Avistar to Cap232

[JohnE]

I'm currently flying an Avistar and want to move to a faster more aerobatic plane. I purchased the Kyosho Cap 232 60 Breitling ARF .46-.61,58" from Tower hobbies, I should have it by the weekend! I comfortable doing snap rolls, inverted spins and other manouvers with the avistar. I basically fly it as hard as I can. I'm worried that flying the avistar has given me a false confidence and the Cap may be too big of a jump. My plan is to set the Cap with a forward CG, and minimum throws.

Anyone out there flying a Cap that can give me a heads up as to weather I'm about to make a costly mistake?

Also, anyone know the breaking point of the Avistar? I'm flying it pretty hard and don't want to over stress it.

Thanks

John

[Dave Robelen]

Hello John,
You are quite correct in assuming that the move from an Avistar to a CAP is quite a jump. You can help yourself by shoving the CG back on the Avistar, and setting the controls for very large deflections. What you need is a setup where the Avistar will drop a wing and snap when you pull full back stick at low power. Also, the more you can boost the aileron response, the closer you will be to handling a twitchy low wing aerobat. The other area is to spend time working on taildragger style landings. If you are flying off of grass and land the CAP fast, it is likely that you will pull the LG right out of the bottom.
When you can handle a sensitive Avistar it is time to set the CAP up. First, I would avoid going noseheavy. This only complicates the trim shift with speed as you slow for a landing after trimming level in cruise. What you can do is keep the elevator and aileron movements very small in the beginning. It only takes a small elevator movement to rotate for takeoff and get started. Ideally, you should be able to hold the stick back at idle power and still have decent aileron control.
The CAP is designed to excell in snap manuevers, This is fine when you are ready, but it can really bite if you start with a large elevator throw. The ailerons are responsive as well and small movements are good to start, but the roll control will not cause a sudden departure, which is the real "CAP KIller" for pilots getting into their first one.
Regards, Dave

[NINJAZX7]

ive recently moved up from a trainer, first to an aresti, then got a cap 232.i was disapointed highly with the cap, and its bad habits.
my advice is to get an aresti,(hanger9) it goes right where you point it, and stays there! no habits to drop a wing tip either
.http://www.horizonhobby.com/products/description.asp?prod=HAN2175&pc=HAN2175
check it out.

[JohnE]

Well, I've got the kit nearly finished now I need to decide on an engine. Here is where I could definately use some help. I want to go with a 4 stroke, but I don't know much about how the different engines compare. I know everyone has opinions, but does anyone know where I can go to see engine reviews? Surely someone has benchmarked the major manufactures.

Thanks

John

[rcflier]

Limit your elevator throw until you get aquanted with the CAP. The CAP can and will snap at almost any speed if you deflect the elevator enough. You will need to more concered with throttle management with the CAP than you were with your Avistar. Watch your airspeed and avoid tight low speed turns (watch your final approach turns). If you ever go dead stick don't touch the elevator until your ready to flare at touchdown. If anything point it down a touch to keep your airspeed. Fly the CAP as high as you can and learn its snap and stall habits so you can learn to predict its behaviour at all speeds. My CAP will start to wobble when I'm getting close to stalling it. The CAP is a free style aerobatic plane and excells in snaps, spins, tumbles, etc. One of the previous responses mentions the Hangar 9 Aresti which is a precision aerobatic plane. It all depends on what you want to fly. Not to say the CAP can't fly precision or the Aresti can't fly freestyle but you get the idea one is made one and one is made for another.

For a 4 stroke I would go with an OS .91 (with the pump if you have the extra cash). Thats just my opinion.

Also set up some expo on your radio if you can.