MattyB

Here is the video linked above - it does seem to fly nicely and look the part...   All the Flightline models are nice, but (assuming a 1:1 $:£ exchange rate by the time VAT is added in) price may be an issue that scares off anyone wanting to be a UK distributor (they are not yet available here). The 1100/1200mm models are $199, and the 1600s $349 - that is a lot of money for a chunk of foam when converted into £s. They certainly make the Warbird Replicas kits look very good value! Maybe the reduction in ARTF balsa options in these sizes could make them more desirable though... Edited By MattyB on 23/01/2017 12:32:00

Posted by Chris Bott - Moderator on 23/01/2017 00:00:21: If it were me, I'd probably bite the bullet and resign myself to flashing TX and all Rxs to a known version. EU-LBT probably, to ensure any new receivers would work. Yes, you are probably right - long term that is the most efficient way to go, especially as it does not sound like Graham has that many RXs. Now he is on OpenTX 2.1 he can do this relatively straightforwardly from the TX itself. Graham, based on the above I would say you have two distinct problems here that we can tackle quite separately: Possible faulty RX - Either find someone locally to you who can try binding it, or send it to one of us and we will test it for you. Getting your TX and all receivers to a single, known version of RF firmware - This might take a little more time sort term, but will pay back long term as you will never have to play with any new receivers you buy; they will just work out of the box. My suggestion would be that you flash your internal TX module and just one of the currently working X series receivers to EU LBT firmware, then verify you can bind it. Assuming that works (and there is no reason it should not), you then need to flash all of your other working RXs to EU LBT by the same method. Again follow the FrSky instructions carefully and tips in this thread and it should work fine. Edited By MattyB on 23/01/2017 11:51:36

Posted by Graham Russell on 22/01/2017 20:47:11: Yes, I have also been binding some of my other receivers X8R , D8r and both are binding ok Ah, ok - that might tell us something I think. If you are able to bind to a D8R you must have D8 mode, and a new out of the box EU LBT set sold after Jan 2015 would not have it. I suppose you might have by chance enabled D8 mode when you moved to a later version of OpenTX a page or two ago, but if not you are on Int'l firmware in your TX module. Chris, do you agree with my logic? Anyway, the next step I would suggest (given you cannot return it to the seller) is to try binding the offending RX to another Taranis. Do you know anyone nearby with one who can try this? If not you can always send it to someone on here and we can try for you on both firmware versions; happy to help. Edited By MattyB on 22/01/2017 22:29:09

Might it be easier to pot the elevator servo? Stick it in a thin sandwich bag, mix up some 30min epoxy and micro balloons, dab it in where you want the servo to sit then squish and hold in place for a couple of hours. Once cured pop it out, put a few dabs of silicon based glue or hot glue in each corner then pop it back in place.

Posted by Simon Chaddock on 21/01/2017 15:46:03: My only additional advice, apart from that already g Flying a RC plane is calm conditions is very different to doing so in almost any wind. Its not so much the wind itself, although even a 5 mph 'light breeze' can be a issue for a real light weight but the turbulence that is created by almost any fixed object, typically buildings and trees. Turbulence can make your plane do unexpected things and 'unexpected' is not what you want when you are trying to learn what to expect! So the more open the area the better as far as turbulence is concerned but remember what wind there is will be that much stronger too! ...true, but again trying to fly slope in no wind is not much fun either!

Posted by ChrisB on 21/01/2017 08:57:39: To avoid conflict with users of parks, footpaths etc and to avoid crashing your model I would advise joining a club where you can at least fly under supervision and receive face to face assistance, even if it's for a few months until you get the basics. The OP has clearly stated he wants to learn on the slope, so whilst the suggestion to get instruction is sound the idea that you can avoid contact with the public is a bit fantastical. All slope sites are public access, and most with good lift and easy access offer views that attract many walkers and cyclists. It's just the nature of the beast!

Posted by Richard Ward-Davies on 21/01/2017 14:42:24: Looking to get a reasonable charger for my lipo batteries. I'm thinking of the above. Don't want anything too complicated that will take weeks to learn how to use. Don't have one myself, but during the recent parallel/series charging thread one poster reported his RC8 from Overlander was rather pernickety and took a very long time on the balancing/CV phase of the charge, a bit uncommon complaint with cheaper chargers. For this reason I would personally look elsewhere. To answer your question we really need a bit more info. What size and cell count batteries do you have, and how many? How big is your PSU? Are you looking to charge mostly at home before you fly, or do you need to field charge too? Do you like to parallel charge, or just one pack at a time? Answer these and we can give better advice, but if you are looking for the best value/quality tradeoff I would recommend the Turnigy Reaktor series from Hobbyking; they are based on the iCharger range, are very affordable and have an excellent reputation amongst users posting online. Edited By MattyB on 21/01/2017 16:40:21

Posted by Graham Russell on 20/01/2017 21:07:03: I have tried downloading any of the other files but each time i try to copy it to the sd card interiors saying The Finder can’t complete the operation because some data in “X8RX6R_eu_150602.frk” can’t be read or written. (Error code -36 Any Ideas How are you doing the transfer? I always use the USB cable and it is 100% reliable. Ail and rudder trims to centre and switch on simultaneously, then connect via USB and the SD should appear as a removable drive.

It is the ESC I would be more worried about than the motor based on the stats, but if you throttle up slowly whilst monitoring the amps you should be fine. Edited By MattyB on 20/01/2017 16:58:20

I've not used it myself, but this looks like it should do the job for more complex planforms.

Posted by Gary Vinten 1 on 20/01/2017 14:50:29: Hi All I now will run the motor on a 8s pack and the prop is 18x16 apc this should give me what I need I ill run some test over the weekend and set out some specs That sounds more like it - your pitch speed is in the 100mph ballpark on a 16" pitch, 200Kv and 8S. Just be careful not to go too far the other way and burn out your ESC, as you are operating a lot closer to the limits with that setup; maybe try a 17x16" (if such a thing exists) for starters?   Edited By MattyB on 20/01/2017 15:37:37

Posted by Dave Bran on 20/01/2017 10:56:20: Posted by Chris Bott - Moderator on 19/01/2017 16:40:59: Hi Bob yes that's exactly what it means. If you buy the EU Horus then FrSkyOS doesn't have the D8 option available to choose. But add OpenTx, leaving the EU option unchecked and there it is, and it works. Partially True, the Euro LBT firmware from FrSky does not allow D8, but the FrSky FAA firmware does. However, the reason why it was excluded was not FrSky fancy but as you well know that Euro legislation, which we legally need to comply with, excluded NEW Tx bought after a date well back during last year to BE used in the Euro zone if they were non-LBT capable, hence also why Spektrum stopped DSM2 transmission ability on its Tx from last year. Not quite correct. The various laws that apply here are for manufacturers, importers and sellers, but users of the kit are essentially exempt. That means if you are buying from an EUsupplier the onus is on them to provide EU legal kit to you; there is nothing at present that actively prevents you the user from flashing it to something else that may or may not be compliant. If you buy from outside the EU (even if you are just an individual purchasing one RX from Hobbyking or Banggood) the onus to comply falls on you because you are the importer. Will this model be that case forever? Probably not, but it's going to be awfully hard for the authorities to police if they choose to go after users individually...

Looks nice. I am intrigued to see how it performs on that very low Kv motor...

I think you are getting some slightly confusing advice here from power flyers who (rightly) advise joining the club is the best way to learn for their discipline. I don't disagree for power, but as you stated you want to learn on the slope then it is a little bit different. My 2c's as someone who did this many moons ago... Joining a club is optimal, but may not be practical - slope clubs are relatively rare. What is important is getting some instruction in the early days. It's not impossible without, but will certainly be a lot harder, irrelevant of how much sim time you have. Remember, slope is a more dynamic environment than an open field with a gentle breeze blowing across it, especially at landing time. There is a reason we joke it stands for "Smashed, lost or pulverised, eventually"! If you have a club locally that's great (you can look this up on the BMFA club finder), but if not don't worry - you will just need to identify your local slope site and introduce yourself to the pilots who use it. Chat to them, see what they are flying and get some tips. We slopers are a friendly bunch and will be happy to support a newcomers to take their first steps, though by nature we tend to be a little more maverick than the average club power flyer! Picasim is absolutely fine for learning slope - in fact init's far more realistic than some of the commercial sims which have very dodgy physics for soaring. Optimally you would be able to connect up your TX (Picasim is certainly capable of it - if you have questions on that join the Facebook group and ask the app designer how to do it, he is very helpful), but you will still be able to learn useful stuff just using the inbuilt controls. Don't rush to buy a TX until you've visited your local slope site and chatted to the locals to get their advice. Model choice - there are two options I recommend to newcomers I meet on the slope. The first is an EPP chevron (Zagi type) wing. Quick to build and essentially indestructible, if you are competent on the sim you should be able to progress quite quickly with one of these if you have an instructor, though they are not the absolutely easiest thing to fly or orient in the sky. The alternative is an electric powered glider like the Hobbyking Phoenix 2000 or Mpx Easyglider. I like these because you can take your first flights on the flat in benign conditions under power, get them trimmed out on the glide and become comfortable with the handling before you get to a slope. They also mean you can get in more time on the sticks as you can still fly them from the flat when conditions are not suitable for sloping. The final option if you cannot find an instructor to help is a Radian (the original 2m, not the XL) - more benign still and very easy to master off the flat. The only issue is you will be limited on how high a wind you can fly in at the slope as they are very light and draggy - above 10mph will be too much for a beginner with a Radian, whereas the Easyglider and Phoenix are good in winds up to the high teens with a bit of ballast on board. Good luck, and welcome to the brotherhood of slope! Edited By MattyB on 20/01/2017 10:25:05

I and others have never said every decision has to be voted on by members - clearly that is untenable. What I am saying is that in 100% of the clubs and associations of which I am a member, when it comes to a matter that is big enough to require a vote (as documented in the constitution/other governance docs) every member has an equal say in the outcome. i.e. OMOV. This is true of all three model clubs of which I am currently a member, the professional organisations of which I am a member, and all the clubs and societies I was in at University. As a result I (and I suspect almost no-one else who joins the BMFA) bothered to check the AoA to verify this was true. Should I? Clearly the answer to that in hindsight is yes. Would it have made a difference to my decision to join? Not in a practical sense - two fly at two of my three most regular flying locations I am required to be a member because they are BMFA affiliated clubs (I am actually an affiliated member myself, so my vote did count at the EGM), so I have no real choice. TBH it is not even the fact that this is the current state that now really grates; as you state that has always been written down, and members (including me) should have read it. What really grates is the way that the Exec stated at the EGM that they have heard the dissent on this matter  and would look at it, but have made no effort to consult with members via the BMFA News or an online survey to understand what the wider view on governance change is - instead they just dismissed it. This is the reason no-one (me included) is prepared to step forward to champion change from within the system; as per my previous post those at the top clearly like the system, and know the wider membership are pretty much powerless to change it, so it will say. Edited By MattyB on 20/01/2017 09:55:50

Posted by Peter Jenkins on 20/01/2017 00:42:53: Posted by MattyB on 19/01/2017 10:08:40: Lots of country members are not members of a club! As to those affiliated club members who choose to renew their BMFA membership as country members, I suspect perceived convenience is the main one; they can renew online in seconds or (if they prefer) over the phone with the BMFA direct and the card will arrive in a few days. Also the vast majority of members do not realise that by joining as a country members they are disadvantaging themselves in terms of voting; only a fraction of members will have read the Articles of Association, so their implicit assumption will be that the organisation will be democratic and that they will receive a vote in crucial matters. Matty, every BMFA member gets a Handbook when they join - the current one is the 2010 Edition. Pages 5-10 cover the SMAE/BMFA and page 9 contains a section on Types of Membership, BMFA Affiliated Clubs and Voting in which the issue of who can vote at General Meetings is described concisely - by that I mean it's a precis of the Articles of Association. If people choose not to read the Handbook what other mechanism would you suggest to bring this information to their attention? Yawn, same old same old. We have done this all before Peter. Please try reading my post again; I simply stated that most members have not read the AOA cover to cover, nothing more, nothing less. Do you contest that? People don't read them for a few reasons. 1) Like the Apple T&Cs when you update IOS, they are long and wordy - if I read the small print of every org I was involved in I would never get to work; 2) for most members this is supposed to be a relaxing and fun pastime; they just want to be insured to fly with the minimum of fuss, and 3) because most people's implicit expectation in a western society is that 100% of volunteer run clubs and societies will have a governance model based on equal rights for all members. In the vast majority of organisations that is true, but unfortunately in the case of the BMFA it is not, nor does it look likely to be anytime soon. Relax; the status quo has been defended, the matter has been settled and us dissenting rabble (including those pesky country members) are now well aware of their place in the hierarchy. Victory! Edited By MattyB on 20/01/2017 01:52:14

Posted by LMA Dave on 19/01/2017 19:57:19: Hi Matty, No offence but the views I have expressed here were my own opinion as a member of this forum, they are not the views of the LMA. I am not getting drawn into politics between the two associations. As I have said I am not a BMFA member nor do I want to be at this moment in time. Apologies, but I think you have misunderstood. The questions I asked above are genuine, and I am not asking for "the views of the LMA". I am not being combative - I would just like to understand how the LMA constitution/Articles of Association are put together. I looked on the LMA website, but could not find this information. Is it published online somewhere? Edited By MattyB on 20/01/2017 00:03:23

That is absolutely fine, don't worry about it. All that means is you flashed the opposite version to the version in your TX module i.e. you flashed EU LBT and your TX module is on International, or vice versa. Crucially this means you now know what RF firmware is in you TX! All you need to do now is flash the other firmware version (download it from the link I posted a few posts above) and flash it using exactly the same method, then bind - job done! Edited By MattyB on 19/01/2017 21:27:04

Posted by Mark a on 19/01/2017 15:51:20: Set the spoilers on a 3 position switch if you can so you will have them retracted, mid position, and high position. I've also slowed the servo speed down so they deploy at a more controlled rate rather than just popping up out of the wing. They do make a difference and are very useful if you want to lose lift especially during landing. Or make a flight mode that puts them on the throttle stick instead of motor control; much easier to use to control your descent rate on landing.

Posted by LMA Dave on 19/01/2017 11:41:14: Posted by MattyB on 19/01/2017 10:08:40: Posted by LMA Dave on 19/01/2017 09:49:56: Okay, thanks for the explanation on how the BMFA treats its country members, which I have to agree seems bazar to say the least. But why aren't the country members getting there membership though the club they are a member of which will give them a vote? That is the bit that is confusing me. Lots of country members are not members of a club! As to those affiliated club members who choose to renew their BMFA membership as country members, I suspect perceived convenience is the main one; they can renew online in seconds or (if they prefer) over the phone with the BMFA direct and the card will arrive in a few days. Also the vast majority of members do not realise that by joining as a country members they are disadvantaging themselves in terms of voting; only a fraction of members will have read the Articles of Association, so their implicit assumption will be that the organisation will be democratic and that they will receive a vote in crucial matters. Then I would of thought the BMFA had a duty to make sure all members are aware of this other than burring it in its literature which nobody reads. The BMFA News is the perfect platform. I am sure I am just repeating what has been said before and I apologise if I am, I just find it sad (as big as the BMFA is) that so many country members are paying the same price as everybody else but because they didn't join though an affiliated club they don't have a say or a vote. Sorry but it has got to be wrong. I am so glad I am in a position that I don't have to be a member, I don't doubt the BMFA and what it has done for the hobby and what it is continuing to do, the price you pay for membership is worth every penny. But I do strongly disagree with the way it treats its country members, so maybe it is time they reviewed their policy on this. How is the LMA constituted Dave? Do you have OMOV for decisions over a certain size? If (say) you wanted to purchase or rent a flying site and the project was estimated to cost more than a certain % of the value of the LMA, how would the final decision be made?

Your numbers look in line with the impacts seen to other products caused by the devaluation in sterling. Just a fact of life I'm afraid. Edited By MattyB on 19/01/2017 11:31:30

Nice model, but I have to admit I am confused as to why they brought this out. The Schwing at 2.2m is not meaningfully bigger than the old Typhoon and already outperformed it, so why was another 2m needed that costs exactly the same? Has the Doc explained the differences anywhere - maybe this has more forgiving handling? I do know a few Schwing owners who like it but who have told me it does need to be setup very carefully to get the best out of it. Edited By MattyB on 19/01/2017 10:15:49

Posted by LMA Dave on 19/01/2017 09:49:56: Okay, thanks for the explanation on how the BMFA treats its country members, which I have to agree seems bazar to say the least. But why aren't the country members getting there membership though the club they are a member of which will give them a vote? That is the bit that is confusing me. Lots of country members are not members of a club! As to those affiliated club members who choose to renew their BMFA membership as country members, I suspect perceived convenience is the main one; they can renew online in seconds or (if they prefer) over the phone with the BMFA direct and the card will arrive in a few days. Also the vast majority of members do not realise that by joining as a country members they are disadvantaging themselves in terms of voting; only a fraction of members will have read the Articles of Association, so their implicit assumption will be that the organisation will be democratic and that they will receive a vote in crucial matters.

Posted by LMA Dave on 19/01/2017 09:05:10: Hi everyone, please forgive me, but, I am somewhat confused here, so maybe someone can help me out. Not being an BMFA member I don’t have any issues or axe to grind with them on how they do business, but according to this thread, country members don’t have a say or a vote, but yet most of you are members of a BMFA club to which its members do have a vote. I am sure there is a perfectly good explanation for this but I am failing to see what it is. Simple - I and many others who have posted in this and the many NFC threads believe the BMFA should allow all it's members equal OMOV rights on the very biggest issues, irrelevant of whether they are club or country members. For example, a decision was made at the NFC EGM to proceed with a programme that (as set out at the time) required investment anywhere between 4-10x the net worth of the BMFA. Despite being a decision that if it were to go wrong could sink the organisation, getting on to 1/3 (~10k) of members had no right to vote despite them paying exactly the same subs as members joined through their clubs. That is unfair, it's undemocratic and it's unnecessary. That I personally have a vote through my club under the current system is irrelevant - I hold this view despite the fact that (at least in theory) "my" vote would be less valuable if every member is on an equal footing. Edited By MattyB on 19/01/2017 09:59:53

Posted by Steven Glazzard on 18/01/2017 15:18:54: ...If in the near future I 'd like to try electric flight, do I need to consider the battery amperage size with regard to re-charging the lipo battery? Assuming you are starting back with IC I would not think about field charging requirements for electric at this point. This is because a) you have no idea what type of electric models and battery packs you will be using, and b) any leisure battery you buy for electric is going to be a lot bigger and heavier than it needs to be for your IC use. AS per some of the above posts unless you regularly fly all day from a field with no electricity supply it is not normally required to field charge any more; buyng more lipos is generally cheaper and easier than buying and lugging about the field charging gear. Alternatively join a club with charging facilities and there is no need for extra batteries of either type! Edited By MattyB on 18/01/2017 16:40:20