Maiden with the my new 4site

[v11t]

Hi guys.

Yesterday I buy the um4site and today morning i had my maiden flight.

The first try with the throws as in the maual (low for intermediate3D) was ok after trim the plane.
Wind virtually no at all
The problems comes when I decide to increase the aileron throws to have a more fast roll-rate and increase the rudder and elevator (65% ail 60%elev 60%rudd.

After climbing high and go around, after the roll, the plane enter a spiral and go down spiraling without any possibility to regain it.

This happened 4 times and fortunately it go down on the grass field of my good neighbor.Fortunately the damages was minor cured with tape and a little CA

Than I set the throws again as the manual and all was ok again.

Why this behavior? I make something wrong? I'm confused!!!! This 4 consecutive falls was a bad surprise at all.

What goes wrong?

:confused::confused::confused:

Aside all this the 4site is a bit more difficult to fly and require many rudder use but it's a beauty in the sky!Land very easy!!!

[ATIS]

Not sure, are you going to WOT to try and recover?

[WJCJR1]

Couple questions that might help us understand more:


When you did your roll were you doing it with aileron only?
Were you throttling through the roll or pulling the throttle back and when rolling letting the energy bleed out and stall or even just slow down?
Were you adding rudder in the roll?
At the end of the roll did the plane before plummeting turn 180* and then start spiralling?
If you were not on the throttle in earnest during your roll and using rudder in the roll as well it is very likely as you slowed from rolling you entered into a spin. Remind you the rudder effect on this plane is very large. When in a spin you must drop the nose, hit the throttle and get some clean airspeed and then pull out. If you were trying to recover from the spin without adding throttle and dropping the nose it is very difficult. That is why spins done intentionally are done at a a higher altitude to allow for recovery. Some airplanes have enough weight whereas when you get the nose pointed down they will accelerate on their own from the forces of gravity, the UM 4-SITE is not a heavy plane and will just tumble and spin to the ground without a throttled nose drop.

Those are my thoughts. Try and compare the numbered options above to the experience and report back. Can only have so many encounters with the ground like that before something really breaks so let's get you figured out :thumbsup:

Wayne

[v11t]

Hi guys

I cant remember exactly what was going on but I m sure that the roll was started only with ailerons,then tryng to recover perhaps I use also rudder and elevator to get out of the spiral. I remember at the last fall the nose get up and after go down again.

1. Yes
2.steady throttle
3.No
4.No

The vendor tell me to try to use opposite stick and WOT to get out of spiral and also that the plane is very lightweight and as a bipe is possible to have this spirals.

The strange thing is why the plane do not enter spiral with the low throw settings.

:confused:

[WJCJR1]

With the LARGE control surfaces on higher rates this makes the plane very responsive. Responsive to the point that if you are over controlling the airplane you may be inadvertently be causing the effect not really knowing it.

How many 3D planes have you had before? This 4-SITE is meant to be capable of going into very unusual orientations so when you are controlling a plane too large of an input can upset the plane then trying to recover the whole time with large inputs not really understanding their effect could be the root cause.

I would suggest you start all over;

Check the CG makes sure it is correct.
Set the control surfaces to a lower throw.
Trim everything dead straight in the air so she flies mid-3/4 throttle straight and level hands-off.
Fly the airplane for a few times at lower rates and get accustomed to the 3D capability but at lower control throw rates.
Start slowly increasing the Throws on the control surfaces maybe 10% at a time and note the effect it has on the planes flight character.
Unless the CG is way OFF my thought now is you need to get used to the great effect the control surfaces have on the airplanes, especially at speed. The control surfaces especially rudder and elevator deployed at speed at full throw will have a profound effect on the airplane. Follow the steps above and report back.

Wayne

[v11t]

Ok Wayne,many thanks for the advices.

This is my first 3D plane and as i sad i found it a little more difficult to control than the others.

I will follow this guides and I will keep you updated if necessary.

Serse

:thumbsup:

[ATIS]

Also those large control surfaces and massive throws will slow the planes forward movment so you can stall her if your not moving forward fast.

[v11t]

No more problems with the flight.All it's ok
I use full throw only at slow speed for 3D manouvers and no more down-spirals.

The plane flyes beautifull,it's amazing in manuevers BUT.........IT'S VERY FRAGILE.
It cannot survive many encounters with hard surfaces........
Ok this plane it's for experts but nobody is perfect.
The fuselage foam is so thin..........unacceptable thin!!!!!:thumbs down:
I think that this product MUST be improved to be more durable!!!!!!:no::

After 15-20 flights and 5-6 impacts is still flyng but with MANY .....ca!!!!!::irked::

[v11t]

Now the plane RIP in the trash-can

After few flights more and another hit on the ground it was became irreparable.
The fuselage after repeated CA became thin and crisp like a potato chip and at last fall in little pieces.

Aside from the question of the experience for flight it, the product is of very short lifespan.

Very disappointed of it. Sorry but this is my opinion.

I will search for a more sturdy and durable little foam 3d flyer.

:thumbs down::thumbs down::thumbs down:

[WJCJR1]

Sorry to see she went the way of the Trash-Can it is a very delicate airplane. For a more durable 3D plane check out PinchFlat's Typhoon that is a more durable still lightweight though airplane. Flies terrific. I am happy you found the value of the 3D control surface throws at slower airspeed though.

Now you know and will enjoy your next 3D plane more.

Wayne

[rcdude07]

Now the plane RIP in the trash-can

After few flights more and another hit on the ground it was became irreparable.
The fuselage after repeated CA became thin and crisp like a potato chip and at last fall in little pieces.

Aside from the question of the experience for flight it, the product is of very short lifespan.

Very disappointed of it. Sorry but this is my opinion.

I will search for a more sturdy and durable little foam 3d flyer.

:thumbs down::thumbs down::thumbs down:



You should take a look at all the ultra micro foamies designed to use the electronics of these planes. I'm especially thinking of one whose plans were in Model Aviation a few months back when they did a special on ultra micro airplanes. My dad made one, I think it's a Diablo, not sure though. Being his first time working with foam, I passed on one for me. From what I remember of the article, this will be a much better 3D plane than the UM 4-Site for you.

[v11t]

Thanks guys,this time I'll do my homework on search some that will fit my needs expecially on durability.

[ATIS]

I would get some blue fan fold foam and make a little light weight warbird (profile) and use the electronics in it... cheap and easy to make and if you trash it you can just cut another one out.