Catching up with a few pics from last summer: Flying with my son and meeting up with buddies at FliteTest, and then down to Virginia for Stoneblueairlines flying circus.....

Got my hands on a pre-production MultiRC HMB mini quad.
now who has 2408 2300kv Cobra motors and ESCs in stock?

Could be a winner. Can't wait to fly the ravine down the middle.

Our new FPV plane the IBCrazy specter-----3 powered glide tests completed, just working the bugs out. Getting the control throws set to a reasonable level, and reattached one of the vertical stabs- needed to go a little heavier on the glue. Never worked with coroplast before.

It's got 72mhz control and a 5.8ghz 250mw fatshark video transmitter.

Can't wait to fly it under the hood.
DG

The best RC experience we have had yet!!!! Cant wait until next year!!!...Continue Reading

As of today, you can look me up on the FCC database: KD8YYX.
Glad I got legal with the FCC just in time to be "reclassified" by the FAA.

Lol.

Recently purchased a FatShark attitude FPV kit on 5.8 from readymaderc.com And just passed my Ham Tech license test this am. I'm On my way.

Now to build a suitable FPV specific plane to carry the gear. A few test flights on the F22 were successful but a dedicated plane would make more sense. Thinking an MPF version of IBcrazy's specter or a blunt Versa wing would be perfect.

DG

The F22 got a quick and dirty aggressor squadron paint scheme this week and aileron control with switchable tailerons/elevators and three position flaps. Programming the radio is completely new to me, so it was a painstaking process. I had some help from the folks here on the forum, without then I'd still be spinning the knobs on my radio wondering what was happening.

Really getting to be a habit now. Spending a couple hours a week in the workshop with the boy, tweaking, building, soldering leads, and crushing random objects in the vise.

We had a great time at the Toledo show, Together trying out the occulous rift VR goggles and picking up a new supply of LiPos

We've also flown at least one day each of the last few weeks. Really enjoying the time out, and he's really improving each time out.

Second motor upgrade on the Viggen was looking promising until the prop swallowed some loose motor wires and ended the day for the Swedish Fighter.

. We shared the 6 battery packs on my RCPowers F22 and he managed to put it it through some interesting maneuvers . He spent one flight I going into and out of inverted flight with rolls, loops and combinations of the two . No fear in the boy.

Fun weekend project. Motor troubles have this on hold temporarily. Might go down to 1500kv motors to trade a bit of speed for thrust.

Last week, my son saw the FT Viggen build episode on the FliteTest YouTube channel. We downloaded it and spent an afternoon together cutting it out. One more lazy Saturday, and we had it built up. This weekend despite the 15 mph winds and temps in the teens we managed 4 nice flights. My Son had no problem mastering it. It's responsive but stable, and cuts though the wind nicely.

After about 5 years of wishing I had a simulator, I went out to the LHS and put down the money.... Glad I did. Due to work and home preasures, I seldom get out to the field to actually fly. Maybe about 5-10 times a year, for the last decade or so... I'm what you would call an advanced beginner.

Ive put in at least 12 hours of Real Flight 6.5 stick time, in the last three weeks!

I think I am actually starting to improve now!

My training schedule:
Week One:
Clockwise and counter clockwise circuits, Level.
CW and CCW figure eights, level as I can keep them
Trying to keep from corkscrewing out of loops.

Verdict: Man Am I rusty!


Week Two:
More of the above, plus adding some basic aerobatics:
half cuban eights
Inverted passes
Coordinating the rudder.

Verdict: Getting better!

Week Three:
begining knife edge flight
trying to complete knife edge circles...

Ive got a LONG way to go...

Wish me luck.

DG

Some more virtual building. Thinking about a 48in twin, maybe an Argentinian built attack plane... would look smokin' with some rockets and tanks under the wings.

Met up with the crew for flying session this morning. Enjoy the pics....Continue Reading

I rebuilt friend's old tigermoth that had been knocking around my garage for almost 10 years- (See my post below, "the good old days" for a pic of the plane in it's youth circa 2002) I threw on the floats and wings from my first 'Moth. Originally in float flying mode I had used a Geared Johnson 250 and 8 heavy NiMh cells. Updated to the "Modern Era" with a 1300kv BW and a 350Mah 3s LiPo and 3g servos it flies better than it ever did before, still light and slow but with the power to go vertical. it still at it's best in DEAD calm, at about 1/4 throttle shooting touch and goes.

Whipped up a profile design for the Luft 46 Me 329 tonight. Hopeflly I ll have a chance cut one out soon. Just one of the planes I'd like to get to eventually.

I was inspired by the great images on the Luft 46 site, and the incredible JMorgan 1/8th scale 329 build.

DG

The famous "Smoke Squadron" of Brazil was in town this weekend performing their fantastic aerobatics routine in their Embraer Tucanos over the lighthouse of Salvador. Thanks to Fabio, We managed to get a great spot on the hill at the base of Fort--- almost directly underneath them during many of the maneuvers. Enjoy the pics!...Continue Reading

It's Brazilian Independence day! Bom Feriado para meus amigos no Brasil!

I Decided not to work through another national holiday, So I left the apartment early to meet the AERODUNAS Club at the the Petromar Stella Mares field. Conditions were gusty, and it was It was my first time there. Another great location to fly! Bahia Brazil doesn't exactly have the greatest infrastructure, in terms of roads, electrical grid, etc but there are at least four dedicated flying fields within a 30 minute drive of the city of Lauro De Frietas. Amazing! Each one with an friendly and enthusiastic group of flyers, Muinto Legal!

Muito obrigado ao Fabio, Edson, Thiago, e todos os demais para acolher-me para o grupo. Obrigado a JP por me deixar usar sua hélice 10x6....



The conditions got progressively worse, with planes starting to fly backwards in the wind... We retreated to a local Barraca until a small rain storm passed by. the winds dropped, and conditions were good for a few more flights with the BOOM and a successful re-maiden of the F-18. Finalmente!!!!...Continue Reading

That the weather on Saturday mornings is the worst of the week?

That I have one prop adapter that will fit the motor shaft, but not the prop, and another that will fit the prop but not the shaft?

That out of all the servo arms I have collected over the years I cannot find one with the correct diameter and spline pattern to fit the servo I already glued into the plane?

I am sure I have a few more of these in my head somewhere..

Started two new builds to round out the South American fleet: an F-4 Phantom pusher, and SEMFF combat Yak-3.