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Building Tips and technical articles. => 1/2 A building. => Topic started by: Dennis Adamisin on July 29, 2009, 10:33:49 AM
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Titile kinda sez it all. I'm working on a 1/2A Pathfinder, plan to fly it on .008 x 42', but should I really put it out to 52'?
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Depends on the power system you are using. Medallion .049, probably 42' Tee Dee on pressure with a drilled out venturi 50' PAW .061, I expect you could go to 52'.
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I flew TD's, running on pressure, on 42 ft lines. A little fast but good solid line tension.
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Thanx Larry & Jim. I'm planning on an UNSPEAKABLE power system but in the spirit of 1/2A I will limit it to a 6" prop.
How about total flight time and/or lap times to get a full pattern? I am assuming my usual 5.3 sec laps arent gonna work...
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Hummmmmm the smell of electrons are in the air.
Dennis
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Hummmmmm the smell of electrons are in the air.
Dennis
The smell of electrons are OK but the smell of the black smoke when things go wrong is hideous!
Denny, I don't have a lot of experience with exactly what you are up against but as long as you are not tied to competition rules where you must tailor the aircraft to a specific length of lines, finding what works best for this airplane is going to be like choosing the best prop for a certain plane motor combo.
I think you will need to make up several sets of different length lines and try them all.
One thing that has not been brought up and needs to be considered is that just two feet can make a very noticeable difference. This is especially true at longer line lengths. What I am trying to say is that I would not go right from 42' to 52' in one step.
In fine tuning this wild beast (which has my attention!) You might find that you need to tweak the engine offset or rudder to get it to fly on the 52's. Who knows, you might find you like it best on 50' lines.
It also sounds like you might have propeller issues as well if the motor is as you say. If you know without a doubt you have a large surplus of power, there has to be a level of inefficacy somewhere. I am sure you will be able to wade though this and have a massively rewarding experience! ;D
I look forward to seeing more about this project, Robert
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Titile kinda sez it all. I'm working on a 1/2A Pathfinder, plan to fly it on .008 x 42', but should I really put it out to 52'?
Dennis,
50' s/b okay, depending on your final weight.
please see your e-mail.
Note: the L.Renger 1/2a handle, available from RSM, is a winner for these small planes.
I highly recommend it!
Roger V.
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Hmmm,
as well as the 1/2A P'finder flies with a Norvel .061, "IF" you are going to electreic, I am also "very interested".
Please keep us advised.
Roger V.
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Yup, the plan is electric getting enough power is not the problem. Getting there at minimal weight is - but I think I cant get there from here. Longer lines and longer flight times increase the battery size.
Was not sure the PF would do the pattern on 42' - that it might require more like 52' to have a big enough sky. Robert" you are right on target, a couple feet of line length can mean a LOT more friendly performance.
Again, in the spirit of 1/2A I would like to keep it to a 6" prop, and not moe than 52' of line.
Tho not "legal" would it be a big enough benefit to use Spiderwire or is .008 cable still the best choice?
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IMHO, Spiderwire works, but .008s have less drag. Line weight doesn't seem to be an issue. Of course the Spiderwire is more durable.
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i am using 48' Spiderwire with my .061-powered stunters. 42' with good .049s (Norvel, VA, Black Widow, etc.). 35' with wimpy .049s (Brodak, Babe Bee, Cox production engines, etc.). 27' with .020s. 20' to 25' with .010.
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I was using 35 foot lines on my electrified Baby Clown. That was more or less set by the battery (a 2s730mAHr pack) and ~2400kV motor that I had wound myself.
Here is a link.
http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=8841.0
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Dennis,
My 1/2A Tercel with a TD .049 used 52 foot lines. It started out life with .006 solids, but the rules do not allow that any more, so I used .008 cables. My Tercel is about 220 sq in which is about the same size or slightly smaller than the Pathfinder. If you are able to use the Norvel .061 or the AP Wasp .061, that Pathfinder will be happy with 52 or 55 foot lines.
(The Tercel has 3 1st place trophies to its credit at the Nats 1/2A contests using 52 foot or longer lines.)
Keith
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well my 1/2 A is a little more powerfull than most, Cyclon .049 and the model is 315 squares. but the last times i flew it i was using 60 feet of .008's .i will probably cut them down in the future since i finally got the speed down by using a 1.2 pitch prop.since the lap times were a bit slow the lines dont need to be that long.allthough the model flew fine with the 60's it takes a lot of fuel to do the pattern at the long lap times.and the line weight becomes excessive.
Dave jr.