RE: crop duster r/c
Here's a pic of a REALLY nice Cat that's working down in Texas. It belongs to a friend of mine who owns Gerik Ag Service based out of Aquilla, TX. One of the most unique and recognizable paint schemes I've seen on an Ag Cat. Took this pic two weeks ago when they were working out of Corsicana, TX doing fungicide application on wheat. John landed right after I stopped in for fuel on one of my pipeline patrol routes down there. Having a little over a thousand hours in radial Cats myself, I can tell you they are a heck of a good ag aircraft... stable, responsive, good load haulers. They'll out turn just about any ag aircraft out there, and they're built like a tank...they're not the fastest aircraft out there, but they'll bring you home safe. Gerik also owns a 401 Air Tractor which was working that day also.
Posted on: 4/29/2009 1:12 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8725973

RE: Great Planes Extra 27% 330s
The OS 1.60 is a WONDERFUL engine... I've had two of them; one on a Goldberg Pitts 12 Monster, and most recently on the GP Gene Soucy Extra 300S. But, I've got a DA-50 sitting on the shelf, and also an OS BGX-3500. I havent run the 3500 yet, but I had the DA in a H9 27% Extra 260 and LOVED it, regardless of what some guys seem to think about that combo. I'm thinking either one of these will work well on this airframe.
Posted on: 6/29/2008 6:27 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7675231

RE: Great Planes Extra 27% 330s
For you guys that are running 40cc or larger gassers on this airframe, what if any beefing up of the firewall and other areas are you doing? Is it fine "as is" or do some mods need to be made?
Posted on: 6/28/2008 6:34 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7671918

RE: Carl Goldberg -- PITTS S12 MONSTER
[quote]ORIGINAL: Speedy-Gonzales I called my LHS and they called Carl Goldberg Models and confirmed that the Goldberg 1.20 size Pitts S-12 "Monster" ARF has been discontinued and is no longer being manufactured. [/quote] Yup, it's been discontinued for several months now, unfortunately. Great Planes bought out Goldberg, and it seems that most of the nice Goldberg ARF's have since been discontinued.
Posted on: 4/4/2008 10:48 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7334939

RE: Gruman Ag-Cat
[quote]ORIGINAL: bofrcr Hello Guys! In going through this thread,, it brings to mind a local aplicator that had/has a grumman ag cat. When I was farming,, we'd contract him on a regular basis for appling pesticides and fungicides by air,,when he came out to spray our fields,, it was like having your own private airshow! He knew I was involved with models,and I'd flown a number of times at there airfield,,too Just something for you guys to think about,, all spray planes have the bottom of the spray tank open like a big clamshell,, so in an emergency,, they hit the "panic button",(mounted on the joy stick) and dump the entire load in a fraction of a second! at airshows that was always a favorite thing,, kinda looked like a forest fire plane! (at airshows,, they'd use colored water) and if anybody's interested,, the color of the product sprayed,, would be either yellow,, or light blue As I remember,, it's quite expensive to have your fields sprayed by air,, about $7-8 an acre,, vs $3-4 by ground application anyway,, any of you guys gonna have it spray? oh,,by the way,, the term,, "crop duster" is way out of date,, hasn't been and dry material used in almost 45-50 years [:)] ok,, good luck! [/quote] Well, I know this guy's post is a bit old, but in the event that anyone's interested, I thought I'd clear up a few misconceptions about what he said. Ag aircraft hoppers have what's called a gatebox at the bottom, mounted on the underside of the belly. It serves two purposes: 1. It controls the rate and flow of dry materials like fertilizer, as they flow into the spreader. 2. It serves as an emergency dump for the hopper contents in the event of an aircraft emergency. The emergency dump is actually operated by a lever by the side of the pilots seat instead of a button on the stick. Although the term "crop duster" IS out of date, and the proper terminology these days is "aerial applicator", dry materials ARE still in use. Dry fertilizer is put out very commonly by air. Aerial seeding is also utilized, especially in rice country. Also, dry Sulphur dust is still applied to grapes in the wine country of California. Hey, if you're gonna build 'em scale, you gotta know how it all works!! [:D]
Posted on: 3/29/2008 3:39 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7301708

RE: Gruman Ag-Cat
Glad I happened to run across this thread. I've wanted an Ag Cat for a LOOOONG time now! Of the 6,000 hrs of flight time I have, a little over a thousand of it is flying B model 1340 powered Cats spraying rice over in Arkansas. They're one of the sweetest flying ag aircraft in existence, and one of, if not THE safest.
Posted on: 3/29/2008 3:13 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7301593

RE: Hangar 9 extra 260 27% what engine
Well, you obviously havent seen many guys fly IMAC sequences with a DA 50 powered 260 then, because there are, and have been PLENTY of them used in IMAC ever since the plane came out. I fly precision scale aerobatics with mine, and it will do anything from graceful to wild, and all in between, including low level stuff. If you've never personally flown one, dont sit there and tell me it CANT be done just because you've never seen it. I own one, I fly it every week, and I personally KNOW what it will do and what it wont. By the way, I'm not a big fan of endless hovers and all day tumbling either... BORING!![8|]
Posted on: 3/12/2008 1:21 AM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7212736

RE: Hangar 9 extra 260 27% what engine
I have the 27% Extra 260 with a DA 50 on the nose, and it does NOT suffer from high wing loading. It actually has very docile low speed handling, and lands very nice. Most of these "rumors" of poor performance on this airframe with a 50cc engine are coming from people who dont have a clue, because they've never flown it. This aircraft probably has the widest range of good engines around, since it will fly very nice with anything from an OS 1.60, to a Moki 2.10, Saito 2.20, right on up to the DA 50. As far as the airframe sufering from vibration... nonsense. It suffers no more problems than any other ARF airframe with a gasser on the nose. There's certain reinforcements that should be done on ALL of them, and ALL of them should be checked periodically for signs of damage.
Posted on: 3/11/2008 11:43 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7212360

RE: The ALL NEW Dietrich 75cc Extra 260
Well, I called and canceled my pre-order this afternoon. I had intended (based on the Feb. delivery date provided by Deitrich) on this being ready for at least PART of the IMAC season this year. Now, with delivery pushed back AGAIN to May, I'd be pushing it (with my work schedule) to get it built, tested, trimmed, and ready to go. I hope it's worth the wait for you guys who are hanging in there, but I'd rather spend my time flying than waiting. I wont even get into the whole deal about Deitrich At LEAST letting those of us who put our faith in them KNOW what has been going on. I dont care WHAT you say, that's not too much to ask of ANY reputable business. But anyway, it is what it is.
Posted on: 3/10/2008 6:10 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7204833

RE: Spinner Question About Great Planes 1/4 Extra 300S
The GP aluminum spinners are not known for their quality at all. I'd suggest spending a bit of cash and getting a good Tru Turn or Dave Brown Vortex. Both are top quality, and both have a wide array of adapters available so you wont have to be piecing parts togther trying to make something work. The OS 1.60 is a hoss of a motor, and it WILL chunk a spinner and prop a LOOOOONG way! The better quality spinners are definitely worth the money.
Posted on: 2/9/2008 10:18 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7050865

RE: Anyone building a H9 Sukhoi yet???
Hmm, that's funny... my LHS is telling me that Horizon is telling him they are. Oh well, I can wait a bit I guess.[;)]
Posted on: 1/23/2008 7:21 AM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6955031

Anyone building a H9 Sukhoi yet???
I'm looking for some first hand information on the new Hangar 9 Sukhoi, and was hoping someone would start up a build thread, but so far I havent found one. Anyone got one of these yet, and if so, what do you think thus far?
Posted on: 1/21/2008 7:56 AM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6943183

RE: Carl Goldbert Pitts Monster 1.20 ARF
I had the Goldberg Pitts for a while, with an OS 1.60 for power. It was WAY overpowered with that engine, so I put an OS 1.20 on it, and it was perfect. The plane flies decent as long as you use care in setting it up (ie... checking the wing incidences, getting all your throws set the same, etc.), but it DOES have a few of the same nasty tendancies that other Pitts models have because, well IT'S A PITTS! As far as the engine out situation, dont let anyone fool you into a false sense of security... if your engine quits, you better be CLOSE to the runway, because it does not glide that well. There's alot of drag on that airframe, with that big round cowl, and without power, it starts coming down quickly. That being said, I liked flying mine until I lost it in an inverted flat spin which the plane would not recover from. I had it in a spin, and when I went to recover, it snapped over inverted, went flat, and nothing I did would get it out. Never knew exactly what happened, but the plane was a total loss. If they were still in production, I'd probably buy another one, simply because in my opinion, it's the BEST looking Pitts 12 that's been produced yet. Just remember that with them being out of production, anything you happen to tear up, like a cowl, wheelpants, fuselage parts, etc., wont be able to be replaced. I dont venture to make assumptions about your skill level, but just make sure you're ready for this plane before you build it and fly it. It really does build into a beautiful bird.[;)]
Posted on: 1/16/2008 12:53 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6916813

RE: Dietrich 85cc Extra...When?
Looks like the end of next month, or maybe even in March before they're ready. I've got my pre-order in and am REALLY getting anxious!
Posted on: 1/14/2008 9:37 AM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6904866

RE: Great Planes 1/4 scale Gene Soucy Extra 300S Review Now posted
[quote]ORIGINAL: G.P. [quote]ORIGINAL: Lowlevlflyer [quote]ORIGINAL: G.P. [quote]ORIGINAL: Lowlevlflyer There's nothing wrong with the Bisson Pitts muffler for the OS 1.60. I've got two 1.60's that I've run HARD for two years now, one of them being in THIS plane. They both have Bisson mufflers, and NEITHER of them are pumped. I've never had to crimp a stack, cut off
Posted on: 1/3/2008 9:18 AM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6846608

RE: Pitts 1/3 hard to turn right
If you're running the OS 1.60, I'd go with an 18x6 prop. I've got two of these engines and that's one of my main props, and pretty much the prop of choice for most owners of the 1.60. But, as was said, it's going to make MINIMAL difference in the turning problem you're experiencing. Using a tiny bit of rudder input will fix it for sure.
Posted on: 12/26/2007 11:35 AM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6806263

RE: Great Planes 1/4 scale Gene Soucy Extra 300S Review Now posted
[quote]ORIGINAL: G.P. [quote]ORIGINAL: Lowlevlflyer There's nothing wrong with the Bisson Pitts muffler for the OS 1.60. I've got two 1.60's that I've run HARD for two years now, one of them being in THIS plane. They both have Bisson mufflers, and NEITHER of them are pumped. I've never had to crimp a stack, cut off a nipple, fiddle with this, modifiy that, etc, etc
Posted on: 12/25/2007 8:07 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6804052

RE: Great Planes 1/4 scale Gene Soucy Extra 300S Review Now posted
I'd agree that the FS 200, or even the Saito 1.80 would be a better choice in this bird for a hardcore 3D flyer, just because of the quicker throttle response and higher torque. For IMAC type precision aerobatics, the 1.60 is perfect.
Posted on: 12/25/2007 2:03 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6802870

RE: Great Planes 1/4 scale Gene Soucy Extra 300S Review Now posted
Well, in a year of flying my Soucy, I FINALLY managed to do a bit of damage to her yesterday afternoon. The last flight of the day, upon landing, I came in and touched down about three feet shy of the end of the runway (we've got an asphalt runway at our club field, but short grass all around it). in doing so, I managed to roll the left main into the only $#*&@*# gopher hole within 50 yds of my touchdown point!![:'(] Aside for a broken (brand new, first flight) Xoar prop, it bent the left main gear leg back and up, doing some minor crush damage to the fuselage area right above the gear attach point. I've taken the gear off (perfect excuse to put on a set of the taller lighter TNT aluminum gear), and the gear plate appears to be solid and intact, with the only visible damage being to that area on the side of the fuselage right above the gear. I can pretty much press it back into place with my finger, so will I be good to go if I just press it back into place and soak it with thin CA, or am I going to need to cut into it and replace a section?
Posted on: 12/24/2007 12:18 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6798922

RE: Great Planes 1/4 scale Gene Soucy Extra 300S Review Now posted
There's nothing wrong with the Bisson Pitts muffler for the OS 1.60. I've got two 1.60's that I've run HARD for two years now, one of them being in THIS plane. They both have Bisson mufflers, and NEITHER of them are pumped. I've never had to crimp a stack, cut off a nipple, fiddle with this, modifiy that, etc, etc, ...ANY of the mess I"ve heard that you absolutely HAVE to do in order to get the 1.60 to run with a Bisson muffler. I run #5 glow plugs, Wildcat 15%, and large fuel tubing. Both of them run like a top, will stay lit through any maneuvers I've flown with them so far, and I've had only one deadstick out of either of them (ran out of fuel). Not saying that some guys dont have problems with their 1.60's, but I've never modded a THING on mine, and they run perfectly.
Posted on: 12/24/2007 12:09 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6798890

RE: can someone recognize this aircraft
It's a Vari EZ or a Long EZ, cant tell for certain which one. Also, with the three blade prop, it COULD be a Berkut, which is basically just a modified, higher performance version of the Long EZ. I always loved these aircraft, they are REAL performers if they're built right.
Posted on: 12/17/2007 12:35 AM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6767402

RE: Just a quick gripe...
Like I said, I went ahead and printed out what I needed, and it's all good now. Gonna fly with it for the first time today.
Posted on: 12/16/2007 12:05 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6764322

RE: Just a quick gripe...
[quote]ORIGINAL: pepatrick This is only about 5th thread wining about the manual...Old news now...The X9303 really does not need one.. [/quote] I've got your "whining" right here, ace. I just came back to JR after using Futaba, and the programming is a bit different, so YEAH, I need one, or at least parts of one, just to get started. [8|]
Posted on: 12/16/2007 2:05 AM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6763195

RE: Just a quick gripe...
No, matter of fact, it's not a big deal moneywise. I make enough flying full scale airplanes for a living that I dont have ANY problem affording $700 for a radio. And, now that I've played with it all day, pulled a few select pages from the CD, I'm happy now. Guess it was the initial shock that a manual wasnt included that got me. Like I said at the end of m original post, this radio is AWESOME!
Posted on: 12/16/2007 1:59 AM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6763186

Just a quick gripe...
I dont get it. I just payed right at 700 of my hard earned dollars for a new X9303 radio system. I call you guys up at product support to inquire about getting a bound manual for it, and I get transferred to the SALES department. I drop 700 bucks on a new radio, and then you guys have the nerve to tell me I have to BUY THE DAMN MANUAL FOR IT???!!!?? I understand it's twice the size of a normal maual, but COME ON!! Are times THAT hard??[:@] On a positive note, this is one AWESOME radio system!!![;)]
Posted on: 12/15/2007 4:32 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6761207

RE: Airline pilot shortage
When you talk about "airline flying" and "cropdusting", you are talking about two VERY different kinds of flying, and two VERY different types of pilots. I am chief pilot for a large aerial pipeline patrol company here in Oklahoma, and I make my living flying low level operations. Before I got into pipeline patrol work, I flew ag for 4 years, buidling a little over 1,000 hrs in Ag Cats, 301 Air Tractors, and a few hours in a Turbine Thrush. I love my job now, and make a comfortable living at it, and get to fly 5 days a week. I've got right at 6,000 hrs now, almost all of it on low level flight ops, and you absolutely couldnt PAY me enough money to go to an airline job. That is just not my idea of flying. I wanted to be a pilot ever since I was old enough to know what an airplane was. Heck, I've known how to use an E6-B (the whizwheel) since I was 13. They say a person is truly blessed when they can make a living doing something they love. I believe I am VERY blessed.
Posted on: 12/11/2007 9:21 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6745178

RE: Biund to Happen
Yup. Sad to see them go, they're a good demo team. I guess the REAL story is probably the fact that the sponsoring company is getting tired of paying for $4.00 to $6.00 a gallon Avgas, along with other increasing maintainance and insurance costs. I'm really hoping another company will sign them on.
Posted on: 12/11/2007 8:57 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6745064

RE: JR 12X Add Looks Just Great!!!
Ive read the ad too, and it CLEARLY states right there in plain black and white english... 2048 RESOLUTION.
Posted on: 12/11/2007 8:53 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6745031

RE: What is JR thinking?
Huh, I usually just LEARN HOW TO USE the darn thing BEFORE I take it to the field!![8|] But, that's just me, I guess. If anything, I may copy a few pages that are pertinent to hte programming I use, or put a few notes on a notecard or two to stick in my radio case.
Posted on: 12/9/2007 3:53 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "JR Radio & Spektrum Radios"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6735014

RE: Getting your spinner to shine
I use Flitz also. Works wonders on Tru Turn Spinners!
Posted on: 12/9/2007 12:02 PM by Author "Lowlevlflyer" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6734123