What is involved in a flier who already knows his way around electric and nitro planes to graduate to turbine/jet engines ?

1.  What equipment is needed ?  Of course the airframe should be turbine capable, but other than that. What would a shopping list look like ?

2.  What additional tools are required (yes, the fire extinguisher too ) ?

3.  What are the important parts in setting one up ?  Connection diagrams etc.  Radio setup, any kind of "trims" or "end points like we do for glow engines" ?

4.  What fuel is needed, and what is involved on the field in any flying session ?  What is involved in firing up the engine, and shutting it down safely ?

I am hoping people like Chan to respond, and may be get some of his Jet friends to participate.  In India, I only know (briefly) one gentleman named Captain Prahlad (a real life heli pilot) who was doing jet flights.  He is from Bangalore, but was stationed in Chennai the last time we met.

Hi Anwar,

Let me impart my meagre knowledge of jets here.. Especially since I would also be looking at flying a jet very soon.. There is an intro boomerang sleeping in my hangar for quite sometime now..

Let me tackle your points one by one..

1.  What equipment is needed ?  Of course the airframe should be turbine capable, but other than that. What would a shopping list look like ?

First and foremost a very good Tx/Rx and good quality servos are required.  There are no compromises to be made in a jet!!  The airframe should also be from a reputed manufacturer.  If it is going to be a cheapo ARF, then quality time should be spent on the ARF to make it turbine worthy!! Again let me insist, jets cannot be played around with like prop planes!!  I would personally recommend brands like Jet Legends, BVM Jets, Skygate, Mibo, Boomerang Jets.. All of which I have seen being flown here!!

The best way to enter the jet world is through Boomerang Jets.  The Intro Boomerang is an ideal kickoff platform.  The other more expensive option is to get a BVM Bandit.  I heard of another model called the Rookie which is also supposed to be a very good trainer!

The airframe is done now..

Regarding the turbine, a whole lot of turbines can be fitted onto the same jet! The Intro Boomerang will fly with any turbine ranging from Jetcat P60 to JetCat P120 depending on the pilot!! Guru's BVM Bandit has a P120 though it can fly with a P80!! Bigger the turbine, the more difficult it is to land because of the residual thrust!! But as far as I know, the idle RPM can be programmed on the ECU!  The turbine brands to look at would be Jetcat (The OS of the jet world ), Wren, AMT, SimJet etc..
A typical turbine package would consist of the turbine, the ECU, the pump, solenoid valves, a GSU (Ground Support Unit), the tubing required and a few odds and ends like connectors and wires and a very very detailed manual!

The servos should always be high on torque to hold the precision!! It does not require 3D holding torque, but should be decent enough to handle high speeds!

The next important thing that we might need is a bubble air trap (BAT)!! Each company has a different name for it!! BVM calls it the UAT (Ultimate Air Trap), PST has one of the best BATs for Jetcat turbines.  So choose one that you might feel comfortable with!

The other thing to look at is the retract unit, the pressure tanks / gauges, the door sequencers, the wheel brakes etc.. All of which I would go in detail later down sometime (too lazy now i guess!)

So now summing up what I have mentioned above, the list of items that a person needs to get into jets are, (provided he already has some of the stuff that he uses for his nitro / gas planes),

1. Airframe - Jet Legends, BVM Jets, Skygate, Mibo, Boomerang Jets
2. Turbine - Jetcat, Wren, AMT, SimJet
3. BAT
4. TX / RX
5. Servos - atleast 5 in number
6. Retract Units
7. Fuel Tank
8. Pressure tanks
9. Lots of tubing
10. Extensions
11. Pressure gauges
12. Heat Shield Cloth

(Might add something later if I had missed out anything)

2.  What additional tools are required (yes, the fire extinguisher too Wink ) ?

1. Air Compressor
2. Fire Extinguisher
3. Electronic Fuel Pump (if you dont want to tire your hands by cranking a manual pump)
4. Propane Tank and appropriate connectors to send propane to the turbine!

3.  What are the important parts in setting one up ?  Connection diagrams etc.  Radio setup, any kind of "trims" or "end points like we do for glow engines" ?

The connection diagrams would be detailed in the turbine manual and would be very easy to understand.  A lot of radio setup is involved.  But it would be a cakewalk for someone who knows his radio by heart and has had the option of programming gassers or bigger planes that have multiple servos ganged up!!

The only new thing would be a procedure called Learn RC which teaches the ECU to understand your throttle signals!! This would also be mentioned clearly in the turbine manual!  No throttle end points required though we might have to use the trims!!

4.  What fuel is needed, and what is involved on the field in any flying session ?  What is involved in firing up the engine, and shutting it down safely ?

The fuel is nothing but Kerosene mixed with Mobil turbine oil.  If there is availability, we can get commercial turbine fuel (ATF) which is refined kerosene.  Put in 5% oil (if I am not mistaken) and you are good to go!!

It is very easy to get a turbine airborne once you are on the field.  If setup and maintained properly it is completely fuss free!!

Get the wings on, Fuel Up, Switch on TX / RX, Connect GSU, Wait for it to initialize and ask for gas, Pump in the propane, let the turbine fire up, GSU asks you to go to idle, TX throttle stick down to idle, disconnect GSU, Fix the canopy and you are good to take off! So simple!! Once you bring the trim down, it shuts down.  Or there is also an Aux switch which can be used to shut the turbine on an emergency!

And I know Prahlad personally.  More of a heli flyer and a real gentleman!! He occasionally drops into Sholavaram but mostly with Helis!

Hope I have been able to get off the block atleast if not give a very comprehensive idea of jets here! Let me contribute something slowly here as i recollect things

- Chan

A typical top end jet setup! With a Jetcentral turbine!!

Quote from: chanvivek on December 09, 2009, 11:16:57 AM

And I know Prahlad personally.  More of a heli flyer and a real gentleman!! He occasionally drops into Sholavaram but mostly with Helis!

Hope I have been able to get off the block atleast if not give a very comprehensive idea of jets here! Let me contribute something slowly here as i recollect things

- Chan

Please say "Hi" to Capt Prahlad from me 

And your detailed reply was exactly what I was hoping for.  Thanks for taking the time.  Do add details are time and memory permits !  I will do a bit more reading up too, as I am beginning to get involved in this crowd.

Quote from: anwar on December 09, 2009, 11:38:17 AM
Please say "Hi" to Capt Prahlad from me 

And your detailed reply was exactly what I was hoping for.  Thanks for taking the time.  Do add details are time and memory permits !  I will do a bit more reading up too, as I am beginning to get involved in this crowd.

Would do Anwar

- Chan

One way to test turbine engines.

Please check this link for the test flight of Jetcat 120 Engine of Mr Lal

The sound is 

One of the perils of Jet flying... from our main field.  Not sure what happened, will try to get details from friends there.

Can anybody make Video and post on YouTube abot on "How to assemble turbine jet into airframe & how to start jet engine first time & how to use GSU"......bcos there in not single video on this topic on you tube......I hope somebody can do this. ....and post it's link at here.........I am beginner and I would like to learn about jet plane........pls make video......