Freewing Pandora

[purduephigam]

Hey all, getting anxious to maiden the Pandora I purchased recently. I wanted to get some input on whether or not to get it set up for flaps, or just consider flaperons. Currently it's ready to go flap-less, but thought I'd inquire first before I get it in the air. Based on other reads, it looks pretty forgiving either way. Thanks in advance.

[Twowingtj]

Hey all, getting anxious to maiden the Pandora I purchased recently. I wanted to get some input on whether or not to get it set up for flaps, or just consider flaperons. Currently it's ready to go flap-less, but thought I'd inquire first before I get it in the air. Based on other reads, it looks pretty forgiving either way. Thanks in advance.

Good luck on your maiden. The Pandora is a great plane to learn on. The beauty of the Pandora is it can be reconfigured as your skills grow. The plane flys very well without flaps. While you are learning, it's best to keep the plane light and simple. Adding flaps at this point adds a little extra weight and another switch to accidentally flip:Scared:.

Adding flaps later on this bird is easy to do. Enjoy flying it as it is. You will know when your skills and confidence are ready to move on to that level. :Cool:

[xviper]

"Flaperons" adds one level of complexity to what is basically a trainer plane. Either use flaps or don't use flaps but don't bother with flaperons on this plane. It doesn't need them. Fly it without flaps for now till you get a feel for how it flies for you. I have a friend who has this Pandora and he's flown it both as a tricycle gear and as a tail dragger but has never used the flaps. Even flaps require a certain technique for landing that you might find more comfortable a bit later on.

PS. I am assuming that you know the difference between flaperons and flaps.

[purduephigam]

"Flaperons" adds one level of complexity to what is basically a trainer plane. Either use flaps or don't use flaps but don't bother with flaperons on this plane. It doesn't need them. Fly it without flaps for now till you get a feel for how it flies for you. I have a friend who has this Pandora and he's flown it both as a tricycle gear and as a tail dragger but has never used the flaps. Even flaps require a certain technique for landing that you might find more comfortable a bit later on.

PS. I am assuming that you know the difference between flaperons and flaps.

Haha yes of course. All the vids I've seen talk about the plane with flaps, and although I know it's set up for them I agree with you I'd rather keep it simple. The idea of flaperons was a simple compromise rather than installing servos, but I'd prefer to fly it without flaps/flaperons just to get the feel for the low wing and tricycle gear. Actually looking forward to a good snow this year where I can use the skis!

As for flaperons, I purchases a little 64mm F86 where I incorporated flaperons as the model doesn't have flaps. I figured when I'm comfortable with the Pandora, I'll move to that and get a feel for it with and without flaperons for the landings. Thought that'd be a nice transition to my Freewing Rebel once I'm rocking the landings and 64mm edf flights. Addicted to the hobby only 30 flights and 2 crashes in!

[bradl4648]

Hi yes, the Pandora is a great flying plane that is for sure. I like the low wing and tail dragger the best for me. I did the flaps but not needed when learning to fly. But I do suggest it before going to a warbird get used to them feel the force...

[OV10]

Haha yes of course. All the vids I've seen talk about the plane with flaps, and although I know it's set up for them I agree with you I'd rather keep it simple. The idea of flaperons was a simple compromise rather than installing servos, but I'd prefer to fly it without flaps/flaperons just to get the feel for the low wing and tricycle gear. Actually looking forward to a good snow this year where I can use the skis!

As for flaperons, I purchases a little 64mm F86 where I incorporated flaperons as the model doesn't have flaps. I figured when I'm comfortable with the Pandora, I'll move to that and get a feel for it with and without flaperons for the landings. Thought that'd be a nice transition to my Freewing Rebel once I'm rocking the landings and 64mm edf flights. Addicted to the hobby only 30 flights and 2 crashes in!

Be very careful about flaperon usage..........they are a bastardized use of the ailerons.
Changing aerodynamic lift characteristics on the outboard portion of a wing by utilizing ailerons as a flap is totally different than the inboard side with flaps.
You can only realistically get about 10 degrees of deflection on the ailerons as flaps with out impeding that control surfaces effectiveness especially at the slower speeds.
Would strongly recommend against incorporating flaperons on that F-86.
Get your skill set leveled up and when you think you want a go at flaps then set the Pandora up for them. ;)

[xviper]

The idea of flaperons was a simple compromise rather than installing servos

OK, I think I finally realize what you are talking about. You want to use the ailerons also as flaps and not touch the existing flaps at all. I thought you were going to incorporate the flaps to make full wing length ailerons. That's my misunderstand and not your wording.
Give due regard to what OV-10 said about using flaperons at this stage. I've got flaperons dialed in on my 70mm Freewing F-16 simply because they don't have flaps and I needed to slow it down a lot for landings. You must be careful when using flaperons as they can upset the plane when turning. You try not to deploy them until on straight final. Also, too aggressive travel on the flaperon setting can overdrive the aileron servos, so you need to use low rates.

[purduephigam]

Great points everyone, thanks for the input. I wouldn't anticipate employing flaperons with the F86 until after I'm familiar with the flight characteristics and am comfortable upon approach. The thing has giant drop tanks that'll act as skis, so even if I'm a little hard on a grass landing (flaperons or not), no big deal. I'd prefer to be comfortable with all planes without flaps and eventually use them for my takeoffs and landings. We'll see how comfortable I can get with the Pandora, if all goes well and am ready to step up my game, I have a Rebel ready which has the flaps. Don't worry, I won't get too far ahead of myself.
Then again, I have proven to be a slow learner....

[WintrSol]

I use the flaps to 'fly backwards', more than landing, because of the ground effect that is increased by flaps. That effect can make it kind of bounce on the air as it approaches the ground. But, if the wind is great enough, I can point it into the wind, deploy full flaps, and cut the throttle just enough for it to stand still relative to the ground. If the wind is dependable, I can even land it vertically, gently settling on the runway.

BTW, if you set it up in tail dragger mode, the tail wheel control arm can go past its forward position, jumping the wheel into a hard left. I added a bit of foam as a stop that prevents this, just thick enough to let it reach the full control position, but go no farther.

[Bellke]

I still have my Pandora almost 5 yrs later, it's a great starter plane. Very forgiving and takes a LOT of abuse. As far as flaps go, forget them for now. The Pandora is so slow and easy to land you don't need them. I bought the servos to add them for the "cool" look of have a plane w/ flaps, but never added them. Think about flaps on your next plane (Eflite T-28 would be good). Have someone slap you if you mention flaperons on a Pandora. Complete waste of time and goes against the whole idea of the plane, being a trainer.

[WintrSol]

Flaperons on a plane with ailerons at the outside ends of the wings make for an unstable aircraft; the increased AOA at the wingtips makes for a wing that stalls at the wingtip first. I tried them on a 182, and handling went straight downhill when the flaps were deployed, even a little. If you have ailerons that continue closer to the fuse, then flaperons may work.