First taste of the sky

[Learner]

13 minutes ago, toto said:

There is quite a lot to get your head around with these things. Definitely worth getting to grips with or could lead to many a misunderstanding and possibly a false sense of security.

 

I've been dithering as to its use but when I tried it for the first time on the AeroScout, it gave me doubts as the flying footprint possible was enormous and I ended up flying way outwith my intended path ..... which ened up me flying behind the pilots stance. It changed everything and I had to re- evaluate the whole positioning of my " flying circuit parameters ". I switched it back off again.

 

Toto

Safe is probably fine if your standing in the middle of a field with no restrictions.

But in a club environment,with sometimes numerous no fly zones and tight confines it doesn't really work.

I flew a Cub with boundary settings and return to home, very clever but it doesn't follow club rules(yet!) when it takes over control.

Edited July 23 by Learner

[leccyflyer]

Stabilisation if fantastic on the wee 400mm warbirds from Volantex and others. It transforms a very small twitchy model into one that is a joy to fly in even strong winds. You can see what a brilliant job the stabilisation is doing by switching it off entirely, at which point the rather tail heavy model becomes almost uncontrollable. They are such sweet flying models with the stabilisation though that I never turn mine off. One effect of that is that you are using the full travel of the sticks and if you've only been flying the wee fellas for a bit, you might overcontrol your conventional models for a few seconds. By cornering the sticks though, you can turn very tightly, even with the full stability enabled. The capabilities of the cheap transmitter and onboard rx, ESC, servos with stability and telemetry is a bit like witchcraft.

 

OTOH I haven't got on with SAFE at all - found it horrible in use and terribly limiting in what it would do, producing an unfeasibly huge turning circle. AS3X is nice and worth having on some models, particularly the UMX ones, where it smooths out the twitchiness, but it is relatively unobtrusive and doesn't limit your controllability. I'm just about to try out the Lemon 7 channel receivers with onboard gyros, which from the available reports operate more like AS3X than SAFE.

[Learner]

8 minutes ago, leccyflyer said:

Stabilisation if fantastic on the wee 400mm warbirds from Volantex and others. It transforms a very small twitchy model into one that is a joy to fly in even strong winds. You can see what a brilliant job the stabilisation is doing by switching it off entirely, at which point the rather tail heavy model becomes almost uncontrollable. They are such sweet flying models with the stabilisation though that I never turn mine off. One effect of that is that you are using the full travel of the sticks and if you've only been flying the wee fellas for a bit, you might overcontrol your conventional models for a few seconds. By cornering the sticks though, you can turn very tightly, even with the full stability enabled. The capabilities of the cheap transmitter and onboard rx, ESC, servos with stability and telemetry is a bit like witchcraft.

 

I'm thinking of getting one leccy are they all as good as each other or does one stand out.

I like the look of the blue p51.

Edited July 23 by Learner

[Outrunner]

6 minutes ago, leccyflyer said:

I'm just about to try out the Lemon 7 channel receivers with onboard gyros, which from the available reports operate more like AS3X than SAFE.

 

I'm using the Lemon 7 and 10ch receivers and I'm very impressed. I usually only switch the gyro in for landing but even if left switched on they are very unobtrusive. They can be a bit fiddly to setup but the downloadable instructions are very clear.

[Kim Taylor]

+1 thumbs up for the Lemon rx's.

Dial in as much (or little) reaction as you want using the pots.

Takes a few flights to finesse it, but once it's done, all good. 

Plus the ability to set up a master gain control on ch8 (even on the 7ch, go figure!!) is a bonus over Spektrum AS3X which I don't think offers that function. 

Maybe if you delve into the rx using forward programming on Spek you can, but it's not there in the standard setup. 

Kim 

[GrumpyGnome]

55 minutes ago, Learner said:

I'm thinking of getting one leccy are they all as good as each other or does one stand out.

I like the look of the blue p51.

They all seem good....mine is (was - esc has died) a TopRC FW190, bought because a) I like FW190s! and b) there is a protocol for TopRC rxs in my TX16X transmitter module

[GrumpyGnome]

1 hour ago, Kim Taylor said:

Yes, the angle which SAFE limits the angle of bank (and of course pitch) to is affected by any rate which is commanded.

Hence 70% rate = full SAFE bank angle x 70%.

Looking at HH website, I don't think that's right..... I'll open another thread rather than clutter this one up.

[leccyflyer]

2 hours ago, Learner said:

I'm thinking of getting one leccy are they all as good as each other or does one stand out.

I like the look of the blue p51.

I've got pretty much all of them and they aren't that dissimilar. The wee Me109E is my favourite and has well over 150 flights on it, which should allay any fears regarding the longevity of the brushed motors. Spitfires, Mustangs and the Zero are all good, my least favourite is probably the Corsair, which has a pronounced wing rock when diving at top speed. The Top RC FW190 is nice, but isn't usable with the other TXs. That isn't an issue for me, as I keep them in their boxes with the TX in the box for each model and just stick a few on the front seat when I go to the field,

[GrumpyGnome]

1 hour ago, leccyflyer said:

 The Top RC FW190 is nice, but isn't usable with the other TXs. 

The TopRC FW190 uses a protocol accessible on the internal MPM on my TX16, and also on an irange4 external module - you may need to download the latest MPM firmware.....

[toto]

So ..... Saturday at East Fortune is sunny, slight breeze with some light rain.

 

Friday and Sunday similar but without the rain. I'd say a decent opportunity that Saturday could be OK.  One to keep an eye on.

 

The Tasman may see its maiden and the start of another chapter as it takes over from the I'll fated Supercub ( RIP ) 

 

Hopefully 4 or 5 flights with the Tasman. ...... watch this space.

 

Toto

[leccyflyer]

1 hour ago, GrumpyGnome said:

The TopRC FW190 uses a protocol accessible on the internal MPM on my TX16, and also on an irange4 external module - you may need to download the latest MPM firmware.....

When I say not usable with the other TXs, I mean the TXs from Volantex, Sonic RC and Eachine, all of which are identical and use the same protocol, Top RC use a different protocol and their transmitters are different.

[Cuban8]

There is such lot that stabilisation has done in terms of making previously highly challenging models so much more of a proposition for the average modeller these days. My clubs are brimmed full of small, fast EDFs and warbirds etc that bat around at full chat in often not the most ideal of conditions, but are kept in check by a gyro system of some description. 

They still have to be flown though - and if your reactions or eyesight aren't up to it the gyro won't save you.

I'm not a reactionary to new ideas, but I do wonder just how much of an advantage SAFE is over a trad, well sorted highwing trainer - maybe even with a gyro system to calm things down even more in for the first few rookie flights.

I'm not keen on the multi rate settings that I hear some use. I think someone mentioned three levels of control rates on a model recently.  Surely too much to work with? Older radios never had the option so no choice but to manage as is or maybe just rate 1 or rate 2. The attrition rate among new flyers models is still pretty high - are we actually that much further forward?

Just some thoughts off the top of my head.

[GrumpyGnome]

53 minutes ago, leccyflyer said:

When I say not usable with the other TXs, I mean the TXs from Volantex, Sonic RC and Eachine, all of which are identical and use the same protocol, Top RC use a different protocol and their transmitters are different.

Ah, gotcha.

[toto]

So busy tomorrow night carrying out domestics for mumsie .... hedge trimming and fixing a gate.

 

Thursday will have to spend time checking out the way I have set up the Tasman with my Transmitter ..... can't remember as it was a while back and I've never managed to maiden it yet. Check out my 4s 3300 mah batteries which I'm sure are good to go and charge up my transmitters  ..... all good for Saturday ..... weather pending.

 

I also need to work out how to check the Spektrum DXs transmitter that came with the Aeroscout. No screen to tell you how the settings have been set. I assume it needs to be plugged into a PC somehow if you want to check or change settings. In particular , I need to check the onboard range test feature ..... that could be for after this weekend when hopefully the Tasman will have been topped and tailed.

 

toto 

[toto]

Three sleep nights to go. 

 

The weather is holding out ..... but can my nerve. ..... its like waiting for santa. Come on weather gods play fair for a pleasant Saturday ...... even just dry will do .... 

 

Toto

[toto]

So .... half way through my domestic commitments tonight. 1 x gate fixed. Hedge cutting duties put off to the weekend. Tomorrow night back in the shed to deal with the setting up of the Tasman and double checking batteries.

 

There was a bit rain here tonight but just a brief light shower. If that keeps up for the weekend .... all is well for flying I think. Fingers crossed. 

 

Toto

[toto]

The Tasman has been checked over and the Throttle cut, triple rates and flaps have been set.

 

Just checking over the batteries for Saturday. 

 

John Smith is supervising.

 

toto

 

Batteries checked ..... all between 96% and 97% charged with one at 93% ( six batteries ) that'll do me.

Edited July 25 by toto

[GrumpyGnome]

And failsafe checked?

 

Do you really need/use three different rates? The less you need to think about at this stage, the better imo.....

[toto]

Hi Grumpy,

 

probably not but what I have found when using rates .... depending on the model .... is that 3rd rate of 60% can sometimes make the difference.

 

I tend to set them ..... to start with as follows

 

position 1 ..... 100%

position 2 .... 70%

position 3 .... 60%

 

100% is 100% but the difference between 70% and 60% can sometimes just cut the edge off.

 

the Supercub was ( as a beginner ) a little to much on 100%. sort of behaved but lowering the rates usually in the end to 60% made for comfortable flying. Maybe 70% if windier.

 

I will start with this but every model is different and once I've had a couple of flights will hopefully find the sweet spot and fly at that.

 

I still dont know what was the actual reason for the demise of the supercub but I think I did not check the rate settings ..... went up on 100% rates and flew as I normally do only to get into difficulties very quickly .... I may be wrong ..... and will never know now.

 

I maybe talking nonsense but I'll be paying a lot more attention going forward. When I set up the Tasman earlier tonight, I have installed little tape marker flags onto the functioning toggle switches just refreshing me with what they are as a aid memoire to checking my settings before taking to the sky. 

 

Previously I found I had not stuck to the same switches for the same functions across my models ...... that has now changed as I try to standardise my switching .... and memory to know intuitively where my controls lie.

 

there could still be some casualties yet.

 

cheers

 

toto

[toto]

Just picked up on the fail safe part ..... no ..... not checked ...... but will do before I take to the field on Saturday .... tomorrow nights task.

 

cheers

 

toto

[Zflyer]

Yepnusing the same switches is tge answerm makez programming easier too. Yiu can also get switch covers with printed labels i.e. Flaps D/R etc.

[GrumpyGnome]

Cheers toto.

 

Only a suggestion.... set up your multiple rates. Fly on the buddy box to see what suits you. Get rid of the other rates.  No need to check/worry in the future.

 

Or.....

 

Not sure if your Spektrum allows it, but my Radiomaster allows me to set warnings if switches are not in the 'correct' setting when I turn the radio on/select a model. A built-in pre-flight check. The transmitter will not communicate with the receiver until the check is dismissed, or corrected. A little bit of extra effort when setting up initially of course.

 

In any event, in my view  standardisation of functions and switches across models is a 'must'. You just need to decide on a layout that works for you.

[leccyflyer]

11 hours ago, GrumpyGnome said:

And failsafe checked?

 

Do you really need/use three different rates? The less you need to think about at this stage, the better imo.....

If you have multiple transmitters, but want to retain the same basic switch configuration then, yes, you might end up with three rate settings vs two, when using the same switch position. On the old DX7 the rate switches were labelled as such and are two position switches - high rates and low rates, The same switch locations on the later DX9 are occupied by three position switches.

 

In actuality I find the mid and low rates to be most useful and have custom voice alerts to state the position if the switches are moved. It makes the preflight checks a simple routine for me. Doesn't stop me from forgetting to change the elevator rates for landing though, so I'm looking into whether to set up some flight modes as well. Consistency is vital though - you don't want a switch doing different things on different models if you can help it.

[GrumpyGnome]

I don't have multiple rates per se anymore - just flight modes on a three position left hand shoulder switch. Take off, flight, landing - with varying rates, expo, idle, elevator differential, elevator trim.

 

I only use one transmitter so standardisation for all fixed wing is easy. The exception is the TopRC baby FW190 where that switch also controls the stabilisation mode....

 

It took me a while to reach my standard layout.

 

I too use lots of voice warnings which are actuated when a switch is used; some repeat every 10 seconds as a reminder of anything 'abnormal' (e.g. undercarriage down when not in takeoff/landing mode); switch status warnings are also available on a single switch as an in-flight status check. 

 

Nobody's complained at a all the chatter yet. And I find it less irritating than the constant "timer stop, timer start" stutterings from some chums Spektrum sets 🙂

[leccyflyer]

Aye - I've spent the last few days changing that Voice "Timer Start-Timer Stop" annoyance to a Tone - can only bear to go through all the button pressing 5-10 models at a time, but the end is in sight.