Akro Flik Review Specifications: Intro

 RCU Review: Akro Flik - EP More On This Product
Show user ratings Check for Retailers Contributed by: Todd Witkoff | Published: June 2002 | Views: 10412 |
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Akro Flik Review
Specifications: ARF Name: Akro
Flik Wingspan: 37" Wing Area: 280 sq.
in. Length: 32" Flying Weight as
tested: 18.5oz. Wing Loading:
Approximately 12
oz/sq.ft. Motor used:
Graupner Speed
400 motor
Prop: APC 10x7
Slow flyer Cells: 7-cell 600AE
NiCad pack Speed Control: Jeti
140C
Radio and gear:
Hitec 555 Receiver
and HS-55 Micro
Servos Channels Used:4
total. Elevator,
Rudder, Aileron,
Throttle
Manufacturer: Akro
(Slovakia) Distributor: Hobby
Lobby
Intro
The Akro Flik is billed as a ultra lightweight, highly
aerobatic four channel airplane designed for Speed
400 power system. I must admit, my experience in the
park flyer variety has been somewhat limited and for
the most part, disappointing. I was really looking
forward to the Flik meeting it's claims.
I received the Flik which came in an unlabeled box
with the contents just placed in, no protective
packaging but did arrive undamaged. The kit consists
of a very light ready-built fuselage, extremely light
weight balsa constructed wing and tail parts covered
in Litespan. Vacuum formed parts include the cowl,
canopy, wing tips and spinner. Landing gear,
pushrods, wheels and hardware were also present.
Picture 1 The Flik and it's
components as it comes
out of the box.
In addition to the kit the accessories below were used
for completion of the Flik....
Picture 2
The additional
accessories required to
finish the kit.
Now, lets move onto the assembly of the Akro Flik...
MISSES HITS
High quality light weight fiberglass
fuselage, accurately built wings and
tail components.
Stable high and low speed flight
characteristics
Excellent aerobatic capability
Incredible 900fpm climb rate!
Instructions consist of pictures only.
Tail components are fragile
Landing gear mounting method does not
sufficiently secure the gear to the fuse
Parts missing from kit (see construction)
Five minute flights
Construction
The first step is to cut through the Lightspan exposing the servo bays in the wing. I
then screwed the mounting blocks to the servos and glued the assembly into the wing.
A small hole is made in the wing root to allow the servo lead to pass thru the root rib
and into the fuse.
Next I proceeded to drill a 1/16" hole for the wings anti-rotation pins using, a dimple is
provided to assist with location. The pins are then glued in place with 5 minute epoxy.
Aileron control horns are installed by drilling a 1/16" hole pressing the horn in place
Aileron control horns are installed by drilling a 1/16" hole pressing the horn in place
and glued with thin CA. Pushrod is installed by placing a Z bend on one end and using
the provided quick connect hardware at the servo. Vacuum formed wing tips are the
cut out and glued in place with medium CA.
After reviewing the parts
inventory, I could not find
anything that resembled a
elevator joining wire. To
avoid delays in construction I
made one out of some spring
steel.
Elevator joining wire is
installed by flipping
elevator back on itself,
drilling holes for the wire
and gluing it in place
with 5 minute epoxy.
Motor, Gearbox and Speed Control
Next step is to assemble the motor to the 3:1 gearbox. You must cut the motor shaft to
a length of 10mm for the pinion gear to line up correctly, a dremel cutoff wheel made
short work of this. The pinion gear is then glued to the shaft. Motor installation is just a
press fit into the gear box. The Jeti speed controller slips over the motor tabs, making
sure to align the positive pole on the motor with the positive socket on the speed
control.
At this point it was obvious that the motor opening in the fuse would have to be
enlarged to allow the speed control to pass through. Careful use of a Dremel sanding
drum is required here, it is easy to remove too much material in a hurry. With the
opening the correct size, the motor and speed control are slipped into place and
screwed to the firewall. The cowl was trimmed to shape, drilled for the prop shaft and
installed with two sided tape which was also missing from the kit. I also noted what
appeared to be vents for the motor and battery on the fuse that where closed off, a
quick check of the instructions showed nothing.... Using an exacto blade and a file I
opened the vents which can be seen below.
The next step is to install the tail skid, again I checked the parts inventory and found
this too was missing. After a few bends on a 2-56 rod I had my custom made tail skid
which was installed with 5 minute epoxy. You can now glue on the tail components
using medium CA, using a right angle to assure alignment. Servo bays for the tail group
are cut out of the fuse sides using an xacto knife. Following the same procedure used
for the wings, I installed the servos into the fuse. A six inch servo extension is required
on the rudder and elevator servo to allow the servo leads to reach the receiver.
Linkages are made and installed.
Servo extension lead is
required to reach the
receiver. This is not
noted on the
accessories listing.
Fuselage
Main spar is comprised of an aluminum tube that slides through the fuselage and into a
socket in the wing. This is a friction fit as there is nothing to lock the wings to the spar. A
small dab of 5 minute epoxy was used to glue the spar tube to the fuse, make sure it is
centered before the glue sets. Main spar installed in
fuselage. Check to make
sure it is centered
before the glue sets.
Next the landing gear. There is a small groove in the fuse where the wire gear mounts, two
2.5 mm screws with washers are supposed to pinch the gear into the groove for mounting.
My first impression is there is no way this is going to support the plane but decided to
attempt it anyway. Well....it did not support the plane and I hadn't even installed the wings or
battery at this point. Time to devise a better way to secure the gear to the fuse. I cut two
small strips of PolyPly about 1/2" in length and used them as straps to secure the gear in
place. I also used some Aeropoxy to create a tighter socket between the fuse to wire joint. I
let the assembly dry overnight. Results seem promising.
The canopy construction consists of gluing the the balsa deck pieces together. Some slight
sanding of the parts was necessary for a correct fit. Once the deck was completed the clear
canopy is cut out following the scribe lines and glued in place using RC56 canopy glue. A
pin is provided to secure the rear of the canopy to the fuselage but nothing is noted or
supplied to secure the front. I used a small piece of Velcro to lock the canopy in place.
Canopy deck assembled
from balsa die cut parts.
Final assembly consists of cutting out the vacuum molded spinner and installing it over the
prop. The instruction diagram shows it gets glued to some sort of spinner back plate but
none could be found and I decided not to install the spinner since once glued you cannot
remove it if you need to change the prop. Since there was no information provided for
sticker placement I logged on to Hobby Lobby's web site for a finished view of the plane.
I then proceeded to place the battery and receiver in the fuselage to find the proper CG.
After the battery had been located (add a Velcro strip to the bottom to secure in place) and
the receiver taped in place I adjusted the throws to each surface as per the manual. Charge
the battery up and I'm off to the field!
Flight Testing and Evaluation
The finished Flik Ready
to Fly! I anxiously waited for about a week until the winds were appropriate for a first flight. Battery is charged and the range check was perfect. Lets get flying!
I took a short drive to my local ball field which has a paved parking lot. A couple of taxi test
showed good ground control and plenty of acceleration. With the nose pointed into the
wind I applied full throttle, the Flik was off the ground in less than ten feet and climbing
quickly. A few clicks of down trim and a tad of right aileron and tracking was dead on. I
spent a few minutes to get acquainted with the Flick, overall flight characteristics were
excellent. The aircraft flies fast and tracks straight. I did some loops, inverted flight and
fast rolls and it showed no bad tendencies. I made a few high speed passes which were
impressive considering this was not a speed plane, I was having a blast!
After a few minutes of flying the battery was depleted and the ESC cut off the power to the
motor. I gently glided the Flik in for a beautiful landing. Landing was easy and the model
slows to walking speed before touching down. I couldn't wait to charge it up again and
really put the Flik through it's paces. Billed as a highly acrobatic plane it was time to see if
the Flik is really as acrobatic as they claim. First test was knife edge flight which was quite
impressive, about half stick of rudder and a tad of down elevator and the Flik will hold
sustained knife edge till the battery is dead. The Flik responded well to most of the basic
aerobatic maneuvers I attempted although spins would not get flat, a slight rearward shift
in CG may help get the spin flat. Amazingly the Flik will almost hover, just shy of enough
power to torque roll. It appears that with a high performance speed 400 motor torque rolls
could be possible.
On the fourth flight I decided to see how long the Flik would fly on a charge. Using some
power management I was able to squeeze almost six minutes till the BEC kicked in. Flight
five produced just over five minutes.
With the Flik trimmed out I thought I would test the Flik to see how small a space I could fly the plane in
comfortably. Although it does take a bit of work, it is possible to fly the Flik in my backyard. At last, a
backyard flyer that really lives up to it's claims!!
backyard flyer that really lives up to it's claims!!
FINAL WORDS
In conclusion I was very happy with the flight performance of the Flik. Most noted was the
amazing climb rate, Hobby Lobby claims a 900 fpm ascent and I have no reason to doubt
that figure. Despite the missing parts and the lack of instructions the Flik is really a great
kit. Although it is a fairly simple plane to build, I would not recommend the Flik for the
novice. Lack of clear, concise instructions and fragile tail components would suggest you
have a few kits under your belt before attempting a kit of this nature. Well....I'm off to the
yard to get some heavy lounge chair flying in....
Todd Witkoff
Comments on RCU Review: Akro Flik - EP
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The comments, observations and conclusions made in this review are solely with respect to the particular item the editor reviewed and may not apply
generally to similar products by the manufacturer. We cannot be responsible for any manufacturer defects in workmanship or other deficiencies in
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