Ok so I had to buy this plane while ordering a heli for son, did not read all the stuff here, think that would take a year or more.
Mine did not come with manual so I "winged it". Some how I got bind to work. Found servo for elevator not attached that was fun trying to fix.

So my first and subsequent flights all just nose dive, could this be from washers? When I hold plane and throttle up its feels like it wants to go nose down. The motor shaft looked bent out of box, this is brushless version. It is only slightly out of round. The prop nut does not stay on, do I glue it, loctite?

If I had a manual would it show how to setup the elevator for normal take off, how much should it travel upwards? thanks for any help.

After reducing a ParkZone Piper Cub to pieces, having a Firebird Commander escape from captivity altogether and slowly pounding a Mountain Models Magpie into several sections, I finally flew- up, around and down- successfully with my stock, brushed motor Sky Surfer. Happy Camper!

Now about six sessions out, I've read most of the posts here and have enlarged the rudder, put in "real" hinges on the elevator and rudder, used reeforced tape on the wing and empenage leading edges, replaced a bad servo, put carbon rod stiffners on the wing surfaces, changed to a 6x4 pusher prop, removed the brushed motor and replaced it with a Grayson Hobby V2, taken out the washers (they are needed to balance the plane on the proper CG with the brushed motor) and cushioned the nose with self-adhesive foam window sealing strips after fiberglassing it. I still have to put carbon fiber tubes on the top and bottom of the fuselage and put a fiberlass corset just beneath the cockpit and around the the mid-length of the fuselage.

Getting expensive, but the darn thing flies and survives. What more can a beginner ask?

Clay

grason Hobby supersonic V2 hugh should I do the same//?? got one lying around.. but ... ok not till my 3 2200mah packs arrive... I can't stand 10 minute flights on this one because that's how much I'm gonna get if I put a grason in there..

Originally Posted by clayfeld

After reducing a ParkZone Piper Cub to pieces, having a Firebird Commander escape from captivity altogether and slowly pounding a Mountain Models Magpie into several sections, I finally flew- up, around and down- successfully with my stock, brushed motor Sky Surfer. Happy Camper!

Now about six sessions out, I've read most of the posts here and have enlarged the rudder, put in "real" hinges on the elevator and rudder, used reeforced tape on the wing and empenage leading edges, replaced a bad servo, put carbon rod stiffners on the wing surfaces, changed to a 6x4 pusher prop, removed the brushed motor and replaced it with a Grayson Hobby V2, taken out the washers (they are needed to balance the plane on the proper CG with the brushed motor) and cushioned the nose with self-adhesive foam window sealing strips after fiberglassing it. I still have to put carbon fiber tubes on the top and bottom of the fuselage and put a fiberlass corset just beneath the cockpit and around the the mid-length of the fuselage.

Getting expensive, but the darn thing flies and survives. What more can a beginner ask?

Clay

aj's cell phone number?

Welcome clay.
What does the plane weigh now with all that glass?

Originally Posted by 2500GENE

aj's cell phone number?

Welcome clay.
What does the plane weigh now with all that glass?

the weight doesn't matter.. that Supersonic motor on 6x4 will give hime endless vertical witha 6x6 prop you can lose it in the stratosphere :P

Originally Posted by pavcon

the weight doesn't matter.. that Supersonic motor on 6x4 will give hime endless vertical witha 6x6 prop you can lose it in the stratosphere :P

For longer flights, glide time or carrying some extra weight for FPV, weight does matter. Increase the wing loading too much and it's no longer a powered glider.

Originally Posted by 2500GENE

For longer flights, glide time or carrying some extra weight for FPV, weight does matter. Increase the wing loading too much and it's no longer a powered glider.

Gene,

Agreed. I experienced firist by adding lights, flaps, etc., until the nimble Skysurfer turned into a 32 oz. porker.

Bill

Originally Posted by pavcon

the weight doesn't matter.. that Supersonic motor on 6x4 will give hime endless vertical witha 6x6 prop you can lose it in the stratosphere :P

Yes. But, this is a powered glider and IMO, not really intended to fly FAST. When I feel the "need-for-speed", I have my Stryker for that. It goes WOT as fast as I can fly it and begs for more power and speed. I plan on using a 55mm motor and a 6S LiPo for my next speed runs. It is darn hard (for me) to get it over 150+ mph. The game for the SkyS IMO is get longer flight times. I don't know a great deal about the aerodynamics. So, I sort of stick to simple ideas for me like jets are for going fast, gliders are for flying longer, pattern planes are for that, and Scale planes ...... etc. I feel like I would need a degree in aerodynamics to mix and match all of those. But, it is fun to follow along with guys like you that do something different. Keep 'em flying high.
AJ

Haven't put the last "corsets" or fuselage carbon tubes in yet, but it weights 22 oz all up right now. It will gain two or three ounces, no doubt, but it still has way to much power for me as a pretty basic beginner. I have to launch at 1/2 to 2/3 throttle or she zips right up into a stall; I'm getting pretty good at recovery!

Clay

Originally Posted by clayfeld

Haven't put the last "corsets" or fuselage carbon tubes in yet, but it weights 22 oz all up right now. It will gain two or three ounces, no doubt, but it still has way to much power for me as a pretty basic beginner. I have to launch at 1/2 to 2/3 throttle or she zips right up into a stall; I'm getting pretty good at recovery!

Clay

PS: I only fiberglassed the nose, not any more than that.

Clay

What did you use to glue the CF rod to the rear bottom of the fuse? I want to try to keep the fuse able to separate if necessary. I think it was Gene (or you) who is a big advocate of Goop for the fuse so it will separate and thats what I used, but I don't want to CA it in if I can help it.

Ron

Originally Posted by Ron RC

What did you use to glue the CF rod to the rear bottom of the fuse? I want to try to keep the fuse able to separate if necessary. I think it was Gene (or you) who is a big advocate of Goop for the fuse so it will separate and thats what I used, but I don't want to CA it in if I can help it.

Ron

Hi Ron,

On a Skysurfer 1 with the servo control rods on the outside you can use CA on the bottom with the CF tube reinforcement tube because you can still part the motor area to remove and replace the motor. If it is a Skysurfer 2 (inboard servos) then use the goop because you may need access to the inside of the fuselage.

Bill

Originally Posted by Prof100

Hi Ron,

On a Skysurfer 1 with the servos on the outside you can use CA on the bottom with the CF tube reinforcement tube because you can still part the motor area to remove and replace the motor. If it is a Skysurfer 2 (inboard servos) then use the goop because you may need access to the inside of the fuselage.

Bill

Ok Bill, I have v1 and I think you meant to say "control rods on the outside". So I WILL CA the CF to the fuse. Many thanks

Ron

Originally Posted by Ron RC

Ok Bill, I have v1 and I think you meant to say "control rods on the outside". So I WILL CA the CF to the fuse. Many thanks

Ron

I believe the V2 has the servos inside also.

Originally Posted by Ron RC

Ok Bill, I have v1 and I think you meant to say "control rods on the outside". So I WILL CA the CF to the fuse. Many thanks

Ron

Yes, I have fixed my post. I was too busy watching the football game.