A warm Colorado November sunset flight with my UMX PT-17 (2S Brushless w/ Dual Servo Ailerons) "Bella", reminding us of good flying days with warm weather, calm winds, and beautiful scenery.

Eflite UMX PT-17 (2S Brushless w/ Dual Servo Ailerons) "Bella" - Sunset Flight (4 min 31 sec)

RC Groups Build Write-Up with Photos: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2547024

CONVERSION PARTS

Motor: Eflite 180 BL 2500KV
Motor Mount: UMX Beast 3D / UMX Carbon Cub SS
ESC / Receiver: EFLU4864 (UMX Beast 3D / UMX Carbon Cub SS) AS3X
Aileron Servos: Spektrum 2.3 Gram Linear Long Throw Offset
Propeller: Eflite 5 x 2.75 (UMX Beast 3D / UMX Carbon Cub SS)
Adapter: CNC Small Parts Aluminum UMX Carbon Cub SS (Long)
Landing Gear: RC Fun Labs Mini Super Cub Wheels 1-3/8"

Transmitter: Spektrum DX6
Lipo: Eflite 2S 200mAh 30C
Timer: 5 Minutes

Thanks for watching and please hit the Like Button if you enjoyed the video!

Working on another UMX PT-17, this is the Test Flight of my experimental 1S UMX PT-17 Conversion to my rendition of a UMX PT-23A.

Eflite UMX PT-17 Conversion to a UMX PT-23A "Pegasus" - 1S Test Flight (3 min 26 sec)

RC Groups Initial Blog Write-Up Process with Photos: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2549654

Using the 2nd UMX PT-17 "Pegasus" in my fleet, I've decide to experiment with her as a test candidate for my UMX PT-23A Conversion. Being a single-wing Primary Trainer, she is a much faster 1S UMX Plane vs. the UMX PT-17 due to the reduced drag from the lack of the Top Wing. Although she has one less wing, her floaty and slow flight characteristics are still prevalent with this Conversion.

As most of the fields I fly at are currently encased under snow and ice, I chose to fly at the nearest thawed Track and Field location. Conditions at the field at 3:55pm were at a frigid 11 degrees F. Wind conditions were very mild with an average wind of 2.5 mph and a gust range of 3.9 mph. Using (2) of my Miniaviation 1S 3.7V 220MAH 45C Lipos, I was able to get 1-2 minutes of flight time out of each battery, as I normally would reach 5-6 minutes per flight. The chill was quite numbing to my fingertips and slowed down my tactile feel and reaction time. However, my newly converted UMX PT-23A was successfully airborne and flying smoothly and responsively, with an excellent roll rate due to her newly installed dedicated servos on...Continue Reading

Following the success of my latest 2S Brushless Conversion, the UMX PT-17 with Dual Servo Ailerons "Bella", I've decided to experiment with my other older, and more flown 1S Brushed Motor UMX PT-17 "Pegasus".

If you haven't seen her old flight videos, my UMX PT-17 "Pegasus" started out her life 5 months ago as an experimental UMX PT-17 using parts from a scrapped UMX Beast 3D to test out a Linked Aileron System, similar to the UMX Beast 3D to assist with the anemic roll rate that is inherent with this model:

UMX PT-17 Stearman II - Linked Ailerons (0 min 23 sec)

And also her Flight Video, also taken 5 months ago.. and yes, that was a bird at the end of the video that went after her to which I responded with the Scissors Maneuver which the bird didn't see coming, lol:

UMX PT-17 Stearman II - Pegasus (3 min 17 sec)

...Continue Reading

This is the Premier Flight of my UMX PT-17 "Bella" that has been converted to a 2S Brushless System along with an upgraded Dual Servo Aileron System!!

Eflite UMX PT-17 (2S Brushless w/ Dual Servo Ailerons) "Bella" Premier Flight (6 min 48 sec)

RC Groups Build Write-Up with Photos: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2547024

Conversion of this "Aviation Treasure" to a 2S Brushless System (Eflite 180 BL 2500KV Motor, Eflite 5 x 2.75 Prop, & Spektrum EFLU4864 AS3X ESC/Receiver) along with a Dual Servo Aileron System using (2) Spektrum 2.3 Gram Linear Long Throw Offset Servos has transformed this venerable biplane into an agile yet gentle barn-storming powerhouse with excellent air authority.


See Bella's Flight Video prior to the 2S Brushless Conversion as a 1S Brushed Plane, filmed June 1st 2015:

UMX PT-17 Stearman - Training Heroes (3 min 38 sec)

...Continue Reading

A Flight Test Sneak Peek of my latest 2S Brushless Project!

Flight Test Sneak Peek: UMX PT-17 (2S Brushless w/ Dual Servo Ailerons) (2 min 20 sec)

RC Groups Build Write-Up: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2547024

Premier Flight Video to come soon. She's a beauty! Stay tuned.

Thanks for watching!!

Here is a Flight Preview of my new UMX PT-17 that has been converted to a 2S Brushless System!

Eflite UMX PT 17 (2S Brushless) w/ Dual Servo Ailerons SnowDay Build (3 min 59 sec)

With the Snow Day yesterday that took over Colorado, I had the opportunity to "Build, Buy, or Maintain" my Fleet. And since my Fleet has already been maintained, I decided to "Build" my new Eflite UMX PT-17 to a 2S Brushless System.

The process was fairly straightforward with a few hurdles..

The ESC Receiver Board used is a new Eflite EFLU4864 (Same board used on the UMX Beast 3D and UMX Carbon Cub SS) and was glued down with Foam Safe CA and then perimeter-coated with GE Type II White Silicone in the original spot of the UMX PT-17 ESC Receiver. Resizing the Elevator and Control Rods for fitment was necessary.

Spacing and Thrust Angle of the Eflite 2500 KV Motor was crucial as the long nose of the UMX PT-17's Plastic Dummy Radial Engine would not allow even the CNC Small Parts Aluminum UMX Carbon Cub SS (Long) Prop Adapter adequate clearance for the Prop. Therefore I used a Dremel Rotary Flat Sander Tool and using the flat edge, sanded down the nose evenly until the Prop Adapter allowed at least 1mm of gap between the Prop and Dummy Radial Engine. Approximately 1-2 degrees of Right Thrust and 3-4 Down Thrust (identical to the stock UMX PT-17's Thrust Angles) are what I set the UMX Carbon Cub SS Motor Mount to when I shaved a bit of the base foam that the...Continue Reading

A second take on using my new Action Cam Head Mount for my iPhone 6, I decided to take out my Hobbyzone Sport Cub S (2S Brushless) "Icarus" out for a Test Flight. She had been recently upgraded from her Eflite 2500 KV Motor and GWS 5043 Prop to a new Eflite 3000 KV Motor and Eflite 5.75 x 2.5 Prop (same Powerplant combination of the Eflite UMX Pitts S-1S, hence the title of the video).

Hobbyzone Sport Cub S (2S Brushless) - Yak/Pitts Prop 3000KV Flight (6 min 56 sec)

With this variation of her setup, the Icarus has ample thrust and speed, able to perform all of her previous aerobatic maneuvers, but also enhances her ability of slow flight, demonstrating the scale presence that is unmistakable of a Cub. Flying her this way was very enjoyable!

A few things to consider when using this setup - You will need to upgrade your wheels to "Bush/Tundra" size wheels (2" and up) to provide clearance for the longer Prop. With that being said, landings will also need to be a little on the smoother end, as prop strikes will happen more frequently if you come in at too steep of an angle.

Using the Action Cam Head Mount took some practice keeping the plane in view with the narrow field of the iPhone 6, but was much easier to predict after a few angle adjustments and practice sessions.

Target Aircraft: Hobbyzone Sport Cub S (2S Brushless) "Icarus"
Sacrificial Plane: Eflite UMX Carbon Cub SS

RC Groups Initial Build Write-Up: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2461097

CONVERSION PARTS

Motor: Eflite 3000KV (Pitts)
Module: UMX Carbon Cub SS
Lighting: UMX Carbon Cub SS LED
Prop: Eflite 5.75 x 2.5 (Yak/Pitts)
Adapter: UMX Carbon Cub SS (Long)
Landing Gear: Dubro 2"Custom Bush/Tundra Tires

Transmitter: Spektrum DX6
Lipo: Eflite 2S 200mAh 30C
Timer: 5 Minutes

Camera: iPhone 6 - 1080p at 60fps with Action Cam Head Mount Strap

Thanks for watching and please hit the Like Button if you enjoyed the video!

Best viewed in Fullscreen and HD! What a beautiful day it was for November in Colorado. Sunny skies, almost no wind and 62 degrees F. This was a great opportunity to test out my new iPhone 6 head mount that arrived yesterday. I've found that my iPhone 6 takes excellent footage of my planes in flight whenever I have a camera guy available, so I purchased a first person view head mount similar to the one I use on my GoPro Hero 3+ Silver. Its ideal for those days when a Camera Guy is unavailable, though you do need to practice beforehand with setting up the angle of the mount and calibrating it to your field of vision as the narrow lens of the iPhone 6 may miss what you're actually seeing and trying to capture.

This was also a perfect opportunity to test out my second UMX P-47 Thunderbolt, named "Caliburn" that I had purchased primarily for experimentation and overall UMX P-47 use. This is her maiden flight, using the GWS 5043 Prop as her only modification.

Eflite UMX P-47 Thunderbolt "Caliburn" - GWS 5043 / 2500KV Flight (6 min 32 sec)

Using the GWS 5043 Prop as Caliburn's sole upgrade in conjunction with her stock Eflite 2500KV Motor provided a significant performance boost (from stock), overall increased top speed (from stock), and allowed her to perform high-energy Warbird Maneuvers, while also retaining excellent slow flight capabilities for scale presence flybys.

I would consider this to be the least expensive modification for this...Continue Reading

Best viewed in Fullscreen and HD! Let me begin by giving a proud salute to our Veterans today. Thank you for your service!

The first snowfall of November last night was a fast moving system that brought about 3-4 inches of fresh powder, providing ample snow for Sport Cubs, Carbon Cubs and any other snow planes to come out and play. This was the second time I’ve taken up my Hobbyzone Sport Cub S (2S Brushless) “Icarus” in the air with the snow floats on (first time being in the Summer and tested on plush grass). Joining me today was my fellow Pilot and Friend, Mike, “Deuces Wild” F. doing a great job filming the flight.

Hobbyzone Sport Cub S (2S Brushless) "Icarus" - Snow Cub Float Flight (6 min 26 sec)

The weather was astoundingly calm today with a very minor breeze. This allowed a very smooth demonstration of the Icarus to perform her slow flight capabilities, even with the Eflite 180BL 2500KV Motor and GWS 5043 Combo. As I stated in the video, with the 2S Brushless Conversion she can be as gentle as you want her to be for a Sport Cub, or you can put on the throttle for some very un-scale Sport Cub Aerobatics. Landings with the snow floats were very simple.. the challenge was to feather the landing in for a "glassed" touchdown, as it’s been a while since I’ve flown the Icarus and I nearly forgot about her deceivingly smooth and long glide slope. It was definitely fun to let the Icarus stretch her wings out and do some snow puddle jump-style landings.

Target Aircraft: Hobbyzone Sport Cub S (2S Brushless) "Icarus"
Sacrificial Plane: Eflite UMX Carbon Cub SS

RC Groups Initial Build Write-Up: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2461097

CONVERSION PARTS

Motor: Eflite 2500KV
Module: UMX Carbon Cub SS
Lighting: UMX Carbon Cub SS LED
Prop: GWS 5043
Adapter: UMX Carbon Cub SS (Long)
Landing Gear: UMX Carbon Cub SS Floats

Transmitter: Spektrum DX6
Lipo: Eflite 2S 200mAh 30C
Timer: 6 Minutes

A big thanks to Mike “Deuces Wild” F. for getting this footage on my iPhone 6!

Thanks for watching and please hit the Like Button if you enjoyed the video!

Okay, as a snow storm is moving into Colorado tonight, I had to get my flights in...

This is the 3rd Flight Footage taken using the Medium FOV settings on my GoPro in the attempt to keep my target plane in view, using my latest 2S Brushless Conversion, the Easysky / Horizon Hobby FW-190D (Custom 2S Brushless) "Simone" and Test Footage for my Go Pro Hero 3+ Silver.

Easysky / HH FW-190D (2S Brushless) - GoPro 1080p 60FPS “Med” FOV Test (6 min 13 sec)

Camera: GoPro Hero 3+ Silver - Shot at 1080p 60fps w/ Medium FOV

These settings on my GoPro appear to be the most optimal for quality, clarity, and field of view as Simone appears to be visible throughout the range of the video. In addition, I have also restricted my airspace and aerobatics to a smaller area, thus maximizing the view of her flight.

The field conditions at the park have changed drastically from the calmness of yesterday, as winds today reached 10+ mph with 17mph gusts. However, this was no issue for Simone as she simply windsurfed the skies with ease as the AS3X worked to keep her in check. She is a very agile and aerobatic Warbird capable of performing some impressive maneuvers, even in tight quarters. Snappy Rolls, Long Loops, Inverted Flight, Power Climbs, Rolling Climbs, Immelmans, Split S, Hammerheads, Hovering Stalls, and even Knife Edges are all executed with authoritative ease. Landing her is also simple with the protective custom Drop Tank / Skid Plate Battery...Continue Reading

As I'm trying out different FOV settings on my GoPro in the attempt to keep my target plane in view, this is the second recorded flight of my 2S Brushless Conversion, the Easysky / HH FW-190D (Custom 2S Brushless) "Simone" and Test Footage for my Go Pro Hero 3+ Silver.

Easysky / HH FW-190D (2S Brushless) - GoPro 1080 Narrow FOV Test Flight (5 min 29 sec)

Camera: GoPro Hero 3+ Silver - Shot at 1080p 60fps w/ Narrow FOV

This time the Landing Gears are off and I’m letting her loose at Dove Valley Regional Park. This time I’ve narrowed the lens FOV on my GoPro Hero 3 to capture the footage with non-distortion and have also restricted my airspace and aerobatics to a smaller area, maximizing the view of her flight.

Simone is a very nimble and aerobatic Warbird capable of performing some impressive maneuvers, even in tight quarters. Snappy Rolls, Long Loops, Inverted Flight, Power Climbs, Rolling Climbs, Immelmans, Split S, Hammerheads, Hovering Stalls, and even Knife Edges are all executed with authoritative ease. Landing her is also simple with the protective custom Drop Tank / Skid Plate Battery Cover that allows the underside to “slip” over grass.

RC Groups Initial Write-Up with Build Photos: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2534766

Target Plane: Easysky FW-190D (2S Brushless)
Sacrificial Plane: Eflite UMX Beast 3D

CONVERSION PARTS:

Motor: Eflite 180 Brushless 2500KV Motor
Motor Mount: UMX Beast 3D Motor Mount
Propeller: Eflite 5 x 2.75 Prop
Spinner: UMX Beast 3D Spinner
ESC/Receiver - UMX Beast 3D AS3X Receiver Board
Dual Servo Ailerons - UMX Beast 3D Servos

Transmitter: Spektrum DX6
Battery: Eflite 2S 200mAh 30C
Timer: 5 Minutes

Tomorrow if the weather permits, I will try my GoPro's "Medium" FOV setting.

Best viewed in Fullscreen and HD! This is the second recorded flight of my Parkzone Ultra Micro P-40 Warhawk (2S Brushless) "Stella", demonstrating her flight characteristics with the Landing Gears installed.

Parkzone Ultra Micro P-40 Warhawk (2S BL) "Stella" - Gears On Flight (7 min 1 sec)

RC Groups Blog Write-Up with Build Photos: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2532958

With the Landing Gears on, her flight characteristics do not seem to be affected much if at all, thanks to the Eflite Brushless 180 2500KV Motor and UMX P-47 4-Bladed Prop. She can easily perform aggressive Warbird Maneuvers, even with the larger 1" foam wheels, taken from a spare set of UMX Habu Wheels.

Cold temperatures have arrived in Colorado and my hands were freezing at the park. I could feel the Eflite 2S 200mAh 30C battery struggle a bit in the colder temps during the more aggressive maneuvers, however lasted easily through the 5 minutes of flight.

Landings can be a bit of a challenge as the P-40 has a noticeable stall speed that you have to be above. Anything below that stall speed and she will let you know with a wing tip. I've watched too many videos of this same plane with other pilots trying to glide her in too slowly, and have met the deck with a wing over or a tip. I've taken heed of this and am very mindful on that final approach.

Flying her now with the 2S Brushless Conversion is incredibly fun and thrilling, and landings test your finesse. I like that this is a plane that tests the pilot and loves to be flown like a Warbird.

What a great plane!

CONVERSION PARTS:
Motor: Eflite 180 Brushless 2500KV Motor
Motor Mount: Aeromodz Custom P-40 Motor Mount
Propeller: UMX P-47 4-Bladed Prop
Spinner: Parkzone Ultra Micro P-51 Mustang Nose Spinner
ESC/Receiver - UMX Beast 3D AS3X Receiver Board

Transmitter: Spektrum DX6
Battery: Eflite 2S 200mAh 30C
Timer: 5 Minutes

Thanks for watching and please hit the Like Button and feel free to Share if you enjoyed the video!

Best viewed in Fullscreen and HD! Here is my latest 2S Brushless Conversion, the Easysky FW-190D (Custom 2S Brushless) Beast Wulfe "Simone".

RC Groups Write-Up with Photos: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2534766

Easysky FW-190D (2S Brushless) Beast Wulfe "Simone" Premier Flight (9 min 21 sec)

I've gutted all of the stock 1s Easysky electronics and power system in favor of a UMX Beast 3D brushless ESC and receiver along with a 2500KV Motor and Eflite 5x2.75 Prop.

The dual servo ailerons are also a custom job, taken from the last UMX Beast 3D that I purchased to convert my Parkzone Ultra Micro P-40 Warhawk to 2S Brushless, as the stock system incorporated a single servo with a bell crank. I also had to switch the servo horn direction of the rudder again like I did with the P-40 to get the rudder servo and AS3X to work properly.

For structural integrity, a .050 Carbon Fiber Wing Spar on my Simone has been installed, as well as on the Horizontal Stabilizer. I didn't need to put one on my Vertical Stabilizer due to its robustness. I started the project at 6pm yesterday and completed her at 2am this morning. All control surfaces and AS3X control directions have been checked. Even the prop is balanced.

The finishing touch to the plane would have to be the Lipo "Drop Tank / Scoop Cover made from the plastic canopy piece off of a UMX Beast sitting in a box in my garage. Playing with the part, I was able to CA glue...Continue Reading

Damn.. It's too windy today. Winds are gusting up to 25+mph. I was hoping to try and get flight footage of my Easysky FW-190D (2S Brushless) "Simone" today but Im not about to risk it with all the work I put into it. Yesterday, I ran 6 2S 200mAh 30C batts through her yesterday (3 with gears on / 3 with gears off). Man she flies really nice.

Then the thought just occurred to me.. With this plane and all the work I put into her (removing all the stock Easysky internal systems, replacing it with an Eflite 2500KV Brushless Motor, UMX Beast 3D Motor Mount, Eflite 5x2.75 Prop, UMX Beast 3D ESC/Receiver Board, re-routing the Rudder/Servo Control Horns, installing dual servos for the ailerons, along with the control horns, re-sizing the Rudder and Elevator Control Rods, and adding in the carbon fiber main wing and horizontal stabilizer spars), I think I pretty much just built my first Ultra Micro Beast/Wulfe Hybrid ARF.

Here is my latest 2S Brushless Conversion, the Easysky FW-190D (Custom 2S Brushless).

I've gutted all of the stock 1s Easysky electronics and power system in favor of a UMX Beast 3D brushless ESC and receiver along with a 2500KV Motor and Eflite 5x2.75 Prop.

The dual servo ailerons are also a custom job, taken from the last UMX Beast 3D that I purchased to convert my Parkzone Ultra Micro P-40 Warhawk to 2S Brushless, as the stock system incorporated a single servo with a bell crank. I also had to switch the servo horn direction of the rudder again like I did with the P-40 to get the rudder servo and AS3X to work properly.

For structural integrity, a .050 Carbon Fiber Wing Spar on my Simone has been installed, as well as on the Horizontal Stabilizer. I didn't need to put one on my Vertical Stabilizer due to its robustness.I started the project at 6pm yesterday and completed her at 2am this morning. All control surfaces and AS3X control directions have been checked. Even the prop is balanced. Pretty much ready for a Maiden Flight.

Her name is Simone.

MAIDEN FLIGHT REPORT:

I completed my ROG Maiden Flight of Simone today using 3 Eflite 2S 200mAh 30C Batts. 1st flight was used for Battery CG Placement and Trim. When the Battery is placed aft in the battery tray, was when I noticed the best flight characteristics and response. No nose-dropping and no signs of tail-heaviness present in any of the testing. She was off a bit wanting to roll a bit to the...Continue Reading

I flew Stella today for the Landing Gears Flight Test from this afternoon till Sundown at David Lorenz Park with 6-7 mph gusty winds. Throttle management and speed are a must for landing her gracefully. Sadly no video at this time, but soon.

She passed beautifully.