the gear gave but weren't spongy. I would compare the ride to a Buick or a Cadillac versus a Corvette.

Well it was finally that time. I gave her a once over and started flipping. Within a couple of flips she was purring like that familiar kitten. I gave her a little bit to warm up and checked the throttle response. Wow thats nice! I took her out to the runway and double checked my control surfaces. That was fine so here we go.....whoops, I forgot to start my timer. I had set it earlier for 10 minutes not knowing what kind of fuel consumption the Fuji would be. Start timer and I accelerate. Needless to say she didn't take very long to get airborne. Couple of clicks of down and I think we are good. Once I got in the air I realized that the wind was rather bumpy. Must have been something with the severe weather that was rolling in. Well the Edge handled it like a champ. Being a 15 lb plane it got bumped around probably more than some of the larger planes that are out there but I was pleased with its characteristics. I did a couple of laps with her. One thing that I really liked is the thin wing. She really likes to snap. Very effective ailerons. My throws on the elevators and rudder are a little off so I'll have to address that. I like a little more throw. I tried doing a couple of trimming passes to see what mixing I needed but the gusty wind was telling me otherwise. I was a little concerned with the Fuji having enough power. With the amount of gas that I have through her (about 24 ounces) I can say that this combo would make a very good sport flying plane. If you are a hover head I'd say that maybe you should look at a motor that has a little more power, but if you actually like to "fly" the plane I'd say this Fuji is the little engine that could. I was impressed with how easy it starts and that it runs great out of the box. I was rather pleased with the Vess prop too. Great spool up and good pull. This is actually my first one and it won't be my last.

I was very pleased with how easy the plane was to see in the air. It is also very easy to differentiate the top from the bottom. Check out the video of the maiden.

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Tips for Success

Tips for success:
-I'd say just enjoy the build. Its very straight forward.
-I cut my fuel tubing in the tank a little shorter than they did in the manual so that the pick-up would be just short of the back of the tank.
-Buying a little stronger servo for the rudder would eliminate a whole servo.




Conclusion

Great Planes has a really nice plane here. If you're looking at your first gasser or a home for your big glow motor or even if you're wanting to do a giant scale electric, you'd be right by taking a close look at this 27% Edge 540 by Great Planes. Its a fun to fly plane that can me made an all-out 3D plane with just a few differences in equipment. I can't wait to take her out again and get her dialed in.


http://www.GreatPlanes.com/contact.html


www.GreatPlanes.com
 
Default GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

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Old 09-02-2008, 01:20 AM   #2
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Default Re: GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

awesome review cracky! The plane looks good! looks like it snaps and points
really well. Sorry I couldnt make it out for the maiden. Who took the video?
very cool editing on the video, and great choice of music!
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Old 09-02-2008, 12:12 PM   #3
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Default Re: GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

Our very own Greyhoundman met me out there. He saved the day for sure! I'm looking forward to some more time on her and gas through the Fuji. With this setup its a great sport flying plane. I need to do a little figuring to get the weight on her. All I had was a digital fish scale and we all know how accurate those are....
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Old 09-02-2008, 12:38 PM   #4
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Default Re: GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

Very nicely done Cracky! I guess Great Planes has another great performance model out there now. Looks like a perfect platform for the XYZ 50cc I put in my GP CAP 232. Same weight and half the price of the Fuji.
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Old 09-02-2008, 12:49 PM   #5
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Default Re: GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

Go for it! There are a lot of combinations out there that will make this a fun plane to fly...
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Old 09-02-2008, 01:48 PM   #6
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Default Re: GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

OK, well the day before I maidened the plane I got 15lb 2oz on my digi fish scale. I just went back to the shop and weighed my bare DA-150 and with the same scale I got 8lb 3 oz. The 150 is supposed to weigh 8lbs so I'm 3oz high on my reading. So Until I get a very accurate scale I'm calling it 14lb 15oz.

I also changed up a little bit of stuff in the beginning of the video, I re-watched it and it just didn't look right. Check it out!
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Old 09-13-2008, 07:13 PM   #7
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Default Re: GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

Been looking at the great planes performance series for awhile now. Have an O.S. 1.60 that needs a home. Think that will have enough power? I'm not sure if the edge will be too much for it or not.
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Old 09-13-2008, 09:43 PM   #8
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Default Re: GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeyj86
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Been looking at the great planes performance series for awhile now. Have an O.S. 1.60 that needs a home. Think that will have enough power? I'm not sure if the edge will be too much for it or not.

Yes for sport flying. You'll need more power to be able to 3D.

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Old 09-15-2008, 09:21 AM   #9
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Default Re: GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

I love the gear design. That is a good idea to save weight as most planes have a lot of wood in the gear area. I wonder if they beefed up the firewall any knowing that it'd be used for the gear as well? I think most firewalls would be fine working as gear mounts without beefing up, but that depends on how gentle your landings are. One thing I would've liked to have seen is for them to keep some extra wood on the top and bottom of the motor box ply so the actual firewall would sit into a locking groove and not just a groove. Similar to how the grooves lock for the sides of the motor box. That's just me though. I'm sure their design is plenty tough, but the locking grooves would provide a good deal more for guys like me who would want to put a DA 50 in and expect a long life on the airframe. If you stick to the recommended power options, you should be fine. That's just one area that I can't see saving some weight by cutting the wood short. I can't remember if I saw in the pics whether or not the firewall is pinned. I'm a big fan of pinned firewalls, if done properly it adds a good deal of strength. I had bad luck with a GSP 25% Edge 540 a few years ago with the firewall coming off and that was with a recommended sized engine. I noticed my engine flopping while trying to start it. I'm glad it didn't fly off at me while starting it. So I'm not bashing GP by any means, I'm just extra precautious over firewalls.

I do like the idea of using the tri stock as gussets. Very good idea, but I wonder if it's needed.

I like the two servo rudder option as it's a good way to keep costs down as one higher torque servo like the JR 8611 is pricey compared to two cheaper servos. One thing GP is good for is keeping budgets in mind! On my Airwild 29% Extra 260, I'm using one HS-5645MG and it's been enough to last through last fall and this season while only developing a little slop. Perhaps that's just break in slop and it won't get worse, LOL. I do wish I wouldn't have skimped on servos though. My plane will do a fair knife edge loop, but it's a little lacking so I'm thinking if GP recommends two on the Edge than one isn't enough for my 260. I'm asking Santa for some 8611s this Christmas. If he comes with only one, I'll be more than happy.

I'm not sure if I like the one piece wing idea. A carbon fiber tube would've been a good touch, but I understand about keeping the costs down. The one piecer reminds me of the early days with my LT40 one piece 72" wing. That is a big wing and a little bigger won't be too bad, but for some this might be a deal breaker.

All in all, it'd be a plane that I wouldn't mind in my hangar. My few gripes are minor and I'm glad to see the Edge as a new addition to GP's fleet.
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Old 04-29-2009, 09:56 PM   #10
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Default Re: GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

I just went back to the shop and weighed my bare DA-150 and with the same scale I got 8lb 3 oz. The 150 is supposed to weigh 8lbs so I'm 3oz high on my reading. So Until I get a very accurate scale I'm calling it 14lb 15oz.
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Old 11-18-2009, 06:56 PM   #11
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Default Re: GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

I have around 50 + flights on my edge. I would recommend going right to a 50cc airplane and get what you really want. This plane is ok but poorly designed. The wing will quickly loosen up in the saddle do to the vibrations and will need to be tightened up with shims or what ever you can figure out to fix it. The wood dowls in the front of the wing wear down quickly. Canopy cover mount is bs as well requireing locktight prior to each fligth until you can figure out a better solution to keep the screws form loosening up. The hardware is prettly lame as well resulting in loose control connections. I'm on my second Fufi engine. The first one over heated because the carb manifold loosened up causing a airl leak leaning the mixiture too much causing an overheat. Fuji replaced the motor free of charge. 18X8 prop is the best for this set up. The landing gear is way to flimsy so unless you grease it on everytime you will hit the prop on the ground. I tied the gear together with springs and cables criss crossed and that seemed to help. The plane flys well but the rudder could be a little bigger. This has been my first gas airplane and a good experiance in the learning curve and from that I know what I'll want in my next airplane.
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Old 11-22-2009, 10:55 AM   #12
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Default Re: GreatPlanes Performance Series 27% Edge 540

great review cracky i have a fugi 43 on my 330s , did you have oil splatter on the bottom of the plane with the stock muffler ?
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