Yak 54 Maiden Flight

Aircraft is a 33% Thunder Tiger Yak 54 [now out of production]. Wingspan is 95 inches, wing area 1740 square inches, weight 23 lbs 13 oz. dry. Power is a DA 85 on a Chief Aircraft canister turning a 26 x 10S Mejzlik carbon fiber prop. Modifications to basic aircraft include a tail mounted rudder servo, custom control horns made of polished 7075T6 aluminum (aircraft jewelry), carbon fiber landing gear, and tight ducting to the cylinder and header for cooling. A JR 11X transmitter controls a Spektrum 9 channel receiver driving JR 8611 servos on all flight controls; a Hitec 5645MG runs the throttle with a JR821 on the choke. Aircraft is balanced ¾ inches aft of recommended CG location and trims hands free upright or inverted. Aircraft is very solid on the knife edge and pushes to the gear on both left and right passes.

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  Science & Technology