"Pete"

[Don Leitz]

After seeing Paul Siegal's Rare Bear tear around the soccer arena, I wanted something sporty that maybe could be used for some casual indoor pylon racing. I settled on Glen Weber's foamie design "Pete" adapted for Depron instead of Bluecor. The gray and black color scheme is not scale, but lends some visual interest I think.

The airframe has taken about 8 hours to cut out and assemble to this point. Power will be the standard IPS-A drive with 9x7 prop - should be a little faster than my other indoor planes, but still managable. Target weight is 5.5 oz with no landing gear and two servos. I'll try ailerons (and elevator) only first, and couple a rudder in later if needed. Hope to have it done in another week or so.

Don

[tiggs]

Don,
It looks great! I agree the color scheme looks nice and makes it easier to see. I look forward to seeing it fly on January 3.

I downloaded this plan as well, but wasn't sure about it in the blue foam. The depron looks really smooth.

Are you going to use 2s lithiums? If so, what size? The Rare bear in Columbus was using an IPS A with a 8x6 prop, but with a 3s battery pack.

I know we talked about it in Columbus, but what is the link for the Depron place you use, and who are you using as your lithium supplier?

Ted

[Don Leitz]

Hi Ted,
Thanks for the compliment.
I plan on using 2s LiPo's- I hope to be able to use my 2s1020 packs, as I like the run time, but if the plane ends up feeling too heavy, I have the option of using my 2s340 packs to save weight. I don't currently have any 3s packs, so I hope the 2s packs will do the job. I like the way the Rare Bears fly, but I would like to be able to fly this plane in a smaller space than the golf dome, so I hope this is a good compromise of top speed vs. stall speed.

The address for my Depron source is: www.depronusa.com.

I have been getting my LiPo's from: www.lightflightrc.com

Don

[Don Leitz]

Got a chance to fly the Pete this morning with Don B. launching it into a little more breeze than I would have preferred. I used one of my 2S1P 340 packs and a 9x7 prop for the first flight. It seemed to fly pretty well, considering the breeze. Turns with ailerons only are tight with only a hint of adverse yaw, so I'll leave the rudder off for now. I did manage a roll, but I don't think this plane is going to be very aerobatic indoors, as the ailerons are not big enough for the really fast roll rate needed; however, it should turn fine and I prefer the direct response of an aileron plane over a rudder / dihedral plane. A couple of more trim flights and it should be ready for indoors.

Don

[nimwegen]

Hi Don,

The Pete looks great, I am looking forward to seeing it fly Jan 3.

Marcel.