This thread will cover the assembly and flying of an ARF model of the Pilatus Turbo Porter. It belongs to a Sudanese friend Amin who has been flying with me since 2007 in Auh.

Specs:
Wingspan 1.96m
Length 1.46m
AUW 3.8 - 4.2 Kg with a four stroke 70 Engine (Saito FA-72)
Controls Ail / Ele / Motor / Flaps / Rudder

However, his intention is to have installed a brushless motor instead of the four stroke engine.

It is an Ecotop kit from Topmodel, France. And "sacre bleu" the instructions are en Francais, if you pardon my French.

I know a little bit of French and with the help of the Google translator the assembly commenced this afternoon and up to now no mistake has been commited, I think
The parts as they come out of the box. The flaps and ailerons have to be hinged.


Hinging the stab/elevator

Fin / Rudder


One of the issues with the servo covers supplied in the kit is that the handing of the flap covers is the same as that for the ailerons - opposed to each other. Both the flaps must move in the same direction so the servos must be fixed in the same orientation unless a servo reverser is used on one of the flap servos.

To avoid that, the handing of one of the servo covers was modified as shown in the following two photos.


The cover was cut and the exit hood fixed on the opposite side. Small pvc tabs were used to reinforce the joint.


Hinged stab fixed with three machine screws


Sprung tail wheel and the elevator servo.


More later.

Pilatus porter is one of my fav planes ... This plane should be able to tow your gliders with ease!

Interesting thread to follow.

Which electric power setup do you have in mind for this?

Thanks Salam

My friend does not like to do 3D but prefers staid scale flying. The motor that was ordered is this one:

Turnigy G60 400KV
www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__1440..._400kv_60_Glow_.html

The ESC is rated at 80A while the power will be supplied by a 5S 5000mAH pack. Intention is to use a 14 x 7 prop but will depend on the load measured with a wattmeter.

Knowing his flying style and mine, , I think the system is quite adequate.

G60 looks good for this setup. E-flite Power 60 is a 1700W max (can be pushed a little more) motor so the Turnigy should be close which means 180W/lb if the AUW of this build is around 9 pound. A plane will start to 3D at 180/lb.

If at anytime your friend thinks he needs more power, he can always add another battery cell or prop it up and he will have a very powerful plane.

Yes.

And as Salman suggested in an earlier post, we will try to tow a Fling 2m glider with it.

The very detailed undercarriage


Aluminium brace which goes into ply boxes in the wings


One way to provide right thrust to the motor to counteract its torque is to offset the motor 5 or 6mm to the left of the centerline


Motor and 13x6 prop fitted

What is the benefit of doing this ? Is this always recommended doing so with any trail dragger ?? What other ways to achieve this ?

Sorry may be kiddy questions

ZR. wrote:


Counter thrust is given to account for the torque produced by the engine/prop combo when it starts rotating. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction!

Asad explained it well.

Yes you can give side thrust by adding washers on the left side behind the mount. But in this way the bearing between the mount and the fire wall is reduced.

Side thrust is not limited to tail draggers but is equally applicable to nose geared planes. The need for it manifests itself when the flying speed is high or in aerobatics.

The Pilatus is finally ready. This morning I fitted a 13x7 prop and a 5S pack. I did a fast taxi trial but felt that the motot did not have enough thrust to lift off.

I thought it better not to proceed with the flight test and brought the plane home.

Going to fit a 14x6 prop and a 6S pack and test fly it next Friday.

Sir try Master 13x8.5 with 6S.... This gives me good thrust and power for my trainer.... This is same motor i guess. check it out my Trainer thread for its power details. On analyser this is the best combination i could achieved.

Very nice plane.

Must give you very smooth landings, waiting for the video!!

Beautiful Bird