Newbie - Pleae HelpMe !! Trying To Fly My New Pico-Cub

[sav]

SJ

yep I had that happen to me I'd been doing really well for ages with no crashes then wham. I was puzzled to what had happened and after a bit of detective work found that my gear's where slipping.

well at least it's was easy to repair.

hope your back in the air soon.

[trevsie]

Brian,
Thanks for the tip about tyre balance weights. I went to my local tyre depot and got a bag full of old weights for nothing and they are ideal. I had to add 60gms to balance my PC. It is direct drive and only 6 cells so I assume the gearbox must be about 25gms and an extra cell about 25gms which means I would only have to add 10gms if I had these fitted.
I flew for the first time Sunday. First flight lasted about 3-4 minutes in almost dead calm. She flew reasonably well but 6 cells is marginal power-wise. I have ordered a couple of Overlander 7-cell 1100mah packs.
Second flight the wind got up a bit (only about 5mph). I learned how to fly backwards as there wasnt enough power to make any headway. I had to nosedive to the ground to avoid the trees behind me. No real damage, just a wrinkled cowl. Need more power, more speed (grunt grunt!!)

If anyone is interested, I have modelled a Pico Cub for FMS Simulator, download from: http://www.searlehome.btinternet.co.uk/picocub/picocubfms.zip
It's a bit angular looking but okay. I would appreciate any comments especially regarding the flight characteristics as I intend to learn using it.

Regards,
Trevsie

[Smifta]

Trevsie,

You mentioned that you get your packs from Overlander. As do I! I have tries many of their packs in my cub and have found that the best performer was their 1300 NiMH 8 cell packs (9.6v).

It may sound like quite a lot of cells but it performs great. And negates the need for any extra balast (unless you are flying in wind)!!

The packs come in a transmitter configuration as standard, but they will rework any pack into the configuration you wish! The packs only cost 17.50 each, and with the gearbox I get 12 mins COMPLETE FULL THROTTLE flight.

I am sure that everyone has their suggestions and recommendations also, but I found these packs awesome. And they can also be transfered into a Zagi or Pico Jet when your done with the cub (can't see that ever happening for me though!)

Cheers,

Alex.

[trevsie]

Alex,
Many thanks for the advice. I will definitely try these packs.

Regards,
Trev

[trevsie]

More refined version of my Pico Cub FMS Simulator model with more precise dimensions, struts etc.: http://www.searlehome.btinternet.co.uk/picocub/picocubfms.zip




[This message has been edited by trevsie (edited 06-05-2001).]

[LeeKeyes]

Hello all....

Sorry to join again after so long but things have been hectic......8 days in hospital with a nmiserable infection.....bad weather....family come to visit...BUT THE CUB Has FLOWN!!!!!

On the last morning of my family's visit...at an early hour and foggy the PC has flown around my local ball park and landed three times in a manner modestly described by me as PERFECT!!!!

I did so well about noon I went to try it again. Ball park was being used so I trucked to my local state forest to use what I thought were fields of ample size. Long story short.....PC ended up in a tree...need to remember stick control is different when aircraft is approaching directly to me.

Snapped the fuselage just ahead of the tail feathers. 5-minute epox fixed that...will try again just before dark.

Talk about a rush! Got so excited I ordered the new new bipe from HOBBY_LOBBY. It's called "MissChief" and it is beautiful....can't wait. God, this sport is thrilling at times and expensive at ALL times.

Well the PC is dry and it's time to go FLY.


Later,
Lee

[sav]

leekeyes

glad to here you got the cub flying.

try doing some figure 8's it helps you get used to the plane flying towards you.


sav

[trevsie]

Has Jerry given up flying or just got so good there is nothing to report?

Trev

[Passing Wind]

Hiya chaps,

I cannot believe this thread is still going, I have now moved to the south coast and have converted the my PC into a slope soarer. I have removed the landing gear, added a little weight to the nose to compensate and added a little extra fibre tape to the wings/fuse for those rough clifftop landings.. and I can tell you it's bags O fun. I am getting 2+ hour flights from a single pack (usually the tranny runs out first). Where I live, about 150yds from the clifftop there is nearly always loadsa lift and have trouble actually coming down, sometimes I have to nosedive into the bushes before my neck goes stiff !

Cheers

[Ras]

Like many others I have followed this fascinating thread and totally because of it I have purchased a PC. I found it to be a pretty good kit except for the instructions which, as every one says, are quite vague at times, espectially for a Newbie like me. I decided to wrap it competely in yellow tape to make it as strong as possible--more a function of the tape than the color. It is so wrapped up that I call it "The Mummy." Here is my first question for you veterans: I used 3m Plastic Tape that says "Tape Repairs. Decorates and Identifies." Is this the right kind of tape? It seemed to add a lot of weight. I did opt for the 4OOL 2.3:1 gear box which helps. The other problem is that it is extremely tail heavy. There was no way my Ni-cads--seven cells were going to work inside the battery cavity. My solution was to turn the Cowl upside down and tape the battery pack underneath it. (Well, at least the batteries will get good ventilation!)
Just last night, as luck would have it, I found out about an informal flying site where some experienced flyers hang out and I took my plane there this morning for its maiden flight.
The MUmmy flew! But not by me... The resident senior pilot looked it over and quickly got my permission to give it a test flight. I was amazed at how well it flew--all 800 grams of it. I sure ti would have looped if he tried. Unfortunately in landing it the guy took it too close to an awning--more accurately the aluminum pole holding up the awning and knocked the wing off and dented the pole...Even here I was impressed that the plane suffered virtually no damage except that the plastic wing mount were torn off the fuse. My second question: has anyone replaced the silly wind mounting system with two dowels and rubber bands? I know it wouldn't look as good but it should be a lot more functional I would think. I am looking forward to MY first flight of The Mummy...
I hope this tread continues--it seems to be the home of The PC.

[sav]

Ras

I'd not bother with the tape as you notice it adds a lot of weight.I think if you see early on in the thread jerry did the same thing and came to the conclusion that it added to much weight. just put some on the underside of the wing along the main spar I have mine in a X pattern and some along the center that maybe more than I really need. I don't think it matters to much what type of tape you use as long as it's not to heavy it mainly just to stop the wings flexing and folding in loops etc.

sound's very tail heavy if you need to put the battries on the out side. I've put the RX as far foward as possible and used a small lead weight under the cowl. I'd keep the battries in the bay if at all possible.

I've had no problem with the wing mount. I guess using dowls may make it easier but again it's adding weight.

It's good to hear you've found a bunch of fellow flyers. good luck on your first flight

sav

[jerrysimon]

Guys,

I am here just really busy with work http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/frown.gif I am about to change job, move house etc.

Will get back soon. Have not flown for a few weeks now http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/frown.gif

Regards

Jerry
#
Originally posted by trevsie:
Has Jerry given up flying or just got so good there is nothing to report?

Trev

[trevsie]

Good luck with the move and remember to pack the PC well so it doesnt get broken! http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/smile.gif

Trev

[jerrysimon]

Well sneaked in a quick flight (two battery packs) yesterday evening. It's been at least 5 weeks since I last flew her.

I guess it's like riding a bike. Once you have learnt you do not forget. She flew like a dream. It was even a bit gusty but I coped. The real secret it to keep her in close and don't go too far down wind.

I will probably not take her with me but build a new one when I move. The house I am looking at/buying has a concrete workshop outside the house with full electrics, heating etc. It will make a great plane workshop http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/smile.gif There are actually three workshops in total. I could even start a production line.

Take care all

Jerry


Originally posted by trevsie:
Good luck with the move and remember to pack the PC well so it doesnt get broken! http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/smile.gif

Trev

[crashnburn]

I replied to this post about a month ago, and it is nowhere to be found. Is one persons' opinions less valuable than anothers??? Seems to me that . . . . . .

[Mighty Mik]

What this thread needs is an ending...

And they all flew happily ever after!

[SJ]

Just shot a pic of my PC.....With my own super-dooper-ultra strong landing gear :-)
http://bornholm.adsl.dk/modelfly/

[leccyflyer]

Originally posted by crashnburn:
I replied to this post about a month ago, and it is nowhere to be found. Is one persons' opinions less valuable than anothers??? Seems to me that . . . . . .

Yes crash, your post dissappeared mysteriously along with several others in the great "What happened to the top of Page 8 mystery?".

That post, the text of which was (as it happens I saved the thread periodically) _

Is there no end to this?
Jerry is no longer a newbee, and his Pico Cub isn't either.
This has been going on for 5 months.
If the Pico Cub is so hard to fly, try something else.
This is ridiculous.
Crash

was complaining that this thread had gone on too long and should be shut down - would have been just before your complaints on RCO that the ezone was inhabited by a bunch of elitists.

How did it come to be deleted? Who knows?

The length of this thread is irrelevant. If anyone - especially newbies - wants to find out about the Pico Cub they have a valuable resource here to help them out. If anyone is reading the thread as it develops they have the option to skip to the last page. Nobody is making anybody read this thread. The alternative is answering the same questions again and again.

Perhaps if we had a "Which is best - Zagi or Razor?" thread permanently ongoing then that particular question would get asked rather less often.

Brian

[jerrysimon]

SJ,

God am I jealous http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/biggrin.gif That's a serious collection of planes. I fancy one of those Simprop PFLAZ 4's.

Your PC makes me nastalgic. Mine use to look like that before it got crashed and fixed hundreds of times.

When I move soon as I said I will have a whole workshop. Then I too may be able to have a collection of planes like yours. I will certainly build a new PC http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/biggrin.gif

Thanks for the pics.

Take care

Jerry

Originally posted by SJ:
Just shot a pic of my PC.....With my own super-dooper-ultra strong landing gear :-)
http://bornholm.adsl.dk/modelfly/



[This message has been edited by jerrysimon (edited 07-17-2001).]

[SJ]

Thanks Jerry.

I have also crashed my PC a quite a few times.
If I had a better camera, then you could see all the glue joints :-)

[Passing Wind]

Hello chaps,

I never had a "serious" crash with my cub until a few weeks ago, If you recall I moved to the south coast and turned my cub into a cliff/ridge soarer. well, I was enjoying some excellent lift off a southerly force 3ish, but after about half hour of soaring the wind swung around to become a westerly, and pretty quickly too. Alas my cub got blown downwind, bounced of the clift face a few times and exploded onto the promenade... although I believe nothing is beyond repair I just cannot be bothered with all those little pieces and look forward to putting the gear into my new twinstar : )

And if I can just echo what Brian was saying about this thread, I first flew an rc plane around the same time as Jerry and I thank him for starting this thread. It has certainly saved me a lot a trouble and given me a LOT of insight. like you say mate if you don't like it, don't read it.....and keep em coming.

[This message has been edited by Passing Wind (edited 07-23-2001).]

[AUSELECTRIC]

Have read most of the early posts made in this topic and believe that the lack of power was due to the 6 cell AA pack not due to the amout of cells (voltage of the pack) but due to the internal resistance of the cells in the pack.

Internal resistance will cause the voltage of the pack to drop under load.
If this voltage under load is to low the BEC cuts in and motor stops.

I do agree that it would fly better on 7 or 8 cells but possible to fly on 6 and understanding why the right batteries need to be used is an important step so successful flight

I can be found at www.skunkworx.com.au

[Mattydiah]

Talk about bringing a thread back from the grave.