For some time I've wanted to build a large electric plane.  I was looking at the Great Planes Mister Mulligan, but it isn't that large and it flies like a Piper Cub.  I already have a Pipe Cub.  Next I was looking at the Great Planes Extra 300SP.  A few different reviews revealed that it's slow flight characteristics weren't all that great.  I like to fly slow, so I moved on.  I haven't yet owned a Phoenix Models plane, so I'm a bit nervous about that.  Looking at the assembly manual I see a few things I like.  For instance the tail wheel.  One thing I don't really care for is the way that the aileron servos mount.  I might change that during construction.  For the motor I chose a Rimfire 1.20.  I like Caste Creations ESC's so I went with a Phoenix Ice 100 with the heat sink. I have a couple Revolectrix 3700 3S batteries that I'll fly with at first, but I'll probably order a couple of 4400 3S batteries soon.  I'll be running 22.2v, so two 3S battery packs per flight.  For the electrical connections I'm using 75Amp Power Poles. For the control system I've decided to check out Futaba's S.Bus system.  It's weird to be running a 3-channel receiver, but the R6203SB is a full range receiver and S.Bus only needs one port, so 3-channel it is.

02/10/12 - Ordered from Tower
I ordered from Tower Hobbies today.  To take advantage of their coupons, I split the order up as much as I could.  Shipments should start arriving late next week.  No sales tax and no shipping costs is nice. 

02/14/12 - Most parts arrived
Everything arrived except the plane and the receiver.

02/17/12 - Plane and receiver arrived, Build started
The plane and receiver arrived today.  I started construction.

02/18/12 - Build completed
This plane was a quick build.  This was my first Phoenix build so I was a bit nervous.  Everything went well.  Three things that aren't ideal for using electric power.  One, the canopy screws.  They're thumb screws and located very close to the wing.  It's difficult to get your fingers on them.  They have to be removed and reinstalled every time you swap out the batteries.  I've converted them to shorter phillips-head screws.  Next, the battery tray is really a fuel tank tray.  It's buried under the cowl and difficult to attach velcro straps (which aren't included in the kit).  Last, even with the batteries placed as far forward as possible, it came out pretty tail-heavy.  They don't provide a range for CG, they indicate 4.5" back.  CG came out at 5.125 back.  I like to fly a trail-heavy plane, but not on a maiden flight.  I've added about 3oz of lead to the top of the motor mount for now.  I also might fly 4400mAh batteries instead.  They weigh in at a total of 6oz more than the 3700's, so I should be able to remove the lead if that's the case.  I'm going to wait to see how much flight time I get out of the 3700's.

Overall weight came in at 9.5 lbs with the nose weight added.  I was shooting for 9 lbs, so that's not bad.  I took a few construction and hanger shots:

Not sure when the maiden flight will be.  Perhaps tomorrow.

02/19/12 - Maiden Flight
Flew the plane today. Everything seemed to go fine.  I flew with the GoPro mounted to the bottom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UOqnPg6KZA

I only flew one flight since all I have is a pair of 3700 3S batteries.  I flew for about 8 minutes, until the BEC cut in.  I was left with plenty of power for landing after resetting the throttle.

Based on this flight time, I've ordered a couple 5200 6S batteries and a CellPro PL8 charger.  The batteries should give me about a 12 to 14 minute flight time and only add as much weight as I have in lead on the motor mount. 

Also, I really like the flight logging from the ESC. With that info I can tell how hot the ESC is getting, how many AMPs I'm pulling, etc.

02/22/12 - Batteries, charger arrive
I removed the lead from the noose of the plane and it balances nicely with the larger battery.

02/24/12 - Bad flight
I flew with the GoPro and the new 6S battery.  After buzzing around for a while I landed so I could fly without the GoPro attached.  It weighs about 8 oz, so it does make a difference.  Also, the GoPro is mounted to the bottom of the plane which is a lot of weight well below the thrust line.  I should have changed the battery when I landed to take the camera off, but I wanted to fly until the BEC cut in so I get an idea how long of a flight I should expect.  When the BEC did cut it, I was too far out and too low.  I didn't get enough power to get back and had a hard landing out in the field.  That would have been fine if not for the gofer holes.  The main gear was ripped off.  I figured I could epoxy that back on.  When I got home I checked everything very closely and the firewall and the plywood portion of the motor mount was messed up.  I tried to epoxy and CA glue everything together, but it wasn't going well and nothing lined up.  I decided to replace the plane.  I debated going to a different model plane, but in the end, for the same reasons I bought this one in the first place, I replaced it with the same model.  It's a pretty big bummer, but this plane isn't all that expensive compared to similar sized ARFs out there.

I have GoPro footage of the flight before I removed the camera.  No footage of the hard landing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCvlUSv-RHQ

03/13/12 - Bad ESC
After the plane rebuild, I couldn't get the ESC to function.  I don't believe a bad ESC crashed my first Edge 540, but it certainly won't power up now.  I tried to work directly with Castle on the replacement, but they don't have any in stock, are going through a system upgrade and have no idea when they will have them.  Instead I worked with Tower Hobbies to get it replaced.

03/17/12 - Ready to fly, again
The replacement ESC arrived today and the plane is ready to fly again.  I took advantage of the fact that I have two good canopies and I modified the old one to be a GoPro mount.  This will place the camera closer to the thrust line.  I also removed the pilot and clear canopy section to save on weight a bit.  When the weather improves, I'll get another flight in.