Canilizer Test Update

Logged approx. 3 dozen flights or so on the Invitation with the smaller Canilizer from AJ Aircraft. At first, I had to work thru a couple of unexpected trim/behavior changes.

1. Removed down elevator mix with rudder, no longer needed
2. Elevator control felt more linear so I decreased up/down elevator exponential

Reducing the Canilizer size on the Invitation was a good ☻decision.  I've been struggling with rudder application (too much or not enough) on 45 deg lines that have pt rolls with the BJ Designs I have i.e Epilogue, Initiation G2 not so much with the CA Models Epic +, and Evolution which have smaller Canilizers.  The smaller Canilizer is definitely helping with consistency with the Invitation. The plan is to outfit the Epilogue next with the smaller Canilizer.

Canilizer Test pt1

Before

After

Comparison

 

Canilizer Test

My BJ Craft Invitation is a solid performer. Updates and tweaks made recently have really improved small elements of its flight traits.  One aspect I would like to alter is rudder behavior. Like most, I gravitate to the latest designs and trends.  Widgets like canilizers, fences, fins, etc enhance fly performance for FAI competitors, these widgets can add challenges to lessor experienced pilots who fly in AMA classes in flight trimming, and learning rudder control.  With the current canilizer adding a bit too much rudder during rolling elements and or knife edge very easily sends the plane offline.

The invitation's canilizer wing is approx 2x the size of the one on the Two Epics I own.  In response to a recent FB post I made about wanting to try a smaller canilizer on the Invitation, A. Jesky mentioned he tried a smaller one on his Element which toned down rudder sensitivity which is what I'm after.  He also pointed me to the one available thru AJ Aircraft designed for the 2m Acuity.  Since they are $20 each I ordered two, one for the invitation and the other for the Epilogue if testing goes well with the Invitation.

Pics showing the size comparison, color change mounted ready to fly.  Now all I need is good flying weather.

SPA Sun Fli IV

 Performed final checks of my recently completed Bridi Sun Fli IV.

• CG - check
• Control surface linkages - check
• Radio setup - check
• Engine/tank configuration- check
• RTF weight 5lbs, 7ozs - check

SPA in SE Texas is alive and well.  I intend to try competing in a couple upcoming 2023 events along with AMA Masters events.  My goal was to keep it light and simple by not using retracts or a tuned exhaust.  Like the previous SF IV I built and flew in the early 2000s it's powered by an ASP 61 an OS clone outfitted with an OS 7M carb.  As I do with 2c and 4c engines I'll be using CoolPower 30% heli blend for fuel. As soon as the weather permits I'll test run the motor at the house before going to the field.

Mods and options.

• Added a rudder sub fin
• Removable canopy
• dedicated servo for nose wheel steering
  
• standard muffler replaced with a Macs flow thru
• Wing build using an Adjusto-jig
• Sheeting added top and bottom of stab/elevators
• Rear bearing supported pushrod to manage split elevator halves
• 2-aileron servos
• Pull-pull rudder system

My previous Sun Fli was a lot of fun to take out Sunday evenings and weekday evenings during calm winds.  I am hopeful this is too but add an element of being competitive in SPA Expert.   Whether or not it's competitive soon I'll start construction of a Bridi Dirty Birdy I plan to use retracts and a tuned exhaust.

Links:

Completed framework

Wing construction

Tail sections

BJ Craft Invitation G2 update

Recent weather in SE Texas has been fabulous for pattern flying. Besides the mild temps and light winds, the air density has been great for confirming flight trim, CG, and radio setups. With Power, airframes and equipment do not show wear as fast as when I flew YS shakers.  This has enabled me to retain for a longer period a small fleet of very capable ready-to-fly planes such as an Epic plus, Epic Evo, Invitation G2, an Epilogue.

 In the last couple of flying sessions, I pulled the Invitation off the shelf. It’s been sitting idle since 2021. After a couple of flights, the plane felt locked. This plane is easy to adjust to, and the simple color scheme is visible at all angles and distances in the aerobatic box. I applied condition tweaks used on the Epilogue for snaps and spins to the Invitation's setups which significantly improved the predictability and consistency of these maneuvers. The Invitation is locked and loaded for 2023.  

This winter I plan to experiment with a smaller T-can wing in an attempt to reduce rudder sensitivity and overall authority.  I ordered from AJ Aircraft the T-can used on the 2m Acuity. for testing. If the results are positive I'll construct a more permanent version from scratch

 Before the weather turns cool/cold to fly I’m looking forward to revisiting both Epics to ensure they are ready for 2023. If I’m lucky (get the nerve) I may sneak in the maiden on the Angel’s Shadow bipe.

                                     Invitation G2

                                       

                                     Epic +

                                       Epic Evo

                                        Epilogue

                                     Angel's Shadow V20

 

Angel’s Shadow v20 Biplane

Last week I broke out the ASB from its shipping crate. This is not a build in the typical sense.  This is a true ARF. I was able to prescribe the motor and radio equipment I planned to use.  The airframe came fully prepped for what I prescribed. They even included all the necessary hardware plus some really nice  preconfigured pushrods with ball bearing connectors.  Even the landing gear was fully rigged with wheels and pants in place ready to mount to the fuse.  I’m making slow progress but everything fits and goes together like it should.

Here’s a small  sample of what’s been done to date.

 

Hacker C54 installation 

D3 controller mounted in direct airflow

Pull-Pull rudder

Elevator linkage

BJ Craft Epilogue ARC status

The Epilogue was ready-to-fly back in March of this year.  Since the EPIC Evo and Invitation G2 I have been flying so well that I was in no hurry to maiden the Epilogue.  However, at my club’s annual pattern event held in early May, an FAI competitor flew a stock color scheme Epilogue.  I was blown away by how it performed which motivated me to get mine in the air.

 The following Monday after the contest I maiden my Epilogue.  As a starting point I applied for the radio program I use for the EPIC E.  Since both planes are powered by a Hacker C54/D3 combo I also applied the same RPM per flight condition and throttle curves.  Within a dozen or so flights and a few tweaks to the radio program and a couple of prop changes, I was feeling very comfortable flying the 2022-23 Masters sequence which is unusual for me.

 Likes:

·        The ARC kit quality.  It took minimal effort to prep surfaces for covering and painting

·        Positive and negative snaps, present a break, rotates quickly, and stops immediately enabling the plane to stay on-line

·        Cross-wind tracking

·        Speed management

·        Finished flying weight

·        Access to internal equipment thru canopy opening

Dislikes:

·        Landing gear supplied with kit, it’s heavy and stiff (substituted PT non-swept)

·        Condition of the factory added nose ring to change thrust arrangement 

This past weekend I competed with the Epilogue. It flew flawlessly.  I receive many compliments on my flying which I attribute to the Epilogue. I was fortunate to come away with a win even though I seem to have trouble counting the correct number of revolutions of the 3-turn spin 😊.

Jetero Contest Results

Epilogue Update

Earlier this week I maiden the Epilogue.  Winds were slightly quartering from the SE at about 10-12mph.  ePower takes the worry out of test flights by knowing you have a preconfigured reliable power system during initial flights.  Not having to add the necessary step of tweaking the setup of a wet fuel system powerplant, ePower also expedites the initial trimming process.  I flew 4 flights in all. After the first two, I made minor adjustments to the wing incidence and shifted the CG more forward of BJ's suggested CD range.  On the 3rd and 4th flights I flew the Masters' sequence and quickly realized this plane is a winning design.

I've been able to log 4 more additional flights. An unexpected but pleasant surprise is the sound/tone of the C54 in the Epilogue. I elected to hard mount the C54 in the Epilogue vs using a Budd Engineering soft mount system which I've used in past in-runner installations. The gearbox chatter is more muted and has a deeper tone compared to the high pitch tone of the C54 in my Epic Evo. All of my 2m planes use geared Hacker in-runners, to help mute the gearbox sound I use solid carbon APC props vs hollow carbon which amplify the sound of the gearbox  In addition, the heavier weight of the carbon APCs adds a flywheel effect which smooths out the up/down spooling relative to adding and reducing power.  Lighter hollow carbon props spool up/down much faster requiring a more thoughtful application of adding and reducing power. The aircraft's change in speed can also be very noticeable. 

BJ Craft's ARC kit quality is outstanding.  For those wanting to individualize their color scheme, the prep work needed for paint and covering the wood surfaces is very minimal.  An ARC version is a wonderful alternative.  I hope BJ continues to offer ARC versions of his designs.

Next in the pipeline to complete, Bridi SunFli IV

Space City Pattern Classic 2022

 Space City RC's 12 Annual Pattern Classic April 30th-May1st 2022.  We have 24 preregistered pilots to date and expect more.  All AMA and FAI classes have registered pilots. The club is ready and expecting to host a successful pattern event to kick off the 2022 season.  Pattern continues to be strong and active in SE Texas.  Come join us...

Preregistration is still open

Painting box lines in preparation for the event...

Epilogue Ready to Maiden

Epilogue ARC is ready for its maiden.  RTF weight is 4828grams

• Radio System - Futaba 32MZ, 7108RX,
• Batteries - Thunder Power 10S 5000, 2S 910mAh
• Propulsion System – Hacker C54, D3 Controller, APC Carbon 21.5X13, Falcon spinner
• Main Undercarriage – PT legs & pants, Gator RC 55mm wheels, CH titanium axles
• Tail Wheel – Custom, Dubro ¾ wheel
• Paint - Wings West
• Covering – Monokote (wings, stabs, rudder)

                                        

Angel's Shadow V20

The Angel's Shadow V20 is in transit.  I just received the Air Waybill confirmation with tracking information.  The manufacturer indicates the current weight as pictured to be 2498grams less the aileron/elevator linkages and spinner.  That is an outstanding weight for an all-composite airframe which includes:

• motor mount and rear support for C54
• landing gear legs, pants, and wheels
• adjustable battery tray
• rudder servo tray for pull-pull
• control horns
• tailwheel assembly

The finish in the photos appears top shelf.  I'm really looking forward to seeing it in person. Servo cutouts, linkages, and motor mounts are configured to the customer's specifications. I also got to prescribe color options 😎 for the standard scheme. Considering the completeness makes the value of this package second to none short of being a custom build.  I placed the order in late August 2021, I applaud the manufacturer for meeting the quoted timeline of 4-6mos.

Contact details:

Vladimir Kozlovskiy / vk.angelsshadow@gmail.com

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