All-New Freewing PJ50 Twin 70mm EDF Jet - Official Thread

[xviper]

The PJ-50’s wings are just now showing stress cracks on the wing top skin after a lot of flying + aerobatics. The PJ-50 wings resisted cracking far longer than the AL-37 wings (which have the added stress of the nacelles).

Your AL had many hundreds of flights. How many on the PJ before the wing cracks showed?

[GliderGuy]

Always looking for “better ways” to do cosmetic repairs….especially foam cell boundary cracks in areas under stress.

The PJ-50’s wings are just now showing stress cracks on the wing top skin after a lot of flying + aerobatics. The PJ-50 wings resisted cracking far longer than the AL-37 wings (which have the added stress of the nacelles).

I’ve tried, without great success, in the past to use various fillers, but the cracks return.

So…trying a new approach and experimenting with UV curing glue = Bondic.

1) Cut along the crack to widen it a bit…1 mm or so and almost down through the top skin thickness
2) Filled the crack less than full with Bondic and cured it with UV light
3) Finished filling the crack to level with the top of the skin with another layer of Bondic and cured it
4) Sanded smooth, painted, then added a coat of Minwax One Coat Polyurethane UV protectant

Now to see how this fix holds up. The Bondic bonds very strong to the foam. We’ll see after more flying + aerobatics.

-GG

[Twowingtj]

Good luck!

[ColtPilot]

This biz jet/Coast Guard livery turned out fantastic. Hope to maiden tomorrow.

[ColtPilot]

https://youtu.be/B5vDTAOAQFg

Took the PJ-50 to the US Coast Guard Air Station Detroit. The guys there loved the jet.

[ColtPilot]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/E9gfZpCmMngE5Lwe9

lights camera action.

[ColtPilot]

Work in progress. Wing painted and needs to dry. All Callie Graphics. This B1RD is turning out really well.

[jasmith41]

xviper Thanks Viper - you confirmed what I've been thinking this whole time about this approach. I've set-up the FW birds I have now with either the 6 or 8 ch Spektrum AS3X / SAFE rx - haven't flown all of them yet, but feel better about the plan...

I guess i just wanted to make sure there wasn't something inherently incompatible between the two (FW planes w/SAFE...). Thanks again.

[xviper]

I'm planning on using a Spektrum AR637T rx in my PJ50. Does anyone have any suggestions / advice / input to share regarding this plan? I'm still very much a novice so SAFE will be on most if not all of the time while I'm flying...

Is there anything I should be aware of or cautious of with this set-up...?

Please share your thoughts - all are welcome and appreciated as usual...

The 637T is quite effective and is not too bad for forward programming. "SAFE" is simply a feature that limits your roll and pitch angle when you crank on the sticks and it self levels when you let go of the sticks. I use it primarily for emergency recovery and on some planes, I use it only "on final" as it helps to keep the plane straight and lined up weill with the runway. On the PJ, I don't use SAFE at all as I've never had it "get away" from me.
As for the gains and priorities, leave priority at the default 160. If you're not sure about what gains to use on each axis, I suggest you go with something like 40/45/50 (AIL, ELE, RUD) and make them "adjustable" and assign that to the rotary knob and begin with the knob at the mid-point (ie, 50% or 20/23/25)) and gradually increase until you see some oscillation. On this plane you should be able to get the knob to about 80% before anything can be seen. Then note the knob position for all future flights (mark it on the underside of the battery hatch.
Assign a switch that handy to you for SAFE and use the default angle limits and gains for it. That usually works quite well for most planes. ALWAYS test the gyro response for SAFE and for AS3X while on the ground. Remember, you know that SAFE is incorporated into the programming as soon as you hook up the plane's battery as it will twitch the control surfaces twice. Note the direction the control surfaces move to counter the movement of the plane. Roll and pitch the plane and hold it there and the control surface will react and stay.
AS3X can only be tested after you blip the throttle to at least about 1/3. Then you can pick up the plane and move it quickly "off level" and hold it. Watch and see the direction of movement and that the control surface returns to neutral at the end of the tilt.

[GliderGuy]

I'm planning on using a Spektrum AR637T rx in my PJ50. Does anyone have any suggestions / advice / input to share regarding this plan? I'm still very much a novice so SAFE will be on most if not all of the time while I'm flying...

Is there anything I should be aware of or cautious of with this set-up...?

Please share your thoughts - all are welcome and appreciated as usual...

Whatever your final setup is, BE SURE it includes a gyro. Otherwise, you will have issues landing it with anything over a light wind. The Dutch roll induced by gusts is problematic.

After I installed a gyro, she’s my go-to bird on windy days. She’s my all-around favorite bird.

I have no added comments on your radio set-up.

-GG

[jasmith41]

I'm planning on using a Spektrum AR637T rx in my PJ50. Does anyone have any suggestions / advice / input to share regarding this plan? I'm still very much a novice so SAFE will be on most if not all of the time while I'm flying...

Is there anything I should be aware of or cautious of with this set-up...?

Please share your thoughts - all are welcome and appreciated as usual...

[GliderGuy]

The First PJ50T in Mexico

Most excellent! Congratulations!

Please consider adding a gyro. It flies a lot better with a gyro during landings. You may have difficulty landing without a gyro when the wind is blowing.


https://www.motionrc.com/products/ea...SABEgJX9PD_BwE

-GG

[HOBBY DEPOT]

The First PJ50T in Mexico

[GliderGuy]

Diagrams like this are on the Internet. This is for a helicopter, but shows the wiring color scheme. Is this the type of help you are asking for? What is your receiver brand?

Or…are you having difficulty binding the receiver to transmitter?

If you are flying a PJ-50, it greatly benefits from adding a gyro.

More details are needed. Thanks.

-GG

[HOBBY DEPOT]

No puedo hacer las conexiones del cableado entre la tarjeta interna y mi receptor un FHSS abra algún esquema o explicación de instalación de dichas conecciones?

[Twowingtj]

jasmith41 Thanks. Super easy to do.

I just removed the Freewing decal on the tail, with acetone. Then applied the graphics, I special ordered from Callie Graphics, over the stock paint.

[jasmith41]

That is gorgeous...

Mine is still in the box, but I'd bring it to you if you want to do another one just like it...😎

[Twowingtj]

Really enjoying the PJ50T. Great flying bird.

To enhance visibility, added a MCU S.H.I.E.L.D. theme.

[jasmith41]

That is a nice scheme. I'm slowly working on mine, had to set it aside for other projects.

Just added a couple of badly painted pilots. Oh well, at least the coast guard is on duty now.

RIP Bob Ross (he went down again last week in a Cherokee...)

[jasmith41]

ugh...