John Lee

I use the XT60's from the HobbyKing UK warehouse and have been happy with the quality & price. And like you Geoff one of the reasons for making the change was to reduce the possibility of inadvertent shorts - the last one I did was a battery to battery connection instead of battery to charger which resulted in a premature firework night. Edited By John Lee on 30/10/2015 10:16:43

Posted by Geoff Sleath on 29/10/2015 12:08:53:I've used 4mm bullet connectors ever since I built my first model (a Precedent Electrafly glider) so I don't have the melting plastic problem but I've eperienced it lots of times in my former job so I know the frustrations. For me to swap to XT60s would involve me in at least a full day's connector soldering marathon (batteries, esc and Wattmeters etc). Would it be worth it? I know what you mean Geoff & I was in the same position until a month or two ago when I has half a dozen new 2200MAh batteries to bring into use which were fitted with XT60s. Rather than cut them off I bit the bullet (ahem!!) and spent a wet Wednesday ruthlessly pruning my stock of Lipos and switching the remaining 3S 2200MHa and most of my 3S models to XT60s. Ive left a few rarely flown models where there is room on 4mm bullets & will use these with adapters. So I've now standardised on XT60s on 3S, 4mm on 4S (compatible with the HK HXT4 connectors on the Zippy Compact batteries I use) and EC5 on 6S and everything is hunky dory until the next new standard comes in, probably the day after tomorrow! Was it worth it? I think so, everything is now a bit neater and future batteries will not in general need connectors changing.

Four tips (I use a Weller 40w on mine which works fine) 1) Use 60/40 Lead/Tin cored solder not the lead free solder sold in the DIY stores. 60/40 is easily available on line and is much, much easier to work with. 2) Plug the mating pair into the connector whilst soldering. 3) Use a jig or vice to hold the connectors firmly whilst soldering. 3) Have a little bit of excess molten solder on the iron bit to help conduct the heat, hold the iron against the raised side of the connector pin, tin the inside of the pin & form a small pool of solder and then insert the (pre-tinnned) wire all in smart succession - the whole process should take less than 10 seconds.

Posted by Justin K. on 27/10/2015 17:43:57: A 6s lipo is £199 rrp? Yep E Flite 5000mAh 6S 22.2V 50C LiPo - EC5 connector (Replaces EFLB50006S30) I got one of the T28's from SMC before they had the free LiPo offer but I am still well pleased. You may scoff at the 'packaging material' but it is a fantastic model which flies superbly & I'd defy anyone to tell it's foam from more than 20 feet. Everyone who has seen mine fly is well impressed. When you weigh up the cost of the components (E-Flite 60 motor + 70 amp ESC, 7 digital metal geared servos, electric retracts, Spektrum 636 Rx) you are getting a 2 meter scale airframe for next to nothing.

Yes Matt me too. The app downloaded 6% yesterday and stopped. Today it added another 5% before stopping again. In contrast I downloaded from the digital archive on this site the complete issue in 6 seconds.

Mine (lightweight 3 channel) has a Himax HC3515-1130 and I have also used a Turnigy C3542-1100. In both cases I used a 12x5 prop and 3 cell 3000-4000MAh batteries. This gives an easy 15 mins and it has power to spare flying around on half throttle. I've also used a 4 cell with this combo when that was all I had left on the field and that was overkill.

Yep, trouble here also. I've got very fast optical cable broadband, the first 22 pages uploaded almost instantly, but it then ground to a virtual halt. I'm also using OS9.0.1.

I'm off on holiday shortly staying with an old Clubmate and we are going to the Old Rheinbeck meeting in New York State during my visit. I emailed BMFA on Sunday to advise & requesting that they extend my insurance cover and through the letterbox today dropped two cover notes for the USA & Canada. Top job, thanks!

Posted by Oops on 29/08/2015 10:31:44: Would I be able to do my A test on a bixler / eaststar type or would they be for practice. You need to study the BMFA Guidance Notes, here are a couple of extracts: The Model The test can be performed with virtually any powered fixed wing model, i/c or electric. It is not expected that the test will be taken with an electric powered glider, however, as the Silent Flight Electric ‘A’ Certificate would be more appropriate to that type of model. The minimum weight of a model used to take the test is 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) without fuel but with batteries Hand Launching The Member’s Handbook states ‘If, in the opinion of the Examiner the surface of the flying area is such that a rolling take-off would not be possible, hand launches may be permitted’. The clear implication of this is that the candidate must turn up for the test with a model that is capable of taking off on it’s own undercarriage or from a dolly. If they bring a model that cannot take off from the ground then they may not take the test under the ‘suitable model’ requirements.

Posted by Wingman on 28/08/2015 08:43:41: Mine fit nicely into a black bag Back in the 80's I used to have a Clubmate who built a black plastic bag into the rear of the fuselage of all his models for when the inevitable happened.......

Posted by Phil 9 on 27/08/2015 22:30:20: I am surprised there still are no speciality pack away models. lots of people have asked about such a model There is - in addition to the Merlin mentioned by Robin there is the Multiplex Xeno. A flying wing, it folds in half and has clip on/off fins, fits in its own shoulder bag and can be flown under power or as a slope soaring glider. I got one for tucking into the boot of my MX5. It flies very well but I did not recommend it to Oops as it's not a beginner's model and only weighs 550 - 690grams.

Weston or Cosford & sometimes the Nats. Done a few on the Continent plus Toledo in the US and off to Old Rheinbeck, New York state next month.

Early next year the BMFA plan to introduce a new proficiency certificate which will permit the use of stability systems such as SAFE & AS3X. Where this fits in with an individual's or club's desires or needs is of course yet to be determined but as an examiner I await the outcome with interest. I can envisage that some newcomers to the hobby will go through their modelling life always with some artificial aid to their flying, whilst others may adopt the assistance later as their physical & mental faculties deteriorate. Good thing too - it's a hobby, let's get & keep them flying. There are, and will remain, plenty of challenges for those that want them, but if you just want to pootle around there will be many more opportunities than just doing so with an inherently stable model or on a buddy box.

I much prefer it to cyno as my standard construction adhesive. The instructions state that the setting time is dependent on the porosity of the components & typically 5-10 mins with full strength after 2 hours, which seems about right for balsa in a warm inside workshop.

Posted by kc on 17/08/2015 12:50:16:A Mode 2 flier uses mainly the right hand when flying. A fundamental differnce in using ones brain I suppose........Discuss! After Mode zero my first proper radio (Waltron 4-5 in the 70's) was on Mode 1 and I struggled. I'm strongly right handed and after a few months changed it to Mode 2 and at once felt much more comfortable & progressed quicker. For full size I flew Cessnas & Pipers for 20 years in the left seat, stick left, throttle right and was OK; but then I became an instructor & on changing to the right seat with throttle left, stick right (Mode 2!) it felt so much better to me. So I guess my brain was born & developed as Mode 2. I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.

Of course - Wot 4, Acro Wot, Ugly Stick, Multiplex Fun Cub, got/had them all. One of the great things about the RCHotel is the opportunity to try loads of different models & observe how well they stand up to continuous punishment. Two surprises to me for just how well they flew as sports models were the Ready2 & Blackhorse Speed Air, both of which I purchased & used as winter hacks following visits. Less of a surprise was the EFlite Yak54 Carbon Z which is my present go-to model. +1 for the Flair Heron on the slope.

Posted by Dylan Reynolds LaserCraft Services on 07/08/2015 11:02:53: I have the Hitec H4 which is supposed to have a pc interface cable available I remember David Ashby mentioning on spotlight when he was talking about the firmware upgrade for it, but I can't even get a product code for it from Perkins, can't find one anywhere. Dylan you can connect the H4 to a pc via the Hitec HPP-22 interface, a micro USB cable & a femail-femail extension lead. You also need to download the HPP-22 & H4 programs from Hitecrcd.com onto your pc. However the functionality is limited to Firmware updates, I can't find any battery monitoring software. Incidentally the v1.04 firmware upgrade cured the tendency for my charger to occasionally cut out at about 80% charge and you can also now measure each cell's internal resistance. However the memory now keeps disappearing - roll on v1.05!!

The latest generation Spektrum Txs (Dx6, 9, 18) with their wireless trainer system work really well. You only need one wireless capable Tx which is used by the instructor & is bound to the model. The student's Tx (DSM2 or DSMX), which does not need to be wireless trainer capable, is then bound to the instructor Tx (which has an in built Rx). There is full flexibility as to what controls the student is permitted to use. Using a Dx9 as the master I have flown with students using Dx8, Dx9 an old Dx5 and JR DSX12.

Agreed. W1 are the center ribs. I think you will find them slightly thinner than W4 to allow for the thickness of the 1/32nd ply center covering. W2 & W2A form the flap section which is bottom hinged. W3 & W3A form the aileron section which is top hinged. W4 are the end ribs.

I've got a very old (1998) part set & the plan, which I haven't got round to starting yet! I did build a Mk1 STOL when it was first published. My parts have no numbers on them at all so I can't answer immediately but if you can post a photo of the bits in question I'm sure we can sort it out.

Hi Geo (& hello Simon!), agreed. The only problem is that the little MLP4 Transmitter does not have any model memories so if you change models you will have to rebind and set up each model every time you swap.

Posted by Donald Fry on 14/07/2015 13:01:49: Daft question, but can I use the bind data port on a Spektrum receiver to plug the battery into. No daft but, yes. Typically this is an extract from the AR610 Rx Manual: Once the bind process is complete, you can remove the bind plug and connect the battery to the Bind port.

Martin That would be my interpretation (as a retired Compliance Manager with about 20 years experience of EU Directives). You should also check any terms & conditions of your contract with the seller, those cannot take away your rights under the Directive but they may enhance them & suggest the remedies they would offer in these circumstances. They must also state their complaint handling policy. I have no knowledge of Polish consumer law but it must meet these minimum standards and may: "4. In addition to the termination of the contract in accordance with paragraph 2, the consumer may have recourse to other remedies provided for by national law." Have a look at this link, under 'Information for Consumers', a couple of paragraphs from the start, you can download a leaflet '5 key consumer rights' which gives good guidance of your rights & remedies. Good luck! Edited By John Lee on 12/07/2015 23:41:20

Under EU law (the Directive on Consumer Rights) it depends on who chose UPS - you or the supplier. Article 20 Passing of risk In contracts where the trader dispatches the goods to the consumer, the risk of loss of or damage to the goods shall pass to the consumer when he or a third party indicated by the consumer and other than the carrier has acquired the physical possession of the goods. However, the risk shall pass to the consumer upon delivery to the carrier if the carrier was commissioned by the consumer to carry the goods and that choice was not offered by the trader, without prejudice to the rights of the consumer against the carrier. Assuming it was the supplier that chose UPS then the contract has not been completed and the following applies: Article 18 Delivery 1. Unless the parties have agreed otherwise on the time of delivery, the trader shall deliver the goods by transferring the physical possession or control of the goods to the consumer without undue delay, but not later than 30 days from the conclusion of the contract. 2. Where the trader has failed to fulfil his obligation to deliver the goods at the time agreed upon with the consumer or within the time limit set out in paragraph 1, the consumer shall call upon him to make the delivery within an additional period of time appropriate to the circumstances. If the trader fails to deliver the goods within that additional period of time, the consumer shall be entitled to terminate the contract. Assuming 30 days has passed since your order just demand that they fulfil the contract without further delay (but give a reasonable time) - all the issues regarding strikes & UPS is their problem, not yours.

The AR6100 is a DSM2 receiver. If your DX6i Tx was purchased this year it will transmit on DSMX only (old stock excepted). Spectrum dropped the DSM2 compatibility of its Transmitters last January to comply with an EU directive. There is a thread that discussed this here .