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RC Universe Newsletter and Brief Update

All, I have completed both the repair of my tail-wheel and the registration of the RC Transport Vehicle (my 78 Bronco) – all good news for upcoming flying reports.

Until I post video of my tailwheel repair (Troy Built Models product) here is a good newsletter from RC Universe to peruse and enjoy.

RC Universe Newsletter Link

The GIANT Extra 330 is Back in the Air!

I rushed to the field after work yesterday evening, and had just enough sunlight to get off a few flights, testing the new tailwheel and the rebuilt DA100 engine. Results were fantastic. Barry was kind enough to check out the plane for me, and I caught it on video below. I also did a takeoff and flew quite a bit, but the crosswinds were a little too much for me so I had the expert land it for me. Looks like my tailwheel repair (more about that in a later post) worked OK. I am very happy to be a Giant Scale pilot once again, and I look forward to completing some solid landings just like I used to. Most of all it was great to be back out there with the guys again.

What it means to be “addicted”

The Sun Valley Flyers had scheduled an event this past Sunday, for the 1/8th scale airforce. I planned to go and watch some flying, but when I arrived the winds were in upwards of 15mph, with even stronger gusts. Most all of the planes had been packed in, since even leaving them sitting on the ground was a big risk due to the conditions. So I waited around while they gave out awards, and when they were nearly done my friend Marty showed up. I mentioned that I had brought my little AddictionRC.com T-28 Trojan, and he said I should go grab it and fly. I took a long look at the runway, and the windsock indicating full-strong crosswinds, and I said “Yeah, sure, why not.”

I don’t think anyone noticed me coming back from my car with the plane, or preparing the battery and my reciever. Even as I walked up to the flight station, barely keeping the foam plane in my hands as the wind pulled at the wings, nobody said anything. I set the plane on the runway, and just before the wind gusted and pushed her out into the weeds I hit full throttle and pulled her straight up into the wind. It was cool! It was also increadibly shakey, as the wind tugged and pushed in all directions. I had high rates on and was still throwing the sticks all over the receiver just to keep anything straight. I pulled vertical and flew like a kite for a minute, then hung a very long right turn downwind and the plane picked up speed - screaming down the runway like a rocket. Just before I lost sight of the plane I swung back around towards me and hit full throttle – just praying that I had enough power to gain some ground and get back to the runway. Because the battery was fresh I did, and just as I came perpindicular to the runway I cut throttle and used all my might to keep the wings from going either left OR right – as they both tried to an infinite number of times before the plane finally set herself down on all three wheels.  Before the wind flipped her over, I ran out and grabbed my good ‘ole T-28.

As I walked back to the ramada I was greated with many compliments on the flying. One guy had said that I must have had a lot of balls to do that, and another remarked that I probably didn’t have enough brains. But to me it was just natural. I had a plane, and a situation that I was willing to bet I could handle.

I ended up flying one more time that day in even stronger winds. I was able to repeat the success and then smartly decided I had pushed my luck enough.  But as silly as it sounds I wondered what was different from what I did, and what guys like QQ Somenzini, Yuri Higuchi, and Chip Hyde do?  Guys who fly at night, on knife-edge, torque-roll, flat spin, and invent “the restart?”  They all decided to take a risk that seemed silly to some people.  The end result turned out that they were better for it, had fun, advance the hobby and gave a good show.  That is a huge part of what this hobby is about.

So the AddictionRC.com Trojan will fly again. I am even thinking of creating a new sport – RC Kites.  Anyone want to buy one?

Amazing Flying and Night Flying at the Sun Valley Flyers Field – Yuri Higuchi and others

Check this video out!

http://powerpointforcourt.com/animations/phoenix_video.html

There are also some great still photographs. Thanks to Herb and Marty Jones!

Yuri Higuchi and his Beautiful Extra Composite Arf Custom

Smoke On!

I Pre-ordered the NEW Parkzone Sukhoi SU-26M Indoor Aerobatic Plane!

This is too good of a plane to pass up! “The first 4-channel Ultra-Micro™ aerobatic flyer for experienced pilots.”  It runs off the same batteries that my MCX helicopter does, so that will save costs and make for easy recharging. Also, it’s a bind-and-fly, which means of course that I can use my JR X9303 radio to fly it. For $99 this plane will be great to fly on wind-less days here in AZ, or indoors wherever I can find enough room. While I can see the control movements (throws) are not great enough to support heavy 3-D with this plane, that is not what I am interested in. There are plenty of cheap “profile fomies” for that purpose. What I am interested in is the scale looks of this Sukhoi. Let’s face it, many of us got into this hobby because we love planes, and we like to see things that resemble planes fly in ways that resemble how planes fly. Profile foamies do anything but that! They hover, swing, flip, and do all sorts of neat things that you will never see a real plane do.

So I will report in once this plane ships and arrives at my door. That should be in a few weeks, so stay tuned!

For a high resolution Windows Media video, go here:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo/Files/PKZ3580_hi.wmv

To take a look, and pre-order this plane:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ3580

Overview

You’ve never seen anything this small that flies so big. As the first 4-channel Ultra-Micro™ flyer to utilize Bind-N-Fly™ DSM2™ technology, the Sukhoi Su-26m will thrill experienced pilots with its amazing aerobatic capabilities. Based on a Mike McConville design, this exciting addition to ParkZone’s family of Ultra-Micro aircraft definitely doesn’t fly like a toy. Instead, it gives you the feel of being at the flying field, and its incredibly lightweight Spektrum AR6400 receiver and ESC board provide further value and convenience. An additional servo also plugs into the board to drive the Sukhoi’s ailerons.

The Sukhoi has been engineered for a true 4-channel experience, with its remarkable precision control making it perfect for flight in a large yard or gymnasium or even a park on a calm day. To start, all you need to do is charge the included 110mAh Li-Po battery and bind the plane to one of the many compatible DSM2 transmitters*.  From rolling circles, loops and snap rolls to aileron rolls, spins and inverted flight, the maximum aerobatic performance of the Ultra-Micro Sukhoi Su-26m is unlike anything else this size.

After spending the day out at the field, unwind with ParkZone’s 4-channel Sukhoi SU-26m, offering you more flying challenges and capabilities than you ever thought possible in an Ultra-Micro flyer.

 

Specs

• Wingspan:15.75 in (400mm)
• Overall Length:14.25 in (366mm)
• Flying Weight:1.1 oz (34 g)
• Radio:Spektrum AR6400 receiver (installed), 5+ Channel 2.4GHz transmitter with Spektrum DSM2 (required)
• Charger:DC single-cell Li-Po

Pilot’s eye view, flying in University of Phoenix (Cardinal’s) Stadium

Dustin flying at the Expo Sunday. Scroll down to see my flying video from the spectator’s point of view Great video Dustin!