Discussion Pilatus Porter 3.2 Meter Modification and Photos

[Lbuff1]

I'm though I would start a thread where we can all offer idea's and comments on the Pilatus Porter from Top Models. Icare in CANADA is the supplier and offer it in three different sizes.
The plane has proven to be an excellent tow plane and a dream to fly with NO bad habits. There are a few things I would recommend to some of my friends out there who are getting this plane or thinking about it.
Right out of the box, its a home run. High quality parts and a nice covering job, There is a new version coming out now with some more scale detail and bigger side doors.

This thread will assume you know what the basic plane is, and I will talk about what we have done to get it to where we have a trouble free and very reliable tow plane.

Starting with the fuel system, go with a bigger fuel tank than what is provided. We have a 50 oz tank and get about 8 tows to 1500 feet before we need to refuel. I have a Fuel Dot for a fueling point, simple, clean and affective. Put fuel barbs on the brass tubes inside the tank, tygon, tends to get a little loose when it gets wet. Also, zip tie the lines to the brass tubes on the outside of the tank to help them stay on too.

The landing gear is very nice on this plane, however, you MUST red-locktite the aluminum spring cover to the lower landing gear fitting. This fitting has been known to unscrew in flight, its then makes the gear hang down on that side and the SPRING will be lost, It is not easy at all to get that spring.

The other landing gear issue is where it attaches to the side of the fuse. There is an eye bolt that screws into a wooden bock in the cabin, this area needs to be reinforced. I have not has a major problem, however, the guys who fly this plane are pretty god pilots and landings are typically less than 5 bounces. ( just kidding )
The best way to do this is to take a large area washer and put it over the eyebolt before attaching it. It helps to spread the load out.
On the inside, I have just added a cross support to carry the side load and help keep the gear from ever pushing through on a real bad landing.
See the pictures.

Nose access.
Getting up into the nose of this plane is tough. I have the electronic ignition box there and the throttle and choke servo up there. To get there now, I have to remove the windshield and then hold a yoga meeting to get my arm in the fuse and hand up into the nose.
I plan to add a removable hatch in the front fuse top area this winter. I will lay up a carbon fiber one over the existing area, then cut out the deck area for it to fit. I will probably hold it on with magnets or a micro piano hinge.

If I built this plane again, which I would in a heartbeat if something happens to this one, I would make the vertical fin and rudder removable. The fin comes with a thick piece of balsa which gets glues into the fin then into the fuse like a tongue. I would replace this with a Ply piece and then add two hardpoints to the fuse side. once in place, drill through and attach with small bolts.
I may modify the one I have now by cutting the rudder and fin about 1/2 way down, then make a carbon joining sleeve, like a wing rod. This would allow me to get the plane in the trailer without always hitting the rudder on the top.

Split the elevator in two. Its one piece now has two servos, you need to match the servos so it wont bind. there is no reason it cant be two pieces. It will make it more redundant and a quicker setup.

I put a DA 85 on my plane. I used a stock header and then modified it to wrap as tight as possile and exit on the centerline of the fuse in bottom, I then attached a can, Its real quiet.
To do this is pretty easy. You need a hot hot hot torch and some silver solder.

Wing struts.
Get some rubber and metal washers. They will back out if not and it will be a disaster if it happens in flight.
These are available from the local hobby shop or any industrial supply store. Mcmaster Carr, Grainger, etc

I attached the center spar in with bolts. The spar stays in all the time. Due to the new trailer being set up more efficient, I plan to look into using Pip Pins as we do on our racing sailboats. This would allow a fast assembly and disassembly at the field.

I also wired the wing servos to a deans pin connector and a mating one in the fuse root. There is no servo wires to hook up at the field. ( one of the best things I did)

Make sure the pushrods are locktited good, we had a flap one unscrew in flight. And if I remember right, we had an aileron one do it too, the plane flies fine on one aileron.

Thats about it for starters, These improvements have been figured out over a few months of continuous towing. Many different pilots have flown this plane and many more will in the future. Its a wonderful plane and its only going to get better.

Please post Idea's and mods you might have made.. Also, lets get a list of other power options going with flight reports and how it holds up with bigger motors.

thanks.

LEN

[rocketman47]

Thanks Len! I'm sure we will incorperate many of your ideas/improvements in our PC6.... If it ever gets here!
Randy