RGPuk

Posted by Pete Carpenter on 08/01/2012 16:49:56: .......... The "then mix away" part of your info is going to get me banging my head against the wall, I'm sure, but I'll post here again if (sorry, when...) I get stuck! @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); If you take it stage by stage, you'll get there. After I'd got Luna set up the first time, only then did it all seemed so logical.  Ro.

Posted by Pete B on 08/01/2012 16:11:15: Err, tow release, waving pilot, bomb drop, RGP???  Sorry, it wasn't a considered answer ....... snip! ......... Pete  Actually Pete, no apology needed, as the extra channel on a 7ch RX (if one will shoehorn in) could be most useful for a lost model alarm. ...... Ro.

Pete C, Found it! Here's the link you need:http://www.modelflying.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=36895 I fly with Peewhit. He used a DX7 and AR6200 6ch RX on his RCRCM Typhoon (a 'Kate Moss' Luna II)  Unless the DX8 is actually less capable than the DX7, you should be able to achieve exactly what you want for Luna.  Your RX hook-up should be: AILE - AUX 1AILE - AILE FLAP - THROFLAP - GEAR RUDD - RUDDELEV - ELEV  Then mix away. Ro.  

Posted by Pete B on 08/01/2012 14:06:49: Options discussed in this thread, Pete. Not sure if it's possible with a 6-channel Rx, though.  Pete  If you use a 7ch RX, what could/would you need to plug into the 7th channel if you only have six servos and no motor?  Ro.

These have worked well as an alternative replacement on my WT. Tough as old boots. Horns  Ro.

Posted by Big Phil on 02/01/2012 18:13:44: Cheers guys. I can't put anything down the wing joiner, as I glued the wings ...... snip! ......   Phil @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); I did that too, on a Weasel for my Nephew. Typically, the little oik's teen stick skills soon put his confidence and ability into the windy zone and the extra weight was required - as was still the cowl finger hole - for a firm, stabilizing launch digit in a howler. However, a neat drill and burrow through the wing-tip gained access to the tube end, allowing a steel rod to be slipped in and out with no big problem, using a slug of foam on a thin wire, plus a piece of tape to keep things in place.  Ro.

Posted by Devon Flyer on 01/01/2012 14:57:18: I ought to be on commission ! Well, I deffo owe you a beer. Never have my bits been kept so warm and toasty in the freezing winter winds and horizontal rain on the Yorkshire Hills.  Ro. ......

Posted by r6dan on 30/12/2011 16:44:01: Bright Snowboarding gear for me, its all about lookin cool@import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); No good to me mate. It provides far too good a target for the shotgun toting Yorkshire farmers, when I'm 'testing' the lift available on some happened-across moorland lump on a Guerilla Sloping mission. ........  Ro. ......

If it helps anyone, for size comparison: At 6ft tall, 32 waist, 43 chest, 33 inside leg, ape length arms attached to wide shoulders - the XL fits me great. Not restrictive but not too baggy either even with just shorts and a sweatshirt, but with enough room for fleece and jeans too if required. Tested, so far, in -3C, plus windchill from a 25mph blow. An excellent and very warm 30 quid's worth.  Ro. Edited By RGPuk on 30/12/2011 12:47:18

Posted by Tony Jones on 13/12/2011 22:51:43: ....... the design looks a lot easier to keep clean ......  RegardTony  Clean? Forget the A9 then. You get Marmite from 'yer sarnies all over the screen.  Ro.

For a six servo machine, Aurora 9 doesn't require any use of it's 8 programmable mixes for any of the core functions - CROW, snapflaps, camber, reflex, full span ailerons, aileron differential, flap control etc etc - are already available functions pre-mixed within the software and accessed by dedicated buttons in the touchscreen menu. Ro.

With the electrics out of the way, rather than a wholesale dunking, very hot water can be applied selectively to the compressed areas to gradually true-up the area and achieve a fit with the canopy. Straight from a kettle with a precise spout is good - just off the boil. Heat applied wholesale will produce an all-over raised 'crocodile skin' of expanded foam cells. Ro.

For a repair like that on the foam of a Rad, 5 minute epoxy would certainly be my call. Not too quick - plenty of time for nudging and adjustment - but not so long that your hands go numb. A modest amount of methylated spirits on a cloth removes unsightly uncured epoxy easily.  Seen the same damage on the same sort of machine many times, and the guys used epoxy each time for a near perfect repair. Ro.

Just a WT got me back into slope flying after 20+ years away. Next up was a Luna II - but I was mindful of landings and lucky in that my most commonly flow slopes have deep fern, bracken or thick moor grass, giving a very forgiving, cushioning nursery for my first CROW arrivals.  From a flying point of view, with acceptable initial settings, Luna is a complete doddle to fly and was an excellent choice for my first mouldie, handling light conditions well and a real blow too with all the ballast on board. She's still intact after well over a year of damn good fun. Her fuz seam, immediately in front of the fin, did split a little early days (common problem) but it was an extremely easy, invisible epoxy fix and continues to hold perfectly well. I have a flapped Fish too and she flies great, but would recommend a Luna if a choice can be made, purely because of it having a rudder. Both though, are an easy assembly and fit-out with plenty of pointers to be had with just a quick Google. Ro.  

Posted by Devon Flyer on 09/10/2011 11:34:36: Posted by RGPuk on 09/10/2011 10:05:47:  I envy you your local sites. Presumably, the Devon bit of Devon Flyer means that you are in ..... erm? ..... Devon! North Devon. Local sites HERE although there are several other sites we use that are not on the website due to them being 'permissive'. Invaluable stuff for planning the trip! Many thanks. ...  Ro.

Posted by Devon Flyer on 09/10/2011 09:11:11: Posted by RGPuk on 09/10/2011 00:59:03: Least round-trip distance regularly travelled to go slope flying on a quality hill - 40 miles. Not unusual regular distance - 120 miles. Special place for big wind - 250 miles. Last years longest trip - 800 miles. I'm enthusiastic.  I take my hat off to you.I'm spoilt for choice here. Nearest regular slope is a 10 minute drive, has superb coastal lift and I can fly out of the back of my car. Most of the other slopes I fly off are within a 20 - 30 minute drive.   Well, it's either enthusiasm or, as the Missus would rather think, stupidity - but either way I love tramping hills and love the flying ...... with the distances involved I guess it's easier to understand why I spend the princely sum of £1.65 per week to get proper weather forecasts. Sure, they require interpretation and some application of thought - but it's very effective and satisfying. Rain radar live to a phone has made a variable day more pleasant too - knowing when to pitch the tent, or timing a run for the car, to stay dry is great.  I envy you your local sites. Presumably, the Devon bit of Devon Flyer means that you are in ..... erm? ..... Devon! We have family down there scattered along the coast and need to travel from the frozen wastes of Yorkshire to do some serious visiting next spring. The roofbox can accommodate around six models - that should do nicely eh? ......  Ro.

Posted by Lazygit on 08/10/2011 21:22:15: Two hundred miles?!?!?! I packed up sailing and took up model flying to avoid a two hundred mile trip. Why not take up sailing instead?  Least round-trip distance regularly travelled to go slope flying on a quality hill - 40 miles. Not unusual regular distance - 120 miles. Special place for big wind - 250 miles. Last years longest trip - 800 miles. I'm enthusiastic.  The sailing I used to do kept me away from home for 2 months at a time, so model flying is far better thought of by the Missus. Ro.

Posted by Lazygit on 08/10/2011 20:34:01: XC Weather wind speeds are forecast higher than they prove to be. The best place I've found is Aviation Weather reports from the airports. You can get the actuals and TAFs. With the met office surface pressure charts it's as useful as any.   The best one though, is to look out of the window, and if it looks promising, go outside to check. Interesting. XC lower wind speeds forecast have always proven to be higher, and the higher speeds around correct at my regular sites, the latter perhaps with a very slight trend to be over severe.  Agreed, you certainly can't beat a pukka aviation focused over view and the charts to analyse yourself. And eye-balling and understanding your own local weather is valuabe to be sure. It's just not so relevant when you are looking to travel a couple of hundred miles round trip for some slope time.  Ro.

Free forecasts are what they are - a collated variety of averages from various sources, notably unable to allow for local weather anomalies and limited by the way they are processed for web display.  With travel being expensive and time valuable, I subscribe to the Aviation Briefing Service at the Met Office and also a live rainfall radar service with a predictive overview. £1.65 per week total - worth every penny. Ro.

Posted by Robin Kearney on 28/09/2011 12:43:33: Thanks for the advice guys.   I'm really looking forward to it, hopefully I can bash it together before our next trip down to Devon, I'm hoping it will make the ideal sling in the boot and take it on holiday glider.  As a yardstick, even with the extra work I created for myself by shaving the mould release bumps and covering the wing panels with Oracover, Weasel took me 2 evenings to put together plus the overnight wait for the gooped magnets to be fixed properly.  Sling in the boot convenience is a given. If you use an Eneloop AAA RX pack you benefit from it always being ready to rock. I took mine to Greece on this years holiday as cabin baggage and put the TX in the hold luggage to avoid security getting worried.  Great fun - especially in 30 degrees sunshine, off some 400 ft cliffs in a stiff westerly. .... Ro. Edited By RGPuk on 28/09/2011 16:25:16

Posted by Tim Mackey on 28/09/2011 09:43:31: Sadly, mine no longer looks quite so pristine - I know its wrong...but I sometimes use her for combat - and with great success I must add  Mine's got a bit chewed too - and for the same reason .... ....  She's just so good at it!  Ro.

Posted by Tim Mackey on 28/09/2011 09:35:32: Its pretty hard to recommend a complete 2.4g system, based on just that criteria - theres so many other factors to consider, such as extra features, tray /strap, telemetry, cost of receivers and the general feel and quality that you may require etc.As RGPuk says re: DX7, its possible to do most things with most sets, but with sets like the MPX and top range JRs setting up 4 servo wings is relatively easy compared to the more "budget" stuff.   That's all fair comment. The choice of available kit is extensive and some hands-on comparison is essential to find the one you will want to live with. I deliberately made cost no restriction for my choice and still bought the Aurora 9, whose TX and RX combo price of less than 300 quid is classed by many as being at the mid-budget end of things - but this perception belies it's feel, quality and massive flexibility. The A9 deals totally with all my slope kit, from F3F, sport mouldies to foam blobs, as well as providing everything my power machines require too.  The addition of the Minima RX's to the Optima range, plus aggressive pricing, has made the change from Spekky very cost effective. The Spekky RX's have mostly sold secondhand for the same price as their new Hitec replacements. Another big tick (for me) for the A9, has been it's more and more frequent appearances on the slopes, in the hands of some notable F3F competitors.  Ro.

I've not found covering the wing panels with Oracover in anyway detrimental to Weasel's very, very light conditions performance - she's just fast and efficient. In a blow she's very quick. In a gale, with the spar full of stainless rod, she's wonderfully mad.  Ref: The orange one, towards to foot of this page.  Ro.

I achieved everything I needed to, fulfilling your criteria, with the Spektrum DX7 that I already had - but due to the clunky software interface, programming was a tedious nightmare. Then I moved across to the touch-screen Hitec Aurora 9, and this is genuinely iPod easy. Although the set-up and measuring still takes time, the initial programming for a 6 servo mouldie with all the flappy bits takes 20 minutes, instead of a day. Every one of the core requirements are pre-programmed and can be sorted without touching any of the P.Mix's. For cold, wet flying on the slope, the standard, built-in telemetry RX pack voltage monitoring is a big bonus. Ro.

Posted by Peewhit on 24/09/2011 22:18:18: Am happy now. 30mph on the edge and flew the Wizard. Awesome..............................................  Yeah haaaay! ....  Horcum beckons to me for tomorrow - arrival about midday. Are you going Pete?  Ro.