Danny Fenton

We were going to try this with a slight twist at Our fun flys this year, we were going to have a simulator tent with a couple of laptops runing flight sims so that prior to the public having a go with the models on buddy leads, they had to have a briefing on the simulator. The first fun fly was not well attended by the public so it never got of the ground, but we still want to try it at our other two fun flys, YT and Electric, later in the summer. I think its an excellent idea, provided you attract some non modellers to have a go.

I know what you mean, I am starting to look at Catalinas and Sunderlands LOL My thumbs are starting to seize up!

LOL Indeed, I for one have never had so much as a glitch (ruined it now!) on my PCM9XII with JR Rx's but they are £90 each. Some of the members are using Multiplex Rx's and have had similar success. I do wonder whether the power levels we are allowed to emit are too low. Do you know how the output levels compare to other devices? Mobiles etc??

Hi Timbo, yep its "squarehead" LOL, it is always possible I have the wrong end of the stick(scuse the pun)LOL I was in a group chatting with him at club night on Wednesday and that was my take on what he said. I knew that he had a previous problem but thought that was resolved some time ago. That would explain how they had reported back to him so quickly, which did surprise me. I do hope we find out what is going wrong, whoever is to blame, so that we can make reliable choices. We are all wondering which way to jump.

LOL indeed Scott, let us know how the Gee Bee goes?

Hi Timbo, I am only saying what we found, the fact that the three other models all displayed the same problem using that Tx says to me it isn't a useage problem ie they were switched on in the wrong order. My friend is not daft LOL if it were a model installation issue then it should have shown up in previous succesful flying sessions. The range checks did show control up to 18 feet, then the controls all started moving with a 1 second delay. as the range was increased further then the failsafe cut in. It is most odd. As you have seen the thread elsewhere you are no doubt aware of the reply from Horizon after they tested it? No fault found.

Hi Scott, If its the same Gee Bee a friend has got it flies really well. The threaded rod is a lot stronger than you think (I thought the same LOL). Used singularily I would agree, but combined they are plenty strong enough, we have used them in models with 5KW motors and they are solid. They do give and bend on a serious crash, but I would rather that than damage the motor.

A friend who flies with a Spektrum 2.4 suffered a Tx failure at the weekend which resulted in the model diving into the ground at full tilt. When the transmitter was tried with the other three models he was intending to fly (all fitted with 2.4 Rx) all had lost range, full control only being effective over about 6 yards, so the problem was clearly the Tx not the Rx. Anybody else have any instances of this?

Hi chaps, if you look at the mounting plate (1/4 ply) it mounts on the original bulkhead with allen keys, these line up eith the IC mount. 4 bolts and its back to IC. The threaded rod allows the motor to be positioned EXACTLY where you want it, I never can find a comercial mount that positions the depth just where you want it LOL The one error I did make, is to not use a locking nut against the rear nut (bulkhead side), that way if you take the motor off the settings are not lost. The other thing is the studded rod is less than a pound for a meter from B and Q. If you look really closely you will see that they are not studding in this case but 4 inch long 4mm bolts. The heads are counter sunk and epoxied to the back of the leccy 1/4 ply mount. Good luck with the Gee Bee a challenging model if slowed down too much LOL

Greenacres Model Aero Club is having a power Fun Fly on June 23rd and 24th. For more information please see http://www.greenacresmac.co.uk/ For more information

Until bit "A" doesn't fit bit "B" LOL then I guess the CNCing needs tweeking if its easy then I would do the same as you thats not lazy that's conservation of energy. Sounds fun, I for one would be fascinated to see the process you go through to develop a design, I am still in a cave and take original sections from manufacturers drawings (If I can get them) and then monkey about with scanners and scaling. Painful and laborious task.......

I believe that your BMFA membership covers you insurance wise, provided you are flying with the landowners permission, but I am not certain of that. If you fly at a park where model flying IS NOT permitted then your insurance is invalid. If you have no CE label on your transmitter your insurance is also invalid, (beware buying radio gear from abroad) Some flying sites such as ours require you to be a member of our club, and to have registered with the the local council to fly, that in turn means you must have an A to fly solo. (Soap box time LOL)I appreciate there is a lot of beurocracy nowadays, and I for one hate it, but if we don't play by the rules and something happens we all lose, the councils will stop letting us fly models in parks frequented by the public. I have recently heard of a very experienced flyer who flew toward the crowd at a show and something went wrong, somebody was seriously hurt, the flyer was jailed. If you want the BMFA to back you up you must play by their rules otherwise you really are on your own, and if anything does happen we will all be under very close scrutiny.

Hi Toni, welcome back, my friends birdie 10 is converted to electric flight and goes very well. If you have access to the plans that would be very helpful to Leccyflyer as he is struggling to find the plans.

Hi Tony, I look forward to seeing the Typhoon, sounds like it wont be long. Have you built a prototype and if so how did it fly?

Hi Andy, no you haven't missed anything at all, you are quite right, as soon as the switch is released control is regained.

Demand on an instructor can be high, and you are right some clubs will have more instructors than others, but the ratio seems good at the clubs I have been to. I have often seen them instruct all day and not fly their own plane at all. The rule tends to be fly three errors up, let the student struggle with the first, and even the second, then there is plenty of time for the instructor to recover the situation. I think it would be a very poor instructor that couldn't recover a trainer from even a low altitude using a buddy lead. Unless the lead falls out LOL which I have heard of, then nobody has control :(

That was my point Tom, with a buddy lead you don't bend the plane at all! I spent 4 flights with my instructor and all he did was hold the buddy lead switch to enable me to fly. I had full control, but if I had got into trouble he could take control and recover the situation. Sure you can learn on your own, I did many years ago, and it cost me a fair few models.

Just to bring my wot 4 up to date, I struggled with IC for a while, having real engine reliability issues. Eventually I opted for a 600 watt motor, propped to give over 800watts (peak) using 6 A123 cells. It will prop hang for as long as I can twiddle the sticks (not long admitedly, but flies easily as well as IC, in fact it is smoother in power delivery, and you have the bonus that when I move the left stick forward it never falters, and I have instantaneous power. I love IC but this is such easy flying. I have posted some photos and the first flight video if curious. http://www.modelflying.co.uk/gallery/image.asp?sp=&v=5&uabn=218&uin=584 http://media.putfile.com/First-flight-electric-conversion-Wot-4 Whatever happened to the electric Watt4 article we were promised?

I have spoken to Chris and he is going to have a rummage, he isn't certain he still has it but will look

Hi Tom, I do find the hobby is so much richer by being in a club, and if you are new to flying, then this gives you the option of learning using a buddy lead. Saves a lot of pain and money during the learning phase. It is voluntary and in my experience the club instructors really enjoy passing on there skills and knowledge to others.

Funny you should mention the Birdie 10 a friend was flying his leccy version at the field last evening, went very well. I am sure he built his from a plan many moons ago, I could ask if he still has the plan if anyone is interested?

Hi Tom the A certificate is a simple examination that ensures you are acquianted with the rules and procedures (BMFA)of model flying in the company of other modellers. Part of it is being able to fly a predetermined set of routines fairly accurately, and part is showing that you are safe at both operating your model, and in respect of being aware of the public. I do not like being told what to do either but I have cowered in the corner of the pits when somebody less competent than they claim to be has lost control of a model and ended up in the pits. The main objective is safety for you, other flyers and the public. It is relatively easy and should pose no problem but should be taken seriously. Most clubs will not allow you to fly solo until you have shown you have achieved this level of competence.

The weather held off on Sunday and it was a great day, the sun even made an appearance at one point. Really enjoyed the show, some fabulous flying and some wonderful models. Still cannot figure out how Ollie Witt kept on top of that Voodoo LOL I look forward to next year

Hi Paul, Yes that is a solution and I may have to do just that. It just seemed odd that so many pack manufacturers are using JST-XH connectors in sizes up to 10 pins, you would think they would be easier to obtain.

You wont get the YT one I am afraid Scott, I think I had just about the last one. They are going to be re-launched as all composite later this year.