Working On The Beginner Pattern Some More with Used Chipmunk

[Shug Emery]

The challenge of a stunt pattern continues)))) So much more to it than one would imagine. I bought a used Chipmunk from Piston Popper member Bob Cheney (I love it Bob, thanks) and it is well built with large control surfaces and fast action. Gotta watch the handle!
Went out today after chores and worked on getting the bottoms lower, shapes better, feet planted, arm straighter and work on that overhead 8. Fair amount of wind so still trying to figure out the best position on overhead 8s and playing the wind direction.
Thanks to everyone on here that has given me advice on this. I am trying to put it all to task.
Drove home pretty happy...not to bad all in all. Still a lot of work and that for sure keeps it interesting.
Even my wife said I look like I'm having fun with the challenge.
Shug



[/url]

[Tim Wescott]

... with large control surfaces and fast action. Gotta watch the handle!

• If I recall correctly, you have a handle with fixed spacing.  Hardpoint handles and some cable-type handles let you adjust the line spacing to match the plane -- you want to adjust the spacing to what feels right for you, rather than trying to adjust you to what makes the plane fly right.
• Yes, beginner pattern uses a "regular" wingover.
• It's hard to tell from your video, but it looks like you're not getting up to 45 degrees with the loops and the horizontal eight -- pay attention if you can.
• I'm not sure if it was the wind, the plane, or what, but that landing could be much better.  Were you trying to stretch it for style, or because of the wind (it sounded pretty brisk)?  Normally smooth landings are helped by coming in a bit "hot" -- you want to still be flying the plane when the wheels hit the ground, rather than having it fall out of the sky a foot above the ground.
• I'm not up on the whole 2-4 break thing, but that motor run sounded scary-weird, like it was cutting out just where you wanted power.  Maybe someone else can comment?

[Mark Scarborough]

looks like progress Shug
Like Tim said,, sounds like there is something amiss with the power system,, perhaps its overpropped,, or something in the tank plumbing,, it should not be cutting off there, it should be leaning out a bit,,
what prop are you using?
and what fuel
a LOT of crashes happen because the airplane and motor are not helping you,,
a well trimmed airplane is easy to fly,,

[Shug Emery]

• If I recall correctly, you have a handle with fixed spacing.  Hardpoint handles and some cable-type handles let you adjust the line spacing to match the plane -- you want to adjust the spacing to what feels right for you, rather than trying to adjust you to what makes the plane fly right.
• Yes, beginner pattern uses a "regular" wingover.
• It's hard to tell from your video, but it looks like you're not getting up to 45 degrees with the loops and the horizontal eight -- pay attention if you can.
• I'm not sure if it was the wind, the plane, or what, but that landing could be much better.  Were you trying to stretch it for style, or because of the wind (it sounded pretty brisk)?  Normally smooth landings are helped by coming in a bit "hot" -- you want to still be flying the plane when the wheels hit the ground, rather than having it fall out of the sky a foot above the ground.
• I'm not up on the whole 2-4 break thing, but that motor run sounded scary-weird, like it was cutting out just where you wanted power.  Maybe someone else can comment?

Going to try different handle next for sure. The plane is new to me and a big wing so it floats on the landing...trying to get a feel. Stiil trying to suss out shapes and the 45s. Was way to high before so trying to adjust. Will take me some more practice.
Thanks for commenting. It is all helpful.

[Shug Emery]

looks like progress Shug
Like Tim said,, sounds like there is something amiss with the power system,, perhaps its overpropped,, or something in the tank plumbing,, it should not be cutting off there, it should be leaning out a bit,,
what prop are you using?
and what fuel
a LOT of crashes happen because the airplane and motor are not helping you,,
a well trimmed airplane is easy to fly,,

A bit of progress and a new plane to boot. Flew the Super clown some before this one. The Chipmunk is very responsive!
Using a 10-5 on it so don't think that is too much for a .40. Just needs some tweaking I reckon. Fuel is Brodak 10% 11.5 Castor 11.5% synthetic.
It was real tight on the lines and felt good to me. And it was a bit windy.
I appreciate your insight.

[Tim Wescott]

"Floats on landing" sounds like it may be tail heavy.  For that matter, that'd make it sensitive on the controls, too.

Ideally the thing should smoothly transition from powered to unpowered flight -- if it balloons up when the engine cuts, then it's tail heavy.  If it's really easy to whip with the engine cut, then it's probably too nose heavy.

Note that you don't want to mix up your adjustments between handle spacing and nose weight: they both need to be right, and when you change the balance point you'll need to move the leadouts, too.

[Shug Emery]

"Floats on landing" sounds like it may be tail heavy.  For that matter, that'd make it sensitive on the controls, too.

Ideally the thing should smoothly transition from powered to unpowered flight -- if it balloons up when the engine cuts, then it's tail heavy.  If it's really easy to whip with the engine cut, then it's probably too nose heavy.

Note that you don't want to mix up your adjustments between handle spacing and nose weight: they both need to be right, and when you change the balance point you'll need to move the leadouts, too.

The builder made the wing extra long. Added on to each end. The seller told me it just want s to stay in the air. I did have a couple of good landing....just not on video.

[john e. holliday]

You are doing mucho better.   As stated don't try to stretch the glide after engine quits.   You may try an 11-4 on that .40.  Not enough diameter I think even tho the 10-5 should not be too much prop.  I've been told numerous times big and smooth is better than small and jerky.   And handle spacing takes flying and adjusting.  I finally got my Accentor in the air with the RO-Jett .40 running a 10 1/2 X 4 1/2 composite prop.  For some reason the engine did not want to keep running until I had the needle in and it sounding like it was too lean.   Got two so called patterns in with out falling on my butt.   Getting ready to go out again.

[Paul Taylor]

Shug
Like others said fix the motor run. Burping on a Fox 35 is ok, not on a OS.
As for the H-8's. Open them up, wider and a little taller. Same for the V-8's. Lay them out.

Hard to show on this video but Joe Gilbert showed my son Ryan how to lay flat on his back and do overhead eights. Not recommended in a contest but sure entertains the crowds during Junkyard wars.   

[Shug Emery]

You are doing mucho better.   As stated don't try to stretch the glide after engine quits.   You may try an 11-4 on that .40.  Not enough diameter I think even tho the 10-5 should not be too much prop.  I've been told numerous times big and smooth is better than small and jerky.   And handle spacing takes flying and adjusting.  I finally got my Accentor in the air with the RO-Jett .40 running a 10 1/2 X 4 1/2 composite prop.  For some reason the engine did not want to keep running until I had the needle in and it sounding like it was too lean.   Got two so called patterns in with out falling on my butt.   Getting ready to go out again.

I do have that 11-4 to put on it so will try. Did not fly it today.
A work in fun progress. So much to learn and do.
Nice your getting some handle time.

[Shug Emery]

Shug
Like others said fix the motor run. Burping on a Fox 35 is ok, not on a OS.
As for the H-8's. Open them up, wider and a little taller. Same for the V-8's. Lay them out.

Hard to show on this video but Joe Gilbert showed my son Ryan how to lay flat on his back and do overhead eights. Not recommended in a contest but sure entertains the crowds during Junkyard wars.   

May have been a bit to rich? Not sure yet but I'll get to know that engine.
That was a crazy video)))))

[the original Steve Smith]

Shug,

You have a wife???  When do you have time for her? 

Just kidding...I bet she is an understanding and patient woman!

Steve

[Shug Emery]

Shug,

You have a wife???  When do you have time for her? 

Just kidding...I bet she is an understanding and patient woman!

Steve

I do! Understanding and patient? Yes. She has been recovering from back surgery and likes me gone....for a spell anyhow.

[Tim Wescott]

May have been a bit to rich? Not sure yet but I'll get to know that engine.
That was a crazy video)))))

That was a bit rich -- but when you're flying a plane for the first time with an unknown tank setup, rich is good.  It sure beats leaning it out to a scream and then burning up an engine.

[Shug Emery]

That was a bit rich -- but when you're flying a plane for the first time with an unknown tank setup, rich is good.  It sure beats leaning it out to a scream and then burning up an engine.

I concur.