Discussion Pilatus B-4

[Billymac]

Maybe the "old" ISSA group will get active like it used to be.

Just a few picts of my Pilatus B-4.

Kit by Karel Vagenknecht
Wingspan 15ft
Weight 23lbs 7oz
RDS system on ailerons
Retract
Tow release forward of Instrument panel
elev servo in tail section
Battery back-up

Happy New Year to all

Bill

[scalebldr]

Originally Posted by Billymac

Maybe the "old" ISSA group will get active like it used to be.

Just a few picts of my Pilatus B-4.

Kit by Karel Vagenknecht
Wingspan 15ft
Weight 23lbs 7oz
RDS system on ailerons
Retract
Tow release forward of Instrument panel
elev servo in tail section
Battery back-up

Happy New Year to all

Bill

Hi Bill, glad to see your posting, We are slowly gaining momentum. Now if I can get RC Groups to give us a for sale site well be in good shape
Rick

[Billymac]

Hi Rick,

How are things in S Cal?? We were dumped on with 1 1/2 ft of snow last weekend.
Anyway, I just finished that Robbe ASH-26 that I got from you some 6-7 (?) years ago! All programmed and ready for a maiden flight. It was pushed back for other projects... You know how it is.
Angelo sent me a note on programming the JR-10X that was extremely helpful so that got it done. And no Matchboxes or Y cords!!

Need to get some new decals made this week and slap them on..

Just started working on a used LET DG-600. Wings/ stab are fine, just need to do some glass work on the nose. He pulled the nose tow release and the Canopy rod/ brace out and threw them away.

The scale glider following is non-existant here in Albq. And from what I've heard is that it died in Phx as well. I've been hoping on generating some interest here, but everyone is in the F5B/F/J & 2 meter arena.

Take it easy,

Bill

[s2000]

Bill, thats a nice looking Pilatus, too bad you have no one to fly (aerotowing) scale with, the Robbe 26 works really well on the winch though, maybe you can get some interest going using the winch for scale, I have winch hooks on my 1/5 Nimbus4, my 1/3 Salto, my 1/4 Fafnir2, and my 1/3 ASH-26, the Salto winches really well.

[Billymac]

Thanks for the kind words. Thought I would try and get something going here as it has been VERY quiet for the last few months. Anybody out there??

What size winch are you using? I've only got a Lil Big Winch, but the club has a larger one they use for their F5B (?) thermal duration ships.
Was thinking about putting some hooks on the sides, but got tied up in something else.

A long time ago I tried my hand at winching. Did an ROG on a 3m ASK-23 and ground looped it into the ground. Sort of soured me on that type of launching until I found the ISSA website and the "Proper" location of the hooks. Derrrr.... Never tried it again....

So now, maybe it's time to try again.

I'll post some more when I get going on the DG-600 or the DG-505. Fixed the Retract sytem today and installed a spring to help it retract. Extension wasn't a problem but retracting was a chore... This Landing gear weighs 2 lbs!

After looking it all over I think I'll have to paint the fuse and fill in a bit of blemishes. Looks a bit shabby as is. And then tidy up the wiring and make it neat!!

Should be a great time working this one.

Then on to another... Hmmmm wonder which one I should start...Discus 2b (4.5m), Grob G-103 (4m), ASK-21 (4m) , DG-505 (6.3m) or the SHK (4.8m)..... decisions, decisions.....


Here's few picts from a while back when we had a small aero-tow in a few places...

Bill

[SteveR]

Hi Bill,

Any building or flying for the Pilatus. I've got the same one still in its bubble wrap, hope to finish it off and fly it this year. How about joining us at the 2007 JR aerotow?

Regards,

Steve

[Billymac]

Hi Steve,

I've been wanting to go there for a couple of years now. Just couldn't do it for one reason or another. Missed last year due to a lack of vacation time. All of it went for my recuperation after a nasty assault on my son and then me. Couldn't drive for nearly a month.

Been wanting to go to Pensacola in Feb, but that may be out for this year.

I'm hoping to chg jobs here shortly that will give me more vacation time and of course a raise.....

Are there any campgrounds close by or can you park "it" there for the duration?

You need to get yours going and in the air. Unfortunately I haven't been able to fly mine yet. Hopefully this spring when the snow melts!
Should be a real floater with the amount of wing area. If you need any other pictures of it, please let me know.. I would be happy to help.

[SteveR]

Hi Billy,

Don't know about nearby campgrounds at the JR aerotow, you might want to contact Horizon Hobbies and ask. Did you paint the graphics on the Pilatus wings or use sign vinyl?

Regards,

Steve

[Billymac]

Hi Steve,

That was all Sign vinyl on the wings, Stab and tail. It isn't too hard to put on if you "float" it using Windex, and then squeegee the rest out. I used a combination of a small squeegee and paper towels.

The only thing I painted was the nose and bottom, and of course the interior.

Are you going to use the RDS system for the ailerons? I did and it is a pain but worthwhile.

1200 miles & 18+ hrs driving one way to the JR Aero-tow for me. I'm really seriously thinking about it!! We'll have to see what happens in the next couple of months.

Bill

[SteveR]

Bill, thanks for the helpful info. No, I don't plan to use the RDS system as I'm pretty lazy at this point in my life. I figure anything on the bottom of the wing I can't see when the plane is on the ground and certainly can't see when airborne!

I fully understand your concerns about the drive. For me it was 900 miles each way from New York but it sure was a lot of fun last year and Pete Goldsmith and the Horizon folks run a wonderful event.

Hope to see you there this year,

Steve

[scalebldr]

Originally Posted by Billymac

Hi Rick,

How are things in S Cal?? We were dumped on with 1 1/2 ft of snow last weekend.
Anyway, I just finished that Robbe ASH-26 that I got from you some 6-7 (?) years ago! All programmed and ready for a maiden flight. It was pushed back for other projects... You know how it is.
Angelo sent me a note on programming the JR-10X that was extremely helpful so that got it done. And no Matchboxes or Y cords!!

Need to get some new decals made this week and slap them on..

Just started working on a used LET DG-600. Wings/ stab are fine, just need to do some glass work on the nose. He pulled the nose tow release and the Canopy rod/ brace out and threw them away.

The scale glider following is non-existant here in Albq. And from what I've heard is that it died in Phx as well. I've been hoping on generating some interest here, but everyone is in the F5B/F/J & 2 meter arena.

Take it easy,

Bill

HI Bill,
Ya I remember the 26 kit, its a good flying model, great for thermals.

I would take Dennis's advice and set up a winch. Look at he article I did on the ISSA Tech Tip page. It shows you how to set up the tow hooks and a brydle.

Come out for the next Spring aerotow at Visailia, it's good event.

Regards Rick

[austin.laws]

Hi can some1 tell me what glider this fuz is from and the wing span too. its something i am about to hopefully buy and make the wings for. I have got much of a clue to its ID. seller doesnt know either but reckons the wing span could be 16 feet even though its only a 1110mm fuz. any help would be good. thanks.