PRODIJ
Prodij is a sailplane intended for high performance slope flight and racing in the 60” speed category and for use with the catapults (Zip launch). Do to the high speed it is necessary at the time construction to have no slop in the control system. Its small size makes it very handy without conceding performance. To be able to exploit all slope conditions it is necessary to be able to ballast. One should not neglect this stage of construction. The recommended radio installation takes account of this constraint and we strongly advise it to you. If nevertheless you must make a personal installation take into account the requirement for ballast. Painting is of an acrylic type that does not like solvents. It is necessary to avoid alcohol and other white spirit. Best to use is soapy water. The kit makes it possible to choose between various options of radio installation, according to your criteria:
Version 2 axes:
Ailerons - Elevator. This version makes it possible to enjoy slope flight
with 2 micro-servos, and does not require a programmable radio.
Version
3 axes:
Elevator
- Rudder - Ailerons. This version is more fun for stunt flying. With a stab and
fin it does not require a programmable radio. If you on the other hand use a
programmable radio we advise you to set up the model as a v-tail.
Version
4 axes:
Elevator
- Rudder - Ailerons - Flaps. Prodij was especially conceived for the 4
axes. I.e. that its flaps (2 ailerons which bends down at the same time) are
very effective. This version also makes it possible to benefit from air-brakes
(2 ailerons which rises at the same time) very effective. It claims 4
micro-servos or 4 sub-micro servos and a programmable radio, but gives the
greatest versatility and performance in flight. It is with this version and a
mixing elevator towards flaps that one will obtain the best performances in
pylon racing.
The
duration of construction is 7 to 10 hours.
Technical information :
Span : 1500 mm
Surface : 20 dm2
Profil : MG 06
Length: 840 mm
Weight :
650 g to 750g
Ballast : 300 g
Loading : 32.5 à 37.5g/dm2
Max
loading: 50g/dm²
1.
List
of Accessories
n
*1
servo tray
n
*4
Clevis links
n
*4
threaded rods m2 for the commands of ailerons, and the rods of stab.
n
*2
carbon tubes diameter 4mm for the pushrods.
n
*2
8-32 wing screws.
n
*2
8-32 blind nuts.
n
*1
plywood pylon blind nut mount.
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Adhesive
doubles face for the fixing of the 2,3 or 4 servos in the fuselage (Goop or
5-minute epoxy)
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2
small screws for the servo tray to fuselage. *
n
1 Hinge
tape for the ailerons
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Oracover
for the stab.
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A
small piece of 3oz. F/G for reinforcing the v-tail joint.
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Epoxy
resin, micro balloon and the cyano.
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1 tube
silicone for the hinges.
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1
light tube (PVC) of diameter 14mm X 250 mm for the tube with ballast
* is
provided in the kit.
2.
Construction
of the wing
The ailerons are 5.1 cm (30% of the chord) at the root and 1.6 cm at the tip.
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Lay a
bead of Silicon to the inside of the hinge and set asside to cure. Use
masking tape to hold the control surface in position. Make sure the wing
TE has enough clearance for downward movment. Fill
control surface with a thick mixture of micro balloons and epoxy. Dig
out ¼ of foam from the face of the control surface and TE of wing. |
2.1 Installation of the control horns.
The installation of the control horns is done classically.
We recommend ball links for an easy assembly on the ground and a tight linkage.
Drill a hole into the micro balloon fill and epoxy in the ball link assembly.
For the ailerons make the pivot 10mm from the lower skin and in line with the
hinge line..
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2.2 Wing attachment.
The wing is attached to the fuselage by 2 screws 8-32. The
wing is reinforced at the places planned for the screws; it is enough to bore
vertically 2 holes with a diameter .201 . 20 mm and 110 mm from the leading
edge. The wing is pre-marked in the mold. Then countersink the holes to receive
the head of screw. Attention : I advise to do it by hand because a
drilling machine is often too violent.
In the
case of the option wing in 2 parts, a simple method of fixing is to file 2 half
holes on each wing root on same the level as the holes of the version into 1
piece c.à.d. to 2 and 10 cm of the leading edge. For the assembly on the
ground, it will then be necessary to assemble the 2 half-wings with the keys,
to lock them with Scotch tape of electrician, and to screw the 2 screws Nylon
provided with discs of external diameter çm.
3.
The
stab
3.1
Shape the stab.
It is
necessary to sandpaper the leading edge into round and the flaps in skew to refine
the trailing edge
3.2 Installation of the elevator control horns.
The
control elevators horns are made from piano wires of 2mm of diameter. It is
necessary to cut 2 pieces of 5 cm length, it is necessary to solder a ball link
ball to the end, bend the end having
the ball to 2 cm with 55° (approximately!). Then fold the other extremity with
right angle. Bond this end with epoxy or the cyano + balsa dust in the
elevator, 3 mm behind the hinge line.
3.3 Completion and joining stab..
The stab
can be glassed or covered with film, the second solution is lighter and more
rapid the dihedral is approximately 110 °, it can be bonded with cyano + balsa
dust in reinforcement. Sandpaper the lower part of the stab flat, dull fuselage
then to point the stab with the cyano. Reinforce joining with epoxy, or the
cyano + balsa dust by forming a fillet to the fuse.
4.
The
fuselage
4.1
Attach the wing
It is
necessary to epoxy and micro balloon the plywood wing plate to the inside of
the pylon. Sand the inside of the pylon some to scratch the surface and remove
any bumps that are in the way. Mix a small batch of epoxy and micro balloons,
apply to the plate and put the plate into position until the epoxy has cured.
Keep this plate flat against the top of the fuse pylon.
Then it
is necessary to bore 2 holes diameter 5mm (.196) check the wing alignment by
measuring equal distance from the wing tip to the fuse seam at the tail. Mark
the fuselage through the clamp holes, remove the wing and drill through the top
of the fuselage and plate. Open the
holes to receive the OD of the nut plate and pull the nut plate into the pylon
from the bottom. Use the wing screw and some larger washers to pull the nut
into the plate.
4.2 Installation radio
The
fuselage receives all the servos (2,3 or 4 according to the selected version),
the receiver and an battery 4 elements of 500mAh. While placing battery at the
good place (not inevitably ahead one should arrive at a correct centering
without lead addition in the nose or the tail. For the servos one can even find
place for 2 servos standard but with mini servos or micro servos one will be
able to carry more ballast. Attach servo rails to the tray and secure the
servos with screws.
Here an example with 4 microcomputer-servo for the flaps and the stab:
The servo
tray is placed in the fuselage and is screwed by 2 round head wood screws
directly by exterior, on the right blank of the fuselage.
With this
method of assembly radio operator, the radio is easily accessible and does not
weaken the fuselage at any point.
Drill 2
holes on the end of the pylon for the passage of the rods of the ailerons.
4.3 Aileron pushrods.
The rod of
ailerons are simple threaded rods m2. The precision adjustment will be made by
turning the clevis. Make sure they are a straight shot to the control horn.
The 2 rods of elevator will be made out of carbon tube of 4mm of diameter with inserts of threaded rods with each fast end stuck to epoxy. For the length, the method is the same one as for the ailerons.
4.4 Ballast tube
To
increase its flight envelope, it is well of being able to ballast the Prodij.
Install a tube for ballast in the fuselage, which can receive 300g. Stick it on
the left blank of the fuselage, with polyurethane adhesive. PVC Tubes of 15mm
diameter (EMT) or It is necessary that the center of the tube be installed at
the CG of the model.
A good
solution is to take support on the locating spigot what gives a good
distribution of the forces at the time of launched and that makes it possible
to stop the end of the tube automatically.
5.
Center
of Gravity
Set the
CG to 75 mm of the leading edge. With an battery of 4x500mAh, it almost does
not require lead. For the first flights one can advance the CG of 5mm by adding
15g in the nose.
6.
Control
throws and mixes.
Positive (+) values refer to down movement of the control
surface in question and are measured at root of the control surface.
Elevator -7
/ +7mm
Rudder -8
/ +8mm
Ailerons -13/ +9mm
Crow -20mm Flight
6.1
First flight
The first
flight will be done without ballast, all the control surfaces exactly with the
neutral, CG 70mm from the leading edge.
6.2 Center of Gravity
Move back
the CG to 75mm of the leading edge according to your impressions. It will be
necessary to compensate with more down trim, it is normal. Reasonable back
limit being 78mm. Start to familiarize yourself with the sailplane before
adding ballast.
6.3 Ballast
One can
ballast the Prodij to fly in strong wind. The behavior of the sailplane
changes completely. Speed increases considerably. Do Not exceed 500g because
the turn radius will suffer.
6.4
Camber
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Add
camber to maintain flight in light slope conditions. Camber is very effective
on the Prodij.
6.5 Catapultage (Zip Launch)
For
catapult-launching one needs a hook located 2-3cm before the leading edge. A
simple method is to fold a wire so that it comes to be caught around the launching
peg, bend a hook with the other end. This end being taped around the fuselage.
(Thanks to
Tom Copp for these English Building Instructions)
COMPOSITE SPECIALTIES 949-645-7032 Costa Mesa, CA 92627