Tuesday, May 31, 2011

USA F3b Team Update

I want to let the soaring community know that I have informed the Academy of Model Aeronautics of my resignation from the 2011 USA F3b Soaring Team.
I have already discussed this with the current Team Manager and alternate pilot Tom Kiesling as well as the other team members. It's not an easy decision. I don't believe I can be properly prepared for the trip to China and balance it with the rest of my life. I wish the team the best of luck and will do whatever I can to help the team have a successful trip to the World Championships in China.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

F3K Team Day at CST April 21, 22

CST will have F3K Team Days this week starting 4 PM April 20th through 4 PM April 22.

During these days 20% of all retail sales will be donated to the F3K team to help with their travel costs. This is a great opportunity to by the composite materials you need and also help the F3K team.

http://www.cstsales.com/f3k-team.html

Monday, March 21, 2011

Cumberland and Warrenton

The weekend looked like it was going to be good for flying. Saturday forcast in Cumberland was for nice weather and winds that looked like they would be good for the slope. So I packed up the Cyril and Fosa as well as the Salto, Foka, and Pilatus and headed off to Cumberland. The weekend matched up with the Cumberland Spring soar for fun and the launch event for rcaerotowing.com.

The weather was sunny when I made it to the field Saturday. Everyone said that Friday was the really good slope day where you could fly anything. The first thing I put together was the Salto. I just got my DSMX update installed on my JR 12X and put a new AR9310 receiver in the Salto. So now I have flown DSMX.... The slope lift is not that strong but there is a bit of thermal lift. So it's great conditions for a big scale ship. My 1:2.9 Foka 4 is even more fun with lift and has much better aerobatic and inverted performance than the Salto. The next launch is on the Foka. That launch had a little excitement. After waiting a minute until some cold sinky air passed, the tow started. Then things stop climbing and Jim said I have a problem so we both dumped the towline. Fortunately I have a sailplane. Jim made it back to the field but wasn't in a good position so had a rough landing trying to avoid flying down the hill where he wouldn't be able to see the model any more. There was enough lift for me to take the Foka up and put in a bit more flying. The wind looked like it shifted a little more west so I put up the Fosa off a bungee. But things weren't that good so it was mostly just flying with low energy. But I could see the mixes needed more work. A little more aileron to rudder mix was needed. After flying it was off to the rcaerotowing.com launch event in the evening.

Sunday looked like sunny with light winds maybe a little east. So no slope lift but fine for aerotowing. Josh, Neil, Reto were planning on a F3j practice in Warrenton. So I headed there in the morning to do some TD practice and setup on the Fosa and Cyril. It was light, variable winds. So I did get a chance to dial in the TD presets as well as tune the rudder mixes. I also had lots of chances to practice downwind launches. So some good progress on model setup. Monday morning there was more of the white stuff on the ground in NJ. Where is spring?

Friday, March 18, 2011

JR 12X DSMX

I'm now all set to test out my 12X with DSMX update. My transmitter just made it back home and I have two 9310 receivers to put into something.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Gator F3b Raffle

The Gator F3b has a really good bunch of sponsors. There are plenty of prizes. Check out the list at http://www.gatorf3b.com/?page_id=200

You don't have to be there to win it....

Sunday, January 30, 2011

F3b team logos and merchandise

We're getting closer on this one. Logo designs and shirt designs have been done. This time there will be choices for those who would like team apparel but don't wear t-shirts.

The air travel budget is going to be higher this time. The airfares are higher and multiple excess baggage charges for the winch line and equipment.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Spring F3b Camp

Contest planning is moving forward for Cal Valley event in early May. Hopefully the valley will still be green like last April. Contest will be May 14, 15 but there will be a good crowd the days before the contest.

RC Groups Link http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1375449

Winter F3b Camp

Can't wait until the Gator F3b. Turnout looks good and guys will be out Thursday and Friday practicing before the contest.

RC Groups Discussion http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1295741

Primary Web Site http://www.gatorf3b.com

Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Years Soaring

Weather was nice today. So it was nice to get in a little flying in January. A few flights on the Fosa and on the Shooter. Almost no wind and low 50's were pleasant.