Getting back into RC aircraft

[Brother D]

As per the title, I'd like to get back into the hobby but they last time I flew anything was my Raptor 30 and an electric glider and just moved the receiver between models and IIRC it was based on crystals pairs for communication.

Looking now everything is wifi style RF and binding between the TX and RX. Can you buy a Futaba TX and different make RX? Or do you have to stick with one make for everything? I assume this new communication is better and more reliable? I remember at my flying club there was a peg board with different frequencies and you took the peg for your frequency so it didn't interfeer if someone else had the same. Is this now a thing of the past?

TIA

[Brother D]

Jim H said:

Here is the foamy next to the Rocket Ship.

And the Acro under construction.

Ha! I used to have an acrowot! I think it was my first proper plane after the trainer I had : )

[Brother D]

kimducati said:

Hi
Tons of great stuff and info
Kim

Thanks for all that, appreciated!

I'm US based but think FAA requirements are on a par with CAA (if they didn't drive them to be)

I've seen a few kits that say "bind and fly" which kicked off the original question about is there an open source protocol that let's any controller work with any RX.

Always grew up with futaba so might stick with that...

Anyways appreciate the help from you and the other posters

[Brother D]

Visited with the club near me, super friendly bunch (95% retirees!), and just $100 a year in fees for great setup. Loads of turbines which was surprising and including a twin ME 262 which sounded awesome



Anyway signed up, then went direct to a really top model shop and just $500 later walked away with this:



Comes with basic spectrum controller but will be good enough to get me started : )
Gotta say not going to miss all

One thing that has changed in the few (20) years since I was last in the hobby, is the seemingly complete lack of actual aircraft kits and it was the building I enjoy more than the actual flying.

Also not sure if being overly paranoid as this is first foray into LiPo... but I'm leaving thr batteries on a metal chair in a "fire proof" bag outside until I get a metal ammo container when Ill then store them in the garage. Can I ask what/where/how other people store/charge their batteries?

[Brother D]

kimducati said:

Re: Lipo's I do all of my charging / storage in the (integral to the house) garage, as I have no other option.
I always keep a close eye on things during charging, and I store them in a metal tool box.
You don't need to treat them like UXB's necessarily, but always be aware of what could happen in the worst case scenario and have a plan of how to deal with it.
I don't want to say that I've never had a problem, because it would be tempting fate, so I won't
Kim
Eta good choice with the Apprentice, it's what got me back into the hobby 10 years ago after a 30+ year break.

Edited by kimducati on Sunday 3rd March 14:25

I have my first 'checkride' tomorrow mornign at the club between work meetings.

I've just ordered one of these so I can keep them in the garage at the house and not worry about them when charging

[Brother D]

Jim H said:

Brother D, apologies in advance for jumping onto your thread.

I sincerely do hope you don’t mind.

I thought I’d update as the Acro Wot is coming along a treat.

Fuselage is 99.9 % complete. Wings are glued together, just need final sanding and covering.

Then it’s a case of firing up the OS.

Ha not at all keep us updated! You know I think I may have to copy you - I see they can run batteries as well now

[Brother D]

Jim H said:

Hello Brother D.

I hope all is well with you? I’ve had it fired up over the weekend. Took a bit at first as it’s a brand new engine. I got there in the end. Bloody hell it’s got some poke, I could hardly hang on to it!

Just got the ailerons to fit, and a bit of final tweaking.

Hi Jim,

Hope all is well with you too - that looks fantastic!

I've just started on a 1/4 scale cub build, but I think I'll order an acro-wot when I'm next in the UK and bring it back after seeing yours : )



Actually a question - The models I've built before have been on smaller scale and I think I just used a pine board, and for this build I got a cheap flat solid core door laid flat on a frame I built (the plans still don't fully fit on it)...

Any recommendations out there on a rubber-mat style surface I can use? Fingers are killing me with how hard the door surface is to put pins in

[Brother D]

tr7v8 said:

I'll update my builds in a week or two. What I am using is a piece of kitchen worksurface with self adhesive cork tiles on it. These take pins pretty well & the surface will never warp or twist. If the tiles get to ragged then I'll put another layer on it. The 10mm cork tiles came from Amazon.
Typically you don't need a big enough surface for the whole plan as you'll build say wings, then fuselage & then tail feathers. So the plan will get moved around the building board as required.

Ok cheers I'll give the tile thing a go

[Brother D]

Skeptisk said:

That is fabulous!

I am thinking about taking up RC. When I was a child I used to build models: started with airfix, then to gliders and finally onto control line (RC was too expensive). Gave it up when I was around 13/14 and haven’t build anything in the following 40 odd years. However it looks like I will have more time going forward and thinking about building something again.

Does anyone fly control line anymore? I liked the physical connection to the plane and you didn’t need too much space.

I might switch to RC. I suppose first step will be to join a club and get some advice.

I haven't seen control line in years! I had a little plastic cessa 152 powered by a little cox motor and remember that being quite fun. Actually from memory there was control-line park not far from the main football ground in barcelona. I was always interested in the pulsejet control line models seen in books : )

[Brother D]

Baron Greenback said:

Applogies not my vid but Cleatus MacFarland just posted a visit to fly with Tyler Perry and RamyRC, different world the RC shed is 3 times bigger than my house.

https://youtu.be/cAoajJkVmlQ?si=5I0yAQMq0FusuQeG

Watched that yesterday - I was wondering how Remy RC afforded a giant hanger for his models!

Wish more celebs if they have STEM interests would be more public about it to get kids interested - the average age of my Arizona club must be 65/70 at least! The only other celeb I know who is into RC Aircraft is Vernon Kay

[Brother D]

tr7v8 said:

I have been recommissioning my squadron over the past few days. Last time I flew was 20 years ago.

That's a nice collection - I had to give away my models many years ago and with constant relocation it's hard to spend time on the hobby of building (and current location of Utah has no real places to fly from apart from parks), so I've had to settle for a couple of park flyers:

The Night Vapor I can just about fly around the lounge here,





I've yet to fly the cub as I expect that will need a bit more room and it's still snowing/raining here

[Brother D]

Jim H said:

Sorry there are not many photos, it’s all a bit hectic on a maiden. My mate on the camera gets more nervous than me - and he’s not on the sticks!

That's fab you got some airtime and congrats! Just waiting for weather to cooperate here to get outside

[Brother D]

Jim H said:

Good evening BD and others!

Another great night with the Acro. Confidence building all the time with every flight (that’s 4 now). And both landings tonight without breaking off the undercarriage.

I’d dialled in a bit more extra flaps on the aileron mixer which slowed it up much better. However, I’m sure you must understand at this stage, every flight is a ‘Test Flight’.

It flys awesome, the first flight was extremely uncomfortable. I was so nervous. However tonight I was really starting to throw it around.

I dunno if you can tell, but I fly from a mountainous ridge. I was having enough confidence to dive below the deck into the valley below and come out ‘ Mach Loop’ style!

I’ve got a few videos of the flights, but I don’t know how to upload. I guess this platform only caters for photos?

And I’d have to upload to a site like YouTube? And I haven’t got a clue about all that malarkey!

I just realized seeing the acrowot side-on that the undercarrage was a bent bit of aluminium right?

I think easiest way to upload videos would be to youtube and link to that. Now that I've seen your build I will deffo have to buy the kit and bring back next time in the UK : ) Although I'm converted to electric so would need to look into how that works...

[Brother D]

Jim H said:

What’s critical on an RC glider is keeping the mass minimal.

C of G on most RC aircraft tends to be around a third back from the leading edge of the wing. A break in the fuselage aft of that point was always going to be a tricky repair. To keep the mass down and maintain structural rigidity.

Admittedly it’s not flown yet. And it may need some weight in the nose.

But it’s all good fun!

Spitfire stories are coming soon.

Crikey - I had a "Precedent"(?) trainer that I crashed a few times - by the end I think it consisted of around 50% glass fiber by construction replacing the balsa. If memory recalls it's final was being launched off the roof on fire (sans electronics naturally). Expected an explosion on crashing but

[Brother D]

Jim H said:

Hello folks,
The Acro Wot flew too but has developed a big fuel leak , probably a pin prick in the fuel supply.

Fixing them both now.

Hopefully get the Spitfire up next week.

FYI Public announcement - turns out JIM H has been uncovered as a shill for "Big Balsa".

He uses complex social media manipulation that results in you buying the Chriss-Foss Acrowot kit (that you've been after for years) and will have to explain to your other half that you will simply have to build (under protest) and enjoy flying.





(I hope this fits in my suitcase back to the USA - and if there are any building tips Jim H could share that would be appreciated).

[Brother D]

Jim H said:

Oooof. Bloody hell I’ve been rumbled

Great choice Brother D, fantastic model. Not the quickest to build, but nothing too complicated. And, most importantly a joy to build and fly.

Unfortunately I started in this thread a little late through my Acro build - it was nearing completion.

Absolutely no problem at all over tips and advice on your build, I’d enjoy doing so 100 %.

Let’s hope it fits in the suitcase, and the earache you may receive is not too extreme.;)

Thanks Jim - will deffo be in the thread asking for advice come build time!

[Brother D]

Jim H said:

Good afternoon folks, I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Right, I’ve gone against my reasoned wisdom. The BIG thumping 55 - I’ve managed to shoe horn in.

I just couldn’t wait to get it started.

I had it running last night. I mean, you honestly can’t fault the quality of OS engines - it was running second flick. They really do sell themselves. Awesome engines.

I’ve had a few IC nitro glow engines in my experience, nothing, but nothing beats the quality of OS. They just work.

Last night was cowl off, it required a bit of trimming around the cylinder head (5mm). Everything is looking good now.



I’ve been let down a bit today by the courier, I was expecting a new big prop for it. I’ll be firing it up later for a ‘rich’ low rev tank-full.

Ear plugs in, big leather glove (yeah it can bite).

My poor neighbours !

Looks fantastic Jim - you'll need more aeroplane with that engine : )

I swear I used to have an OS motor that had a small fuel pump(?) mounted to the crankcase (which I never got to use and ended up selling to fund going to Uni). I'm guessing that was more of a gimmick and the engines don't really need a fuel pump?