Lucas Hofman Posted November 17, 2016 Author Share Posted November 17, 2016 Me too. The weather is deplorable now. Rain, around 0 celsius, dark and windy. So it may take a while. I had hoped to re-use a pilot from a HK skywalker that never completely lived up to expections: He is used to flying in cold conditions but is just to broad shoaldered for the Ballerina. For the Tucano Mass build I bought some featherlight pilots that were vacuum formed (and in halves). But where did they come from? Any other outlets I should consider? Lucas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Try SLEC, They have quite a good range of Pilots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 I don't think the Tucano parts came from SLEC they came from Vortex Vacform. Their pilots are here The Tucano parts are actually on the BVR page on their site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Immaculate Lucas You putting some lettering/decals on ? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted November 17, 2016 Author Share Posted November 17, 2016 YES! And I have just be informed they are ready, for the price of a cake. I hope to get them tomorrow (and that the colour is the right blue). It is good to have modelling friends in the graphical trade. You will see it as soon as they are in place Lucas Edited By Lucas Hofman on 17/11/2016 16:06:11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 The vacformed pilots are from Vortex Vacform Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted November 18, 2016 Author Share Posted November 18, 2016 It takes a bit of care to get a ballerina without wrinkles (Youtube is you friend, many video's on how to apply vinyl decals). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 I like that!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted November 18, 2016 Author Share Posted November 18, 2016 Now I think she qualifies for the "finished Ballerina's" thread! Decal on the wing applied, fairings around the legs and a windscreen in place: I fitted the windscreen with 4 M2x6 bolts. The windscreen itself was made from the packaging of a cake. A little flimsy but it will flex on a noseover instead of cracking. Text and 2 ballerina's for a cake! Fingers crossed for good weather! I am not completely pleased with the aileron servo's (Turnigy 9025MG). They are humming at any deflection other then neutral. May not be up to par, we will see. Power consumption is 32A (on 4 cells), measured with a full battery. Just under 500W, with an all up weight of 1700 gr. should give quite sparkling performance. Edited By Lucas Hofman on 18/11/2016 20:31:56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 Elegant Lucas..have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 Great achievement, Lucas. You can be proud of your work. The finishing vinyl is definitely worth the 'cake'.. My vinyl sign man is a friend as well. So now, I'm wondering what he will be surprising me with... Have fun when the lake is frozen. Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 I am looking forward with great interest and expectation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyD Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 i love that colour scheme good luck with the maiden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted November 29, 2016 Author Share Posted November 29, 2016 The weekend offered 10 knots wind, but gusts up to 30. Ok to check the range and do a little taxiing, but I was - this time- wise enough not to try to fly a plane I had never flown before! So I had to sneak out from work in the middle of the afternoon today to catch the last hour of daylight. Zero wind, -1 degree and frozen grassplane (which gives litle friction). Ballerina took of in 10-20 meter but need a lot of elevator to keep on track. Low rates were not comfortable, high rates gave at least control. After trimming (at height) I found inverted flight needed a lot of down elevator. In addition a stall was next to impossible. Landing was very controlled, she tracks well and is predictable at low speeds. There is little suspension in the landing struts and with a frozen and somewhat uneven grassplane everythign shudders a lot. Probably foam wheels can help here. I moved the battery first 2, later 3 cm back, corresponding to about half a cm in CG. Remove most of the expo on ailerons and increased rudder travel. Now the controls feel more balanced, inverted flying taking about 1/4 down elevator and there is a clear stall. Takeoff need some right rudder to be straight, slowly releasing the stick when more and more of the lift come from the wings and the rudder becomes more effective. Stall turns are beautifull. 3 flights before my hands and feet got numb, and the sun was under the horizon. A little early to say but it looks like she could have some right trust. However, I am not going to make a new cowl so a throttle-rudder mix will have to do the job. A little snow is expected for the weekend. I need some skies for her. Looking forward to many enjoyable flights! Thanks Peter for a good design! Edited By Lucas Hofman on 29/11/2016 15:59:46 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 Very nice Lucas. The need for som much elevator is unusual. I always needc a quick dab of rightrudder on take off but not once it is in the air. Interesting that it needs so mcuh down in inverted and up in level flight Obviously movingthe CGback helped. Anyway, great that you had some good flying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 Looks even better sat outside congrats Lucas no expo in mine, controls felt well balanced from the off. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted November 30, 2016 Author Share Posted November 30, 2016 Hi Peter, When back in the workshop I checked the CG (which the battery in its new position). It was.... right were you have drawn it on the plan. My first flights were with a CG about 5 mm further forward. Sloppy work when setting up! Very much looking forward to the weekend now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 I am surpised at how much difference 5 mm made.My CG mustbe right on the for3ard limit. but it does make the model very safe and easy to fly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted December 4, 2016 Author Share Posted December 4, 2016 The last post in this thread. Taken today on the ice: And on fly-by (or was is a final in to landing). Straight as an arrow: Touchdown (or maybe it was take-off): I am looking forward to many more afternoons on the ice this winter. Peter, thanks for designing a very good looking and well flying modell. And for all responses and support while building the Ballerina. Regards, Lucas Edited By Lucas Hofman on 04/12/2016 19:05:39 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 THat looks really nice....apart from the ice and snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 You can really be proud of your achievement, Lucas. Well done & have a lot of 'lake fun'. Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 Looks a great place to fly Lucas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted February 20, 2017 Author Share Posted February 20, 2017 Some last pictures from flying this winter: Pilot in place: He is a sissy and complained about the cold. Better now: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Love it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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