New Avanti Done! Photo's.

[Eric Viglione]

Done! Finito! Finally! This one took way too long... it was like giving birth, and it's not like I did a complex paint scheme or fancy finish, just lot's of little nagging aerodynamic and structural details. Can't wait to fly her!

Some spec's:
Dixon Avanti foam wing kit
Phil Cartier SLC Film on open bays and Silkspan/Nitrate over that.
Epoxy/.5 ounce Fiberglass on fuse
Tom Morris Adjustables
RO Jett 76 on Stalker rear muffler
KlassKote Epoxy color and clear
Maxx wheels
65 Ounces

The way I did the AV symbol in Avanti is special to me, as that is the way my Dad used to sign his initials, like when he would engrave his tools or mark his copy of a book. I figure it might raise questions so I'm heading you off at the pass, heh.
 
To be flown soon at a field near...well...ME actually! May get it's maiden trim flight at Phil Coopy's fly in Sat... the weather forecast looks promising.  See Pic's. :-)
 
EricV

[RC Storick]

You did a fine job. Looks like everyone has been hard at it. 

[Roger Vizioli]

Georgeous Eric!
Will you have room in the van for the B. Baron plane?
If so, I'll bring the 1/2A Barecat for a photo op.
Roger

[Ron King]

Beautiful plane, Eric.

Please let us know how well it works for you. I am especially interested in hearing if the RJ 76 runs okay with the Stalker muffler. Mine was not happy unless I had a long pipe on it and I would love to find a different (and lighter) exhaust system.

Thanks,

Ron

[Zuriel Armstrong]

Beautiful!!!  I love the AV and the meaning and history behind it.

[frank carlisle]

you done real good Eric. Be sure to let us know how those first flights go.

[Eric Viglione]

Thanks Roger! Not sure how much room I'll have, since EddyR will be visiting and riding along with planes too, but I'll bring the Humbug if it fits. That, and maybe the Viking, just because it's fun to fly and makes TONS of noise when I pull the muffler off of the Fox .59!  Well, that and it will fly off of just about any surface.

Georgeous Eric!
Will you have room in the van for the B. Baron plane?
If so, I'll bring the 1/2A Barecat for a photo op.
Roger

[Eric Viglione]

Ron - I already had the RO76 running in a test bed, (An old Big Jim LJ) and the Stalker muffler works fine, but you may not want to go by my experience because I have modded the motor to a different run. I'm running it in a low RPM setup, and it's nice and quiet, pulls like a mule.

PS: Woops - Almost forgot to mention, I'm not running the direct metal to sleeve mount on the muffler with that o-ring they give you, I'm using a standard silicon header coupler tube and a 1 1/2" rise header that's been cut off just past the bend.

Eric

Beautiful plane, Eric.

Please let us know how well it works for you. I am especially interested in hearing if the RJ 76 runs okay with the Stalker muffler. Mine was not happy unless I had a long pipe on it and I would love to find a different (and lighter) exhaust system.

Thanks,

Ron

[Eric Viglione]

Thanks guy's for the kind words. There's plenty of mistakes in this one, but that's ok, maybe I'll be less afraid of the gorund than if she came out perfect...heh. 
I'm chompin' at the bit to fly it soon... 

Eric V

[Ron King]

Ron - I already had the RO76 running in a test bed, (An old Big Jim LJ) and the Stalker muffler works fine, but you may not want to go by my experience because I have modded the motor to a different run. I'm running it in a low RPM setup, and it's nice and quiet, pulls like a mule.

PS: Woops - Almost forgot to mention, I'm not running the direct metal to sleeve mount on the muffler with that o-ring they give you, I'm using a standard silicon header coupler tube and a 1 1/2" rise header that's been cut off just past the bend.

Eric

Eric,

Thanks for the info. When I was running mine, I also liked the low RPM route. I cannot tell what prop you have, but I was using a Pro Zinger 14x5 at 92 - 9400 RPM. Unfortunately, I splashed that plane in August and don't have a replacement ready.

Ron

[Bill Little]

HI Eric,

Looks great!  I missed you at Huntersville.  Hope to see you soon!  And good luck with the Avanti.

Bill <><

[Richard Oliver]

Eric, I also hope you enjoy this plane and let me try to help a little with the motor run. I am flying one of my 76s with a header muffler now(today even!) and have a few tid bits of info. I know you said you modified the motor but it should still be close. I believe even Ron was running the motor way to high in RPM for the run type you guys are looking for from a muffled system.
Here is what is working for me with the 76 and header muffler (in the 90 also, just different props) as far as prop, RPM and set up. I am running a Eather 3 blade 13x5, Zinger 14x5, Rev-up 14x6, and a Gator 3 blade 14x4.7. I am running all of them at 8200 to 8600. If I try to run them any higher the back pressure is to much and the engine begins to stumble and not breath. The 2 blades seem to want 4.7 to 5 pitch and the 3 blades like 4.5-4.7. All have the tips washed out by at least 1/2 to 1 " of pitch. Venturi is at .215 to .230 and fuel is 10% all syn. 23% thin viscosity. I use my panty hose filter system to regulate the horsepower from prop to prop and day to day. The head clearance should be from .035 to .045 from TDC. Plug should be a good hot range type for clean 4 stroke operation and quick breaking in and out of a 2-4.
If I can be of help please feel free to call.
RO

[Eric Viglione]

Thanks Richard, I do need to call you... Actually I am running it much lower RPM than Ron. I've run it as low as 6800 RPM with a 13x6 and 6 second laps that still pulled hard and was pattern capable. It was also very very quiet. That's not where I wan't to run it though, as it didn't resist wind up as well as when run a little faster. The best run's I had were in the 4.75 to 5.25 pitch range, with RPMs in the 7600 to 8400 range.

Maybe stating the engine was modified was an over statement, as I didn't touch the timing. it's been a while, so it's hard to give you exact numbers off the top of my head.. I do have a log book somewhere... Just to give you a rough idea:

I picked it up second hand and mine may have been an early prototype, as it is engraved #8.  The stock compression was around 150 PSI and it predetonated a lot when I tried to raise the rpm or raise the 4 stroke. I Hemi'd a spare head. Even after the Hemi it took a few shims to get it down to 125PSI, which is where mine runs best on a muffler. I think it was something like 2.5 points for every shim?  I didn't think I would have enough threads on the screws to put in all the shims I wanted, plus I figured the glow plug would be too far away and it wouldn't stay lit, hence the Hemi modification

 I run Powermaster ROJett Blend and a hot plug. The 180 venturi was much too small and can run from 225 to 250 with a Bruline green.

Either way, it's a great runner on a muffler set up this way.
Eric V

[Richard Oliver]

Looks like you are were I am with your set up. On the 90 I had to also hemi the head for Wendy with the way he sets his up to run. If you need one machined in the future I am Glad to do one for you.
In order to run lower RPM (Tiger style) it needs some things that do not work for Pipe set ups. You touched one one, lower compression. Lower rpm requires more pitch. This is where the wind up can get you if you do not have enough compression to hold it back as well as enough back pressure from the muffler. The muffler has a point at which it will resist breathing. This is the rpm that you want to find and pick your prop to peak there.  When the engine hits a 2 cycle it needs to be close to where the muffler and compression will not let it wind up. This takes some field testing but is very rewarding. The second balancing act is to find the right pitch that gives you drive with the right speed with out rushing you in the down lines. If you work hard enough you will find it. The layering of panty hose over the venturi is a very useful tool in finding this balance you are seeking. Good power in the uplines but too much in the down lines may be as little as 1 or 2 layers over the venturi to calm down. The reverse applies if you need a little more.
Good luck!
RO

[Eric Viglione]

Flight Report -
(also posted in design forum for continuity of other thread)

I flew the Avanti several times over the holiday weekend. Let me preface my findings with how the bench trimming went. Firstly, the plane came out a tad (one half inch) tail heavy in comparison to where the plans show the C/G. Not wanting a hairy first flight, I put a one ounce shaft weight inside the spinner and backed off the adjustable controlls a little from the normal 1/1 ratio. I put in 3/4 ounce tip weight, which was just enough to make the outboard wing drop when balanced off the spinner and tail wheel. Lead outs adjusted by hanging the plane and locking them down when the hinge line was just a hair tilted forward. Not very scientific, I know, but it always is pretty close for me that way.

First flights were very conservative, had Owen check for wings tilt, dead level upright & inverted. Absolutely no hunt whatsoever. No yaw in the corners, so really decent initial trim, though I'll probably find something I don't like eventually. New planes always feel great for some reason. Maybe adrenalin covers a multitude of sins.

I had some issues with my muffler having separation anxiety, but a little J/B Weld and another trip to the field allowed more flying and dialing in props and engine the next day.

The plane will fly slow if I want, which most previous planes would not do well. I can fly full pattern comfortably at a wide range from 5.2 to 5.7 sec where as I am usually more comfortable only around 5.2 with my other planes. I give credit to the high lift capability of the wing.

I plan on pulling out the nose weight and putting the elevator ratio to stock. After speaking with Dixon, he said the C/G on the plans is really a starting point, so the 1/2" rearward C/G without the spinner weight may be doable.

Turn quality is quite good, but requires more wrist action than I like.  Once again, returning it to original non-conservative trim will change that, plus I'm running a narrow handle spacing at the moment. It pulls out very flat, which is the typical Patternmaster style turn they were famous for.

The engine run still needs a little tuning, mostly tank issues I think. Nothing major, just some little details to chase down. I get a lean surge in the upright 5ft level pull outs, but it seems fine every where else. It leaves more fuel in the clunk tank than I would like and it doesn't shut down quite as clean as I would like.

All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to build another in-line plane. I built this dead stock including the airfoiled stab. I see no out of the ordinary trim problems, nor even potential ones. This is one fine design.

EricV

[Phil Coopy]

Saw it Saturday Eric,  looked great!

Phil

[Jim Morris]

Hello Eric, just wanted to know if you used the shaft extension? When I built my first one I did like the plans and used it which moved the engine back, BIG mistake, I ended adding a full ounce of nose weight and it still  wasnt enough, but I settled and got used to it. Nice looking plane.         Regards, Jim Morris     

[Eric Viglione]

Jim -

No, I didn't give this one the shaft...extension, that is....

My memory on this is a little thin, but think the kit motor mounts are shortened to  use a front block extension for rounding out the front end with the extension. I think I put the engine as far forward as I was comfortable on the maple mounts, and trimmed off the excess from the front block before I mounted the ply nose ring so as to have the thrust washer line up. I only had to remove perhaps 1/4" My thinking at the time was that the heavier RO76 wouldn't miss that slightly longer front end.

In practice, it may work out just right. I'll be removing the nose weight I have installed next flying session.

EricV

Hello Eric, just wanted to know if you used the shaft extension? When I built my first one I did like the plans and used it which moved the engine back, BIG mistake, I ended adding a full ounce of nose weight and it still  wasnt enough, but I settled and got used to it. Nice looking plane.         Regards, Jim Morris     

[Warren Wagner]

And it flies as great as it looks !!   I got to see Eric fly the Avanti last Sunday, and it's definitely a winner.   It's a very smooth performer, and in particular, the exits from square maneuvers were impressive....clean with no bobbles.

The RO76 runs like a large electric motor with consistant pull from beginning to end.  It ran effortless, with gobs of power to spare.

A season with Eric flying this plane will probably get him "kicked-up" to Expert.

Good job, Eric.

Warren Wagner