RE: Final Touchdown
The RV6A nose gear has very little ground clearance on the nut that holds the yoke to the gear leg. This guy landed hard in a flat attitude and the nut dug into the turf flipping the plane. This is a common accident for RV trikes even on asphalt. Van's now has a revised yoke that gives more ground clearance but it is mostly a pilot error problem as it is easy to hold the nose wheel off landing a RV. Don
Posted on: 8/3/2009 12:34 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8986259

RE: Working on my PPL
Norm gave you good advice about accelerated training. I did mine in 45 days flying 3-4 times a week and most lessons were around 1.5 air time and .5 ground. Also a good flying club is a good thing to start with as a low time pilot. Some have several airplanes that you can check out in as your time and skills increase. Another thing that everyone will tell you is to go out and get an instrument rating right away. The best thing you can do for yourself is to take a 5-10 hour aerobatic/tailwheel/spin training course. That will do more for your flying skills than any other training. You will learn how to actually fly an airplane rather than drive it. Anyway have fun and let us know how your doing. Don
Posted on: 12/27/2008 1:09 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8286344

RE: Clark Spitfire build continues
Rick, It is still framed up and glassed. This is such a huge airplane that it would take at least three people to go out and fly it. I will finish it one of these days or find someone to sell it to. I have been doing a lot more full scale stuff the last few years and just got my RV 7 in the air last week. I have a full scale Super Cub to build for a friend starting next month so that will keep me busy this year. Don
Posted on: 1/2/2008 11:48 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6845415

RE: How safe are homebuilt planes?
You can build most of an RV7 in one half of a two car garage. I just finished mine and I didn't put the wings on until about a month before flying it. It is a huge commitment but worth it when you do that first flight. You don't have to commit all of your time to it just do something on it every day whether it is just for an hour or less. If you stick to it you will finish it. The Vans kits are the best on the market and there is more completions of RVs than all the rest of the homebuilts combined. I love to built and my next project is a Turbine Cubs Super Cub. Don
Posted on: 12/27/2007 7:53 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6813160

RE: YEE HAW!!!! My SisT is Here!!!!
Tripp Are you looking for something like this? Don [image][/image] From [link]http://mickreevesmodels.co.uk[/link]
Posted on: 11/24/2007 9:23 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6665764

RE: YEE HAW!!!! My SisT is Here!!!!
Tripp, Mine weighs27lbs and balances with no noseweight. I have all my servos forward and my battery packs right against the firewall. I was VERY careful with everything behind the CG. I am sure that the water base paints like Warbird colors are much lighter than automotive polyurethanes. Don
Posted on: 11/9/2007 8:36 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6602955

RE: How safe are homebuilt planes?
[quote]ORIGINAL: 2fast Why would you want to fly in a home designed, home built, home maintained aircraft? This is YOUR LIFE and your wife's LIFE we are talking about. There are plenty of proven safe certificated GA aircraft out there to choose from, many are used and affordable. Don't know about you, but if it's my wife and family in the plane I want something at least as safe as the airlines. To me that means a production certificated aircraft, professionally maintained and solid regular training for myself, both VFR and IFR. If I can't afford to do it this way then I'll just ride the "big iron". Do you really want the last thing you hear on this earth to be the screams of your family after your homebuilt beauty comes apart or it flat gets away from you? Anyone remember John Denver? [/quote] 2fast, You have obviously not taken a close look at the average homebuilt flying out there. Most homebuilts are designed by people with aeronautical engineering backgrouds and are built to a much higher standard than certified aircraft. There are exceptions to this but very few these days. My RV7 is stressed +6 -4g (actually a very conservative figure from Van's as it is more like +8 -6g) and the average certified aircraft is +4 -2g. The standard of workmanship is also much higher on the average homebuilt than certified. It is not rocket science maintaining an airplane and I know every inch of my airplane because I put it together. Aircraft engines are pretty simple and again not hard to learn how to work on them. The vast majority of GA accidents are pilot error and have nothing to do with the type of aircraft involved. I have around 3000hrs of accident free flying and most of that time is in experimental, warbird and aerobatic aircraft. I am more nervous flying in smaller turbo-prop commuter airplanes because I know I've probably got more time than both the pilots combined. What it all comes down to in the end is life has choices. You can sit back and be ultra consevative and never do anything you think looks dangerous or you can take a few risks and enjoy the high you get from doing something you love. I love flying and learning new skills both full scale and RC. I also like high performance and the only place to get that in aviation these days is homebuilts. Don
Posted on: 1/12/2007 10:23 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5253158

RE: How safe are homebuilt planes?
The reason I can spend 30hrs a week building my airplane and work full time is because my EX wife didn't like airplanes. Unfortunately I see this all the time, the man loves flying and the wife hates it. I will probably never get married again. Don
Posted on: 1/11/2007 9:47 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5250924

RE: How safe are homebuilt planes?
Gravity, I have to chime in on this thread. I am building an RV7 and should have it done by summer. It is a quickbuild kit and I started it on July 15,2006. I am a very experienced builder and pilot and the Van's aircraft are hands down the best kits out there. The performance of the 7 is excellennt both in high speed and low speed handling. There is not a better all around airplane. As for the auto conversions or aircraft engine there is only one choice and that is a Lycoming in this airplane. Contrary to other posts you can expect 2000hrs or more of trouble free service from a Lycoming 320-360 series engine if built correctly in the first place. Also the 7 is designed for it and it is a no brainer instalation.You will spend as much time trying to fit an auto engine in the 7 as building the rest of the airplane and you will end up with less performance, more money in the powerplant and related systems and very little resale value. Also the Lycomings are not as expensive as you think. Here is a breakdown on my airplane so far. Don RV7 quickbuild kit with all of the kit options IO-360 parallel valve engine, balanced to within 1 gram, flowported, new ECI cylinders, new mags, harness and overhauled accessories, forward intake fuel injection, everything done to new engine specs. Dynos at 217hp. $21,000 outright. Hartzell CS prop 0time overhaul again to new specs Dynon D100 and D120 EFIS and EMS with all options Navaid wing leveler autopilot with GPS tracking ICOM 760 comm King kt 76 transponder with encoder Garmin 396 GPS in a dashmount Aero Classics leather interior I will have a little less than $75,000 in the airplane less paint when ready to fly and around 1000-1200 hrs construction time. RVs are great flying airplanes and if you ever get to fly one you will be hooked. Also you will fit in it just fine so quit dreaming and get building.
Posted on: 1/11/2007 1:07 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5246358

RE: Marine's Dream Corsair
Bruno, I don't know why everyone goes gaga over Marines Dream and the Jolly Roger Corsairs. The one John Lane did for Gary Kohs is hands down the best Corsair restoration ever. In fact it is probably the best warbird restoration ever done with every original system in it and they all work. It was bought by Tony Raftis last year and has been at a couple of shows along with the Jolly Roger machine that he also owns. I think it gets overlooked because it is done as it would have come from the factory and doesn't have any other markings on it. If you ever get a chance to see it give it a close look as it is spectacular. I watched this airplane through the whole process from delivery(a story in itself) to completion. Don
Posted on: 7/20/2006 3:21 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4524469

RE: fillet question
[link]http://aircraftspruce.com[/link] has micro. It is $6.45 for a 1lb bag and 31.95 for 5lbs. Don
Posted on: 5/18/2006 11:05 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4291330

RE: Grumman Wildcat
Bill, Unfortunatly these bigger models get a little spendy. Also if you try and go cheap on things you are setting youself up for disaster. A must is a good RELIABLE engine, a good radio with servos that will more than handle the job. It is very easy to get over $2000 in a plane of this size and not uncommon to even double that. the big airplanes are well worth it as they do fly better than a smaller model and just look great on the flightline. Don (BTW my ex wife didn't like airplanes.)
Posted on: 3/16/2006 4:42 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4042845

RE: Grumman Wildcat
Bill, If you are going to do this project do it with the Robart or CJ gear. With all the time and effort you are going to put in it not to mention money the cost for the gear is not that high of a percentage of the total cost. Besides there is nothing goofier looking than a fighter flying around with the gear hanging out. Don
Posted on: 3/16/2006 2:42 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4042379

RE: 1st plane.... Experimental?
The Thorp T18 is a little hot for a low time pilot. It has an over the fence speed of 90-100mph as opposed to say an RV7 at 75-80mph. It is not as docile as the RVs and is a taildragger that will require a longer checkout period. The RVs can be built as tricycles and the speed difference between the tri gear and taildragger is negligable. The T18 is a great go fast airplane but does not have the docile handling of the RVs. Don
Posted on: 1/31/2006 12:11 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3848047

RE: 1st plane.... Experimental?
If your going to take the time to build an RV it takes the same amount of time to build a 7 or 8 as a 9. The 9 is a lot slower cruise and the 7 or 8 are just as docile. Don
Posted on: 1/29/2006 1:27 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3838545

RE: 1st plane.... Experimental?
Erik, You can't go wrong with the RV series. For the money they are the best performing homebuilts on the market but you won't build one for $40,000. $50-70k is more realistic. I am going to order a RV7 quickbuild kit as soon as I sell my Yak. I have flown RV4, 6, 6A, 8 and 8A and all have been great airplanes. My friend built the 8A while he did his PPL. He had 60hrs tt when he finished the 8 and it only took about 5hrs to check him out in it. The Zodiac and the Thorp are also great choices but for a few more bucks you can have a 200+mph cruiser that is also aerobatic if you so desire. The Pulsar II is also a great performer but more like 150mph with a Rotax 912. Don
Posted on: 1/28/2006 6:53 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3837023

RE: where to find a p-38 kit
There is a couple of Royal P-38s on Ebay right now. Don
Posted on: 1/15/2006 4:29 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3778242

RE: New Y/A P-40 Pre-Built Model
What is the big secret on the prices for Yellow Aircraft kits? They have no prices listed on thier website and its like pulling teeth to find out how much they are. I buy a lot of high end kits and it is nice to figure out the cost when making the decision to buy. I know they have a printed price list so why not put it on the website. They do make very nice kits and maybe they sell all they can make so they don't have to bother with prices. Enough of my rant, the ARF P-40 looks great. Don
Posted on: 10/21/2005 9:54 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3476020

RE: CJ6A Nachang
[quote]ORIGINAL: trouch I remember not so long ago when you could got a crated Nachang at the dock for 20k. Should of bought a couple! [/quote] Hindsight is always 20/20. I bought a nice T-6 for $16000 in 1981. Could have bought lots of 182s for midteens in the late 80s now they are $75000 and up for nice ones. I got the CJ for $45000 in 2001. A friend and I bought two and had them trucked up to Idaho and we went through them and got them licensed. These are great all around airplanes with light controls, decent speed and low fuel burn. Don
Posted on: 8/14/2005 4:16 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3262066

RE: CJ6A Nachang
I own and fly a Nanchang CJ6 and also build scale RC. I have the old Sig YAK 18 kit that can be modified into a CJ without too much work. Trumpeter is coming out with a 1/32 scale plastic model this month also. I havn't flown a jet trainer yet but someday I'll get the chance. Only been able to fly those mouldy old propeller type fighters and trainers.[:D] Don
Posted on: 8/14/2005 1:12 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3260734

RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread
Try Chief, They also carry spares. Don
Posted on: 5/11/2005 1:26 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2963872

RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread
I had no problem getting a new wing from Tower. They list all of the other parts also. Don [quote]ORIGINAL: deu I understand that there are no spares for the tp 51. They only make spare canopys and cowls when the make a kit run. That is a lousy way to do business as for as I am concerned [/quote]
Posted on: 5/6/2005 12:10 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2948027

RE: Glennis Wildcat wheels
Carl, I do a lot of shipping in my buisiness and I have found that FedEx is the best followed closely by the USPS of all places. DHL is a nightmare and UPS has been so-so. As to Williams Bros., I don't think they ever made any aluminium hub wheels. Don
Posted on: 4/11/2005 9:47 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2864995

RE: Glennis Wildcat wheels
Carl, You get what you pay for from Glennis but maybe not from UPS. They made me a custom set of wheels for my KI84 in three weeks and only charged me the regular price as he wanted to do these anyway. I'll use Glennis anytime for wheels. One other thing, By the time you figure up what you have in landing gear and all the other hardware in that airplane the wheels only come out to a small percentage. I don't think Glennis is getting rich on the prices they charge. Don
Posted on: 4/11/2005 1:06 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2864332

RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread
Speaking of skis, my uncle has a set of skis for a Mustang. They retract and fit to the lower contour of the wing. Also has a tail ski that also retracts. Was an experiment that didn't go very far but there are pictures of them on an airplane taxiing and they did fly a few times. I would get a picture but they are in a crate stacked up in his hanger. The other set he got is displayed at the Warhawk Museum in Nampa Idaho. That would make a cool sclae option for you Ken. Don
Posted on: 3/18/2005 9:57 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2778419

RE: best spitfire?
[quote]ORIGINAL: MarkShapiro Not considered int he original question, but how does the Clak Industries 1/4 scale rate among these? [/quote] Mark, I have the Clark Spit and I will give you my observations. The fusalage is very scale but I think a little on the heavy side. The vertical fin on mine was tilted to the left and I had to cut it apart and straighten it. The wing construction is like a Platt airplane and is very easy to get a twist in it. I have been building scale for 30 years and this is the first time I have built a twisted wing. Also the flaps and ailerons are not scale hinged but done like a sport model. The landing gear is OK but I would like to see a little tighter tolerances. Thw engine and exhaust system are really cool but I havn't run it yet. I am thinking about redoing the wing using a Reeves 1/4 scale plan and short kit and also going with Sierra gear. The twist in the wing POed me so much that I set the airplane aside for awile. I will probably finish it next winter. One other thing, this is a BIG airplane. It will take at least a crew of two to go out and fly it, 1/5 scale seems to be the best compromise between flying and ease of transportation and set up. Don
Posted on: 2/22/2005 1:19 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2687393

RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread
Darrell, I always use silver solder on any control rods. First the wire must be absolutely clean. I clean with acetone or lacquer thinner first then sand the wire with 400 grit to clean off any oxides and clean again with thinner. Put a little flux on the wire and slide the clevis back and forth a couple of times to get some flux on the inside of it also. Now with a butane torch heat the wire and clevis going back and forth from the clevis to the wire When warmed up a bit hold the flame on the clevis and feed the solder from the joint between the wire and clevis. The heat on the clevis will suck the solder through the joint. If you get things too hot it will turn black and the solder will not flow. If that happens its time to start all over again. The secret to a good solder joint is cleaning everything thoroughly and the right amount of heat.
Posted on: 2/11/2005 11:05 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2646042

RE: Revolution 52 & Yellow Spitfire
You can make a mockup muffler from high density foam and send it to Bold mufflers and he can make you a custom muffler. There are not a lot of stock muffler options for this engine. The 3W 50 is not very tall and has a long nosecase that would lend itself to a tightly cowled plane like the Spit. Don
Posted on: 2/10/2005 1:37 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2642700

RE: Revolution 52 & Yellow Spitfire
Go with the 3W, great customer support and well made engine. Who knows if you can get a Revolution. I was on thier wait list for over a year and have not heard from them yet. Don
Posted on: 2/10/2005 8:48 AM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2641884

RE: Mercedes Engine kits -- Arizona Models?
I bought the Arizona models Mercedes kit and was highly dissapointed. There are some nice bluebrints and just a bunch of basic shaped parts. It would be just as easy to scratchbuild one belive me. Don
Posted on: 2/1/2005 12:59 PM by Author "pittsdriver" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2608735