Did you Fly today?

[19000rpm]

As a matter of fact I spent yesterday afternoon working on a super cub demonstrator for some new parkflyer sized skis I'm developing. Although I'm not looking forward to winter I may as well make the best of it.

I'm going to try skis on a couple of the jets this year. I'm going to need to be very careful about the conditions I operate in though, or I'll be blowing fans by inhaling chunks of ice.

[Doozer]

I flew last night and a funny thing happened....

I got one pack through the Cermark Gee Bee and had just started warming up the engine on the Reactor when out of the blue, cars start pulling up. They pulled all the way up to where I had my "pit," (my folding table behind my car next to the dead end barriers), and they started smiling. I said hello, and they said "hi," and then there was this moment of awkward silence. So I asked the obvious question, "do you guys fly," and with a big smile they both answered "yes!"

My oldest son (24) had come with me just to hang out. He's a bit of a fitness freak and had gone off on a run in the desert while I was fueling and warming up the Reactor. Another car rolls up, and before I knew it I was surrounded by 5 strangers, 4 men and one women. All of them not saying a word, just watching what I was doing... it was a bit surreal.

On queue, the engine stalls. The night before I had changed the servo travel on my throttle servo so I'd have minimal throttle trim, and it was idling very low. So I reset the travel back to where it was, and the next thing I know there's this stranger handing me my starter and grabbing the top wing of my plane to hold it for me so I could start it. He did that so I could start my plane safely. He said, "I couldn't find your glow plug." I responded with a smile and said "It's gas!" I explained to him that I actually use Coleman camping fuel, and they looked a little surprised but didn't say anything. I told them why I use it and they seemed o.k. with that explanation.

So I got it started and the whole time he's holding it so I could get the plane idling as it should. We hadn't even introduced ourselves yet. I get the plane idling @ 1700 rpms, pump the throttle a few times then tap him and give him the thumbs up. He backs away and I take off. They give me my space but I can hear them talking between themselves and commenting on my plane.

After I landed I get the whole story. It seems as if their club of 250 members had disbanded for some reason, and they were out looking for a place to fly. They had been told by a policeman that they should try out where I was flying. They asked me how I found the place and I said "Google Earth." I could see them look at each other like "why didn't we think of that," and one of them said "I've driven 150 miles around Phoenix looking for a place like this.

Having been a surfer most of my life, I know the beauty of having place where I could come in solitude and get my fill of waves without having to worry about other people. We don't talk about our secret spots so they stay uncrowded. So I said to them, "this is like a good fishin' spot," and gave them a wink. For some reason I didn't think they'd understand the surfing analogy. We talked for 15 minutes or so about planes and helicopters, and then they left to go get pizza. It was at this point that we introduced ourselves.

I had gone out into the desert to fly because I'd rather not be a part of a club, and a club found me.... It was really pretty cool and I had a great time.

[Doozer]

Flew again this evening. No new friends today. Here's a shortened video of a 12 minute flight with the Reactor:

I'm going to post the full version in the Build post, but It will be the last video of the Reactor until I start doing some low passes. That wont happen until I trust that the engine wont flame out, and I can feel more power coming from it (another gallon or so). I'll continue to video when I can, but unless there's something worthwhile to post, I don't feel like wasting hard disk space. BTW the take off was with the elevator on high rates.

Also, I'm done bringing the Stinson to the field. It's all beat up and doesn't fly for Sh!t. I flew it for the last time tonight, and it's officially a "Hangar Queen." I'll probably retire the Fantasy Racer soon too. Mainly because I'll have a gas version of it soon, and I'm not too fond of the constant charging of batteries and the extremely short flights.

[19000rpm]

Nov 6, 2012 9:16:02 GMT -6 Doozer said:

I flew last night and a funny thing happened....

I got one pack through the Cermark Gee Bee and had just started warming up the engine on the Reactor when out of the blue, cars start pulling up. They pulled all the way up to where I had my "pit," (my folding table behind my car next to the dead end barriers), and they started smiling. I said hello, and they said "hi," and then there was this moment of awkward silence. So I asked the obvious question, "do you guys fly," and with a big smile they both answered "yes!"

My oldest son (24) had come with me just to hang out. He's a bit of a fitness freak and had gone off on a run in the desert while I was fueling and warming up the Reactor. Another car rolls up, and before I knew it I was surrounded by 5 strangers, 4 men and one women. All of them not saying a word, just watching what I was doing... it was a bit surreal.

On queue, the engine stalls. The night before I had changed the servo travel on my throttle servo so I'd have minimal throttle trim, and it was idling very low. So I reset the travel back to where it was, and the next thing I know there's this stranger handing me my starter and grabbing the top wing of my plane to hold it for me so I could start it. He did that so I could start my plane safely. He said, "I couldn't find your glow plug." I responded with a smile and said "It's gas!" I explained to him that I actually use Coleman camping fuel, and they looked a little surprised but didn't say anything. I told them why I use it and they seemed o.k. with that explanation.

So I got it started and the whole time he's holding it so I could get the plane idling as it should. We hadn't even introduced ourselves yet. I get the plane idling @ 1700 rpms, pump the throttle a few times then tap him and give him the thumbs up. He backs away and I take off. They give me my space but I can hear them talking between themselves and commenting on my plane.

After I landed I get the whole story. It seems as if their club of 250 members had disbanded for some reason, and they were out looking for a place to fly. They had been told by a policeman that they should try out where I was flying. They asked me how I found the place and I said "Google Earth." I could see them look at each other like "why didn't we think of that," and one of them said "I've driven 150 miles around Phoenix looking for a place like this.

Having been a surfer most of my life, I know the beauty of having place where I could come in solitude and get my fill of waves without having to worry about other people. We don't talk about our secret spots so they stay uncrowded. So I said to them, "this is like a good fishin' spot," and gave them a wink. For some reason I didn't think they'd understand the surfing analogy. We talked for 15 minutes or so about planes and helicopters, and then they left to go get pizza. It was at this point that we introduced ourselves.

I had gone out into the desert to fly because I'd rather not be a part of a club, and a club found me.... It was really pretty cool and I had a great time.

That is quite the story. Hope these turn out to be some good guys, 'cause it sounds like they're going to be hanging around.

[flighterr]

Had pathetic weather here for the past few days so I have been stuck just flying my mini 3 channels around the house.

[19000rpm]

Better than not flying at all.

[Doozer]

Flew today in 75 degree ambient with a light, cool breeze. Flew four 12 minute flights with the Reactor, but hammered the "Beast" nose in. I guess the side walk where I plugged in the battery had a slant in it because it took off and went knife edge almost straight away. I tried to correct but it went inverted and I dumb thumbed it into the dirt. Pretty sure I can fix it, though it may not be worth it. We'll see

I swear these planes are a people magnet. There's not a soul out there, not even a drive by for the first 45 minutes. But right when I'm getting ready to land the Reactor, this bicyclist comes out of no where from behind me. Luckily I touched down well before him and managed a power slide to avoid hitting him. I was amazed how well the Reactor pulled it off. I thought he or the plane was a goner... both survived and I made another friend.

Good day at the "Field." On track to purchase the Aeroworks Ultimate mid February. I'll keep ya posted.

[Doozer]

Actually I meant to ask a question too. I seem to be getting some roll with only rudder input. I tried it attempting a hammerhead with my right hand completely off the stick, and it rolled before the hammerhead was complete. Just wondering if you guys have a clue what's going on?

[akphill]

In a hammerhead the tail is the only wing flying and if I am not mistaken the tail is not plum with the airframe as it counter reacts the engine torque while in flight.

Thus it will give you some spin when your down and dirty.

I do the same thing in full scale stalls and spins great fun.

( course it could be your rudder not straight)

[Doozer]

Thanks Phil! I'll recheck my rudder. So I should give it a little roll the opposite direction to get that "flat" look? Or maybe I was not straight up and down when I went into the stall.... (which is likely).

I really love flying this plane. It does whatever I ask it to do at low rates. I think flying it in high rates would ruin that "smooth" flight appeal.

Also, I changed the prop from a 14X10 to a 15X10. The DLE 20 is rated for 14X10 to 17X8. It just seemed that the power wasn't there with the 15X10. I thought longer prop/ same bite would equal more power, especially since I'm well within the power band of the engine. Any thoughts?

[19000rpm]

If everything is straight up it should drop without roll. Having said that, if you can't find the mechanical cause it can be solved with aileron like you've already deduced.

BTW, I've been flying the reactor on realflight. I love it!

[akphill]

longer prop may not give you what your looking for.

For more power use bigger pitch for faster speed use less pitch.

Instead of a 10 pitch go 12 pitch will give a lot more power but the model will not fly thru the air as fast/

As to where you drop pitch down to 8 you will have a rocket on you hands.

figuring out prop science is really just trying several props and finding out which prop gives you what you want.

[fergie]

finally got a whole weekend off, and the first 70deg day of the year....yep i'm flying today

[Doozer]

Yes.... and no....


I brought two planes to the field/street/flying spot. I brought the Gee Bee Foamy and the Sukhoi. My son and I went over the checklist before we left, radio bag...check; radio tray...check; battery bag...check; planes and wing for Sukhoi ....check; Gas can...check; camera... check; Starter...check. We've got it all. So when we get there I pull out the Sukhoi wing and it hits me.... wing bolts..."F&*K" Normally I screw them into the holes on the fuse, but not this time. My son says, "you should keep spares in your bag." I wanted to smack him.

I contemplate going home and going back out tomorrow, but I was there and so was my Gee Bee. So I pop in the 25C 4S 2500 and that thing took off like a shot cat. Literally I think it rolled maybe two feet before it was in the air. It tossed small rocks at my shins and they hurt. Now, I've only flown this battery once before, and for 4 minutes and pulled off 1300 mA. Since it was a fresh battery, It was my intent to do that again. However, murphy got in the way, and I hit the wrong switch instead of the timer. It was the elevator switch and I didn't have dual rates set up so no biggie. I keep flying and flying and that internal clock goes off and says "hey you've been in the air for a while," so I called my son over and asked him to check the timer. "It's @ 3:46 seconds and not moving." Great.... so I land it, but then I see it... the magic smoke. I let the genie out of the bottle.

I have a 75AMP Castle from my electric heli days. Whaddaya think?

[19000rpm]

Murphy rides in the backseat everytime we go to fly.

That Castle ought to work. You may need to reprogram it for the plane since it's set up for a heli.