The last blog below I had issues sending the zip! it has been rectified - sorry gang!

Remember only to change the colored portions of the sheet (simple to use) for getting data. the uncolored are calculated values.

SkyCadet

I have been flying RC now for around 5-6 years. It's a great hobby, and there's always lots to learn... I have been asked many times by my friends and collegues at work (P/T at the LHS) what I do when I setup my power systems.

So, I thought I'd share a some tidbits here to help those thinking of either designing from scratch a system, or even those looking to improve or replace a motor in a stock airplane. It's pretty easy, but knowing a few extra things, being realistic, and designing with some extra performance criteria do help in successful RC flight...

Okay... here we go!!! :

Firstly: think about your aircraft, it's weight category, and what it's designed to do. No sense trying to make a pylon racer out of a foamy light trainer!!! It'll just be an ultimate fail. Be somewhat realistic, and remember that many airframes can only handle so much stuff packed into them!

Next: Once you know your plane's AUW (fully loaded weight, or a close estimate), then deside what type of power regime you want to fit into. A trainer usually sits about a 0.8 or so thrust:weight ratio, a sportier park flyer may be in the 1.0-1.2 range, and a sport Aerobatic closer to the 1.5 range. A full 3D plane will be in the 1.7-2 regime.

This seems silly, given that to hover a plane on a prop you need only just above 1.0 to hold the plane, right? Well, yes, but when one considers some inefficiencies in the motor/batteries, propeller slip, battery drainage near end of run, etc., you NEED...Continue Reading

I noticed that many members here are having challenges with the Orange RX V2 system in their planes. I thought it might be a good idea to share what I have learned and the settings I use to successfully utilize this handy accessory.

First thing! This is NOT a 3D or aerobatic stabilizer!!! Don't expect that. The unit is designed for FPV, video, and general flight stabilization during NORMAL flight phases. Anything more aggressive and the unit will work to compensate somewhat for what it sees as a major change in flight attitude and compensate for it depending upon the gain settings on the unit!!! Loops and rolls will be slower and require more input on the sticks.

The V2 and integrated V3 units do well when reasonable gains are selected, and the unit can be set to turn cleanly on and off an aux channel. I use the gear channel on my radio, using a AR500 sport full-range receiver and use the gear switch it to turn the stabilizer on and off.

To use this unit properly, set the gains around the 1-2 o-clock position as a start. Make sure that your hookup is correct as well. If your ORX unit must be placed such that the unit is not FAT side forward facing up, you'll have to most likely reverse the aileron channel on the unit, and if you have to place it sideways for some reason in the radio tray due to size/layout restrictions, then be mindful that you will have to use the outputs differently! Your yaw axis might now be your roll axis, and pitch may be yaw now, for...Continue Reading

Finally!!

The weather has warmed, and no major systems passing through... a perfect maiden opportunity!

The Yak55 flew absolutely flawlessly, with only one upward tick on the trim to fly at cruise! CG is around 90mm on this bird, and it is absolutely the smoothest and most crisply responding plane in my arsenal!!!

I think that the success of this was the digitial HD1815MG servos all around. VERY crisp and clean control of the aircraft, and the motor was very smooth and quiet as well. My 6.5 minute maiden used only ~1050mAh of the available 1950 (to 75% voltage level of the 2600mAh total). My second run ran 9.5 minutes, and I used 1710mAh, with a mix of cruise, WOT flybys and some aerobatics. So, a 10-11 minute flight time is about what I can expect in general.

Landing was like silk, though in the maiden video below (link) I JUST tip stalled on TD. So, I'll have to watch the approach speed.

The ORX 3AS stabilizer (V2) also did a dandy job, though I mostly flew with it off. Landings were done with it on, but the way this plane flies, I probably only will need it in moderate winds for TO and TD.

This is one responsive and zippy airframe, well worth the money IMO. I was totally impressed by the flight characteristics of this model so far. More to come!

Maiden Video 1:

HK Yak55 EP Maiden 2 (4 min 12 sec)

Maiden Video2:

Yak55Maiden Vid (2 min 49 sec)

...Continue Reading