NEW HOBBY

[Ron]

As if I didn't have enough already

Any body out here into RC Airplanes? 

Several of my Astronomy Club members are into RC Airplanes and Gliders.  Since we have relocated to a new area for our monthly star parties, the area has a nice large open field and the members have been flying RC Airplanes and Gliders.

I have really become fascinated with watching them fly gliders so I bought me a  RTF  electric RC trainer airplane, no experience required

First time out I broke the tail boom and am now learning how to repair the darn thing so I can have another go at it during this weekend star party

Ron

[Jean-Yves]

Hi Ron,

Funny how minds work alike!

I was in gliders' hobby 35 years ago! even won a small contest back then.
It was not remote controlled, we launched them, had a fuse burn and drop the glider after 3 minutes ... it was a good run throgh the fields to not loose it ...

... and I just resumed the hobby earllier this year! I am building a RC glider, found the drawings on internet http://www.galery.org/main.php?article=sunday
I should finish it within a couple of weeks and then it will be ready to fly!
I am looking for more drawings, to build a larger one ... also looking at some sites to design my own glider ... internet is so great in that respect!

I'll post some images when it's ready to fly, before crashing it!

Cheers

JY

[Ron]

Jean-Yves,

Nice looking glider but since I don't read French I could only look at the pictures.    What are the dimensions?

If I can ever get the hang of this little plane http://secure.hobbyzone.com/catalog/HZ/index/index_park_flyers_rtf/HBZ4700.html I might just decide to buy a small electric glider.

You are so right about the internet, I wish I had done more research before I jumped in,  I think things would have been a little easier

A lot of people say they got started with gliders first.

I'll post some pictures of people at the field flying some of their gliders.

Ron

[Jean-Yves]

Hoi Ron,

It's about 1.6 meters, and almost finished ... Photos within a week I hope!

Cheers

Jean-Yves

PS: skies are clearing up ... back to the stars may be tonight?

[Parsec]

Hi Ron,

I have tinkered with RC planes. But I have a problem. Many years ago I learned to fly and  got a pilots license.

Years ago a friend of mine that is into this hobby 'heavy' let me fly a model Cessna 182. I almost wrecked it on him. The controls were backward for me. The radio control box rudder, elevator and ailerons were reversed from what I was used to. I had a H*ll of a time with it.

What amazed me was the detail and the technology in the hobby. The size of the planes, the size of the engines and also the use of small jet engines.

I am thinking if you get involved in the hobby you will certainly enjoy it.



Note for Jean-Yves,

Your glider looks fantastic.

I flew a glider on a couple of occasions and what stands out is one flight in particular.

Was early one Sunday morning the aircraft was launched on a reel in cable.  I was at about 2500 feet AGL.
There was no engine noise only the whistling off the wing tips.
I could hear a car on the road below, sounds from a farm and birds, I kid you not, the birds were audible, a gull flew along side for a several moments, I suppose because of curiosity.
Just one of those moments that everything is right with the earth.

Sheesh, I'm getting melancholy  here, better stop.

Yup, I can understand th enjoyment of RC planes.

Ron W.

[Ron]

 

Well, my first repair job went well with a test pilot but when I took over the controls things didn't go so good.  I decided to see what it was like to buzz a tree top, and took out the tail section of the plane.  So for now it's back to the repair and more sim time

I didn't feel too bad though since one of the other members flew his plane into the top of a tree and it took quite a time getting it out.

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JY,

Glad you got some clear skies, our weekend was cloudy and rainy but we do need the rain

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Ron W,

That glider flight sure sounds exciting and interesting.

I guess that's one of the things I like about sailing is that it is so quite and only using the elements to control your craft.

Ron

[pilleway]

My friends, how small is the world, I'm in Mexico and I'm  learning Photoastronomy but I come from the RC Helicopters club and I just love them too, I do fly a RC Raptor 60 Helicopter with a 70 engine and it is fun, I fly it on Sundays with my son and Friday and Saturday nights are (if condition allowes ) I take the Scope out and spend time searching in the sky.
I do have some nice pictures ( with no Photoshop) mainly in the Messier objects, but I'm not to good to post them. ( if any can help I will share some of them)
I do have a Meade SC 8" with a WO 80mm APO and a Canon 30D and there is no complain at all of the equipment I do have, the only problem is that the WO on top of the SC seams to me to much weight.
If any recommendation for posting I will share some with you. ( Even I recall there is a way for a hyperling for a photo depository so I can share them with you)

My best regards to all of you.
Pille

[Ron]

Pille,

One of our members flies a heli and he said it was the hardest thing to learn how to fly, he said he had to spend hours and hours on the sim before he could fly.  He has a video of one of his friends flying the Heli upside down, doing flips, rolls and you name, its amazing.

I got my plane repaired so a soon as the wind dies down I will give it a test flight, or rather have my test pilot give it a test

Put your astrophotos on the help forum and I'm sure members will be willing to help out with anything they can.  I'm still learning myself and I have posted plenty of not so good images, but that's the only way I can learn.  If you need  help posting them let me know and I will try to help.  If you don't have a storage site let me know and I can recommend a couple.

Ron

[Ron]

Got my bird fixed again

Had my test pilot give it a test flight and things went real well.  I was pleasantly surprised though since I don't know a thing about airplanes or how to repair them

So I tried my hand at my second maiden flight with the help of my test pilot giving me instructions at every turn.  Did ok and even landed with a little bounce but no damage

Ready to go again

Ron

[pilleway]

Ron, thanks for your comments!
Well, flying an helicopter is not easy, you are correct but I can tell you to all , if you are willing to do some RC Helicopter or Airplane, you will have much more success  to learn to fly an Helicopter than an airplane even it is much more difficult, the reason is very simple, with the Heli you start doing little by little, while with the airplane once it is in the air and you do not know how to control then you end up with a crash.
I just love the Heli even I do both. Do not do upside down, because every crash it is very expensive.

Regarding my photos I wold like to share them, but if you recommend a site where to store them I will try and if any additional help is needed I can come and ask again.

It is been a very long and tired week but if I can I will try to have some pictures posted soon!

Happy weekend to all.
Pille,

[Ron]

Pille,

I use FotoTime http://www.fototime.com/  I have been using them for several years with a paid subscription.  They do have a free subscription but I don't think you can embed pictures with it, but you can use a hyper link your pictures.   http://www.flycker.com/ is another free site and you can embed pictures in you posts.

If you get set up with a storage site lets us know and we will help you embed your pictures.

Hope you have a relaxing weekend,

Ron

[pilleway]

Ron thank you very much!
I have Foto Time going on and the link for Photoastronomy is:
http://www.fototime.com/users/pilleway@prodigy.net.mx/PhotoAstronomy
I will be uploading photos today, you will see some already.

Also I do have Albums for RC and Static Modeling with some photos and the links are:
http://www.fototime.com/users/pilleway@prodigy.net.mx/Plastic%20Static%20Modeling
http://www.fototime.com/users/pilleway@prodigy.net.mx/Radio%20Control

What do you mean by "embed" can you explain.

Looking for your comments, so far your help is been great. Thank you  " Gracias!"

[Ron]

Pille,

Looks like you have a good start already on your Astrophotos.  Nice looking Heli.

Embedding your photos in your posts is being able to see your pictures with your messages with out going to your storage site.

I'll PM you with instructions,

Ron

[lindendave]

Ron,

I'm a little late joining this conversation, up north visiting grandkids and kids, but I wanted to let you know that I also once tried model aviation. I build a glider and put many hours and attention in to the construction and was quite pleased with how it turned out. On my first flight, I didn't know anyone else into the hobby, I crashed the plane miserably and gave up.  I really liked the process of building models and wanted to build something remote controlled so I decided to try boats. I salvaged the radio and servos from the plane and built a tunnel hulled hydroplane with a 3.5cc outboard. I really had lots of fun with it but it always seemed that it ran out of fuel on the OTHER side of the lake and I eventually tired of rowing my inflatable boat over to get it.  For a while I was even in to 1/10 scale offload vehicles but I eventually figured out my greatest enjoyment was in the construction. When we sold the house in Michigan three years ago I got rid of, actually gave them to my sons, the vehicles. Now that I have really great neighbors who farm and raises cattle it seems my hobby is repairing farm equipment from time to time, ever seen how they make repairs? 

Oh, once upon a time I was tempted to try out the helicopters. The local hobby shop had a 12" square mirror bordered with a wooden yardstick mounted on a center pivot which was attached to two servos. The guy in there told me if I could keep a 1" ball bearing in the center of the mirror for two minutes I should have no problem with helicopters, I lasted maybe 10 seconds! 

I still enjoy watching talented people operate almost any remote controlled model and I hope that you turn out to be one of those, good luck!

[Ron]

Dave,

Looks like most of my time is going to be in the repair business

I've already had my $54 worth of fun just seeing if I could keep the plane in the air for a few seconds.  I'm going to try again some day this week with my friend (instructor, copilot, test pilot) at a large open field.  Hope I have as much success as I did last week and can keep the plane in the air for a few more laps and make a better landing

I am having a lot of fun with it though,

Ron