Flyer 2000 (oz16413)

About this Plan

Flyer 2000. Radio control pylon racer model. Wingspan 36 in.

Note this plan shows two variants, the 'Fastback' and the 'Sports'. Both use the same wing layout, although with different airfoils.

Quote: "Flyer 2000.Y our entry into Pylon Racing. Designed by DB for the new Club 2000 entry level pylon racing class, this model can also be used for general sport flying. This 36 inch wing span one-piece model can be flown with a 15 or 20 for fun, or a 25 for racing.

As shown on our free pull out plans, the Flyer 2000 can be built in two versions. the 'Fastback', designed specifically for the pylon racing class and the 'Sports' which will make an excellent club model, or pylon trainer.

Before starting to build there are a number of decisions to make, the first being which version you are going to produce. Then there is the choice of engine, for the sports model anything from a 15 to a 25 will be fine, for the racer it has to be the Magnum 25 or Thunder Tiger 25, in ordinary R/C form and with standard silencer. Select an engine mount to suit, the Flair gives the best fit for the 25s, the SLEC is the smallest suitable for these engines and needs a little re-working.

I started with metal fuel tanks for the racers, a Flair 50cc and a home-made mustard tin type - probably as a result of a hang-over from the Club 20 days. On completion of the first model, however, I realised that it would be considerably nose heavy and although the additional tail ballast didn't bring the total weight to the minimum requirement it seemed sensible to reduce the nose length, from front of wing to engine bulkhead and lengthen the tail moment slightly. Although it is still possible to fit a metal tank in the available space it is easier to use a 2 oz polythene clunk tank, fitted through the former F2, the rectangular Radio Active tank fits snugly.

You must also decided on the type of wing to be used, either a built-up one, as featured on the plan, or a veneered foam version, available from Modelcraft in Coventry. The latter is heavier, but this fact has been allowed for in the minimum weight specified for the model, indeed, it shouldn't be possible to use standard radio equipment and a foam wing and still weigh in at 2 1/41bs total. Note on the drawing the position of the battery (600mAh, although a smaller capacity can be used) the location helps to balance the model at the correct position.

If you are using standard size servos you have two options, to make the fuselage a little deeper or wider, or to mount two of the servos behind the wing seating area and extend the hatch to suit; the Modelcraft kit features this arrangement.

One further option you have is in using one or two ailerons. A single aileron, on the left hand wing panel, is perfectly adequate for racing purposes and will give you a surprisingly good roll rate but, for sports aerobatic flying you may wish to retain the standard two aileron set-up. Using small servos, it is also possible to install the aileron servo in the wing. Because room is tight within the fuselage it is vital to pre-plan the radio installation completely, including routes and types of linkages.

OK, let's clear the board and get building.

Building instructions are barely required, certainly for the moderately experienced modeller, the drawings and photographs should be sufficient for the majority. I will confine myself to comments on the general structure, sequences, the wing construction and a few tips along the way. Remember how to cope with a built-up wing structure? It is not as difficult as you may think and with a one piece, no dihedral wing it is easy to build it true.

Two versions are shown, the racing wing (using an accepted aerofoil) and a fully symmetrical version for the sports model. I will concentrate on the racing wing. Cut the required number of ribs, round a template. Fit them together over short pieces of spar dimensioned balsawood and sand to equal size and smoothness. Mark off the spars and cut the slots to half depth..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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