Flying for Real..

[DaveB]

Hi James

Well done on taking the plunge Hope you don't live to regret it

Re' a high wing Futaba compatible trainer..
There must be some out there but unfortunately, I'm not the bloke to give advice as I'm Spektrum. You can always buy something like the Parkzone Super Cub in BNF (Bind'n'fly) flavour but you'd have to add your own Futaba receiver and it'd leave you with a Spektrum receiver that's of no use to you (though you could sell it on ebay). If they do a PNF (Plug'n'fly) version.. that'd be better though you'd still have to buy a Futaba receiver.

It may be more difficult than you think to buy an aircraft with Futaba equipment onboard though not impossible. Look for a Plug'N'Fly model you fancy then buy a receiver to match your transmitter.. assuming you already have a Futaba transmitter

ATB
DaveB

[Vc Ten]

Hi There
Good to see another real flyer
Not much out there in the way of Futaba equiped trainers As Dave says its all spekky stuff Parkzone eflight etc I have seen Ripmax have a few models with futaba radios but its FHSS 2.4, not FASST technology (the futaba "full range" 2.4gig)
I started off with Parkzone super cub and used the trannie that came with the model Only moving to Futaba once flying ARTF models that came with no radio. Can anyone at you club advise?
Dale

[hobby]

Have been practicing on my new Phoenix 4 R/C simulator today - very wriggly ccts with more terminal arrivals than landings after 60 minutes practice with high wing trainer this evening!! Much easier in FS9.

My club instructors have no favoured electric trainer. The "ST Discovery" seems to be very popular at the moment - a high wing foamy. Might go for that.

I tried out my indoor Ares "Tiger Moth" (weighs 0.5oz in flying trim). Flies well, many members of the indoor club intrigued and delighted to fly a few circuits. I managed a few very unskilled ccts myself.

I do wish I had chosen the Spektrum transmitter but our outdoor club seems to favour the Futaba.

[DaveB]

Dare I say it mate but Futaba is very much a 'status symbol' these days. There were times when Spektrum wasn't what it is now but they learned well Everything Futaba is more expensive than Spektrum.. servo's, transmitters, receivers but whether they're better is open to argument. I'm not going there as Dale is Futaba equipped My Spektrum kit does everything I want of it.. more in fact so I'll be staying put

EDIT: Having read the above again, it does seem a little 'negative' which wasn't my intention. Futaba kit is excellent.. no two ways about it and I'm sure it'll serve you well in the years to come. Whether the amount of flying you'll do warrants you needing the 'Rolls Royce' of radio gear is up to you really but at least you should be in a position to get any answers you need regarding it from your club

I take it you're looking for something you have to take off and land from grass.. that is a model with landing gear rather than a hand launched belly lander? I did see a Hobbyzone Super Cub on ebay going for around £80.. brand spanking new with all components fitted. The only things missing were a transmitter and charger. How they could sell it for that price is beyond me and had I not just bought the Walrus.. I'd have bought it. For that price, binning the Spektrum receiver and getting a Futaba one would be no hardship and you'd still be quids in.. assuming you could get a good deal on a Futaba receiver that is As Dale said.. your club should be able to advise on a suitable trainer and where to get one from. You may find one of the members has one for sale which would be better still. While 'bending' something second hand is depressing, it's not as bad as bending something brand new

ATB
DaveB

[DaveB]

James..

Been looking at the ST Discovery and this isn't a bad deal.. http://www.kingslynnmodelshop.co.uk/Air ... _info.html

For the 2x 2200 Overlander Lipo's, you're looking at around £40 of batteries and believe me.. 1 is never enough.. 2 would be a base minimum. OK.. £130 all but a penny or so isn't cheap but looking at other sellers who advertise it without batteries, this isn't bad. I'm not sure what postage is like from Kingslynnmodelshop but it'll be on par. Then of course, you'll have to get a receiver!

Personally, I'd look for a 6ch but the 'Disco' only requires a 4ch unit (ESC, Ailerons, Rudder, Elevator). It all depends on how you want to go in the future.. that is, you might want to use the receiver you get for the 'Disco' in a different model, perhaps one with flaps and/or retractable landing gear in which case 4ch will not be enough. However, you may be happy to buy a 4ch receiver for the Disco and leave it there. I know some Futaba transmitters have a 'model match' memory function (as do all Spektrum transmitters from the DX6i up) so it'll be easier for you to select a model with a receiver already bound to it. Initially, this may be the best way to go. You don't want to end up as I did with a mixture of transmitters and more models than receivers! Have a 'plan'

As per.. if you have any questions, fire em off here and we'll do our best to give the best advice

ATB
DaveB

[hobby]

"Disco" expected to be delivered tomorrow.

I have been practising on my Phoenix 4 simulator with a high wing trainer - hopeless at present - take offs are easy but approaches and successful landings are very few and far between at present. Circuits and crunches!!!

[DaveB]

Hello Mate

I've never had the benefit of using a sim for any of my models but have found FS an invaluable tool as far as 'remote' flying goes

The problem with RC models is that they gain speed extremely fast but scrub it off much slower. Flaps will scrub it off quickly but model control thereafter isn't as easy as it is in FS. It's much easier to trim in FS whereas flying a model.. I don't like farting around with trim when I've spent time getting it where I want it! With enough channels and patience.. it's possible to mix channels to overcome (or partly overcome) pitch control but I've yet to delve there

I'm sure when you get the 'real thing' in the air.. landings will be a little less disasterous. If in doubt.. go around It's easier for me to some degree as I don't have the worry of bending landing gear. The one model I have with gear (the Super Cub) had it's main gear removed to stop it nosing over on landing due to the grass where I fly being too long. I had to hand launch it anyway for the same reason so nothing lost really Taking off and landing with gear is something I wish I could do but unless I make an effort to put the model in a car and drive somewhere suitable.. it's not gonna happen. Perhaps if it snows again this year, I may put the floats on the Super Cub (vice ski's). I've seen it done and they work well

Good luck with the Disco build. From what I've read, construction is straight forward and fast. First time charge time for your 2200's will vary (always make sure they're fully charged before flying) but expect around 40mins for 10-15min gentle flight thereafter. Rule of thumb.. set the charge rate to correspond with your battery mAh when using a non-dedicated charger. For a 2200mAh, this would be 2.2amps.. for a 1300mAh, 1.3amps e t c, etc Eddie and I use the Imax B6AC charger.. not sure what Dale uses

I'd like to think that as you've joined a club and the club recommend both the Discovery and Futaba radio gear.. someone there will have a 'trainer' lead compatible with your gear and will 'Buddy' you on your first couple of flights. There's nothing more depressing than taking your pride and joy home in pieces and if they're worth their salt.. they should help avoid this happening

Keep us up to speed with both the build and your maiden. Keen to know how you get on

EDIT: A further note on charging while I remember.. if you're using a 'Universal' charger like the Imax, be sure to always charge your batteries in 'Balanced' mode when possible. While there's nothing wrong with using FAST charge or any other variation on the theme.. using 'Balanced' mode is proven to prolong the life of your battery and will ensure your battery gives the best performance

ATB
DaveB

[Vc Ten]

Hi There
Well done on the Disco purchase, hope it arrives today. Get the benefit of the club for the first few flights as Dave mentioned, someone should have a buddy lead to hook up with you. We didnt have the help of others and the learning curve is somewhat more gradual and expensive, however you get there in the end. I tried the simulator approach and got a usb lead to link my first futaba trannie, but didnt find it helped much. Maybe didnt spend enough time on. Others think they are great
Just a word of warning re the lipo charging. Dont underestimate the potential risk of fire in charging or storage or anything else for that matter. I had a 3 cell 3000mah rapidly combust whilst charging the other week. I used to charge in an outhouse free from flamable material nearby. But the resulting fire still melted the window sill. I charge outdoors now. Would hate to think of if it had happened in the house. Get a charging bag as a minimum requirement
ATB
Dale

[DaveB]

That's a valid point Dale. I've looked at charging bags and thought 'nah.. I'll be alright'. Your experience is another wake-up call which has prompted me to 'add to basket'

ATB
DaveB

[DaveB]

Hobby..

Have you got it yet? Have you built it yet? Have you flown it yet? And finally.. where are the pictures!

ATB
DaveB