ZeroGravity Pitts Python 42"

[sackohammers]

Sorry guys, assembly got held off a couple days because I went flying. I also spent a few evenings at the bar watching some local bands. Had a ball flying the mini-pulse this weekend. Sunday night I did make some progress with the Pitts.

Mounting the motor - installed blind nuts in back of firewall:



The Motor and spinner:



Test fitting the cowl:



One of the landing gear assemblies (carbon fiber landing gear):



Landing gear and wheel pants:



Partially attached landing gear:



Marking Cowl position:



Positioning Cowl:



Final holes for Cowl (I didn't enjoy this part of the assembly):



Screwing on the wing struts:



Carbon fiber wing tubes. Wings are also held in place with very strong magnets:



Getting there:



Pulling servo cables through the formers. I used a "grabber" to route the cables how I wanted them:



Getting the electronics into place:

[sackohammers]

Here is the detail for the cocl<pit Mod.

Painting the cocl<pit trim:



Using a Whataburger cup for the instrument panel backing:



Gluing instrument panel to backing with White Elmers (before this step I took a heatgun to the backing and formed the curve to match the cocl<pit better):



Gluing the instrument panel to cocl<pit with hot melt glue (if I were to do this again I'd move the panel further aft):



Instrument panel in position:



The other cocl<pit pieces (printed with an inkjet printer on regular paper):



Cocl<pit put in place:



Cocl<pit (blurry - sorry):



Cocl<pit:

[sackohammers]

I extended the battery tray more to the aft - this allows me to move the battery and get the plane to balance where I want. I also extended the power leads for the ESC:



Its done! All balanced and ready to maiden.

[sackohammers]

I maidened it yesterday. The field was pretty windy and several people weren't flying. I hung out flying the mini-pulse hoping I would get a window of opportunity late in the evening.

Just as the sun was setting the wind went down a bit. I taxied it out and did a final pre-flight. I realized I had my radio switches on high-rates because of the mini-pulse. I flicked them down to normal rates and noticed a problem. My ailerons were acting strange. Both of them were max up. Moving the stick did nothing. The sun was going down fast and my light was rapidly escaping. After a minute I realized I had hit the flaps switch off the center position. Dummy. I quickly went in and changed all the flaps settings to 0% so it wouldn't happen again. Then, I took off. Trim wasn't bad at all. Two clicks left and she was level. I also quickly realized how much of a novice pilot I am. The ailerons were super snappy... I mean really snappy. I had the low rates and expo set up as indicated in the manual... but I need to recheck throws... not just adjusting a % of throws in the radio, but I need to mechanically measure the throws to see how much the surfaces are actually traveling.

I had to keep it pretty steady and didn't try any aerobatics... plus my light was fading. I flew a couple circuits around the pattern. Went full throttle and did a climb (nice). Then I went for a few slower passes over the runway to get a feel for what landing would be like. Man I had to be steady on the ailerons. I just need to develop a more heightened sensitivity. I tried making a few slow passes, and I realized I was probably going too slow for this bipe. I realize I was probably close to stalling it... not a good idea close to the ground. So then I decided I needed to land with a little more speed. I went in for final approach and had things lined up pretty well. Got hit with a touch of wind and I did tag the tip of one wing... but it was after the wheels were on the ground and it wasn't moving too fast. You can barely tell by looking at the covering I hit the wingtip on the asphalt.

I'll call it a success. A VICTORY! I'm a little intimidated. Which is a great thing. I like being challenged. I'm going to dial down the ailerons and take it out again today. This wonderful plane will serve to improve my skills and take me to the next level. I'm pleased as punch with it.

[flyinghigh]

Nice! Congrats on the maiden.

Is this your first 3d capible plane?

[mrmugen]

Awesome! Glad it went well. A accu throw from tower is a must. It makes measuring the throws simply and fast. It is only 10 bucks and well worth it.

Congrats!
Kevin

[sackohammers]

Yeah, this is my 3D first plane. I did a quick check and the throws were pretty much set 3D, even though I had them dialed down in the radio. I'm going to town them down to about 20 degrees and then I'll be fine.

Thanks Kevin, I'll look into that tool.