Kyosho cessna

[rcairplane4lfe]

Hey I am sorta new at r/c, I have had a hitec skyscooter for about 2 years nd crashed it just about as many times as you can and still have it fly! I recently bought a kyosho ep180 cessna. I am excited to get it up an flying but was wondering if anyone had any tips before flying it. Also does anyone know how much extra weight it can take?
Thanks

[Wings]

I don't own the Cessna 180 EP, but have read quite a bit about it.

The biggest concern is the power (or lack thereof). I believe the model comes with a Speed 500 (or something like that), and many folks say that using that motor and the recommended battery pack results in a very disappointing experience.

If you can afford it, the best option is to replace the stock motor with a better type. In the review on E-Zone's website, they used an Astro 05 motor, which retails upwards of $175! I also saw an alternative motor that runs for about $70, but can't remember which one (it's in an old E-Zone forum message).

Your other option would be to use an alternative battery pack. Some folks use one extra cell with good results, so if Kyosho recommends a 6-cell pack you might want to replace it with a 7-cell pack (add one more extra cell if you changing from NiCad to NiMH).

By now you might have guessed my answer about the extra weight... Nada. Unlike the Wingo, this one won't take kindly to extra weight unless you upgrade the drive system significantly. In fact, you might want to cut back on the weight by opting for smaller servos (Kyosho recommends standard-size servos, but they are wasted weight if smaller, lighter servos will work). Consult experienced owners before choosing replacement servos though!

Good luck with your new plane. I've long admired the beauty of that airplane, and would probably own one myself if not for the issues of power and size (the downfalls of sub-compact cars...all my planes must have 40-in. or less wingspans).

Wings

[rcairplane4lfe]

Hmmmmm, well the motor in it is a 550, the plane itself is prett heavy. i havn't put the radio in it but compared to my skyscooter is is a beast. Thanks for you help. i was thinking of putting a new motor in it but the only problem is getting to it. Kyosho didn't make it to be changed i don't think.

I was thinking of putting a futaba PA-2 system in it. i think it would work perfect with where i live.

I am now confused though, you have told me that it lacks power, kyosho costumer support told me that it has plenty of power and that the extra weight should be no problem.

The told me that it has so much extra power that people have put ailerons on it!

I guess i will get a couple more opinions and see what happens.
Thanks alot:cool:

[Wings]

Well...of course they'll say it's ideal for you. If they told you it stinks and won't fly, would you buy/keep it?

Think about it: that model is very heavy compared to most, and almost 50% heavier than my Soarstar (which uses a 380 can).

The E-Zone review makes it sound fairly easy to change the motor, and they changed to a geared system too. Granted, they are experienced...but I doubt it's all that hard to do.

Your best bet is to get plenty of opinions from folks who actually own and fly the model. My response is based entirely on the review and the handful+ posts from people who actually have the model.

Want to see more? Go to E-Zone's forum (and even this forum) and search for the model. I'm sure you'll see plenty about it.

BTW, don't confuse the 180 EP with the slimer model(s) under the Cessna name. Model Airplane News did a review of a slimer and gave it a very positive report...but they didn't review the 180 EP.

I wish you the best.

Wings

[Twmaster]

Get out your scale and weigh it. What is it's AUW (all up weight) this is where we need to start to determine if it is powered correctly.

Wings is right, Kyosho is not going to talk down thier product. Most of these setups like you have are way underpowered. BTW, having ailerons does not need more power.

So weigh it! Let us know!

Cheers,

Mike N
Twmaster

[hobbycentral]

We sell the Kyosho 180 and one of my employee owns one. I know he likes it and uses the stock motor and full size servos with a micro receiver. We are in the process of reviewing all the electrics that we sell and will be putting the reviews on our website (which we're in the process of rebuilding) http://www.hobbycentralrc.com . He flys it a lot, I'll ask him what his thoughts are on the weight vs power issue and post it here. He also flys the kyosho Ferias and the Global SST-09, so he can compare it to the lighter Ferias. I know he put an ESC in it and runs it 3 ch vs the RTF 2 ch setup.

[the big cheese]

Hi all,

I purchased a Kyosho Cessna 180 about a year ago, and never had much difficulty flying it. I used a 1900mah car battery, this gave me decent flight time. I did not find it to be underpowered, the thrust provides a smoothe climb that is ideal for begginers. It is fairly heavy, and, in the case of unplanned contact with the ground, will require one heck of alot of epoxy.

Happy flying,
BC

[rcairplane4lfe]

Hey thanks for all the info, I haven't been able to fly it yet, still, i need to get my radio and install it. I have been messin around on the ground w/ it using a 2 channel radio. It seems to beable to move aroud on the ground pretty well. Can't wait to get it in the air. Big cheese, would it be possible to teach myself how to fly w/ this plane? or should i go find a instuctor? thanks

[hobbycentral]

It's always better to get an instructor, but it's not impossible to teach yourself (can get expensive). We were out flying yesterday and Mike from our store was flying his Kyosho 180, he put his Zagi 400-X battery in it and that gave it a real kick in the pants. But he didn't get the CG right and it went a little squirrelly. He's beat the heck out of it and just keeps epoxying it.

[rcairplane4lfe]

So your point is that i can teach myself but i am going to need alot of epoxy. How many times has he epoxied it? I know it weill get heavier as you ad epoxy so.....Thanks though

[hobbycentral]

He's epoxied it a bunch. The whole empennage has been reattached with epoxy and there are epoxy lines all over the fuselage. The bottom line is that it still flys. The Zagi battery is a 9.6v battery and so it is quite a boost in power. But, it does fly on a regular 6 cell 7.2v battery.

[Derek Bloom]

I work in the product support department for Great Planes, and I have a Cessna 180. I found that it is not under-powered, but that is flew even better with a slightly larger prop and modified aileron control. I can take off from the ground very easily, and do some basic aerobatics. My next step is to put a speed 600 with gear reduction in a new fuselage to basically complete one of my favorite planes to fly.

Derek Bloom

[rcairplane4lfe]

Hey I have recentlry bought a Pilot Asist system from futaba. I was going to intall it into my my cessna 180 but couldn't decide where to put it. Does anyone have any advice on where to put it? Thanks for all of you help guys. I am hoping to recieve my radio in the next couple of days so i can get it into the air shorty.
Thanks again
-Brett

[2NG]

Fly's great

My setup is:
Kyosho EP Cessna 180
Futuba T6XAS Radio
Futuba 3003 Servos
Great Planes C20 Speed Control
6 Cell 1500
6 Cell 1700