PeeWee Pitts Profile Practice Plane

PeeWee Pitts Profile Practice Plane · duaneh Wed Jun 17, 2020 10:27 pm

After building my Cox Art Scholl Pitts replica, I decided it would be a good idea to build a simple .020 powered trainer to get some experience. I was about to search Outerzone for a suitable model, when it occurred to my sloth-like brain that the best trainer would be the same Pitts, just simplified. So I just used the plans to cut sheet parts, and put this together in an evening. I added weight to make the balance point and total weight the same as the original.

Here it is on its launch pad/stooge.

I made 3 test flights today, and learned a lot already:

20 ft. lines are not long enough. Even though the speed is not high, the pilot’s RPMs are. Fortunately, the PeeWee drains its tank quickly.

I used too much rudder offset. I know from RC that the Pitts has strong roll coupling with rudder application. This one was flying with the right wing decidedly low, easily visible from the center of the circle.

Balance is too nose heavy. I was afraid it would be sensitive to the controls, but in fact is sluggish. When the engine quits, it just heads for the ground, showing no response to elevator input.

All these things are easily correctable. I will make the necessary changes and try it again.

The real star of the show today was the Cox PeeWee .020. It displayed none of the issues I have heard of with these engines. Started easily, and ran strong & steady, if not for very long.

Oh, and here is my best attempt at a flying shot. Sorry, no video today.

Re: PeeWee Pitts Profile Practice Plane · MauricioB Wed Jun 17, 2020 10:38 pm

Ohh ... that's great, you've made a trainer and then move on to the final one. Excellent !! ... congratulations on the flights and great that you have taken note of the adjustments!