Bipes...the dark side of the moon?

[Malves]

I've just built a "Cirkus" (the plans posted here designed after the Futurion). Today I've maidened it and so far I have 4 flights on it. It flies nice and I kinda like it. I've noticed that I always need rudder input to make a turn. Only ailerons won't do it. I've heard about this before and I am wondering if it is really supposed to be like this.
It's my first bipe and I am still adapting to it, and I have to say it is a totaly different animal comparing to monoplanes. It flies a lot slower, KE doesn't need rudder input, rolling harriers are excellent with VERY little r/e input, blenders are nice (didn't try KE spins, yet. I think it may brake in half with that looooong tail), and it sure feels more like a pattern plane. But it's funny to see the plane dropping one wing and not turning. I almost hit myself twice because of that. Thank God I have fast reactions:cool:
I am facing it as a new tool to improve my flying skills and I am looking for a few tips when flying bipes. Or there's none? :eek: Anyone? :D

[flyinazn10]

most good 3D planes can fly with one wing dropped without turning, thats a good thing, meanign it can fly with the wings at any angle. A/E turning is a tihng of the past if your flying this biipe. think of it this way, ailerons are for rolls, rudder changes heading. you'll get use to it quick

[Jerry Combs]

Malves,

Yep, biplanes need rudder input to turn. But isn't the nice slow speed great? Once you get used to it I think you may prefer it to monoplanes. I loved my F3P shockie until I got hooked on biplanes, now I rarely fly it.

How about some information on your set up, size and weight etc?

Jerry

[Malves]

I put 4 more flights on it this afternoon and I am feeling more comfortable with it.:)
Yes, you're right. I am getting hooked on this plane, and I'm sure it will just get worse after I master the controls again.:) I'm already thinking on an Equalizer.:D

Specs (sorry, no weight yet):
36" Fuse 29" WS
Motor: Park 300 (no mount)
Prop: 8x3.8SF
ESC: TB-9 (no motor wires and no shrink)
Batt: TP480 3s
Servos: 2 lightened S3108 and 1 S3110
RX: Futaba RF156 modded

I never put it on the scale, but I believe AUW should be ~7oz. This design doesn't use any carbon for reinforcements like wing spars, etc. It's a big and light plane.
I just hope Donatas comes out with a Futurion kit soon.:)

BTW, the sloooooow speed is very nice. Now that I am flying this bipe, I've just started realizing how graceful the maneuvers are on a bipe. I don't know if you understand what I mean, but those who have or have had a bipe know what I am talking about. I feel that even 3D maneuvers are more precise.

[Ryan Archer]

i fly the sypher and it flys soo slow, i really like the feel of bipes. i used to fly my yak 54 shockflyer everyday atleast 2 times. but ow that i have an insane foamies sypher it is all that i fly. i wouldn't be cought flying my yak anymore. i just love the sypher so much. ryan :-)

[3dflyindan]

malves

i just flew one of these tonight at an indoor meet my club arranges every month and it was VERY weird to mono's as i have never flown one before ke was extremely weird as no rudder input was needed and it only did high alpha ke if i wanted to do normal i would have had to put in opposite rudder to what im use to :D

i flew it about 10 times in the 2 1/2 hours i was there and i suppose i have got use to it buts its still a bit weird mine ha carbon strip le and te as i have not tryed the kevlar bracing method yet but may do so soon to get auw down and maybe try my first pull-pull on shocky can i have some advice on how to do cheap pull/pull please?

sorry for hyjacking


dan

[Malves]

Yes, KE feels weird. Mine also entered high alfa KE. I moved the CG a lil forward and it took care of it, and I also keep my fingers away from rudder when doing KE and I just use throttle.

For pull-pull setup I use CF rod with thin ply to reinforce the foam. Just push it thru and glue a pice of ply on each side, so it won't rip the foam. I put a dent at the tip of the CF rod and then I tie nylon line to it with some CA. Then I tape the control surface at the neutral position. Next, I tie one line to the servo horn, making sure it is tight. I then remove the tape and pull the other line making sure the control surface is centered, and tie it to the servo horn and finish with a drop of CA.:)

[3dflyindan]

i think i understand what you mean do you have some pictures please ?

and what cable/wire stuff you use?

many thanks

dan

[Wetafly]

I use 10kg spectra. I use a loop of copper wire at the servo end so I can easily adjust the system. I use 1/8" ali tube at the control surface end bent so I can get the geometry perfect. The cable runs through the tube so I can get the surface centered before I glue the cable in. Also you can see I run a piece of 1 mm carbon through a hole drilled in the output shaft for the servo arm. Maybe this is overdoing it a bit.

Rod

[Malves]

Nice setup, Wetafly.

Dan,
I use fishing line.:) Unfortunately, I don't have a pic.:(

[3dflyindan]

so if i get fishing line what is the best to use?

dan

[Malves]

Get one that has really low stretching properties.:)

[3dflyindan]

lol :D
i wont know till i buy it lol

shall i get kevlar thread and use that i heard a few people have?

dan

[Malves]

It says on the label the stretching capabilities. On this side of the pond we have Spiderweb or wire (don't know) that won't stretch. Kevlar thread is a good option, too.:)

[3dflyindan]

ok i will pop into a fishin shop tomorro

thanks mate will tell ya how it goes

can i do the pull/pull with dubro mini ez connectors on the servo horn and then on the back will just use carbon pocked through with ply either side and then i will be able to tighted it up with a cotton pin ?

dan

[Malves]

There's not a right or wrong way to do it. Use your creativity and if it works then...Great!;)

[3dflyindan]

ive just got back from me LHS and was lookin for soem micro ez connectors and all my luck is yes they sold the last ones the day before :(

BUT i looked around and foud somwething a bit better a dubro micro pull/pull system so i straight away brought it and 2 props am goin to fit it this afternoon on the rudder of my 1metre shocky extra they give enough for one pull/pull normally or 2 if you use carbon on the surface instead of horn
very light also :D

cost me £6 which is about $11 usd

dan

[Malves]

i fly the sypher and it flys soo slow, i really like the feel of bipes. i used to fly my yak 54 shockflyer everyday atleast 2 times. but ow that i have an insane foamies sypher it is all that i fly. i wouldn't be cought flying my yak anymore. i just love the sypher so much. ryan :-)

Hi Ryan,

Last nite I was checking the Sypher. I've watched a couple of vids of Mark flying it and I also checked your vid at Toledo with it.:) Great flying, lil bro. :) I even wished I was 12 again. :p
I am really considering getting a Sypher. I am just concerned about what the wife may say about the size. My bipe is 36"x29", and she mumbled something about the size of it :eek: - thank God I didn't quite hear it. :D Can't imagine what she's gonna say about a 37x34 plane. :o