GliderIreland - Ireland RC Forum - Flying Model forum in Ireland

Planes => Indoor => Topic started by: Happy Days on September 06, 2009, 20:50:21 PM

Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Happy Days on September 06, 2009, 20:50:21 PM
Joe mentioned to me some months ago about possibly doing some indoor flying during those winter months when it’s either raining or the wind is in the wrong direction for Sloping. :!:   I believe he said there was a place suitable somewhere near Blackwater. :)

Given that this summer has proved to be almost a total wash-out, and with the winter looking to follow suit, I’m finding myself thinking more and more about this idea of flying where the wind don’t blow and the rain don’t fall. :D
Perhaps it’s not as dynamic as sloping, but I wouldn’t mind trying it if only to say that I’d done it! Wouldn’t have thought it’d cost a fortune, does anyone know anything about it? :?:

………………I’m thinking,…… electric powered,…… gossamer light,…… and home constructed. Anyone know of such a thing? Would anyone care to join me? (I’d be frightened to do it on my own! :(  I need someone to hold my hand. :D )


yours sincerely,
A Nervous Virgin
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: billscottni on September 06, 2009, 22:35:54 PM
Go and have a look on RCGroups. LOTS of free plans, (mainly in depron) and all using readily available electric set ups

couple of good starting points;

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=851608

http://www.rcgroups.com/indoor-and-micro-models-85/
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Happy Days on September 07, 2009, 16:16:25 PM
Thanks Bill :clap: , just out of interest, any suggestions on an indoor artf model?

Keith
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: billscottni on September 07, 2009, 17:32:27 PM
You'd be better asking John Pearson (big B52 for PSS). He does a lot more indoor flying than me
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Richard Boyd on September 11, 2009, 10:38:32 AM
Hi Keith , try this link to expressfly http://www.expressfly.org.uk/shop/product_info.php?cPath=11&products_id=46
go down to the index plan or one of the greats ! the Bling bling and down load the planes and try either of these planes.
They are F3P designs and are by far the best 2 planes on the free plans.
I always recommend using light quality equipment. Buy quality gear once and there is no need to waste money re buying in the future.

Richard
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Happy Days on September 11, 2009, 13:25:41 PM
Thank you very much Richard. :clap:  It’s amazing what some of these guys can do isn’t it. I always recon you know it’s hard to do, when an expert makes it look easy.

I feel very confident I shall be going down this route of indoor flight,………provided I can find somewhere to fly. :!:

I’m told persistence is a virtue,……I intend to be very virtuous! :lol:

Thanks again for the info and links.

Keith
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Richard Boyd on September 11, 2009, 15:21:05 PM
Hi Keith and all , its a pleasure to help.
Indoor flying is probably the best training any pilot can have.
I learnt indoors and this is the style of flying I love, plus I must say gliding , both F3K and slope although I am only learning how to slope and fly a F3K glider.

This is me flying in the local leisure center, video is over a year old
http://vimeo.com/4058853



Richard[/url]
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: billscottni on September 11, 2009, 15:25:08 PM
I'm sure John or I can find space in one of the cars for this weekend Richard!
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Richard Boyd on September 11, 2009, 15:44:05 PM
Hi Bill I took the morning of work and flew a few packs then the park looked inviting so I have been chucking the Blaster up until an hour ago. My Tranny battery is flat lol.
Unfortunately I am unable to travel with you and John to Mount Leinster as I have the 3 kids this weekend, I know I am kicking my self missing out on a fun weekend. Maybe next time !
Spread the word about Dungannons MFC fly-in on the 19th Sept ! everyone is welcome, and we are only an hour and a half's drive from Dublin.

 (http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Richard%20Boyd/IMG_1136.jpg)[/img]

Richard
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: billscottni on September 11, 2009, 15:48:59 PM
No problem Richard, family comes first (particularly in our circumstances!)

Will mention DMFC Fly IN
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Happy Days on September 11, 2009, 16:47:02 PM
My god Richard, I've just watched your little video, :clap:  :clap: ..........Had a big grin on my face all the way through. :D

Like I said in my last posting.    You know it's hard when the experts make it look easy :wink:

Well done! :clap:  :clap:
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Richard Boyd on September 22, 2009, 08:33:54 AM
Thanks Keith for the kind comments !
Practise practise practise and finally I can now fly a little bit lol.
Indoor season is now here and I intend to build a few new planes to have fun with.
I will do my best to post some pictures of them on the forum.
Fly low and have fun,

Richard
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Happy Days on November 02, 2009, 14:22:48 PM
Question: What is the best way to retain the speed controller and batteries on  indoor models. Instinct tells me ‘Velcro tape’, but does anyone know of a better way? :?:

Keith
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: billscottni on November 02, 2009, 14:25:59 PM
depends if you want to move it between models Keith.

Hot glue works well too.
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Happy Days on November 02, 2009, 15:14:32 PM
Yes, good point Bill. :)

I do want to move it, to change over batteries, and also to change the CoG to find best flying position for my sill levels……….pretty far forward to begin with! :wink:

So what method of securing it would you suggest?
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: billscottni on November 02, 2009, 15:19:48 PM
go with velcro or double sided tape
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Aidan on November 02, 2009, 15:57:16 PM
Velcro pads work but I don't like them. You have to stick pads to all your packs! Also it puts some strain on the airframe when you pull it off.
A velcro strap around the pack that holds it in place but is not attached to it is a better solution in my opinion especially for larger packs, say 2s 500mAh+. The example below is pretty bulky and is in an old outdoor plane of mine but I've done something similar with a much narrower strap for indoor planes. There are two downsides: the velcro is a bit heavy and also if you don't reinforce the slots in the depron it will start to tear and crush over time.
My preference especially for lighter stuff like the F3P planes is just a small elastic band. Laminate some small pieces of depron to locate the battery and to provide enough material to anchor the pins for the elastic band. Don't make the pins too narrow (e.g. cocktail sticks) or they'll be inclined to tear the depron (The pins in the picture below are about 2.5mm diameter from a bamboo skewer, a bit of 1/8" balsa dowel is probably even better). You only need very little tension on the band especially for small <30g packs.
I really like this method. it's tidy, easy, light and reliable.

You can use double sided tape or velcro pads for the first flight or two if you want to check the CG before adding a permanent battery holder.

Aidan
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Aidan/IMG_1677_smaller.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Aidan/S3700082_smaller.jpg)
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Happy Days on November 02, 2009, 16:46:22 PM
Aiden, my good man, that was very informative. I’m very much obliged to you for that detailed information :clap:  :clap:

I notice  that you’ve secured your motor mount to the fuse with what looks like fiber tape. Is that all you use?

And another question, how do you secure your servos?

Sorry to pester you with these questions, but as the title of this thread says, I’m only a Virgin! (to this discipline of rc flight).

Keith
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Aidan on November 02, 2009, 17:56:42 PM
Quote from: "Happy Days"
Aiden, my good man, that was very informative. I’m very much obliged to you for that detailed information :clap:  :clap:

I notice  that you’ve secured your motor mount to the fuse with what looks like fiber tape. Is that all you use?

And another question, how do you secure your servos?

Sorry to pester you with these questions, but as the title of this thread says, I’m only a Virgin! (to this discipline of rc flight).

Keith

Hi Keith,

Yes, I just use a small piece of fibre tape on each arm of a X motor mount. Normal hinge tape would do the job too.
I've attached servos a few different ways. Good double sided tape works. Alternatively you can glue them. If the slot for the servo is a good fit then a couple of small dabs of medium CA will hold it. If you want the glue to do the whole job it's probably better to wrap the servo in tape or heatshrink and glue the servo straight onto the depron.

Aidan
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Happy Days on November 02, 2009, 18:21:51 PM
Very useful information Aidan. :D

Thank you very much indeed. :clap:

Keith
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: DaveMc on November 02, 2009, 20:29:23 PM
Dont feel bad kieth about all the questions. You were reading my mind. All those questions were on my mind aswell. I am waiting on delivery of my first Depron indoor model.

Thanks Aidan for that great advice.

D.
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Brian on November 03, 2009, 09:21:47 AM
Hi Dave,
Me too.
Hmm must be something to do with all this good weather.
Hi Aidan,Keith etc. when I glue in radio I use a Polyurethene like Tek7.
It cures in moisture vapour,found in the air we breath, to a firm rubber.
Very strong, and just cut to remove the rest will peel off.
Its available in black and white at least.

Brian
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Happy Days on November 03, 2009, 17:03:45 PM
Okay all you indoor Guru’s .Two questions;

1/ What is the best material to use for an indoor model, when being flown by a novice indoor pilot? :?:

2/ What sort of  target weight should such a model be? :?:

(I’m expecting to receive loads of different answers :lol: )

K.
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: billscottni on November 03, 2009, 17:18:26 PM
Don't know about Q2 but Q1 would DEFINITELY be EPP!
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Aidan on November 03, 2009, 19:08:54 PM
Quote from: "Happy Days"
Okay all you indoor Guru’s .Two questions;

1/ What is the best material to use for an indoor model, when being flown by a novice indoor pilot? :?:

2/ What sort of  target weight should such a model be? :?:

(I’m expecting to receive loads of different answers :lol: )

K.

EPP is definitely a good idea if you expect to do a fair amount of crashing and that's a definite possibility for your first few flights indoors. You could build the entire plane from EPP or another possibility is to build an EPP nose section onto a Depron or Extrupor airframe. The nose will always take the vast majority of the abuse.
Weight depends on size but keep it as light as you can. For a typical shockflier size plane (say 780mm to 850mm span) I'd aim for 160g or less if you want to keep the speed reasonable (~130g would be nice but might be hard to achieve first try). Remember, the lighter it is the slower you can fly it and the slower you fly it the more time you have to decide how to avoid the walls.

Aidan
Title: Indoor Virgin
Post by: Happy Days on November 03, 2009, 20:18:25 PM
Thank you, Bill and Aiden,......all food for thought.

Anyone else have any words of wisdom for an eejit Englishman? :oops:

John,..... Ralph?

K.