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Pilot-rc PREDATOR 2.2m Sport jet / full composite

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Pilot-rc PREDATOR 2.2m Sport jet / full composite

Old 03-13-2019, 01:44 AM
  #426  
bodywerks
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Thanks for the info, Mike! Yeah, the tube was bent about 1.5-2mm at the center. Something I didn't notice until I rolled the tube on a flat bench. It's a pretty weak tube considering the weight of this airframe. My giant scale aircraft of similar weight typically use carbon tubes of over 1.5x the diameter of this tube! I chose not to do the wooden dowel because of a lot of added weight for not a lot of added strength. The carbon tube deal nearly straightened the aluminum tube completely! I found out why it was not fitting so well and fixed that, so I'm less concerned about the gap and may just do the tape thing like you mentioned.
SW170B showed up yesterday so I hope to get to work on this jet, soon!
Old 03-13-2019, 06:20 AM
  #427  
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body werks where did you order your carbon tubes from.. i am looking into a fix to avoid this in mine since i have not yet flow it.

considering tube replaced with one of these

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/45541-rkob

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/c...t/?q=pbrt-2025

both yeild enough to cut and fix two predators so i may go this route and sell one tube
Old 03-13-2019, 11:46 AM
  #428  
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Originally Posted by mikedenilin
Hi All, I was the original owner of the Predator 2.2 in the military paint scheme.

I can share some of my flying experience.

1. Crow: I try it without and with crow. Without the crow, the wing would tip stall more easily when it gets too slow. I like to land it at walking pace with two wheelies landing. Had scratched the wing tips a couple of times until I added crow into and it would land slower without tip stall. I definitely recommend adding crows.

2. Flaps and Elevator mix. I like to use a lot of flaps for landing, I had the landing flaps set at about 70 + degree. With that setting I had to add some up trim. ( I think it's 3-4 click up) to maintain at level. I add a few click up to release the back pressure on the elevator stick and set the nose at good slight 1-2 degree up and carry 1/4 power on base to final. At this setting I really don't have to apply anymore elevator. I just use throttle to control the descending rate.

The aluminum spar can bend easily. I was going to try putting a wooden dowel in the spar to keep it straight since I flew it with a Jetcat 180RXi. It has a lot of power but I can management to take the spar out easily so I was not aware that it had bent. I hope the gaps can be smaller. It has the gaps since the day one I got it. Hope they can improve in the future

Regards,

Mike
Do you recall how many mm in Crow you used?
Old 03-13-2019, 03:21 PM
  #429  
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i have spoken to mfg on a carbon tube for this jet and this should be tons stronger than the alum thin wall it comes with. since i have a 180n in it lets be safe and use this.
anyone want to buy half left over that will be enough for a second plane i wont need. im sure i can cut down the shipping tube and sent it back out to you once mine arrives next week..half cost with re ship will be about 100 bucks if anyone wants to step up and join in on a better upgrade for safety..heck my top model odyssey has a much larger and thicker wall tube than this pilot jet has stock.

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/pbrt-2025
Old 03-13-2019, 04:08 PM
  #430  
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Originally Posted by horsefeetky
i have spoken to mfg on a carbon tube for this jet and this should be tons stronger than the alum thin wall it comes with. since i have a 180n in it lets be safe and use this.
anyone want to buy half left over that will be enough for a second plane i wont need. im sure i can cut down the shipping tube and sent it back out to you once mine arrives next week..half cost with re ship will be about 100 bucks if anyone wants to step up and join in on a better upgrade for safety..heck my top model odyssey has a much larger and thicker wall tube than this pilot jet has stock.

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/pbrt-2025

if you can cut it to appropriate length, I’ll take it

thanks

Old 03-13-2019, 04:27 PM
  #431  
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here is my direct email and please measure your wing tube total length. once mine is here and all fits well i will notify you its a go. and then we can take care of the funds and ship it to you.
[email protected]

thanks joe
Old 03-13-2019, 05:55 PM
  #432  
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Email sent.

Old 03-14-2019, 01:59 PM
  #433  
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Anyone know the all up weight full of fuel ready to fly?
Old 03-14-2019, 02:23 PM
  #434  
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mine is 13838 grams with fuel in the uat and a 1/2 inch of fuel in the tank...........now add for full fuel........that is with 180k tubine and added smoke tank also..
Old 03-14-2019, 06:21 PM
  #435  
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I also have a smoke tank coming, I’ll have a smaller engine though. I can’t imagine that will make a huge difference. Sounds like about 38lb full fuel ready to go.
Old 03-15-2019, 03:35 AM
  #436  
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with my dry weight im already 1:1 pwr to wt ratio.. so the added 8 pounds of full fuel and smoke on take off will be fine...........i wanted the extra power for grass take offs..not for going faster..
Old 03-15-2019, 07:00 AM
  #437  
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Originally Posted by airborn900
Anyone know the all up weight full of fuel ready to fly?
with a K140 and a full UAT mine is 27.75 lb
Old 03-15-2019, 04:34 PM
  #438  
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Originally Posted by MikePS
with a K140 and a full UAT mine is 27.75 lb
i will be running a sw140b. Should be pretty close. 4.6L of fuel is about 8.25lb. Should be about perfect.
Old 03-15-2019, 06:18 PM
  #439  
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Did anyone have issues with the stabs fitting flush with the fuselage? My right horizontal stab has a gap at the back while the left fits perfectly. Both wings and everything else fits like it should just the one stab. I'll post a picture tomorrow.
Old 03-18-2019, 08:22 PM
  #440  
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Originally Posted by horsefeetky
body werks where did you order your carbon tubes from.. i am looking into a fix to avoid this in mine since i have not yet flow it.

considering tube replaced with one of these

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/45541-rkob

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/c...t/?q=pbrt-2025

both yeild enough to cut and fix two predators so i may go this route and sell one tube
Two of these. They will need to be sanded down with some 80-100 grit. Took me about an hour of sanding to get them to fit snug in the aluminum tube:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And this one is the center section 'plug' for the two other carbon tubes. Also needs to be sanded a little:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Old 03-18-2019, 08:25 PM
  #441  
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Originally Posted by MikePS
Do you recall how many mm in Crow you used?
He told me only about 3mm/1/8", if memory serves
Old 03-19-2019, 03:29 AM
  #442  
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sorry to say i have sold my predator prior to sale i had two jets listed first to sell is this and i shall keep my odyssey. as for the tube i did not get around to ordering the carbon tube but after talking to the company who makes the carbon tubes i decided the pbrt-2025 is the perfect one to use it is also much thicker wall than the stock alum one is. so order it from the above links i posted and fly...one order will do two jets so share the love with others here airborn900 wants the spare one for his
Old 03-19-2019, 05:12 AM
  #443  
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I’m good. I Am going to try the one that came with mine. I asked the question to pilot and they told me that they made the tube thicker and that if I bend it, they will replace it.
Old 03-19-2019, 07:44 AM
  #444  
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Originally Posted by airborn900
I’m good. I Am going to try the one that came with mine. I asked the question to pilot and they told me that they made the tube thicker and that if I bend it, they will replace it.
what if the plane get crashed, i liked the above discussion regarding change to carbon fiber & i will do it
also i need to change the landing gear it's so stiff, i think it is good for heavyer plane
Old 03-19-2019, 03:12 PM
  #445  
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the gear will weaken with use but the sturdy gear may transfer more load to the wing tube on landings.....i would leave the gear and go with the above carbon tube.

and saying they made the tube thicker does this mean they will send a thicker version for free to those with older thin ones and how do we know which one we have.. mine is 1.7mm wall thickness when my odyssey is 2.2mm wall thickness. i trust the odyssey but not this 1.7 predator... rather see them use carbon tube from the factory even if the cost goes up due to it...........better safe than sorry
Old 03-19-2019, 04:10 PM
  #446  
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Wall thickness on mine is 1.7mm aswell
Old 03-20-2019, 04:17 AM
  #447  
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Hey dccati, I believe you have well over 50 flights on your Predator with K210G2 turbine. How is your wing tube holding up.
Old 03-20-2019, 04:19 AM
  #448  
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My tube was thin wall 1.7mm not sure if pilot has upgraded to thicker tube now
Old 03-20-2019, 12:42 PM
  #449  
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Originally Posted by shepga
Hey dccati, I believe you have well over 50 flights on your Predator with K210G2 turbine. How is your wing tube holding up.

It was slightly bent. I ordered a new tube that’s 2.1 mm thick:

https://www.onlinemetals.com/merchan...=71&top_cat=60

had to have a machinist friend of mine take about .001” off with a lathe for it to fit.

Last edited by dccatl; 03-20-2019 at 01:26 PM.
Old 03-21-2019, 05:32 AM
  #450  
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Ok thanks!

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