gary Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 Hi.For years i've wanted an rc aircraft of some description and finally after much discussion with my local model shop purchased a Ripmax Serenity electric powered glider. It comes artf with a plastic body with engine and mechanics already installed. The wings are made of a lightweight foam substance attached to the body by crossed elastic bands. It also has a 3 channel r/c included all for the princely sum of £75.00.I had decided to go with a relatively low cost plane in case i found i didnt enjoy flying after all.Took it to a local field for its first flight and with zero wind spent a few minutes just doing lazy turns and really enjoying myself. Then decided to try a first landing and was amazed to land it quite gently at the first attempt. I then launched it again and continued doing the same thing, nice lazy turns with a bit more power.I then noticed that both the wings were bent upwards at a really strange angle and thought it best to bring it down to investigate. However the port wing suddenly just folded up and the plane came straight down. Investigation showed that the wing had failed right at the point the elastic bands crossed. It wasnt snapped off, just flopping around uselessly.I intend to take it back to the shop where i purchased from and am not going to pass judgement until i speak with them. However, my question is, has this happened to anyone else in similar circumstances, and if so did i do something wrong?Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Meredith Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 i had a ripmax reflection that did exactly the same thing, on my model there was a plastic section in the middle where the bands go, and it snapped off right up against that, but i have to admit the previous flight it had a tad heavy landing, ( into the side of a 90 ft diamater slurry tank ) they always build these things in the wrong place, anyway i think it must have weekend it in some way,phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary Posted June 3, 2007 Author Share Posted June 3, 2007 The shop were great about it, gave me a new set of wings and suggested i reinforce them with a carbon strut.Put the strut in, covered the wing in fibreglass tape and have had 4 successful flights since then. Have to leave the throttle on full nearly all the time and anything more than a breeze and its unflyable. But, its been great fun and now i'm looking around for "proper" plane. Want to go with a soarer or a powered wing next i think.Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Fisher Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 Gary,If there's a suitable hill near you, go for a soarer.With the hill lift you can get an enormous amount of stick time when you launch from near the top of the hill and there's no need for any form of power.Of course, it's best if the wind blows "square on" to the face of the hill - preferably a ridge. Even if the wind isn't directly square to the hill, lift is often there but you must remember to launch straight into the wind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary Posted June 3, 2007 Author Share Posted June 3, 2007 we have an excellent hill nearby, right on the top of the south downs straight into the prevailing sw wind. Couldnt be more perfect really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Holding Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Hi I have also recently purchased a serenity rtf from a shop that was closing down it was heavily reduced so can't expect too much however in the manual it says there is an arming button but on mine there isn't , I cannot get the motor to arm even with the throttle trim all the way down before power up ..rudder and elevator are fine and the motor is fine when power is applied directly ..can anyone offer some help ? does anyone have an older version with the arming button ? maybe I can solder one in ?thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Morgan Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Gary I would highly recomend the JP-SI as a first sloper, If your budget is tight then you can get a cheap 2ch tx and an elevon mixer, I recon with the right purchases you would be in the air for less than £80 all in and you will have some great flights without the worrie of crashing. Best Regards Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 ColinI may have had a similar problem with my Olf Futaba set (FP-7FG).I spoke to the supplier of the speed controller that I was using. I think they told me that the speed controller is looking for a pulse length below a specific rate, to arm.They suggested that I move the throttle trim to its lowest limit. That solved the problem for me.I hope that helpsErfolg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.