Topics

1

Slope Soaring / small parrcel in the post.

« on: October 25, 2021, 19:43:49 PM »

This arrived in the post the other day. Woohoo.

Even I should be able to turn this one around fairly quickly.

2

Electrics / MPX Multicont ESC failsafe problem

« on: June 01, 2020, 22:06:54 PM »

Lads,

I've obviously not refined my google search term enough as Prof. Google is not being his usual helpful self.

I'm taking advantage of the no fly time and migrating my models to a new (to me) transmitter.

MPX Acromaster, with Acromaster Power Set.

Everything works fine, until I power the transmitter back up after testing the failsafe.
Before turning off the transmitter the motor responds to the throttle as expected.

Then I test the failsafe, by turning the transmitter off.
Failsafe kicks in, motor stops. Happy days.

Then I turn the transmitter back on again...

The ESC just ignores the throttle, I can wiggle the throttle anyway I like, but the only way to stop the motor turning is to turn off the transmitter, again, so that the failsafe kicks in again.

I'm definitely puzzled by this as the Acromaster is the last model I've moved to the new transmitter, but its the only one that has given me this kind of hassle.

All the rest of my models have various far eastern (EMAX/Turnigy/Hobbyking/Ripmax) ESCs, and they all behave normally, as one would expec,t after the failsafe condition is removed (transmitter switched on again).

Maybe the answer really is in the ESC manual, but I've not spotted it so far - though maybe todays sunshine went to my head and I missed it. All off my other ESC's just work, and with the exception of the Acromaster the rest of the fleet is ready to commit aviation. Since none of my cheapo ESCs have this problem I can't believe that its an issue with the transmitter.
I didn't even have to go looking for the ESC manuals for any of my other models.

I guess one solution would be just to swap out the ESC, but I'll need to use the MPX ESC in something, sooner or later.

I've tried moving the throttle to idle and back up again, but no joy - in fact the transmitter won't transmit unless I have the throttle at idle anyway after power up, so no choice in the matter there, but  repeating the arming sequence should not matter as the ESC was powered all through the failsafe test.

Any one come across this before? Any suggestions?

Chris

3

Slope Soaring / Phase 6 Ailerons

« on: May 01, 2020, 07:54:18 AM »

Folks,

Does anyone know if the phase 6 ailerons have changed in dimension over the millenia?

Looking at the kit, the original design had a standard (3kg/cm torque) servo in the middle, so, logically 2 x 1.5 kg/cm servos would suffice for its current incarnation. But that would assume that the dimensions of the surfaces had not changed.

The radio I plan on using for this one is incapable of a crow mix (its been gathering dust for a while), so two rather than four servo wing by default.

Minimum of fettling desired - to the extent of not hacking the wings - as a result of an excess of last minute fettling on the last build.

Chris

PS: I've plenty of 1.6 kg/cm in stock, not so other sizes that'd fit in a P6 wing without requiring blisters etc. 

4

Slope Soaring / New Model Speed Record

« on: June 14, 2018, 22:45:27 PM »

Has anybody seen this video about dynamic soaring?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv7-YM4wno8

This is a talk by Spencer Lisenby about his path to setting a number of new speed records for model aircraft.

It does go on for a bit, so comfy chair and a mug/glass of ones favourite tipple are essential companions whilst viewing.

I can only speak for myself, but I found it rather interesting and thought provoking.

Chris

5

PSS / Sectioned

« on: March 18, 2018, 13:20:19 PM »

Folks,

Any recommendation on a section for a ~1 m span jet.

Model is a West Wings Hawk. The plan so far is to stretch the span slightly and reduce the size of the intakes, both as recommended on the Facebook PSS group
It did occur to me that it might be worthwhile changing the section also since this will never be an EDF.

I know I can while away a few hours googling and reading to find a collection of contradictory recommendations, but it's always easier to ask...

Option 1 is to use the existing ribs/section
Oprion 2 is to make a builtup wing with a new section
Option 3 is to make a foam core wing for it (been a while since I cut one of those), with a revised section.

I'm leaning towards option 3 as washout is required and that would seem to me to be easier to build into a foam wing.

Having said that I've built plenty of wings with washout, it just wasn't deliberate...

Chris

6

Misceleanous / Belfast goes Back to the Future

« on: October 27, 2017, 20:43:36 PM »

Now where did I leave that flux capacitor?

https://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/gadget-master/consumer-electronics/belfast-goes-back-to-the-future-with-electric-delorean-2015-10/?utm_source=eshot&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EW-3811-(Edi)-GadgetMaster

7

IAA - NOTAM - TRAs / FAA Model AIrplane registration shot down

« on: May 26, 2017, 23:10:05 PM »

Talking to one of the lads today he told me that the FAA had lost, in  court, in their demands for model aircraft to be registered.

A quick trawl on "d interweb" turned this up:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johngoglia/2017/05/19/federal-appeals-court-voids-faa-registration-rule-for-model-aircraft/#37aa264b4238

I wonder what, if any, implications this has for us and our dealings with the IAA/EASA.

8

Control Line / "Home International" 2017 in Dublin next weekend

« on: May 22, 2017, 21:36:20 PM »

Boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen,

This coming weekend (27/28 May)sees the Home International Control Line competition (aka Triple Crown) being hosted by the Fingal Model Flying Club, take place in Ring Common Sports Centre.

At this years event we will have some of the best control line aerobatics pilots in this part of the world, with members of both the Welsh and English teams having participated in the British Team at last years Control Line World Championship in Australia.

This year three teams are competing, representing Ireland, England and Wales, with Scotland being a no show.

In general, these models are beautifully finished and expertly flown, with many high tech features, such as carbon re-inforced bulkheads, custom bolt on wing joiners (not dis-similar to full size). It also looks like most models will be electric at this years event.

As national pride is at stake it will take or gales or lightning to stop flying from taking place.

The event proper kicks of on Saturday morning at Ring Common Sports Centre, just off the M1 with flying taking place all day Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting.

Chris

9

Events / 2017 ISREvent Dates

« on: January 19, 2017, 09:14:36 AM »

Lads,

Do we have any proposed dates for 2017?

I need to make sure I have no 'visa' problems, so it helps to put the dates in the calendar as early as possible.

Chris

10

Misceleanous / Extreme Weather

« on: September 24, 2016, 15:21:17 PM »

Just tidying up my phone and I came across this shot taken a few weeks ago on the seafront in Bray. Looks to me like a waterspout attempting to form. I stood and watched it for a few minutes and this is about as close as it got to forming. It just dissipated after this.

Definitely not what I was expecting to see from the seafront in Bray.

11

Misc / Droning on

« on: July 21, 2016, 23:24:29 PM »

This arrived in my inbox in work.

http://releases.jhu.edu/2016/06/08/johns-hopkins-team-makes-hobby-drones-crash-to-expose-design-flaws/

The gist of it is that in general drone software is not designed with any security features and the right (or wrong) people can exploit this lack of security for nefarious purposes, much like computer virus's or the infamous 'stux' worm that shut down certain nuclear establishments.

In general it's related to the general unease in many quarters about the 'internet of things' that is supposedly coming our way.
Given the way that our RC models are controlled I'm not sure this has any relevance to us directly, but for the more computer/tablet controlled end of things the implications could be significant, and doubtless we will get tarred with the same brush (again).

12

Misc / Quit Stalling, or Spin In

« on: May 31, 2016, 22:11:42 PM »

Came across this the other day on my internet wanderings.

 I guess we're lucky our "SUA's" have such low wing loadings.

It also explains why one or two 'arrivals' were less than successful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaL1NcJs1jw

13

The French Corner / Model Shops

« on: April 26, 2016, 20:07:21 PM »

Guys,

Excuse my (lack of) Francais:
 
Do you have any recommendations for model shops in the general Brest, Morlaix, Saint Brieuc area?

I have a trip coming up and I know Mr. Brico will be providing some materials, but there are always those little things.

Chris

14

Misceleanous / More drones

« on: January 22, 2016, 18:39:57 PM »

Came across this the other day.

http://www.nasa.gov/feature/langley/nasa-flies-drones-in-aircraft-noise-test

15

Misceleanous / Scale Model

« on: February 25, 2015, 22:22:47 PM »

Maybe I should have put this in the scale section...

http://www.nasa.gov/sls/base-heating-tests.html

How about this as a new career option for most of us

http://msucares.com/news/print/agnews/an15/20150205.html