This is just a place for me to ramble (sometimes rant) about my hobbies which include radio controlled airplanes, oil paintings, my sports cars, and any other random blithering from me.
Aloha and Welcome to my small speck of cyberspace! Dec 8, 2010 is the birth date of my blog. Never had one before, but my son encouraged me to have one, and it seemed like a good way to at least keep a log of my RC airplane building and flying. With the initial design kicked off by my son, I'll carry on from here and have fun with it. Now that I have it, I will use it to also keep track of my oil painting efforts, and any other ideas, hobbies, travels, or whatever else that come up. LIFE IS GOOD!
Update on 02/25/2011. It's been a few months since I began this blog, and I am enjoying creating and having it! I like documenting the things I have done in my hobbies, and sharing with my small family. I think Jer and Tad actually view it fairly regularly, as a means to see what I've been up to lately. At worst, it serves as a reference for my own use.
Update on 12/22/2011. This blog stuff is habit forming. My blog is a year old now, and I make an entry about every other day or so as that seems to be the frequency of doing something in one of my hobbies. Like my hobbies, this blog is a lot of fun, and it has become in itself another hobby that I enjoy.
Years are flying by...update on 01/11/2013. Still enjoying maintaining this blog even though hardly anyone sees it. I don't advertise it anywhere or to anyone, and it is mainly just a way for me to keep my own notes and thoughts on my flying, painting, and cars. If a stranger happens upon it, I think it is by pressing NEXT at the top of the current blog they are visiting, lol. It's a great device for me.
August 2014: still here! Took up flying RC helicopters one year ago and got hooked. Had flown micro Helis up to then, but got serious with 450 size for a couple months, then bought the Goblin 500 and Gaui X5 . Also got my Boxster in April 2013. Most importantly, Ariel was born 12/02/12 followed by Skylar 07/20/13, and they are little beacons of joy in our lives. Life is indeed good!!!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Flight Log: 12/22/10
45F and light breezes with no rain! Took advantage of it to fly, and of course nobody else was at the field. Wind was pretty much directly out of the South, so I took off and landed on the short runway! Sounds nuts, but it was fun with the T-28 Trojan, using 15 degrees of flap on takeoff and full flaps for landings. This was the first flight time for the T-28 after I installed new front and rear bearings in the Saito 82a a couple months ago. Somewhat dubious about how it would run, I was very surprised when the engine started IMMEDIATELY with the starter. The engine ran perfect without any needle adjustments and I logged in 4 flights. It's just so fun to dive from high for the field with full flaps and 1/3 throttle, gain no speed, let up over the far end of the runway (in this case the dirt road), cut throttle, and drive the plane down the last foot of altitude to a 3 point landing. Gee, that was a fun outing!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Flight Log: 12/19/10
Another gift day...it was supposed to be windy and low 40's. Woke up and it was calm. Couple hours later it got windy so we cancelled flying (Joe, Jer, me), but another hour later it was light and variable. At 11:30AM, I headed to the field. The wind was light, temp of 42F, no rain, no sun, haha. As good as it gets for Winter! Jim Stone had his Radian up high when I got there. Cory and father James were there but not flying yet. I got out the Yak 54 and had 3 great flights...sure needed the starter on the first start. It took a while to get primed and finally got started, but it ran like a top after that. All good landings. Nice rolling circles today.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Flight Log: 12/16/10
Calm, grey, 45F, dry...about as perfect as it gets for this time of year! Flew the Imagine 50 4x with nary an issue. Easy starting OS 70 Surpass II, good power, good idle, nice speed for about 32 minutes of air time. Brushed up on rolling circles to the left, many stall turns, loops, avanches, cuban 8's, reversed cuban 8's, four point rolls, and slow rolls both left and right rolling. Mike was there too with his Twist and his new Aerostar 40 that looks and flies great. Took off and landed in both directions. Mowed the field after flying.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Slip Sliding Away
This is my latest RC gadget...the Traxxas 1/16 scale Rally VXL car which is great for drifting, thus the title of this post! Just received it yesterday. It has 4 wheel drive, oil filled shocks, and runs with either one or two battery packs. In series, the packs offer 50mph speed; in parallel, they offer longer run times. The great thing is it has a 2.4GHz radio, so there is no such thing as frequency conflicts! Anthony at our plane club got it first (green version), and as soon as Jer and I sampled it at the field, we had to have our own to race with Anthony. Jeremy got the silver/black version of the car a few days before me . While we have encouraged Joe and Tad, they have not succumbed to the temptation, YET. There is one more color available...red, but we can run an unlimited number of these together due to the 2.4GHz feature. I'm very anxious to run this car outside on the driveway to see it perform. Gentlemen, START YOUR ENGINES!!!! Vroom, vroom, vrooooooooooom!!
Update on 12/16/10: Alex and I drove the car on the driveway for the first time. Now that is fun! Stock tires seem to work well on the driveway, allowing drifting without a lot of unwanted spinning out of control. Ran the 1200 NiMH packs in parallel and got about 25 minutes run time, running pretty full out most of the time. Hmmmmm, would like longer run times! Need more batteries. :)
12/19/10: Jer and I ran our cars under the shelter at the elementary school. Set up a course with 4 frisbees. The pavement is smooth and it was cold, so the cars were really slipping, but that made it cool for drifting. The cars hit each other sometimes, but all impacts were minor side swipes. They seem to be durable. Tad came and drove both our cars and liked it a lot. It's going to be tough to beat these boys, but IT CAN BE DONE! Lots of fun had by all.
Update on 12/16/10: Alex and I drove the car on the driveway for the first time. Now that is fun! Stock tires seem to work well on the driveway, allowing drifting without a lot of unwanted spinning out of control. Ran the 1200 NiMH packs in parallel and got about 25 minutes run time, running pretty full out most of the time. Hmmmmm, would like longer run times! Need more batteries. :)
12/19/10: Jer and I ran our cars under the shelter at the elementary school. Set up a course with 4 frisbees. The pavement is smooth and it was cold, so the cars were really slipping, but that made it cool for drifting. The cars hit each other sometimes, but all impacts were minor side swipes. They seem to be durable. Tad came and drove both our cars and liked it a lot. It's going to be tough to beat these boys, but IT CAN BE DONE! Lots of fun had by all.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Pet Peeve - protect your tender ears!
I just spent 15 minutes outside, scooping cat shit from around the back and sides of my house foundation. I have to do this every few weeks (more frequent is actually required) because the damn cats come all the time to poop and piss in my yard. I fling the shit as far as I can with my rake out into the tall grass field behind my property. I never walk out there and neither should my sons if they have any brains. After getting rid of most of the shit, I use the same bamboo rake to level the barkdust smooth again. THEN I dust the area with whatever cheap red pepper I have on hand. It probably doesn't help, but I have to feel like I am trying something other than just prepping the ground nicely for the next friggin cat to shit all over again. I am PISSED OFF and wish the damn neighbors who own these critters would keep them inside. I don't own a cat and shouldn't have to suffer this aggravation. I don't piss and shit in their yards, so they should keep their crap out of mine. I have a BB rifle and feel I should have the right to use it on tresspassers in my yard. There I feel better saying that, but will feel better if I can get rid of the cats. Some I know are feral/wild, so nobody would miss them. BTW I have also tried some homemade concoctions of rosemary to keep the cats away, to little avail. End of tirade today.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Ultimate ULTIMATE 20-300
I am now assembling the 50cc Ultimate 20-300 made by Aeroworks. On Nov 16, I got a nice deal (hohoho) from Tom at Valley View for the plane, DLE-55 engine, Xoar Sword prop, CF spinner, and 42% Optokill switch for $1,100 shipped to my door. Yeah it doesn't sound like it, but it's a deal, haha. I already ordered and received Tower TS-150 servos for it, CF servo arms from R2Hobbies (China), and the helmet head (Horizon Hobbies). I also got some Testors enamel paints, and I have painted the head to match the color scheme of the plane. It's all painted by brush and came out pretty COOL! Note dash panel: I found one for the Ultimate online, copied, pasted, enlarged, printed (on photopaper) and mounted it with spray adhesive (Krylon). Not that sharp resolution, but it does the job quite well, especially since it is viewed through the smoked canopy.
12/21/10 Update: I have installed 6 servos in the plane for the 2 elevators and 4 ailerons. Tonight I installed the control horns on the elevators. It's amazing how stressful and sweatful it is to do because these are the first ever for which I have put the screws in with a drop of medium CA on them. There is no changing anything once the screws are down and SET! Spooky, but that is what the AeroWorks instructions specify.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Flight Log: 12/05/10
Yay, a decent day to fly came along today...just over 40F, 7pmh wind, no rain, nor sun though, haha. Jer went too, as did Mike, and Cory and Brandon. Flew my Giles 3x and my SNAFU about 4x or more (?) Can't remember. All flew well. Wind out of the North, so we had to land with speed and quartering into the wind, down the runway. SNAFU was no prob to just use the short runway to take off in 10' and rollout on landing in 3', haha. Just fun to keep the fingers nimble and not lose the memory. Buzzed around using the SNAFU when Mike flew his Twist, and using my Giles when Jer flew his Extra. Oh, the Giles would not start at first. The plug was weak, so I tossed it and put in a Fireball. It started right up and ran well.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Flight Log: 11/28/10
Finally got to fly again, the weather has been too cold, too wet, too windy. We got just over 40F today, calmer than forecasted wind, and just some drizzle toward the end of 2 hours there. Jer went too, with his electric chopper. I took the Phoenix Funstar aka SNAFU and got in 4 flights. Jer got 2 flights with it and 2 with his chopper. Mike was there with his Twist 40, Giant Sportster, and propane heater for us to keep warm. It was not that cold though, and I should not have busted out 2 handwarmers. Cold enough that the ear muffs helped though! Had fun just keeping out the rust from my fingers. Jer liked the Funstar for loosening up his fingers too, as he has not flown in almost a month. Mike flew the Twist well till something caused the engine to quit on the last flight. He made a good deadstick but the engine felt funny, tight on the ground, and would not start again. He forgot a Y harness for the Sportster so that never went up. Nobody else came except to watch!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Flight Log: 11/20/10
Brrrrr, it was just over 40F today but the forecast is for worse weather (colder, wetter, even potential snow) so I went flying. It was cold but very bearable with one handwarmer and earmuffs. That, and I went to the truck to drink hot water now and then. Flew my Toledo for 6 fun flights! Wind was super light. Plane started good and flew well, no probs today. Anthony showed up after 4 flights and flew his chopper a couple times. Nobody else came out today! Woosies.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Flight Log: 11/14/10
It was windy, 50F, and very overcast like it would rain, but I went anyhow. Turned out to be the only one there for the whole time. Wind was variable 5-10mph, I think, and from the south. Kinda guessing it would be like that, I took the Funstar/SNAFU since I know it can take-off and land on the short "runway" which is really only as long as just about twice the width of our east-west runway. Had a ball and made 6 flights. No deadsticks, all fun landings just playing with throttle to make it over the north field and dirt road to hit the short grass runway. The wind was not bad up in the sky. Engine needed richening about half a turn of the needle to transition to full without dying.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Flight Log: 11/10/10
Went to the field to mow, and took one flight with the small Extra 300SP. Needle was way off and the OS 70 Surpass II would start but die with any application of throttle. It just needed richening about 1/3 turn and then she ran like a top again. Flies well, but sorta heavy. Did not do much, it was getting cold around 3:30PM and I also wanted to miss the traffic. IF I was forced to sell any plane in my air force, this one would be first to go.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Flight Log: 11/07/10
Today was s'posed to be wet, cloudy, with light winds at 6mph. It was sunny, dry, and winds no more than 6mph just once in awhile. Most times it was just light. Took the Imagine 50 up four times, all good flights. OS 70 Surpass II ran super great, gobs of vertical for this light and clean airframe. Just flew the usual stall turns, loops, avalanches, slow and point rolls each way, rolling circles. This plane has small ailerons for classic pattern flying, but it was pretty fair at low alpha harrier rolling circles. Since the plane it so fast and smooth, I strung some slow rolls together about 50' off the deck...looks cool low on the horizon! Really, it was a bonus day from Mother Nature to be able to fly.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Flight Log: 11/04/10
Being retired is such a joy. Got to fly today as another better than average Fall day presented itself, and the weekend forecast is ughs. It was so nice that Dave and Steve were there before me. Three of us took turns flying on a glorious day with wind again down the runway.
Flew my Yak 54 three flights, all just awesome air time. Got in some hovering fun, and also some rolling harrier circles. The alpha is getting better and my timing is getting better as I complete more full circles! The 120 Surpass III ran flawlessly, but I sure wish it had just a bit more power for 3D stuff and for better unlimited vertical. Did some more rolling circles and did some entries from inverted instead of right side up, just to be fancier! The snaps at the top of loops is fun, and I did both single and double snaps. Kinda cool to do the snap, then continue down into the X for a cuban 8, then go up and loop and again snap, and continue to the X, and finish up. Basically a cuban 8 with snaps on the loop tops! Been having fun doing cuban 8's beginning inverted too. Just another variant!
Flew my Yak 54 three flights, all just awesome air time. Got in some hovering fun, and also some rolling harrier circles. The alpha is getting better and my timing is getting better as I complete more full circles! The 120 Surpass III ran flawlessly, but I sure wish it had just a bit more power for 3D stuff and for better unlimited vertical. Did some more rolling circles and did some entries from inverted instead of right side up, just to be fancier! The snaps at the top of loops is fun, and I did both single and double snaps. Kinda cool to do the snap, then continue down into the X for a cuban 8, then go up and loop and again snap, and continue to the X, and finish up. Basically a cuban 8 with snaps on the loop tops! Been having fun doing cuban 8's beginning inverted too. Just another variant!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Flight Log: 11/03/10
It's a Wednesday day off for Tad, so we went flying together on a altogether PERFECT DAY weatherwise! Wind was light pretty much from the west, i.e. NO CROSSWIND today! It was cool at first then a perfect 60F. Sun was out. This is FALL?
Anyway, Tad had 4 flights and I had 3 on the Extra 330L. We only quit because the long tube on my stock DL-50 muffler fell out of the muffler while in midair. Somehow Tad found it. The engine sounded and ran the same without it, but I did not know what came off and rushed a landing. Ended up overrunning the runway, and stopping on the newly seeded field. One of those darn wooden pegs pegged my left wheel pants, but it is not bad. Cracks can be repaired.
Besides that event, the plane flew wonderfully. And the engine started easy as usual. The SOP for this engine seems to be about 20-25 flips of choke on, ign on, full throttle till a cough comes. Then it starts on about the 5th flip of choke off, on low throttle. Subsequent starts are in just one or two flips with choke off, on low throttle. I did several KE circles with the belly towards the center of the circle. Very easy with this plane! It stays vertical in KE, and the rudder is uber effective in keeping the nose up. Rolling circles were good...the only trouble is that since this Airtronics radio does not have DR or EXP on rudder, I tend to get too much deflection from the rudder application, as compared to my Futaba radio on my other planes. Tempted to put the Futaba in this plane too, but will need to Y harness a channel to get the battery hooked up. Landings were all pretty nice except the forced one when the muffler fell apart.
Anyway, Tad had 4 flights and I had 3 on the Extra 330L. We only quit because the long tube on my stock DL-50 muffler fell out of the muffler while in midair. Somehow Tad found it. The engine sounded and ran the same without it, but I did not know what came off and rushed a landing. Ended up overrunning the runway, and stopping on the newly seeded field. One of those darn wooden pegs pegged my left wheel pants, but it is not bad. Cracks can be repaired.
Besides that event, the plane flew wonderfully. And the engine started easy as usual. The SOP for this engine seems to be about 20-25 flips of choke on, ign on, full throttle till a cough comes. Then it starts on about the 5th flip of choke off, on low throttle. Subsequent starts are in just one or two flips with choke off, on low throttle. I did several KE circles with the belly towards the center of the circle. Very easy with this plane! It stays vertical in KE, and the rudder is uber effective in keeping the nose up. Rolling circles were good...the only trouble is that since this Airtronics radio does not have DR or EXP on rudder, I tend to get too much deflection from the rudder application, as compared to my Futaba radio on my other planes. Tempted to put the Futaba in this plane too, but will need to Y harness a channel to get the battery hooked up. Landings were all pretty nice except the forced one when the muffler fell apart.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Flight Log: 10/31/10
3x with Giles 202. No issues with plane today. Very nice flying after fog burned off near 10AM.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Flight Log: 10/29/10
Unexpected nice weather today so I flew!! It was foggy at home, but much less so at the field, so I got in 5 flights on the Giles 202. The plane needed just light down pressure to hold inverted...NICE! Landings were slower and easier...NICE! And the engine ran well with the new, standard ID tubing, after just opening the needle a few clicks...NICE! I had to open it because on the first flight, I had a deadstick in a vertical climb. Made the runway nicely. ALL is well now, and maybe I will move the battery a little more back, haha, because it was still stable in pitch. Flew usual stuff, getting easier to do rolling circles. And single and double snaps at the top of a loop are getting easier to stop at the right time. Been also doing snaps on 45 degree climbs and dives...more FUN! And finally, it was a little easier to do slow and point rolls to the left. Just gotta get more and more reps!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Flight Log: 10/27/10
Weather is taking a dive as Fall sets in good...notice last flying was 7 days ago. Looks wet for the weekend again. Went today...around 45-50F, very light breeze, sunbreaks here and there. PERFECT for flying, not cold at all. Nobody else there. Mowed after flying.
Flew the Giles 202 four flights. The idle trim needed to be set higher, probably due to the repairs since last flying the plane. Recall the muffler fell off the plane as I brought it back to the pits last time. Besides putting it back on, I plugged a hole in the muffler with a bolt, and I installed larger ID fuel tubing between the carb and remote needle. The engine seemed more powerful than ever, probably due to more pressure from the muffler, and more consistent fuel feed. Anyway, it was AWESOME. I richened it a click just cuz it was so zingy! Flew the usual: rolling circles, stall turns, 4 pt and slow rolls, spins, snaps, avalanches. Just all around FUN today. Landings were ok, not greasy enough though. Noticed that I need actual stick deflection (down) while inverted. Will move my battery to next former back for more rearward CG and this should help decrease landing speed even better! Anxious to try it again.
Update: When I took the plane apart at the field, I noticed excess fuel in the fuel compartment. Brought the plane home and checked it out. I used large ID tubing for the lines from the tank to the engine. Two of the three lines apparently relaxed over the years, and came loose today at the connections to the fuel tank. I replaced them with standard tubing which fits real snug. Hope the engine runs the same. Cleaned up the fuel compartment as best I could, and zip tied the tank back in.
Flew the Giles 202 four flights. The idle trim needed to be set higher, probably due to the repairs since last flying the plane. Recall the muffler fell off the plane as I brought it back to the pits last time. Besides putting it back on, I plugged a hole in the muffler with a bolt, and I installed larger ID fuel tubing between the carb and remote needle. The engine seemed more powerful than ever, probably due to more pressure from the muffler, and more consistent fuel feed. Anyway, it was AWESOME. I richened it a click just cuz it was so zingy! Flew the usual: rolling circles, stall turns, 4 pt and slow rolls, spins, snaps, avalanches. Just all around FUN today. Landings were ok, not greasy enough though. Noticed that I need actual stick deflection (down) while inverted. Will move my battery to next former back for more rearward CG and this should help decrease landing speed even better! Anxious to try it again.
Update: When I took the plane apart at the field, I noticed excess fuel in the fuel compartment. Brought the plane home and checked it out. I used large ID tubing for the lines from the tank to the engine. Two of the three lines apparently relaxed over the years, and came loose today at the connections to the fuel tank. I replaced them with standard tubing which fits real snug. Hope the engine runs the same. Cleaned up the fuel compartment as best I could, and zip tied the tank back in.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Flight Log: 10/20/10
Went to fly again because the forecast is rain all weekend, starting Friday. Got in 5 flights with the Yak 54...sweetness. Lots of rolling circles in both directions, and some low alpha harrier rolling circles cclockwise. Landings all good, most from the west due to light wind from NE. Noticed slight noise from engine...wondering if bearings are beginning to wear out, or if it is due to using Cool Power instead of the Omega. Former has synthetic lube, latter has castor oil.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Flight Log: 10/19/10
Went to mow and do other repair work at the field, so I got to fly too. Took the Yak 54 up three times, for absolutely glorious flights in light wind, sunshine, and maybe 50-60F temps. This is the first time with an APC 17-6 prop on it instead of the MAS 16-8. The plane flies kinda slow, but basically the same speed horizontal and vertical now. It would just barely keep climbing with the MAS and constant rudder monitoring, but it climbs faster with the APC and also now hovers much easier, albeit at higher throttle. Very fun to fly. Rolling circles are easier, perhaps due to the large throws on all surfaces, but I can do 4 rolls in a circle much easier than with any other plane. Rolling harrier is cool, but so far my alpha is not that high. At least I can do it now with this plane. I have to get lower to see the amount of alpha on future flights. Landings are so light and fun. Just a great day!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Flight Log: 10/17/10
Flew the Extra 330L today and Tad flew his Extra 300. These big birds are real fun and real attractions at the field. Got in 3 flights today...12, 13, and 14. First start is always the longest, but not hard. Takes about 20 flips of full throttle, ignition on, choke ON to get a cough. Then about 5-10 flips on idle, ign on, and choke OFF to get her running. Never has died yet in the air. In fact, idle seems to be getting better and lower, such that I need to throttle up a notch to avoid waffling around on final. Landings were not great, but soft enough that the LG repair was not damaged. It seems nice and firm.
Did some rolling circles with more ease...cclockwise, also nearly harrier rolling circles. Hovering is getting much easier, so I will drop lower in the future. Vertical on this plane and engine is a thing of unlimited beauty, haha, including rolling on the way up. Tucking the nose over at the top, into an inverted spin is pretty amazing. What a great plane and engine combo!
Did some rolling circles with more ease...cclockwise, also nearly harrier rolling circles. Hovering is getting much easier, so I will drop lower in the future. Vertical on this plane and engine is a thing of unlimited beauty, haha, including rolling on the way up. Tucking the nose over at the top, into an inverted spin is pretty amazing. What a great plane and engine combo!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Flight Log: 10/16/10
Flew the Giles again, and the Toledo Special. Had to stop flying the Giles after its 4th flight due to the Pitts style muffler falling out of the cowl after the plane rolled to a stop after landing, lol. One bolt was completely missing, the other was still there on the muffler. The muffler was just dragging under the plane, connected by only the fuel line between the muffler and tank. Lucky it did not fall off in the air, never to be found. Also noted that the screw covering the extra hole in the muffler was missing. This would explain why today the engine would not prime by covering both exhaust stacks like usual. The TS flew great, no probs at all. Took about 5 flights with it.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Flight Log: 10/15/10
Cool temps under 50F when I went this morning to fly the Giles 202 again. I could see my breath, but the fog was all gone and it was dead calm and sunshiny blue skies. Put in 5 flights on the Giles but had to finally quit. The right wheel pants was tearing away...the FG was ripping in front and behind of the axle. Been repaired numerous times before, but wheel pants just take a constant beating on grass runways. Monitored the pants each flight and finally quit after the 5th because I did not want to lose it over the dirt sod farm.
So I went home, and when I pulled onto my street, Jeremy was pulling out of my driveway to go flying too. I caught him, put my truck in the garage, pulled out the Imagine 50 and put it in Jer's truck, took my flight box and fuel, and off we went to fly again. Wifey made me a PBJ to not starve. Flew three flights with the Imagine.
With both planes, I did lots of rolling circles. I tried to slow roll and point roll only left with the Giles for one whole flight. Still not feeling real natural rolling left, but I just need a gazillion reps to get it. After all these years, I'm still trying to continuously improve one facet or another of my flying.
Oh, the Imagine 50 is becoming one of my favorite planes!
So I went home, and when I pulled onto my street, Jeremy was pulling out of my driveway to go flying too. I caught him, put my truck in the garage, pulled out the Imagine 50 and put it in Jer's truck, took my flight box and fuel, and off we went to fly again. Wifey made me a PBJ to not starve. Flew three flights with the Imagine.
With both planes, I did lots of rolling circles. I tried to slow roll and point roll only left with the Giles for one whole flight. Still not feeling real natural rolling left, but I just need a gazillion reps to get it. After all these years, I'm still trying to continuously improve one facet or another of my flying.
Oh, the Imagine 50 is becoming one of my favorite planes!
Flight Log: 10/15/10
Just 2 flights today with the wheel pants repaired. Stood up well and there are no tears in it today. Practiced cc rolling circles, also some slow and higher alpha rolling circles, but not quite harrier. Under 50F at first, but sunny and warming while I was there. Tried more left rolls, still not relaxed. Good day anyhow.
Welcome to Myles Pham who was born yesterday, son to Tim and Christina...Becky's big sis. What a blessing!
Welcome to Myles Pham who was born yesterday, son to Tim and Christina...Becky's big sis. What a blessing!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Flight Log: 10/10/10
Today is 10/10/10...COOL!!!
Did not expect to fly since forecast and weather agreed...it was cool, windy, and raining pretty hard in the morning. But around 2PM, after NFL on TV, I noticed it was darn calm, and clouds were thinning. Put the SNAFU on quick charge, and went to the field soon after. Nobody was there, and it was dead calm, but very overcast. I flew and flew and flew. Too bad I did not think to take a new gallon of glow, so I ran out of fuel and had to quit after 5 flights!
Practiced lots of rolling circles, mostly rolling right and circling counter-clockwise, but I threw in a number of em rolling left and turning clockwise. Getting more comfortable as I practice this with each plane. Also did lots of left slow rolls and left 4 point rolls since my habit is to roll right. And, I did a few fast counter-clockwise rolling circles (full right aileron) like Jer does.
The SNAFU is doing well...only one deadstick after which I turned the high needle in just a click, and increased throttle trim by 2 clicks. Still has a low idle, and I did not have another dead stick. :) Landings are super soft.
Did not expect to fly since forecast and weather agreed...it was cool, windy, and raining pretty hard in the morning. But around 2PM, after NFL on TV, I noticed it was darn calm, and clouds were thinning. Put the SNAFU on quick charge, and went to the field soon after. Nobody was there, and it was dead calm, but very overcast. I flew and flew and flew. Too bad I did not think to take a new gallon of glow, so I ran out of fuel and had to quit after 5 flights!
Practiced lots of rolling circles, mostly rolling right and circling counter-clockwise, but I threw in a number of em rolling left and turning clockwise. Getting more comfortable as I practice this with each plane. Also did lots of left slow rolls and left 4 point rolls since my habit is to roll right. And, I did a few fast counter-clockwise rolling circles (full right aileron) like Jer does.
The SNAFU is doing well...only one deadstick after which I turned the high needle in just a click, and increased throttle trim by 2 clicks. Still has a low idle, and I did not have another dead stick. :) Landings are super soft.
Friday, October 8, 2010
2010 Was an ARFully BUSY YEAR!
Before I forget what I assembled this year between January and Sept 2010, here's the list:
Great Planes Shoestring with OS 70 Surpass II
Great Planes Extra 300SP with OS 70 Surpass II
Hangar Nine Toledo Special with Saito 82a
Thunder Tiger Imagine 50 with OS 70 Surpass II
Phoenix Funstar with OS 52 Surpass
Richmond Models Extra 330L with DL-50 (this had been "in assembly" for about 2 years and I finally completed it and maidened in late Aug 2010.)
Last year (2009) I assembled the following:
Black Hawk Models T-28 with Saito 82a
Nitroplanes Yak 54 with OS 120 Surpass II pumped
Apache DLG
In the prior year (2008) the following were added to the squadron:
China Model Products Giles 202 with OS 160FX
Modeltech P-47 with OS 91 Surpass II pumped
My two still flying old planes that existed before all these recent planes were the following:
Modeltech Thunderbird with OS 25FSR
Carl Goldberg Ultimate with OS 120 Surpass E
That accounts for all 13 flyable planes currently in the squadron! I like em ALL. I only have one ARF NIB now, an older 60 size GP Shoestring which is larger than the current 46 size offering by GP. Will put an OS 91 Surpass II in it.
Great Planes Shoestring with OS 70 Surpass II
Great Planes Extra 300SP with OS 70 Surpass II
Hangar Nine Toledo Special with Saito 82a
Thunder Tiger Imagine 50 with OS 70 Surpass II
Phoenix Funstar with OS 52 Surpass
Richmond Models Extra 330L with DL-50 (this had been "in assembly" for about 2 years and I finally completed it and maidened in late Aug 2010.)
Last year (2009) I assembled the following:
Black Hawk Models T-28 with Saito 82a
Nitroplanes Yak 54 with OS 120 Surpass II pumped
Apache DLG
In the prior year (2008) the following were added to the squadron:
China Model Products Giles 202 with OS 160FX
Modeltech P-47 with OS 91 Surpass II pumped
My two still flying old planes that existed before all these recent planes were the following:
Modeltech Thunderbird with OS 25FSR
Carl Goldberg Ultimate with OS 120 Surpass E
That accounts for all 13 flyable planes currently in the squadron! I like em ALL. I only have one ARF NIB now, an older 60 size GP Shoestring which is larger than the current 46 size offering by GP. Will put an OS 91 Surpass II in it.
Flight Log: 10/08/10
The weatherman was wrong and it turned out to be a very decent AM, so I went flying with the Imagine 50. I think every plane of mine is my fave until I fly the next one, haha. This plane performed flawlessly today. Good starting on the OS 70 Surpass II, good power, good idle, no deadsticks. Took 4 flights.
Mostly practiced rolling circles. I need higher throws to get a tighter circle and to be able to roll 4x in one circle. For today I just rolled 5 or 6 times to make a circle. I rolled right and made left circles. That is the norm for me, favoring right rolls. BUT, I got it up higher and made my first COMPLETE right circle with left rolls on ANY PLANE. That is an accomplishment, to get over the fear and mindset of doing rolling circles in one way only.
Did KE a lot. On right KE, the plane wants to increase the roll, so I programmed in 5% left aileron during application of left rudder. Not enough. Went to 10% and it helps, but could use a smidge more next time. Left KE seems to be pretty neutral, so no need to program out any coupling.
This plane is fast and smooth, like a pattern type plane should be. Slow rolls on a string. Nice vertical power. GOOD right SNAPS on 45 up incline! Didn't try left snaps. Seems to need too much down elevator to stay inverted. Might add more tail weight. I want just slight down pressure, and no real stick movement to hold inverted. Lands very easy. While those thin wire LG jitter a lot on the ground, they are not bending, nor damaging the pants, so who cares, haha.
Mostly practiced rolling circles. I need higher throws to get a tighter circle and to be able to roll 4x in one circle. For today I just rolled 5 or 6 times to make a circle. I rolled right and made left circles. That is the norm for me, favoring right rolls. BUT, I got it up higher and made my first COMPLETE right circle with left rolls on ANY PLANE. That is an accomplishment, to get over the fear and mindset of doing rolling circles in one way only.
Did KE a lot. On right KE, the plane wants to increase the roll, so I programmed in 5% left aileron during application of left rudder. Not enough. Went to 10% and it helps, but could use a smidge more next time. Left KE seems to be pretty neutral, so no need to program out any coupling.
This plane is fast and smooth, like a pattern type plane should be. Slow rolls on a string. Nice vertical power. GOOD right SNAPS on 45 up incline! Didn't try left snaps. Seems to need too much down elevator to stay inverted. Might add more tail weight. I want just slight down pressure, and no real stick movement to hold inverted. Lands very easy. While those thin wire LG jitter a lot on the ground, they are not bending, nor damaging the pants, so who cares, haha.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Flight Log: 10/06/10
3 flights today, which are flights 9, 10, and 11. Left side of LG wobbled tons on landings 2 and 3 today. Found covering torn around left side LG, and that the LG could be twisted easily to hear wood creaking under it. Decided better not fly anymore this day. Went home and cut the covering away. Found little or no glue on most joints , and some splitting in the wood around the base plate for the LG. Used thin CA, medium CA to reinforce joints. Also used hammer to slide some ply back together. Thin CA on that. Used 3/16 ply and 30 minute epoxy to brace over some of the LG box. Should do it on right side too, but too lazy. Will do it later, haha. Recovered area. Feels firm. Hope it works!
Good DL-50 engine. Starts "easy". First start of day took over 20 flips of prop to pop/cough with choke on, full throttle, ignition on. Put choke off, throttle to idle, and took five flips to start and stay running. Died on first landing. Upped idle a click or two. For second flight, engine started on 2nd flip...choke off, idle. For third flight, engine started on 1st flip...choke off, idle. Engine did not die on any more landings or flights today. Engine still spitting a light and fine black mist from muffler onto immediate plane area. Getting less, I think, as engine breaks in.
Plane flies super light! Hovering high seems easy enough to keep steady, but I can tell more later when I try it lower. Tried a harrier rolling circle but did not make it all around the circle. Used low rates only, so will try high soon. Just getting the feel still. Rolling circle was not bad, but did not go all the way round either due to touchy throttle. Stick needs more tension perhaps, because I found the throttle setting changing to easily on the Airtronics xmitter, unlike when I do it on my Futaba. Plane is so easy to see and adjust in the air due to the sheer size. Oh, did two vertical climbs followed by nose over, and into inverted spin. Too cool. Using just full down and full rudder for nice flat spin. No ail.
Tad had three great flights on his AW Extra 300.
Had less than 1/4 gallon of fuel left after flying today, so that means 11flights used up just over 3/4 gallon, or perhaps about 9 ounces per flight. Haven't been timing the flights well. Have 16 oz tank in plane. Seems to be using about half a tank when I count cranks to fill or empy. Tad got me new 2 gal of gas in the xB. I mixed one gal with Pennzoil from Tad and put most of it in my gallon field jug. Read to fly again! LIFE IS GOOD!!!
Good DL-50 engine. Starts "easy". First start of day took over 20 flips of prop to pop/cough with choke on, full throttle, ignition on. Put choke off, throttle to idle, and took five flips to start and stay running. Died on first landing. Upped idle a click or two. For second flight, engine started on 2nd flip...choke off, idle. For third flight, engine started on 1st flip...choke off, idle. Engine did not die on any more landings or flights today. Engine still spitting a light and fine black mist from muffler onto immediate plane area. Getting less, I think, as engine breaks in.
Plane flies super light! Hovering high seems easy enough to keep steady, but I can tell more later when I try it lower. Tried a harrier rolling circle but did not make it all around the circle. Used low rates only, so will try high soon. Just getting the feel still. Rolling circle was not bad, but did not go all the way round either due to touchy throttle. Stick needs more tension perhaps, because I found the throttle setting changing to easily on the Airtronics xmitter, unlike when I do it on my Futaba. Plane is so easy to see and adjust in the air due to the sheer size. Oh, did two vertical climbs followed by nose over, and into inverted spin. Too cool. Using just full down and full rudder for nice flat spin. No ail.
Tad had three great flights on his AW Extra 300.
Had less than 1/4 gallon of fuel left after flying today, so that means 11flights used up just over 3/4 gallon, or perhaps about 9 ounces per flight. Haven't been timing the flights well. Have 16 oz tank in plane. Seems to be using about half a tank when I count cranks to fill or empy. Tad got me new 2 gal of gas in the xB. I mixed one gal with Pennzoil from Tad and put most of it in my gallon field jug. Read to fly again! LIFE IS GOOD!!!
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