tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55524292628457456002024-03-05T03:10:11.913-05:00F3b Soaring in USAMike Lachowski's F3b soaring blog.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-43666336010677153412022-12-03T10:53:00.007-05:002022-12-03T10:54:35.834-05:00Prestige 2PK Swift install for GPS Light<p> <a href="https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4218793-P2K-GPS-Light-installation-of-Swift">https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4218793-P2K-GPS-Light-installation-of-Swift</a></p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-19057266625744612332019-10-21T19:26:00.001-04:002019-10-21T19:26:12.055-04:00PC1100 Battery Post RepairMy favorite F3b winch battery is an Odyssey Extreeme PC1100. It's only drawback is the weird choice of M6 studs for the battery termination. I have been using some battery posts I machined for a few years, but I did have one of them where the stud broke. I might have over tightened it.<br />
<br />
The Swiss team mentioned they had broken one and used a Helicoil to repair the battery. I called up Odyssey and they didn't think there was any way to drill it or enough material there. But looking at it, there clearly is a bit of lead/copper before you get down into the cell. I picked up an M6 helicoil kit. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xKrV2J5Yv9J8w4ZVC3R8-VJbINziXG5DZSTpEqyX-pXRSRmzLkSIcRYOV9KPvBiqQBHTEGCJbXpeV38uMTyJ2m1SwTGUfAkMHFXdxPLm7ffxzqw5s67C4yhXr5vAhMKhdOafGgAXj9XP/s1600/20191021_164145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xKrV2J5Yv9J8w4ZVC3R8-VJbINziXG5DZSTpEqyX-pXRSRmzLkSIcRYOV9KPvBiqQBHTEGCJbXpeV38uMTyJ2m1SwTGUfAkMHFXdxPLm7ffxzqw5s67C4yhXr5vAhMKhdOafGgAXj9XP/s320/20191021_164145.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The only problem is the tap was for a through hole. It isn't a bottoming tap. So I ground off the end of the tip to make it closer to a bottoming tap. I tried drilling a piece of lead to see how deep I needed to drill and how well it worked. It looks like I could get away with 1/2 inch. The M6 set requires a ,250 hole to tap. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYfdQniQtYRjh4cdgD_YIUruaK_yuIC47-HBZJl_6xUobXDTa_wHOkw38JNSsqM9AKCqpXWUXIIVg_wgkRoXaq-Yez2DBSjgAQpik18FJmFYKb80O1qk7e7zIF-uqPw6Ue4NKWLZIIwKR/s1600/20191021_164212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1156" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYfdQniQtYRjh4cdgD_YIUruaK_yuIC47-HBZJl_6xUobXDTa_wHOkw38JNSsqM9AKCqpXWUXIIVg_wgkRoXaq-Yez2DBSjgAQpik18FJmFYKb80O1qk7e7zIF-uqPw6Ue4NKWLZIIwKR/s320/20191021_164212.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I mounted the battery in the vice on the milling machine and got out a 1/4 mill I figured a flat bottom would be best to get the depth needed. I was able to go down 9/16 without any problem on the negative terminal that I was repairing.<br />
<br />
The helicoil installed nicely. I picked up a M6 bolt on battery terminal and trimmed the bolt to make sure it would be just the right length through the helicoil. Everything looks fine. I have a usable battery now.<br />
<br />
Odyssey started making <a href="https://www.batterymart.com/p-3217-0073.html">SAE Terminal Kits</a> for the 6mm. This is a relatively new addition. I will be switching to these on the other batteries.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-73248134302598729282019-05-31T17:14:00.000-04:002019-05-31T17:14:07.562-04:002019 Team USA F3b Fund Raiser<a href="http://www.teamusaf3b.com/2019-fund-raising-prizes">Please visit the Team USA fund raising sight and help the team make the trip to the world championships.</a><br />
http://www.teamusaf3b.com/2019-fund-raising-prizes<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-70350913483844655022019-05-31T17:08:00.004-04:002019-10-21T19:08:37.070-04:002019 Team USA Logo CompleteThe 2019 Team Logo has been completed. Really nice design.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-ePX-mhJvNQcuYgdrdITCvlUriBHZvppDkrt3AYVtD-VMjq5w2C4o2wqDVr9E7JKREcZGAFc4xoXdrTfZ7ASt0pDKkIJj-fywbeGBISnZK1qr8maaxxPZ3iuvpbMb-j1svXcc9TiKLTi/s1600/2019+Team+F3B+USA_logo_v6_names.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-ePX-mhJvNQcuYgdrdITCvlUriBHZvppDkrt3AYVtD-VMjq5w2C4o2wqDVr9E7JKREcZGAFc4xoXdrTfZ7ASt0pDKkIJj-fywbeGBISnZK1qr8maaxxPZ3iuvpbMb-j1svXcc9TiKLTi/s320/2019+Team+F3B+USA_logo_v6_names.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-22980600004901851122015-03-04T20:24:00.002-05:002015-03-04T20:24:35.193-05:00JR tail Servos for SailplanesIn the past I have used 3421's then 3717HV's for higher voltage installs, especially on all my V-tail models. I just got two new servos. The JR MP31Swv and the JR NX3125. The MP31Swv is the fastest of the bunch. It is down to .08 seconds on 7.4 volts. It is a wide voltage servo so you don't have to worry about what battery pack you are using. It also has just a little more power than the 3717HV. The case size is the same as the 3421's.<br />
<br />
The other interesting item is the NX3125. This is not quite as fast as the MP31Swv but it is an XBus servo. It's also more flexible in voltage range and it us XBus programmable to tweak the servo if you need to. What I'm really hoping for is to get the JR398 servo in a NX version and a receiver that just has maybe 4 XBus outputs to use in a sailplane.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dZDksFrycO1T38iA2ZVZFkRZ6t5pKuTrVrdJLZkpYKDYphRsC_5FDkSLTty_w4N8sKQFKQj7pUj9x0JNiASEivBQrY0jSiLyHuc1Q2O4v5fUiXhePfZ2zdFLWUdLinM1ft7D4BKoDHTB/s1600/New+Servos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dZDksFrycO1T38iA2ZVZFkRZ6t5pKuTrVrdJLZkpYKDYphRsC_5FDkSLTty_w4N8sKQFKQj7pUj9x0JNiASEivBQrY0jSiLyHuc1Q2O4v5fUiXhePfZ2zdFLWUdLinM1ft7D4BKoDHTB/s1600/New+Servos.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-10617472333002632622015-03-04T20:11:00.001-05:002015-03-04T20:11:02.324-05:00Receivers for SailplanesI now have some JR 712BX receivers. These are a really nice package that most sailplane pilots should be happy with. They have a hard case, and you don't need a separate satellite for telemetry. The stock two antennas are all that you need. It's like installing a 731 or 831 without having to put in a remote.<br />
<br />
The one I'm really waiting for is the JR 612BX. This is a 6 channel version which is enough channels for most of my sailplanes. It also have a lightweight case. You might notice that there are only 5 servo connections on one end. The 6th is on the other end along with the XBus connector and telemetry input. This RX should really work well for DLG's or tight F3b installs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7S-O46C4s6FOY-d8W9VW_UvdyubPK2WI6oYzEqvqeMzJkdNyYM_y06ppyy6K_WptrGjICzAVFulXs26jN0pYZa91By65HyfdRpaVnc1O9yMFsMu90fwW7ek2CbEsPvCnqZs1JzPnlP8m/s1600/New+RX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7S-O46C4s6FOY-d8W9VW_UvdyubPK2WI6oYzEqvqeMzJkdNyYM_y06ppyy6K_WptrGjICzAVFulXs26jN0pYZa91By65HyfdRpaVnc1O9yMFsMu90fwW7ek2CbEsPvCnqZs1JzPnlP8m/s1600/New+RX.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-2064855072079022792015-03-04T20:06:00.003-05:002015-03-04T20:06:48.419-05:00New WinchI added a new winch to the connection. It's an Ober winch with a Bosch motor. My other winches are all Lucas motors but when they get packed in a Pelican case, it's real easy to exceed the 50 lb limit on luggage. So I have this winch so I have one that is easier to carry on an airline.<br />
<br />
The winch does not have the standard drum sizes. I never thought those were the best for the motors and the normal lines I use. Normally you get 45mm, 55mm, and 65mm. The 65mm is useless. I had this winch done with a smaller 40mm base drum size. Then I have 46mm, 50mm, 54mm, and 58mm sleeves for pretty much an wind condition and line in F3b.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Clij05rOzDJwnb862zCoh1ue5qaFzYY256BqcMWtHSmBWr_a1fcG8H2MJMuc0NFZ3x1mCQTbwZMdyH3izY2gnQOAcGDFHqbi1u3ncALRgAG44jaMn77f1S6o7b6xaPd-3u2CH2FSZxrM/s1600/NewOber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Clij05rOzDJwnb862zCoh1ue5qaFzYY256BqcMWtHSmBWr_a1fcG8H2MJMuc0NFZ3x1mCQTbwZMdyH3izY2gnQOAcGDFHqbi1u3ncALRgAG44jaMn77f1S6o7b6xaPd-3u2CH2FSZxrM/s1600/NewOber.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-74760298356341820092014-11-07T20:06:00.002-05:002014-11-08T14:51:05.561-05:00XG14 Spring ChangeI usually adjust the spring tension on my transmitters to increase the tension and also install longer sticks. This way I use more motion in control inputs instead of using really minute movements. With the <a href="http://www.jramericas.com/233794/JRP00631/?pcat=2">XG14</a> I had the tension close to the maximum with the stock springs but on occasion I would still end up with some aileron input at times like when pushing over and pulling back for a zoom launch which requires a lot of stick movement.<br />
<br />
My solution is to get some stiffer springs in there. I picked up a few sets <a href="http://www.radiosouthrc.com/tx_spring.htm">from Radio South</a>. Installation requires some good lighting and some tools. The transmitter back requires removing 3 screws to remove the plastic piece on the carrying handle and then removing the 8 screws holding the back case on the transmitter. Next I adjusted the tension on the springs as low as possible to make spring removal and installation easier. I used a really small flat blade screwdriver to grab the accessible end of the spring and pull that end off. The spring is then pretty easy to pick up out of the back of the stick assembly with a small pair of pliers. For installation, I took a piece of .020 stainless wire and bent a U shape in the one end. Hook the spring on the inside end of the spring holder/adjuster and then slide the U shaped wire through the other end of the spring. The wire can then be used to stretch the spring and pull it to attach the other side. A really thin wire is required for this so that the spring end can slide into place on the stick assembly and so that you can still slide out the wire once it's hooked.<br />
<br />
Fall weather is here and it's going to be cold the next few days. Next week looks like a chance to get out and try out the stiffer sticks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-75331319871014916382014-10-16T21:07:00.001-04:002014-11-08T14:54:23.077-05:00Ready for F3b Team SelectionsSeptember and October have been busy. The new <a href="http://www.tud-modelltechnik.de/zubehoer/">Freestylers with LDS</a> finally made it to the USA. Both models have been built up. First testing went well but then I have a few setup days with the worst possible launch conditions. A high building, light and variable winds, little lift. One day I set up for the SW wind direction of 2-3 that was predicted and the best I got was an occasional 3-4 from the NW. Painful launching conditions. On the 12th, 13th, 14th I had a great practice up at the <a href="http://risoaringclub.org/">RISC </a>fields with help from a bunch of RISC members that Alex was able to organize. Enough time on measured courses to get the base B distance judgement back, although it was still pretty safe flying without many cuts. 13th was overcast and any thermal activity was weak. Plenty of nice launches around the 300M mark. 14th had a little more thermal activity when I flew some distance laps. It was either great with multiple thermals in the 4 minutes or really nasty air. Cruising for 30 lap flights was nice. Field equipment was shipped today. I didn't get the airplane packing completed. Those will go tomorrow. Then I just have to wait....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-1180759561246485222014-08-28T21:52:00.003-04:002014-11-08T14:57:27.169-05:00XG14 for F3bLast weekend was the first contest flying with the <a href="http://www.soaringusa.com/SP-NAN-XPLII3500-138-CX-LITE.html">Xplorer</a> at<a href="http://risoaringclub.org/"> RISC</a> contest in Rhode Island. Awesome sod farm to fly on. Much bigger than my local sod farm fields. It would make a great F3b field. I can't complain about a 1st place with the new radio.<br />
<br />
This week I put the new receivers into my two <a href="http://www.fmt-fischer.de/Produkte/Shooter/Shooter.htm">Shooters</a>. I used the same base program as on my TD models and it was a lot simpler to setup on the F3b model after having been through two program conversions. I place one aileron or one flap at a time on the new RX and go through the flight modes setting the wing surfaces. This is the easiest way to set up the new positions. One benefit of the XG14 is that I now have different launch modes available. Previously I used a few custom mixes that were enabled in launch mode that would offset the flaps, ailerons, elevator from the base launch mode. Now they are all individually settable which will make tuning the launch a lot easier.<br />
<br />
This evening it was a nice NW wind and after some range checks and double checking all the mixes in all the flight modes, it was time to launch. Launch presets were pretty close to what I had before. But it will take some more flying in light wind conditions to be sure. It's kind of hard to not launch well in the wind. A few flights to check float, normal, speed presets went well as well as checking the elevator compensation at 25%, 50%, full flap. Finally load up full ballast and try a few speed runs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-14895333728045282262014-08-16T09:30:00.000-04:002014-11-08T15:01:42.004-05:00XG14 ProgressFirst day out with <a href="http://www.jramericas.com/233795/JRP00632/?pcat=2">XG14</a>. I ran through the normal brand new equipment check. First flights were with a radian after some range checks. It's a bit longer walk away from the models to get to the 40M range. Just have to be careful in pointing end of antenna to get correct results. Radian was uneventful including flying at long distance really low to the ground. It's nice to be on a big sod farm. <br />
<br />
Next comes the <a href="http://www.charlesriverrc.org/articles/bubbledancer/markdrela-bubbledancer-3m.htm">Bubble Dancer</a>. A good check if the mix values and ranges and dual rates map over well from an old 9303 program. Things worked just fine after fine tuning the elevator presets in the flight mode and launch. The Brake Sys curve setup screen is nice to use in-flight for the elevator settings. I found it really easy to use and see the output value. It switches to the output value based on the stick position so there is no extra navigating to select a value.<br />
<br />
I needed to get my Xplorers set up for the next contest. Setup of my program on my <a href="http://www.soaringusa.com/Xplorer-3.5-ST-Lite.html">Xplorer 1</a> was next followed by my <a href="http://www.soaringusa.com/SP-NAN-XPLII3500-138-CX-LITE.html">Xplorer 2</a>. Final verification that all the servos moved in the correct directions in all flight modes and no unexpected jumps in any servo positions when switching flight modes. All the aileron to flap mixes work as expected as well as aileron to rudder mixes. Both models worked just fine.<br />
<br />
I was able to copy mix rates and approximate centers from my 12X programs. For flap and aileron presets, I plugged both receivers in with one flap or aileron on the new RX and matched the preset positions between the two programs. I switched to using the camber system offsets on the XG-14. The<a href="http://www.jramericas.com/233795/JRP00632/?pcat=2"> XG-14 </a>does not provide an easy way to see the absolute value of the trim offsets if you use the old trim offset method that you had to use for things like the 9303. You still have the option of doing it either way but the camber system offset is much nicer to use on the XG-14. The 12X had a quirk in the Delay feature if you used value set for each surface instead of the trim offset. Only the trim offset fed into the delay feature. That is gone from the XG-14 and both ways work if you happen to use delay to transition between camber settings.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.jramericas.com/233970/JRP03447/">TLS1-VRO Vario</a> is nice to use. It was a calm evening. Too much uptrim and you can see the stalls in the vario reading. The best transmitter display resolution depends on looking at the data in Meters. When you select feet, there is no decimal point. When you select meters, then you get a decimal point so it will display rate changes down to .1 m/sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-55966179091429638602014-08-12T17:58:00.002-04:002014-11-08T14:52:23.924-05:00JR XG14I finally have a new radio to set up for the models. Time to move on from the 12X for my F3b models. It definitely weighs a lot less than the 12X but that was never a problem. The sticks are decent, I always used the higher end JR TX which had nicer sticks than the average radio.<br />
<br />
One nice feature in programming is flight modes. The <a href="http://www.jramericas.com/233797/JRP00634/?pcat=2">XG14 </a>really allows you to define any combination of switches to select a flight mode. Rather than selecting a 3-position switch for speed/normal/thermal, I can select a custom combination of switches for each flight mode. This makes it easy to add a few launch modes and to use a stick position switch for a landing mode. It's nice to now have 8 modes that I can easily assign and name.<br />
<br />
The built-in mixes are all the standard mixes so its easy to copy a lot of settings from the 12X. But I still need to measure the presets to verify things are being converted properly And elevator trim settings and launch settings will take some flight time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-48551497782802750752013-12-18T09:39:00.000-05:002013-12-18T09:39:37.805-05:00Ober Winch Assembly OverviewIf you were ever wondering what was inside an F3b winch.<br />
<br />
http://www.cirrus-rcfk.no/2012/12/09/winch-i-kulden/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-83530641039231640092013-10-06T19:38:00.000-04:002013-10-06T19:38:57.724-04:00Cal Valley November 2013Looks like we have an event....<br />
<br />
Nov 22 in the afternoon for some speed and then a contest on Nov 23-24.<br />
<br />
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2010281 Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-50711072585864130962013-03-29T15:40:00.000-04:002013-03-29T15:41:54.218-04:00Muncie F3b - <a href="http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1856668">Contest Announcement</a><br />
<br />
Another trip to Muncie for some F3b. It's a good location for F3b with plenty of open space.<br />
<br />
Finishing up the Fosa I had in the basement. Shooter, Cyril, Fosa, what to fly.....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-85987433130529934072013-03-29T15:36:00.000-04:002013-03-29T15:36:22.337-04:00First to break 12 secondsThe Gator F3b was great. It was a blast to put in a 11.98 second speed run. I had never even given a thought about speed runs faster than the 12 second range. Taking the record from 12.68 down to 11.98 was a big improvement. <br />
<a href="http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachmentNew.php?attachmentid=5587247">Official Clock - 11.98</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-91349415680224895192013-02-13T20:28:00.000-05:002013-02-13T20:28:22.064-05:00Gator F3b 2013This years event looks like it will be fun. Entries are up including a few more new guys. International attendance is up. Winter has not been kind for practice sessions but I did manage to get one day this month to get some air time on the Shooter.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-36818867926878169622012-01-02T18:33:00.002-05:002012-01-02T18:38:19.615-05:00Getting ready for GatorJanuary 1 came with some really nice weather. Temperatures in the 50's, sun, not too windy. I made the trip up to the NJSS field in Boonton and put in a few flights on the Shooter. So far the winter has been pretty good with some nice weekends in December and now January. <a href="http://www.gatorf3b.com/">Gator F3b</a> looks like it's going to be a good turnout.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-72576482035702143792011-05-31T15:56:00.000-04:002011-05-31T15:57:19.998-04:00USA F3b Team UpdateI 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. <br />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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-56032696394469861902011-04-21T20:15:00.001-04:002011-04-21T20:17:50.741-04:00F3K Team Day at CST April 21, 22CST will have F3K Team Days this week starting 4 PM April 20th through 4 PM April 22. <br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cstsales.com/f3k-team.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.cstsales.com/f3k-team.html</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-60815345058626891962011-03-21T17:33:00.002-04:002011-03-21T17:54:10.206-04:00Cumberland and WarrentonThe 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<a href="http://www.rcaerotowing.com"> rcaerotowing.com</a>.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-59906108350768240492011-03-18T17:55:00.004-04:002011-03-18T18:04:10.494-04:00JR 12X DSMXI'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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-33469507182200026842011-02-11T21:25:00.002-05:002011-02-11T21:28:24.523-05:00Gator F3b RaffleThe 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<br /><br />You don't have to be there to win it....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-59327468590963906862011-01-30T10:07:00.002-05:002011-01-30T10:13:16.449-05:00F3b team logos and merchandiseWe'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.<br /><br />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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552429262845745600.post-34871141061738606442011-01-25T07:45:00.002-05:002011-01-25T07:48:48.749-05:00Spring F3b CampContest 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.<br /><br />RC Groups Link http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1375449Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0