Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Winch Analysis


I have a Dataq DI-158U hooked up to a netbook for some winch testing. It has 4 analog channels so one is hooked up to the battery, another to the clamp on current meter.

First thing I did was recreate a winch tester with the device. The Dataq libraries are poorly documented but the UltimaSerial library is a lot easier to code.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Fosa

Latest F3b toy ready for the first flight. Finished up at 2080gm. Finally an F3b model that looks different in the air.

Monday, November 15, 2010

F3b Team Selections

Well the 3 week journey is almost over. Fedex says all the equipment is supposed to make it here today. Between my equipment and Glauco's equipment, almost 500 lbs of F3b gear was shipped. Part of a which was borrowed in CA from Tom Kiesling and 5 batteries purchased.

What can I say about the results, I was surprised I finished 3rd. Happy with a 13.83 speed run for round 1 and I can't even complain about an 18.17 cut in round 3. Fastest cut I've had in a contest.

Distance started out rough with the wind and being the farthest away from the buzzers. But every flight was 22 laps or higher on the Cyril. After moving the buzzer for D off the ground, it was a little easier to hear. Very important when you are short on help in distance. Short help meant safe winch lines for the contest. But still good enough. No bad durations, no really bad distances but not 5 wins either. Three good speed runs, one OK, one that was so close to being really good and one asleep at the sticks on Sunday morning. Not bad for not really doing that much practice this year. Things just didn't work out with schedules other than a few short sessions after TD contest.

I finished up the trip on Tuesday with a trip to Soaring USA. Thanks Bob for selling me the one Fosa that Jiri sent for you. It's now in the shop and I'm sorting out the radio install. I used a Hyperion 1450 in the Cyril but the Fosa has a smaller fuselage. Clearly designed for Elite 1500 battery, either 3+1 or 4+1 configuration. I put the Fosa nose cone against a Radical nose cone this morning. In some ways it's smaller if you can believe that. I did find a few pieces of tungsten that I'll be able to machine to put into the wings to really load up the model.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

F3b Models Shooter/Cyril/Freestyler

The question is what F3b models are in that box heading to Cal Valley....

I have the most time this year on a Shooter. Yellow/Blue/Red color scheme is good for visibility for me in clear blue skies. The thing launches lots of weight. I have two Tungsten bars that fit into the ballast tubes with some space left over for some more regular ballast chunks.

Second model is the new one, a Cyril. Yellow/Red cubist with standard black/white bottom/ Red fuselage. Also good for blue skies. I have some lead ballast for the wing slots so I can load the thing up a bit in the wind. This might be the stiffest model I have.

Third model is Freestyler. Lots off flying time on that one last year. But I don't like the white/red color scheme in blue skies.

The Ceres Lift is staying home.


Lots of JR servos all around. The Cyril has the 388HV's and 3717HV's in the fuselage with a LiFe battery pack.

Gator F3b Feb 25-27, 2011

The Gator F3b web site is up and running. Great work Gordon.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Traveling to US Team Selections

How do you travel to a F3b contest? Pack a few winches and airplanes and line in some boxes and visit Fedex.




Winch box with stands for two winches, 3 turnarounds, chutes, and some tools. Stands and stakes are at the bottom of the 1610 case. There are also a few Soneil 12V battery chargers in there. 87 lbs.




Airplane box with 3 models, 15 spools of line, tripod, some containers for soaking line and a field charger. 66 x 14 x 15 PackLite box.. 80 lbs. Most of the line is in boxes. Add some cardboard dividers for extra protection on the airplane parts. I add foam pieces to cover tow hooks and also to cover up the V-tail rods and the tail cone from damage or damaging other things.



One more winch box for the second winch. Motor is boxed since it is easily removable on this winch and the winch is just a little too wide for the box. The swappable winch drums are also disassembled to save a little space. Some spare winch bits too like an extra foot pedal and solenoid just in case. One roll of practice line in there. Another 80 lbs. There is also a second motor in there for another winch and foot pedals.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Old models, new homes

Well the Ceres F3b and Tanga were shipped off to new homes this week. Cyril should be here Monday. Saturday is time to practice with the Shooter.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Gator F3B Update

The event will be flown over three days with possibly a Friday practice and Saturday and Sunday contest. (Format for 3 days is open for discussion and suggestion of the F3B community.)

The event will be held at the IRKS flying field at Cocoa FL (The power flying will be suspended at this field while we have the contest.)

The dates will be 25th, 26th and 27th Feb 2011.

RC Groups Discussion

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Space Coast / Gator F3b

Talking with Gordon Buckland at the Nats. We're kicking around the idea of a Jan/Feb timeframe F3b event in Florida. What do you think?

Saturday, July 17, 2010

2011 US Team Selections Nov 5-8 Cal Valley

Looks like another trip to nowhere for F3b soaring.

Monday, April 26, 2010

July 27/28 F3b in Muncie

For anyone interested in doing something between RES and Unlimited at the Nats, there will be F3b flying at the south end. 2.4 only for frequencies.

Biggest group should be there on the 28th.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Ceres Lift at Cumberland Spring Fun Fly


Paul Naton took a nice photo of my Ceres Lift at Cumberland.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Cal Valley mid April

Time to start planning for some F3b flying. Record snows for the northeast haven't helped any for winter flying.