My first 100cc class plane, powered by the awesome StinGR (gear reduction unit). Build log here.

Pilot RC Extra NG 103" + StinGR120 (6 min 2 sec)

My latest 60cc bird, simply awesome! Assembly log here.
Ronaldo

Pilot RC Extra NG 90" (6 min 37 sec)

Having tons of fun with my current favorite bird. The more I fly it, the more I like it
Build thread here
Ronaldo

Pilot RC Extra330LX 92" electric - 1st torque rolls (6 min 4 sec)

Hi folks, just wanted to share a mod I did to replace those annoying canopy thumb screws by magnetic pins using neodymium magnets.
The mod is completely reversible by simply installing the original thumb screws.
Ronaldo

Trava magnética de canopi (magnetic canopy latch) (1 min 34 sec)

...Continue Reading

This may sound obvious but only now, after a few years of brushless motor winding, I had this simple but genius idea.
I never realized how useful it was until I did it for the first time.

So, if you are not sure about the original motor kV and can't test it anymore (i.e. burned or damaged windings) or if you are not sure about the results you may get with an unusual and experimental winding scheme, simply pick the smallest gauge you can find and do a test wind.
Using a very thin gauge wire will allow you to quickly wind and check the exact kV you'll get with it. Below is an example with my GA6000 rewound with half parallel dLRK Y wind for 164kV. The subsequent wind with 14AWG got exactly the same result.

Since currents during kV check will be very low, even a thin gauge wire will suffice and provide accurate results.
Ronaldo

kV check on thin wire wind

Quick wind for kV check (0 min 6 sec)

kV check on the final wind (14AWG)

GA6000 164kV 11T hpdLRK Y 14AWG (0 min 6 sec)

...Continue Reading

For those who fly larger electrics this may be helpful. Swapping batteries can be annoying if you have to deal with those canopy thumb screws everytime. I always replace these screws with a aluminum latch. This is not an issue if you fly gas since you can refuel without taking the canopy off.
Here is the step by step.
Ronaldo

EDIT: the lever is made of a very thin wire and broke after using a few times so I removed it and drilled a hole on the main pin to insert a 2mm pushrod. I recommend doing this mod or using the heavy duty latch shown in the picture.

IMG 1973 (0 min 13 sec)

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Today was finally the maiden flight of my Fly Model Extra 330SC 91" 50cc electric powered.
This is my first experience with a 50cc size plane and I felt a huge difference from my 30cc birds. Plane flies wonderfully, almost no coupling during KE flight (just a little aileron mixing required but minimal).
Power system is working good but the Rotomax 50cc is getting too hot for my liking (even after rewind), ESC remains cold. Propping down is not an option as the thrust: weight ratio is already at the bottom of my preferred range so I may try to do some baffling to force airflow specifically over the motor.
We are approaching the hot season here so we can reach close 40°C (104F) at noon.

I had to stop on the 3rd flight as the foam tail wheel ripped during a normal landing. I have just replaced it with a rubber wheel from a spare tail gear I had at home.
Ronaldo

Full setup:

• Turnigy Rotomax 50cc rewound to 198kV
• Castle Creations Phoenix Edge 160A HV ESC
• Aerostar 23x10 wood electric propeller
• 12S 5000mAh 70c (CHL G+ Graphene series)
• YEP 20A SBEC (all servos running on 8V)
• Scorpion RX Backup Guard
• (5) JX PDI-HV7246MG 46KG Metal Gear High Voltage Digital Coreless Standard Servo

Maiden flight

Fly Model Extra 330SC 50cc Electric Powered - maiden flight (5 min 34 sec)

3rd flight (checking KE coupling mixing results)

Fly Model Extra 330SC 50cc Electric Powered - 3rd flight (5 min 45 sec)

...Continue Reading

Spent some time today cleaning the shop and putting the decals on my new favorite bird.
Build thread here.

Goldwing ARF brand Yak-55M 30cc electric (5 min 28 sec)

Started a build log on the 3D forum for this plane. This will be a very relaxed build since I already have a 50cc Extra 330SC waiting for the maiden.
The Yak will be my backup plane in case something happens with the Extra.
Ronaldo

I've always found those canopy thumb screws not practical specially because I fly electrics only and thus have to swap batteries frequently. Here is a step by step procedure for a latch installation on my Flight Model Yak 54 30cc.
...Continue Reading

First flight of last Sunday, this plane is pure fun
I wish my camera didn't have such a wide FOV.
Ronaldo

Setup:
Turnigy SK3 6364 213kV (rewound to 248kV)
12S 3300mAh 60C lipo (2x6S in series)
Hobbywing 100A HV ESC V3
YEP 20A HV SBEC
Goteck HC 1621S HV servo

Skyline Raven 30cc (CMD Deodoro) (5 min 17 sec)

I corrected a wing incidence issue which was causing snap turns to the right when applying up elevator in my brand new Skyline Raven 30cc.
Hope this may help other flyers passing through similar performance issues with their planes.
Details here,
Ronaldo

Power system setup:
Turnigy SK3 6364 213kV (rewound to 248kV)
12S 3300mAh 60C lipo (2x6S in series)
Hobbywing 100A HV ESC V3
YEP 20A HV SBEC
Goteck HC 1621S HV servo

Skyline Raven 30cc - wing incidence adjustment (5 min 11 sec)

Step by step rewind of this 30cc equivalent motor.

12th flight of my new bird, still mixing and playing with CG but I'm already loving it. I may write a build log for it since I took lots of pictures during assembly.
Sorry for the background noise but a club member was breaking his new nitro engine in.
Sorry also for the sharp cut at the end but my camera battery died right before landing.
Ronaldo

Skyline Raven 30cc (4 min 49 sec)

I bought the Turnigy RC Alloy stand a couple of months ago and liked it so much that I decided to keep it at my shop and create my own version to use at the field.
I ended up modifying it in a way that it is now more simple and compact than the original one. It is a bit more flexible than I would like due to the choice of wood so I may replace the wood sticks by thicker ones. With the current 2x2cm sticks the structure flex a bit but is extremely lightweight.
I used only cheap materials and I believe the total cost was around $20.
Here are the steps:
Ronaldo

Well, my Edge had its last flight today...
After a parachute maneuver the wings ripped the fuselage structure off and plane plunged to its death
I need to buy better planes or start flying a bit less aggressively the 6S lipo survived with minor scratches but the 5S was totally destroyed.
Here is a quick video edit of what was certainly my funniest and most awesome crash
Ronaldo

Skyline Edge 30cc Final crash (2 min 27 sec)

My latest and most beautiful 3D bird.
Build thread here:

GOPR0671 (6 min 10 sec)

Today I had my first in-flight fire accident
On the third flight I was giving some 3D tips to a friend using a wireless setup I just made. I took back the controls to land when I noticed some smoke and a stopped prop. When the plane passed in front of me I could see the flames on the right side.
ESC is a complete toast but the plane can be easily repaired. I was not happy using this 70A ESC as it was right on the limit (I get over 70A with a fully charged pack) so it was most likely an overheating issue.
I still need to test the motor but the BEC is working fine. Luckily I always solder the BEC directly to the ESC connector which means that as long as the battery is functioning I still have power to the receiver and servos.
I have a 100A and 120A ESC on the way so I should have the plane ready for next weekend.
Ronaldo

Fire starts at 3:50

GOPR0497 (5 min 35 sec)

Just updating
Now I don't believe the ESC was the culprit but in fact, the victim.
When I started repairing the plane I checked the motor and it was not rotating freely (had a hard spot). After disassembling it I confirmed one loose magnet. I believe the magnet moved forward during the climb at full throttle (when the magnetic forces are at its maximum). When it moved it created a lot of mechanical resistance which caused the ESC to overheat when I applied power.

I checked motor and ESC after the first flights with this plane and both were getting just warm. It would be very strange for the ESC to burn...Continue Reading

I have a new favorite toy: my Skyline Edge 540 30cc.
I've always wanted to have an Edge due to its famous 3D characteristics and I had an eye on this one for a while as I loved its looks so when it came back to stock for $207 I grabbed one.
Less than 10 flights so far but already loving it. I made custom SFGs for it since I'm addicted to flying with them.
Build thread here.

Skyline Edge 540 30cc CMD Deodoro (5 min 19 sec)

One from today (full screen mode recommended)
Build log here

Skyline Raven 60" 70E 04th/Mar/2017 (4 min 43 sec)