Hey everyone, so here is how it all shook out. After the first five flights, all was well and no problems at all. By the way, I hoped it would be interesting to all of you, but seriously didn't plan to be as entertaining as our election fiasco. Ah but ya gotta captivate an audience some how right? LOL... Back to the flights. I was able to get just only two more flights before I experienced radio problems. Not the kind you would expect, but a problem all the same. I had fully intended on changing out my flight packs as I had extras charged. Unfortunately I did not notice one of the leads was cut on the insulation showing bare wires. Ok, that is out. Even though the pack was fully charged, I was not about to take a chance on that pack so, I chose to fire up the generator and charge my original flight packs. Not much of a delay, but enough as it turned out. So now we're charged all up for round two and all is well into the 7th flight. That is until minute eight. My right stick became jammed coming out of a harrier. Aileron was fine, but elevator was full lock. Now how in the heck am I going to land this thing with the elevator locked full up? As luck would have it, I was able to get it neutral back out and get the plane down with no problems. I didn't feel it wise to go back up until I find out what is going on with my radio. That being said, I was only able to get 7 of the planned 15 flights. But not all bad in itself. Each and every flight was just as great as the previous. The 124 performed flawlessly with not so much as a single stumble at any point. Each start up was the same as the previous as well. One choked flip, two un-choked and off and running. It seems to me the 124 has seated in just a bit more as I'm now up on rpm. I didn't tach it but coming out of a hover, she punched out with more authority than I have seen before. I can summarize this all with one simple little statement. The 124 is everything I had thought it to be from the beginning. It is nicely built, runs very well, is very strong and is dependable as the day is long. Consistent, stable and very grunty. As previously noted, I am not the wild man at the sticks as so many of you out there are. In the hands of a very very good 3D pilot, I can only imagine the antics that would be created with this engine up front.
I also planned to pull this motor apart after the originally planned 15 flights today. I have sense decided that I am not going to. I have no reason to really. I mean, would I pull one of my 3w's apart to look inside? Ha, not on your life. If "IF" I suspected any kind of an issue, that would be a different story. But this motor has been impeccably flawless from day one, (other than the ignition drama), there is simply no reason to pull it apart. I will however pull the plugs sometime this week to have a peak at them. Right now, fuel usage is over 5 gallons. Not sure just how much. But enough to know it is not falling apart. (the 124)
My sons 124 arrived today. He is very excited to get it mounted and flying for Tri-Cities. Only one problem, we gots to find a home for it.
The BE 124 is in my opinion a good investment for anyone wanting a 120cc class engine.
. Amazing what you can do to Pilot air frames with a good motor!From that close up of the engine it looks to have "Tunnel Porting". Motor got you out of having to replace the rudder and a bunch of other stuff. Now that's RELIABLE
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