stu knowles
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Posts posted by stu knowles
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Skippy, Now that I know the score, I'm happy to look after myself on any flightline. I don't ask if anyone else is carrying a phone, So long as no-one is standing alongside me I have no concerns about flight safety.
Incidentaly, I have a buddy who is well into golf. He tells me that at his (expensive) club, if anyone were foolish to pull out a phone while out on the course, the chances are that whoever he was playing with would be likely to tee it up before sending into the long grass with a four iron.
I think, on balance, that it is a rule that has some merit. Restaurants, theatres, Model clubs, all places where mobile phones should be socially unacceptable. - discuss
stu k
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Hi Guys,
Wow! Busy thread.
I use Multiplex Evo 9 pro & IPD rx's, TX is synth , RX some synth and some crystal. My 'phone before the present one was a Nokia flip front thing, no idea of the model now, but over time I had become quite certain that phone did not cause any interference with our radio and when flying along, it stayed clipped to my belt. My club at the time didn't allow phones on the flightline, something I was happy to comply with, I go to the field to get out of the way!
I moved to another field where I mainly fly on my own, never had a radio problem for many years. completely confident in the link.
Flew a model at the scampton warbirds event on saturday. absolutely solid, Flew at my field on the sunday & the radio failsafed, throttle to idle model can down in crops, No control.
Much checking & changing - nothing found and carried on. Some time later, a different model momentarily f/s'ed, noticed by dropping wheels & closing throttle, regained control after a couple of second, A few days later another model F/s'ed, again for onlyt a few secs and control returned.
Radio checked by Mike Ridley, much exchange of e-mails, nothing found. Flew again, same momentary loss of control. All good models packed away. New TX bought (EVO 12 pro)
Flying resumed .. just thinking all was well and it did it again. felt like taking up fishing.
Decided to leave a model on the bench & switched on. set FS for full deflection on all controls, and then carried on doing other stuff. after about an hour, all controls move to full deflection for abouta second and then returned to neutral. Checked everything & couldn't reproduce the fault. Near suicidal!!..Did the same the following shed session and it happened again.
Suspicion eventually fell on the phone which had been upgraded to a Blackberry some months before. Several shed session with phone left by door. No glitch, resumed flying with old hacks & later full fleet. No further problems.
Have since flown small lekky stuff & forgot to take my phone off and experienced some massive glitches.Chuck phone a few yards away - no further problem.
Discussed this with Mike Ridley, IPD Rx' will mask weakening and increasing corrupted signal upto a point and then drop into FS mode.
So, now totally convinced that my TX is occasionally overcome by the phone. Beyond all doubt
Does this apply to other TX / RX combos or other phones, - no idea If flying at a fly in or club I like to stand at the edge of the group of pilots, at least 3 to 5 paces away from other, in case they have a phone on board. At my field,phone stays in the car. Not had any further problems for several months.
Your thoughts??
stu k
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I lost a couple of models due to th radiongoing into failsafe. The cause turned out to be my phone which had recently been uipgraded. The old one never bothered my radio, the new certainly does.
Most clubs were good about keeping phones out of the pits but this seems to be less rigorously enforced than it was
stu k
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Its maybe pertinent to point out that the LMA show and the museum are separate entities and entry to one does not afford entry to the other. A few years ago, there was a shuttle bus between the two & I'm sure that the museum did well from people popping across from the airshow. Sadly in recent years, the museum have opted out and this no longer applies.
that said, both are well worth the visit.
stu k
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You should seek out the 'Dawn Patrol', often seen at LMA and other shows and get to know a few owners.
I would avoid 'I might have to settle for.....' decisions. You are about to embark on a big, BIG investment in time and cash. If it doesn't float your boat to the extent of keeping you awake at night with the excitment, especially at the outset, then the chances of completion are remote.
From what I understand, a zenoah 62 will be suitable for most of the 1/3rd WW1 types. The Americans seem to build massively heavy & overpowered aeroplanes to what is considered normal over here. (Apologies to all the Brian Taylor types in the US of A)
Selecting the next project is one of the best bits (IMHO) of this hobby, researching, picking a colour scheme, asking questions... an experience to be savoured!
stu k
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I had an ear virus which gave me severe vertigo in the short term but long term is has damaged my sense of balance. Like you, without visual references I have the sensation of loosing my balance, so darkness, even pulling my jumper off over my head can lead to a feeling of toppling.
Its been a couple of years now, it doesn't stop me doing anything, just unpleasant.
stu k
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Not everything I have heard about Arizona models has been complimentary. I would ask around well and do some research before making a final decision.
I have no personal experience so they may well be fine, just worth making sure before parting with your hard earned
stu k
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Very nice. I'm a big fgan of weathered models, it (IMHO) brings them to life. If I were to make a constructive suggestion, I would add a bit of 'dirt' i.e. spray some panels a slightly darker / lighter shade of the original colour, a bit of oil around the hinges and some panel. I find a mix of greys and browns more pleasing than blacks.
Lovely looking model though, congratulations!
stu k
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Guys,
this is old news, dragged up by someone trying to get a bite!!
stu k
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Servicing Percy?! These things were made by men in (big) sheds to be looked after by men in smaller sheds with spanners...... No-one is going to cut an acre of grass for sixpence. Great find to blag the Honda ride on, but there won't be too many of those lying about.
The mower is a Ransomes Motor triple Mk4. I actually have two of these, one is used on my own lawn (a converted paddock) and one which I bought as a spares ship but after a good look at it, I restored it to be even better than the first one. The first now has the tow hitch fitted and is used to cut the club field.
My real point is that MFC's would be better to look for a full blown mass grass cutter than a large lawnmower, intended for domestic use. Someone who also owns a Motor Triple steered me towards mine when I moved to the house with paddock, what a stroke of luck that was! Apart from regular grease & occasional adjustment, it has never missed a beat in three years. It also led to the resto on the second one which was thoroughly enjoyable,
They are often seen on ebay, diesel powered go for around 600, The petrol MAG engine, anything from £150 - 400. Both mine are MAG and run well. I have also seen them converted with a BMC 'A' series engine or the engine from a Reliant Robin
More recent 'ex council' mowers changed to hydraulic drive and the earlier belt drive seem to scare people away. In truth, they are very simple.
Good idea to fit the tracker - mowers seem to be man jewellery!
stu k
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Cutting the grass is the big challenge for most model clubs. What you need to do is think big! I have one of these which has an eight foot cut and will cut the whole field inside an hour. They come up quite often on ebay for peanuts really. Very maintainable and all parts still available. Built to LAST.
I fitted a trailer hitch to the back of mine and tow it to the field as a trailer. You do need a car with a tow bar and somewhere to store it but for under £500 you will have a mower that will last years and need little maintenance bar a grease gun now and again.
Sort the logistics and it opens up a whole new world
stu k
It;s a Ransomes Motor Triple btw
Edited By stu knowles on 01/06/2013 21:48:45
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Free castoring tailwheels are a disaster as Bucksboy states, no good for turning where you want to go or keeping straight.
Fixed is OK especially on grass, can be a problem on tarmac
There is nothing wrong with the method described on the plan, it has been in use for years, or fit your own using whatever means you feel OK with.
stu k
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I've always thought that multi bolt prop drivers are a hassle best avoided. It is possible to get a converter if you are a similar mind and the spacings are correct.
As for your original question, the ones that i have seen & used have had a full complement of bolts.
stu k
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I always thought that engines were so simple that they were all much the same however, over time many engines have come and gone but only OS remain. They may cost more but their longevity and reliability pay back the up front cost.
Ask 10 people, get 12 answers.
stu k
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I really don't see why he should pay for the damage that he has caused and feel lucky not to be paying a lot more for the injuries and discomfort suffered by you. £250 would have been a bargain let off!
He took a concious decision not to bother with insurance, he should live with the consequences. In my old club, if you shot someone down by not observing frequency control, you bought the wreckage, no argument!
stu k
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I fly mine with a lot of rudder input. The Party Piece, only done on a flat calm evening is to fly circuits and figure eights inside the field boundary and trying not to go above head height. Speed is stall plus one, turn on rudder with out turn aileron to keep the wings reasonably flat. If I get it wrong the result is usually no more than an untidy landing in the outfield, getting it right is good!
I also have a set of the Flair vintage floats which have also been well used on water snow and grass. The Pup is a great all rounder (so long as it goes in the car in one piece)
cheers
stu k
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Hi Guys,
Right, measured the cg on mine tonight, With the fus level / just nosing down a bit, 135mm back from the le of the top wing. just back from the mid way spot between the cabane struts. Main spar of the top wing would be way too far forward.
If I have a Pupp plan I've no idea where it is, so how does that compare with the plan position?? For test flights maybe 125mm would be a safe start
I've been reminded of a guy in the club some time ago who put masses of lead into the cowl of his Puppeteer because 'it wouldn't come down' in his words He never flew it at less than flat out and dived for the runway when trying to land then forced it onto the ground. He wouldn't have it at all that it would fly slowly
stu k
stu k
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I'll measure mine when I get home tomorrow and post the position here. It seems to be that there is a suggestion that the Pup can be a handful and I think that thats wrong!
Mine is built as per plan, has an OS 50 two stroke, 5 cell AA battery in the tank bay and no ballast at all. I have many hours flying on my example and it is the most friendly, stall averse aeroplane that you could wish to lay hands on.
I'll be back with an accurate cg position tomorrow
stu k
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Watered down PVA (30% water and a bit of colour) will do very well as will swopping the tissue with ordinary wrapping brown paper.
Used it several times on foam wings and all sheeted fuse', really good results & always surprised that its not more popular
stu k
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Flair used to do a simple box type silencer which attached with a 'jubilee clip' fitting around the cylinder, specially made for the scout series. I have one on a Pupp / OS50 combination. If you can find one they are very effective and spot on for the purpose.
stu k
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Exciting take off !! but all good, well done, it looks great in the sky doesn't it.
It's not easy to hold a model like this 'nose up' , mine weighs about 35lbs more likely to be left holding a bit of leading edge with a load of broken bits on the floor!! I did rig mine to sit on a workmate and a stool so that I could lower the tail to try the nose up thing but haven't done it since and not found it necessary. this ones never going to bei doing more than 'stately progress' about the sky.
Here's to many more fine flights
regards
stu k
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TBH, I don't think that there is much that you can do. I use a fully synthetic oil fuel which reduces the crud a little and is slightly less slimy to wipe off but a large pack of baby wipes is an essential part of the kit, plus another session when it gets home to get into the corners. You may find that there's a bit less mess stuck to the airframe when its up than on the ground?
All worth it for the sound of four engines together and watching its stately progress around the sky.
Mine has a very mellow sound and isn't at all what you'd expect from 'screaming two strokes'
Enjoy yourself on the flight test
stu k
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Hey!! doesn't that make a nice noise! Time to commit avaiation then.
Watch out for the willing 'helper' that gets a hold of the top tailplane and gives it a mightly push to move it in or out of the pits
stu k
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Coming on really well there.
If 'twer mine I would fit the engines, give them a couple of tanks run through, which you will need to do to set them up, and then go fly.
Any attempt to 'sync' the engines is (IMHO) a really bad idea. I set up each on my engines individually, good idle settings and main jet several clicks on the safe side of optimum. Once each one has been set individually, I can start all four in a few seconds and I don't touch the engine setting at all after that.
As an aside, I have used a tacho and found that even if you set the linkages so that the engines are revving the same at a particular throttle setting, they will be a mile out at a different throttle setting.
In practice this method has served me well. The only unsync'ed engine state that you should try and avoid in one (or more) running and one (or more) not !!
Good luck with your flight tests, I think that you will find that you have ample power. I find that mine has to be flown in with a power glide to land, there is so much drag that the sink rate with no power is pretty alarming. Otherwise, mine flies very well
stu k
Edited By stu knowles on 18/04/2013 10:42:10
Mobile phones and flying, what are your thoughts?
in All Things Model Flying
Posted
Just wondering, how did the Evo (9 & 12) pass CE testing if it is this easy to make it go wrong - don't want to open a big techie debate.
You could ask that, but to to be even handed the same question should be asked of the Blackberry.
I have no idea about either it was just my luck to find a combo that didn't work together
stu k