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The Eagle has landed !! More importantly , before the eagle landed , there was a flight . (two in fact ) I can report that the Tempest is equal in benevolent nature to our beloved Fw190 . I had about an 8mph steady breeze and the Tempest appeared to almost stand still. The stall is very gentle and you have to really push it . Before is goes , she wanders around giving loads of warning . Performance range is huge with loads of power and some very nice handling characteristics . Down wind rolls looked superb . The total weight was 4lb 4oz , but I added a ballast of 8oz on the C of G for the second flight to simulate the weight of retracts . I also had 2oz in the front of the battery box just to bias the balance forward . Some up trim was required , so we can almost definitely remove that . In the breeze the extra weight of the second flight was not really noticeable . She has a bit more wing area than the Fw190 , but I think either model can tolerate more weight quite happily . The patch was still very soggy and there was no element of "slide " on contact . The sharp stop on the second flight broke the front former out due to lack of support , battery box digging in (flew without cowl ) and the prop being very stiff . I will increase the F1 support and report back to you . Easy fix though , so really pleased with the model .

It's a Norwegian Blue. Buy a new one.

Great day ....... mission accomplished. 4 flights today. Quite strong crosswinds across the runway so not taking off in the usual manner. Slow start to get the steering straight allowing for the wind. Gradual increase in speed, rear end lifts then apply more throttle and elevator .....up and away. Learning to compensate the ailerons in order to keep the plane flying straight ( circuit wise ) albeit with the model at a 45 degree attitude due to the wind. Two windy but decent flights ..... then the wind all but disappeared. ..... then the fun began..... flight 3 ..... good take off, some decent circuits then my 5 minute alarm sounded ....... let's try lining up the approach ... all going well ...... let's just go for my first landing ....... no problem... a little hard as I had not flared out well enough but no dramas, no damage ..... and we are down. Flight 4 .... more of the same ... successful take off ...... some decent circuits ..... and a better softer landing. Much better. A little jolt of over steer when I landed but corrected with no issues. Definite progress. I would have appeared to have completed the whole loop today twice from start to finish ......... over the moon and finished today on a huge high. I'll sleep well tonight. Toto

From my experience, the easiest way to gauge battery usage is to test the battery after flight using a separate tester which plugs into the Lipo's balance cable. You want to have an indicated 20% left after the battery has rested for a short while. Adjust your flight times accordingly, colder weather will have shortened times, warmer weather longer times.

Ask your instructor what’s required for you to be signed off for solo flying as I guess each club will have it’s own requirements. My club signed me off for solo flying before I did my A, what they expected was a very safe approach to flying and a reasonable standard of take offs, circuits and landings.

Being able to perform well executed circuits and fig 8’s will get you flying solo long before low passes and touch and goes will and those skills are the bedrock for everything else.

Yesterday was just about calm enough to try the Bluff nose Stiletto again. A bit better this time. The gyro managed to keep thing under control for nearly a circuit but it is still a bit tail heavy. Flight time nearly 15 seconds! Eventually it did stall despite my best efforts and as it was going a bit faster the impact was a bit harder. A seriously crushed nose. The battery actually broke free forward and disconnected itself! However on the positive side the Depron structure did its usual "crimple zone" thing so the rest of the airframe is completely undamaged It just needs a new nose ahead of the intakes to be built and to move the battery a bit further forward then try again.

Busy travelling yesterday and was rewarded is deteriorating weather this morning and no FW190 maidens (can't really blame them!). Two training flights and one with my WR FW190. In blustery and strong easterly wind where models with gyros and high wingers were earning their keep, the FW190 was outstanding! Die straight dolly take off followed with loops and rolls plus impeccable rock steady handling the flight characteristics it was an absolute pleasure to fly today. I did chicken out with the low cross wind passes, but some pulls into big loops and half rolls were a lot of fun! Four minute flight with it mostly at WOT and I only used 32% of a 4S4000 lipo, so come better weather I should be able to loiter around for the other FW190's to form formation or drop in on its prey once its been spotted! Better get on and finish the paint job...

I can only sleep on piles of old magazines. . . I’ve got some serious back issues.

Quite so . Can't wait to see what the chaps do with theirs . (when they get them ) . Im going to block in the space between F1 and F2 to better anchor the motor weight . I don think the prop had much to do with F1 coming loose as only about 1" of the tip is longer than the chin . But I do think not having the cowl on played a part . The nose was up about ten degrees on landing but the second the battery box dug in it stopped dead . Anyway , like I say , easy fix . I'm going to finish the odd bits then crack on with the paint job .

£120.00 including a new cowl which is from the Flair 1/4 scale Tiger moth

After a lockdown of a few weeks by the weather, the Aberdeen gang managed an out on this wonderful 14 degree balmy spring day at Kerloch.

I have managed to get some outdoor flying in. And I decided to fly an old Favorite of mine and get in so IC action in as I have not been doing so much IC as of late. So here is my Guppy. Only managed two flight due to my throttle servo dying on me. Good two flight though, need to get a new servo in there and get out with it again. Steve. (Happy Bunny) 😉

Well, I'd agree that the frst thing is to find out what your club needs for you to be able to fly solo.... then practice that until it's of the required standard. I'd be surprised if that includes a touch and go.....

Yes, it was fine in the 70#s but hugely surpassed by far, far better, more robust and higher quality films, such as Profilm. Solartex certainly deserved preserving, but Solarfilm surely won't be missed, in all it's saggy, wrinkly glory. The Far East films, like the HK ones were far superior to the original Solarfilm.

Everyone at our club uses one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Battery-Capacity-Controller-Batteries/dp/B0C2TYRVZ1/ref=asc_df_B0C2TYRVZ1/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=676227278064&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7495944667474387272&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006534&hvtargid=pla-2265048467684&psc=1&mcid=c9820f8beda83f078ac27674ff206e44&gad_source=1

You wont need to keep an eye on it, you'll hear it when the engine stops!

Don't forget you need to drill yourself so that SWEETS becomes the first thing you do when you arrive at your field. Next, make sure your preflight check is carried out in the same order every time -.if you vary it, you will forget something. All of the actions needed to get you from the pits to the flight line, your pre-take off checks including checking the whole sky not just in front of you, communicating your intentions with other pilots in the box at all times. If you want to demonstrate control there is nothing more difficult than flying perfect rectangular circuits as Ron has already explained. If you can fly 2 identical circuits you hsve demonstrated full control of the aircraft particularly if you have a cross wind component and have flown all 4 legs accurately compensating for the wind's effects. After that, I would start on basic aerobatics as that will get you used to controlling your aircraft when it's in an unusual position, talking of which getting used to flying inverted is also very good practice - but start at height! Try and drill into yourself to roll upright if things get uncomfortable and resist the panic of just pulling up elevator! Finally, het used to having a plan for every flight and carry it out. Don't get into the habit of just boring holes in the sky aimlessly till the battery alarm sounds. You will find it much more interesting and you will progress faster.

Generally speaking, as Simon & Steve said - once a LiFePo4 is discharged to that level then its beyond recovery. If you do manage to get it to 6v6, it wont hold it and its charge capacity will be gone.

Depending on patents someone could possibly make a clone if they thought it was a viable venture. I wouldn't think patents would worry the Chinese if they thought it would make money. The big problem now is the diminishing interest in power flying as seen by the number of engines going off the market and as seen in The big question thread everyone wants something different to the point where its not viable to produce small amounts.

If you haven't flown or put a helicopter together, do yourself a favour ang take it to a club where someone has before you do yourself an injury.

So so so pleased for you Toto, your patience and tenacity has been rewarded. 😁 That feeling of your first landing is fantastic and a big milestone, onwards and upwards. 👍

Thanks guys. Really means a lot. I feel I have really reached a milestone. It's been a slow troll so far but I think I am turning a corner. Cheers Toto

Having a rethink based on your feedback - will make the box full depth.

The Beaver is a good flyer. The extra weight of the abs plastic fuselage and wings gives good stability in windy conditions. Its a shame these planes are no longer made.

BTW , I had to put 6mm of packing in behind the motor mount to make the back of the spinner not rub on the cowl . Now , I cursed at the time but now I realise that its a good thing because without paint the model just balances . Move the motor back and it doesnt . The other thing is that unless I allow a bit more room ( as I have ) in the motor bay , other motor /prop / spinner combinations can not be accommodated . I will probably add two 3mm thick ply spacers to the kit in case , like me the set up requires it .

Yes, a very poor copy of a Laser, poor materials and bad machining.

Not worth messing with it, I would agree with the above posters suggesting getting rid and replacing

I dare say that Progress Aero Works in Macclesfield could do it if they had the time and inclination.

You will also need a watt meter to check the current draw if you experiment with different prop sizes.

I'm just praying for a few consecutive dry days so we can mow the runways........

Lovely Spring morning here and a good turn out at the very soggy field. No photos this week, but enjoyed successful maiden flights on my VMC Hurricane, after the extensive wing repairs and my new Volantex Corsair. The latter exhibited some remarkable wing rocking coming out of turns, which must be somthing to do with the gyro stabilisation but other than that was very enjoyable to fly. Also flew a couple of depron profile jobs and my venerable Durafly P-51D Candyman/ Moose. What we need now is a few weeks of dry weather to dry out the car parking area.

Three consecutive days flying with my Warbirds Replicas models, early finish today as the wind became blustery. Screen shots from phone camera video.

I totally agree, practice towards an A certificate, and also fly circuits in the opposite direction, do not get "handed".

IMO that is not the correct way to progress! Consolidation of what you have been doing with particular emphasis on level flight control and neatly executed rectangular flying circuits (downwind parallel to take off leg and consistent height) together with figure of 8’s (same size circles irrespective of wind direction) should be your aim!

OK...... what's next ..... I have achieved the very basics of what I need to fly. I need to perfect them but you don't learn a new trick one week and achieve perfection the next ..... that's a life lond endeavour. For me, I think the next few weeke are all about consolidation. ....... more of the same to enable me to reach a level of consistency. I think exactly more of the same for another week or two then I would like to introduce low fly passes and touch and goes. My reasoning being that apart from the buzz of flying lower, the practical element that should you want to abort an approach or landing for whatever reason, you are well versed on how to do it. Due to the nature of landing .... the decent, the decrease in throttle and by default reducing the lift applied to the underside of the wings, the process to pull out has to be in the correct order ...... don't jump for the elevator as in absence of sufficient lift ..... the plane will stall. ..... add in the throttle which will assist an ascent and mix in the elevator ....... if I am correct. I am not sure what you have to be able to pull off to achieve solo status but I would imagine its a demonstration of sufficient control to enable a safe ascent and decent. Some basic circuits but no stunts or gimmicks required at this stage. I'm not even remotely interested in loops and rolls at the moment although I have achieved loops intentionally and a roll which was only on the simulator. I would be quite happy to fly solo to do the basics and when I think its time to add another dimension ..... its time to get back on the buddy box. ..... I think its a plan. Toto

Another great flight. The model had plenty power that's for sure. How much throttle was being applied ( on average ). Very nippy. Congrats to the cameraman as well. Toto

Lovely day on NE coast. Sunny, warm, bit more than gentle breeze. Following my TX16 challenges, I put 3 models onto my emergency tranny..... several others in the club have FlySky stuff and get on with it fine. Everything felt 'jerky' for me when flying. Had a couple of flights with the Hawk and Double Trouble but they were distinctively uncomfortable. Having checked the range on my old Taranis with a few FlySky, FrSky and Spekkie rxs, I decided to ditch the FlySky stuff and put an FrSky rx in the Hawk, and use the Taranis. 5 mins later, the Hawk was back to where I like it! Didn't do the others 'cos the rxs aren't as accessible (subsequently added to the Taranis at home). KM flew his big beautiful Pilot aerobat with his usual gusto, once he persuaded the engine to play ball. IP couldn't fly due to a firmware version conflict between his tx and rx. We too pity and let him fly the clubp Apprentice. With suitable joshing of course. IH was trying out his new contact lenses. Had a couple of flights but decided he needs to go back to the opticians. DS had a decidedly 'roller-coaster-like' flight with his big Ultrastick. On landing, he found that his elevator trim was only working on one of his two elevator servos. 30 minutes later he had it sorted - as well as a similar issue on ailerons, which he hadn't used the trims on. I bit my tongue and didn't mention how easy that would be with EdgeTX 🙂 Looks like being nice tomorrow too. Hopefully a less eventful day!

Brilliant news Toto - you really deserved a good day flying today and I'm made up that you experienced the joy of a good landing =it's the best feeling in flying for me. You've earned a debrief with your pal John Smith this evening. 👍😎

Modern parlance " its just business, nothing personnel". As a modelling community we were lucky the brand didnt ceace production when Niel retired some years ago. I hope you all get the modified parts for you inlines and get thdm in the air. Jon's position is just another example of collateral damage in the closure of the factory who it appears only mades Lasers as a side line. RIP LASER ENGINES

There are sadly no winners in this situation. Just look at the publicly available accounts and you don't need to be Sir John Harvey-Jones to see why we are where we are. I'm surprised many folk are surprised. The figures are self explanatory, and the writing was all over the wall I'm afraid for a while. The loyal following and the people here who invested in the new projects all in good faith are left with uncertainty, and bitterness, which is wholly understandable, as the owners appeared to let things continue, with you guys and Jon. knowing the inevitable was on the cards. I truly hope AGC are able to complete the items as a parting professional and reputational gesture and with Jon's admirably principled approach to his customers, the chapter has a happy ending. Fingers crossed for you all. Here's hoping.

A Hound Dog seems appropriate. 🤣 Steve