Wihtgar

I did a lot of testing reversing servo direction in the inputs, mixers and outputs noting the corresponding trim directions concluding that the elevator signal is reversed. On the screen which shows the stick positions, when the elevator stick is moved down, its position on the screen goes up. In companion the stick position follows the control stick as you would expect. All other stick positions on the taranis screen follow the sticks correctly (but not the elevator)

I also had problems with reversed elevator trim on my x9D Tx. Careful checking with a servo tester confirmed that there is a problem with the elevator gimbal wiring - somewhere it is reversed and I have to reverse the elevator throw in either Inputs or Mixers to ensure the trim switch moves the elevator in the correct direction.

Taranis X9D+, OpenTx 2.3.14, XJT V2. Over the past few years I've also experienced odd behaviour with the trims. Last week I performed some detailed testing and discovered that with all servo directions normal i.e. positive, the elevator trim direction is opposite to the stick direction on the actual Tx (not in OpenTx). I have made the trims move in the correct direction by using negative weights in INPUTS on the elevator channel and it probably has been like this since setting up the model. On the screen on the Tx which shows the two stick positions in square boxes, the stick dot also moves in the opposite direction to the elevator stick movement. The other control sticks move in the correct directions. Everything is correct in OpenTx. Have I got a wiring problem in the Tx or have I missed something obvious here?

A few years ago I decided to come back to aeromodelling. I had never tried RC but thought it would be fairly easy as I had very occasionally tried the real thing. I surveyed the market and spotted a Glasair Sportsman complete with a built-in virtual instructor. So next time a model shop was handy I went in and was able to purchase one which they had in stock, Next thing was where to fly it. With this VI could I try the local rec but the size of it seemed that perhaps it would be difficult to keep within the field boundary (it is in the middle of a built up area). Eventually I contacted a local MFC and did the six attendances and got accepted as a member. The model was test flown and trimmed - very little needed in fact and pronounced OK. I was assigned a trainer who didn't believe in buddy boxes. He would take off and hand the controls over to me with the model only using the built-in wing levelling as it couldn't be turned off. Things progressed and I became able to take off and land on my own. Two things became apparent, model RC was the most difficult thing I have ever tried to do and the the built in VI system effectively put the A/C in a straight jacket when switched on. After a year or so I bought into FrSky and piggybacked the RX with a FrSky 4ch one. I set up 3 rates and Expo (my instructor said he always used it). With some nervousness I took off with the new setup on low rates and found everything to be OK. I needed more stick movement to manoeuvre the A/C and occasionally more stick input the keep it straight and level especially landing. I then went up to med. rates and then high, reducing the expo to 10%. I never really missed the limited stabilisation it had and will continue to play with the expo until it suits.

Don't the regs say that the operator number has to be on the fuselage somewhere ...............?

Thanks Andy48. I have the documentation. I don't need to worry about the telemetry as I have none in the models I use - they are quite basic fortunately. I'm re-familiarising myself with the whole process at the moment but will go ahead with the 2.3.11. I understand the relevance of the SD card version text.

I'm running a Taranis X9D+ on OpenTX 2.1,9 and the XJT version is build 151223.frk. I've not kept up to date with the latest developments due to other activities having to take precedence. I want to update to the latest versions that will run ok on my TX. I recon the latest (last) XJT firmware is V2.1.0. Can this be flashed to the TX and RX's in one go? As far as OpenTx is concerned, I was going to do it as previously described in major version steps i.e. 2.1.9 to 2.2.4, then to 2.3.X. I've installed 2.2.4 on the PC and converted the existing models to the .otx format and checked they work as I would expect in simulation mode. Now before I upgrade my TX to OpenTx 2.2.4 should I upgrade the XJT firmware or leave that until I complete the OpenTx upgrade steps? I would only complete one step at a time fully testing before going onto the next step

I remember something similar we designed and fitted to the Firecracker just aft of the wing in the belly of the aircraft. In the instance it was called a dive brake.

I can't see the point of registering through the BMFA, it just seems to be complicating everything and potentially increasing their operating costs if another online test is going to be devised. Nige

Hi Paul, are the servo cable connectors buried in the the wing slots that were carved out? I'm planning to start building a middle phase and wondering what to do with them.

When you say old Jon, do you mean an old design or actual age? Can these engines be run on modern synthetics with no adverse effects.

So, should I use synthetic in a new PAW diesel and a Ridley Oliver Tiger?

First time I've seen a reference to up elevator trim needed on the Middle Phase. Is this due to incorrect decalage? I.e. Would increasing wing/decreasing horizontal stabiliser incidence cure this or is it some other mysterious effect.

Reminds me of when I was a teenager - stuck my finger through the prop to adjust the needle valve bench running a McCoy 35. Had been used to an ED Bee with rear needle valve! Still got the scars and that was 50+ years ago. At least I didn't lose any fingers though. My Dad wasn't too pleased as he was milking the cows and had to take me to casualty but at least I was dealt with almost immediately as it was in the sixties.

I'm just looking at re-building a WOT 4 Foam-e I acquired a while back. It has no rudder/elevator servos and I intend fitting some hitec ones. Now, unless I'm very much mistaken, it appears to use the push-rod connectors shown by Martin above. I don't know whether they are the nut or circlip devises but there must be a lot of these flying around without any apparent problems or am I mistaken? Nig

Does the 22 in 1 Flight Simulator Cable come with its own flight simulator software or does it enable you to use other flight simulators that are available online e.g. PicaSim?

There's a Horizon Hobbies Version of RealFlight coming out - RealFlight 8!. Waiting for reply to see if the old Phoenix dongle will work with it.

I thought there was an analogue 0-3.3V input on a couple of the RX pins so the battery voltage could be applied using a suitable voltage divider. I seem to remember Mike Blandford publishing a circuit to do this. Nig

Seriously though, many thanks again Jonathan for a well executed build blog which will give me lots of help for my build (and flying). Nig

Dusting my Middle Phase box off too! Nig

Interestingly I notice the 'captive' nut on my sander in actually captive - I can see it moving around as I rotate the sander. I have not turned it completely upside down though, just in case! Tried it out on a couple of built up balsa wings (Bambino) to tidy up the ends. Wow! perfect job. Next I need to make up a suitable spacer so that I can machine the tapers on the ends of my wooden arrows for the Piles and Knocks. Nige

I also use Defender plus Malwarebytes (Full version when you first download for week or so). Never any problems. My old PC (used as a sandbox) died on the latest MS updates but managed to get it to sort itself out by re-installing Windows 10 as one of its debugging options. Don't know if it will still keep going when it finally gets up to date again though!. It seems a lot quicker too.

I too cannot see the latest issue, same last month but it is now viewable. I can see the latest issue on this site though but it means loading Adobe Flash player which Microsoft no longer deems secure. Nige

I'm in the same position as Richard, except I have a Middle Phase kit on top of the wardrobe ready to go! Keep up the postings, I'm finding them very informative, the last model I built was a La Mouette from a free Aeromodeller plan circa 1960's Nige

That reminds me, I was going to get my late Dad's A1 fretsaw going again. It used to be great for cutting the notches in wing ribs for the spars as well as cutting out any ply details. Mind you, I'm going back some 50 years now when I last did that!