Pulse 25 XT flying

[Mike S]

Last week I took the Pulse out for its first flight. I have not changed anything to it other than replace the plastic spinner with an alli one, removed the stick on nose weights and swapped out the esc for a 60amp one.

Motor KMS Quantum 2826/04 BLess Motor
Esc Jp EnRg 60amp
Prop 11x7

It balances perfect on the CofG mark Phil put on the wings.

First flight needed to trim out the aileron and elevator. Checked out the stall which is just dropping its left wing. No real worry here as it happens at walking speed.

Flight times on the lipos are as follows:

3s 2200 5mins When charged put back in 1435 Could increase flight times to 6mins)

3s 3350 9mins When charged put back in 2798 (this is just over 80% of the lipo so eight mins would be better for the lipo)

The readings above where taken after doing half to full throttle flights in the style that Tim would call Hooligan flying.

After the fourth flight I checked over the airframe and noticed that the left aileron was 3mm from level with the right aileron being level. . As shaggy would say "It wasn't me"

Either way I will level up the ailerons and check the throws and re-trim next flight.

On a plus note the Pulse does a great stall turn which I have nearly got the hang of.

[Mike S]

Ok well some 25 flights on I have got a feeling for this model now. Landings are coming on and am now mucking around with flaps.

Starting to think its time to begin working on practicing my Fixed wing B cert. This model is perfect for it as it will fly slow and is very responsive to the controls

[Mike S]

Some 60 flights so far today. Practice for the B test is coming on but thought that I should rather than just do the end of flight checks that I should give the model a good looking over.

Currently all the servos, motor, speed controller & rx etc have been removed. The plan was to check the airframe is sound, all wiring is good with no chaffing damaged etc.

One thing I did notice is where the aileron servo wires exit the wing they are rubber against the exit holes and the covering on the outer wires has gone down to the wire. To stop this I have wrapped the wires in foam and squeezed the wires and foam on to the hole. This should hold the wires in place and stop the chaffing.

The main wings had been glued together as per the instruction using epoxy but to me there seems to be a little movement at the joint. But as the wings use the balsa dowel at the front and bolts at the back to connect this should be fine.

No wear to the motor and speed controller in any way and the prop apart from lots bug blood over it looks new now it has been cleaned.

Rebulit and ready for some more bug hunting.

[Mike S]

Well it had to happern. As they say I do not do things by halves.

Crashed the Pulse today on around its 77th flight. For some reason I misjudged the distance that the plane was to a very big tree down at Kempton. I have flown over this tree many times but today............hmmmm.

The crash damaged from the tree is not to bad and can be repaired but the impact from the ground pushed the spinner and motor through the firewall and in to the lipo. The lipo caught fire and there is some fire damged to the front end.

I checked out the electics and apart from the motor every seems to work ok but I will do a full check at some point.

I have a very bad inflight video which shows the crash and smoke from the fire which I will up load later.

[phild]

sorry to see the pulse go in , but after 77 flights I think it has served is purpose with confidence building, and low wing training. If the electrics have survived I don't think it owes you much.
Phil

[Mike S]

sorry to see the pulse go in , but after 77 flights I think it has served is purpose with confidence building, and low wing training. If the electrics have survived I don't think it owes you much.
Phil

Yes Phil you may be right. Well here are some photos of the damaged. I will put up the video later.


Under side of wing


Fire damaged


Nose and Wing


Top of same wing


Lipo after it came out the Pulse

[Swale]

thought id post this up http://www.bmfaclassifieds.co.uk/detail.php?id=73069

[Mike S]

thought id post this up http://www.bmfaclassifieds.co.uk/detail.php?id=73069

Thanks Swale. I will do the repair and buy a new motor

Here's the video

Pulse XT 25 Crash.wmv

[Swale]

  bloomin sneaky trees keep jumping out LOL

[Mike S]

I think a day or two should get the repairs sorted.

I need to source a replacement motor that will fit and a new canopy.

[phild]

Hi ,
The motor I think was a kms quantum I cant remember the numbers, but it cost £39 from Slough Model shop.
I might be wrong but I believe Simon had a couple of these motors which he used in his fun cub, which he may be looking for a good home fore. Its worth a try.

Phil

[phild]

I have just had a look on Slough  web site and I think what you need is either KMS Quantum 2826/04 which will give you 300 to 400w on 1090 KV 2 to 3s or the 2826/05 which will give you 400 to 500 w on 900kv 3 to 5 s,

probably the latter would be the best depending on what batteries you have and what size prop you want to use.
Phil

[Mike S]

Thanks Phil.

I still have the motor so can match if needed. I use 3s lipos. Phil I always intended to upgrade the motor to a JP EnErg range. The problem I have is matching JP EnErg motor to one that will reach the end of the cowl.

I will have a look later and put up some motors

[Mike S]

Checked out the motor yesterday and it works fine. Checked the amp draw and no real change there. Motor prop pinon has been bent, I am aware you can buy these separately so will order one.

Started to repair the model as all good practice for building the next model.  I made a template for the front rib and cleaned out the damaged wing. The fuse has a few cracks here and there around the battery tray but nothing a little glue will not fix.

I made a new motor mount and using some triangle stock the same as E-flight did I glued it all the together. From my template the motor sits in the correct position on the firewall so I all need now is a new cowl and pinon and that is good to go.

The wing is finished and just needs covering. I checked the balance of the joined wings and the undamaged wing is heavier but I am yet to add the covering so will recheck before flying.

Here are some photos,

[Russ]

Looks good Mike. Particularly like your wing repair.

Take it your managed to maintain the thrust angles with your new engine mount/firewall?

Back in the air soon by the looks of things.