Flying for Real..

[Vc Ten]

Looks well Eddie Keep the rates low for a bit but have a fair deflection on the rudders as they're not that effective. It wiil knife edge but needs a bit of speed Just watch out for the long approach it takes ages to touchdown
Had mine out again after the repairs No alterations to the trim and flys ok Will watch that stalling in a slow turn in future
Dale

[VEGAS]

Roger that mate cheers.

I probably won't even touch the rudders. I rarely use em.

One more question mate, how is it best to launch?

Seen some weird and wonderful tips on YouTube.

One big chuck with no power? Then power on after release?

[Vc Ten]

3/4 power and launch skywards Much less and it drops too much before you can get a grip of it One of the few advantages of being left handed I can hold the right stick and launch the model with the left hand staying in control right from the start
Dale

[DaveB]

That's a very dangerous looking piece of kit Eddie

I've yet to try the 2200 in the Bixler though I really must at some point With the 1300's.. I can shove them into the nose leaving plenty of room between them and the ESC on one side of the bulkhead and the rxer on the other. When I put the 2200 in, it sits against the nose and the other end sits in between the ESC and receiver.. this with the battery on it's side The ESC and rxer are only velcroed in place so I can move them but I'll need to make reference lines on the fuse sides so I can put them back in the right place when I use the 1300's. All a bit of a mitch motch really. IF it stays in the air, I'm expecting good flight times out of it. It's a Turnigy 20C 30 burst.. not quite as much oomph as my Overlander 25C 35 burst (1300 3S) but I hope, with a better duration. 15mins are pushing them in the v cold weather.. 20 is easy when it's warmer.

I'm hoping too that the Turnigy will remove a bit of the Bixlers desire to climb under heavy throttle.. I want it to go faster instead

Have you any idea how the heck you're gonna launch that thing?? I've seen the throttle opened and them flicked/spun into the air but that all looks rather too risky to me

One of my AR500's turned up today.. what a little gem. Not had a chance to try it yet as the DX6i has been confiscated until Christmas but size wise.. it's so much smaller than the 27meg unit I got in the Mustang (currently in the ASW). I must open the packet my AR600 is in and compare the size. One thing I don't like about the Spektrum receivers that I do like about the FMS rxer is the way the leads plug in. They all seem to be on the top on the Spektrums.. on the FMS, they're in the side (end) making them very easy to fit. The FMS only has one AE too so there's no farting around with two I'll get used to it I'm sure

EDIT: Just had a peek.. it's the same size as the AR500.. excellent. Believe it or not, those receivers are half the size of the 27meg type. Imagine two AR500/600's side by side and that's how big the 27meg receiver is Thank goodness for digitisation

ATB
DaveB

[DaveB]

Ker-dunk..

Turnigy 2200mAh Update
Couldn't see any movement off the tree branches so braved the cold (it's 5 to 11 here and temp on the back step.. indoors and out of any wind.. is still -4)

Lobbed the 2200 into the front end of the Bixler.. PFC's.. set my timer to 10mins (which is all I was prepared to stand out there).. prayed to Allah and launched, wondering how long or short this flight was going to be! The common had a flock of Canada Geese in the middle (bless em) which I didn't want to annoy and the wind was from the NE which is odd for here and made my launch direction completely arse about face to what I'm used to. 3/4 throttle to try and compensate for the additional weight but off she went, straight and true.

Much different flying characteristics to flying with the 1300's. As I suspected, it now has to be flown to a greater degree than before but the TGS Sport 6x4E prop I fitted takes care of the additional weight with ease. It's transformed the Bixler from a CBA, sunday afternoon drifter into something rather more sporty The Bixler has 4 large washers hot-glued into the nose which I guess allows the use of a smaller 'standard' battery.. without them, using a 1300 would be a chore.. it'd never land I was worried about leaving them in when using the 2200 but after trying it, I'm happy to leave them there. Taking them out would make using 1300's difficult too so I want to keep that option open.. especially as I have a lot more 1300's than I do 2200's.. 3 to 1! However.. were I to use 2200's all the time, I'd certainly consider removing them. We'll see. The 2200 was going for a song off HobbyKing ($5) and if they do the same deal again (restricted to 1 per customer).. I'll take advantage of another for sure

It's just finished charging after the flight and took 26.13 to come up to full. Difficult to say where this puts it in comparison to the 1300's but the last time I flew with them in similar weather, the Overlander took 43.02 for somewhere around 12/13min flight and the Parkzone 1300 took 57.06 for 15min. Noting that the Bixler had to be flown on throttle rather than let it fart around on almost closed throttle.. I'm happy with the result so far

Landing was faster although it didn't fall from the sky.. more like landing the Mustang. The battery was still cool.. the ESC was warm though not hot (thanks to Dale for suggesting I get a 30amp and not the recommended 20amp)

Of course Eddie.. you won't notice any of this as you'll be going from 0 to 60 straight out of the box Good luck with the maiden

ATB
DaveB

[VEGAS]

Stryker Maiden update

Well fellas I've just got back from the maiden.

Boy oh boy she doesn't hang about.

Nothing gets the adrenalin going more than chucking that plane on its own power for the first time.

Did as recommended for first launch. Although I held the wing and put 3/4 throttle and nice firm upwards angle.

It left my grasp beautifully and went blasting off. I instantly gave it some beans to get height and above the trees.

Climbs really well and seems leagues away from the warbirds that I used to think were so so fast.

Got used to the handling on low rates on course. Everything set to approx 65% movement and expo done as per manual.

Gotta say, I just love it. It looks fantastic in the air and kind of reminds me a little of the vulcan, probably because of the wing shape.

Flew three lipos on it using them for about 6/7 minutes. First one probably longer as it started pulsing and I felt an urgent rush to get it on the ground.

Not sure where you fly Dale, but where I am is quite open and usually a lot of dog walkers and kids (Trolls as Dave calls them!)

This thing really pulls in the crowds and I've had several people come and chat today in one sitting than probably months with the warbirds.

I've got to try and master the landings though. First one was terrible. Too fast and hard. Put the breakoff nose out of shape.

Nothing that a quick visit home and a bucket of boiling water to reset the foam didn't sort out.

Second two flights were better. Tried a few barrel rolls and loops which it did remarkably well.

The second and third landings were better but bloody hell it doesn't half come in fast. Needs a really really long approach to whittle the speed down.

On the whole I'm very impressed and the plane is back in the garage in one piece, which is always a bonus.

I have dented one of the landing skids coming in a little fast and hard but I've put tape over them as they seem vulnerable.

[DaveB]

Well done with that mate. It really is scary as shit launching a new model for the first time isn't it and something you already know goes as fast as the Stryker must have made it more so

Glad she's back with little damage

ATB
DaveB

[VEGAS]

Hi Dave,

Cheers for that.

Bit gutted to be honest that she has a very minor dent on the skids.

I suppose its bound to happen, just didn't expect it so soon.

One things for sure. The landings on this bugger need to be mastered properly or it'll easily bite you on the backside.

Could do with a large open field with no hazards, dog walkers or things to clip on the approach in.

My current field is like a wooded reconstruction of Kai Tak!

Warbirds/Radian are fine as they are relatively easy to control and don't require a lot of field.

The Stryker needs a flaming big approach path to kill all the speed.

I've actually seen some crazy fella on YouTube do a harrier style vertical landing which just floated in nice and soft.

Although I think he was assisted by a nice little head wind for extra control.

One things for sure, I'll be practicing all the approaches the little lipo will allow next time I go up.

Hope your having fun with the Bixler and the 2200's.

Looking forward to your video at some point too mate.

[Tako_Kichi]

Here's a seasonal treat for all you RC pilots.

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/your_w ... wed_thumbs

Looks like a great place to fly at any time of year.

[Vc Ten]

Beautiful scenery What a place to fly Looks bloody cold though Like the beaver's shadow on the touch and go
Nearly went for a eflite beaver before i got commited to the gassers
One of the lads down our strip had one though Never flew it Was testing it in his garage when it took off full chat into the doors ripping the wings off in the process
ATB
Dale