Sparks Model

[Ed Hardin]

I finished up my Sparks this week end and got in three test flights late Saturday. It flew right off the board on the first flight but the transition was not good I added a little right rudder tab and it did about two turns in 25 secounds, but still has a couple of stalls when the motor quits then settles into a nice glide. The model has a GWS 4.8v LPS, Texas Micro Timer, 8060 prop. Weight is 146 grams, I have a Walston on order, so that should bring it up to weight. Can’t say enough good things about the model, great kit, good flyer, lots of fun!I would like some input from some of the other Sparks flyer on how you solved your transition problems, if you had them.
Thanks,
Ed

[Dean McGinnes]

Ed,

One option is to tighten the turn up a bit more.

Another is move the CG back a tad, maybe 1/16 – 1/8 inch, and decrease the decalage to compensate.

If you take this course, probably the best way is to adopt the power model technique of adjusting the stab angle such that it no longer stalls off the top, then trim the glide by adding tail weight.

[Dohrman Crawford]

Ed, bring it down to our next contest in June. 2day contest, FAC events on Sat and regular events on Sunday. June 23, 24. I have repaired my Sparks and am about to make a box to put it in.
If anyone is interested, please feel free to show up and fly with us in June or any other of our contests.
Ed, we have hired a voodoo man to take care of the wind directions so that we don’t put any more planes across the river.

[Ed Hardin]

Hey Dohrmc, we are going down to the Pensacola contest June 16-17 and are spending the week afterward at the beach, so I won’t be able to make the June contest. They don’t fly electric events there so I guess it will be the NATS before I fly the Sparks in competition. I added some rudder and took out a little stab angle as per Dean’s suggestion and it fixed the transition problem. I am doing about five turns going up now. These little models sure do fly nice.
Ed

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