Posted by cappaj1 |
Jul 26, 2008 @ 05:54 PM | 2,837 Views
WELL, at least I got to break in the engine today. Woo Hoo! Turned the needle all the way in, than out three revolutions, checked the throttle servo for proper throws in either direction, fueled the plane, connected the glow starter, and gave it a spin. It started immediately, on the first revolution! Ran lean 10 seconds, rich 10 seconds and repeated the cycle until the tank was dry. Filled the tank a second time and repeated the procedure until it was empty.
As for a maiden flight, it wasn't in the cards. Three factors. One, the wind was 15mph and everyone that tried had a bad landing with their trainers. Two, my batteries were marginal. Three, I didn't have the battery and receiver velcro'd down inside the fuselage. So maybe tomorrow.
Until then...
As for a maiden flight, it wasn't in the cards. Three factors. One, the wind was 15mph and everyone that tried had a bad landing with their trainers. Two, my batteries were marginal. Three, I didn't have the battery and receiver velcro'd down inside the fuselage. So maybe tomorrow.
Until then...
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Posted by cappaj1 |
Jul 26, 2008 @ 05:53 PM | 2,830 Views
According to the club tips, I took a metal control rod and with the grinder worked the diameter of it down far enough so it would fit into the mixture control opening and locked it in with the allen screw. I replaced all the servo round discs with the arm type and adjusted the linkages for proper throws. I also epoxied the engine compartment and behind the firewall to protect the wood from fuel. I cut two control rod tubes shorter as well.
Monday, I stopped down to the field with the plane for the second time with ominous clouds lingering and thunderstorm warnings in place. Just about when I got it ready to fuel up and with my help from another club member present, and lightning starting to appear, I noticed I still hadn't hooked up my Dave Brown Holster fuel pump. I drilled the holes in the cap but couldn't figure out how to hook up the fuel lines to the fitting that came with the pump so just dipped a fuel line and filter into the fuel, connected it to the pump and connect a fuel line and piece of copper tubing to the tank inlet and filled it up. Just about then, as Murphy's Law would dictate, it began to rain. So I popped everything back in the car, plane tank FULL, and headed home.
I went back home and left everything in the car. There was a club meeting Tuesday at 7:30pm and I was hoping the rain would stop before that so I could bring the plane back down to the field before the meeting to finally break in the engine but it rained, AGAIN. Oh well!
Murphy was still present through Thursday! It was raining on and off during the club's meeting Tuesday night, and all day Wednesday. On Thursday, on the way down to the field it started to lightning and rain so I turned around and came home. I can't seem to get a break to run the engine through it's first tank of fuel. Hopefully this afternoon. Friday's weather predictions look pretty good.
Until the next time...
Monday, I stopped down to the field with the plane for the second time with ominous clouds lingering and thunderstorm warnings in place. Just about when I got it ready to fuel up and with my help from another club member present, and lightning starting to appear, I noticed I still hadn't hooked up my Dave Brown Holster fuel pump. I drilled the holes in the cap but couldn't figure out how to hook up the fuel lines to the fitting that came with the pump so just dipped a fuel line and filter into the fuel, connected it to the pump and connect a fuel line and piece of copper tubing to the tank inlet and filled it up. Just about then, as Murphy's Law would dictate, it began to rain. So I popped everything back in the car, plane tank FULL, and headed home.
I went back home and left everything in the car. There was a club meeting Tuesday at 7:30pm and I was hoping the rain would stop before that so I could bring the plane back down to the field before the meeting to finally break in the engine but it rained, AGAIN. Oh well!
Murphy was still present through Thursday! It was raining on and off during the club's meeting Tuesday night, and all day Wednesday. On Thursday, on the way down to the field it started to lightning and rain so I turned around and came home. I can't seem to get a break to run the engine through it's first tank of fuel. Hopefully this afternoon. Friday's weather predictions look pretty good.
Until the next time...
Posted by cappaj1 |
Jul 26, 2008 @ 05:53 PM | 2,799 Views
Stopped down to the LHS and picked up the control rod I needed along with an extension for the aileron servo and finished up the plane! Or so I thought. I brought the plane down to the club for training night in order to get some tips on how to hook up the wires, synch the radio, and other tips on finishing up and hopefully to break in the engine. Well got the tips, wiring connected, synched the radio but need to make a few modifications before breaking in the engine. First I need to hook up a bent bar to the mixture control so it's easy to adjust during engine break in. Then I need to replace all the servo round discs with the arm type and adjust the linkages for proper through. I also need to epoxy the engine compartment and behind the firewall to protect the wood from the fuel.Have to cut two control rod tubes shorter as well. Hopefully, Bill from the club will be available to help do the break in tomorrow.
Until then...
Until then...
Posted by cappaj1 |
Jul 26, 2008 @ 05:52 PM | 2,808 Views
In the last few days, since my last post, I installed the rudder and stabilizer, mounted the wheels, installed the hatch cover, put on the decals, installed the engine, and put in all the control rods and linkages. One control rod I accidentally cut too short so I'll have to stop by the hobby shop and get a new one tomorrow, then install the fuel tank. That should be it before I fine tune the servo movements and then break in the engine. Tomorrow is training day at the field so I'll bring the plane to the field in the late afternoon, if it doesn't thunderstorm anyway, and ask for any suggestions and possibly break in the engine there.
Until next time...
Until next time...
Posted by cappaj1 |
Jul 26, 2008 @ 05:51 PM | 2,831 Views
I finally got going and started assembly of the plane! I glued the hinges for the rudder and elevator control surfaces, then took care of the torque rods, epoxying them in to the ailerons and glued the hinges for the aileron control surfaces and glued the two wing halves together. That's got to dry overnight, so until next time...
Posted by cappaj1 |
Jul 16, 2008 @ 09:16 AM | 2,610 Views
Well, yesterday, Tuesday, I received my entire order around 3pm. I had to leave though to go to the field at 4pm for free training. Training went well. Did some loops and rolls. Got back after 7, had supper, and then began to unpack the three boxes.
All I can say is I'm overwhelmed! There are so many instruction manuals to go through, a thick manual on the Radio and tons of steps to assemble the ARF. It's not as easy as they make it sound - Almost Ready to Fly my foot!
I'll be checking the items received to make sure I got everything I ordered first. Then, I'll go through the ARF manual and check to make sure everything is there and intact and to get an idea of what I need to do.
Well, here's to a good start! Until my next post.....
All I can say is I'm overwhelmed! There are so many instruction manuals to go through, a thick manual on the Radio and tons of steps to assemble the ARF. It's not as easy as they make it sound - Almost Ready to Fly my foot!
I'll be checking the items received to make sure I got everything I ordered first. Then, I'll go through the ARF manual and check to make sure everything is there and intact and to get an idea of what I need to do.
Well, here's to a good start! Until my next post.....
Posted by cappaj1 |
Jul 16, 2008 @ 09:14 AM | 2,559 Views
Well, my LT-40 and all the other stuff to go with it are on their way and should arrive tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. Today, I ordered the transmitter, receiver and rechargeable glo starter batteries as well. Really all I have left to get are a flight box, which I'm all up in the air about, and some glo fuel, and optional items such as a muffler deflector and a three line fuel setup. Plus some tools which I figure I'll get as I find out I need them.
I'm already thinking about my next plane. Today I got the bug for either a Phoenix Giles or Extra 300S. Just to get an idea of the cost the Extra would be:
139.99 Phoenix Extra 330S
219.99 O.S Max 75AX engine
77.94 Six S3004 Futaba servos $12.99 each
99.99 Seven channel Futaba receiver
537.91 total - still need other items
split order into two for two $30 discounts
477.91 3 payments of $159.30
The Giles would be less expensive:
129.99 Phoenix Giles
129.99 O.S Max 46AX engine
64.95 Five S3004 Futaba servos $12.99 each
99.99 Seven channel Futaba receiver
424.92 total
split order into two for one $30 and one $25 discount
369.92 3 payments of 123.30
The Giles would be a better second plane as it's recommended that way while the 300S is recommended for intermediate to advanced modelers.
The 300S is the one I would rather have though.
Well, I'm just thinking ahead. For now, I'm excited about getting the LT-40 in my hands
Until next time.....
I'm already thinking about my next plane. Today I got the bug for either a Phoenix Giles or Extra 300S. Just to get an idea of the cost the Extra would be:
139.99 Phoenix Extra 330S
219.99 O.S Max 75AX engine
77.94 Six S3004 Futaba servos $12.99 each
99.99 Seven channel Futaba receiver
537.91 total - still need other items
split order into two for two $30 discounts
477.91 3 payments of $159.30
The Giles would be less expensive:
129.99 Phoenix Giles
129.99 O.S Max 46AX engine
64.95 Five S3004 Futaba servos $12.99 each
99.99 Seven channel Futaba receiver
424.92 total
split order into two for one $30 and one $25 discount
369.92 3 payments of 123.30
The Giles would be a better second plane as it's recommended that way while the 300S is recommended for intermediate to advanced modelers.
The 300S is the one I would rather have though.
Well, I'm just thinking ahead. For now, I'm excited about getting the LT-40 in my hands
Until next time.....
Posted by cappaj1 |
Jul 10, 2008 @ 02:15 PM | 2,706 Views
I placed three orders with Tower today for my first radio controlled airplane and all the accessories!
Listed below are the three separate orders I placed today:
DS8001 Tower Hobbies #1 Tower Super Saver Club In stock, shipping 1 $16.99
L1FG19 Sig Kadet LT-40 ARF .40-.46,70" In stock, shipping 1 $131.99
L1FMD5 O.S. 46AX ABL w/Muffler In stock, shipping 1 $122.84
L1JUJ6 Tower Hobbies AA Slim Glow Starter In stock, shipping 1 $10.55
L1SEJ8 Futaba 7C 7-Channel 2.4GHz Air/4 S3004 Servos In stock, shipping 1 $302.38
PC7130 $30 Promotional Discount In stock, shipping 1 $30.00-
LXL375 Hobbico Custom Radio Case Single In stock, shipping 1 $42.99
LXBEK7 Futaba Trainer Cord Micro to Micro Plug In stock, shipping 1 $12.99
LXTFE1 Futaba Trainer Box FM/PPM/2.4GHz In stock, shipping 1 $49.99
LXJB97 Tower Hobbies Transmitter Neck Strap Red In stock, shipping 2 $9.98
LXHDJ2 Hobbico VoltWatch2 4.8V/6V Rx Battery Monitor In stock, shipping 1 $11.99
LXE963 Ernst Charge Receptacle Futaba J FM In stock, shipping 1 $2.39
LXL332 Hobbico Tx/Rx Charge Leads No 9VAP Futaba J In stock, shipping 1 $8.99
LXKSY1 Multiplex LN-5014 Multi Charger In stock, shipping 1 $74.99
LXNK81 Hobbico Expanded Scale Voltmeter MkII In stock, shipping 1 $12.99
PC7130 $30 Promotional Discount In stock, shipping 1 $30.00-
LXB888 Dave Brown Holster/Six Shooter Glow In stock, shipping 1 $19.99
LXZ971 Master Airscrew 11x6 G/F G3 Nylon...Continue Reading
Listed below are the three separate orders I placed today:
DS8001 Tower Hobbies #1 Tower Super Saver Club In stock, shipping 1 $16.99
L1FG19 Sig Kadet LT-40 ARF .40-.46,70" In stock, shipping 1 $131.99
L1FMD5 O.S. 46AX ABL w/Muffler In stock, shipping 1 $122.84
L1JUJ6 Tower Hobbies AA Slim Glow Starter In stock, shipping 1 $10.55
L1SEJ8 Futaba 7C 7-Channel 2.4GHz Air/4 S3004 Servos In stock, shipping 1 $302.38
PC7130 $30 Promotional Discount In stock, shipping 1 $30.00-
LXL375 Hobbico Custom Radio Case Single In stock, shipping 1 $42.99
LXBEK7 Futaba Trainer Cord Micro to Micro Plug In stock, shipping 1 $12.99
LXTFE1 Futaba Trainer Box FM/PPM/2.4GHz In stock, shipping 1 $49.99
LXJB97 Tower Hobbies Transmitter Neck Strap Red In stock, shipping 2 $9.98
LXHDJ2 Hobbico VoltWatch2 4.8V/6V Rx Battery Monitor In stock, shipping 1 $11.99
LXE963 Ernst Charge Receptacle Futaba J FM In stock, shipping 1 $2.39
LXL332 Hobbico Tx/Rx Charge Leads No 9VAP Futaba J In stock, shipping 1 $8.99
LXKSY1 Multiplex LN-5014 Multi Charger In stock, shipping 1 $74.99
LXNK81 Hobbico Expanded Scale Voltmeter MkII In stock, shipping 1 $12.99
PC7130 $30 Promotional Discount In stock, shipping 1 $30.00-
LXB888 Dave Brown Holster/Six Shooter Glow In stock, shipping 1 $19.99
LXZ971 Master Airscrew 11x6 G/F G3 Nylon...Continue Reading
Posted by cappaj1 |
Jul 10, 2008 @ 02:14 PM | 2,489 Views
I flew the club's Kadet LT-40 three times and the Senior once yesterday at Northamton. Did rectangles, figure eights, straight and level and a few approaches but wasn't allowed to try a takeoff or landing as that's not allowed with the club's trainers. Two of the flights were so long the planes ran out of fuel and my instructor, Trevor, had to land them, which he did a perfect job of.
So, today I decided I've got to put an order together for at least the airplane, radio and engine to get started. I'm leaning towards ordering from Tower. I've got a list of items to purchase, posted as a thread so I can update the list with suggestions from others at http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7692929/tm.htm
My talking timer arrived today. I plan on using that so I don't run out of fuel.
I'm attending the club's bi-monthly meeting tonight at Hasman. I'll try and get there early to watch a little flying.
I'll post another blog entry when I place my first order. I'm both nervous and excited about starting out. Nervous because I'm so unprepared for building the ARF and for the amount of walking I'll have to do, and worried about crashing my new airplane Excited because the walking will be good for me and I'm eager to get better at real flying and not flying on the sim.
Well that's all for now. Until next time...
So, today I decided I've got to put an order together for at least the airplane, radio and engine to get started. I'm leaning towards ordering from Tower. I've got a list of items to purchase, posted as a thread so I can update the list with suggestions from others at http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7692929/tm.htm
My talking timer arrived today. I plan on using that so I don't run out of fuel.
I'm attending the club's bi-monthly meeting tonight at Hasman. I'll try and get there early to watch a little flying.
I'll post another blog entry when I place my first order. I'm both nervous and excited about starting out. Nervous because I'm so unprepared for building the ARF and for the amount of walking I'll have to do, and worried about crashing my new airplane Excited because the walking will be good for me and I'm eager to get better at real flying and not flying on the sim.
Well that's all for now. Until next time...
Posted by cappaj1 |
Jul 02, 2008 @ 04:02 PM | 2,844 Views
Well, I've officially joined the RCCR, Radio Control Club of Rochester and am a card carrying member of the club and the AMA.
At the Ray Edmunds Fun Fly event the other day, there was a raffle for a Futaba 7C 2.4 GHz radio, the SAME radio I want to purchase most. I bought ten dollars worth of tickets (would have been more if I had the money to spend) and said my prayers but to no avail - someone else won MY radio.
Saw some really slick flying at the show and some mighty big airplanes.
I've attended three training nights the last three Tuesdays and have flown both a Sig Kadet LT40 and Sig Kadet Senior in rectangles about 100 to 200 feet up in the sky. I'm not ready to try taking off or landing on my own yet.
I recently read some info available from one of the links on the club's website that I should next learn rectangles in the opposite direction, followed by figure eights and then approaches and touch and goes.
You're not allowed to take off or land with the club owned trainers, so I should really start thinking about getting my own stuff along with my own trainer box.
I'm still leaning towards the Sig Kadet LT-40. I'm probably going to get the OS Max 46 AX engine but may start investigating electric motors as I saw an older member of the club with an LT-40 and it was electric.
From my posts on RC Universe and RC Groups I'm learning alot about the hobby as each day goes by.
I've learned about which fuel I will probably use, how to take care of my...Continue Reading
At the Ray Edmunds Fun Fly event the other day, there was a raffle for a Futaba 7C 2.4 GHz radio, the SAME radio I want to purchase most. I bought ten dollars worth of tickets (would have been more if I had the money to spend) and said my prayers but to no avail - someone else won MY radio.
Saw some really slick flying at the show and some mighty big airplanes.
I've attended three training nights the last three Tuesdays and have flown both a Sig Kadet LT40 and Sig Kadet Senior in rectangles about 100 to 200 feet up in the sky. I'm not ready to try taking off or landing on my own yet.
I recently read some info available from one of the links on the club's website that I should next learn rectangles in the opposite direction, followed by figure eights and then approaches and touch and goes.
You're not allowed to take off or land with the club owned trainers, so I should really start thinking about getting my own stuff along with my own trainer box.
I'm still leaning towards the Sig Kadet LT-40. I'm probably going to get the OS Max 46 AX engine but may start investigating electric motors as I saw an older member of the club with an LT-40 and it was electric.
From my posts on RC Universe and RC Groups I'm learning alot about the hobby as each day goes by.
I've learned about which fuel I will probably use, how to take care of my...Continue Reading
Posted by cappaj1 |
Jul 02, 2008 @ 03:57 PM | 2,840 Views
Well, here I go, my first entry into the blog I hope to keep going as I progress in the RC Airplane world.
Today is a month after I first got the bug to get back into the hobby.
I say 'back into the hobby' because in the early 1970's I stopped into a hobby shop on Mt. Hope Ave. in Rochester, NY just for the heck of it - nothing better to do - and spoke with the owner, Ray Edmunds.
I saw all these 'giant' airplane models hanging from the ceiling all over his shop and asked why they were so big. Ray said he or someone else flew them all using a radio control and began to explain in detail the hobby, showing me a radio and the receiver and the servos inside a opened-up plane on the counter.
I asked how hard it was to learn and he said it wasn't hard at all, just took alot of practice and that there was a local club that I think he was the president or an officer of that would help you learn.
A couple more visits to his shop and a few more discussions later I bought a Goldberg Falcon 56, OS Max 40 size engine and a seven channel Pro-line radio, which was the radio Ray used and was pretty expensive, even by today's standards.
I remember spending alot of time in the hobby shop buying lots of other things in order to build the airplane, and also for all the accessories. I built my own field box, bought an electric fuel pump, tools, battery, starter, fuel, etc. and I think in a couple weeks had the airplane built and covered in black film (monokote??) that I ironed...Continue Reading
Today is a month after I first got the bug to get back into the hobby.
I say 'back into the hobby' because in the early 1970's I stopped into a hobby shop on Mt. Hope Ave. in Rochester, NY just for the heck of it - nothing better to do - and spoke with the owner, Ray Edmunds.
I saw all these 'giant' airplane models hanging from the ceiling all over his shop and asked why they were so big. Ray said he or someone else flew them all using a radio control and began to explain in detail the hobby, showing me a radio and the receiver and the servos inside a opened-up plane on the counter.
I asked how hard it was to learn and he said it wasn't hard at all, just took alot of practice and that there was a local club that I think he was the president or an officer of that would help you learn.
A couple more visits to his shop and a few more discussions later I bought a Goldberg Falcon 56, OS Max 40 size engine and a seven channel Pro-line radio, which was the radio Ray used and was pretty expensive, even by today's standards.
I remember spending alot of time in the hobby shop buying lots of other things in order to build the airplane, and also for all the accessories. I built my own field box, bought an electric fuel pump, tools, battery, starter, fuel, etc. and I think in a couple weeks had the airplane built and covered in black film (monokote??) that I ironed...Continue Reading
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