Test flight Scorpio Palio

[JimNM]

Today I got to fly a new plane for the first time...

[Jim Walker]

How did it go? Is that at the soup kitchen? No motor? How did you get it up into the wild blue?

[JimNM]

This is a Scorpio Palio Sport (PS) that was given to me to build by a fellow Ezoner. Our intentions are to aerotow it behind an electric tug. We have successfully (more or less) towed a Zagi THL with the tug, and we are planning on sharpening our towing skills further before moving up to the SP on tow. I assembled the SP over a few weeks while juggling family, holidays, 12 hour work days and some good flying weather too. The build was really easy and the kit was complete except for radio and glue. I understand that Scorpio is no longer making this plane, or it's R/E poly cousin, the Palio Thermic, either. At 696 inches^2 and about 44 ounces, the SP should float pretty well. I don't have an exact weight yet, will post soon. I used a Seeker II reciever from Polks, 2 standard servos gooped to the fuse, and 2 HS81 in the wings. For RX, I used 4 cells from a tired old 2000 mah 6 cell. The RX cells are oversized, but I would rather put in "live" weight to balance rather than dead lead.

This is my first flying stab plane, and the first hand toss was uneventful. The wind was blowing 10 mph and the SP almost hovered. I wore out my arm soon enough, and broke out the high-start. In 44 degree weather, the rubber won't pull 100%, but I got the SP up OK. The wind was gusty and the air had more turbulance than I like to fly in - but I flew for about 30 minutes anyway. The plane handles very well, and I'm looking forward to flying in some decent weather.

Still grinnin'
JimNM

[Jim Walker]

Ahhhhh....

So it's Rich's plane and you highstarted it. I was wanting to get in a few flights this evening but I hear it's snowing in the pass and the wind is supposed to pick up. It's too cold to fly off the dam because I don't have a transmitter mitt or any really cold weather gear.

[rloose]

Jim, and Jim-

It looks like I'm going to have to get some adoption papers drawn up. I think the Sport Palio has found an excellent home. We are going to try the tug (Kadet Sr.) with an FMA co-pilot installed, so I can't turn too fast (I hope). If things really go well, I'll have some video shot from the tug looking back at the tow plane.

This project has been about 6 months in the making.

Rich

[Jim Walker]

Let me know when the big day is and I'll come out and video the event for you.

Jim Walker

[JimNM]

Hey Rich, here is more madness from my Labo-ri-tory. I cobbled together a "tow launch dolly", with my usuall knack for building with out straight lines or even much measuring. I think it'll work for the Zagi, your Flipper and the SP also.

I may have overdone the negative angle a little bit, but I built some tweaking room into it - so adjustments are just a sanding block or saber saw away. The wheels are from my right foot rollerblade (not used in 9 years), the axels are 1/4" dowel press fit. You can press fit with a hammer right? And lots of goop to hold the axels. The bearings are still pretty good - I had to block the wheels with a small stick to keep it from rolling off the patio - but the wheels may be too small for grass fields with a little more grass than is at the Soup Kitchen.

We're ready now - watch out!

[JimNM]

another look

[JimNM]

3 of 5

[JimNM]

4 of 5

[JimNM]

5 of 5 - I'll update after the field trials :D
Fly'em High
JimNM

[JimNM]

Weeeelll - the dolly didn't work worth a darn. The wheels are just too small and the lack of suspension made the dolly bounce - and the plane jumped over the retaining nubs. We had more success with a drag start, but that used alot of battery to get going. Our bet flights were with a gentle hand launch from a slow trot after the tug pulled the line tight. Rich and I have a lot of work to do... but we're having fun.
\On the down side, a blown HS81 (left aileron) caused the Palio to roll inverted 6 feet from my hand on the highstart at about 40 mph. It popped off and I was able to fight into a nose first "sudden arrival". A Bent wing joiner and a few small cracks in the fuse and a slightly torn wing rod hole is all the damage I can find- This is one really tough airframe.

MOre on the Aerotow to come soon!

Fly'em High (and right side up :)

JimNM

[rloose]

A shot of the fleet at the "Soup Kitchen" flying field. It was recently flattened like a pancake for a hot air balloon rally. The funny shaped building to the right of the water tower is an old cotton gin (I think). It and the area around it can produce some great thermals.

I've never seen JimNM lose his temper, but I think it was a close call when the Sport Palio went buggy :eek:

We towed up a Zagi-like creature, one of my Frankengliders, and an OlyII. The OlyII was the first plane to put a notice-able load on the Sig Kadet. Jim said it weighed about 48 ozs. Maybe next time we'll swap jobs...I'm still turning too fast. I need to practice a "2 minute turn"

Rich

[Jim Walker]

Hey when did you guys go out?? I was there from 9 am till about 12:15 pm and no see. Let me know when you're going to try some more. I have the perfect test plane! My MM glidertech F-80 has a towhook and is made of EPP. It's all trimmed out and ready to do the bouncy thing when you pull a 30 second turn Rich.

Jim Walker

[rloose]

Jim Walker-

We were there on Sunday from about 8am to noon. It was pretty good flying weather, then the wind came up all at once. We had agreed to just do some practice and not embarass ourselves in front of a big crowd. You EPP plane sounds like a perfect guinea pig. I'll be out of town next weekend so maybe two weeks from last Sat. We WILL let you know.

Rich