Chris Procter

Thanks all, I think in my initial panic and despair I turned the engine once to see if there was any resistance, big oops ! The throttle was shut so hopefully it's ok, will get someone to show us a strip down and rebuild. I'm replacing the airframe this week so it's back to the drawing board. Cheers Chris

Well it had to happen, but so soon My Irvine Tutor went in today and buried the SC 46 into the turf. I was on the buddy box and a gust of wind flipped the trainer with very little height to recover. The instructor is a great chap and feels awful but I completely understand, it's just the nature of the hobby. My main question is , what's the best way to treat this engine now ? It's in good visual condition and seems ok, turns over fine but I can't be sure it hasn't eaten some soil. The prop broke off near the base (one side) and the carb intake was not blocked with soil. What should I be concerned with after this engine has been put into another Tutor 40 ? Thanks in advance for any advice Cheers Chris

What a lovely day for some flying ! Woke up this morning to a sunny start and most importantly NO WIND This had to be the perfect day to maiden this Hobbyzone Cub ! My first concern was to landing it, although i'd mown the meadow there was no way it could be a rolling touchdown it was just too lumpy. So I decided that if the touchdown was slow enough and the prop stopped, it could nose over and would survive. The cub was hand launched with some trepidation but I thought it's now or never and hoped the hours put into the simulator would show some results. She took to the wing with ease and climbed away very quickly, I needed to reduce the power quite soon after launch to avoid it leaving the paddock, there followed a couple of slow circuits with some lazy eights thereafter. I found within a few minutes of flight and some confidence it was easy enough to keep the aircraft within just 2 acres, this was a relief and soon led to some height and use of the full 4 acres for a bit more excitement. It was eventually time to bring it in and hope for the best, a nice slow circuit with a rollout onto finals and then as much angle of attack as I could safely get away with, cut the motor at a foot or so, light flare and she touched down and flipped onto it's back, total non event and wasn't worth the nail biting . I charged the battery up and did it all over again, and again, and again. ! Can't really fault this model to be honest and value for money is spot on, i'll be working on the landing strip over the coming months and hopefully will have a workable surface some time later in the year, in the mean time it doesn't do it any harm to slowly flop into the grass and at least i'm getting extra stick time in between the Irvine flying up at the club. The only warning for the wary is that this model is so light even a slight breeze will see it struggle to make any headway into wind and buffet will turn it over easily, particularly noticeable above 50 feet or so where the breeze was a little stronger, let it get too far down wind and I would have been in trouble. Cracking day, loads of fun and I think everyone should have one ! Thanks all for some encouragement and advice. Cheers Chris

Thanks Tony, I got the HZ through the post today and ready to go in 40 minutes or so.......... then the heavens opened up and the wind started howling Still, must not rush ! When the weather decides to play nicely i'll throw it into the ether and report back . All the best Chris

Thanks Steve and BB, I found the long but excellent thread on the forum regarding the Fun Cub, it's going to take a while reading through mind It does seem quite expensive compared to the HZ cub which I may get as it seems quite affordable in comparison, however i'm sure it won't be the last plane in the hangar so to speak. I'll let you know how it goes. Cheers Chris

Would a Mulitplex Fun Cub be a better option ? It's a bit dearer but seems to need almost no room to take off and land and very slow flight capability, Anyone have one of these? Cheers Chris

Thanks Huggy, It's pretty open on 3 sides and a wooded area with road on one, a couple of farmhouses in adjoining fields but that's it really. This might be a go'er Cheers Chris

Hi all, I'm currently learning to fly my Irvine Tutor down at the club, which is a 20 min drive away, However the field next door to our house is available for my use, so for a quick fix and some extra practice is 4 1/2 acres enough to fly a Hobbyzone Cub from ? The field is rectangular in shape and would easily fit 3 footy pitches side by side. The cub is electric and RTF so shouldn't annoy anyone but is it enough room? Many thanks Chris

Yes please. Chris

All much better thanks to all the advice.   Now to get the engine run in and let an experienced hand give it it's first flight, hopefully the weekend weather will play nicely !   All the best Chris @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

Some really great ideas and thoughts in the last few posts guys, thank you.   I'll try and get the deflections nearer with the linkage adjustments rather than EPA, and hopefully cure this.   Living and learning as they say.   I'll repost here with any news.   Cheers Chris

BEB, the servos are Futaba S3003 's that came with the Fieldforce 7 2.4g set. John,(I hope I understand what you're asking) the standard EPA (100%) deflects the controls way too much for the irvine settings, so I went into EPA mode and wound them back to deflect the surfaces to those values.   The servos now have :   Channel 1 ------- 73% Left, 73% Right (Aileron)--------------- Buzz at end points Channel 2 ------- 66% up, 66% Down (Elevator)---------------No Buzz at end points Channel 3 ------- 112% Forward, 123% Back (throttle)------- No buzz at end points Channel 4 ------- 70% Left, 70% Right (rudder/ NWS)---------------- Buzz at end points     Hope that helps   I'm beginning to think there may be enough friction in the cheap plastic rod keepers to cause this when at an angle, as the servos don't do this when rods disconnected and the rods on their own move freely enough ?? Is this common ??   Many thanks for the replies, i'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this. Chris

Thanks Alan, checked the movement without servos connected, no resistance felt and the travel required is very limited according to the Irvine instructions.   Aileron 6mm up and down Elevator 10mm up and down Rudder 15mm left and right   Free surface movement at least double the above on all surfaces so they shouldn't struggle.   when setting servo end point travel to the above travels they're ok, come out of EPA adjustment mode and do a control check and the buzz is back with full stick deflection ??   Many thanks Chris

Hi, all   Just adjusting the end points on my new Irvine tutors servo's and have a very annoying problem with a couple of them.   All servos set up at mid-points then use T7C box to adjust servo end points, which is set according to the Irvine control surface deflection setting. all ok until a final check then 2 of the servos buzz at the end points of travel, so go back into Tx menu and knock off another percentage point each way........buzz stops for a few throws and then returns ??   I've adjusted them up and down god knows how many times but still get the buzz at the end points and they're not powering off ??   Is this normal/acceptable ? happens on Aileron and rudder/Nosewheel servo's but not elevator or throttle.   Hope the above makes sense   Thanks Chris

This topic has been very informative, and seems to have plenty of answers, looks like my best option will be a good used 35mhz 6ex with square trainer plug and suitable lead to connect to my T7C. There's some really nice ones on the bay at the moment and are much better price wise than a more up-to date box, it is after all only for use as a buddy box so needs to be cheap as poss'   Many thanks all   Chris

Thanks Gonzo, interesting set-up. Don't know how my instructor would take to that but it's certainly an option,   John, thank you, as you pointed out the T7C manual does have a reference to using a buddy box but makes no mention of compatibility between various Futaba boxes and as the T7C doesn't have PPM in it's menu just instructor on/off it's caused me a bit of confusion especially when you read on various forums of the big "No round to square" etc.   kc and Lee, thanks for the advice/info, my cheapest solution for now is to get a couple of cables (round to square and sq to sq ) and next time i'm at the field ask if someone would mind if I checked with one of their boxes?   If all else fails we could always go back to box passing   Thanks all   Chris

Thanks all, i'll mooch around the bay for a decent box now.   Cheers Chris

Thanks Stephen, I'm hoping to get hold of a 2.4g 6ex to use as a trainer box rather than another T7C, they're slightly cheaper used and wanted to make sure they're compatible.   Cheers Chris

Hi all,   Firstly I've used the search function which asks similar questions to mine but doesn't provide a definite "yes"   So, my instructor is using a spektrum transmitter which won't buddy with my Futaba T7C 2.4g, so before I go ahead and buy a used box to use as a buddy, which ones will actually work?   Which setup has worked for you? I'm hoping not to have to shell out on another T7C but maybe a used 6ex ?   Many thanks Chris

Thanks BEB and everyone for the advice.   I won't feel quite so guilty now visiting a few and choosing one that suits me,   I'll post back when I have more.   Cheers Chris

Thanks 'kc', lots to consider, i'm getting more familiar with all the terminology and equipment now so hope to be asking the right questions. ( steep learning curve on the way)   Lee, I get what you mean thanks for the advice.     Cheers Chris @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

Thanks 'kc'   I had to wait for the club secretary to get back to me after their first meeting of the year to see if all members re-joined (which they did) .   It would of been handy as that club is only 4 miles from me, they have put me on their wait list though, so perhaps in future it may be possible like you say. However if I find a really good club I might be well settled by then.   All the best Chris

Thank you for the replies, i'll ask about the student/instructor ratio.     Cheers Chris    

Hi all,     The club nearest me is unfortunately full for the year and not accepting new members   I have found a couple of other clubs a bit further away but can't choose between the two (both have spaces for beginners)   One is quite a large club with plenty of members, the other much smaller but seems friendly as. Is it acceptable to visit both and have a looksee ? Or are you expected to join on the day?   To be honest they both look really nice clubs and there's only 10 minutes difference in travel, so what criteria should I be looking for in that first club?   Your thoughts appreciated   Chris

Thanks Ricky and BEB,   This is a very friendly reception indeed !   Cheers all   I'm still waiting to hear on the club front, the nearest to me is full I think so may have to try a little further from home, ah well.     All the best Chris