Profile Pathfinder Kit

[John Rist]

I am considering the Profile Pathfinder Kit by Brodak  as my winter building project.  I also plan to use the Brodak Universal "D" Electric Conversion kit to convert it to an electric.  Any body had any experience with this kit.  I am in the process of learning the stunt pattern.  I Currently am flying a 576 Ringmaster converted to electric.   It flies OK but is a little over weigh.  I hope to keep this Pathfinder build light.  Any comments on this project?  Also is there a better choice in a profile electric around 600 sq that I should consider.  The reason for the 600 size - it is the motor battery combination I have in the 576 Ring.  The reason for the electric is that it does not require a stooge.

          

[Dan McEntee]

  If you fly with out restraining the model, you are in violation of the AMA safety code, and any incident that might occur during the operation of the model will not be covered by any AMA insurance or support. An electric model can, and have quite often, start up unintentionally. You must restrain that here airplane. Ask that Cleveland Indians pitcher about electric motors starting up on their own!
    Type at you later,
     Dan McEntee
 

[Carl Cisneros]

What Dan said!!!!!!!!!

Carl

[Crist Rigotti]

Dan,
I thought that rule only applies to competition.

[Brett Buck]

Dan,
I thought that rule only applies to competition.

  As near as I can tell, correct. The safety code doesn't contain anything about restraining the model, although it is a very good idea.

     Brett

     

[Perry Rose]

I have built the kit and it's a good flying model. Mine weighed under 50 ounces powered by an OS .46LA. 62 foot lines eye to eye. The designer, Gordon Delany, has posted some changes you should make here a few pages back. I'm in the process of scratch building another  from the plans using his suggested changes and a built up fuselage like the Mo'Best. The build progress is being posted on the Brotherhood site.

[John Rist]

  If you fly with out restraining the model, you are in violation of the AMA safety code, and any incident that might occur during the operation of the model will not be covered by any AMA insurance or support. An electric model can, and have quite often, start up unintentionally. You must restrain that here airplane. Ask that Cleveland Indians pitcher about electric motors starting up on their own!
    Type at you later,
     Dan McEntee
 

All true.  However I fly on a grass baseball field.  So far I have been all alone (early morning during school),  Also I drive a stake in the middle of the circle and hook the safety thong around the Stake.  The safety thong is on the down side of the handle. If the motor starts the aircraft will noise over in the grass.  I use the KR timer that will stop the motor instantly.  I have tested this feature and it works!!!  So tell me why this is less safe then a stooge on a gasser.  While walking out to the circle you can trip on the stooge line and release the airplane.  So nothing is 100% safe so get over it.  Do you pull test your model every time you fly it?  As a hole the AMA safety rules are good.  However, who has not stretched the rules at one time or another?  Control line flying in general has a outstanding safety record. so as a whole we must be doing something right.

Having said all this, tanks for bringing up safety concerns, they are important 

[Motorman]

My 575 planes have an Eflight power 15, castle ice edge 50, Hubin fm9 and Thunder Power 3700 4s and my 3 blade 11.25x6 but an APC 11.5x5.5e works ok.

When my wife's not around to practice our contest launch, I use a large screw driver to stake the safety thong before and after the flight. No malfunctions yet.

MM

[Bill Johnson]

Now that the safety concerns have been addressed, can anyone help John with "I am considering the Profile Pathfinder Kit by Brodak  as my winter building project." "Any body had any experience with this kit."

[Motorman]

Any Brodak kit I've built was really good, the Pathfinder is a modern design, if you like the looks of it what could go wrong. I did notice it's 620 sq. in. so the above mentioned E system won't be big enough as it's boarder line for a 575 profile. Get an E flight power 25 or similar.

MM

[John Rist]

Any Brodak kit I've built was really good, the Pathfinder is a modern design, if you like the looks of it what could go wrong. I did notice it's 620 sq. in. so the above mentioned E system won't be big enough as it's boarder line for a 575 profile. Get an E flight power 25 or similar.

MM

I plan to use a Cobra C-2826/10.  It will be swinging a APC 12x6-EP cut down to an 11x6 EP. It swings the 11x6 prop at set 10K rpm for 5 minutes on a 3000 4 cell lipo. I am getting 5 minute flight times. This is the set up I plan to try because it works in my 576 Ringmaster.  Per the Brodak web site they recommend a Brodak 40 for the Pathfinder.  The speck for the Brodak 40 is 10500 rpm on a 10x5 prop.

The big challenge will be to keep the build light.  I will remove all unnecessary wood.  Use Ca sparingly.  Cover with Polyspan.  I may use carbon vale on the fuselage (I think Ty has a ton on hand).  Do a clear dope finish with color Jap tissue trim.  And of course very light wheels.  By the way the Brodak kit is priced very reasonably.

[Brent Williams]

I would use the Brodak fuselage as a template and build your own fuselage by laminating two 1/4" slabs together with a very small amount of 30min epoxy.  We have been choosing that method with our profile builds around here and it yields a lighter, stronger fuselage.  

Gordan and Roger both have Pathfinder's that weigh under 45oz.  Good wood, great building skills and Monokoted wings and tail.

The red white and blue Pathfinder is the latest Pathfinder to emerge from Gordan's secret underground stunt bunker.  This was it's maiden flight, built by Roger Kramar.    

[John Rist]

I would use the Brodak fuselage as a template and build your own fuselage by laminating two 1/4" slabs together with a very small amount of 30min epoxy.  We have been choosing that method with our profile builds around here and it yields a lighter, stronger fuselage.  

Gordan and Roger both have Pathfinder's that weigh under 45oz.  Good wood, great building skills and Monokoted wings and tail.

The red white and blue Pathfinder is the latest Pathfinder to emerge from Gordan's secret underground stunt bunker.  This was it's maiden flight, built by Roger Kramar.    

45 oz sounds like a really good target weight.  I have a hand-me-down Pathfinder with an OS Max 50 FSR that weighed in at 61 OZ.  It flies ok but I want an electric.

Tell me more about your fuselage.  I take it that the Brodak fuselage is 1/2" balsa.  Is your version lighter because of wood selection?  I can see how it would be stiffer.  The difference in grain pattern of the two pieces would give a box beam affect. Is you fuse covered with carbon veal?

Great looking ships.  I don't plan to compete with the looks of your ships.  I don't do all that well on finishes.  A question on the wing covering.  How much does it add to strength of the wing?  I notice you said you used Monokote on the wing.  What would be the consequence of using a light weight translucent film?  

[Brent Williams]

Hopefully Gordan will chime in with his thoughts on the matter regarding film covering.  Most (all?) of the Pathfinders that have been built in this area, (which is the home of the Pathfinder,) have had monokoted wings.

Carbon veil is always a good thing.  Roger did use that on the red/white/blue one in the pictures.
------

In my case on my TrailBlazer, (Gotcha foam wing stunt warhorse,) I was able to use two lighter, but not soft and punky, pieces of balsa and the lamination process yielded a 1/2" body blank that was lighter, stronger and stiffer than a similar 1/2" solid plank.  I have subjected my plane to abuse that is unspeakable and it is nearly equal parts glue/wood at this point...but I can fly the pattern now...so it has been a good thing for me.  

I sourced the body wood from the local Michaels crafts store.  I searched through the bin of 1/4 x 4" x 36" pieces and found two suitable blanks.  I used the daily 40% off online coupons and have been quite satisfied.