Sunny Skies

What a nice day with mostly sunny skies, light winds from the North, and cool temps at first, then very mild warmth.  I flew my RV-8 and Tad flew his Kaos in prep for doing a duet at the WOK in two weeks.  We intend to just make a lot of passes together, and do some mild aerobatics on  the downwind leg that is a hundred yards out, such as slow rolls and loops.  It should be entertaining enough for the spectators.  Both planes flew well, the engines ran perfect and started easy, and we incurred no damage today.  Lots of fun.  I took my Blade 400 and Tad and Quang tried to get it trimmed and tuned in, with various fixes, but in the end the engine decided to die and we all gave up on it.  I think it might be ready for the boneyard, and if so I will just pull out the new servos I installed just yesterday!  Bummers.  Quang and Anthony flew their Goblins very well.  Roberto trained Teo via buddy cord.  Ashton flew his Uproar.  Al flew his Twist and Escapade.  Mike came to socialize and did not even bring a plane out of his van.  Joe came late and flew his new used Stinger 60 and BalsaNova, a pair of good looking acquistions!

For the first time since last Fall, I flew my Apache for a handful of launches but found dead air only.  It did catch one huge thermal while it was turned off and laying under a flight table!  The thermal picked it up, rattled it over the RV-8 and dumped it back on the ground 10 feet away near the grass taxiway.  Luckily no damages were incurred by either plane, except a very small tear in the covering on the wing of the Apache.  Whew!  :)

Flight Log: 04/11/2013

Took my Blade 130x, Blade 400, and Toledo Special out today, finally having a good day of weather!  Flew the 400 first, and it seemed to be doing what it wanted on its own a little now and then.  On the 2nd pack it just sorta went nuts and I recovered enough to land upright hard, stripping the main gear but not seeming to do much else. Main blades and tail blades were ok, as was the landing gear.  Fly bar rods were bent slightly but I just bent them back as best I could.

Next up was the 130x and it flew pretty nice.  I had one hard unexpected landing in a turn and that damaged the tail rotor thing that holds in the blade and connects to the tail with a ball joint.  Anyway, I found the damage after one tail rotor thing flew off on the next windup.  Took awhile to find it, but I did, however it did not matter since the piece is broken.

Decided what the heck and flew the Toledo Special anyhow.   I had 3 good flights and all is well with it.

Choppers are too delicate and just kind of suck!  :)  Something always seems to break sooner than later, and always has to be purchased and replaced.

WOW Day!

Every day flying is a good day, just like every day of retirement is a GOOD day.  But some flying days are just regular while others are exceptional somehow.  Today was one of those.  I first flew my Blade 400 through two battery packs and had fun with it.  I challenged myself to fly it further out and also to make some almost semicircle turns, but never headed the 400 at me.  Got the chopper out to the SW corner of the runway and made it back several times by just turning to face out, and then back the chopper home to me.  Never did panic or get any serious trouble.   Wind was southerly maybe up to 5mph at times.  Then I took the Sbach 342 with DLE-30 up for 3 great flights.  It flies better than my 50cc Ultimate, so clean in KE, and just floating in (sometimes too much in the past, but I am getting more comfy with it) on landings.  Nearly maxed out the 10 minute timer on each flight.  Engine ran well with the new throttle servo installed, haha.  Did a bunch of hover practice and some rolling harriers.  Both are coming along slowly.  Like I said, an EXCEPTIONAL day out!

Yak-ity Yak

The weatherman is all wet.  Yesterday was supposed to good, and it was BAD.  Today was supposed to bad, and it was GOOD.  Started stripping off my jacket then vest soon after I got to the field.  First alone, Dave showed up soon, and I took up his high wing trike electric foamy since he put on a new stronger engine, and wanted it declared airworthy.  Flew nice, trimmed it out, and landed.  He did good and is happy with the new found power.  I flew my Yak 54 four flights.  Still purring along, and it liked the weather today.  Richened the needle about 1/4 turn and it was really happy, with a nice smoke trail.  Just flew every trick I know and the plane was obliging.  Landings with this plane are the easiest, so slow and controlled.  Before the Yak, I flew my Blade 400 for two packs which is all I have now for that chopper.  Did ok, did not break it, and got some stick time.  I tried turning so the side faces me, going left ,and coming back going right.  Did not have the cajones to try a full circle yet.  It's getting close.

Flight Log: 11/02/2012

The weather has been wet and/or windy so flying has been rare lately.  The wind and rain stopped for half a day during which I was able to fly this AM.  Bob B mowed while I was there, so the grass was short for the three flights I made.  Rudy and I were the only die hards today.  The T-28 had a weird start.  When I turned on the radio, it was like it was set for the wrong model.  Flap trim was way off, and the end points for each flap were different!  I finally got them programmed to throw the same amount and trim properly, but it scares me to that somehow the settings got disturbed.  A similar situation has occurred on another model with this transmitter, but I forget what exactly was off trim.  I will have to be sure to check each model before flying, which is the norm anyhow, but I need to be extra careful.  I am wondering if it is time for a new xmitter battery, as the one in it is likely over 2 years old.  The T-28 flew fine after the flaps were programmed correctly, and the Saito 82 ran well.

Oh, I also got in a little hovering with the Blade 400.  I did not freshly charge the three packs.  One ran fairly long while the other two were low in a minute.

Ultimate Fun!

Oh wow, Summer has begun in Salem for real.  It was very sunny, blue, calm, and warm.  Didn't need to wear my long sleeve shirt for cold, but for sun protection.  Had 3 enjoyable flights on the Carl Goldberg Ultimate, and 4 battery packs for the Blade 400.  Amazingly,  Anthony and Quang were there flying choppers, Strykers, and the hex-chopper.  How cool that thing is.  Anthony demonstrated how the hex can fly itself back to almost exactly where it took off from, using GPS.  He can just set the xmitter down and the hex returns on its own.  Totally high tech amazing stuff!

Ultimate Day!

I took the Carl Goldberg Ultimate out to play at the field today.  Got in 3 flights when I could, watching the whereabouts of the 2 JB guys who were gathering irrigation pipes.  The plane flew well and happily did not have any deadsticks.  I was reminded how scale-like the speed and sound of this plane are, and how much fun it is to fly slow and 4 pt rolls on a string.  Also got in 3 battery packs on the Blade 400.  Mowed the field after I was done...nobody else flying today.  I seem to have an Ultimate itch in me, and I want to get the AeroWorks Ultimate out again soon too!

Flight Log: 06/29/12

Day before the funfly, so I flew the SNAFU today about 4 times. Darn if the engine did not die once and I nearly splatted the SNAFU.  It died in a hard place going away from the end of the runway at a low altitude. I decided last second to yank hard left towards the small area of rough grass we have near the windsock.  Luckily, the plane did not stall, stayed flat and landed safely.  Whew, thought I was going to lose my funfly plane!  I richened the needle valve about two clicks and she ran fine but not real fast after that for another flight.  This OS 52 is so finnicky about the needle valve setting as the temperature changes!  Just 2 clicks makes a BIG difference.  I also got the Toledo Special up for a flight, its first after the wing tip damage and subsequent repair.  It flew well and is like its old self again.  Glad about that!  Lastly, I took the Blade 400 up for 2 battery packs.

Flight Log: 06/25/12

Kind of an ugly day with slight drizzle at times, but I got in 4 flights on the SNAFU, and one battery pack on the Blade 400.  Decided to give up after that, with the drizzle continuing, and the JB guy adjusting nearby sprinklers.

Mowed, flew, hovered

Mowed the field as soon as I got there since nobody was around.  As soon as I was done, Don showed up, so we both flew.  I took my SNAFU up 4 times and Don flew his electric cub.  On the first two flights, the engine sure wanted to sag when the plane was inverted, moreso than other days.  Checked the fuel lines and found one badly beaten up by vibrations against the engine, and this was the line to the carb.  Luckily I had an equal length of new tube in my flight box and changed it out.  Crossing my fingers that the worn fuel line was possibly leaking air even though I saw no cracks or cuts through it, I flew again.  No sagging now, so that was the prob, yahoo!  Later flew the Blade 400 through two packs.  Good day with no damage, and one cured SNAFU.

Flight Log: 06/16/12

Nice weather, but the JB sprinkler guy was making a nuisance of himself all day by walking all over the field, primarily near the runway,  to adjust the new layout of irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads.  PAIN!  Anyway, I ran through  4 battery packs on the Blade, and flew the SNAFU a few times and the Yak 54 once.  Still it was a nice flying outing.

Sbach and Blade

This plane is too gorgeous, lol, so I gotta start the flight log with a pic.  Flew the Sbach twice today, and landed without incident on our postage stamp runway that is now outlined on all three sides with JB sprinkler pipes and heads that are 2 to 3 feet tall!  Great plane eaters.  Also flew the Blade 400 for all four packs and felt much more comfortable today.  I tried turning the chopper to each side about 45 degrees during the flights, tried maintaining eye height for long periods, but also ventured up to 15' high just to broaden the experience.  I feel like trying some forward flight soon!

Flight Log: 06/10/12

It was a really pleasant morning with calm air and temps starting at 55F and climbing slowly.  Started off with the Blade 400 and used two batteries hovering.  No damage again!  Flew the SNAFU 3 times and the Toledo Special also 3 times.  First flight on the SNAFU ended with a dead stick after trying to hover too late in the flight.  Seems to be running ok now after fiddling with both the needle valve and the low idle/mixture screw.  I want it to be running good for the funfly in a few weeks.  The Toledo Special just flew like on rails with the replacement Saito 82a up front.  Fast and groovy.

Lotsa Flights!

For ME, it was a lot of flights that I had today.  Really nice weather, just overcast, but cool, calm, and no rain to speak of.  I flew the Stinger 4 times, the Intruder 3 times, and the Blade 400 through all 4 battery packs.  All came home in one piece, and I did not damage any blades on the Blade 400.  Although it was a great flying day, there were hardly any fliers today.  Bob R left when I arrived at 9AM.  Rudy came an hour or so later.  Rudy successfully maidened his second new Osiris with great success...looks like his new fave plane!  Anthony and Quang beat the air to death with electric and nitro choppers.  Quang remaidened his big chopper after totalling it a couple weeks ago at his other club when the clutch went out at 3' off the deck.  Mike came but not to fly, just to train Ken late in the day.  Shane came late, as did Joe.  Most of the time, it was just Rudy and me flying, with Mike kibbitzing.  Made for a great day , and I came home totally spent.  With so few fliers, we actually had more spectators than fliers, with Dan and Matt saying they just sent me their membership forms and fees, Dave and sons watching, asking, and showing much interest in the hobby, and another fella from the Mt Angel club who came to buy a Cub from Joe, but spent a couple hours watching and talking to us.  Came home around 3PM after about 6 hours at the field!

No fixed wings today!

That's right. I went to the field with my Blade 400 and used up 3 battery packs on it.  No crashes.  I had my Stinger with me, but not all of it.  I forgot the wings at home, thus no fixed wing flying today, lol. Doggone it.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Well, I couldn't have asked for a better flying day for my birthday!  The company was great, the weather was fantastic, and all my flights went well.  Tad and Jeremy came to spend the day flying with me, making it complete.  Talk about being tired.  I took my Sbach, Toledo Special, and Blade 400.   The Toledo Special was funtastick, quiet, and zippy with the new used Saito 82a in it.  Flew it 3 times.  I don't think I ever want to get rid of that plane!  The Sbach is growing on me more and more.  This is the first day I actually really enjoyed flying it, and felt comfortable with it.  I am getting more accustomed to it, and it is rewarding me with great responsiveness and enjoyment.  Flew it twice.  The DLE-30 continues to please me and make me look good.  I say this because both Mike and Dean have had their problems with this engine.  Not so for me...the engine barks in about 25 flips on the first start of the day, then it starts in another 5 or 7 flips and stays running till I land and kill it.  Subsequent starts are with no choke and usually in 10 flips or less.  Lastly, I showed Jeremy, Tad, Joe, and Anthony  that I can really hover the Blade 400.  For the first time, I ran through all four battery packs in one outing.  No damage!  It was an outstanding birthday of flying!

Chopper Chatter

I took the Blade 400 3D to the field to fly it after mowing today.  It was little breezy but I figure I have to learn.  Sons suggested taking cardboard so I could take off from the grass and not kill blades and rotors too easily.  I decided it is simple enough to just haul any pit mat over to the grass instead...it works even better than cardboard because it is heavy.  It worked out great.  I used one whole 2200mAh battery pack and some of another.  I decided then to quit while ahead as the wind from the SW built up.  I think I did well given the breeze.  It makes the chopper go up or go forward when it blows harder, so it took much concentration to keep aflloat!  No damage today, how about that!  Main blades are not tracking well, so that needs adjustment. These are replacements so it figures.

3 Deadsticks and a Hover

For some reason, my T-28 died in the air three times today.  On the first landing, I was short of the runway, so that means I landed in the tilled dirt of the sodfarm.  While the plane flipped, I was lucky that damage is light and seems to be limited to all three LG.  The doors of the main LG got torn off, and one gear is loose in the block, so it has to be firmed up again.  The doors of the nose gear were splatted flat, so I need to replace or repair that.  I still tried to fly it and got the other two deadsticks, landing both times on the grass runway.  I think the temp was just too warm, and the engine was still tuned for dead of Winter.  I actually had to open the main needle, and close the low end screw a little.  I ran it for probably 5 minutes on the table and it did not die again, so I think it is ready for the next time.  I just need to repair LG and doors before Warbird Weekend.

I then tried to hover my Blade 400 3D for the first time, and I can happily report I was successful.  I used just the one battery pack that came with it.  On my initial try to lift off, the tail rotor hit the ground and unbeknownst to me it chipped then.  The main rotor also glanced the ground.  On the next attempt, I was able to hover.  I landed after 30-60 seconds, and then took off again for my last hovering.  That one lasted a couple minutes at least.  I ventured up to about 8' and did most hovering closer to 2' or 3' off the ground.  On the last attempt, I took off from the dirt road and moved over to land on the grass runway...just 15' away.  Great fun, and a huge accomplishment for me.  Training on the Blade CX must have really helped me attain this success!  :)