Originally Posted by 2500GENE

Nice vids aj.
How can someone who flys as well as you mess up so much on landings? Should I come out there and teach you how to land properly?

I'll take all the help I can get. This place is fairly hard to land into the wind (when it is coming from the NE) because there are two 50' street lamps that have the new Sky Surfer seek and destroy probes on them. I had to land mostly downwind on these videos. But, for downwind and crosswind landings, I am OK with them.
AJ

Originally Posted by Prof100

OK AJ, this proves how bad a video can be.

IMO, I think you are being WAY, WAY too hard on yourself and/or the camera. The video proves you can fly it, do loops, and end it with a PERFECT landing. So, you have solid proof that you can fly (and well, too). The cinematography is just fine. The picture quality could be better (but, I don't think you have any control over that, do you?) I suspect that it is a #5 camera (not the best by a long shot). Do you know? Read THIS if you don't - Great article about sub $20 cams.
Keep using it. If anyone mentioned a bad word about it, let me know and I will get my dog to bite 'em
Happy Flying and post more videos.
AJ
P.S. Have you thought of putting wheels on your SkyS? I have an ok LG setup on mine. But, I would really like to have a removable (quick on/off) LG setup that I might be able to use on a few different (but similar) planes. Any ideas? Are you interested at all in collaborating on a design/build? IMO, You are better than I am at design. But, I think I could contribute some things along the way. This is not a for profit endeavor. It is just for our benefit (and the folks on this thread).

Originally Posted by ajbaker

IMO, I think you are being WAY, WAY too hard on yourself and/or the camera. The video proves you can fly it, do loops, and end it with a PERFECT landing. So, you have solid proof that you can fly (and well, too). The cinematography is just fine. The picture quality could be better (but, I don't think you have any control over that, do you?) I suspect that it is a #5 camera (not the best by a long shot). Do you know? Read THIS if you don't - Great article about sub $20 cams.
Keep using it. If anyone mentioned a bad word about it, let me know and I will get my dog to bite 'em
Happy Flying and post more videos.
AJ
P.S. Have you thought of putting wheels on your SkyS? I have an ok LG setup on mine. But, I would really like to have a removable (quick on/off) LG setup that I might be able to use on a few different (but similar) planes. Any ideas? Are you interested at all in collaborating on a design/build? IMO, You are better than I am at design. But, I think I could contribute some things along the way. This is not a for profit endeavor. It is just for our benefit (and the folks on this thread).

AJ,

The gum camera does much better in bright daylight as long as you don't aim it at the sun. The hat cam needs some development. The hat kept slipping forward on my head since the hat was loose fitting. LOL. I need to work on a better design. I have a couple of key chain cameras I haven't even used except for testing. I do have a Jazz 178HD video camera that does some nice video. Below is a video of scratchbuilt F22 prop in the slot jet. It has been viewed aboutt 3000 times. I need to adapt that camera for hat cam use.

F22 Maiden flight (3 min 31 sec)

Originally Posted by ajbaker

...
AJ
P.S. Have you thought of putting wheels on your SkyS? I have an ok LG setup on mine. But, I would really like to have a removable (quick on/off) LG setup that I might be able to use on a few different (but similar) planes. Any ideas? Are you interested at all in collaborating on a design/build? IMO, You are better than I am at design. But, I think I could contribute some things along the way. This is not a for profit endeavor. It is just for our benefit (and the folks on this thread).

Sure, let's collaborate. I think a simple center wheel or two small wheels straddling the CF would work well to keep the belly from getting consumed. I laid down a bead of hot glue to protect the belly from tarmac landings. The problem on hot days is it gets tacky and doesn't allow taking off from the ground. It's too sticky.

Bill

Here's a setup designed for the Easy Star:
http://www.airscaperc.com/Airscape_RC_Home_Page.php

I bought a set but sold the EZ before installing. Weighs 2.7 oz including nylon
bolts, al backing plate and foam wheels. Am seriously considering adapting it to
the Sky Surfer fuse, but am uncertain where to center the axles in relation to the wing
LE. It shouldn't be hard to adapt the idea to the SS. It apparently works well with
the EZ.

GeneH

Originally Posted by ajbaker

1. How to remove the worthless washers. https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=124
1a. How to remove the worthless washer #2. Thanks to flyvertigo for this one. https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=236
2. How to remove the Prop Adapter.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=124

3. Wing holding method #1: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=306
3.a Wing holding method #2 (Contributed by ()bie)
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=551
********THE ABOVE MODS (or variation) IS REQUIRED************** OR Glue the wings in (per instructions)
4. Sky Surfer Universal Motor Mount - Really nice UMM contributed by antennahead. Superb craftsmanship.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...9&postcount=81
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...4&postcount=82
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...7&postcount=83
5. Universal Motor Mount - A simpler less elegant way to make a UMM:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...4&postcount=34
6. Landing Gear Addition: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=173
7. Replace all control horns. The ones that come with the plane are too thin and cause two problems. The elevator horn breaks easily during landing. Mostly, the problem is that there is way too much side to side play in the linkages causing sloppy control authority.
8. Replace The ESC with an 18-20A ESC. It is too substandard to use. If it is run down to LVC, ALL electronics may stop working (i.e. Crash).
9. Replace the prop with a TGS 6x4E prop. It is less than 1/2 as loud as the stock prop and produces 30oz of thrust at a paltry 11.8a.
10. optional - a 3mm carbon fiber rod under the bottom of the fuselage. It is necessary to avoid fuselage flex.
11. The ideal CG for this plane is 72mm from LE. For raw beginners, 68mm is the minimum recommended.
12. ESC relocation - ESC runs too hot: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=249
13: ESC Cooling #1: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=252
14. ESC Cooling #2 (contributed by 2500GENE): https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/atta...mentid=3257370
15 Replace 6mm spar with 8mm Spar (contributed by Crist Rigotti): https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=364
16. Wing Spar Reinforcement (contributed by Prof100) - MANDATORY if you plan to do aerobatics:https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=669

Hey Guys,

Just ordered a sky surfer with the brushless upgrade. Great forum. I'm completely new to the RC plane part. Have a RC car. While I'm waiting for it to arrive I would like to plan the mods mentioned here but I have some questions. I'm going to place a order with hobby king with the needed parts.

What is the max size-capacity batt and recommended c rating for this plane without making it too heavy or hard to fly. What's the sweet spot size and weight? This is with stock brushless motor and esc.

What kind of avg. flight times can I expect with the stock 1300mah batt?

I see most people are going with either a APC or a TGS 6x4e prop upgrade as it's mentioned the stock one sucks. Is one of those props better than the other and are they a direct replacement? What is the size of the original prop?

I'm looking to get the carbon fiber stuff to reinforce everything. Is the 3mm carbon soild rod or hollow tube the ideal one to get for the plane reinforcement and how many pieces of the hobby king 750mm length are needed?

Will the 5mm tube from hk fit in the original 6mm spar to make it stronger and will one 750mm length be enough?

I would like to replace the all the control horns as mentioned but im looking at what hk has and there are many sizes. Which is the correct sizes for the plane and how many do I need?

Are the stock servos and arms ok or should I replace those also? If so which ones and size should I get that are low cost but reliable?

Where can I buy landing gear for this plane and what kind is the best to use?

I think I might also upgrade the ESC later to the Turnigy tr_s25a 25A with BEC. Is this a good choice and will it be able to handle it if I ever upgrade the motor?

Anybody know the kv rating of the original motor?

Sorry for all the questions but I would like to get this right the first time.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Prof100

OK AJ, this proves how bad a video can be.

Wasn't that bad Bill. Lot of nice flying there.
Besides, that was back in 2007.

Originally Posted by 2500GENE

Wasn't that bad Bill. Lot of nice flying there.
Besides, that was back in 2007.

2007 video is with a Jazz
HDV 178 NOT the gum cam.

I setup my two key fob video cameras:

1. Mounted to a hat with Velcro but I missed a lot of the flight (wrong angle). I need to dial it in better. Either add more Velcro or tilt my hat back.
2. On board I mounted the little key fob to nose of the plane right in front of the hatch. It worked well. The plane was nose heavy for a couple of reasons – battery mounted too far forward and the added nose weight of the little key fob camera.

Today was windy and bit gusty with the winds going north to south on an east west runway. Here is the youtube link:

Trimmed SS Onboard keycam 8-26-10.AVI (4 min 2 sec)

Originally Posted by Prof100

OK AJ, this proves how bad a video can be.

http://vimeo.com/14438783

Originally Posted by Prof100

2007 video is with a Jazz
HDV 178 NOT the gum cam.

That's not what it says when the video starts.

Originally Posted by Prof100

]
On board I mounted the little key fob to nose of the plane right in front of the hatch. It worked well. The plane was nose heavy for a couple of reasons – battery mounted too far forward and the added nose weight of the little key fob camera.]

I hope you are happy with the video. It looks great to me. It appears that the runway needs to be about 1-2 miles longer so you can land your plane.
AJ

Originally Posted by Alpha35

Here's a setup designed for the Easy Star:
http://www.airscaperc.com/Airscape_RC_Home_Page.php

I bought a set but sold the EZ before installing. Weighs 2.7 oz including nylon
bolts, al backing plate and foam wheels. Am seriously considering adapting it to
the Sky Surfer fuse, but am uncertain where to center the axles in relation to the wing
LE. It shouldn't be hard to adapt the idea to the SS. It apparently works well with
the EZ.

GeneH

Gene,
I was one of the first to buy a set for an Easy Star, and have many landings with them. (I have to use their rough terain tires since I fly on rocks and sand in the Yuma desert) I later bought two extra sets with the Rookie and the Sky Surfer in mind. I think if you follow the EZ's instructions and move the plate a tad forward from where it calls for on the EZ, you should be okay. Once the gear was installed, the CG was perfect. No trim adjustments were needed. I left that plane down in Yuma, so I'm looking forward to getting back down there and putting it in the air.

Jack

Originally Posted by Prof100

Sure, let's collaborate. I think a simple center wheel or two small wheels straddling the CF would work well to keep the belly from getting consumed. I laid down a bead of hot glue to protect the belly from tarmac landings. The problem on hot days is it gets tacky and doesn't allow taking off from the ground. It's too sticky.

Bill

OK. Got it. That is sort of how I have my CF right now (except the LG is not removable). The problem I experience with that design is that it is very hard on the belly with no shock absorbers. I guess I could add some CF rods to the Sky Surfer to overcome the problem. Any other Ideas?
AJ

Originally Posted by Alpha35

Here's a setup designed for the Easy Star:
http://www.airscaperc.com/Airscape_RC_Home_Page.php

I bought a set but sold the EZ before installing. Weighs 2.7 oz including nylon
bolts, al backing plate and foam wheels. Am seriously considering adapting it to
the Sky Surfer fuse, but am uncertain where to center the axles in relation to the wing
LE. It shouldn't be hard to adapt the idea to the SS. It apparently works well with
the EZ.

GeneH

That is a LOT of weight to add to the SkyS. But, I would suggest putting the center of the axle (plate) about 30mm in front of the existing CG. Fortunately, you will probably be able to slide the battery aft to get the correct CG back where it should be.
AJ

Originally Posted by jpgcag

Gene,
I was one of the first to buy a set for an Easy Star, and have many landings with them. (I have to use their rough terain tires since I fly on rocks and sand in the Yuma desert) I later bought two extra sets with the Rookie and the Sky Surfer in mind. I think if you follow the EZ's instructions and move the plate a tad forward from where it calls for on the EZ, you should be okay. Once the gear was installed, the CG was perfect. No trim adjustments were needed. I left that plane down in Yuma, so I'm looking forward to getting back down there and putting it in the air.

Jack

I will be interested to hear your flying experience with that LG compared to stock (no LG). There might not be any difference at all. But, at 2.7 oz (13.2% increase in weight-My plane weighs 20.5 oz. AUW), I think there might be a noticeable difference. Please let us know.
AJ