Home > Aerobatic Planes > Recommended Setup
| COCKPIT | |
|---|---|
Virtual Cockpit |
This will really make your model stand out from the rest. Pilot is not included. The cockpit is a photograph which is custom made for your plane. The photo is laminated in place. Just glue it in and set on the pilot and it's done. Very lightweight! |
Pilot |
We have some pilots which match up with the virtual cockpits, or as stand alone. |
| BATTERY SYSTEM | |
(3) Battery packs |
You should use 2 battery packs on the receiver for safety reasons. If a battery, switch, plug or regulator fails, you may lose your plane if you only have one power system. Recommended: (3) TBM 2-cell Li Ion packs. One on the ignition and two on the receiver(s). |
MPI MIRACLE SWITCH Smart-Fly Turbo Regulator  Smart-Fly Power Expander   |
Switches and RegulatorsThree miracle switches (with 6v regulators)6v systems offer consistent power through all flights throughout the entire time between charges and offer more power and speed for servos than 4-cell Nicads. Power Expander and Smart-Fly RegulatorsYou should use 2 packs on the receiver for safety reasons. Even if one Li Ion battery will power the plane without a problem there will not be any redundancy. If a battery, switch, plug or regulator fails, you will lose your plane if you only have one power system. If you use Nicads or Nimh batteries you will just need switches, if you use LiIon batteries you will need switches and regulators.Recommended: For 33% to 35% planes, there are several options. If you are a purist, you can opt for the Smart-Fly SuperReg, TurboReg, Power Expander, system or the Fromeco failsafe switches. If you are on a budget, then you can opt for (3) Miracle Switches (with charge jack and 6v regulator) along with (3) 2-cell Li Ion batteries. While the Smart-Fly components will get more current to the servos under a heavy load, many pilots won't put these high loads on the servos or they simply won't notice enough difference in performance to justify the cost and weight penalties. If you have a few extra bucks and like the best, then certainly go for the Smart-Fly system. For 50cc planes, the Miracle Switches work well, though the Smart-Fly system is better. |
Ion Cube Charger |
Duralite 4 or 3+1 output charger OR Fromeco Ion CubeThe only chargers on the market which can charge 4 (or more)batteries simultaneously. (Other chargers are available) |
Hangar 9 Field Tester |
The least expensive Li-Ion tester on the market and it can check all types of batteries. |
| LANDING GEAR | |
Landing Gear |
Can save 4-8oz. Graph Tech offers a CF gear which saves several ounces. TBM TIP: Asian aluminum is of poor quality so the gear is thicker and heavier yet still bends and breaks. Save weight and have a better looking and performing gear using CF. |
Tailwheel    |
Pete's Models Tailwheels Strong, extremely light, with CF carriages, and beautifully rounded edges. Graph Tech Asian tailwheels are typically poor quality and heavy. US made tailwheels are higher quality and lighter. RC BlimpPro Has strong CF wheel carriage. R/C Blimp Titanium Tailwheels The advantage of the titanium wire is that it is extremely strong and durable. If you are on a bumpy field or you have a hard landing now and then or if you just torque roll down to the ground and harrier land really hard on the tailwheel, then this is for you. This is the strongest tailwheel by far! Unconditional manufacturer's warranty for life. If it ever breaks, get a repair or replacement! |
Axles  |
3/16" Dubro Axles MPI Titanium axles 1/2 the weight of the Dubro axles. No wheelcollars are required which save weight. |
Carbon Fiber Wheel Parts |
These make a great upgrade. |
Tires |
1/2 the weight of Sullivan or Dubro. Save 3.5 oz. |
3/16" Wheelcollars |
Loctite these in place! |
| POWER SYSTEM | |
DA |
Great engine, great service. |
Standard/Pitts or Canister Muffler |
More info: Click on the picture. |
Smart Fly Ignition Cutoff |
Use this to kill the engine from your transmitter. This device will also kill the engine if the Rx loses power. |
CF Spinner: Extra, Regular or Ultimate |
We offer spinners in 3 different shapes. We suggest that you get the shape that you like best. I like the "Ultimate" shape though of course the "Extra" shape is the scale shape. |
Propeller  |
TBM or PT 22x8 (2-blade) Propeller
(for break-in) TBM or PT 23x8 or 22x10 (2-blade) Propeller (after break-in) |
ABELL FUEL CAN |
I really like this fuel can. It pumps very quickly. The toggle switches are great! |
FUEL TANK |
16 oz Fuel Tank
16 oz Smoke Tank |
Fuel Dot |
1 for fuel, 1 for smoke Recommended: DA Fuel Filler. (The DA filler does not come with a backing plate for the screws to go into, just tap the plywood) We also carry Madison Components, MPI and H9 fuel fillers. |
Fuel Line |
Small fuel line (10') (Plus high temp tubing for installing smoke)
Recommended: Sullivan small tubing though you may prefer large. The large tubing works better with the DA fuel filler. |
Fuel Filter |
Recommended: Dubro in line. |
Nylon Fuel "T" |
(Two if installing smoke) |
Smoke Pump |
Recommended: Sullivan Skywriter. I like this one the best. Works great with just a 6-8v source, a 12v source is not necessary. |
| SERVOS & LINKAGE | |
Servos |
Must be metal geared. Do not use plastic gears or plastic arms.
Five Hitec HS-5645 servos for rudder, elevators and ailerons for low performance. Use the Hitec HS-5985 servos for high speed and hard 3D maneuvers. One Hitec 5245 for throttle |
JR Matchbox |
If you use more than one JR digital servo on one control surface you probably need a Matchbox to ensure that the servos don't fight one another. |
Hitec Programmer |
If you use more than one Hitec digital servo on one control surface you probably need a Programmer to ensure that the servos don't fight one another. |
Smart-Fly Power Expander |
We recommend this system to connect all the servos. You can run straight leads all the way to the power expander. If you use this, then eliminate the Y harnesses for the elevators and run separate wires to each elevator servo. This will provide the most power to each servo as well as provide a noise filter from each servo/servo extension. Has a built in regulator for the Rx, no reg for the servos. I suggest using the MPI adjustable voltage regs and turn them up to the max that you servos can take. I run 6.5 volts to my Hitec servos or 6 volts to my JR servos. |
Servo Arms |
Must be aluminum. Do not use plastic.
Recommended: SWB or Air Wild Ailerons - IMAC: 1", 3D: 1.25" Elevators - IMAC or 3D 1.25" Rudder - 4" (double arm for pull-pull) |
Servo Wire Extensions |
22 ga with gold plated plugs You will need "Y" harnesses to join the wing servos or else use a JR matchbox. |
Linkage   |
Four to Six Hangar 9 Titanium Links You will need to wait until you install your servos and your horns to purchase these so you know what length you need. with neat special wrench. or CF pushrods |
Clevises  |
Four #8 swivel clevis and horns for ailerons and elevator
From Hangar 9
Eight Sullivan, Dubro or H9 clevises. All work fine, all look different. |
Hinges |
Robart hinges are used by most pilots. |
| WING & STAB TUBES | |
CF Wing Tube |
1.25"x 3' for WildHare. CF Stab tube 1/2"x 17.25" for Wild Hare, .635" for 2.3m Comp Arf |
Wing & Stab Bags |
We currently offer the best bags on the market, the Air Wild wing bags. |
WARNING - Gasoline and Turbine powered aircraft are not manufactured to withstand unlimited G's. Any aircraft can fail, be it a wing folding up or a fuselage breaking in half under too high of a load. Just as any full size aircraft, model aircraft have a maximum G rating. Because you are not in the plane flying it and experiencing the G's and reading the G-meter, it is more difficult to judge the G's on the aircraft, and it is very easy to exceed the limits of the aircraft. Understand that if you perform a snap roll, parachute, wall, blender, knife edge loop, or pull hard on the elevator at almost any speed, you can be putting in excess of 15 G's, even in excess of 30 G's, and most aircraft can only designed to take 10-12 G's. If you perform any violent maneuver, you can break your plane. When I perform hard maneuvers, especially for the first time on an airframe, I am prepared for a failure and am prepared for it as best I can be. This mainly includes performing the maneuver far enough away from spectators that in event of a failure that I am not endangering others. In addition, be prepared for the manufacturer to not pay for a new airframe which is broken during flight. It is common practice for any manufacturer to not replace an airframe which breaks in the air or upon landing. I have only seen manufacturers replace airframes when they have received many of the same failures and the manufacturer determines that there was a design or manufacturing error. If you break an airframe, and you are the only one to do so, then it is probably not the fault of the manufacturer. Please fly safely, and avoid full throttle operation other than at low airspeeds.
| 
| 
| 
| 