January 2019 - rcmnews.com · Print cover price $9.95 Australia Print Post PP 100009283 rcmnews.com Edition #152 January 2019 RCM News Racing’s 60cc Flying with Dan Spooling Up

Print cover price $9.95

Australia Print Post PP 100009283 rcmnews.com

Edition #152January 2019

RCM News Racing’s 60cc Flying with Dan Spooling UpRPA Flight Ops Flying Futaba

Dawn Patrol World of Foam Optic Nerve

Severin 1/4 Scale Bleriot edges nearer

Very Impressive FMS 3 metre Fox EP foamy Self Service Aviation for the public Hangar Queen RescueDots Day

Five Buddy Box Bargains left

Radio Control Model News free digital edition # 152 January 2019 2

acercmodels.comacercmodels.com

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Radio Control Model News free digital edition # 152 January 2019 �

13 The Flying Fox 26 Flying Futaba32 World of Foam

Reviews

Contents Issue #152 January 2019

16 RPA Flight Ops20 Spooling Up23 Flying with Dan30 Dawn Patrol

5 The Leading Edge 8 Channel Chatter 25 Optic Nerve 24 RCM News Subscriptions

5 Dot’s Day9 Hangar Queen Rescue16 Self Serve Aviation18 RCM News Racing 60cc

Events / Articles Columns Editorial

Ace RC Models ...........................3AeroFlight Model Australia ... IBCAirborne Plans Service .................FPV Australia ............................17

Futaba Australia .................. OBC Futaba Pro Shop ...................... 35Hobbyrama .............................. 12Mongrel Gear .......................... 17

Perth R/C Models .................. 7/12Power Grunt Hobbies ............... 12RC Depot ................................. 22RC World ................................. 11

RCGF Engines ......................... 19RCM News Disclaimer ............ 31RCM News Subscriptions ..... 2� Wolf Models ........................ 19,22

Advertisers Index

32 30

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23

13 16

20

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Saturday March 9

Dot’s Day

In conjunction with Ansett Aviation Training,Captain Grahame Goodson, Ace Hobby Distributors, to inspire young people into aero-modelling the Green Family would liketo extend our invitation to two P&DARCSrecently first solo RC pilots to a Class D Flight Simulator experience and RC Flight Training to participate in the FMS World of Foam airmanship segment at Sandown

Dot Green with the Ivan Kristensen Saturn F3a design, YS 6o Schnurle engine, Sankyo SP7N Digital Radio, Fliteline Distributors fibreglass and foam kit

Radio Control Model News free digital edition # 152 January 2019 �

The pagination needle valve setting should have been leaned right out two years ago and I have packed as much as I can into this edition. Operating Futaba Pro Shop will affect content in a positive way. Waiting on the Display Permit for Sandown and MAAA Insurance to operate as a commercial RC flying instructor, I am no longer worried about those activities being thwarted. If I was President of a model club or association for a day what would I do? I’ve got plenty of ideas but for the time being I’ve had quite enough to say. Have quite a lot to do so Feb-ruary and March issues will have a guest editorial.

Hard to believe I turn �0 this month. With all that finally off my chest I’m done dealing with Fokkers. Time to start having some fun with the hobby again. Most days I do the Dawn Patrol but hankering to build something in balsa again.

Leading EdgeThe “analogue” edition won’t arrive until after the 7th of January. The first email in Channel Chatter made me change my mind about getting of the print magazine business. Hopefully this editorial will answer the readers’s (Ian) comment on the “politics”. At the request of a Club President a few articles dealing with a few old “Fokkers” highlights one the biggest challenges for Model Aircraft Clubs. Getting old guys (older than me) to stop discouraging beginners and just fly whatever bought the newbie into the hobby in the first place. Things change, usually for the better. For example, none of my four children have driven a car without power steering. If the FMS three metre glider offers any indication of where industry is at, expect more foam. Big foam. The opening paragraph in World of Foam offers my observation of one of its main selling features.

My early introduction to RC aeromodelling included calling for my Father in F3a aerobatics and F3D pylon. The four biggest names were John McGrane, Tom Prosser, Ron DeChastel and Dad. Fierce competitors who wouldn’t be seen dead flying other people’s designs. Not afraid to voice a strong opinion either. Being in the business Ron and Dad differed slightly to Tom and Johhno. Dad used to try other types just in case they may have come up with a better mousetrap.

So what has happened to big events? Affordable insurance and freshly cut grass may be the most important issues for the majority of club members but if declining mem-bership continues, fees will have

CONTACT Editor Stephen Green Contributing editors Byron Simpson Ken Thomas Dean Williams David Hipperson Peter Mather Daniel Wheeler John Aramego Keith Quigg Damien Mould Michael Timms STAFF WRITERS Optic Nerve Stuart Claire Stunt Pilot WG Gilderslag RCM News Racing Aussie Bush Flying Captain Cluster Thumbs Logistics Michael Green FAI Air Medal Brian Green Proof Reader Charlie 89 Public Relations Peter Hammond Advertiser Complaints Mr Cohen Advertising & Editorial: Control Tower 03 9484 3428 Hangar 0418 662 557 Email [email protected] Print edition is by subscription Recommended and maximum cover price print edition $9.95 Digital Free FLYBOYS PUBLISHING PO Box 375 Northcote 3070

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to go up or new ways of generating income must be found. It has taken two decades to achieve my goal of doing a big event. One that will continue to grow. It’s the RCM News way of putting back into the hobby. On a national basis. Chewed through a bit of goodwill using this magazine in the process to prevent the event being white anted but I think I they will leave me alone now. Dealing with a few one percenters sitting on club and association executives who are in the model business of selling stuff has been part of that. Is it too much to expect they follow the rules expected of us?

Whether it be at club level or beyond what happens behind the scenes is a labour of love for the small number who put their hand up to volunteer. One mistake with Cobram Air Races was making it look too easy. Are you a club presi-dent? Want some relief from nervous nellies telling you what you are doing wrong and offer no alternative? Meet Pinchu. Keyboard warrior on RC Groups Australia who specialises in what is wrong with MAAA. Never met the bloke. His credentials be-ing the trial by video comments on Sandown 2015. One more “expert” who can’t cut it when the wind starts blowing. To start the new year in a positive way I shot this short one take video on my You Tube Channel to inspire the great man to conduct his own airshow.

Click this link.

This is The don’T leT The fokkers shooT you down magazine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6uI0-yomT4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6uI0-yomT4

Perth R/C Models (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. has won many awards as Australia’s No.1 hobby retailer over the years

especially 2003 from Australian Toy & Hobby Fair

Brian Simpson has been involved in hobbies all his life. Brian has competed in Australian National

and State Championships in many categories as a former National and

State Champion in Radio Control Aerobatics F3C. Brian has had many

years’ experience in R/C model boats, cars, airplanes and helicop-ters. In 1995, he participated the F3C Helicopter World Champion-ship in Japan. Brian has flown the Australian National and State F3C helicopter titles many times. Our

staff members are made up mainly of experienced R/C modelers in all categories, many of them State and

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Channel Chatter(AFTER READING THIS LETTER I CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT NOT DOING THE PRINT EDITION. ED)

Hello Stephen, I just received your letter enclosed with the last issue, and have to say I’m sorry to hear that the [printed] magazine will be no more. I’ll have to find something else to read with my morning cup of tea now!

I don’t imagine that there is much remaining of my subscription, so if you would like to put it towards a charity that’s fine by me. If it’s one that is something to do with young people learning to fly/build planes, then all the better. I might be old school [perhaps like you] but I la-ment the loss of kids having a go and making do with whatever they can scrounge up, and learning invaluable mental and hand skills along the way.

It’s all too easy to buy it all pretty much fully made up and just plug in and go. However, times change, and there’s not a lot we can do about that.I took up the radio control hobby when I turned �0 [now �3], and count myself fortunate that having a background in electronics and mechanics, I was mostly able to teach myself. The actual flying was a bit harder [still can’t fly helis], but as I’m a couple of hours away from both clubs in the Sunshine coast area, I had no other option. I have a bit of fun, and learn a lot, so that’s the main thing.

One comment about the maga-zine-there is obviously a lot more club activity down south, and while it would be great to have this op-portunity, there is also clearly a lot of “politics” going on. But to me [the innocent reader “up north”], I haven’t got a clue what it’s all about. I real-ize that you’ve been around in the industry for a long time,and clearly know your stuff-and you also clearly aren’t afraid to speak your mind. This apparently upsets quite a few of ”the natives”, and sometimes I imagine this is at great cost to yourself.

I think what I’m really trying to say in this rant, is it’s a pity the print magazine is gone, I don’t understand all the politics and don’t really want to, but I hope RCM will continue to survive in the digital format, and I also hope that your Futabashop busi-ness is successful as well.

Thanks for all I’ve learnt over the last three or so years. Kind Regards from Qld. (name withheld)

Hi Stephen, I would like you to donate the balance of my subscrip-tion to charity or if you prefer you can buy yourself a beer. Thank you for your magazine. Sad to see it go. Thanks NSW (name withheld)

Hi StephenSorry the print copy has to stop I will continue with the Digital mag. Please send in any money remaining to charity. NSW (Name Withheld).

I will miss the high gloss print edition of RCM News and I guess I can make do with a digital version with the latest

information and news, on the basis that it will be better than nothing. I do not think there is much left of my subscription and would be happy for any remaining balance to be donated to a charity of your choice. I look forward to your next digital edition. (name withheld)Sorry to here about the print magazine. Will have to get used to the digital format. The local paper here has a digital price of half the print paper. So looks like a lot of print is going this way. If I have any subscription outstanding please refund through PayPal. Thanks to both Brian and yourself for 150 editions of a great Australian magazine. From Qld. (name witheld)

I bought the subscription for my husband, George, and he is disappointed that there will be no more magazines. I do not wish for a refund, please donate it to charity. NSW (name witheld) I think we need to pick our fights carefully. By that I mean, our fight is not amongst ourselves - as aeromodellers (eg, MAAA v’s AMAS) our fight is with other hobbies competing for the consumer dollar (eg. computer games, mountain biking, golf), that is where we need to direct our energy, and play to our respective strengths. Your Dad is right, the world is changing, and the trick is to identify the change and adapt. Cheers from Tasmania, (name withheld)If you see an SE-5a (Parkzone) for sale in your travels, could you let me know please, I am interested in purchasing. Thanks, Mark Bishop. Vic.

I did a report for RCM News about Tucson Shootout and our travels. I was talking to a young guy I sponsor Josh Bayes, as a kid he read the article and it inspired him to one day fly at the Tucson Shootout, which he eventually did. He also came 2nd in Unlimited in our IMAC National Championships this year in Victoria. I was having a beer with Josh the other night and he told how it influenced him. Awesome to think that we can have that effect on people. Steve Richardson RC Depot. (A former Victorian. Ed)

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Hangar QueenRescue

How many models have you started only to run into a problem, put it aside and start another project? Flying Grahame Goodson’s Bleriot across the Port Phillip Bay as a publicity stunt for Sandown 2015 never happened but the day this gorgeous model takes to the sky is getting closer. GG recently moved house and the model ended up at my place until his garage gets sorted. He may have trouble getting it back. He downsized his car too and it won’t fit in the new one. Wife Jan likes this model so if it happens that it is to be hoisted up near the ceiling as decor, my van may not be reliable enough to take precious cargo and make the trip to Geelong. That’s the official line I’m peddling so it remains here for the duration. Impressive kit, it’s a gorgeous model.

CompliCaTing simpliCiTy? The Bleriot deserves the best so why not put it in but does this simple aeroplane need to be crammed full of technology? This is where my KISS (keep it simple stupid) clashes with Grahame’s propensity to support the hobby trade with purchasing prowess. The magnetic on off switch hidden from view is lovely but I have to fumble to find the right place for the magnet to work. Forget that red Emcotec flag and that plane is grounded. One decision I definitely agree with is the choice of servos. Wing warping in particular. Rather than do it as recommended, running cable through the control

column so it works in tandem seems a good idea. But it plays havoc with the centring. I’m betting bumping the stick laterally a few times after rolling out of a turn will be required. The high voltage rudder servo is so fast waggling the stick rapidly moves some air. Might be handy to clear the fence should the engine quit.

Which was a bone of contention. GG had a 1500cc fuel tank custom built for the flight. Nice job except the clunk was too long. As it swung side to side it hit the end of the tank. Which would be excaberated when the Tygon fuel tubing grows longer after being soaked in petrol. Tygon does that. So we opened it up for some key hole surgery. Unfortunately for me, against GG’s advice to double check, I measured the cover plate incorrectly. It was a smidgen short. Despite repeated attempts we cannot get it to seal. Insofar as this project is

concerned my name forever remains mud. It must be put on the record that my blanket refusal to fly the aeroplane unless the clunk was shortened was the right thing to do. And so the tank still has to be sorted.

Next problem to overcome is age related. Not us. We both know we are not getting any younger. The battery packs are four years old. Fit one good battery pack to drive four high voltage servos? No not Grahame. A pair of Powerbox packs helped with the ballast but should they stay or should they go? Now we get the biggest problem. How to accurately describe the tailplane isn’t it. Neither a conventional elevator nor an all flying stab Grahame questioned the manufacturer re the choice of a steel tube for the outboard all flying tailplane. Rightly so. Had it needed a carbon tube built by the people who build America’s Cup racing yachts Grahame would have it done.

On off switch hidden from viewGrunt where it’s needed


Assured it wasn’t a problem turned out to be a big misnomer. Which spoilt the build experience somewhat. I cannot see on the plans what engine Severin recommends but to keep this plane original as supplied by the manufacturer, with steel tube, the engine should be made out of the same material.

GG was considering a scale Ansani engine but was a little reluctant after his Gnome didn’t produce the power claimed. But it did run. Looking forward to firing up the Saito triple. Out of sight, out of mind makes pressing on without the owner’s propensity to replace something if there is doubt a component is not operating at 100%

Moving control wheel is nice but adds drag to control system

somewhat easier. As does not flying it out of a boat across the bay. Should we ever use it for publicity I have an alternate plan. A simple plan. Right now I just want to see it come off the Hangar Queen list. First off out come the battery packs to make room for more lead. Ready for Shepparton next year. Where have I heard that before? sTanding behind The produCT I don’t believe in the “Customer is always right adage.” Quite often they are not. It doesn’t happen very often but if a reader complains to me about a deal that hasn’t worked out with one of my advertisers I usually let the principal of the firm know. Whether it is selling a product or a service a good idea is to

never assume you know who you are dealing with and what never ceases to annoy and amaze me is when I hear of a customer reporting a problem and the response is “We’ve never had that happen before”. That could be true but it doesn’t address the problem”. The day after I test flew Grahame’s 1/4 scale Severin Piper Cub the weld on the internal elevator horn let go. That model featured on the cover of issue. I test flew off the beach and over Bass Straight, remained within gliding distance. As long as it doesn’t jam in the down trim position losing elevator on a Cub isn’t necessarily a catastrophic failure. All the bloke had to do was post out a ten dollar bellcrank and the customer would have been happy. Beautiful kits for sure but after that response I was surprised when GG bought the Bleriot.

Sales speak such as “It should be alright” often translates to the person on the other end of the phone not knowing the answer. Which is the category I put the elevator tube enquiry on the Bleriot in. Getting up to speed with product knowledge for Futaba if I don’t know I just say so and find out. Dad has been building a 1/4

1500 cc tank for duration

Hangar Queen Rescue


Hangar Queen Rescue

Four years old and flatscale Cessna Airmaster. Purchased the Jerry Bates plan and a short kit which was cut in Australia. The dihedral was wrong. Initially fobbed off by the kit cutter who stated he can only cut the files he was supplied. Depending on how the kit cutter operates and how the deal was struck but there is some truth to that. Contacted the designer who fobbed him off to the point Dad was told he didn’t know what he was doing.

After posting his experience on a build forum he conversed with a chap in Sth

Australia who had received a revised set of wing ribs for that model. So there was a problem. Why couldn’t the manufacturer do the same for Dad? Rather than bother with the guy again he cut a few ply spacers and redid it himself. I would have published this anecdote earlier but waited until the engine cowling arrived from USA. Which it did. So everyone’s happy. Apparently it was made in Brazil. Another problem was the wing tube. The local kit cutter, who doesn’t advertise with me, insisted no wing tube was supplied with the short kit.

Undercarriage tubes filled with lead shot

Should have not taken the manufacturer’s advice and replaced the steel tube with carbon

The wing tube that wasn’t supplied that arrived in the carton was incorrect.

A few years back I wrote an article titled “Know what your are buying” after the late Jim Brennan got the run around with a clearly defective ESM Hawker Typhoon WW11 fighter. A 1/4 inch warp in the centre section was the main bone of contention. When assembled the whole trailing edge on one side was �.5mm (1/� inch) higher than the other. After a bit of to and fro Jim got most of his money back. Not all of it. A week later a post on social media to the effect the model had been test flown and flew perfectly. No footage was posted. I have never seen the noted scale chap who made that claim fly but seriously, no one is that good. I no longer accept advertising from that firm. Dad purchased Coverall from what looks to be firm that specialises in

https://www.rcworld.com.au/


Jerry Bates Plans Service could good do with a little guidance on cus-tomer relations

upsetting people. After enquiring when the goods would arrive he received a very abusive email from the guy. A couple of my friends have had a similar experience. I don’t think it was because RCM News was mentioned but it may have helped because the goods did arrive. I won’t accept advertising from that firm either. In sales you never know who you are dealing with. Dad and Jim were Licensed Aircraft

Hangar Queen Rescue

Maintanence Engineers. Airframe and engine endorsments up to Lockheed Electra and Boeing 727. Both competed at World Championship level with their own designs. Dad manufactured balsa/ ply and fibreglass and foam kits. Bit of aquired knowledge there. Both fobbed off by a couple of relative newbies in the business.

If a magazine that a customer paid for doesn’t arrive I post a new one. Recently a Futaba 1� channel receiver never made it to the customer. Organised another.

www.wolfmodels.netQld 07 5465 7897

With over 800 plans to choose from we’re sure to have a plan that suits you

AIRBORNE PLANS SERVICE

1972 Australian F3a Nats winner flown by Phil Kraft. Kitted by Brian

Green and Barry Angus

briCks n morTar hobby shops

By and large the local hobby trade does a pretty good job dealing with defective products. Being is business is hard and despite best intentions sometimes the wheels just fall off and the deal goes pearshaped. Dad has gone off the thing so it remains to be seen if the Cessna moves past Hangar Queen status. Yes, in the first instance one never knows who you are dealing with. An old sales adage is when a customer has a good experience they tell three people. When it’s bad they tell ten. I’ve just told a few thousand more. SG.

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The Flying FMS Fox by Keith Quigg

What makes the full-size Fox glider such an impressive subject for aeromodelling, is that it is primarily designed for aerobatics. Taking to the skies in 1993, the prototype Fox glider boldly went on to win its first world championship just one month later.

As far as I am aware, this production from FMS is the largest foam ARF offered on the market today. There are a couple at the 2.� and 2.7 metre mark, but at 3 metres, this is no indoor chuck glider! With a complete offering of six metal gear servos, a 70 amp ESC, Predator �285 550kv motor, folding 15x7.5 prop and spinner all installed, the Fox glider is indeed ready to fly.

The box contents will impress – a scant few (8 actually, included the 2 spars) large pieces to put together and set up for the evening and dare I say it, with a fine red on hand as well. In fact, the Fox Glider really is one kit that you could pick up at your local store and head off to the field should you wish. There is a well detailed, ten page English manual included to help you along as well.

Once the inner foam package box is removed, a few pieces of sturdy foam

FMS 3 Metre Fox Glider PNP (pics by Keith Quigg)wedges are removed, but don’t discard them, in fact don’t throw any of the box away. The fuselage is in two pieces with the rear tailplane simply plugged into the main part. Elevator and rudder servo leads are joined, the carbon rod inserted into the hole and the joint is complete by a quick twist and locking of the assembly. The elevators are then slid into place and secured with a spring loaded pin. All very secure with no signs of movement.

Each wing is then slid onto the main spar and into the fuselage. A pair of substantial guiding spars support the wings which then lock into a bevelled arm. A firm push is required to allow the wings to “click” into place. No

servo lead connections are required as there is a multiplex type plug installed in the wing and fuselage.

Next up, installing and programming the radio equipment probably took longer than it took to assemble the airframe. I used the excellent Futaba R7008SB 8/18 channel S-Bus receiver in the Fox and by following the labels on the leads, all went according to plan. I did not even need to reverse any functions. A small amount of final trim was needed on the elevators and rudder to achieve centres which I completed from the transmitter.

Further to the electronics, I also installed the Futaba SBS-01C telemetry current

Model just snaps together and can be stored in the carton Two 6S LiPos

Radio Control Model News free digital edition # 152 January 2019 1�

sensor to keep tabs on the battery capacity and on-board current as well as the Futaba SBS-02A atmosphere (altitude) sensor. Both of these sensors simply plug into the S-Bus2 port of the R7008SB receiver with no additional binding required. With an aircraft like this Fox carrying a reasonably large lithium battery, I think that some form of capacity monitoring is important to keep the discharge within acceptable limits. Large packs are not cheap and constant discharging to very low levels can easily lead to cell failure. Given the pack was a �200 mAh capacity, I set the voice warning on the 18SZ to alert me when I had reached �800 mAh and when it exceeded �0 amps current through the ESC.

The LiPo was installed within the straps inside the forward fuselage and

this gave me a satisfactory balance point at around 90 to 95 mm from the leading edge. There is a bit of room to move the pack forward or aft should it be needed. I set the throws to the recommendations in the manual and with a quick check of the controls and a little elevator compensation mixed into the flaps, it was time to head off to the field to give the Fox its freedom.

As mentioned, this is not a small airframe and I would strongly advise that you enlist someone to hand launch it. All up flying weight with the 6S �200 LiPo was just under 5 kilograms so it’s no light weight. The underside of the fuselage is also very smooth so a two handed grip near the main wheel and tail wheel is ideal. The weather at VARMS was somewhat overcast with around 10 to 15 kph of wind down

the strip, but there were parts of blue sky interspersed so I was confident of getting some decent flight photos as well.

My flying partner Phil Singh was at the ready to conduct the hand launch and with just on half power from the motor, a solid throw was delivered and the big Fox was away. It was no real surprise that it climbed rapidly at that power setting and was not in need of any in flight trim adjustments.

The first few minutes of the flight was made under varying power settings to ascertain the current draw and I found that I could easily exceed the maximum current rating of 70 amps when climbing at full power. Mind you, that climb was almost vertical, so a more sedate climb rate was established with around 50 amps of current being consumed. Much lower power settings for flying in the circuit could be achieved at around 20 to 25 amps.

Up to height now for some power off runs past the strip and some aerobatics. With the weight working for it, it was possible to perform a few basic aerobatics before running out of vertical airspace. Loops, rolls, stall turns and inverted flight presented no issues for the Fox with the power off. A spin was really a spiral dive, so some adjustments to the balance and throws may be necessary to further

Climb attitude at half power More than ample carbon joiner tube

Scoots past the camera


The Flying Foxexplore that. A bit of height again for a downwind past at speed and it gave away the trademark glider whistle as it sped past.

What I did notice was the apparent lack of flex in the large wingspan during flight. The FMS foam appears to be of very decent quality, not unlike the Elapor type of foam employed with the Multiplex range.

I passed the transmitter over to Phil to grab some more in-flight shots and enjoyed watching the Fox being flung around and we both agreed that it was well put together model. Down into the circuit with full flap and an uneventful landing right in front. After a few more launches, I discovered you could easily carry out a touch and go with a little airspeed on finals, touch the mainwheel and off again. Good fun and interesting to watch! Once your flying is done with the Fox, simply remove the wings, tailplane and detach the rear fuselage portion and pack it back into the box. The original packing makes an ideal storage facility and is easy to keep in the back of the car or trailer.

Is there anything I would change with the FMS Fox? Well, probably the included ESC as I did exceed it’s

rating of 70 amps on more than one occasion. The end user can of course refrain from full throttle applications (it is not needed) or re-program the throttle curve to “detune” the motor a little. If you choose that method, I would most definitely be installing a separate receiver battery pack and switch and removing the BEC function from the throttle lead.

Also, to get the most from the combined aileron and flaps, you could separate them and plug them into individual channels to allow full span ailerons and other combinations suitable for gliding, but to be honest, it doesn’t need it.

I am sure the glider purest will no doubt turn a blind eye to the all foam Fox, but taken on face value, this is an excellent model and is lots of fun to punt around the sky. The installed power plant is more than up to the task, although as mentioned, you will need to monitor the current draw at full noise.

With a surprising ability to thermal and plenty of aerobatic punch in its bulky, foam airframe, FMS have entered an as yet untested market with this and the recently release two metre, all foam electric Extra. (Is that a hint? Ed)

whaT’s in The boXAIRCRAFT Fox PNP.MANUFACTURER FMS, China.WINGSPAN 3.0m.AIRFRAME LENGTH 1.87m.CONSTRUCTION EPP foam with carbon spars.FLYING WEIGHT �.7kg.POWER SYSTEM Predator �258 -��0 Kv 15 x 7.5 folding prop 70A ESC. RADIO REQUIRED �ch minimum PILOT STANDARD Intermediate.SUGGESTED RRP $800.00

equipmenT used

Futaba 18 SZ radio with R7008SB 8/18 channel S-Bus receiver, Futaba 01C Current Sensor and Futaba 02A Altitude Sensor. My on-board power source was a single �S �200 mAh Zippy Compact LiPo battery. This power combination drew around 25 amps at 50% throttle setting and �0 to 70 amps at full power.

whaT i liked or noTVery complete package including metal gear servos, high power electric motor. ESC rating may be cause for some concern as the maximum is easily exceeded. Large scale in sturdy, all foam construction. Very easy assembly at the flying field and the airframe can be stored/transported in the original box.

The FMS Fox is distributed to hobby shops by ACE Hobby Distributorswww.acehobbiesaustralia.com.au

Telephone 02 4647 0184

Flapess approachPower on - about to go round


RPA Flight Opswith John Fleming

John writes this regula column but he wasn’t available this month. Rather busy conducting RPAS Training Courses. John is the principal of FPV Australia, a CASA

Certified Training School. ED.

insTanT aviaTion for The masses

In November a story about Drones on the Neil Mitchell program (Melbourne Radio 3AW) was broadcast and woman called in. She was walking along the beach with her two young children and she was tracked by a camera equipped multicopter. After following them for some distance the copter flew away. Which made her feel very uncomfortable. Her question was what could be done about it.

In December the ABC breakfast program recounted a story of some poor schmo who came to the attention of authorites for flying his quadcopter in Mebourne CBD. The approach path to Melbourne Heliport is along the Yarra River but that wasn’t the problem. Whether he didn’t understand the rules or chose to ignore them became problem. His problem. According to a newspaper article the copter lost the transmitter signal and went into Return to Home mode. Unfortunately the Eureka Tower was in the way. Copter smacked into the side. Fined $1000. No

report of any injury but it was reported the CASA “Where Can I Fly App” wasn’t available at the time. Seems a bit of a stretch. It been available for yonks. It would be interesting to know where the copter was purchased. Office Works now has a self service Drone section. Despite considerable time and money spent by CASA promoting Where Can I Fly etc this Office Works has no point of sale information that I could see. Customer pulls the card off the shelf takes it to the counter pays the money and enters the aviation industry. What could possibly go wrong?

The DJi Store in Melbourne Central Shopping Centre lists its Mavic Pro with a 7km range. It is not humanly possible to fly an object that size visually. Which is the main requirement

in Civil Aviation Safety Authority Regulations. The best I’ve achieved is one mile from the TX and that was with a six foot span fixed wing model, when my eyes were eighteen years old.

Will there come the time when a builder using a quad to do his own roof inspections ends up in court and the lawyer lists the company as contributing to the accident by selling him the thing in the first place? Publicly listed companies such as Harvey Norman or Office Works might attract some undesirable attention action peddling aviation to the mass market.

There are so many fantastic uses for this technology when operated by qualified and licensed people. Many who have invested good money for

Pic courtesy Eurka Sky Deck

Spotted two chaps flying a quadcopter above the trams line in High Street Thornbury. Still there after I went home and returned with my SLR


their training, license and equipment and continue to lose income to ignorant or just plain dodgy operators. Insurance companies employing operators to video potential accident claim victims and real estate agencies doing their own thing are a growing problem. A friend of mine has been going through a work related injury claim and the matter is soon the be settled. Recently he has twice spotted a camera pointed his way, from a quadcopter hovering over neighbours’ houses.

One area of considerable concern for some time has been approach and departure paths for helipads. Little to do with the registered model aircraft community which has done the right

thing for years. Years and years of not many reportable incidents we are now dealing with a blanket Australia wide airspace height limitation of �00 feet. Model clubs now operate under a ceiling height extension, should they choose to apply for one.

bi laws offiCers

A few years back RCM News published an OPED written by an Aviation Lawyer who floated the idea that an effective way to police rogue operators and the unsuspecting public is to empower Council Bi Laws officers.To a some degree this might encroach on CASA’s jurisdiction but I see a 1kg copter hovering above the tram lines in High St Thornbury as a public safety

issue more so than an aviation one. We get the occasional hot air balloon down to 100 feet occasionally but seeing the cat was let out of the bag some years ago this may be the most practical way to deal with this problem legally.

The event has to be witnessed. Which requires someone to record the location, time and date. I’ve tried to do this a couple of times, with my SLR, which is much easier than a phone cam, but both times it was quite hard to ping off good shots that show the operators face, location, the copter and the car they drove away in. Not only does this take time one risks getting punched in the face for your trouble. Stephen Green. ARN 57��21.

Self service aviation display at Office Works. Grab the card and collect your copter at the checkout

http://www.fpvaustralia.com.au

http://www.mongrelgear.com.au


Nearly binned it when one wing panel was removed. Keyboard stand not ideal. (This is a re-enactment)

Rather than re-weld the non genuine extension pipes on the Bisson muffler again I opted for a more fool

proof approach In the rack until new Futaba airspeed sensor goes in

along with a new brand of high pitch prop to test

Is it kosher to activate a smoke pump when you are way out in front?

Will this be the last year for racing my Seagull Cassutt? Chaps are going for the Nemesis. For the past few years Jeremy Randle’s DL55 Nemesis has been the one to beat but the rules have changed to �0cc. Paul Hewitson is now on top of the pryamid. Jeremy also has the Cassutt he won Sandown 2015 with. Armed with telemetry and plenty of time for testing he races the Nemesis. Is that because he has done his sums? Neil Addicott is hoping the Mark Collins suggestion has sorted his OS GT�0 engine blues. Neil’s Cassut combo was really hammering Dropped two circlips. That was after it broke the crankcase. In the air. Twice. An unexplained failure the F1NAR failsafe settings were not activated. Most likely a switch harness or battery pack failure Neil has gone for a Nemesis. Something different or does he think it will be quicker? Bryon

Simpson has swapped camps too. Not by choice though. Unexplained radio failure at Canberra. F1NAR failsafe settings kicked in. Rolled over on its back and in.

As I have been hand picked to do the clown flying at Sandown I will be racing mine in Gilderslag mode. Steve

Flying 60ccwith RCM News Racing

Davis and I have had quite enough of these NSWelshmen crossing our border and taking the hardware. Model is fitted with a GPS Sensor and optical RPM for testing some new wooden props. I asked for a 20x1�. It’s my best guess for this model and our 300 metre long course. Adelaide runs 250 which doesn’t give the bigger models

WG Gilderslag is a very modern model of a major modern stunt pilot!(reference Gilbert and Sullivan)


We test and tune every engine up to 60cc we sell, to set tuning and for quality assurance. That way there is no mucking around when you receive your new engine, just mount and fly. All engines come with a firewall mounting template to ensure accurate fitting

DLE 55RA $575www.wolfmodels.net Qld 07 5465 7897

EME 60$778

the length to wind up. The difference in lap time between my Texan and Cassutt over 250 metres isn’t very much The other benefit is more time for the less experienced to gather it up out of the turns. Which makes it safer.

Get the violin out? This is where being in the hobby trade, magazine business, promoting racing and competitor clash. FAI Pylon’s Ranjit Phelan (ramjet) had the same problem developing his world beating engines. Once I have gathered inflight data, if I don’t think the Cassutt will be competitive at Sandown there is just enough time to have another sample prop cut and flown in. If it is on the pace talk of keeping trade secrets will no doubt commence. No

self respecting manufacturer would be happy being asked to put a different label on a product. That would be misleading. I wouldn’t ask anyway. Whatever is bolted on at the front end will be labelled. It could always be rubbed off. Gilderslag track record spaeks for itself. He has walked away from writing off two airframes off at NFG. Round one at Vic State Field Melbourne could see him relieved from race duty. Change of pilot and dowelled filled aluminium wing tube for the superb carbon number Model Sports sell saves 1kg.

At the moment the only racing prop available above 12 inches pitch in Australia is the APC. Menz will also make props to order. Which highlights this point. The future of this activity depends on access to commercially available product. Lack of ARFs will kill it. We need to think about inviting the public along to racing events. Generating beginners makes it so much easier to ask for sponsorship. Whether it’s the basic trainer variety or someone considering getting into a 35 to �0cc scale model doesn’t matter. It helps people in the business of selling the gear. On that point what I have found most interesting to date is the more established traditional brand name engines such as OS and DA are yet to show any advantage over less expensive options. Easy on the pocket fixed gear affordable racing is great fun. With a sport prop I could also fly my Cassutt in a scale competition. SG.

Hoping I get time to get Mr Smoothie going for a Golden Era clash agains Simpson in Round 1. It’s in the right colour which is a good start

RCM News Racing

http://www.rcgfenginesaust.com

http://wolfmodels.net/


Spooling Up

Been a while since we had some jet news. Someone not in the know standing back looking over the fence could easily assume it to be pretty much an ARF scene today. It has been a while since I’ve flown a turbine powered model, I have three engine and one and a half project on the go but not current with what’s going on but what I can say is no one is more qualified than I to stand behind the fence and comment on the jet scene. American readers might be interested to learn that RCM News is the only magazine with official Victorian Jet Aerosport Association accreditation to do just that. Since I took over this magazine from my father that crowning achievement hangs on my wall of fame. Dad’s had so many world firsts. Mine was on October 13 2015 after I privately criticised conduct at the NSW jet meeting at Temora. Upset a few people selling jet gear and the VJAA banned me. Apparently pissed off the MAAA Secretary too!

Tip tanks on Damien Mould’s 1/4 scale F104 would hold around ten litres of fuel. That would make an interesting flying experience particularly

when it was windy

Pristine workshop

Start with a clean sheet of paper. Dare I say carbon paper? Four Krills all test flown on the same day


Richo’s Krill Avanti. The ubiquitous JR 8411 servos in the tail. 39kg/cm torque JR 8931s in the wing not needed more a matter of he had them

Detailing scale ARF jets is a big thing and a new trend are laser cut kits of which there are a few being built in this country now. Regular jet meetings are held at regional airports but they are not everyone’s thing. Just as much if not more flying is done off grass at regular flying fields. Flying off bitumen at airports has its costs. One of which is having to use an overflow tank when refuelling. Kerosine eating into the bitumen became a problem.

Quite a number of modellers elect to pay for a turn key jet experience. Two people offering that service are Scott Matthews from IFlyRC in Victoria and Steve Richardson, Richos Radio Active in Queensland. First class job, good on the sticks, excellent knowledge on radio programming, appropriate advice on equipment without up selling a whole lot of stuff you don’t need. Both know how to be easy on undercarriages too. I wish my workshop could remain pristine like this pair. SG.

krill avanTi fiT ouT by riChos radio aCTive

Three of the four Krill Avantis shown below were put together by him and test flown on the same day. Even though everything went according to plan that still is a big day out. It takes Steve around eighty hours of time to put one of these sport jets together. One interesting project recently completed was a B2 stealth bomber. Steve’s scale

Masking up to let in fibreglass flap and aileron horns 14 channel Mercury SRS Bus

Flight Composite Teck overflow fill tank


Spooling Up

Flight Composites Tech Air Trap

11.84 AUW dry with 14kg of thrust

What a neat installation. Out of shot are a pair of 6 channel JR XBus receivers

【RC DEPOT Austral ia】[email protected] 07 3879 6692Mobi le 0418 521 637

aerobatic credentials are such he is also very familiar with large two and four stroke prop jobs, Moki radials too. Steve is also the Australian Agent for JR Radio/ RC Depot.


Flying with Dan

Recently I had my last two competitions for the year, a double header at Swamps on Saturday and P&DARCS on Sunday. Saturday’s comp was a good turn out and the VPA ran a separate round for people willing in the F3A class to fly the F schedule. For me this was great to watch a very exciting routine with two slow rolling circles and various other manoeuvres like that. Myself I flew okay except I struggled to enter the inverted spin correctly and kept zeroing the manoeuvre, this is something I’m going to work hard on over the Christmas break, this has been one manoeuvre that has been hit or miss with me and its all to do with the entry.

In F3A they want to see the nose of the plane drop and then you gracefully enter the spin. One thing when doing it inverted is you have opposite rudder and aileron inputted, if you go the same way it doesn’t spin it does a sort of slow spiral down. I need to fix this if I want to do well at the Masters next year. But other than that, I was happy with my flights as I had a lot of good positive items to take away from the event.Sunday however was a very different day, still had a good turnout but the

weather was not blessing us, when I reflect on the to comps it blows me away Saturday was about 30 and hot and Sunday was showers, I guess that’s Melbourne for you. The competition went ahead with sportsman and F3A, two guys came from IMAC to give F3A a go and they both enjoyed the comp and getting to know the guys in F3A. IMAC and F3A is very similar SIGs the main difference is they use large scale aerobatic planes and we use purpose-built planes for this class.

However due to weather the comp was cancelled just after lunch and I didn’t end up getting a fly, although after how I flew with the spins the day before I wasn’t too terrible upset in case it was to be a repeat performance.

I have also taken my Classic Pattern plane out, but unfortunately it didn’t make it into the air, a few little issues with the YS stopped the flight from happening, I honestly did expect some teething issues until I get familiar with the motor.

It did turn out that the valves were stuck down, but I will know this for next time and hopefully be all over it.I’ll get the motor running at home before I go back to the field as there is nothing worse than getting advice from people just trying to help and I’m all cranky because the motor won’t work, so rather then being that grumpy bloke at the field I’ll sort it out at home first. But have to put in some air time with it and practice over summer because I’ve heard that the Boss (Steve Green) might be coming, so I best practice and bring my A game.

So, until next time – keep your wings level or your manoeuvres on centre.

A chance to fly the “F” Schedule

Nothing worse than getting advice at the field from people just trying to help


very high power to weight ratios. Models don’t carry five hours of fuel. There are many similarities between the two but radio control flying has its own idiosyncrasies. You can read about them here. Once a month for $10 in print. Landscape style for PC, laptop and tablet for $2 Or free on a tabloid shaped screen for smart phones and tab-lets. Readers who pay the cover price have the additional benefit of access to RCM News Racing pilot network to answer questions. The freebies do to but the cost may be publishing the enquiry or problem to help others. I have a competition flying background and have been actively flying model aeroplanes for 49 years. Helicopters for 42. I have flown RC commercially for a living shoot-ing still photography, film, power line stringing, airshows and flight training school with fixed and rotary wing.Aerial photography from Cessnas C152,172,182RG. (SG)

About RCM NewsRCM News is a single pilot operation. I sell magazines and adverts for a living. The editorial theme is modelled on a newspaper, to provide accurate information where the brochure or instructions may have left you wondering. Readership consists of beginners, sport and competition fliers, club and association officials, regulators and people in the model aircraft business.The people who write for me are interested in promoting their particular interest in the hobby, not just to obtain some free gear. That soon wears thin. Before each issue of this magazine is put to bed I ask myself is there anything in that is rubbish? Having spent a good portion of my life sorting out problems for modellers at flying fields who have bought a model or engine that turned out to need some sorting out, I have no interest in guilding the lily, just to sell to sell an advert. I just don’t work that way. As far as flying is concerned, one litmus test for me is my Father. Another is would I cop a ribbing when out flying with a few mates who are professional pilots. People who understand what it means to sign for an aeroplane. I’ve done that once, as a student pilot for first solo. Whether it be as the pilot or a licenced maintenance engineer, like my Dad was, they also know that the same responsibility applies to model aviation. That same mindset I’ve ap-plied many times as Display Directors to conduct public displays. What may be normal practice in flying full size quite often does not work with models. Model aircraft have

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RCM News magazine is a single pilot operation. Flying at events it may take a dayor two to respond. If it’s urgent use the enquiry box at rcmnews.comIt notifies my mobile phone, iPad and Galaxy tablet. There is Facebook messenger too but everytime I learn how to use it they change it

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Spotted on Facebook. 1980s MK Champion ARF Plastic fuselage. Fixed gear. Available in .40 or .60

Retro Cool...........with Optic Nerve

New in box Futaba Conquest basic 4 Ch 36MHz set dry batteries & 3x S148 servos. Original price $375

Glider guru Col Collyer modified a Graupner Cirrus to electric power and added ailerons. Ten minute test flight with one motor run to 500 feet. VARMS glider

field has an 1800 feet ceiling

Formula One scribe Byron Simpson back in 1998 with AeroFlight Nova and Taipan Trainer

Teensy weensy 3CH Westland Widgeon by P&DARCS member Roly Gaumann

Optic Nerve

Obviously not the one that flew at the Avalon Airshow a few years back. Too small. The Nerve has no idea what this is promoting. Travel Agent? Head Office for

the manufacturer? Freight Forwarder?


Flying Futaba

with Stephen Green

Setting up buddy box with 12K 10 J 14SD 16SZ

R3008 receiver

The original Futaba PA 2 stability system. $65 Eagle Tree Guardian in the P-51

Master transmitter for P-51 and Super EZ Mode 11 slave transmitter (TX)

Flight training is one sure way to get ink in the log book and now that I am heading down that path setting up a few models to cater for Mode 1 and Mode 2 students the decision on what TX to use as the Master. Using my 1�SZ would also be the go but that is my flagship radio which I use for my go fast and go high model and I would prefer to not wear it out. Handing a beginner your radio one should consider potential fumbling when the combination of a beginner and two transmitters are connected via an umbilical chord. I refined a procedures yonks ago. Basically I hand the slave to the student and we don’t connect until in position at the flight line. Seeing I am now in the business of selling the gear there is something to be said about the feel of the higher end products.

gyros

The original Futaba PA 2 Pilot Link is still available. I had used these in the 1980s and they work well. The main thing is to keep the optical lenses clean and this is much easier in this latest incarnation. That was in my glider tug.


Flying Futaba

Futaba GYA 460 in the FMS Super EZ

Why did the Flybaby become my Link Trainer?

Mode 1 slave TX Master transmitter for everything else

Right wing panel let go on descent

Popped the end cap off when I pushed the wing tube in?

Set 36MHz sets to PPM to use as a slaveNote the past tense in that sentence. “Was” being the operate word. Model was almost fully sorted out. Three short flights at P&DARCS the next to set the gain on the autopilot and hook a glider on the back. The right hand wing panel let go on descent. First thing spotted at the crash site was the wing where the outer wing tube had sheared. Hmm did I fit the correct one? That was confirmed back at the hangar. The culprit was the ply disk at each end that prevents the aluminium wing tube from moving further than it should. Did the glue just leg to or did I bang the tube in too hard I don’t know.

What I do know is when that tube worked its way past the first rib outboard the root rib the wing let go. It didn’t clap hands which is what used to happened when the ply dihedral brace


failed but with lift only available on one side I killed the ignition. Even though it wasn’t going to be on the strip I called landing, so others could see it go in, and watched it go in. Engine looks fine, ignition module damaged,

one NiMh battery pack shorted and torched itself. I wrap my battery packs in 12mm Dubro latex foam and that has never happened to me before. Receiver works but should I use it? If so I would send it back to Perth for the Futaba Australia Service to check it out. I would junk the on off switch but in this case I can use both in the

Link Trainer. Futaba GYA ��0 is in the Super EZ. Instructions say not to uses with IC which is why the .�� powered P-51 has an Eagle Tree Guardian.

spending money To save money

If you are a Futaba FAAST owner and are thinking to purchase another receiver you might consider spending a few dollars more for a spare transmitter to give a friend a flight experience on one of your big models. These are a run out model. I have one brand new in a box priced at $250. Futaba Australia has four left. Full 12 month factory warranty.

This is a module set manufactured during the transition from 3� MHz to 2.�GHZ and will work with any Futab 2.�GHZ set. It comes with the R�208SB FAAST receiver which retails for $188. So for another $�8 you have a spare TX for buddy box which you can also use for your hack models. Spinning around to launch a

Battery packs in Dubro latex foamUS Mail. Hail rain sleet or snow this time the mail didn’t get through

Receiver mounted on foam but not enclosed. Still works but the ques-

tion is should you use it?

Autopilot optical sensor

Flying Futaba

Looking for an after Christmas bargain? Runout model Futaba 10C radio with R6208 receiver and switch harness now $250 R6208SB receiver retails for $188


DLG comes to mind. The radio has a full suite of mixing so it will fly almost anything. Also included is a standard switch harness which always comes in handy so allowing another $15 that makes a very useful transmitter for just over fifty dollars.

Back to the task at hand I went for the 12K with the 1�SG and 10J as slaves. Mode 1 and Mode 11 respectively. In the interest of simplicity, for me, another option would be a pair of simple �K transmitters but that would mean spending more money. I already have these transmitters and doing it this way I get to learn more about the brand to answer questions. On the subject of simplicity Mark Bishop sent in this article on building a cordless connection to do away with the trainer chord.

diy wireless Trainer A recent trend with transmitters is to incorporate a wireless trainer, where a student (slave) transmitter can transmit a signal to an internal receiver in the instructor (master) transmitter. No cable is needed between the two transmitters. The signal sent from the trainer port on the slave transmitter, via the ‘buddy cable’ to the master transmitter is ‘cppm’ or combined ppm. The combined servo signals. Drones use receivers that output cppm via one cable to the flight controller, to avoid multiple servo cables. This cppm signal is usually in the Futaba channel order

of aileron, elevator, throttle, rudder. If we have a receiver that will receive a slave transmitter signal and output a cppm signal, we can feed this into the master transmitter via the trainer port and have a wireless trainer. Futaba transmitter training sockets provide power, both switched and un-switched. I used the switched pin to power the receiver. Check any receiver used can work with the transmitter voltage. The receiver I used for my wireless trainer is an FrSky TFR-�, which receives Futaba FASST signals. Although it is only � channels, this receiver outputs an 8 channel cppm signal. I have not tried it but an FrSky Delta-8 receiver should work similarly for Futaba S-FHSS/FHSS. The FrSky Delta-8 receiver also receives from Hitec and FrSky transmitters. The FrSky TFR-� outputs cppm from the channel 1 signal pin when a jumper (supplied with receiver) is connected between the channel 3 and � signal pins. Connection to the master transmitter is from the channel 1 pins via a servo lead soldered to a trainer socket plug. The trainer plug can be obtained from a simulator dongle, buddy lead or from https://www.componentshop.co.uk/futaba-trainer-plug.html

Rece ivers a re ava i lab le f rom HobbyKing, eBay or Banggood. From the solder side of the trainer plug, with the notch at the top, the pins are numbered 1,2,3 top row left to right, �,5,� bottom row left to right.

Servo cable Black/Negative to pin 2, Red/Positive to pin 5, White/Signal to pin �. I glued short plastic tubes to the top and bottom of the receiver to hold the aerials, and used velcro to attach to the transmitter. Total cost around $50. binding Slave t ransmit ter ON. Master transmitter ON and select transmit (RF) OFF. Press receiver bind switch while plugging receiver into the master transmitter trainer port to power up and bind to slave. If the Master is transmitting you will bind to the wrong transmitter! Cycle master transmitter power switch. If this is not possible, use a receiver battery pack to bind receiver to slave transmitter.

Set up the master transmitter for training the same as using a buddy cable. Both transmitters are powered ON during training. Disclaimer: Check all equipment/voltages/connections are compatible. Enjoy your wireless trainer.

ediTor’s noTe

“Australian Comunications and Media Authority regulations (ACMA) require commercial resellers of RC equipment to ensure it meets ACMA requirements and display the RCM label (formerly known as CTick).

Individuals are able to import and operate equipment that does not have this accreditation but should refer to their insurance company to check if compliance and or specification is a condition on an insurance policy”.

Flying Futaba


Dawn Patrol

Parkzone SE5a still loving it. Not loving my repair for the cabane struts

Simple Futaba 6L radio and three battery packs

Eight year old Velcro strap let go

Perhaps I should have done the one hundred hourly

Hail rain or shine this is how I try to start each day. I used to start at Cafe Picantee in Fitzroy typing on the tablet but since getting this model going again grabbing a $1 coffee from 7-11 on the way to burn through a couple of battery packs has taken over. I don’t drink instant coffee and this is nowhere near as good my usual haunt but it is nevertheless okay. I gave up sugar in coffee when I was eighteen which makes the stirring sticks of little use to me. Long thin icypole variety are excellent for mixing epoxy though.

My favourite park is 3km from home where I don the Z Glasses and shoot touch n goes. Or as they say in England “Circuits and Bumps”. First light is the go because it is half an hour early for most dog walkers. Keep my eyes peeled and if it starts getting busy I call it a day. A few side slips are par for the course plus the obligatory recreation of the famous Spirit of St Louis take off to fly the Atlantic. The SE5a will trundle along and reliably climb away slowly gaining altitude one notch under half throttle. Honing side slips skills to round out and land near my feet also par for the course. Fly around a few poles, skim back in over the fence and see how short the landing roll can be. Wheelers and three pointers. Good fun.

Model was in need of repair after something happened that has never happened to me before. The battery door hinges had long since broken and the velcro let go during a snap roll. The battery pack fell out. In front of a friend. Very embarrassing. Aft CofG and no control whatsoever I got off lightly. Repairs all good but the footage reveals my repair to the cabane struts needs a rethink. Next time out was in heavy rain. Back in the pre 2.�GHz days the biggest danger was water trickling down inside along the antenna and shorting it out. One has to be mindful of the trims and open gimbals but if you get caught, over the page has a tip learnt from competition flying. Some of us do put back into the hobby. Knocked up a new battery door


Dawn Patrol

My simple no fuss triple charging setup

Aussie bush flying style rain engi-neered water protection

FAASTest cap colour fast too

Dawn Patrol not so glamorous today

simple Triple Charger

Producing this magazine I have five different keyboards, PC, laptop two tablets and a phone. In keeping with mechanics car syndrome, programming a multi charger was too much so I knocked up something so when I get home can plug three batteries in and relax. $70 included three chargers and a piece of pine from Bunnings, Already had the cable ties, double sided tape, black paint. Low charge rate is cool. Nothing to program. Not one button to push. Just plug the balance plugs in. YAY! SG.

Transmitter on the floor after each flight. Heat on is good, heat on with airconditioner removes moisture

much more efficiently

Simple 240v Sky RC Charger

Radio Control Model News is published by: Stephen Green PO Box 375 Northcote 3070

www.rcmnews.com

Recommended and maximum cover price $9.95. All material and advertisements published in Radio Control Model News is copy-right reserved and cannot be reproduced in any media without the written permission of the publisher.

The information and comments contained in this magazine are given in good faith as honest opinion and the comment by the publishing editor does not refer to any specific individual or organization. It is not intended to give offence and should not be relied upon by any person without first seeking further information from a professional source. Any comment deemed offensive should be brought immediately to the attention of the publisher at RCM News so that the offending material may be satisfactorily explained or appropriately amended. Advertising: It is the responsibility for all advertisers to ensure their advertisements comply with the Trade Practices Act and the terms and conditions of the publisher. The publishers can not be held liable for any errors or omissions in advertisements. Sub-mission of any advertising material for publication in this magazine does not guarantee publication of that material. The Publisher reserves the right to say, determine, accept, and/or require modifications to any submission advertising material prior to any publication being allowed.

https://youtu.be/10ZdOpqOvlw


Foam models make the best “actual” flight simulators. Watched a young lad doing circuits and bumps whilst I was packing up after the P&DARCS Scratch Built and Kit Scale Rally. Recently passed the Bronze Wings test and moved on to a low wing Piper Pawnee type tail dragger. Dad’s a top flyer. Keeping a watchful eye; his boy got into strife on final. Left wing low hoiked in up elevator, model turned nearly ninety degrees. Guessing the lad wasn’t proficient at Immelman turns his situation had changed to a no go round approach. Towards my van.

I was out of earshot so Dad may have said cut the power but he quickly sized up the situation and did nothing. Not second guessing the decision for a moment, perhaps he had already seen my van. Identifying which dent would be hard. Denting the clubhouse even more so. The telephone poles that define the car park took care of the kinetic energy. Job done. Model not damaged. Nothing to see here. Had that been a balsa model that would have really spoilt that kid’s day. Dad’s too! Kid may have given up.

The slow roll

In my book a perfect slow roll remains the most graceful of all aerobatic manoeuvres. Fast, not too low. With a Spitfire that’s hard to beat.

Lots of pretty graphics that state the obvious have been published in magazines over the years but how do you actually fly one? We’ve never done a graphic. Instead of re-writing what has been written in this magazine a few times perhaps using modern technology might be easier. In this case it’s a Runcam 2 looking aft and

uncut videos on RCM News You Tube Channel.

Rudder and elevator inputs are required to maintain the same altitude and heading through the manoeuvre. The first thing is to know how much down elevator is required to maintain straight and level inverted. The quickest way to avoid learning that is fit a Futaba GYA ��0 gyro and throw the switch to inverted flight mode. You will soon be envy of everyone. It works a treat in my Super EZ. Flying a good one, ie without fudging and raising the nose on entry

World of Foam

Classic Pattern manoeuvres (Courtesy MAP yearbooks)

The FMS Olympus - modern F3a in affordable foam


and maintaining altitude and heading the first thing needed is an introduction to an F3a Pilot who competes at Expert level and above. Get him or her to set up your three axis gyro. If you are intent on learning how to do it the old fashioned way, an aeroplane that can maintain knife edge flight is the go. Mid or low wing designs are best. We were set to do this article two years ago with the FMS Olympus. I put around fifty flights on it after writing up the review with the Graupner MZ2� radio. Removed the receiver and handed the model over to Dad. On the first flight his DMS system went into Free Flight Mode. We found the model two weeks later. Pity, that was a nice flying plane. Looked good too.

If you are nervous about improving slow rolling your F1�, F18, F15 try the FMS Super EZ. In standard trim on 3S it just maintains knife edge and the increase in roll rate in the last ninety degrees mimics quite accurately what it is like to slow roll a high winger or a jet. Or a low winger with sweepback.

Or the hardest, a high wing jet with sweepback.

needle seTTing

A word of warning. Coaxing a plane to fly on its side creates drag. If you intend spending the day practising knife edge and setting up gyros or computer mixing, make sure the mixture is a little richer than the usual setting. This is particularly important with petrol engines. A glo engine will usually cough a few times before it quits lean. Putting a recently current generation F3a setups aside (up to ten years old) electric power drops off towards the end of the flight as battery voltage reduces. Which means your rudder and elevator inputs will vary. If the plane is flying slower, more top rudder is required. More top rudder equals an increase in roll rate. Plus a slight change in pitch.

You could spend all day chasing setup and at the end of that day, or any other day, you still have to fly the thing. Rather than doing your head in you

may as well know now that incremental changes between hot and cold weather will become apparent anyway. A few flights with the Olympus started doing my head in as the battery voltage dropped. I set up the elevator and aileron mix values after the first minute of flying and left it at that.

There are a couple of videos on the RCM News You Tube Channel looking out the back or my Texan. I am working on a video that shows the stick inputs in the corner of the screen but co-ordinating three people and a good day continues to escape me. In the meantime I’ve done a dozen slow rolls with the Super EZ with the Runcam looking aft. Soon to be on You Tube.

One last point. If it starts to go pear shaped up elevator is not your friend. Practise pushing down elevator a few times before you take off. When I first started learning rolls Dad started me on those three horizontal rolls depicted the previous page. It’s all about elevator timing. Down up- down up-down up. Vary the timing you can roll around in a circle. So much grunt these days a rolling loop is easily possible. Dad came booming in and halfway through that manoeuvre he looked at me to see if I was looking. (I was 12 years old). Down up-down up-up. Down it went Smack. Quick as a flash he said “ See? Don’t do that!”

runCam2 hdI continue to be impressed with this nifty little digital camera. Low profile body with forward facing lens makes it ideal to sit outboard on the tailplane. Which gives a rather interesting aspect and helps me plug my business name on you Tube. The main attraction was the 120 degree field of view. Distortion from a fish eye lens spoils the look I was after. For You Tube I have used both the higher frame rate and lower resolution settings. A few years back I reviewed the FunCam One 2, which has a similar configuration. That camera didn’t cope with engine vibration. I bought another two after the review sample stopped working. Suitable for electric models but it wasn’t high definition. This one has cut the mustard. My camera has logged Bendigo Air Races- Runcam 2 on the right hand tailplane

Since I started plugging this groovy model a number of friends have thanked me for suggesting it. More fun than my Fun Cub

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtK5ZXgleFA


Throttle cut function to isolate ESC is a good idea

How do you chew up ten channels on a small foamy? Add the Eagle

Tree Guardian 3 axis gyro

Heaps of power on 4S half flap set, hold full up, got off no problem

World of Foam

Scale prop, retracts, undercarriage doors, flaps. Great flying model

quite a few hours on electric powered models, on the canopy, fuselage, wing and tailplane. Vibration is amplified on the tailplane or wingtip. Which makes either choice the worst possible location for a sensitive device in piston engine models. Mine has an hour of flight time on the RCM News Racing Texan, mounted in all three locations. OS 120 AX is a smooth engine but big singles add a whole new level of vibration. A soft mount is needed to operate reliably in the �0cc powered Cassutt It’s a great little camera.

fms T28 1400mm

As previously reported in a Fun Cub Fun Club article Grahame achieved his carrier endorsement in a T28 on USS Lexington and went on to fly Grumman Trackers for the Australian Navy off HMAS Melbourne. And on. Saw a group flying formation these at

Shepparton Mammoth three years ago Now a run out model in this livery I grabbed the last one in Australia for Grahame Goodson. Not a perfect test flight, the nose wheel steering servo was DOA out of the box. This happens. Not often but it happens. Ordered a replacement GG wanted to fly it over the Christmas and he fitted something else. The replacement worked back to front. Bypassed the onboard BUS, mixed through another channel. Problem solved.

Output arm screw vibrated out in flight. Metal threads do that. Must use Locktite. Lost nose gear steering. Jammed the nose gear. Snap rolled and looped to get it down. Yet to set control throws and flap elevator trim mix but not a problem. Aussie Bush Flying FAI Pylon Racing take off technique was applied. Six take offs

later, with the nose gear ninety degrees off centre, I suggest toning the factory control throws down a tad, would make a nicer sport flying experience. Andrew Pain has the new yellow one and he has a couple of handy suggestions for the undercarriage, next issue. In the meantime, a down elevator trim mix of 15-20% with full flap gives a good descent profile at 1/4 throttle.

Andrew’s show business background came in very handy at Sandown 2015. His deft talents dealing with highly strung actors were ideally suited as startline cut judge. And who better to deal with trouble makers than as Safety Officer than a crusty Naval officer who ended up a 20,000 hour Captain flying RPT? Anyone would think I was buttering them up to go again. Saturday March 9th, World of Foam is in the program but their skills required for official duty. Next issue we will show the new yellow one. It looks better. Sorry Grahame but it does. SG.

Red and white scheme is no longer available but there would still be a few on hobby shop shelves. Yellow scheme looks better in the flesh

Sorry Grahame it just does!

A small portion of the range at Melbourne’s specialist Futaba dealer. Two to eighteen channel radios Mode 1 and 2 in stock

A l t i t u d e S G S - 0 1 A $ 6 9

January is Telemetry Month Installation and set up advice

GPS SGS - 01G

Volts SGS-O1V $124

C u r r e n t D r a w SGS -01C $89

Temp -20 200 SGS-O1T $105

ElecTemp degSGS-O1TE $65

External Voltage C A - R V I N 7 0 0

$18.50

futaba proshop.com Kennards 181 Bell St Preston Vic. Stephen Green 0418 662 557

Optical RPM SGS -01O $76

Magne t i c RPM SGS-01RM S79

Servo SBS-01S $51

Airspeed SGS-01TAS $129

SBUS Hub for three sensors $31

One sensor plugs straight into any SBus2 receiver. Nothing else needed

Brush less RPM SGS-01RB $40

Try demo radios on our Link Trainer Check Website for opening hours

https://www.futabaproshop.com/

http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/16sz-nicad-2.4ghz-inc.-r7008sb-mode-2.html

http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/t6k-8-ch-t-fhss-inc-r3006sb-mode2-inc-battery.html

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http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/dealers.html

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Documents

January 2019 - rcmnews.com · Print cover price $9.95 Australia Print Post PP 100009283 rcmnews.com Edition #152 January 2019 RCM News Racing’s 60cc Flying with Dan Spooling Up