The Graupner JetCat series of turbines have taken Jet Model flying to another level.

The ease of operation is still unmatched by rival manufactures who have spent the last 3 years playing catch up. The JetCat system of on board starting took jet model flying to the point where in air restarts are possible and starting equipment is limited to a single finger!.

The installed weight of the P80 (18lb Thrust) and P120 (27lb Thrust) is amongst the lowest currently available, keeping wing loadings as low as possible.

The Turbines are supplied complete only requiring Fuel, Starting gas and a way of filling each system (Fuel, Gas & Battery charger) all fuel & gas tubing is supplied as well as a range of Festo fittings and a Filter Clunk. A standard motor mount suitable for most fuselage installations is supplied and an optional custom mount for the popular HotSpot and Kangeroo are available.
Full instruction manual in English is supplied covering all aspects of safety, installation and operation.

The fuel consumption of the JetCat series is very good compared with other turbines and the noise output very low due to a very clean fuel burn.

The on board battery allows up to three 7 minute flights per charge, although we recommend that the batteries are recharged after each flight until fully familiar with the start/ECU usage during a flight. The supplied on board gas canister will again give three to six starts per fill from a small blow torch type refill canister.

Once the fuel tank is full, the start procedure is to switch on the Tx and Rx as usual and the fully automatic start procedure is started by either a three position switch or advancing the throttle trim. Once the start checks are completed by the ECU the throttle control is passed to the pilot. At the end of the flight a fully automatic cooling process starts to reduce the motor temperature to below 100 degrees when the Rx and Tx can be switched off.

All JetCat engines receive lubrication from oil added to the fuel, some of the fuel is directed towards the bearings within the motor.

As the starting process is initiated with the turbine running on Gas only to pre warm the combustion chamber, it is important not to try too many practise starts using the gas only. This will eventually dry the bearings and can cause the motor to tighten when warm.

This is especially true with the PHT-3 Turbine mechanics where the turbine also turns over the drive belts and helicopter clutch. This adds a lot of drag compared with the normal P80/120 turbines.

It is possible to get four starts, runs and shut downs on one charge with the aircraft engines, never try more than two with the helicopter and it's advisable to recharge after each flight until you are familiar with the consumption.

Motors & Rotors offer larger ECU battery sizes for users with special needs.

New tank installations with JetCat turbines

Our experience with JetCat turbines has shown that in exceptional circumstances allowing the fuel system to self prime during the start procedure can lead to a final wet start.

With a new model or one where the fuel system has been drained the fuel can have to travel quite a distance before reaching the turbine. All JetCat turbines start on gas, as the temperature rises the ECU allows the fuel valve to open and the pump to run sending liquid fuel to the turbine. The rate at which it flows is obviously quite slow as the ECU thinks it's spooling up the turbine.

On long installations the turbine would take two or three attempts to get liquid fuel to the turbine. If the fuel reaches the turbine just as it time outs on the gas a small amount of fuel will lay in the motor for the next start. This also happens if you are short of gas and the gas pre heat goes out during the start.
If this happens either stand the model on it's tail or wait a few minutes (fuel evaporates)

To stop this happening pre priming the fuel system will almost guarantee a perfect start from new.

Once the motor has been run, this is not necessary unless the fuel system is drained.

BEFORE ACTIVATING MANUAL MODE REMOVE THE FUEL FEED FROM THE FRONT OF THE TURBINE.

If using the Aux starting switch leave this in the off position with the throttle stick and trim at minimum settings.

Using the GSU box hold the manual button until the yellow light blinks.

Move the Aux switch to the standby position, the throttle stick will now operate the fuel pump with the shutoff valve open.
When primed press the manual button again and the yellow light will stop blinking.

The above is valid for version 2.0 ECU's