EGT he Sig Kadet is one of those iconic models that has gracefully withstood the test of time. Like most successful designs, the Kadet became popular because of its great fl ying qualities. It has remained popular, because it has continued to adapt to the demands of our ever-evolving hobby. Look at the lineage of Kadet variations during the past four decades and you’ll see what I mean. Like much of the current Sig lineup, the latest iteration of the Kadet Senior ARF incorporates several features that allow it to accommodate electric or glow power systems. That explains the “EG” tag added to the name. People have been fl ying electric-powered Kadet Seniors for years. Now, it’s no longer a do-it-yourself conversion. You only have to decide which type of power system you want and bolt it on. I’ve owned several other Kadets throughout the years, but this is my fi rst Senior model. I wasn’t quite prepared for how big this airplane is. Its 80.5-inch wingspan makes it an International Miniature Aircraft Association-legal model, and aptly so. The two-piece wing helps with storage and transport. The fuselage, however, does not break down and demands a considerable space commitment.Assembly If you’ve built a Sig kit or ARF before, you are familiar with the company’s excellent assembly manuals. The Kadet Senior EG is no exception. It walks you through every step to result in an airworthy model. Experienced builders may fi nd the level of detail to be excessive in some areas. Keep in mind that the Kadet’s target market includes beginning modelers, who can only benefi t from precise directions. No matter your skill level, I suggest that you thoroughly read each step. You may pick up a few pointers. The fi rst order of business is to tighten the Oracover covering. Although this certainly has a cosmetic benefi t, the main goal is to secure any loose edges
56Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comJR Sport ST47 standard servos were used for the control surfaces and they fit perfectly. The aileron servos are mounted to blocks on the back side of the wing cover that can be spaced to accept varying sizes of servos.The Kadet Senior EG readily accepts electric or glow power plants. I used an E-flite Power 32 brushless motor with a mount from Maxx Products. I attached my E-flite 60-Amp Pro ESC to the side of the mount for good cooling.SPECIFICATIONSModel type: Electric/glow ARF trainerSkill level: Intermediate builder/beginner pilotWingspan: 80.5 inchesWing area: 1,180 square inchesLength: 64.75 inchesWeight: 6 to 6.5 poundsPower system: 500-watt (3528-1000 Kv) electric motor/.40 to .46 two-stroke; .50 to .61 four-stroke glowRadio: Four-channel with four standard servos (electric); five servos for glowConstruction: Balsa and plywoodCovering/finish: Iron-on coveringStreet price: $300TEST-MODEL DETAILSPower system: E-flite Power 32 outrunner brushless motor; E-flite 60-amp Pro ESCBattery: Thunder Power G6 Pro Lite 4S 5000 mAh LiPoPropeller: APC 12 x 8E Radio system: Spektrum DX8 transmitter; Spektrum AR7000 receiver; four JR Sport ST47 standard servosReady-to-fly weight: 7.07 poundsFlight duration: 10-plus minutesWing loading: 13.8 ounces per square footFull-throttle power: 62.8 amps, 968 watts, 9570 rpmPLUSES • Lightweight for its size.• Well built.• Broad flight performance.MINUSES• Minor hardware issues.AT A GLANCE ...in the covering to keep the model fuelproof and windproof. Given the size of the aircraft, plan to spend an hour or two with your covering iron. Transparent covering tends to highlight sloppy workmanship in the covering and the balsa beneath. As I tightened the Senior’s covering, I was hard-pressed to find errors in either area. All of the visible stick-built structure was clean, with no gaps in the joints. Likewise, every overlapping seam in the covering was straight and well adhered. Only a white-gloved stickler could find fault with the craftsmanship of my model. Sig includes a full set of metric hardware. Although the overall quality is good, I did run into a few issues. One of my main wheel collars had to be drilled out to fit on the landing gear wire. I also found that the aileron pushrods were slightly too short. I was able to overcome this by swapping them with the 4-inch pushrods intended for the tail feathers. I had a devil of a time inserting the threaded studs into the inner nylon pushrods used for nose wheel steering and throttle control. Threading the pushrod with a 2mm tap helped tremendously. It is worth noting that all of the control surfaces use 2mm diameter pushrods. These are scantly larger than common 2-56 hardware. If built and flown in a traditional Kadet-like manner, I’m sure this hardware will hold up fine. However, if you have the need to get crazy with an obscenely oversized motor and/or fly it like a high-G acrobat, I suggest you also upgrade to 4-40-size pushrods. Lithium or Nitro? A model’s weight, not physical size, determines the power needed to fly it in a given manner. The Kadet Senior is a bantam-weight aircraft and requires surprisingly little power. A .40 to .46 two-stroke (or .50 to .61 four-stroke) glow engine, or 500-watt electric motor will haul this behemoth around fine. I don’t have anything against glow engines, but there was never any question that my Kadet Senior EG would have an electric power system.
57Model Aviation FEBRUARY 2013www.ModelAviation.comT he Kadet’s legacy is that of a basic trainer, but it would be nearsighted to pigeonhole it in that role. Some of the same traits that make the Senior a docile trainer also make it a uti litarian beast of burden. Aft er my fi rst few shakedown fl ights with the Kadet, I mounted a simple tow release behind the wing saddle. There is plenty of wood structure there to support the mechanism, and the added weight is trivial. This tow release permits me to haul gliders up to alti tude. When pulling my Multi plex Easy Glider, I can get to release height in two circuits using only half thrott le. Of course, I could rocket both airplanes upward at full thrott le, but I prefer the former method. I also added two self-adhesive camera mounts for my GoPro Hero2 video camera. One mount simply sti cks to the wing covering. The other mount within the fuselage required the additi on of a few hardwood braces under the side windows. These mounts let me positi on the 7-ounce GoPro to look forward, rearward, or to either side and capture high-defi niti on-quality footage of my fl ights. The weight is not an issue, but I do have to change my pitch trim when the camera is on the wing. I think that the Kadet’s versati lity is limited only by your imaginati on. It has ample internal volume and load-carrying capacity to serve multi ple roles and can grow with your needs.Standard-size servos t the radio bay with room to spare. I used JR Sport ST47 servos and a Spektrum AR7000 receiver. The ailerons also utilize ST47 servos.RenaissanceBirdThis simple glider tow release was made with a 5/16-inch square hardwood stick, a 2-56 pushrod, and a Hitec HS-55 servo.The area behind the wing saddle provides a strong, yet discreet, mounting location for the tow release.Sig provides a large battery bay with an equally large access hatch. The Thunder Power Pro Lite G6 4S-5000 mAh battery easily ts. This battery provides power for flights lasting 10 minutes or longer.com Sig recommends a Himax HC3528-1000 outrunner motor with a Maxx Products mount, and the instructions refl ect the installation of this pair. Using a different power setup may require slight improvisation to get it mounted. I agree with Sig that the Himax—or nearly any electric motor producing at least 500 watts—will be adequate for the Kadet. Because I planned to haul gliders and cameras (see sidebar), I selected a slightly larger E-fl ite Power 32 motor. It outweighs the Himax motor by a few grams, but it provides more power and turns a larger propeller to better pull my high-drag loads. Of the countless motor mount options from which to choose, I settled on a beefy unit from Maxx Products (part number ACC3650) and shortened the standoffs to achieve the correct spacing to fi t the cowl (which comes painted, trimmed, and drilled!). A nylon engine mount and fuel tank are included for glow motors. Electric fl iers will defi nitely appreciate the Kadet Senior EG’s factory-installed battery mount and access hatch. The cavernous battery bay fi ts my Thunder Power 4S-5000 mAh G6 Pro Lite LiPo with room to spare. The quarter-turn fasteners on the hatch hold well, yet are easy to actuate. My only complaint is that Sig doesn’t include Velcro tape or straps to secure the battery. I used four JR Sport ST47 standard servos for the control surfaces and they fi t perfectly. The speed control is an E-fl ite 60-Amp Pro ESC, which also siphons voltage from the fl ight battery to power the radio gear. I attached all of these components to a Spektrum AR7000 receiver, which talks to my Spektrum DX8 transmitter. The fuselage swallows all of the onboard equipment and provides plenty of room to work. After three evenings, my Kadet Senior EG was ready to fl y. No ballast weight was required to achieve the correct CG. At slightly more than 7 pounds, it’s heavier than advertised, yet still well below most other models this size. A smaller motor and battery may get it within Sig’s specifi cations. Despite the extra ounces, the Kadet’s paltry wing loading and glider-like cube loading would make many park fl iers jealous.Flying As I write this, I’ve logged roughly two dozen fl ights on the Kadet in conditions ranging from calm to blustery. As you would expect from a trainer, the airplane was easy to fl y in all of these environments. It’s hard to imagine a
58Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comscenario where the Senior would not be easy to fly! I think that the recommended control throws are good for an experienced pilot flying the Kadet as a sport model. They provide enough authority for basic aerobatics such as rolls, loops, and inverted flight. If you plan to put a beginner on the sticks, I’d suggest setting low rates to about half of what’s suggested in the manual. Coupled with an APC 12 x 8E propeller, the Power 32 has plenty of pull for this airplane. In fact, unless I’m hauling a glider, I rarely use full throttle because it is unnecessary. When I do get the urge for maximum power, the Kadet displays an impressive vertical climb and a surprising burst of speed. The typical mix of flying I do with occasional aerobatics and numerous touch-and-gos gives me 10-minute flights with reserve capacity. Thanks to its low wing loading, the Senior is capable of casual, slow flight. With a moderate headwind, you can practically park it in the sky. Combine slow speed with sedate controls, and a student pilot has time to think before reacting. Isn’t that the Holy Grail of desired traits for a trainer aircraft? What is it about some airplanes that makes them easy to land? Whatever it is, the Kadet had a double dose. All you have to do is point it at the runway, reduce power, and flare at some reasonable time before the wheels touch. That must be why I do so many touch-and-gos with this model. One of my favorite variations involves touchdown, and a long slow rollout and takeoff, all while keeping the nose wheel pried off the ground. Conclusion Although much has changed about Sig’s Kadets throughout the years, much has stayed the same. The lightweight, stable platform flies as well as it ever has. The Senior EG version provides the timesaving features of a complete ARF, while also making it a snap to use electric or glow power. If this trend of selective modernization continues, I think Kadets will be around for a long time to come. —Terry [email protected]/DISTRIBUTOR: Sig Manufacturing CompanyP.O. Box 520401-7 South Front StreetMontezuma IA 50171(641) 623-5154www.sigmfg.comSOURCES: Spektrum (800) 338-4639www.spektrumrc.com E-flite(800) 338-4639www.e-fliterc.com APC Propellers(530) 661-0399www.apcprop.comWith toned-down control throws, the slow-flying Kadet should put rookie pilots and their instructors at ease by allowing adequate reaction time. With more control throw, the Kadet has surprising aerobatic chops.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/02
Page Numbers: 55,56,57,58
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/02
Page Numbers: 55,56,57,58
EGT he Sig Kadet is one of those iconic models that has gracefully withstood the test of time. Like most successful designs, the Kadet became popular because of its great fl ying qualities. It has remained popular, because it has continued to adapt to the demands of our ever-evolving hobby. Look at the lineage of Kadet variations during the past four decades and you’ll see what I mean. Like much of the current Sig lineup, the latest iteration of the Kadet Senior ARF incorporates several features that allow it to accommodate electric or glow power systems. That explains the “EG” tag added to the name. People have been fl ying electric-powered Kadet Seniors for years. Now, it’s no longer a do-it-yourself conversion. You only have to decide which type of power system you want and bolt it on. I’ve owned several other Kadets throughout the years, but this is my fi rst Senior model. I wasn’t quite prepared for how big this airplane is. Its 80.5-inch wingspan makes it an International Miniature Aircraft Association-legal model, and aptly so. The two-piece wing helps with storage and transport. The fuselage, however, does not break down and demands a considerable space commitment.Assembly If you’ve built a Sig kit or ARF before, you are familiar with the company’s excellent assembly manuals. The Kadet Senior EG is no exception. It walks you through every step to result in an airworthy model. Experienced builders may fi nd the level of detail to be excessive in some areas. Keep in mind that the Kadet’s target market includes beginning modelers, who can only benefi t from precise directions. No matter your skill level, I suggest that you thoroughly read each step. You may pick up a few pointers. The fi rst order of business is to tighten the Oracover covering. Although this certainly has a cosmetic benefi t, the main goal is to secure any loose edges
56Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comJR Sport ST47 standard servos were used for the control surfaces and they fit perfectly. The aileron servos are mounted to blocks on the back side of the wing cover that can be spaced to accept varying sizes of servos.The Kadet Senior EG readily accepts electric or glow power plants. I used an E-flite Power 32 brushless motor with a mount from Maxx Products. I attached my E-flite 60-Amp Pro ESC to the side of the mount for good cooling.SPECIFICATIONSModel type: Electric/glow ARF trainerSkill level: Intermediate builder/beginner pilotWingspan: 80.5 inchesWing area: 1,180 square inchesLength: 64.75 inchesWeight: 6 to 6.5 poundsPower system: 500-watt (3528-1000 Kv) electric motor/.40 to .46 two-stroke; .50 to .61 four-stroke glowRadio: Four-channel with four standard servos (electric); five servos for glowConstruction: Balsa and plywoodCovering/finish: Iron-on coveringStreet price: $300TEST-MODEL DETAILSPower system: E-flite Power 32 outrunner brushless motor; E-flite 60-amp Pro ESCBattery: Thunder Power G6 Pro Lite 4S 5000 mAh LiPoPropeller: APC 12 x 8E Radio system: Spektrum DX8 transmitter; Spektrum AR7000 receiver; four JR Sport ST47 standard servosReady-to-fly weight: 7.07 poundsFlight duration: 10-plus minutesWing loading: 13.8 ounces per square footFull-throttle power: 62.8 amps, 968 watts, 9570 rpmPLUSES • Lightweight for its size.• Well built.• Broad flight performance.MINUSES• Minor hardware issues.AT A GLANCE ...in the covering to keep the model fuelproof and windproof. Given the size of the aircraft, plan to spend an hour or two with your covering iron. Transparent covering tends to highlight sloppy workmanship in the covering and the balsa beneath. As I tightened the Senior’s covering, I was hard-pressed to find errors in either area. All of the visible stick-built structure was clean, with no gaps in the joints. Likewise, every overlapping seam in the covering was straight and well adhered. Only a white-gloved stickler could find fault with the craftsmanship of my model. Sig includes a full set of metric hardware. Although the overall quality is good, I did run into a few issues. One of my main wheel collars had to be drilled out to fit on the landing gear wire. I also found that the aileron pushrods were slightly too short. I was able to overcome this by swapping them with the 4-inch pushrods intended for the tail feathers. I had a devil of a time inserting the threaded studs into the inner nylon pushrods used for nose wheel steering and throttle control. Threading the pushrod with a 2mm tap helped tremendously. It is worth noting that all of the control surfaces use 2mm diameter pushrods. These are scantly larger than common 2-56 hardware. If built and flown in a traditional Kadet-like manner, I’m sure this hardware will hold up fine. However, if you have the need to get crazy with an obscenely oversized motor and/or fly it like a high-G acrobat, I suggest you also upgrade to 4-40-size pushrods. Lithium or Nitro? A model’s weight, not physical size, determines the power needed to fly it in a given manner. The Kadet Senior is a bantam-weight aircraft and requires surprisingly little power. A .40 to .46 two-stroke (or .50 to .61 four-stroke) glow engine, or 500-watt electric motor will haul this behemoth around fine. I don’t have anything against glow engines, but there was never any question that my Kadet Senior EG would have an electric power system.
57Model Aviation FEBRUARY 2013www.ModelAviation.comT he Kadet’s legacy is that of a basic trainer, but it would be nearsighted to pigeonhole it in that role. Some of the same traits that make the Senior a docile trainer also make it a uti litarian beast of burden. Aft er my fi rst few shakedown fl ights with the Kadet, I mounted a simple tow release behind the wing saddle. There is plenty of wood structure there to support the mechanism, and the added weight is trivial. This tow release permits me to haul gliders up to alti tude. When pulling my Multi plex Easy Glider, I can get to release height in two circuits using only half thrott le. Of course, I could rocket both airplanes upward at full thrott le, but I prefer the former method. I also added two self-adhesive camera mounts for my GoPro Hero2 video camera. One mount simply sti cks to the wing covering. The other mount within the fuselage required the additi on of a few hardwood braces under the side windows. These mounts let me positi on the 7-ounce GoPro to look forward, rearward, or to either side and capture high-defi niti on-quality footage of my fl ights. The weight is not an issue, but I do have to change my pitch trim when the camera is on the wing. I think that the Kadet’s versati lity is limited only by your imaginati on. It has ample internal volume and load-carrying capacity to serve multi ple roles and can grow with your needs.Standard-size servos t the radio bay with room to spare. I used JR Sport ST47 servos and a Spektrum AR7000 receiver. The ailerons also utilize ST47 servos.RenaissanceBirdThis simple glider tow release was made with a 5/16-inch square hardwood stick, a 2-56 pushrod, and a Hitec HS-55 servo.The area behind the wing saddle provides a strong, yet discreet, mounting location for the tow release.Sig provides a large battery bay with an equally large access hatch. The Thunder Power Pro Lite G6 4S-5000 mAh battery easily ts. This battery provides power for flights lasting 10 minutes or longer.com Sig recommends a Himax HC3528-1000 outrunner motor with a Maxx Products mount, and the instructions refl ect the installation of this pair. Using a different power setup may require slight improvisation to get it mounted. I agree with Sig that the Himax—or nearly any electric motor producing at least 500 watts—will be adequate for the Kadet. Because I planned to haul gliders and cameras (see sidebar), I selected a slightly larger E-fl ite Power 32 motor. It outweighs the Himax motor by a few grams, but it provides more power and turns a larger propeller to better pull my high-drag loads. Of the countless motor mount options from which to choose, I settled on a beefy unit from Maxx Products (part number ACC3650) and shortened the standoffs to achieve the correct spacing to fi t the cowl (which comes painted, trimmed, and drilled!). A nylon engine mount and fuel tank are included for glow motors. Electric fl iers will defi nitely appreciate the Kadet Senior EG’s factory-installed battery mount and access hatch. The cavernous battery bay fi ts my Thunder Power 4S-5000 mAh G6 Pro Lite LiPo with room to spare. The quarter-turn fasteners on the hatch hold well, yet are easy to actuate. My only complaint is that Sig doesn’t include Velcro tape or straps to secure the battery. I used four JR Sport ST47 standard servos for the control surfaces and they fi t perfectly. The speed control is an E-fl ite 60-Amp Pro ESC, which also siphons voltage from the fl ight battery to power the radio gear. I attached all of these components to a Spektrum AR7000 receiver, which talks to my Spektrum DX8 transmitter. The fuselage swallows all of the onboard equipment and provides plenty of room to work. After three evenings, my Kadet Senior EG was ready to fl y. No ballast weight was required to achieve the correct CG. At slightly more than 7 pounds, it’s heavier than advertised, yet still well below most other models this size. A smaller motor and battery may get it within Sig’s specifi cations. Despite the extra ounces, the Kadet’s paltry wing loading and glider-like cube loading would make many park fl iers jealous.Flying As I write this, I’ve logged roughly two dozen fl ights on the Kadet in conditions ranging from calm to blustery. As you would expect from a trainer, the airplane was easy to fl y in all of these environments. It’s hard to imagine a
58Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comscenario where the Senior would not be easy to fly! I think that the recommended control throws are good for an experienced pilot flying the Kadet as a sport model. They provide enough authority for basic aerobatics such as rolls, loops, and inverted flight. If you plan to put a beginner on the sticks, I’d suggest setting low rates to about half of what’s suggested in the manual. Coupled with an APC 12 x 8E propeller, the Power 32 has plenty of pull for this airplane. In fact, unless I’m hauling a glider, I rarely use full throttle because it is unnecessary. When I do get the urge for maximum power, the Kadet displays an impressive vertical climb and a surprising burst of speed. The typical mix of flying I do with occasional aerobatics and numerous touch-and-gos gives me 10-minute flights with reserve capacity. Thanks to its low wing loading, the Senior is capable of casual, slow flight. With a moderate headwind, you can practically park it in the sky. Combine slow speed with sedate controls, and a student pilot has time to think before reacting. Isn’t that the Holy Grail of desired traits for a trainer aircraft? What is it about some airplanes that makes them easy to land? Whatever it is, the Kadet had a double dose. All you have to do is point it at the runway, reduce power, and flare at some reasonable time before the wheels touch. That must be why I do so many touch-and-gos with this model. One of my favorite variations involves touchdown, and a long slow rollout and takeoff, all while keeping the nose wheel pried off the ground. Conclusion Although much has changed about Sig’s Kadets throughout the years, much has stayed the same. The lightweight, stable platform flies as well as it ever has. The Senior EG version provides the timesaving features of a complete ARF, while also making it a snap to use electric or glow power. If this trend of selective modernization continues, I think Kadets will be around for a long time to come. —Terry [email protected]/DISTRIBUTOR: Sig Manufacturing CompanyP.O. Box 520401-7 South Front StreetMontezuma IA 50171(641) 623-5154www.sigmfg.comSOURCES: Spektrum (800) 338-4639www.spektrumrc.com E-flite(800) 338-4639www.e-fliterc.com APC Propellers(530) 661-0399www.apcprop.comWith toned-down control throws, the slow-flying Kadet should put rookie pilots and their instructors at ease by allowing adequate reaction time. With more control throw, the Kadet has surprising aerobatic chops.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/02
Page Numbers: 55,56,57,58
EGT he Sig Kadet is one of those iconic models that has gracefully withstood the test of time. Like most successful designs, the Kadet became popular because of its great fl ying qualities. It has remained popular, because it has continued to adapt to the demands of our ever-evolving hobby. Look at the lineage of Kadet variations during the past four decades and you’ll see what I mean. Like much of the current Sig lineup, the latest iteration of the Kadet Senior ARF incorporates several features that allow it to accommodate electric or glow power systems. That explains the “EG” tag added to the name. People have been fl ying electric-powered Kadet Seniors for years. Now, it’s no longer a do-it-yourself conversion. You only have to decide which type of power system you want and bolt it on. I’ve owned several other Kadets throughout the years, but this is my fi rst Senior model. I wasn’t quite prepared for how big this airplane is. Its 80.5-inch wingspan makes it an International Miniature Aircraft Association-legal model, and aptly so. The two-piece wing helps with storage and transport. The fuselage, however, does not break down and demands a considerable space commitment.Assembly If you’ve built a Sig kit or ARF before, you are familiar with the company’s excellent assembly manuals. The Kadet Senior EG is no exception. It walks you through every step to result in an airworthy model. Experienced builders may fi nd the level of detail to be excessive in some areas. Keep in mind that the Kadet’s target market includes beginning modelers, who can only benefi t from precise directions. No matter your skill level, I suggest that you thoroughly read each step. You may pick up a few pointers. The fi rst order of business is to tighten the Oracover covering. Although this certainly has a cosmetic benefi t, the main goal is to secure any loose edges
56Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comJR Sport ST47 standard servos were used for the control surfaces and they fit perfectly. The aileron servos are mounted to blocks on the back side of the wing cover that can be spaced to accept varying sizes of servos.The Kadet Senior EG readily accepts electric or glow power plants. I used an E-flite Power 32 brushless motor with a mount from Maxx Products. I attached my E-flite 60-Amp Pro ESC to the side of the mount for good cooling.SPECIFICATIONSModel type: Electric/glow ARF trainerSkill level: Intermediate builder/beginner pilotWingspan: 80.5 inchesWing area: 1,180 square inchesLength: 64.75 inchesWeight: 6 to 6.5 poundsPower system: 500-watt (3528-1000 Kv) electric motor/.40 to .46 two-stroke; .50 to .61 four-stroke glowRadio: Four-channel with four standard servos (electric); five servos for glowConstruction: Balsa and plywoodCovering/finish: Iron-on coveringStreet price: $300TEST-MODEL DETAILSPower system: E-flite Power 32 outrunner brushless motor; E-flite 60-amp Pro ESCBattery: Thunder Power G6 Pro Lite 4S 5000 mAh LiPoPropeller: APC 12 x 8E Radio system: Spektrum DX8 transmitter; Spektrum AR7000 receiver; four JR Sport ST47 standard servosReady-to-fly weight: 7.07 poundsFlight duration: 10-plus minutesWing loading: 13.8 ounces per square footFull-throttle power: 62.8 amps, 968 watts, 9570 rpmPLUSES • Lightweight for its size.• Well built.• Broad flight performance.MINUSES• Minor hardware issues.AT A GLANCE ...in the covering to keep the model fuelproof and windproof. Given the size of the aircraft, plan to spend an hour or two with your covering iron. Transparent covering tends to highlight sloppy workmanship in the covering and the balsa beneath. As I tightened the Senior’s covering, I was hard-pressed to find errors in either area. All of the visible stick-built structure was clean, with no gaps in the joints. Likewise, every overlapping seam in the covering was straight and well adhered. Only a white-gloved stickler could find fault with the craftsmanship of my model. Sig includes a full set of metric hardware. Although the overall quality is good, I did run into a few issues. One of my main wheel collars had to be drilled out to fit on the landing gear wire. I also found that the aileron pushrods were slightly too short. I was able to overcome this by swapping them with the 4-inch pushrods intended for the tail feathers. I had a devil of a time inserting the threaded studs into the inner nylon pushrods used for nose wheel steering and throttle control. Threading the pushrod with a 2mm tap helped tremendously. It is worth noting that all of the control surfaces use 2mm diameter pushrods. These are scantly larger than common 2-56 hardware. If built and flown in a traditional Kadet-like manner, I’m sure this hardware will hold up fine. However, if you have the need to get crazy with an obscenely oversized motor and/or fly it like a high-G acrobat, I suggest you also upgrade to 4-40-size pushrods. Lithium or Nitro? A model’s weight, not physical size, determines the power needed to fly it in a given manner. The Kadet Senior is a bantam-weight aircraft and requires surprisingly little power. A .40 to .46 two-stroke (or .50 to .61 four-stroke) glow engine, or 500-watt electric motor will haul this behemoth around fine. I don’t have anything against glow engines, but there was never any question that my Kadet Senior EG would have an electric power system.
57Model Aviation FEBRUARY 2013www.ModelAviation.comT he Kadet’s legacy is that of a basic trainer, but it would be nearsighted to pigeonhole it in that role. Some of the same traits that make the Senior a docile trainer also make it a uti litarian beast of burden. Aft er my fi rst few shakedown fl ights with the Kadet, I mounted a simple tow release behind the wing saddle. There is plenty of wood structure there to support the mechanism, and the added weight is trivial. This tow release permits me to haul gliders up to alti tude. When pulling my Multi plex Easy Glider, I can get to release height in two circuits using only half thrott le. Of course, I could rocket both airplanes upward at full thrott le, but I prefer the former method. I also added two self-adhesive camera mounts for my GoPro Hero2 video camera. One mount simply sti cks to the wing covering. The other mount within the fuselage required the additi on of a few hardwood braces under the side windows. These mounts let me positi on the 7-ounce GoPro to look forward, rearward, or to either side and capture high-defi niti on-quality footage of my fl ights. The weight is not an issue, but I do have to change my pitch trim when the camera is on the wing. I think that the Kadet’s versati lity is limited only by your imaginati on. It has ample internal volume and load-carrying capacity to serve multi ple roles and can grow with your needs.Standard-size servos t the radio bay with room to spare. I used JR Sport ST47 servos and a Spektrum AR7000 receiver. The ailerons also utilize ST47 servos.RenaissanceBirdThis simple glider tow release was made with a 5/16-inch square hardwood stick, a 2-56 pushrod, and a Hitec HS-55 servo.The area behind the wing saddle provides a strong, yet discreet, mounting location for the tow release.Sig provides a large battery bay with an equally large access hatch. The Thunder Power Pro Lite G6 4S-5000 mAh battery easily ts. This battery provides power for flights lasting 10 minutes or longer.com Sig recommends a Himax HC3528-1000 outrunner motor with a Maxx Products mount, and the instructions refl ect the installation of this pair. Using a different power setup may require slight improvisation to get it mounted. I agree with Sig that the Himax—or nearly any electric motor producing at least 500 watts—will be adequate for the Kadet. Because I planned to haul gliders and cameras (see sidebar), I selected a slightly larger E-fl ite Power 32 motor. It outweighs the Himax motor by a few grams, but it provides more power and turns a larger propeller to better pull my high-drag loads. Of the countless motor mount options from which to choose, I settled on a beefy unit from Maxx Products (part number ACC3650) and shortened the standoffs to achieve the correct spacing to fi t the cowl (which comes painted, trimmed, and drilled!). A nylon engine mount and fuel tank are included for glow motors. Electric fl iers will defi nitely appreciate the Kadet Senior EG’s factory-installed battery mount and access hatch. The cavernous battery bay fi ts my Thunder Power 4S-5000 mAh G6 Pro Lite LiPo with room to spare. The quarter-turn fasteners on the hatch hold well, yet are easy to actuate. My only complaint is that Sig doesn’t include Velcro tape or straps to secure the battery. I used four JR Sport ST47 standard servos for the control surfaces and they fi t perfectly. The speed control is an E-fl ite 60-Amp Pro ESC, which also siphons voltage from the fl ight battery to power the radio gear. I attached all of these components to a Spektrum AR7000 receiver, which talks to my Spektrum DX8 transmitter. The fuselage swallows all of the onboard equipment and provides plenty of room to work. After three evenings, my Kadet Senior EG was ready to fl y. No ballast weight was required to achieve the correct CG. At slightly more than 7 pounds, it’s heavier than advertised, yet still well below most other models this size. A smaller motor and battery may get it within Sig’s specifi cations. Despite the extra ounces, the Kadet’s paltry wing loading and glider-like cube loading would make many park fl iers jealous.Flying As I write this, I’ve logged roughly two dozen fl ights on the Kadet in conditions ranging from calm to blustery. As you would expect from a trainer, the airplane was easy to fl y in all of these environments. It’s hard to imagine a
58Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comscenario where the Senior would not be easy to fly! I think that the recommended control throws are good for an experienced pilot flying the Kadet as a sport model. They provide enough authority for basic aerobatics such as rolls, loops, and inverted flight. If you plan to put a beginner on the sticks, I’d suggest setting low rates to about half of what’s suggested in the manual. Coupled with an APC 12 x 8E propeller, the Power 32 has plenty of pull for this airplane. In fact, unless I’m hauling a glider, I rarely use full throttle because it is unnecessary. When I do get the urge for maximum power, the Kadet displays an impressive vertical climb and a surprising burst of speed. The typical mix of flying I do with occasional aerobatics and numerous touch-and-gos gives me 10-minute flights with reserve capacity. Thanks to its low wing loading, the Senior is capable of casual, slow flight. With a moderate headwind, you can practically park it in the sky. Combine slow speed with sedate controls, and a student pilot has time to think before reacting. Isn’t that the Holy Grail of desired traits for a trainer aircraft? What is it about some airplanes that makes them easy to land? Whatever it is, the Kadet had a double dose. All you have to do is point it at the runway, reduce power, and flare at some reasonable time before the wheels touch. That must be why I do so many touch-and-gos with this model. One of my favorite variations involves touchdown, and a long slow rollout and takeoff, all while keeping the nose wheel pried off the ground. Conclusion Although much has changed about Sig’s Kadets throughout the years, much has stayed the same. The lightweight, stable platform flies as well as it ever has. The Senior EG version provides the timesaving features of a complete ARF, while also making it a snap to use electric or glow power. If this trend of selective modernization continues, I think Kadets will be around for a long time to come. —Terry [email protected]/DISTRIBUTOR: Sig Manufacturing CompanyP.O. Box 520401-7 South Front StreetMontezuma IA 50171(641) 623-5154www.sigmfg.comSOURCES: Spektrum (800) 338-4639www.spektrumrc.com E-flite(800) 338-4639www.e-fliterc.com APC Propellers(530) 661-0399www.apcprop.comWith toned-down control throws, the slow-flying Kadet should put rookie pilots and their instructors at ease by allowing adequate reaction time. With more control throw, the Kadet has surprising aerobatic chops.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/02
Page Numbers: 55,56,57,58
EGT he Sig Kadet is one of those iconic models that has gracefully withstood the test of time. Like most successful designs, the Kadet became popular because of its great fl ying qualities. It has remained popular, because it has continued to adapt to the demands of our ever-evolving hobby. Look at the lineage of Kadet variations during the past four decades and you’ll see what I mean. Like much of the current Sig lineup, the latest iteration of the Kadet Senior ARF incorporates several features that allow it to accommodate electric or glow power systems. That explains the “EG” tag added to the name. People have been fl ying electric-powered Kadet Seniors for years. Now, it’s no longer a do-it-yourself conversion. You only have to decide which type of power system you want and bolt it on. I’ve owned several other Kadets throughout the years, but this is my fi rst Senior model. I wasn’t quite prepared for how big this airplane is. Its 80.5-inch wingspan makes it an International Miniature Aircraft Association-legal model, and aptly so. The two-piece wing helps with storage and transport. The fuselage, however, does not break down and demands a considerable space commitment.Assembly If you’ve built a Sig kit or ARF before, you are familiar with the company’s excellent assembly manuals. The Kadet Senior EG is no exception. It walks you through every step to result in an airworthy model. Experienced builders may fi nd the level of detail to be excessive in some areas. Keep in mind that the Kadet’s target market includes beginning modelers, who can only benefi t from precise directions. No matter your skill level, I suggest that you thoroughly read each step. You may pick up a few pointers. The fi rst order of business is to tighten the Oracover covering. Although this certainly has a cosmetic benefi t, the main goal is to secure any loose edges
56Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comJR Sport ST47 standard servos were used for the control surfaces and they fit perfectly. The aileron servos are mounted to blocks on the back side of the wing cover that can be spaced to accept varying sizes of servos.The Kadet Senior EG readily accepts electric or glow power plants. I used an E-flite Power 32 brushless motor with a mount from Maxx Products. I attached my E-flite 60-Amp Pro ESC to the side of the mount for good cooling.SPECIFICATIONSModel type: Electric/glow ARF trainerSkill level: Intermediate builder/beginner pilotWingspan: 80.5 inchesWing area: 1,180 square inchesLength: 64.75 inchesWeight: 6 to 6.5 poundsPower system: 500-watt (3528-1000 Kv) electric motor/.40 to .46 two-stroke; .50 to .61 four-stroke glowRadio: Four-channel with four standard servos (electric); five servos for glowConstruction: Balsa and plywoodCovering/finish: Iron-on coveringStreet price: $300TEST-MODEL DETAILSPower system: E-flite Power 32 outrunner brushless motor; E-flite 60-amp Pro ESCBattery: Thunder Power G6 Pro Lite 4S 5000 mAh LiPoPropeller: APC 12 x 8E Radio system: Spektrum DX8 transmitter; Spektrum AR7000 receiver; four JR Sport ST47 standard servosReady-to-fly weight: 7.07 poundsFlight duration: 10-plus minutesWing loading: 13.8 ounces per square footFull-throttle power: 62.8 amps, 968 watts, 9570 rpmPLUSES • Lightweight for its size.• Well built.• Broad flight performance.MINUSES• Minor hardware issues.AT A GLANCE ...in the covering to keep the model fuelproof and windproof. Given the size of the aircraft, plan to spend an hour or two with your covering iron. Transparent covering tends to highlight sloppy workmanship in the covering and the balsa beneath. As I tightened the Senior’s covering, I was hard-pressed to find errors in either area. All of the visible stick-built structure was clean, with no gaps in the joints. Likewise, every overlapping seam in the covering was straight and well adhered. Only a white-gloved stickler could find fault with the craftsmanship of my model. Sig includes a full set of metric hardware. Although the overall quality is good, I did run into a few issues. One of my main wheel collars had to be drilled out to fit on the landing gear wire. I also found that the aileron pushrods were slightly too short. I was able to overcome this by swapping them with the 4-inch pushrods intended for the tail feathers. I had a devil of a time inserting the threaded studs into the inner nylon pushrods used for nose wheel steering and throttle control. Threading the pushrod with a 2mm tap helped tremendously. It is worth noting that all of the control surfaces use 2mm diameter pushrods. These are scantly larger than common 2-56 hardware. If built and flown in a traditional Kadet-like manner, I’m sure this hardware will hold up fine. However, if you have the need to get crazy with an obscenely oversized motor and/or fly it like a high-G acrobat, I suggest you also upgrade to 4-40-size pushrods. Lithium or Nitro? A model’s weight, not physical size, determines the power needed to fly it in a given manner. The Kadet Senior is a bantam-weight aircraft and requires surprisingly little power. A .40 to .46 two-stroke (or .50 to .61 four-stroke) glow engine, or 500-watt electric motor will haul this behemoth around fine. I don’t have anything against glow engines, but there was never any question that my Kadet Senior EG would have an electric power system.
57Model Aviation FEBRUARY 2013www.ModelAviation.comT he Kadet’s legacy is that of a basic trainer, but it would be nearsighted to pigeonhole it in that role. Some of the same traits that make the Senior a docile trainer also make it a uti litarian beast of burden. Aft er my fi rst few shakedown fl ights with the Kadet, I mounted a simple tow release behind the wing saddle. There is plenty of wood structure there to support the mechanism, and the added weight is trivial. This tow release permits me to haul gliders up to alti tude. When pulling my Multi plex Easy Glider, I can get to release height in two circuits using only half thrott le. Of course, I could rocket both airplanes upward at full thrott le, but I prefer the former method. I also added two self-adhesive camera mounts for my GoPro Hero2 video camera. One mount simply sti cks to the wing covering. The other mount within the fuselage required the additi on of a few hardwood braces under the side windows. These mounts let me positi on the 7-ounce GoPro to look forward, rearward, or to either side and capture high-defi niti on-quality footage of my fl ights. The weight is not an issue, but I do have to change my pitch trim when the camera is on the wing. I think that the Kadet’s versati lity is limited only by your imaginati on. It has ample internal volume and load-carrying capacity to serve multi ple roles and can grow with your needs.Standard-size servos t the radio bay with room to spare. I used JR Sport ST47 servos and a Spektrum AR7000 receiver. The ailerons also utilize ST47 servos.RenaissanceBirdThis simple glider tow release was made with a 5/16-inch square hardwood stick, a 2-56 pushrod, and a Hitec HS-55 servo.The area behind the wing saddle provides a strong, yet discreet, mounting location for the tow release.Sig provides a large battery bay with an equally large access hatch. The Thunder Power Pro Lite G6 4S-5000 mAh battery easily ts. This battery provides power for flights lasting 10 minutes or longer.com Sig recommends a Himax HC3528-1000 outrunner motor with a Maxx Products mount, and the instructions refl ect the installation of this pair. Using a different power setup may require slight improvisation to get it mounted. I agree with Sig that the Himax—or nearly any electric motor producing at least 500 watts—will be adequate for the Kadet. Because I planned to haul gliders and cameras (see sidebar), I selected a slightly larger E-fl ite Power 32 motor. It outweighs the Himax motor by a few grams, but it provides more power and turns a larger propeller to better pull my high-drag loads. Of the countless motor mount options from which to choose, I settled on a beefy unit from Maxx Products (part number ACC3650) and shortened the standoffs to achieve the correct spacing to fi t the cowl (which comes painted, trimmed, and drilled!). A nylon engine mount and fuel tank are included for glow motors. Electric fl iers will defi nitely appreciate the Kadet Senior EG’s factory-installed battery mount and access hatch. The cavernous battery bay fi ts my Thunder Power 4S-5000 mAh G6 Pro Lite LiPo with room to spare. The quarter-turn fasteners on the hatch hold well, yet are easy to actuate. My only complaint is that Sig doesn’t include Velcro tape or straps to secure the battery. I used four JR Sport ST47 standard servos for the control surfaces and they fi t perfectly. The speed control is an E-fl ite 60-Amp Pro ESC, which also siphons voltage from the fl ight battery to power the radio gear. I attached all of these components to a Spektrum AR7000 receiver, which talks to my Spektrum DX8 transmitter. The fuselage swallows all of the onboard equipment and provides plenty of room to work. After three evenings, my Kadet Senior EG was ready to fl y. No ballast weight was required to achieve the correct CG. At slightly more than 7 pounds, it’s heavier than advertised, yet still well below most other models this size. A smaller motor and battery may get it within Sig’s specifi cations. Despite the extra ounces, the Kadet’s paltry wing loading and glider-like cube loading would make many park fl iers jealous.Flying As I write this, I’ve logged roughly two dozen fl ights on the Kadet in conditions ranging from calm to blustery. As you would expect from a trainer, the airplane was easy to fl y in all of these environments. It’s hard to imagine a
58Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comscenario where the Senior would not be easy to fly! I think that the recommended control throws are good for an experienced pilot flying the Kadet as a sport model. They provide enough authority for basic aerobatics such as rolls, loops, and inverted flight. If you plan to put a beginner on the sticks, I’d suggest setting low rates to about half of what’s suggested in the manual. Coupled with an APC 12 x 8E propeller, the Power 32 has plenty of pull for this airplane. In fact, unless I’m hauling a glider, I rarely use full throttle because it is unnecessary. When I do get the urge for maximum power, the Kadet displays an impressive vertical climb and a surprising burst of speed. The typical mix of flying I do with occasional aerobatics and numerous touch-and-gos gives me 10-minute flights with reserve capacity. Thanks to its low wing loading, the Senior is capable of casual, slow flight. With a moderate headwind, you can practically park it in the sky. Combine slow speed with sedate controls, and a student pilot has time to think before reacting. Isn’t that the Holy Grail of desired traits for a trainer aircraft? What is it about some airplanes that makes them easy to land? Whatever it is, the Kadet had a double dose. All you have to do is point it at the runway, reduce power, and flare at some reasonable time before the wheels touch. That must be why I do so many touch-and-gos with this model. One of my favorite variations involves touchdown, and a long slow rollout and takeoff, all while keeping the nose wheel pried off the ground. Conclusion Although much has changed about Sig’s Kadets throughout the years, much has stayed the same. The lightweight, stable platform flies as well as it ever has. The Senior EG version provides the timesaving features of a complete ARF, while also making it a snap to use electric or glow power. If this trend of selective modernization continues, I think Kadets will be around for a long time to come. —Terry [email protected]/DISTRIBUTOR: Sig Manufacturing CompanyP.O. Box 520401-7 South Front StreetMontezuma IA 50171(641) 623-5154www.sigmfg.comSOURCES: Spektrum (800) 338-4639www.spektrumrc.com E-flite(800) 338-4639www.e-fliterc.com APC Propellers(530) 661-0399www.apcprop.comWith toned-down control throws, the slow-flying Kadet should put rookie pilots and their instructors at ease by allowing adequate reaction time. With more control throw, the Kadet has surprising aerobatic chops.
