Now is the time to build and build to your hearts content. Or should I say that this is saying in the northern states. With a windchill of 30below I can't think of a better hobby to get into or check it out. Time flies and spring will come soon enough. Then its payoff time to show off what you built and how well it will fly. Sure a guy could go out ice fishing, but there is frozen fish in the grocery stores and they are warm like my shop. OK, which one do I build first. Sometimes I might be working on a couple of static models and an RC at the same time. Thats OK since glue needs to set, parts need sanding, others covering. Enjoy old man winter and think of nice warm breezes and that new plane up in the sky. Doc Ferguson
Here in NC, there is almost always a weekend or two per month (all winter long) that the weather will allow flying, without undue misery. Still, most days the cold combined with the early darkness, makes for better building than flying.
Yep, time to find the surface of my "workbench" so I can get something started.
I've been thinking of starting something completely different from anything I have done in the past.
I see all of the videos that have these flying hydroplane boat/plane contraptions. I like to build stuff with the "T-Lar engineering," (that looks about right) and I have been thinking about building something like that, only for .40 glow power.
I notice that all of them I have come across use electric-LiPo power, and are very light, and pretty small. The question that I have not settled in my mind, is what would the dimensions have to be, for one of these to work with a .40 engine?
Any guesses? How about material? Use the thin fan-fold foam, or use posterboard, or even balsa and plywood, or something else I have not considered?
Of course, part of the fun is trying to do it for practically free, mostly from stuff sitting around the shop.
What say ye? Anyone ever kick that idea around?
I'm sure that I am not the only one to think along these lines!
I also got a mini color TV camera an 2.4 gig transmitter that needs a home. I'm thinking big size, with a Ryobi weedeater (31cc I think) with a possible electric start, so I can shut down and restart in the air for perfect, vibration free still pictures, at the same time. Of course, it would be nice for the cameras to mounted on a ground controllable gimbal, to get left and right, and up and down movement.
I think the best platform would be a high or shoulder wing design, with twin tail booms and a pusher engine layout, to leave the whole nose with a clear globe for the cameras to look through.
Anyone got some thoughts on that? Also, any recommendations for a pusher prop, of around 18 x 6-10, or possibly 16 x 10, or even 20 x 4, or 3/1/2?
I have not flown, or even started this motor, after I converted it around 8 years ago. Health issues, and now I'm trying to get back into the air regularly, again.
Not too ambitious, I hope, but I know it is. OK, how about a hand launched glider? ;-)
So, give me your thoughts on my plans, and plop your plans out on the table, for us to kick around!
Jim in NC Go for the Senior Telemaster. They do have one with a twelve foot wing span. The senior telemaster is big enough to house your camera. No small parts to play with. A 90 would power the big one. Have fun and have the biggest plane in your club. Doc Ferguson
The electric start is not needed. A well cushioned mount will give you pretty good pictures. If you really need totally vibration free to get high enough quality pictures, you may be flying too high and in violation of some airspace agreements somewhere. hint hint
Stepped on a sheet of ice back on the 14th of last month and developed a nice set of spiral fractures in both the fibula and tibula resulting in my very own titanium rod and a set of screws to match. Got time and then some for building right now but getting down the stairs to the garage is a major undertaking and standing at a work bench is out of the question. Huge stack of unbuilt kits and partials and I cant access any of em. Goin stir crazy as a result...
| Now is the time to build and build to your hearts content. Or | should I say that this is saying in the northern states.
Now is the time to go fly!
At least that's what we're saying in Texas. Here in Austin, looks like it's about 60 degrees, mostly sunny, and about 5 mph winds. In fact, it looks so nice, I think I'm going to go fly during my lunch break!
Of course, in July, the tables will turn. We'll still be flying, but we'll be doing so in the 100 degree heat, loaded up with hats, sunscreen and lots of water (if we're smart.)
To me, building is way more than half the fun. I find the process of designing, trying, and improving the design to be greatly satisfying.
I want to have a somewhat sleek design, that will fly some useful missions, but to achieve greatness in it's complexity and functionality, but all done with the minimum of store bought components, and cost.
The goal ultimately, is to be able to fly as a virtual airplane, with the ability to look to the side with the camera, then fly over there, if wanted. Using the video, one could then get the area of interest lined up and snap a picture.
Really, sorry to hear of your woes. I've got two back surgeries to say I may understand a little of what you are going through.
You might find (in some part of your recovery) that if you get someone to get a piece of plywood, a razor saw, some blades and a handle, glue and some assorted sandpaper, you might still be able to build some.
I would work in my recliner, with the plywood resting on the arms, and have my own portable workbench, all with my feet up in the air. You learn to get creative, and do a lot of freehand work, and repeated checking to see if stuff is staying straight.
Sometimes I would lay on the floor and work. I would work a bit, then roll over and take a nap, or just rest, then go back to it.
Taking your mind off your pain is a really good thing, or it was for me.
About 15 years ago in the early days of consumer micro TV transmitters RCM did an article about a guy who used to fly a plane by watching a cockpit view on a TV inside a closed tent. He would fly the plane over a radius of a couple of miles, then make his way back to the RC field and land.
Shortly after that, the guys at Mike's Hobbies in Dallas put a TV camera on top of a trainer so it had a forward view, including the engine and fuel lines sticking up. They used to run a tape in the store where Bill was seen starting the engine and stepping away, then the fuel lines would blow backwards a few times as they ran the engine up. Then the plane started going down the runway, took off, flew for about 30 seconds, and crashed next to a tree. It was quite a majestic milestone of RC adventure in its day. I never did find out if they were flying the plane by TV screen or direct view...
"A Canadian RC airplane enthusiast shows us some sweet unanticipated convergence between a model RC airplane and virtual reality gear. It works like this: The airplane is a conventional one, controlled by a wireless remote control. On the airplane is a pan-and-tilt camera, controlled also wirelessly. Here's the cool part. The video is viewable through virtual reality goggles, which have a gyroscope built in to sense the movement of the goggles. When the wearer moves his head, the camera moves. Tragically, this is not a product you can buy, but a DIY project"
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