toto

I have an AR620 available. So you reckon I could just wire this up to the reflex and it will work from the off ? Toto

Point taken Ron. I'll look into it. Toto

Hi Ron, The Reflex unit could come out. I left it in as the various bits of wiring for each of the control surfaces just pass through it to your receiver. It's only when the final wire for the reflex function itself is connected to the receiver that the issue of the two different systems kicks in I think. ..... sorry for my poor explanation. To be on the safe side ( excuse the pun ) it probably would be better to take the Reflex out of the system though to ensure no conflict. I may of course be wrong but the modeldid operate fine the way its been done. Again I reiterate that what you have suggested is probably the best solution just to make sure. Toto

I'll need to read up on binding transmitters again as it is completely out of my head. .... memory like a sieve. That's tomorrow nights task as I charge my 6S's. You wouldn't think something could be largely forgotten over such a short period of time .... definitely an age thing. Toto

Absolutely Peter, I have a safe place for it ..... If I can just remember where ...... It will come in handy for something at some point. Probably the same place I put my balsa wood filler that I can't find. Toto

Well my 3.0mm studding arrived ......... too big. Sods law or wot. I've just ordered 2.5mm studding and clevises from Model Fixings ..... surely this time. I'll get there eventually toto

I've just hauled out my Beaver ( if you will forgive the expression ). It does have Reflex ..... and there it is ..... the orange box. Now ...... remember ..... this is not a receiver. you still require a receiver to run with the reflex ..... and this is what I chose ..... A spektrum Ar631 DSMX 6 channel receiver ..... with ASX3 and Safe. I could have gone for a AR 620 6 channel ( no Safe or ASX3 ) but ....... being a prat I wanted to follow the Spektrum route. I can hear the ghasts already ..... but the AR 631 will be fighting with the Reflex system ......... No ....... I connected the intermediate wires from the reflex to the AR 631 only for the Flaps, Ailerons, Elevator and Rudder ........ and ..... left this one out ..... which I belive is the cable that I would use if connecting the Reflex to a lesser Spektrum receiver ( AR620 without ASX3 of SAFE ) in order to get the use out of the Reflex module . ......... as far as I am aware anyway ..... it was some time ago when I did this. Not only that Rocker ..... but I definitely did not have to programme this via my laptop. Maybe because I am using the Spektrum Stabilisation mode ..... maybe not. I would be flabberghasted ..... in fact my flabber would never be so ghasted if you could not programme this via your TX in some way. In my opinion, that would be a step backwards with the whole technology. I hope the above has been of some help. toto

I just checked my FMS Beaver assembly post and I am using the FMS stabilisor system. I cannot remember having to programme it from a computer. I'll delve a bit deeper and come back to you. Toto

I'll double check but I'm sure my FMS Beaver came with it installed. It's no harder to install than any receiver is ...... I'll see if I can get a photo up of it to give you an idea. Toto

So ...... I have managed to accumulate a few foamies and read that sometimes any painted finishes can become susceptible to fading and the foam itself to a fair degree of degradation through use. I was online and stumbles across a recommendation to offer up a degree of protection and wondered if anyone on here can vouch for this. Before I throw up the recommended product .... this is not a should I or shouldn't I use it quest ..... I have bought it and will try it. ...... so here we go ....... has anyone heard of ZEP hardwood floor polish being used. Apparently in about three seperate coats allowing for drying between each coat. i'm going to give it a try. The source seems to state that it not only protects the colours but offers protection to the foam itself and helps keep the general surface and appearance a bit better for a bit longer Let's find out ..... Toto

So ..... Sunday over ..... the rest of my domestic duties are over ..... my daughters wedding speech progressed sufficiently towards completion with still 5 weeks to go ... so plenty time to finish it. Bust tomorrow night with another couple of domestics ..... then ...... Tuesday through to Friday night to refresh my spent batteries, charge my transmitters and to get the FMS Beaver back on the stand and get my two TX's talking too each other in time for Saturday's re-maiden. Fingers crossed we have a repeat of this weekends weather to enable another 4 or 5 flights with the Beaver and let my fellow newbie student see it in the flesh. He is considering buying one .... the reason for me resting the Supercub next weekend. .....So I need to remember to charge the 6S batteries .... not the 4S batteries. I'll be watching the forecasts as the week progresses. Cheers for now Toto

As a general guide, how long are you actually in the air when taking an A test ? I'd think it can't be that long maybe 5 minutes. Toto

Apologies ..... I should no better ...... Post with a beer or three and you loose your inhibitions. ..... fair edit. In future .... it will be big bear bottom..... ..... if that's printable ....... said with tongue in cheek.. Cheers Toto.

So ..... after making such a bold statement ........ I go to the field with all sorts of expectations running in my head based on a few weeks with some success. ..... and fall flat on my backside with some dreadful take offs and a couple of dodgy landings. ...... nothing critical ..... but never the less ..... some procedures that up until now have come pretty natural ( almost ) ...... so imagine the disappointment when I realised that a certain amount was maybe beginners luck. Don't get me wrong ..... the landings and take off's still went without incident... or damage .... but not as convincing that what had went before. It just goes to show that it can fall apart anytime. The morale being ..... don't get complacent. I'm not too down hearted as I know I can do it ..... just need more practice to get it back. The A test target is still on ...... next week .... the landings and take off's will return ....... and the procedure turns and figure eights will bite the dust ....... just part of the curve ...... Keep on keeping on. Toto

Amazing day ..... and a great night to finish it off. Out for a few beers and an amazing steak ...... my missus was at home on toast and cheese. oh well ..... her turn next time. Hedge trimming tomorrow ..... back to reality. Now .....a red wine to finish it .... or me ..... off. Have a great weekend everyone. Toto

Back from the field ....... Four flights today. Could probably had another quite easily but had to get home at a reasonable time as I have a night out tonight. There was also another two " pilots in training " really nice guys. So we were sharing the Mentor time. In fact now that I think about it .... he was really kept going ...... don't know hoe ne manages the non stop nature of switching between 3 students at different stages, models etc etc. Hats off to him. A great asset to our club indeed. Had a couple of dodgy take off attempts today as although the sun was out, so was the wind, especially towards the end of the day. Done some great circles, procedure turns in the wind today which always helps learn you how to anticipate the models behaviour and how to approach manoeuvres differently to " work with the wind ". Anyway ..... one of my train8ng chums is looking to replace his very used apprentice and is thinking about FMS Beaver. So after consultation with my mentor, we have agreed that I will take mine down and use it for the day inorder to let the others have a look over it. However, I will ( happily ) be back to the Supercub after that. I have flown it before and found it quite good as the large 2m wingspan make it floatier than a big floaty thing. Its weight also gives it an advantage in windy conditions as it tends not to be hauled about as much. We will see. ..... that's the plan but I will onlytake it down if my buddy confirms he will definitely be there .... otherwise ..... its my " Superhero " ....... the Supercub ..... . Great day had in what has undoubtedly been the best weather so far ........ more of the same please. Toto

Well, Everything packed in the car except for the Lipos which stay in the sh3d until tomorrow. Just as well I pack3d the model as one of the plastic brackets that fastens the wing struts to the wing had came loose. That would have been a disaster if I hadn't noticed that before arriving at the field. Some aliphatic glue on the offending article will see it set by the morning. All good to go now. ..... just need to remember the batteries ..... Cheers for now Toto

OK ..... not huge progress but progress none the less ........ some more balsa needs shaped to go in the oval hole prior to a bit wood filler then sanding to give me a surface to apply the replacement covering. The same above, I'll trim around the oval prior to cutting some more balsa to bring up to surface level ..... then a bit of woodfiller and sanding to a finished surface to cover in film. A bit time consuming for very little to show so far .... but it will get there. cheers for now. toto

OK ..... back in the shed ..... And one of tonights tasks ....... a bit filling to do ...... When I was trying to reroute the snakes in order to get them a bit straighter, I had to do a bit butchering ...... Not pretty admittedly ....... and ...... so I want to fill as much of the newly created holes ( read as trenches ) that I created ..... I also had to take sections of film away from the underside to get access .... which will come in handy to put balsa plates back into the inside to assist in filling the holes in the sides of the fuselage before recovering. so that is where I am starting from tonight with some sheet balsa cut to sise and glued on the inside of the fuselage. I'll see how far I get then I'll take some photo's of the issue with the joint rudder nosewheel and servo alignment that I mentioned earlier. cheers for now toto

My 3mm studded threaded rod should arrive tomorrow as it was dispatched today ..... well done SLEC. I should be in the shed later and will be tackling some of the other jobs on the list including patching in some areas of balsa that I took our to get access into the snake routes ..... photos to come later. Cheers Toto

I suppose not but if the only time you use the forum is when you want to promote your own site ..... maybe that's different. I'd imagine that most users contribute generally as well as promoting their own self interest. ..... just an opinion of course. Maybe I read into David's post incorrectly but I read it as a suggestion that Rosemary's visits were occassional and generally with the intention to promote ScaleMeDown. Apologies if I have read that wrong. Not only that but her post is a bit scathing ( fine .... constructive critisism maybe ) but she uses the facility provided to her FOC by the very organisation she is taking a swipe at who provides it to do it. ..... seems a bit rich. As I mentioned in my post referencing the " build " video of the VQ twin Otter ..... ScaleMeDown whilst generally good reviews to watch ( on that occasion anyway ) haven't exactly got all their ducks lined up either .... so maybe a quick check that you practice what you preach first. All good honest opinion of course. Toto

So ..... its Friday .... yes .... the day before Saturday .... and you know what that means.... Battery duty. This could be a quick affair as they were charged last week and never used. The weather is looking favourable so I'll have all the gear ready to pack in the car for tomorrow. I'm hoping for a minimum of 4 possibly 5 flights .... but pack 8 batteries ..... you just never know although going on past experience, I don't think I could manage 8 flights. Just too much. I think it will be figure 8's, procedure turns, aborted landings and start getting my mind around bringing everything together towards attempting the A cert pattern in the correct order as if under examination. We'll see. Maybe the latter will fall into the following weekend. Either way .... I need to start thinking about it. I think my individual manoeuvres need a little further polishing first. Should be a good day. Toto

Just came in from the shed for the night. In looking ahead .... there seems to be an awkward " marriage " between the rudder and front steering wheel servo alignment. I should have taken a few photo's to demonstrate but forgot before locking up for the night but I shall redeem myself tomorrow. The rudder and nosewheel steering push rods share the same servo but trying to line both up .... to align with the servo horn ... without creating a bit of a bend in one or the other of the snakes is nigh on impossible. As I said ... I'll come back tomorrow with some visuals to try and explain a bit better. It may be that I have to accept that I need to work with what I have ....... we'll see. Until tomorrow. Toto

Thanks for the enlightenment David ..... Now it all makes sense. Naughty girl Rosemary ..... this piggybacking on other forums to take viewers to yours is a bit of a taboo. Go to the back of the class ..... into the naughty corner ...... and ..... sit you down. toto

Very handy photo's Aidan. Especially of the push rods exiting the rear. I reckon I have mine a bit straighter after tearing the back end apart and re-routing the snakes a bit. It means I have some cosmetic repairs to do but should pay by giving less flex on the pushrods. The way I received it, it had a hell of a bend curve on a couple of the rods as they exited the fuselage. Once the repairs are done, I am confident that they will not be too noticeable ...... especially if the 3m rule applies or once in the air. I'd rather have some cosmetic imperfections that a badly performing model. thanks again. toto