I am teaching my dad how to fly. Currently we have a thunder tiger 42. It is adequate but taking off requires a long roll, and you need to keep the angle low to avoid stalling. In the air it is fine, and a good trainer. But for him to practice takeoffs I'd like a bigger engine for it. What would be a powerful engine/prop combo that would give it power but not make it too fast? I am thinking about an OS 46FX with an 11x7.
Joel
The FX would be better but with a 12X5. The 11X7 will want to go much faster than the plane likes.
I just finished building one and put a Saito 80 running an APC 13x6 prop. Too much engine, but it was sitting around doing nothing at the moment. Will do nice slow takeoffs and easily fly at 1/3 throttle. Sounds great too.
John VB
Thunder Tiger Pro 46 with an 11x5. Cheap and reliable.
From what you describe, I think you already have the perfect engine on the Kadet. Being a little marginal in power on take-off but not otherwise, you have an excellent opportunity to teach your dad correctly, i.e., how to fly with the wing and not the engine.
MJC
Hi,
The .42 should be enough power in the air. However, the Senior likes thrust rather than speed and it seems to fly very well, including shorter take-off rolls, with a 4-stroke. Look at the .56 to .72 range of engines from Saito, OS, or Thunder Tiger. I had one with the old Saito .65 and I put a three-blade on it to reduce the diameter and still absorb the power. The low pitch three-blade gave my students plenty of thrust for short take-off rolls and quick recovery from aborted landings. The extra thrust was especially nice when the student was in one of those "too low, too slow, and no where to go" situations. The nice thing about the .72 range is that it will also fly some of the faster and more aerobatic designs with a prop change when the time comes to move up in skill levels. It is a real fun match with a "45" size stick style design.
Good for you about teaching your dad to fly. It is nice to see that kind of role-reversal. You two must have a great relationship. My oldest son taught me to snow-board - much to the amusement of his friends and the other people on the slopes. The difference between RC and snow-boarding is that you can fix minor "oops" with the Senior with some CA and covering - a minor oops at my age on a snow board takes a little longer to repair. (;-)
Have a ton of fun.
J
If you're presently using a 10-6 prop, try an 11-5 for more thrust (similar to downshifting from 4th to 3rd gear in a surface vehicle)
I vote for a Saito .72 with a 13-6!
We have two modified to carry wireless video equipment. Mine is powered by a Super Tigre G51 ringed but its actually over powered with that engine. I can almost hang that sucker on the prop. Keep trying to rip the vertical fin off. My father has his powered with a Saito .56FS (has the weird muffler) and seems adequately powered. Both are carrying small video tx's, CCD cameras and 10 cell 1100mAh AA Nicad packs in addition to the standard flight battery. I think the OS .46FX will provide ample power for your Kadet. Video clips of our airborne video results can be seen on my website's "Movies" page.
Which band are you using for the video downlink? TIA
Ed Cregger
If you want to power that plane with a .46 FX, and would like to purchase one....I have one I will sell for 60.00. Call if you are interested at 817-966-9454.
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