Too Zonked

After having Skylar overnight, keeping us awake to tend to her needs, I flew today but just a short time due to being too zonked!  Had one flight with my Intruder, and two packs through the Star.  I got there around 10AM, and most guys were already winding down, haha.  I stayed till 12:30 and headed home, but that includes mowing the field for the last half hour that I was there.  Did a bum job, but at least it is shorter.

Failure to Launch!

Bravata in the Scion XB!

It's so funny that my largest plane fits inside my smallest car!

Yup, 112" wingspan and 82" long fuselage!

Big Beautiful Bird!

Made up the Coke and tail stickers (variation in color
of the Hawaiian Airlines logo)  myself on the Cricut machine!

The pics came out good, that went well to start the day, then I could not get the DLE-30 to run right.  It would start easy peasy, but would falter when throttle approached half throttle and more.  I tried every manner of setting on the high and low needles.  Finally I gave up after over 2 hours of sweating in the sun and not getting any satisfaction.  Went home, got the manual out, and reset both needles to factory settings.  Tried again to tune the engine in the backyard.  No joy.  But while doing so, I observed a random flickering in the red dummy light that shows optokill and ignition functionality.  Resorted to asking for help on RCUniverse.  I thought it was either the ignition, optokill switch, or unintended mixing in my transmitter programming.  After much testing and isolation, determined the ignition and optokill AND batteries AND heavy duty switch were all AOK.  So what the heck.  I investigated mixing in my xmitter and found NO inadvertent mixing with the kill switch channel.  Then someone on RCU suggested increasing the throw on the optokill switch channel.  Doesn't seem to make sense, but I went to programming and found that the optokill channel (5) had NO EPA settings.  Default was 0%.  I increased it to 100% like almost any servo would be set at, and lo and behold the red dummy light ran steady for 5 minutes and did not flicker at all, so I knew the engine would now have good ignition power and would run well.  I tried the engine in the backyard again, and it ran like a top, strong, and smooth, with excellent transition from idle to WOT!  Great news, and can now maiden the Bravata with high expectations, lol.

Great Fam Reunion Flying Weekend!

Cousin Ron drove up from San Jose on Wednesday and went back home on Monday.  We flew with my 3 sons on Saturday and Sunday at the club field, and many times just in the house or in the back yards at Jeremy's and my house with the QX quads and nano and MCPX choppers.  Fun, fun, fun.  On Sat and Sun we flew basically starting at 8 or 8:30AM till about 1 or 1:30PM both days.  Wow!  Ron had his 130X, Warp 360, Goblin 500, and electric Katana and Slick planes.  He gave Alex his foam 540QQ.  Also, he introduced us to the little QX quad, so Jer bought one for me on Friday and I love flying the durn thing for chopper training inside the house.   Actually everyone enjoyed flying Ron's and my Quads in the house, and there is talk of purchasing their own, lol.

Let's see, Tad had his 50cc Extra 300, foam Mig, and nano Blade on Sat, then this red Goblin 500 and nano on Sun.  He successfully maidened the Goblin, the had two more flights...very smooth and impressive chopper.  Jer had his Carbon Z Yak for both days, foam Mig, and also his BL Blade.  Alex flew the Star, as well as his nano Blade, and then the 540QQ on Sunday.

I had my Sbach on Sat, with the Star.  On Sunday I flew the Yak 54 and the Star.  Also flew my MCPX Blade both days.  Tried to fly Ron's 130X on Sun and it just seemed way touchier than my MCPX so I hopefully did not damage it badly on a lopsided low crash landing.  Sounds like I grinded the main or pinion gear though!  Tried his Katana on Sat, which I did not like too much, but Ron says it likes calmer air.  Flew his Slick on Sun, which I really was impressed with, as was Jer.  It can fly on rails or do 3D, very wide performance range, big or small window.  My Yak 54 and Sbach flew fine both days, and the MCPX is getting to be a ball of fun at the field or in the backyard.

Ron fixed my 130X by the way, with replacement parts he thought were the culprit of the wild tail control.  Turns out he replaced the tail boom which was invisibly fractured, the tail rotor housing and the tail servo.  Jer nicely picked those up for me at Hobbytown, just a $26 repair job.  Ron also added tape to one tail rotor blade, and that greatly reduced tail vibration, so it looks like the 130X is good to go again.  While he wanted me to try it in the backyard, I elected to keep it for the wider spaces of the flying field.  He thought I should just forget the Blade 400 and get a new flybarless chopper if I want something that size again in the future, and I agree.  Choppers are lots of fun and very challenging.  I am making good progress due to the MCPX first from Tad, and now the QX from Jer.  The little vehicles reduce stress and cost of repairs, in prep for a larger airframe at some point!

It was a really enjoyable visit from Ron, and having all 3 sons at the field on both Sat and Sun!

Imagine and Stinger II

With the YS63 replaced in the Stinger II,  I had high hopes it would fly well.  Well, I couldn't get the engine to run well.  I tried all manner of high and low needle valve settings and nothing worked.  At least the engine started, but most often as I applied throttle, the engine would just overload, sputter, and die at about the half throttle point.  I even tried a different glow plug that seemed hotter.  No dice!  I gave up after fiddling with it too many times.  On the other hand the Imagine 50 ran and flew well, and I am glad nobody bought it when I had it up for sale, haha!  Still grooves well, but comes in hotter than I remember.  It can snap if too much elevator is applied at low speed. I witnessed it once today when high enough to recover.  Re the the Stinger, I might switch to an OS 70 Surpass II or an OS 46LA , both of which I have.  I am not so impressed with the two YS 63 engines that I have tried in the Stinger.  Interestingly, the first one ran well and made the Stinger a missle at first, but it has gradually become a dud and I have no idea why.

Flight Log: Aug 19, 2013

Took the RV-8 for a spin on Monday but it just would not run right.  The engine won't idle down smoothly from full throttle...it goes down to a high idle, then after a few seconds goes to low idle, basically hesitating to get to low idle when I move the throttle stick down all the way.  I tried a slew of low idle screw adjustments, and probably ended up close to where I was at the start of the day.  Ended up getting only 2 flights on the RV-8.  I took the Star up for all four batt packs, and also flew the MCPX once.

Not a Wiener, but WINNER!

The events were challenging, the 4 competitors were relentless, and the wind was calm but variable from all directions.  We began flying at 9:45 AM and were done by 1PM.  Bob Bevens ran a good show in the face of constant challenges from the competitors.  Tempers flared at times, but in the end we all got prizes and cash and went home mostly happy, lol.  Before the flying began I just told myself to rely on my comfort with the planes after flying them frequently the last couple weeks, and I challenged myself to not make dumb mental mistakes, and to get less than 100 points in deductions from the 500 total we all initially start with.  My competitors left the door cracked on a couple events where they all flew beyond the end lines and thus were not eligible for the 25 point bonus AND forgiveness of all point deductions attained on that flight. That meant all I had to do was not pass the end line on landing for those tasks!  I was able to do so, luckily, even as my engine ran too rich and slow on the last two tasks.  I made no unforgivable mistakes for the day, and ended up winning per the scoresheet:

Here is a link to coverage of the event at our club website: http://www.krosswinds.com/Filecabinet/VCF2013.pdf

And finally here is a pick of the victor and his spoils, haha.  That is $90 cash, a NIB H-9 RV-8 ARF, and the trophy to hold another year.

I garnered the victory flying the SNAFU for all tasks except Task 3, for which I flew the electric Star.

The following is boring to all but the most mentally disturbed folks; it is the rules and description of tasks for the VC:
Fellow club members: I have updated the rules  for the last time, I hope,
and since this is our club event, you may still join in Saturday morning.
The cost is $5 to enter. There will be a pilots' meeting at 9:30 AM and
flying starts at 10 AM sharp. We will go over all rules at the pilots'
meeting. If I have made a mistake on any task or there needs to be something
added, give me an e-mail. Thanks, Bob Bevens.








VALLEY CHALLENGE

                                                            2013



Task #1

Don't be early, don't be late.



Start your motor, taxi out to take off position. Time starts when the judge
says ok. When wheels move, time starts. Take off left to right, make left
180 degree turn, then perform one loop, one roll, turn around after you pass
east end of runway and perform one roll. Then, after passing west end of
runway, turn around again and on your way back, do one loop and then land.
Time stops when wheels touch ground and airplane makes a successful landing.
Ok, now you will be given your time and you have to duplicate it as close as
you can. Points will be deducted this way if you arrive too early. One point
per second if you arrive late, two points per second if you arrive early,
and the pilot with the closest time will receive an extra 25 points added to
his or her score, and, that's a good thing. Bad thing, the rest of the
pilots will have their points deducted from their score. 



Task #2

Hop and stop



The hop and stop starts out by pilot taxiing to end of runway. Wheels must
be on grass at east end. Ahead of you on runway is a row of balloons about
93.5 feet and further down, another row of balloons. Distance between both
rows of balloons is 106 feet. The object of this task is take off and lift
off before hitting any of the balloons in the first row. Now make two passes
around the field and set up for a landing between the two rows of balloons.
Motor on gas planes must be running after landing. On electric planes they
must be on their wheels and upright. Landings must be straight ahead, no
ground loops. One other thing, no adding power after touchdown. The reason
for that is there will be measuring done. The pilot that stops closest to
the balloons without breaking one, or, going past the line, gets 25 points
added on. If you go past the second line of balloons, no winning
measurement. 50 points off for all broken balloons. Plus for every foot past
two points off per foot. One point off for each foot on the short side. Over
the six inch mark  

measurement will be rounded up to the next foot. Glow motor stop 100 point
deduction and electrics must be on their wheels or same deduction.  

Task #3

Quick up short stop



Pilot taxis to east end of run way, wheels must be on grass. Ahead is a row
of balloons, beyond that a second row of balloons. Object of task is to take
off, clear the balloons in the first row, and land before hitting the next
row of balloons. Motor must continue to run on glow and on electric must
stay upright and on their wheels, no adding power after touchdown. Once
again, measurements will be done. Closest gets 25 points added on. If you go
past the second line of balloons, no winning measurement. 50 points off for
all broken balloons. Just like before, two points for every foot past and
one point for every foot short, rounded up at the 6 inch point. 



 Task #4


Narrowing center line



Pilot or helper will place airplane on east end of runway centerline for
takeoff. At this point the runway is 15 foot wide and narrowing to the west
end, and 12 foot wide at first row of balloons. The next row of balloons the
runway will be 8 foot wide and at runway's end, it will be 6 foot wide. The
object of this task is to start takeoff roll, at east end after passing the
second row of balloons, you may lift off and not before. Make two laps
around the field and prepare to land. On the landing rollout, come as close
to the second row of balloons without going past. As in all tasks we will
measure for the closest to the line without going past. Closest gets 25
points added on. All balloons broken, 50 points off. Same as the last two
tasks, long or short points deducted.






Read please



All pilots start with 500 points. In each task if they break balloons, 50
points off for each balloon and for each measurement deduction on the tasks
not won. A pilot may bring as many planes as he or she wants but if you
start a task with a certain plane you must finish with that plane for that
task. If at any time your motor quits or you crash, you are done for that
task, and a non complete 100 point deduction. On the narrowing runway task
#4, if you do not take off within the balloons at the designated takeoff
point, a 50 point deduction, and if you do not land between the balloons,
you are disqualified and a 100 point deduction.  At the end of all tasks the
pilot with the most points wins. Depending if other clubs join in, we will
send the top 3 pilots to the finals on August 17th.. If no other clubs
enter, there will be 4 pilots from our club who will compete on the 17th.
Our club will have its fly off on August 3rd.

We will pay the top four finishers and the top three will pick one of the
donated ARF kits. First place picks first, then second and third. Fourth
will only receive cash. Entry fee is $5, where $2 goes to the club's
treasury and the other $3 goes in the pot for the top four pilots. Plus,
Keizer RC is adding $200 more to be divided among the top 4 pilots. All
events will start at 10:00 am, weather permitting. Any questions call or
e-mail Bob Bevens at bj4648@gmail.com or call 503-393-7721. I hope to see
you there. Bob Bevens. This event is AMA Sanctioned. There is an attachment
showing runway layouts for the events.  

NOTE:  A 5th task was added for the finals on Aug 17.  For this task, there were 6 rows of balloons set up across the runway at basically 40' intervals.  A pilot rolled a die.  The number rolled determined the row of balloons that the pilot had to land his plane on.  A measurement from the spinner of the plane to the rolled row determined points deducted from his score.  I rolled a 3 which was good because it meant I had ample room before my row to land upon and rollout.  Broken balloons in lower rows were not counted.  

Stinger II and Star and MCPX

Nobody was there and the wind was calm so I ran most of batts through the MCPX first.  Not as good as yesterday, but no damage was incurred.  I did manage a few circles and some zoomy flying without crashing, so it's all good.  Later, Ken and Dave W arrived.  Then I tried the Stinger II today and after fighting the engine tuning, I remembered why I have not been flying it much.  First off it sounds like a tractor, so I think bearings are shot, and secondly it won't lean out nor idle well anymore.  Needs an overhaul, which for me is to remove it and stick the other YS63 that I have into the plane, haha.  Hmmm, I kinda wonder if my OS46LA would fit into this plane?  Also flew my Star for 4 packs and it did well.  I still cannot get the hop and stop down pat, so I think I shall give up and let whatever happens happen on Sat.  Too much depends on wind conditions and luck!

Practice

Took the SNAFU and Star out to practice for the VC finals this Sat.  Turned the high needle out just a click, and the low needle out just an 1/8th turn to avert a flameout like I had today, while on the ground.  Seemed better after that, but more practice days this week will tell the tale.  In a quandary which plane to use for the narrowing runway task.  The SNAFU is slightly more predictable on landings but the low wings makes it much easier to pop balloons, which I want to avoid.  The Star has the high wing to avoid balloons, but then has the sloppier handling in the air, and I need to make it through the entry gate without penalty.  The Star does lift off quicker on takeoff which  will be a benefit on lifting off the narrow end of the obstacle and hopefully avoiding balloons.  Hmmmmmm, what to do!  Anyway, I ran 4 batts through the Star and had 3 flights with the SNAFU.  Oh, also had only one batt for the MCPX but had a great flight and was able to fly the figure 8 circuit and some counterclockwise circles.

9 Flights!

It was grey, cool, and calm at about 8AM when I was first to arrive and stay.  I think someone else came due to the fresh tire tracks, but they left, likely due to the wheeled sprinkler being on the East end of the runway.  With that sprinkler in the way,  I flew my Star for 4 batt packs that I had.  Rudy arrived around 9AM and knew how to move the sprinkler, so he did that, and I was able to then fly my P-47 for four strafing flights.  Made my best takeoffs due to the hard, short, and dry grass runway, and due to the wind being directly down the runway from the West for some of the time.  WIth this plane, I need a ton of right rudder very early to avoid the torque pull to the left.  Landings were okay, with just two nose overs out of 5 landings, haha.  Lots of fun doing low flybys and various low rolls.  Only a few fliers came today: Rudy, Chris, Mike, and late arrival Harvey.

Star

The wheeled sprinkers were watering the East end of the runway and the pipe sprinkler ended on the West end.  Managed to mow nearly everything except where the pipe lay on West end.  Then proceeded to fly 3 packs through the Star.  Did not unload and assemble the P-47 due to the sprinklers and the SE to SW wind.  It just would have been hairy to takeoff or land with a bit of tailwind if going E to W on our runway.  I did not want to takeoff and land from W to E because of the wheel sprinkers off the edge of the runway...too risky.  Star flew well though!

Sbach 342 and MCPX

Took 3 flights with the Sbach today.  DLE-30 started and ran well, and the plane flew great.  Had one of those days where I could feel the plane in the air really well.  Also flew the MCPX for two batteries and it seems fine.  Made one full left circle on the 2nd flight and did not crash during that attempt, lol.  Felt good to get it in the air again after repairs left it side lined for a few weeks.  My Blade 130X and 400 are both still laid up for reasons not fully determined.

Ultimate and Star

Flew both planes in pretty ideal conditions today, except for it starting to get hot!  My first short hop with the AW Ultimate was a little hairy when the top right aileron came unplugged, most likely due to my failure to plug it in really tightly.  While in flight the plane rolled hard to the left momentarily a couple times, as the plug became looser and made intermittent contact. I landed safely in the sod farm, taxied back, and found the plug still in, but loosely, so I pushed it to its full depth and the aileron behaved properly all day.  The DLE-55 started and ran like clockwork.  I improved my landings today by coming in with more throttle and not so floaty.  The plane flew very well, and I probably had my best day ever at hovering it up high, and doing some harrier rolls.  Also ran through my usual pattern style aerobatics and felt good about it.  Flew the Star with two of the new Turnigy packs and they seem fine...a little more spunky but heavier than the older Hobby People packs.

Intruder and Showtime

I broke out the Intruder for 3 flights today, and the repaired and regapped OS 91 Surpass II is making the plane sing like when it was new.  I can hear the whistle of the plane during the whole flight when at WOT.  I also flew the mini-Showtime to see if it would do the Hop and Stop task, but I don't think I like for that task because the plane noses over easily.  That would result in DQ points of -100, so I think I will stick with the Star for the finals two weeks from now.  Gorgeous cloudless day with very light winds.

1st or 2nd place in Valley Challenge KRCA elimination round

I flew my SNAFU and Star to an official 2nd place in our club elimination round for the Valley Challenge.  Ashton came in 1st or 2nd too, haha.  Officially he got 1st and I got 2nd, but I found a major scoring error later which switches us around, but it does not matter.  Our top 3 finishers go on to the final in 2 weeks.  If other clubs do not send their top 3 finishers, we will also take our 4th finisher for a flyoff amongst our club only.  This is the money round so I get to fly in it, and it doesn't matter if I was 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th except for bragging rights.  I brought up the scoring error to Bob later by e-mail and do not want the finishing order changed.  Ashton is a good guy and deserves the glory, at least for 2 weeks, haha.  I flew decently today, and really only erred bad on one task...the hop and stop.  I used the Star expressly for this, and got the plane over the first row of balloons but the speed was too much to stop short of the second row of balloons.  I had the bad luck of crosswind and slight downwind at the time of my attempt.  All in all, a real fun day!

Official Results ( technically my score in Task 4 should be +25 while Ashtons's should be -86)