Has anyone flown the PA Katana mini

[DannyFlyer]

I was wondering if anyone flown the new PA katana mini I like it alot looks so cool wondering how it flys:confused:

[watt_the?!]

ill get my boy in on this one...hes a great 3d flyer and flew for the PA videos.

also see the new products forum here...videos etc.

[DannyFlyer]

he is preety damn good at 3d

[james_28]

harro guys!!!:p

the katana mini is a nice flying plane. does some wild things as seen in it's videos. does it all really. i'm kind of lost on where to start?

it harriers, hovers, rolling harriers, snaps, knife edges..........naming every manouver would be pointless as there isn't much the katana can't do.

can i ask for you to give some specifics? i am very happy to help out, it's just that i'm stuck on where to start. im sure you wan't to know about things like coupling and such?
name some things you are interested in knowing, and i'll tell you my thoughts.

[watt_the?!]

welcome James!

take it away mate!...

hope you like it here, this place rocks!

Tim.

[DannyFlyer]

I was just wondering how dose it pattern like IMAC stuff and how dose it take the wind

[james_28]

oh ok, it does scoot along real nice. under power it does all the pattern type manouvers. but ofcourse, when putting atiny plane through big smooth manouvers, corrections are still needed to make it smooth(ie a big loop). it does nice snaps on the uplines and downlines and on any line really. big control surfaces give it plenty of authority and being balsa construction it is extremely precise and fast(rolls on high throws are:eek: ).

with the throws tamed down, like 15-25 degrees of throw, some really nice big manouvers can be done. nice big avalanches and slow rolling circles. my favourite is slow rolling circles with a snap roll every two rolls, the katana holds up easy. i honestly treat the katana like crap inflight. its built tough, and holds up to themost violent of manouvers. full thottle lomcevaks leave every one with an open mouth.

theres really nothing this plane can't do, it's just if the pilot can execute it. it goes from slow rolling across the field to hovering on the deck with no modifications.

it handles the light breeze and gusting winds no problems. i'm always the last one flying on windy days at the club field. all the glow planes pack up, and i'm still doing stationary inverted harriers above my head:p

the solid design makes it able to handle a decent amount of wind. the wind makes it interesting aswell, it opens up options for some new tricks like rolling elevators and some nice inverted harriers.


hope this helps........

[DannyFlyer]

Thanks james 28 that helped alot caue i wont an arf ep plane that i can do pattern and 3d with no foamies they suck compared to the built up planes

[DannyFlyer]

James 28 where are you flying at saelevel cause i live in Colorado Springs Co. Usa and iam at 6000ft sealevel so wondering how will the katana fly up in high altitude

[james_28]

thats good. yeah, foamies have there place but a built up plane really sets the standards.

[james_28]

James 28 where are you flying at saelevel cause i live in Colorado Springs Co. Usa and iam at 6000ft sealevel so wondering how will the katana fly up in high altitude

yeah, i am at roughly 20-25m above sea level:D

i am not sure how the actual plane will be effected, i have never read of a plane flying that different because of a higher altitude(it may though, i just have no knowledge of it). i think it comes down to the powersystem. i imagine at a high of 6000ft that it would have quite an effect on performance.
i can't really answer you question though, i am unsure of the effect of altitude on an actual airframes performance. i reckon you should be right though, as long as there is air up there, it should fly alright:rolleyes:

someone may have to help out on this one, i'm sure there are a few engineers out there who would know it all.

tim!!!

[DannyFlyer]

thanks i relly like the yellow katana thats the color i will probably get how is color differ from topwing to bottom wing plese post pic any color will work

[james_28]

these are pulled from PA's site, but it gives you the idea. theres no reason why you can't add some white stripes to the underside. the purple one i have, well most likely with all of them, needs to be followed well.
i use the canopy, fuse shape, landing gear and rudder for orientation. that doesn't leave much to not look at, does it!!!
i guess you just have to stay one step ahead as with most planes, and also look at the airframs design to help know which way is up and which way is down.

[DannyFlyer]

I like the blue more then the yellow now thanks

[james_28]

ooooooppppps, sorry. well, i hope you pick one you like, colour wise. the blue does look nice. im not sure what would happen in the sky, the otheres get lit up by the sun which helps with orientation. blue on blue might be difficult to see?
but yeah, the blue does look sweet.

[DannyFlyer]

yah yellow is the best visable to see on noncloudy days
I love that katana you guys have put alot of effort to it i will be ordering me one from TroyBuiltModels soon i have 90.00 need 10.00 so i can order it and get started on the build

[watt_the?!]

nice thread guys.

higher alt, less power needed but more thrust required.

the good thing is that less power is drawn for the same prop.

so prop up basically.

tim.

[james_28]

oh ok, i hope you enjoy it. i know i do.

i'd like to hear your thoughts on the katana. so please report back when you get into the build.

[james_28]

nice thread guys.

higher alt, less power needed but more thrust required.

the good thing is that less power is drawn for the same prop.

so prop up basically.

tim.

thanks for giving your words tim. i know now what the effects of altitude are.

[DannyFlyer]

thanks both of you i have to sell mt horizonhobby eyak54 for some $$$$$$$$ but i cant send it out of state or in state cause i was gona build it and fly it its allready built so hopefully i get good money so i can get the katana done and flying this winter in the us so its ready for the next flying season you auses dont know what the new season means cause its summer all year i wish that could be where i live

[DannyFlyer]

I will put a review tread on this site or use this tread as a build thread when i get the plane it just looks so cool i have liked the katana seince sabastiono selvestri flew it in the toc in america

[gymnast]

Anyone know if a hacker B20 15L will work in this plane? It says somewhere the hacker can produce 38 ounces of thrust.

[tahoecrest]

I just finished building and maidening my Katana about a week ago and have only had her in the air twice with the second time was yesterday and it was pretty windy. Only flew about 10 minutes as I'm not comfortable enough with the plane yet so it was defensive flying. Took the whole parking lot to get her down as she floated forever into the wind. Also used a bigger prop than on the maiden to try and get a little more power from my setup. I fly at 6500' and am powering the plane with the Axi 2808-24 and 11x5.5 E prop. She handles very nicely and will hover at about 65% throttle, but not enough power to make a nice power climb out off. The setup has plenty of power for the standard aerobatics but I would like to get the thrust around 40oz and improve on the present climb rate. Did a few mods to the plane as well as adding a steerable tail wheel and modified battery tray as well as 1-piece aluminium landing gear and beefed up fuselage in the landing gear area. Also rigged a snap down hatch similar to the Mini Funatana. My present AUW with Tanic 2220 3s packs is 27.4oz. I do have a Himax 3510-1100 on its way and will drop this into it soon. Should give me the added power performance I'm seeking. Will update the results with the new power package when ther available.
HAPPY FLYING!!!

[DannyFlyer]

tahoecrest,
what state are you living in and how hevey is the plane rtf

[tahoecrest]

I live in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Right on the border with Nevada and I fly at the Heavenly Ski resort parking lot, during the off season, which is 2 blocks from my home. The present AUW (all up weight) is 27.4 but will go up to 28.1 wth the Himax outrunner and mount.
HAPPY FLYING!!!

[DannyFlyer]

thanks for your post

[Fishdeth]

I agree wholeheartedly with James' assesment of this FINE 3D / Sport flyer !
Mine is powered by a Hacker A30-28S and will do it ALL !Some of you may enjoy seeing some of the mods I did to mine... http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=425809

LOVE this plane !

Jim