Glen Watson's Precision RC Aerobatics Blog: Anthem First Flights

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

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