RE: Sepulveda Basin
But you need an AMA card to fly at the basin. Therefore if it was a model caused fire, the AMA should pay the liability portion of the cost.
Posted on: 7/19/2012 8:42 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161986

RE: Is China getting expensive?
Talk about garbage electronics, some of the China stuff is hitting the market with 27Mhz electronics.
Posted on: 7/14/2012 10:04 AM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11154955

RE: congratultions, Tower Hobbies
New shipping record: Ordered late Tuesday night taking advantage of free shipping with >$99.99 order and received it Thursday noon. Something like 36 hours from order to delivery; that's pretty good.
Posted on: 7/12/2012 12:21 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11152820

RE: Electrified Northstar
I also have an older BUSA Northstar kit that I am planning to electrifly. I'll start work this fall, after I'm done building a Polaris XL and a 100% Polaris. Looking at the NS kit, it seems like it should be possible to substantially lighten the motor mount as well as provide room for both rudder and elevator servos. Has anyone developed a design for a new motor mount? I have a Hyperion 970 KV, 200 gm motor that should provide enough power and its substantially lighter than any of the glo engines that were used to power this plane.
Posted on: 6/15/2012 10:09 AM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11119274

RE: Great Planes Seawind
Old Bird, Can I assume that when you say make a 1" plug you mean a 1" extension of the hull? Did you use foam or balsa fiberglassed? This certainly seems like one of the nicest solutions to date. I totally agree that this is not a relaxing airplane to fly, especially at altitude. It would have been a great plane is GP had made it about 3 lbs lighter or if they had added 30% more wing at the same weight. Right now its more of an obsession than a hobby as I try to get it right. You certainly went through your battles with this plane to get it right. For relaxed water flying I am now using a Seawind EP and a Polaris XL. Are the Reno guys still using the Res. off I-80? Bob
Posted on: 6/8/2012 1:26 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11111523

RE: Great Planes Seawind
Did it work for you? As I remember you made several passes at extending the step. Bob
Posted on: 6/7/2012 8:55 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11110808

RE: Great Planes Seawind
Jim, Although I will admit to holding some up elevator to dampen takeoff occillations, its certainly not comming off the water in a mushy, stall mode. And it does require up elevator trim for straight and level flight. I think I have two problems. The first is that the stabilizer is at a +3 deg incidence to the wing (measured with a robart incidence meter). That in itself is bad because it will drive the nose down, and that tendency is reflected in the requirement for up elevator trim. That's why I have been asking if anyone else has measured the stabilizer incidence relative to the wing. Second, I think that I have been using a prop with too much pitch, a 13x11. Its partially stalled at the point of takeoff but becomes unstalled as the plane leaves the water. The rapid acceleration as the plane becomes airborne forces the nose down as I am not quick enough on the elevator to compensate. But this part of the issue is supported by the fact that if I decrease the throttle just as the plane becomes airborne I can usually stabilize to a level attitude and slowly add power to achieve a successful takeoff. I've changed props to a 13x8x3 which should eliminate the second problem. Bob
Posted on: 6/7/2012 7:36 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11110721

RE: Great Planes Seawind
Gregg, Jeff, posting under HUNTERANDJEFF, implemented a setup similiar to what you are proposing in post #829 with a picture in Post #832. He claimed that it worked very well. I'm not so sure of the downthrust any more. A guy flying the SWEP is claiming to have better results with upthrust, which does not make any sense unless the propwash on the tail is having a major effect. Waiting for him to make some water takeoffs. If all else fails I am going to put the SW on a diet.
Posted on: 6/6/2012 8:47 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11109579

RE: Great Planes Seawind
Jim, Mine behaves a bit differently. As I advance the throttle relatively slowly, it actually takes off, goes a few feet into the air, hits the water jumping into the air a bit higher, hits the water again and jumps high enough that if I throttle back a bit and then readvance the throttle slowly I can keep it in the air. Makes for a bit of an exciting takeoff. I'm just trying to figure out if some of the incidence angles are sufficiently different from plane to plane to explain the differences in takeoff behavior. Bob
Posted on: 6/6/2012 6:27 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11109409

RE: Great Planes Seawind
I am trying to gather some Seawind data. Specifically, what is the angle of incidence of your stabilizer relative to the wing. Add to that whether or not you experience severe porpoising with your setup. In my case, the stabilizer came out at +3 deg. relative to the wing as measured with a Robart incidence meter. And yes, I experience severe porpoising. On another site, a model called the Polaris is set up with the stab and motor set up at -2 deg and it lifts off the water with no porpoising complaints. Thanks in advance, Bob
Posted on: 6/6/2012 12:20 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11108921

RE: Best float plane for around 250
The Polaris XL from www.modelaero.com. Less than 100 for a foam kit that is very repairable. Motor, battery and servos from HobbyKing for less than 50. If you want ready to fly, the Seawind EP from Tower Hobbies, kit is 109, receiver ready is like 199 but discounts are available.
Posted on: 6/2/2012 9:58 AM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11103798

RE: What size electric motor to use? Please Help
I'm currently flying an electric Seawind and there are a lot of advantages to going that way. It's lighter, since you can use the batteries to adjust the CG (glo versions add up to 2lbs of balance weight in the nose). It takes a lot of weight off the pylon and puts it in the hull, which makes it easier to take off. Basically you need a motor/esc/battery setup capable of putting out at least 1250 watts using a 13" maximum diameter prop since about the lightest weight you can get is about 10 lbs. if you skip the landing gear. (13x8x3 prop recommended). I would recommend a motor rated for at least 1500 watts to give you a margin of safety. I'm currently powering my Seawind with a Hyperion Zs4020-08 coupled with a castle ice 100 amp esc and a 4s 4000mah 25C battery. This allows me to get the power using a low voltage system but whatever you do, protect your electronics with CorrosionX (an oily compound that keeps water from shorting things out if they get wet). The other motor that I have used is a Scorpion 4020-12 with a 6S lipo. So if you have a 6s battery, use a motor with >540kv or if you're using a 4s battery go with a motor with >775 kv. If you are in the process of putting your Seawind together, can you measure the incidence of the stab in relation to the wing and let me know what the angle is of your setup. If you haven't glued it together yet, you might want to consider changing the angle to -2deg. Mine is currently +3deg. and it porpoises badly on takeoff I've learned a lot since I put my Seawind together. Also, the CG needs to be moved back to 2 - 2 1/8" since you will not be burning off fuel during the flight. Bob
Posted on: 6/1/2012 11:50 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11103404

RE: North Star maiden flight
What three blade prop were you running and what did you get for max RPM? Weight? Congrats hope you have many, many enjoyable flights. Bob
Posted on: 6/1/2012 7:29 AM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11102381

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
Has anyone tried putting floats on the Smith Miniplane and tried flying it off water? Results?
Posted on: 5/31/2012 12:39 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11101467

RE: Sepulveda Basin
No it isn't. Just ask Tiger Woods!
Posted on: 3/31/2012 1:38 AM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11022074

RE: Throttle Cutoff for electric with 9C
Krysta, I have changed the throttle reverse per the instructions on page 31 of the manual per your suggestion. At this point the rate is set to zero and I get no impact when I switch on Throttle-cut. Do I need to change the rate or is there some other change that needs to be made? Thanks, Bob
Posted on: 3/14/2012 10:56 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11000609

RE: Throttle Cutoff for electric with 9C
Krysta, No, I have not done the procedure that is described on page 31 of the manual you referenced. I take it that that procedure is necessary to get the trim to work properly? If I do the procedure, it says that it will reverse the throttles on all models in the memory, not just the one I want to reverse. What happens to the nitro models in memory that use the standard procedure? Thanks, Bob
Posted on: 3/13/2012 2:18 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10998804

RE: Throttle Cutoff for electric with 9C
Krysta, The throttle channel is reversed. It has been necessary to reverse this channel for every esc that I have encountered to date. Bob
Posted on: 3/12/2012 2:10 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10997359

RE: Please Identify This Plane
It's definitely a Great Planes Seawind. It's no longer in production, probably because it is such a beast to get off the water. Once in the air it flys great. When they were available the sales price for the airframe alone was >$300. You probably got $100 worth of servos and its hard to find a Saito engine for <$250 these days. Great find, hope you enjoy it. Bob
Posted on: 3/10/2012 4:26 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10994622

Throttle Cutoff for electric with 9C
I have a Futaba 9C that has the 2.4gig conversion module. I am trying to implement a throttle cutoff for my electric. That sort of function works well on the 8FG but I cannot get it to shut down the electric motor when I try to implement the same sort of cutoff with the 9C. Any hints or a detailed recipe available?
Posted on: 3/7/2012 2:29 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Futaba Radios Direct support forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10990477

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think
I was taking the global view. Everything that attaches to the vertical fin I consider part of the motor mount. Bob
Posted on: 1/27/2012 5:01 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10931342

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think
Isn't the motor mount the best place to save weight when converting the Northstar from glow to electric?
Posted on: 1/25/2012 12:01 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10927200

RE: Is RCUniverse is getting slower on your end?
Times out on almost everything I try to do. Is it an issue with virus software?
Posted on: 1/22/2012 10:37 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10922656

RE: Electric Northstar ?
There are a few high kv (high rpm), high power outrunners on the market, including scorpion and hyperion to name a few, that can turn a 10" prop fast enough to fly the unmodified Northstar. I am planning to use a Hyperion 3026-08 (970KV wind) on four or five cells. Bob
Posted on: 12/2/2011 12:04 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10840065

RE: Electric Northstar ?
Even Laddie M., the designer of the Northstar has converted one of his fleet to electric. Described in one of the Northstar threads, he used an AXI 4120-18 (510 KV) with a 6s battery. I am planning to build my Northstar based on a Hyperion 3026-08 motor (970KV) and a 4s battery. Given the weight advantage of the electric motor vs. a .46 glow, the need for ballast is eliminated and the appropriate balance point can be achieved with the motor battery. My own bias is towards lower voltage systems for water flying; there is less likelyhood of blowing the esc if it gets wet. Bob
Posted on: 11/27/2011 7:41 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10832172

RE: Sepulveda Basin
Is the runway resurfacing project complete?
Posted on: 11/18/2011 1:02 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10818411

RE: EP seawind motor problems...
Coolhunter, I used the same bp motor, only the 1400kv version, as the first motor on my Seawind. Since I was flying at 6200' I needed the extra RPM. It worked well all winter and spring, but one hot 4th of July day I left a beautiful smoke trail. Believe the 150 watt rating, they mean it. Otherwise, a nice motor. For a bit more power, you might consider the ST. 10 about the same price. Just don't push it to the limit. Bob
Posted on: 10/8/2011 12:29 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10754880

RE: Electrified Northstar
I have been doing some research for my own Northstar which has been waiting some 20+ years to be built. Recently Hyperion came out with a line of high power, high KV, lightweight motors. Of particular interest if you are after pure speed is the Zs3026-06. Its a 1100 KV motor rated at 1500 watts. With a high pitch 10" prop you should be able to get a pitchspeed of >100mph using a 4s setup. Optimally the motor mount should be redesigned to provide optimal cooling and less drag. The downside would be short duration and high prop noise but you should be able to give the .50's a run for their money. Scorpion make a similiar motor and you can propably get a Heli motor from HK to do the same thing. Bob
Posted on: 10/8/2011 10:59 AM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10754776

RE: EP seawind motor problems...
As suggested in the previous post, dry it as well as you can. Before putting power to it again, rebath it in CorrosionX. It has worked for me.
Posted on: 10/4/2011 4:45 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10748863

RE: Great Planes Reactor GP/EP 3D ARF .46-.70
A piece of carbon fiber tube, or even a piece of carbon fiber plate on the underside of the landing gear will help prevent them from "splaying" out, pulling the center of the gear mount down, in the event of a hard landing. This mod weighs little and does a lot to keep the landing gear mount intact. Set it up so that it picks up all four landing gear bolts. The gear mount is definitely the weak spot on this airframe. If you don't have CF around use a piece of liteply. Bob
Posted on: 8/23/2011 4:46 PM by Author "Bob93447" in the forum "3D Flying!"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10684111