Development of www.parkflyers.org.nz - Your ideas and help needed

jackosmeister · Mar 23, 2009, 12:11 AM

Heya,

Following on from discussions that seem to be going nowhere fast ,and getting way off topic, on the NZMAA email Newsgroup, and the fact that the likelyhood of anything changing being slim to nil, I would like to continue the discussion here, and get some ideas out there, and get some ideas myself... with hopefully a more receptive, less bogged down in what has been done/happened in the past.

The general idea of the story is this -

The NZMAA's website is essentially a list of rules, and I think there is a need/opportunity for a more balanced national site where its members can contribute more, and gain far more from it. Club website are often very poorly updated, and very focused on one area of the hobby (there are exceptions obviously), and I believe the solution isnt at the club level, as nowhere near all of the aeromodelling community are NZMAA members. It needs to be a national thing.

I would like to propose the idea for a regularly updated website that includes a forum, buy/sell exchange, competition in NZ, guides for newbies and the parkflyer crowd, and generally more focus on the fun of flying planes, less (but still some) focus on the rules/PC crap

As well as photos/videos from the NZ model plane scene. Obviously you would be encouraged to join the NZMAA, but its by no means mandatory to participate, as currently it doesnt really support the parkfliers in NZ.

Please supply your thoughts and ideas, willingness to help get it going, constructive criticism, the works. If the idea doesnt seem to be supported it wont get off the ground

Chris

matwelli · Mar 23, 2009, 05:00 AM

Sounds like a good idea in principle.

We need to cater to the parkflyers out there, and get them involved in a collective (much as offroadexpress did for the 4wd community) to help each other out

How many newbies are out there, brought a cheap RTF from trademe, but need some guidance/info etc to really enjoy the hobby, and who will never join the NZMAA.

Its a heck of an undertaking, a "wikki" style may be the easiest to implement, allowing a large number of contributors.

I will put my hand up to help out.(not sure how

)

Cheers

Mat

jackosmeister · Mar 23, 2009, 05:09 AM

Quote:

We need to cater to the parkflyers out there, and get them involved in a collective (much as offroadexpress did for the 4wd community) to help each other out

How many newbies are out there, brought a cheap RTF from trademe, but need some guidance/info etc to really enjoy the hobby, and who will never join the NZMAA.

Its a heck of an undertaking, a "wikki" style may be the easiest to implement, allowing a large number of contributors.

Exactly man, good to see at least someone gets it

It is a big undertaking, but if many people get involved in small chunks it isnt that big a thing too do, and would be a massive benefit.

Merog designs has offered to lend his skills http://www.merogdesign.blogspot.com/

A wiki style idea is good! Im just having a read about mediawiki now

kneedrag · Mar 23, 2009, 05:31 AM

Been thinking along the same lines. I have been playing with a portal on my desktop catering to the newbies looking to learn but finding the clubs intimidating or just plain don't want to join one.

Hopefully by the weekend I should have the basic outline up and running.

jackosmeister · Mar 23, 2009, 05:49 AM

Sweeet as Rob, Im way over my head looking at all this server stuff tied up with mediawiki or the likes - But that is more your forte ? I fix planes for a living, not much for writing code

Im not even sure how I can help, but am amped to give it good shot at least!

kneedrag · Mar 23, 2009, 02:45 PM

I am not much into coding either. The portal I am installing is all community based. You sign up and then you can post articles, ask questions get answers upload pictures etc.

It is the same portal hosting solution I offered free to all the NZMAA clubs. So if you are willing to spend sometime answering questions/helping newbies learn all for it.

I also have a foamy mustang which I hook up to a buddy box system which I teach people to fly on. Why this and not a trainer. Well I don't have a trainer and by the time someone learns how to fly a low wing profile they should have most of the skills needed to start flying most ARF for beginners out there.

When it is up I will let you know the web address.

matwelli · Mar 23, 2009, 03:56 PM

Sounds good guys, im in !

Twitter is another good tool, can be used to quickly upload updates, info etc, I use it for my site

jackosmeister · Mar 24, 2009, 12:00 AM

Your the man Rob! Whats the plan? Do we have a name? That would probably be the first step

Any ideas? It would be good to try to stay away from the likes of model flying NZ etc so we avoid confusion with the NZMAA's scheme.

- Off the top of my head...

ModelAddictsNZ, Radio controlled aircraft NZ, Flying Kiwis, The flying kiwi portal

ummm....

Im more than happy to contribute articles, advice, stuff ive found etc. Id say I know enough about modern electrics to write something of a layman's guide to it, and have about 20 ARF's under my belt, so can comment on them.

Judging from the number of emails/pm's ive got in the last 24 hours, I think we will have plenty of contributors and supporters.

Id would be good to get merog to do us some graphics etc, maybe a logo''s buttons etc.

Another idea - Once shes up and running, why dont we fire off some stickers advertising the site and go plaster them around the place

I'll look into it further and am happy to fit the bill.

Hopefully in a few months we can have something to be proud of.

By the way of trainers, this is another area in which clubs seem to be way behind. Dont know if youve flown the average AT40 trainer, they suck, Personally I think foam is 100% the way to go learn, a bottle of foam safe CA and a roll of tape and there is not much you cant fix in 5minutes. I learnt to fly fixed wing on a foamy PZ trojan, awesome machine. AT40's feel sluggish, floaty, underpowered.. The playstation generation has quick thumbs!

Keep the wheels rolling.

The Merog · Mar 24, 2009, 01:47 AM

Hey Jack,

Wait a second. After looking all these fire balls of enthusiasm of all these guys, I can say that...

I am a professional in graphic designing (Photoshop) and XHTML/CSS perfect and strict.

So, I can construct a perfect site (functional), but we need a coder to code the "Action scripts" for "server side execution" (Eg. Php/Java/Asp.NET/My Sql..etc).

And I can create not mere a website, but a site with all creative concepts, an Out-of-the Box design. I am ready to do all the designs for the print campaign too!

It's all for Jack!
See you...//MEROG

kneedrag · Mar 24, 2009, 03:47 AM

Perfect the portal I use uses template and I can never get my head around the CSS part of things. So I can get the portal up and you can make it look good. ;-)

Jack was thinking something along the lines of flightschool. I have an existing domain kneedrag.org was just going to bung it onto that on so it would be flightschool.kneedrag.org but if someone is willing to donate a domain I can host it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Merog

I am a professional in graphic designing (Photoshop) and XHTML/CSS perfect and strict.

jackosmeister · Mar 24, 2009, 04:04 AM

Kick ass!

Im looking at digitally printed full colour vinyl stickers 75mmx150mm, around 250 of em, plenty to slap on the signs at known flying parks, car bumpers etc. The company will print any design we supply.

Ive got some geek friends in the industry in NZ who may be able to help with a domain, Ill give them a buzz and see what we can work out...

I like the flight school idea, but it could be a bit limiting in the future, I agree that focusing on the newbies is a big part, but not all people who would be interested would be newbies, there is a big gap for experienced people as well that isnt covered by anything in NZ. Bruce Simpson (aka the rocketman/xjet/homebuilt cruisemissile guy!) has some good ideas -

Quote:

What's needed is something a little broader with an acceptance of the fact that there will be lots of modellers who fly plastic-electrics, ARFs and other types of models that the "grumpy old men" often regard with some scorn :-)

We also need a forum which is devoid of commercial pressures -- so we can say "hey, this ARF I bought from xyz is great/crap" as applicable or "there's a great deal going down at abc.com right now". I'm aware that this kind of thing is frowned on in the NZMAA list as the organisation doesn't want to offend those who might advertise in MFW and/or who sponsor national events

kneedrag · Mar 24, 2009, 05:43 AM

Well this will not be a commercially aligned site so yeah honest reviews on products will always be welcomed.

I have been looking at making a decent trainer based off a Formosa with a few features such as gyros to help in the beginner with options of turning them off as the student get more apt at getting there handling right etc.

Currently I put people up on a Mustang Foam profiled plane which is hard for a newbie to fly and reasonably fast but forgiving with a buddy box attached. ;-) I figure if you can fly that you should be able to fly most beginners to advanced level planes by the time I let them go solo.

My main aim is cheap and fun and not frustrating for newbies.

jackosmeister · Mar 24, 2009, 05:54 AM

kneedrag - Dont know if youve looked into scratchbuilt foamies, ive built a few (haha - like 30...) But there are many which cost about $10 too build a simple airframe, and are the perfect park-trainer. Ive got 2 prototype combat planes in the build, just waiting for my foam cutting man to do the wings. They are more aligned at park combat, but with a few tweaks you have yourself a trainer, throw in a cheap rate gyro and you have yourself a a really stable small foam ugly stik. Dont know if youve heard of a Das Elle Twig (S.A kit), but I measured shauns one up and built a CAD replica. They should both be ready in a week, bind one to your tx and have a fly if you want.

As all scratchbuilt plans should be, they are free...
This is all stuff more to go on the site but her she is -

Back on topic -

We need a name for this site people - Let the suggestions fly.

kneedrag · Mar 24, 2009, 02:04 PM

Yeah I have built a few scratch built foamies. A whole different topic. I just don't have time to build things anymore. ;-) prefer flying. BTW the ASW28 foamy glider was the quickest build I have ever done. was built before the 2cell lipo was charged and it is starting to be the most fun plane I fly with. It is not perfect but hey for what it is I love it. ;-) I need to find more planes like that.

I specifically want to train people on a low wing trainer. Why because it is hard for them to fly. Gyro will make it easier but the problem I have come across most newbies don't want to learn on a high wing piper looking plane.

That and as I said before by the time they walk away they can usually fly anything. Some people might even need to go a step back and use a high wing trainer once they figure out hey this is hard but most people I have had it just took and afternoon for them to get basic circuits right. There have been some hair raising moments as guys forget up from down but that is why I let go of the little button and save the plane from meeting the tree gods.

Now I really need to get to the office. ;-)

matwelli · Mar 24, 2009, 04:03 PM

Low wing trainer RET

If you want fun, build a dartxs, 23 wingspan, any newbie can fly it on low rates, or a bit more scale how a about a p51D reno racer style, still RET

Mar 23, 2009, 12:11 AM	#1
jackosmeister Go fast...turn RITE Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Auckland NZ Posts: 2,021	Development of www.parkflyers.org.nz - Your ideas and help needed Heya, Following on from discussions that seem to be going nowhere fast ,and getting way off topic, on the NZMAA email Newsgroup, and the fact that the likelyhood of anything changing being slim to nil, I would like to continue the discussion here, and get some ideas out there, and get some ideas myself... with hopefully a more receptive, less bogged down in what has been done/happened in the past. The general idea of the story is this - The NZMAA's website is essentially a list of rules, and I think there is a need/opportunity for a more balanced national site where its members can contribute more, and gain far more from it. Club website are often very poorly updated, and very focused on one area of the hobby (there are exceptions obviously), and I believe the solution isnt at the club level, as nowhere near all of the aeromodelling community are NZMAA members. It needs to be a national thing. I would like to propose the idea for a regularly updated website that includes a forum, buy/sell exchange, competition in NZ, guides for newbies and the parkflyer crowd, and generally more focus on the fun of flying planes, less (but still some) focus on the rules/PC crap As well as photos/videos from the NZ model plane scene. Obviously you would be encouraged to join the NZMAA, but its by no means mandatory to participate, as currently it doesnt really support the parkfliers in NZ. Please supply your thoughts and ideas, willingness to help get it going, constructive criticism, the works. If the idea doesnt seem to be supported it wont get off the ground Chris Last edited by jackosmeister; Mar 26, 2009 at 05:00 PM.

Mar 24, 2009, 12:00 AM	#8
jackosmeister Go fast...turn RITE Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Auckland NZ Posts: 2,021	Your the man Rob! Whats the plan? Do we have a name? That would probably be the first step Any ideas? It would be good to try to stay away from the likes of model flying NZ etc so we avoid confusion with the NZMAA's scheme. - Off the top of my head... ModelAddictsNZ, Radio controlled aircraft NZ, Flying Kiwis, The flying kiwi portal ummm.... Im more than happy to contribute articles, advice, stuff ive found etc. Id say I know enough about modern electrics to write something of a layman's guide to it, and have about 20 ARF's under my belt, so can comment on them. Judging from the number of emails/pm's ive got in the last 24 hours, I think we will have plenty of contributors and supporters. Id would be good to get merog to do us some graphics etc, maybe a logo''s buttons etc. Another idea - Once shes up and running, why dont we fire off some stickers advertising the site and go plaster them around the place I'll look into it further and am happy to fit the bill. Hopefully in a few months we can have something to be proud of. By the way of trainers, this is another area in which clubs seem to be way behind. Dont know if youve flown the average AT40 trainer, they suck, Personally I think foam is 100% the way to go learn, a bottle of foam safe CA and a roll of tape and there is not much you cant fix in 5minutes. I learnt to fly fixed wing on a foamy PZ trojan, awesome machine. AT40's feel sluggish, floaty, underpowered.. The playstation generation has quick thumbs! Keep the wheels rolling. Last edited by jackosmeister; Mar 24, 2009 at 12:46 AM.

Mar 24, 2009, 05:54 AM	#13
jackosmeister Go fast...turn RITE Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Auckland NZ Posts: 2,021	kneedrag - Dont know if youve looked into scratchbuilt foamies, ive built a few (haha - like 30...) But there are many which cost about $10 too build a simple airframe, and are the perfect park-trainer. Ive got 2 prototype combat planes in the build, just waiting for my foam cutting man to do the wings. They are more aligned at park combat, but with a few tweaks you have yourself a trainer, throw in a cheap rate gyro and you have yourself a a really stable small foam ugly stik. Dont know if youve heard of a Das Elle Twig (S.A kit), but I measured shauns one up and built a CAD replica. They should both be ready in a week, bind one to your tx and have a fly if you want. As all scratchbuilt plans should be, they are free... This is all stuff more to go on the site but her she is - Back on topic - We need a name for this site people - Let the suggestions fly. Attached Thumbnails 71.2 KB · Views: 86 28.0 KB · Views: 25 18.0 KB · Views: 15 68.3 KB · Views: 18 Last edited by jackosmeister; Mar 24, 2009 at 06:19 AM.

Mar 24, 2009, 04:03 PM	#15
matwelli Slacker in Training Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Taranaki New Zealand Posts: 301	Low wing trainer RET If you want fun, build a dartxs, 23 wingspan, any newbie can fly it on low rates, or a bit more scale how a about a p51D reno racer style, still RET Attached Thumbnails 48.1 KB · Views: 20

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Mar 23, 2009, 05:00 AM	#2
matwelli Slacker in Training Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Taranaki New Zealand Posts: 301	Sounds like a good idea in principle. We need to cater to the parkflyers out there, and get them involved in a collective (much as offroadexpress did for the 4wd community) to help each other out How many newbies are out there, brought a cheap RTF from trademe, but need some guidance/info etc to really enjoy the hobby, and who will never join the NZMAA. Its a heck of an undertaking, a "wikki" style may be the easiest to implement, allowing a large number of contributors. I will put my hand up to help out.(not sure how ) Cheers Mat

Mar 23, 2009, 05:31 AM	#4
kneedrag Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 104	Been thinking along the same lines. I have been playing with a portal on my desktop catering to the newbies looking to learn but finding the clubs intimidating or just plain don't want to join one. Hopefully by the weekend I should have the basic outline up and running.

Mar 23, 2009, 05:49 AM	#5
jackosmeister Go fast...turn RITE Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Auckland NZ Posts: 2,021	Sweeet as Rob, Im way over my head looking at all this server stuff tied up with mediawiki or the likes - But that is more your forte ? I fix planes for a living, not much for writing code Im not even sure how I can help, but am amped to give it good shot at least!

Mar 23, 2009, 02:45 PM	#6
kneedrag Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 104	I am not much into coding either. The portal I am installing is all community based. You sign up and then you can post articles, ask questions get answers upload pictures etc. It is the same portal hosting solution I offered free to all the NZMAA clubs. So if you are willing to spend sometime answering questions/helping newbies learn all for it. I also have a foamy mustang which I hook up to a buddy box system which I teach people to fly on. Why this and not a trainer. Well I don't have a trainer and by the time someone learns how to fly a low wing profile they should have most of the skills needed to start flying most ARF for beginners out there. When it is up I will let you know the web address.

Mar 23, 2009, 03:56 PM	#7
matwelli Slacker in Training Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Taranaki New Zealand Posts: 301	Sounds good guys, im in ! Twitter is another good tool, can be used to quickly upload updates, info etc, I use it for my site

Mar 24, 2009, 01:47 AM	#9
The Merog Scratchest Aeromodelling;-) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Visakhapatnam, A.P., INDIA Posts: 136	Hey Jack, Wait a second. After looking all these fire balls of enthusiasm of all these guys, I can say that... I am a professional in graphic designing (Photoshop) and XHTML/CSS perfect and strict. So, I can construct a perfect site (functional), but we need a coder to code the "Action scripts" for "server side execution" (Eg. Php/Java/Asp.NET/My Sql..etc). And I can create not mere a website, but a site with all creative concepts, an Out-of-the Box design. I am ready to do all the designs for the print campaign too! It's all for Jack! See you...//MEROG

Mar 24, 2009, 05:43 AM	#12
kneedrag Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 104	Well this will not be a commercially aligned site so yeah honest reviews on products will always be welcomed. I have been looking at making a decent trainer based off a Formosa with a few features such as gyros to help in the beginner with options of turning them off as the student get more apt at getting there handling right etc. Currently I put people up on a Mustang Foam profiled plane which is hard for a newbie to fly and reasonably fast but forgiving with a buddy box attached. ;-) I figure if you can fly that you should be able to fly most beginners to advanced level planes by the time I let them go solo. My main aim is cheap and fun and not frustrating for newbies.

Mar 24, 2009, 02:04 PM	#14
kneedrag Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 104	Yeah I have built a few scratch built foamies. A whole different topic. I just don't have time to build things anymore. ;-) prefer flying. BTW the ASW28 foamy glider was the quickest build I have ever done. was built before the 2cell lipo was charged and it is starting to be the most fun plane I fly with. It is not perfect but hey for what it is I love it. ;-) I need to find more planes like that. I specifically want to train people on a low wing trainer. Why because it is hard for them to fly. Gyro will make it easier but the problem I have come across most newbies don't want to learn on a high wing piper looking plane. That and as I said before by the time they walk away they can usually fly anything. Some people might even need to go a step back and use a high wing trainer once they figure out hey this is hard but most people I have had it just took and afternoon for them to get basic circuits right. There have been some hair raising moments as guys forget up from down but that is why I let go of the little button and save the plane from meeting the tree gods. Now I really need to get to the office. ;-)