Adrian Smith 1

Philip, I have just opened the online manual in "Preview" and it has allowed me to download in my documents in PDF format.

Thanks Philip, Peter. You guys are really making it easy for me. Here is the link Philip. https://d3if9wubzr0anm.cloudfront.net/futaba.uk/manuals/T16iZS_ENG_Full_Letter-Size.pdf I looked at the options on my Mac, is the only one I can use is to save the web link in my reading list. I can't physically download into the downloads file. The videos link you have highlighted for me Peter, look interesting and I need to get into them. I did look at at one video earlier that mentions the Telemetry module needs to be registered by attaching a y-lead to the rear of the TX with one attached to "a battery" and the other to the module. There is nothing about that in the online manual strangely. It goes without saying a big thank you to you both for helping me progress. 😀

I had a look at my 5 flyable aircraft to see if all looked as I expected with new TX. The one thing which I suppose is obvious now I think of it, is that while each model memory had retained the RX code number in the TX, I still had to link each aircraft again in turn. No problem there and all fixed there now. One thing I am going to have spend some time and that is the Altitude/Vario Telemetry unit. Sadly the hard copy TX starter manual has nothing to say on it and the sheet that came with the module doesn't really tell you much. I had to come home and refer to the main manual on line with the hope all will be revealed. Anyway the module connected to the RX fine and green light all lit up. Before I came home I did try and go through the Telemetry menu on the TX, but I didn't get very far and I didn't want to bash on without knowing what I was doing. I am curious about the "Speech" button on the bottom left hand side, as after I pressed "off" is opened a window showing all the TX switches and their identifying letters. I came out of it as I didn't quite see how that worked unless the speech on/off is done through an assigned switch. Mmmmmmmm ...... definitely a look at the manual is required. I am wondering whether I can just print the sections I need to refer to rather than waste a ton of ink/paper doing the whole think. More on that later unless of course you guys know better. Essentially I want to hear any Altitude warnings and whether this can be shown on the front screen too.

I find the best action is to confront fear full on, Paul. That is easier said than done I know, but as a "silver surfer" it's the only way I can confront tech. That's not to say I haven't come unstuck in trying to remember what I have done and to unwind an error! 🤔

Given the recent poor weather in my neck of the woods I decided to spend hours of fun and frolics getting know my new TX. The first irritation is that the hard copy manual is only 35 pages long whereas the online one is 245 pages! That's fair enough if you want to read it on the desk top PC, but it's impossible to read off my mobile phone (at the field may be). The first task was to start transferring the model memories from one TX to the other. There is a helpful YouTube video on this forum that makes it clear how to do it, although the presenter speaks rather quickly. The next hiccup is that the SD card for the T14SG is the standard size while the card for the T16 is a microSD. Much scrabbling around in my office draw before I found a microSD card adaptor. As can be seen from the picture the Pilot Slick was transferred successfully with the correct trim positions. I did wonder about having to rebind the RX, but looking into the new TX, it had picked it up automatically. Very good so far although it was helpful using the T14SG for some years (since 2016) as some of the key strokes are simple to repeat. I am going to the workshop tomorrow to test the TX out in a live situation to make sure all is correct with the Pilot Slick. I have bought a couple of Futaba Telemetry modules (altitude and power pack monitor) although I haven't even got into them to fit. More fun to be had there I am sure. As such there is no dedicated charger supplied for the TX only a lead with a USB socket one end and another type of socket that fits into TX Not a problem although the TX end of the lead appears to be a tight fit. There is lots to get into and if anything interesting crops up I will post here.

I had one of those a while ago, Cymaz. I am glad you can get on with it. I like large scale but found it a bit of a dog to fly so I moved it on if only for the weight issue. I usually photograph all my planes, but not that one! What power plant did you use?

In this particular case Declan, I think it's good advice to follow instructions. Are you willing to take the chance? I am not. I am sure any discussion with your insurer after the event will be less that sympathetic. This forum has quite a few examples of posters experiencing fires and at least one with horrific results. Feel free to RA and do what you think best. I just think in this case it's one risk too many. That's all I will say on the matter.

I bought one pair of 5000 mAh 6s GNB lipos that I used in series (12s) and unlike any of my other paired brands of lipos, their discharge rates were appallingly mismatched. After each 6 minute flight one lipo's 6 cells showed 3.81v per cell while the other consistently showed the 6 cells at 3.66v per cell. Not happy with that I am afraid. Overlander, 4-Max, Topfuel and even Turnigy Nano-techs all displayed consistently matching discharge rates when wired in series. Whilst I acknowledge what you say, Chris, about puffy lipos the safety instructions on my Overlander lipos are quite explicit " "stop using or charging a battery immediately whenever the battery is .......... deformed or starts to balloon, swells up ....." There is all sorts of warning about failure to comply with instructions with the worst possible case being fire or explosion. I think that's clear enough for me not to takes risks IMO. If you are new to this game Declan, please be warned and cautious.

4-Max is a good supplier, Declan. Whilst not the cheapest on the market I can testify they are durable and have a long life. I use them as my go to supplier, as an example I have had some 6000 mAh 6s jobs at least 3-4 years and they are still hard to touch despite some abuse at times. Just as an aside I probably would discard lipos safely if they show any signs of ballooning. It's just not worth the risk. Nice build by the way - I also feel your pain trying to "fit a quart into a pint pot" when fitting out smaller models.

I debated last night whether to go flying this morning as a) it looked "parky" and frosty, and b) the 10 mph wind chill would take it down to -3c. Well I thought I likely moan when I can't get out therefore tomorrow it is. The worst bit is walking out the front door, but I had my trusty hand warmers with me and thermal underwear so just get out there me thinks! I just had to scrape the frost off the windscreen. I had a flight test to do on my electric Sebach 342 (60cc) as when I built her 6 years ago I used a Y-lead for the ailerons. Looking back now I think why on earth did I do that? when all my other planes have ailerons on separate channels. Last weekend I reconfigured the ailerons and therefore a flight test was required. A lovely morning to be out despite the the cold so all set to fly. The sunrise in the winter are so memorable too. I am pleased report she came through unscathed and happy with most of my aero moves. After three flights I was getting cold so as not to be a danger to the plane or me I call time on the session. However, it was one of those days where I was so glad I made the effort to get out flying 😀

Yeah, Paul, I think he was hiding under the seat out of fear! 🥵

Lovely start to the day on the way to the flying field. It was meant to be misty/foggy but I wasn't put off as the weather was as clear as can be when I left. Anyway I decided to retest my Skywing Edge (91") after replacing the dodgy aileron servo arms with some decent ones. I am glad to report that there was no servo arm slippage ( for those who read my build/maiden thread on this platform). I was restricted by a lowish cloud base from doing some of the more adventurous aeros. But Hey! what I was able to do was very satisfying and she performed in a much better fashion. I am please to say the weather forecast was proved wrong therefore I am glad I made the effort to get out and fly. After three flights and some very minor trim changes, which will be adjusted back at the workshop, I decided it was time to draw close to the session. Drizzle made an appearance after the trailer was all packed up so I finished just in time. All safely back on the ground with a big sign of relief.

Sometimes we require to be challenged, Peter. Well done! I chickened out today as I didn't want to risk a few grand's worth of aviation equipment just before Christmas. I may have better luck tomorrow. 🤔

No flying today as a bit too windy for me. One bonus was that the grass had dried out enough to be cut although it's still a bit muddy underfoot. The cloud was clearing a little to reveal some "sailor's trousers" (An old fashioned saying I know, but one I like). I am hopeful of managing one day's flying this week if the weather forecast proves correct. 😒

Or in my case, burn a hole in it!! 😮

Well, Declan I for one am glad you have taken the trouble to document your build. Please do keep on and don't be disheartened, as I am sure there are many like me who find it enjoyable to read. You will realise that there is more than one way to skin a cat and we veterans have our favourite ways of doing things, but that doesn't make what you are doing wrong. As I recall the Cougar is a smallish model and sometimes others' suggestions can over-engineer what is outlined/intended in the manual. Your non-model background will, I am sure, tell you straight away whether something you are doing is dangerous in your model build. 👍

I hope you find your Capiche 50, Andrew. I can testify that they are great flying machines.

As a country member I have just paid my subs - no complaint or criticism. I am just glad to be a member and insured. Whilst I don't really use the BMFA for much else ( apart from A/B BMFA flying tests and reading the mag online) and I am too far away from the flying centre, I am only too glad for the work they do for the hobby generally and on my behalf. Call me a glutton for punishment but I also took the RCC test as well and both the CAA Operator and Flyer ID tests. Furthermore, the costs to do that don't break the bank either. In the past I have belonged to a club, but then I got lucky with a great flying site which I share with a full size aircraft flying club. Long may it continue! 😀

Unusually, I was able to get out two days in a row with the weather being almost ideal apart from the cool temperature. Yesterday, just as I was unpacking my gear I was aware of being watched ........ Looks to me like a buzzard although there are kites about too but I don't think the colouring was quite right. Today was less eventful although no less enjoyable. All set to go soon after 9am with the low sun making a show of itself. The wind was nice and steady at around 5mph with the temperature +3 degrees C. A lovely morning of flying, much like yesterday, and as long as the temperature is bearable ( I have electric hand warmers anyway) just go for it even in winter 😀

Best of luck, Roger. I have been there through the pain. I once tried to help my wife open up an account for a new local Women's Institute. The bank branches that were left in Woodbridge (Barclays & Lloyds) weren't interested in any face to face interaction and just referred me to a website or a phone number that in practice was never answered. Useless. My other alternative was to go to the bank where we held our joint account where it was possible open up a club type of account as long as one of us was a personal account holder. Free banking too apparently. Only online of course and we tried the process , but it seemed the software was designed to log you off before you could finish all the details. I am not slow - rather it was a discouraging trait in my view. At that point my wife didn't want to be treasurer after that aggravation, therefore the organisation didn't happen and nobody else could be bothered to tackle it!

I tend to use the sub trims to get the servo arm directly at the correct angle when setting up a new model, particularly when the teeth in the servo pillar don't allow me to do that precisely. I understand your explanation of the servo screen, Andy, thanks. However, I rarely see a use to refer to it whilst all the other computerised functions allow me to do what I require in the setting up process.

So we are on the same page, Andy I take it you mean this screen. I take it moving the sub trim to 0 it will move the bottom of the display bar values to 0 Obviously, the object of the trimming in flight exercise is to have the trims at 0, but if trimming in flight is required then on the ground the push rods are adjusted to allow the trims to return to neutral. Or am I missing something. However, I am not sure now. I opened up a new model with all trims and sub trim at 0 But the servo screen shows reading. I know I am being a bit thick here but .......

Can't say I can find any ppm centring on my T14SG TX, Philip. I stand corrected of course - just the sub trim adjustment I can see.

Something to aspire to, Peter! I have used HV Potenza servos on my Edge which originally came from HobbyPlastic. At 7.4v they are supposed to punch a 31kg/cm. I just think that should be enough for her. The alloy servo arms I used in this particular case weren't up to it. I haven't yet achieved a row of noughts on my sub trims, but I am quite close to it. While I do like freestyle flying I don't consider being anywhere near 3D. I don't think my nerves/concentration are up to it!

I had bit of head scratching when I did a post flight inspection. After the issue of aileron changed alignment after the maiden flight and my subsequently correcting it before this latest set of flights, I noticed a similar out of trim right aileron. Very odd. The aileron servos are high end so I discounted that. However, because of the requirement to have longer servo arms I bought some unbranded alloy servo arms. NOT a clever move. I have come to the conclusion that in-flight stresses are causing the servo arm to move a spine or two due to the soft nature of the alloy on these particular arms. So no more flying until I take delivery of a couple of 1.75 " Secraft arms which I have used extensively before on large scale models. I have nightmares about what could have happened ...... Incidentally, the servos were 25T as were the servo arms so they should have been compatible. Fortunately, the other servo arms on the Edge are branded alloys of a much better quality. Lesson learned an all that. I shall have to fly something else next week until the new arms arrive.