TheMeyers.org Geek » R/C Flying

Windy day at Propstoppers field

admin — Sat, 16 May 2009 20:09:50 +0000

I saw on the newsgroup that people might be at the field today, so after lunch I traveled down to the field.

It was a beautiful day! Quite windy, gusts to 15 mph.

I decided to try the Aspire glider with a different prop (was using a Aeronaut 11×8 folder), switched up to the 12×8 for more thrust.

It did make a difference, though I didn’t get a chance to really check it out, as the wind was a major factor. Sort of like flying at the beach, a constant strong breeze. I didn’t want the plane to get too high, and not be able to get it down onto the field. My new blue arrow ESC does not have a brake, … the wind did fold the prop anyway.

I “seagulled” the plane back down on to the tall grass for a soft landing, and then called it a day!

Maiden flight

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:52:40 +0000

This evening I tried out the plane in the church field next door. The CG was a little too far back, and there wasn’t enough power from the prop. Currently using a GWS 9 x 7 slow flyer prop (about 110 grams thrust at 7.2 volts). I am going to try the 10 x 4.7, which should give 129 grams according to table from BPHobbies.com

Propeller	Volts	Amps	Thrust (g)	Power (W)	Efficiency (g/W)
9x7	6.0	1.26	86	7.56	11.38
9x7	7.2	1.65	110	11.88	9.26
10x4.7	6.0	1.28	101	7.68	13.15
10x4.7	7.2	1.67	129	12.02	10.73

I also ordered some new LiPo’s (mine are 7 years old!). I found some 7.4volt 700mAh for only about $10 at bphobbies, which are also about 10 grams lighter

Finished the Tiny-X plane

admin — Sun, 10 May 2009 03:29:51 +0000

I just finished building my Tiny-X plane.

The servos and control rods went in fairly straight forward. Though attaching the elevator servo from underneath was a bit tricky. I had to drill a small hole through a piece of balsa blocking the screw driver.

I was going to use a 72MHz receiver, but I need to find the manual for my Hitec transmitter. I have forgotten how to setup a new plane, reverse the elevator, and adjust the servo travel. So, I used the Spectrum 2.4GHz, all menus are shown on the LCD, and are very intuitive. (Those receivers are a bit pricey, especially when I have many 72 MHz receivers just sitting around!)

I am re-using a 4 year-old 2S1P 1000 mAH LiPo, we will see how long it holds up.

If the weather is right, I will try a maiden flight tomorrow (Mother’s day).

Current RC projects

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:52:04 +0000

1) I am currently working on a Tiny-X balsa kit (from Todd’s models) link

I am at the time to cover stage.

I received my Mountain Models Magpie (PropStoppers club plane suggestion) last week. I am thinking of covering it with SoLite lo-temp covering rather than tape. I haven’t started it yet.

I also purchased (at half price from another flyer) an Aspire glider. It came with an extra wing set, 3 channel 72MHz (Chan 46) transmitter, charger, the works.

I epoxied the wing together, rather than using their system of rubber bands??? Crazy! I am wondering whether I should use a bit of carbon fiber tape around the center joint for strength?

After researching on RCGroups.com, and then spending much time with MotoCalc.

I decided on a Aeronaut 11×8 foldable prop, with an MPJET 3.33/1 planetary gearbox, keeping the original Speed 500 motor, and replacing the existing Speed Control (which has no brake?) with a GWS 30amp which has a brake.

The battery is an Enerland 3S1P 2500Mah LiPo, more than I need but I am trying to standardize my battery collection.

I had to add 1.5 oz of lead to the nose (under the gearbox) to balance at C/G.

I will probably replace the Hitec single Conversion, with a BERG 4 channel receiver. I could even use a Spectrum 2.4Ghz receiver

4) Today, I got an email describing a system of R/C flying a Helicopter using the accelerometers in an iPhone!!!

Amazing! Story is here