|
You
have probably developed your own method of doing
things and I won’t presume to tell you how to do
anything. I would just like to share with you
some of the things I have learned that work for me. |
|
1. |
Engine
Mounting
– I like to drill the mounting holes 3/16”, put a drop
of epoxy or Gorilla Glue in each one, then just let
the supplied 4-40 machine screws self thread
themselves in. Also please use the supplied exhaust
tube to direct the exhaust under the wing as the
printing is NOT fuel
proof. |
|
2. |
Servo &
Linkage Layout
- I have found that it works good for me to lay out
all the servos on the wing and set up the radio and
linkage before I tape the servos on. This just
seems to make the set-up go faster and with fewer
miss-moves. You can also use the placement of
the rudder servo to help get the correct balance front
to back. |
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3. |
Fuel
tank & Battery Installation
– I try to use the tank and battery to get the final
balance (both longitude and latitude) 5”-6” seems to
work best. Usually I put the fuel tank to the
left side and as far forward as I can get it.
The battery I typically put behind the tank with the
receiver on top of it. For most 40 size motors
this works fine. Occasionally it works out
better to put the battery beside the tank, between the
tank and the throttle servo. |
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4. |
Control Throw
– So far I would say the more throw you can get, the
more fun you can have. |
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5. |
Props
– Small enough to get good throttle response is
important. Don’t worry about thrust. At
under 3 lbs. gross flying weight you are going to have
plenty. |
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6. |
Launching
- The best way I have found to launch the plane is to
just give the engine enough throttle to let it pull
it’s own weight, then gently launch it nose up and
wing level. |
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7. |
Flying
– Just one word of caution, if you get in the death
spiral (you will know it when you do it – usually
caused by to much rudder input) the only way out is
down elevator, high throttle and enough altitude. |
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8. |
Landing –
If you get low and slow you can just land it tail
first and let the nose plop. If you are dead
stick I suggest you really try to keep the air speed
up. PBF’s and bricks have about the same glide
ratio and you will likely only have one chance for a
flair. Dead stick landings have cost me more
props than crashes. |
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I
hope these hints help you to enjoy Pizza Box Flying as
much as I have.
I would love to here from you about your flying
experiences and any helpful hints you might have to
offer.
mike@coolplane.com |
