Aeroworks QB 150cc YAK 55M

[Joe Hunt]

This showed up at my place yesterday, and it is pretty sexy, I must say:

[Joe Hunt]

I made an unboxing video, well a three parter, actually:

https://youtu.be/u6GvyTKNA8g

https://youtu.be/8GCulv8bW2A

https://youtu.be/I8e_MOTWkxg

And, a DA 170 unboxing video, too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G735fh6sL8

[Joe Hunt]

The plane really looks great, amazing actually. I'm in love with it. haha Very cool looking plane, for sure. I'm always thinking about weight, though. I just finished the Hangar 9 Sukhoi review and that plane is light and flies light. So, I started making some comparisons. The wings on the Aeroworks are larger. They're longer because they go into the fuse. And, they're about an inch wider through the cord. The shape and design is very similar. I thought the Aeroworks look even more small-pattern-wings in the pictures on the Aeroworks website. But, the wings are slightly less patterny than the Sukhoi and also the ailerons are closer to the root which makes them larger overall. By all rights this plane should fly good. So, anyway, the Aeroworks wings are longer and wider, but also weigh 2-5/8 ounces more (each wing weighs 2-5/8 ounces more). Oh, that would be 3 lbs 5 ounces for the Sukhoi vs 3 lbs 7-5/8 ounces for the Yak 55M. That's not a lot, in a 40% you can always deal with a couple of ounces.

[Joe Hunt]

I don't have fuse comparison weights, but might be able to work that out with Nolasco who also has a new Sukhoi. But, for now let's say the AW fuse weighs a pound more, because it does feel heavier (there appears to be more wood in there). That's 16oz, then 5oz more for the wings... that's 21oz. But here's where it gets interesting. I had a feeling that the Yak 55M main landing gear was going to be light. It is.

It weighs 12-3/4 oz. Compare that to 31 ounces on the Sukhoi. The main gear alone makes up for 18 of those 21 ounces.

Then there is the tailwheel, and Aeroworks has always had super light tailwheels. It weighs less than an ounce:

[Joe Hunt]

The wheel pants are a 1/2 oz each lighter. The Tires are about 3 oz lighter each. That's another 7 oz. So, stock to stock, I could easily see the Yak 55m coming in exactly the same weight as the Suhkoi. Which I would be very happy about. I'll weigh them both RTF when the Yak 55m is assembled.

[Joe Hunt]

I'm going with a DA-170 on RE3 tune pipes again because... well?... did you watch the videos? haha The engine makes tons of power but what I love is the sound of those pipes! So sophisticated! I do like the sound of the 3W 170 on Pefa cans, but no one seems to run 3W anymore? I hear about ZDZ, DLE, and GP, mostly. DA is USA made, which is cool. I need to check and see how much of the engine is made here for general interest. I saw a video where they are making the cranks right there in the shop. I know they get the ignitions from Australia. But I can't believe, after all these years, I don't know if the rest of the motor is made in-house, or not. Either way, I'm very happy with my DA 170 on RE3s. It has been a runner from the first start and it just sounds so good!

[Joe Hunt]

I'm thinking about JR servos this time (Hitec is still backordered on the Brushless servos for a couple of months). Maybe the:

JR MPH83T MK II Linear Hall Sensor Brushless Torque Servo that Tavis likes so much.

Specs are:

563.8 oz-in @ 7.4V
0.13 sec/60 deg @ 7.4V
Linear Hall Sensor (instead of a potentiometer)

With 563.8 oz-in along with the brushless motor holding power... maybe just one per elevator and two per aileron.

[jymz]

Hi
I'm thinking of getting this plane. I was wondering what you think of the servos the manufacturer specs for this (7955s) if you think they would work for IMAC?
Also I'm wondering about doing the hinges. I tend to be real slow doing the hinges and have started using Gorilla glue instead of epoxy. 30 min epoxy will usually flash before I'm done. I'm a little apprehensive about the pocket style hinges and if I'll be able to keep them clean. Can you do a couple close pictures of them?

Thanks
Jim

[Joe Hunt]

Hi Jim! Welcome!

Me too! On everything you said! I'm wondering how the hinging is going to go, too. I'll be starting it soon and will take pictures and talk about my experience with them. I never made the switch to Gorilla Glue... I bought it a couple of times with the intention of trying it. But, epoxy has been so bombproof for me that I still use it. We'll see how it goes. So, does Gorilla glue give you more time?

I see guys running 7955s and comparable specs on these big 40% planes with only one per elevator half, and two per aileron... with 2" servo arms... and it amazes me, but they seem to hold up. I just have to get used to it, I guess. The way I had to get used to 3 rudder servos vs five! haha When I was running 5945s I would use five on the rudder tray to just get enough power. Soon I was quite happy with three 5955s (which was even more powerful than five 5945s). Still 1) I feel better with two servos on each elevator half for my kind of "fun style" flying. And, even though I'm running two 7950s on each of my ailerons on my new Sukhoi... I'd still feel better with three and want to add them soon. 2) this plane's ailerons are larger than the Sukhoi's... so two is going to be cutting close unless you have something more powerful than a 7955.

Having said all that... if the mechanical advantage is setup conservitively (and this would probably be better for IMAC anyway, because you'd get more resolution... and don't need the throw anyway, especially the elevator throw) the 7955s might do a fine job. I'm going to ask Rocco what he is running on the plane in the videos and get back to you. He usually runs 7955s and he also always use the stock included Hitec plastic servo arms, to boot! :O lol

I think ailerons are going to be the concern with running 7955s. I'd want to setup the mechanical advantage so I just barely got enough roll rate for my snaps at max end point settings in the radio. Then it might be just fine. Anyway, I'll talk to Rocco and post back here what he thinks, as well.

[Joe Hunt]

About the plane... pictures don't do it justice as of yet... the fuse is just a beautiful thing in person.

I popped the hatch and the intention becomes clear. Sculpted roundish fuse, bracing, and mostly sheeted. This is really more of a custom kit built in China than what you think of when you say ARF. it really looks like it would go 10 seasons with no trouble at all, as well.

The RX tray is removable, I guess to access pipes, if you have them?

Check out all that sheeting and bracing! And, the strings for the elevator servos, nice:

There does seem to be a pocket in the tail for push/pull rudder servos:

Trying to get a shot that shows that rounded fuse: