Questions about a new build

[tec548]

I am relatively new to planks because I started RC with helis... long story. I have been flying helis now for about four years and am a pretty skilled 3D pilot. I started getting interested in planks when I switched feilds becuase of my old clubs relocation. This is where I was introduced to giant 3d planks. WOW... I was hooked. I had never seen anything so beautiful... I all but stopped flying helis to learn planks.... love it. Thanks to a great friend of mine I was able to progress rather rapidly from a Big Stick to a Seagull .60 Yac54 to my whole point of this thread.... a new Aerowerks 50cc Yak54 with a DLE55. Here is my question(s)... this is my first large plane that I will be building... well okay assembeling it myself. What are some of the things that I should pay particular attention too? Should I fuel proof the engine box? What really is fuel proofing the engine box? Any things that should be beefed up or removed? Are there any upgrades that I should consider doing from the get go and what should I wait for and grow into? I will be doing almost only 3D work with this model.

Anyone want to buy a pair of Senergy N9s? LOL.....

Thanks for the help guys.

Joel

[FBaity]

The Aeroworks comes already fuel proofed. Follow the instructions to the letter and go fly.

[alfycat]

Welcome FG! That's great: 3D Helis and Planes, doubled Fun!!

[DR10044]

The only thing you need to replace on an AW is the fuel tubing they supply. No need to beef up anything or change anything unless you want to lighten them up a little. If you are not running pipes you could remove the pipe tunnel. I have the 50cc Yak and it is a great flying plane. 3 years old and still looks great.

[sweetpea]

Agreed. Just follow their instructions and you will be good to go.

[classclown]

	Quote: Originally Posted by tec548
	I am relatively new to planks because I started RC with helis... long story. I have been flying helis now for about four years and am a pretty skilled 3D pilot. I started getting interested in planks when I switched feilds becuase of my old clubs relocation. This is where I was introduced to giant 3d planks. WOW... I was hooked. I had never seen anything so beautiful... I all but stopped flying helis to learn planks.... love it. Thanks to a great friend of mine I was able to progress rather rapidly from a Big Stick to a Seagull .60 Yac54 to my whole point of this thread.... a new Aerowerks 50cc Yak54 with a DLE55. Here is my question(s)... this is my first large plane that I will be building... well okay assembeling it myself. What are some of the things that I should pay particular attention too? Should I fuel proof the engine box? What really is fuel proofing the engine box? Any things that should be beefed up or removed? Are there any upgrades that I should consider doing from the get go and what should I wait for and grow into? I will be doing almost only 3D work with this model. Anyone want to buy a pair of Senergy N9s? LOL..... Thanks for the help guys. Joel

Hey Joel, welcome to the Giants. Funny that you have been flying helis for four years, and now getting into planes. I started flying planes in 1981, and flew for about 5 years. I got back into the hobby in '93, and flew for a couple years. Started eyeballing helis, but was too intimidated by the whole thing because I did not understand it. For the longest time, I actually thought that all an rc heli could do was hover in one spot, because that was all I saw, everytime I saw one fly. I got back into the hobby in '04, because a few of my friends got into it quite seriously, and it sucked me right back in. I ended up buying an Xcell SE 99, slightly used from a good friend, whose wife would not allow him to buy another heli, unless he sold one first. Just to get me into it, he sold it to me for 250 bucks!! Repaired from a crash, YS 61, and a Futaba GY502 gyro. Awesome deal!! After the sim showed me that I could fly one, I got that heli in the air and flew it. Hovered for a couple minutes, and forward flight for the rest of the flight, like I had been doing it for a while. The other guys at the field that flew helis did not believe it was my first time, but it was. I started trying 3D manuevers with planes in '05 and had a blast. I picked up a Raptor 50 to start practicing some 3D with, and thats when I really started having a blast!!! I forgot about my planes, started picking up more helis. Fast forward, here we are today, fourteen helis later, I decided to begin flying planes again, after 3 to 4 years. Now, I bring both planes and helis to the field everytime I go flying. But the one thing I did notice, flying helis has definitely made me a better airplane pilot. Just thought you would like to know that. About your Yak, good to see that you picked up an Aeroworks airframe. You will get what you paid for. You do not have to fuel proof the engine box, as Aeroworks already did that for you. Always look the whole airframe over in case they missed a glue joint, but I highly doubt you will find one, but you just never know. Anything to beef up? I always beef up all my landing gear points, but always think about weight, and where you place it, as this will affect flight characteristics, ALWAYS. When you mock up the plane with all the goodies, use small bits of tape to place things in the airframe, and check for CG. Don't forget to factor in your wire runs. LIGHTER IS BETTER. So before you start hacking holes for switches and everything, think it all out. I never use lead weights to balance a model. Never. Shift the weight around, it can be done. LIGHTER IS BETTER. Another thing, Zip tie ALL your fuel line connections with good, small ties. Loop your vent line around the tank so that fuel does'nt stream out on downlines, or in your car. 16 to 20 oz fuel tank, you will still get 12 to 15 minutes of flight, with a reserve of about 2 minutes. LIGHTER IS BETTER. Protect all your wires. Slit some glow fuel line, and place them wherever they cross a beam or spar in the airframe. Only place them where you need them using 1 zip tie, to keep it from moving. LIGHTER IS BETTER. Don't skimp on the switches, batteries, servos, regulators, etc. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. For the servo horns, I use 1 1/4" SWB aluminum horns, Hangar 9 HD 4-40 ball ends, and Hangar 9 titanium rods to the control surfaces. Make sure all your bolts are tight, if the bolts are too long, cut off the ends. LIGHTER IS BETTER. After your first flight, pull the spinner off, if you are using one, check your prop bolts, you should check the muffler bolts, check all the set screws in the wheel couplers, I've seen too many people lose a wheel on the first or second flight of a new plane, always use blue loctite on anything metal to metal, just like helis. LIGHTER IS BETTER. GOODLUCK DUDE!!!
ps. Don't sell your Synergy's, you'll still be flying helis.

[tec548]

Thank you very much for the informative reply. This is exactly what I was asking for... Thanks!

I have all top shelf JR electronics for the plank. I guess this comes from the heli side of things as well. I will not skimp on the price of a servo if there is a real performance difference to be had. I am using the same radio and rec. that I use for my helis. (R921 and X9303). I am using the fromoco regulators and LIon batteries. I wanted to use LiPo but was told at the field that it was probably not a good idea because of the vibrations. I can't imagine more vibes than a heli but I'm a newb to planks so I deferred to the guys that know. Thanks for the ideas about the fuel tube on the wires at frame xing. I hadn't thought about that either.

How do you beef up around the landing gear? Add light epoxy?

At the moment I bring one heli and my .60 Yak (OS91FS) to the feild. A bunch of the guys are surprised that I actually wanted to fly planks after helis. I don't understand their surprise because that what this hobby is about for me... the challenge of learning something new. I'm really looking forward to the AW 50cc because I am guessing that just like in the heli world the bigger they are the better they fly.... not to mention easier to see and keep orientation at distance.

No, I'm not realy going to sell any of my helis. I still fly them a fair bit. It's just that I am wanting to spend most of my time learning 3D on the plank. Hardest part is the collective side... got to use less throttle and rudder... LOL...

Are there any plank stores that accept PayPal? I really need to keep some of the expenses hidden from my wife and this is the best way for me.

Joel

[tec548]

Guy's... just about done with the build. Everything has gone really well. I have a question though. I got an engine kill with the DLE55 from TBM. I am trying to install it and have it physically plugged to the Aux4 channel on the rec. (R921). In the radio (X9303h) I have the aux4 channel switching on the aux2 switch (physical). I removed the spark plug and turned the engine over passed the magnet and I can't get a spark regardless of the switch position. It should spark when the magnet passes right? Any ideas? How else would I check the ignition and/or kill switch.... or my programing... LOL.

Joel

[midwestpilot]

Ya really want to fit in... quit calling it a plank...

makes you look like a Heli pilot...

I flew helis and no planes since 1982... 2 years ago I got a Zaggi Tazz and started my fixed wing piloting skills... now this year I have the 30% H9 carden yak... and am having wicked fun...

A plank is something you walk off of in pirate movies

[tec548]

Well, she is flying now and is just awesome! The DLE 55 (even with only a gallon) will just keep pulling stright up doing snaps... wow...

Another question... I know the lighter the better and everyone tells me how heavy the AW Yak is. She seems to do pretty well by me so far, but I honestly don't know. I have not weighed the plane yet but how much could I expect to save in weight by going with the CF wing and stab tubes, CF main and tail wheel gear? Is this worth the money?

Joel

P.S. I'll try to stop calling her a plank... never ment any offence as I now consider myself both a heli and a plane pilot.

[juicesqueezer]

I have the CAP Hangar 9 27%. With the DLE 55, the verticle is till you can't see it! Plenty of power and your plane should be no different. 80" wingspan and just over 17lbs. Rocket with wings!