Kaos 60 GP ARF

Back to basics. I recently completed a GP Kaos 60 ARF. Originally, I planned to power it with a 60-glo motor, but after reading reviews of Innov8tive Designs BassAss electric motors, I decided to try one of their offerings.

Innov8tive Designs does a great job of providing the needed information to select a power setup that matches your airframe. I went with the following for the Kaos.

• BadAss 3530/570kv
• BadAss 80 amp Esc
• RoarTop 6s 5000mah 35c batteries
• APC 13x8 ->13X10-E prop (13x10 better vert, horizontal speed)
• 2 3/4 Air Flow spinner

This power setup is capable of performing the current SPA sequences with ease.  It is an efficient setup,  with the timer set at 6.5 minutes I'm landing with an average of 35% battery capacity remaining. My goal was to have a low-maintenance aerobatic sport plane available in the hangar for in-prompt to flying sessions. This fits the need perfectly.

Radio Setup

• 18SZ
• R3104SB RX
• S-Bus
• 4 - S-U301 servos ail, elev, rudd
• 1 - S3172 servo nose wheel steering

BJ Craft "Invitation" For Sale...SOLD

BJ Craft Invitation for sale RTF less RX and batteries. It is in very-good condition, no damage or hard landings. Shipping is possible, prefer local delivery.  The Invitation is in a flight-ready condition.  A demo test flight is doable if you are in or around the Houston TX area.

$2850 + shipping...SOLD

If Interested please contact me @ rcprecision@gmail.com

The following list is how it is currently equipped.

Radio

• Futaba Digital servos

Motor/ESC

• Hacker C50 14XL Comp
• Adam Debowski's D3 Controller

Upgrades

• Budd Engineering Soft Motor Mount System
• Budd Engineering Rear Support Bracket
• Falcon Carbon Spinner
• Falcon Carbon Landing gear
• Falcon Carbon Wheel Pants
• Titanium Pushrods
• Two T-Can wings, 1 stock, 1 smaller (Acuity 2M)
• Custom Color Scheme - Wings West paint/Monokote

Original RTF weight with TP 10s 5000mah / 2s 910mah 4890gr

Information Links

• D3 Upgrade
• Invitation Contest Report
• T-Can experiment
• T-Can Experiment Update
• Invitation Trimming Update

Angel's Shadow V20

The AS_V20 has been ready to fly since midyear 2022.  Well, its time has come.  This weekend time was spent getting reacquainted with how to assemble it and validate the radio setup and the starting CG position. All systems are a go, so the next good weather day the AS_V20 will take to the sky. 

Equipment List:

• Futaba 32MZ
• Futaba 7108 RX (FASST Multi Mode)
• SBus
• Hacker C54
• D3 V2.2 controller
• APC 22x13 carbon
• Falcon 85mm spinner

Bridi Krafty Sixty

Another completed plane project is ready for its maiden flight.  This was built to displace the aging Avistar gifted to me by a dear friend which has provided many fun-filled flights since 2010.

The Krafty wing is the second using the Adjust-O-Jig.  There are many advantages to using the jig.  Most of the construction process can be completed both top and bottom including initial sanding before removal from the jig. The jig makes wing building easy and fun plus it ensures the finished project is straight, true, and strong.

Adjust-O-Jig

Krafty Sixty

• Futaba 18SZ
• OS 55AX
• TF 11X7.5 wood prop
• Ultracote - Cub yellow/black
• RTF 5lb 4oz

Mods = 2 aileron servos, pull-pull rudder, conventional landing gear with pants.

Avistar, time for retirement, you have served me well.

Anthem First Flights

The maiden flight of the Anthem was flawless.  After reading other build threads, I had concerns the incidence configuration would be an issue.  A lot of time was spent ensuring I achieved the designer's suggested configuration. I was skeptical of the minimal down thrust molded into the nose ring relative to the positive wing incidence which was unlike other 2m planes I have owned and flown. Like the Invitation and Epilogue, the stab is not adjustable so I start with jigging the airplane into a static position so the stab incidence is zero.  Using the provided template, along with the predrilled holes in the fuse for the wing retainer pins and adjusters worked out just right like it did for the Invitation and Epilogue. The BJ Craft designer enables anyone to properly set wing incidence with simple tools and methods.

I'm using the same radio program values and setup used for the invitation and Epilogue.  The CG is currently set in the middle of the recommended range. The initial flight was spent trimming straight and level flight at cruise speed, then checking track on vertical plus 45-degree lines, knife edge, and snaps.  Afterwards, I made small adjustments to expo and throttle-to-elevator mix for down lines. The initial Madien flight went so well that I decided the next two flights to fly the current Masters' sequence (P-25).  Besides a few more tweaks needed to expo, overall throws and some CG position testing for 45-degree lines. I see a very short path of being competitive with the Anthem as I am with the Invitation and Epilogue. Wonder what new design is on BJ's drawing board now?

Invitation G2   

Epilogue        Jetero Results_2023     Jetero Results_2024

Anthem Underconstruction_1    Anthem Underconstruction_2    Anthem Underconstruction_3

Anthem Equipment List:

• Futaba 32MZ
• 7108RX FASST Multi Mode
• S-Bus servos
• Hacker C54
• Budd Engineering Soft Mount/Rear Support
• D3 Controller
• Thunder Power 10S 5000mah Prolites
• APC 22x13 Carbon
• Falcon Spinner
• PT Landing Gear & Pants
• MPI Wheels
• Central Hobbies Titanium Axles
• DIY Custom Tail Wheel
• Wings West Paint / Monokote

Competition Update - Jetero 2024

This past weekend the Jetero RC club held its annual pattern event, on June 1 and 2, 2024. This a wonderful facility which is well suited for a pattern event. The turnout of 19 is lower than in past years, which is indicative of current times.  In my opinion, lower turnouts are due to the diversity of the RC hobby, and those interested in pattern are aging out. This event is always well-run and supported by the club members.  Jetero's longtime CD John Forestieri is relocating out of state, however, he informed us a replacement CD plans to continue holding future events.

Being the Lone-Wolf in my area competing with Hacker in-runners I always get comments from other competitors about my power system. Positive comments about performance, curious comments about the sound it generates. Nevertheless, Hacker geared in-runners have served me well over the years.  When I transitioned in 2010 from YS to Power, I tried outrunners and Plettenberg non-geared in-runner and decided the Hacker in-runner was the best fit for me.

Regardless of class, most now use contra systems that carry the perception of magic powers that will improve scores.  It is rewarding to achieve top honors in a competitive AMA class of Masters with a single prop system over contra-powered aircraft where 5 out of 10 Masters competitors used contras this past weekend.

Equipment used this past weekend:

• Hacker C54, APC 22x13 carbon prop, TP 10S pro-lites batteries
• Debowski D3 controller @7.5 degrees
• Futaba 32MZ
• BJ Craft Epilogue

Epilogue internal

Practice at Scobee

Practice at SPARKS

Morning Practice @ SPARKS

Epilogue and Invitation

Arrival and unpacking at Jetero Saturday morning

Jetero Final Results

Odyssey Toy Hauler

Bout to turn 132K on my 08 LX. It has principally served to haul RC competition aircraft plus equipment locally and cross country. The middle row and rear seats have been used a ~dozen times over the last 16 years.  Besides being a reliable, low-maintenance motor vehicle it's comfortable and a pleasure to drive. Acceleration and handling are surprising. Only a few plane haulers achieve 25+mpg highway miles at 70mph loaded with equipment.

Plane Storage Solutions

 Limited space, too many planes.

Pic 1 Top to bottom

1) Invitation

2) Anthem

3) Epilogue

4) Sun Fli IV

Pic 2

Angel Shadow V2 bipe

Pic 3

1) various wings

2) Dalotel

3) Integral

4) Sky Wing Angel

The plane rack serves a dual purpose with the incorporated peg board.

***SOLD*** - For Sale - (2) NIB MAC's Products Flow Thru Mufflers

***SOLD*** - For Sale Vintage NIB MAC's Products Mufflers for OS 61 FSR series motor.  Great for SPA class planes.  Includes mounting hardware.

$60 each plus shipping

Revoc Universal Wing Bag

For Sale: New unused Revoc Universal Wing Bag

$125 + shipping

DESCRIPTION

Universal set of bags for wings and elevators specially designed for F3A monoplane models.

The bags are available in one universal size which will fit to all F3A models with a wingspan of 2 meters.

The outside surfaces of the bags are made of waterproof, heavy, and durable 600 denier HQ fabric material.

The inner parts are made of soft velvet which is very convenient and safe for delicate wing covering in transportation and storage.

Between the PVC fabric and velvet your wings are protected by a 5 mm layer of foam additionally covered by PVC foil.

Easy closing with a zipper.

The bag has an elastic handle which is very comfortable in use.

Additionally, each set includes a bag for elevators which can be easily attached with velcro in the middle of the wing bag.

The wing bag and elevator bag have a space for the tubes in the bottom part.

A pocket for the canalyzer is also included inside the wing bag.

This was purchased for a BJ Craft Anthem which has swept wings.  This bag set works great for traditional tapered F3A 2M wings, not swept.

Email rcprecison@gmail.com for more details

BJ Craft Anthem ARC_paint part 2

Over the last couple of weeks, SE Texas temperature has been fluctuating from the high 50s to mid 60s.  This has slowed down the painting process of the Anthem.  I've had to pick my days when temps were 60+ to shoot colors. On like paints used in the past Wings West RC paint has performed flawlessly in these cooler temps. Next is clearcoat. Looking forward to seeing the color layout on the wings and stabs paired with the fuse.  Pretty basic but should be very visible in most sky conditions which is the ultimate goal.

Wing Top

Wing Bottom

Stabs