Flying for Real..

[VEGAS]

Hmmm.

Which way did it turn Dave?

I have noticed mine rotate to the left when launched.

Think it's partly to do with the torque of the motor pulling that way.

Mine has minor crash damage from previous incident.

Dont think they are ever the same afterward.

You can't be too sure of your aircrafts background ether I guess.

One thing. The launch.

I assume you give a good hard chuck. 30-40 degrees at almost full power?

Get the height at the initial phase to give yourself the breathing space to correct and tidy up.

[DaveB]

Hello Mate

One problem I have with the Cat is actually holding it firm to launch.. my 'grab' isn't big enough. It's a fat old bird when compared to the Cub and P51. It went up and off ok but started to turn to the right almost immediately. When I checked the control surfaces yesterday, I swear they were correct but having looked again tonight having reinstalled the rxer, I've had to reverse the aileron and rudder on the txer. This would certainly explain why my attempts to control it made matters worse. Given 10 more feet of altitude.. I'd have got away with it but for how long, I couldn't say with the ailerons reversed. I had no opportunity to use any rudder so that didn't matter either way.

Aileron trim as set on the txer was quite severe for the Cub. I didn't touch it at all and the Cub flew straight. For the Cat.. I had to move it to the centre to get the ailerons centred.. logical I know but a departure for how the Cub was set up.

Anyway.. she's fixed and ready to go. I'm not sure if the repair would take a ding of similar force again but if it doesn't.. I'll replace the part The very flimsy cowl escaped without a mark! This little lady lost her empennage at one point.. the break is clearly visible so while a bit bent.. there's still life in her yet At least my Speed Epoxy is clear!

One thing shines very clear with this. The sooner I get a DX6i.. the better. Using the same rxer in multiple aircraft is the cheapest solution but not the best by a long way. I need Christmas to come a little earlier

Tks for the pointers mate
ATB
DaveB

[airboatr]

tidy up.

Allison likes to help him with that..

.... no chance she reads this forum ... right Dave?

[DaveB]

No, she doesn't Joe but I have to put hand on heart and say she's as good as gold with this RC stuff. When I break something, she shows concern and feels my pain.. what more could a bloke ask for.. well, lots really but none of them are gonna happen The front room was empty this morning but how has the SCub and Wildcat back.. the SCub as I was going to take it out this evening but didn't and the Cat is here 'in the workshop' for repair. When I get the shed sorted, things will change but as long as I'm 'seen' to be towing the party line (and I AM).. she's ok

ATB
DaveB

[airboatr]

You sir - are a blessed man.

[DaveB]

Yes.. WELL blessed!

A bit disappointed this morning. The glue hadn't 'gone off' as hard as I'd hoped so I didn't want to risk it. As it happens, there was a hell of a lot of mist around too so I was a little worried of losing sight of it.. likewise, the P51 so I lobbed the rxer back into the SCub and had a smashing half hour flying time. By the time I'd finished.. the sun had pretty much burned the mist off and it was 'uncomfortably warm'. Not used to that

I'm pretty sure that 'Pilot Error' was to blame for the Cat prang yesterday. Had I done correct PFC's, I'd have noticed the ailerons were reversed No such probs with the SCub It gives plenty of warning that the battery is about to expire so as long as you don't arse around.. there's time to get it on the deck

The second takeoff was a bit leary.. those damned trim tabs on the txer There's a lot to be said for the little txer you get with the Champ which has digital trim. Once it's set, it's set

The trolls are up and out now so that curtails any further flying until either this evening or again in the morning. Beautiful here today. Zero wind and warm. Better get the washing out

ATB
DaveB

[VEGAS]

Hi Dave

I've done the very same thing myself.

Every new model I've bought had the ailerons set up that way.

The Cat and Mustang both had to have them set up on reverse mode on the Tx.

Maybe I should have mentioned it. Apologies.

Wasn't sure whether it applied on the ZX10. Obviously it must do.

Not to worry mate. Damage doesn't sound too bad and it's one thing you won't do again.

Have to laugh at the trolls.

Nothing worse than a distraction when flying.

Unfortunately it comes with the territory.

You should of seen me this morning.

Surrounded by six dog walkers and about twenty yapping pooches.

All trying to talk to me. Pleasant people but Christ they talk bollocks.

I just like to be left alone when I'm out there flying.

Sadly it rarely happens.

[DaveB]

You mention dogs mate.. I'd taken the SCub back in and put the batteries on charge (boy.. were they low this time!). Hung the washing out (as you do) then thought bugger this.. I might as well take the Champ out. That was a giggle.. I got a full 4 batteries out of her too though I'm stumped now cause I don't have any fresh batteries for the charger! Anyway.. I'd seen one of the neighbours out of the corner of my eye taking her dog out when next thing.. thud! It had jumped up behind me to say hello. I bet I've got a dirty black dog paw print on my butt Thank goodness it was the Champ I had up and not one of the others.. I can pretty much leave that to fly itself

Think I must have got close to 15mins out of one battery.. perhaps a bit more. The charge was a good'un anyway but there was a lot of warm air rising. It got so small I could barely see it and that was with the throttle off!

Re' normal/reverse..
The P51 I have (cheapo 27mhz) works as prescribed with the ZX10. It's the other 2 that are arse about face to one another. The SCub came with an FMS txer and receiver (out of one of those bloody huge P51's) and all the assignments work fine with aileron and elevator switched up.. throttle and rudder switched down on the SCub.. as I'd been given it. Now.. I wrote down exactly what the model was doing before I disconnected but in the fog of excitement.. I obviously effed up. When I put the XJ600 (FMS rxer) in the Wildcat.. instead of up, up, down, down.. I have to switch it down, up, down, up. I was sure they were fine as per the SCub but another look shows they're not There's no way assignments change on their own so I must have cocked up

Still.. the Cat has been on an upturned foot stool on the back garden all day and the glue finally appears to have gone off. The break was severe.. the wing broke at the end of the carbon rod joint (pity it doesn't go all the way through the wing instead of focusing a massive pressure point on and around the spar end!) but 3 mixes of glue later.. it's back ok and feels strong. Should it take a new set of wings and a new fuselage.. I will not be beaten Fortunately, we're not there yet Got a kitchen timer arrive today until I can afford to go 'up market' and it's loud enough for me to hear so god knows what everyone else hears Wish I had more batteries but they'll arrive 'discreatly' over time

A good day tomorrow too hopefully so a bit more air time on the cards

Time to think of getting the little Mig up me thinks! I know Dale's having a blast re-learning the Stryker

ATB
DaveB

[DaveB]

Well.. the Wildcat has been up but it won't be going up again for a while

Control surfaces double checked this time and found that if I wet my 'launch hand' then partially dried it, I could get a good firm grip on the underside of the fuse. Good launch and a great flight. Goes very well.. a bit twitchy in this mornings winds aloft but very responsive and nice to fly. The alarm went off in my pocket so I brought it round for a landing. Saw it going on a bit further than I'd liked so I tried to bring it round one more time. Not enough pwr left in the battery to climb above/around some trees I'd walked myself close to without knowing and had to put it down quick to avoid them. There's probably one big tuft of grass in the entire area where I fly and I found it! This caught the RH wing bringing it to a sudden halt. I ran over to check the damage and my repair has held but the wing is cracked alongside the repair.
To do anything really good with it, the wing needs to come out but due to a previous repair (not by me this time) the bloody thing won't budge. I'll try and see what can be done but it may be easier to cut the hassle and get a new wing/s. Was a bit miffed that the battery had lost so much in such a short space of time but having read back through this thread, I see you set your timer for 6 mins. I thought you'd said 8 so set mine accordingly. Another couple of minutes grace would have saved the situation but there you go.

A little disheartened but certainly not put off. Can't wait to get it up in the air again but until then.. I have the SCub and P51 to keep me honest!

ATB
DaveB

[Vc Ten]

Well done mate
Pity bout the landing Its inevitable that the worst pice of landing area becomes a magnet for the aircraft
but now you know the feel of her the next flights will be less stressfull You did well to last 6 mins or so on a battery as i said I used 1800 in her and could probably manage 10mins tops
The stryker is progressing well 6 flights yesterday 3 on each battery launches are a doddle and fiying at 1/2 throttle most of the time trying out different manouvers cant knife edge yet but am getting fairly close Full throttle is very frantic and she covers distance at a rapid rate to the point where loss of aircraft orientation becomes a problem shes faster than either ducted fan model Ive got Im trying to keep the habit of making a fairly fast approach to keep me up to speed on the petrols so the sytriker takes up the length of the strip to touch down but thats giving me the practice keeping her straight and level
Winds getting up here at the moment so dont think and "real" flying will be done today
Cheers
Dale