IVAN'S PLANS

These are construction plans for electric-powered, Radio Control model airplanes designed and built by Ivan Pettigrew. The plans are hand drawn with sufficient details for modelers with previous building experience, and include Ivan's written construction notes. The models are built mostly of balsa, using traditional construction methods.

In recent years, Chilliwack, British Columbia - near Canada's West Coast - has become the Pacific Northwest's "mecca" for electric model airplanes. Ivan was one of the prime movers for this trend, having designed his first electric model in the early nineties. Most of these models originally used racing car motors of the "05" class (equivalent to Speed 600 size.) These models are larger than most other model aircraft that use the same power packages, but they fly very well on low power because of their light construction and low wing loadings, and come close to scale-like flight appearance. Flight times of Ivan's prototypes vary from 7 to 15 minutes using Sanyo 1900mAh nicads.

The descriptions and specifications for most of the models were written before Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries came into widespread use. With LiPo batteries, the weight and wing loading of the models will be lower than the figures shown, and performance will be enhanced. Where a 9-cell pack was originally used, a 3S LiPo battery should be used, preferably of larger capacity. Flight times will be considerably longer, not only because of extra battery capacity, but also due to the weight savings realized.

Scale: 1:5
Span: 75 in
Length: 52 in
Wing Area: 850 sq in
Weight: 72 oz, with 9 N-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 12.2 oz/sq ft

Fully aerobatic. Flies on wheels, floats and skis. Plan shows wheels only. Built 1997.

Scale: 1:12
Span: 103 in
Length: 70 in
Wing Area: 1,300 sq in
Weight: 203 oz, with 18 N-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 22.4 oz/sq ft

Features retracts and flaps. Built 1996.

Scale: 1:15.6
Span: 125 in
Wing Area: 1,700 sq in
Length: 77 in
Weight: 164 oz with 6S 2800mAh LiPo
Wing Loading: 13.9 oz/sq ft

Four Speed 600 (Mabuchi 550) can motors wired series-parallel, with 3.5:1 Master Airscrew reduction gearboxes, turn 10x6 four blade props at 6,500 RPM. Static thrust is 110 ounces at 32 amps (16 amps to each motor). Selig 7055 airfoil with NACA leading edge cuff on outboard sections. Slotted flaps. Wing built in three sections. The nose section of the fuselage is removable to give access to the battery and make adjustments to the nose wheel mounting, as well as reducing the size of the fuselage for transportation. The tail plane and main landing gear are also removable. August 2007.

Scale: 1:10
Span: 73 in
Wing Area: 765 sq in
Length: 51 in
Weight: 124 oz with 18 N-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 23.4 oz/sq ft

Retracts and optional flaps. Does impressive aerobatics. Built in 1999, based on smaller version built 1993.

Eppler 197 airfoil with NACA leading edge cuff outboard. Three section wing for ease of transportation. Sturdy fixed undercarriage is good for rough grass strips. Slotted flaps to Andy Lenon formulae are very effective. Prototype is powered by Kyosho 17-turn Atomic Force car motors driving four-blade 15x10 Zinger wood props through 7.2:1 ratio super box. Built 2000.

Scale: 1:7.9
Span: 98 in
Wing Area: 1,507 sq in
Length: 71 inches,
Weight: 114 oz with 6S 2800 LiPo
Wing Loading: 13.5 oz/sq ft*

Four Jamara 480 HS BB motors are used, wired series-parallel, driving 10x7 APC-E props through 4.1:1 ratio gearboxes. Static Thrust is 76 ounces at 6,200 RPM drawing 26 amps from the battery. (13 amps each motor.) The wings have a very high aspect ratio. Efficiency comes from using the thin Selig 3021 airfoil, modified towards the tips, but as in sailplanes, it makes for a challenge in accurate construction. Removable outer wing panels are optional, but demand good workmanship because of the thin airfoil used. Likewise, the undercarriage is a tight fit in the fairings, but they add to the streamlining of the model. The torsion bar suspension used on the main gear gives very good operation on rough fields. Flight characteristics are excellent. A safe, easy to fly model. August 2008.

Scale: 1:6.6
Span: 80 in
Length: 54 in
Wing Area: 750 sq in
Weight: 108 oz, with 18 N-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 20.7 oz/sq ft

NACA leading edge cuff on outboard wing section controls tip stall and makes this a safe flyer capable of doing impressive aerobatics. Has retracts. Two models built, 1995 and 2000.

Scale: 1:7
Span: 74 in upper wing, 66 lower wing
Wing Area: 1,026 sq in (80% biplane equivalent is 820 sq in)
Length: 54 in
Weight: 78 oz
Wing Loading: 13.7 oz/sq ft*

Primary airfoil; Selig 3010 modified towards the tips. Motors, brushless 450 or 480. Battery, one 3S 3600mAh LiPo. (Or one 4S 3000mAh LiPo, depending on motor choice.) August 2012

Scale: 1:11.2
Span: 58 in
Wing Area: 501 sq in
Length: 43¼ in
Weight: 55 oz with 4S 2200mAh LiPo battery
Wing Loading: 15.8 oz/sq ft

Eppler 374 airfoil with NACA leading edge cuff outboard. Prototype uses Ram Tech 28/30/16 motors, 700Kv turning 10x7 APC electric props at 7,200 RPM. Total static current draw for two motors is 22 amps giving 52 ounces thrust. Servoless electric retracts are Hobby King HKD-312. (2011)

Scale: 1:9
Span: 74 in
Length: 55 in
Wing Area: 825 sq in
Weight: 113 oz with 18 N-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 19.7 oz/sq ft

Retracts. Very good aerobatics. For good visibility it is done in the colours of the T-III trainer version. Built 2000.

Scale: 1:5.6
Span: 75 in
Length: 55 in
Wing Area: 820 sq in
Weight: 83 oz, with 9 N-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 14.6 oz/sq ft

Ivan reproduces the first offering from de Havilland Canada. The light airframe offers practical sport scale performance suitable for most builders and pilots. Built 1998.

Scale: 1:12
Span: 67 in
Wing Area: 612 sq in
Length: 52 in.
Weight: 55 oz, approx.
Wing Loading: under 14 oz/sq ft, depending on motors and batteries.

DE HAVILLAND DHC-6 TWIN OTTER 600
As above, just a little bigger

Scale: 1:9
Span: 84 in
Wing Area: 956 sq in
Length: 65 in
Weight: 100 oz with nine N-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 15.0 oz/sq ft

Optional flaps. A very safe flyer. Maiden flight May 2005. The prototype uses "05" racing car motors. The smaller plan above uses Speed 480 motors.

NOTE: Thanks to some modelers on RCGroups, there are laser "cut files" available for both these planes:

Manzano Laser Works can also provide laser cut parts for both of these designs. Please click here for their pricing.

Scale: 1:5
Span: 50.3 in
Wing Area: 406 sq in
Length: 40 in
Weight: 28.2 oz
Wing Loading: 10 oz/sq ft

Park 450 890kV motor, 10x7 APC-E prop, 3S 1600mAh LiPo. The simple design of this popular homebuilt lends itself well to an easy-building model, making it a good choice for the first time plans builder. It is very stable with generous dihedral, and a great aileron trainer. The thin airfoil and light wing loading give a slow flat glide, and an easy transition to flare and a soft touchdown. It is also quite aerobatic. A Park 400 motor is quite adequate for anything but aggressive aerobatics. The Park 450 takes it pretty well vertical. Two earlier Turbulent designs were periodically flown on floats, proving the design to be very suitable for water flying. August 2016

Scale: 1:14
Span: 84 in
Wing Area: 945 sq in
Length: 62 in
Weight: 93 oz with nine N-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 14.2 oz/sq ft

Maiden flight Dec 28, 2004. In Sept 2005 the motors were changed from "05" racing car motors to Speed 480. Flight time increased considerably. Twenty eight minutes on an 8-cell 3000 NiMH battery.

Scale: 1:8.8
Span: 53 in
Wing Area: 436 sq in
Length: 37 in
Weight: 10.3 oz
Wing Loading: 3.6 oz/sq ft

This is an oversize indoor slow flyer, that can also be flown outside in calm conditions. Original model was powered with a geared GWS A motor, now has a tiny brushless which will fly it nearly an hour on a small 2C LiPo packs. The full scale Helio offers exceptional performance from unprepared rough terrain or on floats, making it popular with military and civilian bush pilots alike.

Span: 53 in with optional tips
Wing Area: 410 sq in
Length: 39 in
Weight: 25 oz
Wing Loading: 9.5 oz/sq ft

A slightly smaller version of Ivan's earlier Seagull design. Plan shows both a 48-inch span with square tips, as well as optional, and easily added, curved tip extensions that stretch span to 53 inches. Park 300 or equivalent motor with 8x4 or 8x6 prop and 3S 1300mAh LiPo Battery. August 2015.

Scale: 1:6.6
Span: 70 in
Wing Area: 730 sq in
Length: 56 1/2 in
Weight: 77 oz with 9 N-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 15.2 oz/sq ft

Designed to be an entry level multi. Very easy to build with rectangular wing and box type fuselage construction. Very aerobatic and safe to fly. Built 2004.

Scale: 1:15
Span: 83 in
Wing Area: 835 sq in
Length: 52 in
Weight: 64 oz with eight CP-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 11 oz/sq ft

A smaller version of the PBY-5 listed below. Uses two GWS Speed 400 geared motors running parallel from an 8-cell battery. Flies 27 min on eight cell 3000 NiMH. Built 2004.

Scale: 1:4
Span: 36 in
Wing Area: 432 sq in
Length: 20 in
Weight: 14 oz with 9 CP-1700 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 6.2 oz/sq ft

This aerobatic park flyer is a model of the first plane built by New Zealand inventor Richard Pearse, and claimed by historians to have flown in March, 1903. Prototype powered by a GWS EPS-300C-AS (Speed 370) with 3.75:1 reduction, 8x6 APC slow flyer prop. 8-cell 720 NiMH pack. 5,000 rpm static at 7.5 amps. Built in 2002. (photos of larger 60-in model, see listing below)

Scale: 1:4
Span: 60 in
Wing Area: 1,200 sq in
Length: 35 in
Weight: 60 oz with 9 CP-1700 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 7.2 oz/sq ft

This is a quarter scale model of the historic first plane built by by New Zealand inventor Richard Pearse, and claimed by historians to have flown on March 31, 1903. This model is a reliable flyer, and very aerobatic. A smaller model is also available for a Speed 370 motor, see above. Built in 2003.

Quick building and easy flying sport flying boat, capable of 30 splash & goes per flight. Ivan's original Seagull has made an estimated 13,000 water landings since its first flight in 1994, and is still flying.

Scale: 1:4.6
Span: 58 in
Wing Area: 500 sq in
Length: 46 in.
Weight: 56 oz with 9 N-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 16.1 oz/sq ft

Smooth flying and good on floats. Great aileron trainer. Eppler 374 airfoil. Magnetic Mayhem 22 turn motor with 3.0:1 ratio gearbox driving 12x10 APC-E prop at 5,000 RPM draws 28 amps static. Very fast and aerobatic, especially with 3S LiPo battery. Also available at 62 in span, see below (2001).

Scale: 1:4.6
Span: 62 in.
Wing Area: 640 sq in
Length: 49 in
Weight: 67 oz with 9 N-1900 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 15 oz/sq ft

The Eppler 374 airfoil and a light wing loading make this a great aileron trainer, and good for relaxing aerobatics. Prototype used an Atomic Force 17T Motor with Great Planes GD-600 3.8:1 ratio gearbox turns an 11x7 APC-E airscrew at 7,500 RPM. Static thrust is 34 oz at 30 amps. Built 1997.

Scale: 1:9.5
Span: 74 1/2 in.
Wing Area: 695 sq in
Length: 53in
Weight: 60 oz with 8 CP-1700 SCR nicads
Wing Loading: 12.6 oz/sq ft

A scaled down version of the Sealand 600. Uses Speed 480 or Long Can Speed 400 motors. Flight time with 8 3000mAh NiMH cells is 32 minutes. A hot performer. Built 2005.

Has removable wheels for land operation. Built 2002.

Scale: 1:16.5
Span: 82 in
Wing Area: 905 sq in
Length: 65 in
Weight: 83 oz with 8 N-1900 SCR nicads Wing Loading: 13.2 oz/sq ft

A large, graceful flying boat. Prototype used four GWS Speed 400 geared motors. Flies over 15 minutes on 3000mAh NiMH cells. Built 2004.

Scale: 1:14
Span: 99 in
Wing Area: 1,200 sq. in
Length: 73.5 in
Weight: 124 oz with 10 2,600 NiMH cells
Wing Loading: 14.9 oz/sq ft

A larger version of Short Solent 400 above. Four Permax 480 motors wired parallel. MP-Jet Speed 400 gearboxes with 4.1:1 reduction drive 10x7 four blade props. Static current is 38 amps giving thrust of 60 ounces at 4,600 RPM. Selig 7055 airfoil with NACA leading edge cuff on outboard sections. Flies on 10 to 12 nicads (3S or 4S LiPo cells). Ivan's all time favourite flying boat. August 2006.

SAI KZ-IV
Danish air ambulance

Scale: 1:7.8
Span: 80 in
Wing Area: 765 sq in
Length: 48 in
Weight: 68 oz (with nine CP-1700 SCR nicads)
Wing Loading: 12.8 oz/sq ft

Selig 7055 airfoil with NACA leading edge cuff on outboard section. Flies on eight or nine cells. Two Jamara Pro 480 HS BB motors wired parallel. MP-Jet Speed 400 gear boxes, 4.1:1 ratio drive 10x7 APC electric props. Static current draw with nine cells is 26 amps (13A each motor) giving 38 ounces thrust at 6,200 RPM. The KZ-IV is a lively performer and is quite aerobatic. A very safe, spin-proof flyer. March 2006.

* - allowing for 80% efficiency of biplane wings.