RE: Back to flying
For soft center (a JR term) JR and Spectrum Tx's use positive Expo. For Hitec, Futaba use negative expo for soft center, Airtronics I am not sure but beleve they also use negative shift for soft center but do check your manual. John
Posted on: 11/20/2009 3:05 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267873

RE: Out of trim trainer
Dittos! Flying always at full throttle is likely the #2 problem of a lot of fliers and not always just trainers. The Number #1 is flying to far out. Most genuine traners when forced to fly beyond their trim speed will be difficult to fly well. So folks who never reduce power after soloing will hit a flat spot in the learning curve with no improvement because of this. John
Posted on: 11/20/2009 9:49 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267307

RE: Back to flying
Sounds like you crossed the tee's and dotted all the I's Roo Man glad your back in the game. John
Posted on: 11/20/2009 9:38 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267276

RE: FUtaba skysport 6 question
[quote]ORIGINAL: RedMammon In the manual it doesnt say but i need to know what channel i connect the ailerons to. It has one in channel one but i dot see where to connect the other thanks for the help!! [/quote] http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXXA48&P=7 You will need to use a simple Y chord or block like this if your Tx has no programing for two wing servos. I don,t beleve it has but could be wrong. Anyway using a Y is perfectly acceptable and common practice. The male lead is plugged to the Rx's #1 port (ailerons/Futaba) and your right and left wing servos plug into the 'Y'. Does not matter which side they plug to. John
Posted on: 11/19/2009 5:21 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265784

RE: How Many Gallons of Glow Fuel Do you Burn Up in a Year?
[quote]ORIGINAL: Phlip GEEZE!!!! You guys need a hobby or a job or something!  Or smaller planes!   I burn about 1 or 1.5 gal a year. [/quote] Sure don,t want no job, been there done that. Maybe this will help I've been working on this gallon of diesel for over two years now and still about half left[8|] John
Posted on: 11/19/2009 9:19 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264866

RE: Acceptable wingloading
The heaviest wingloaded airplane I have ever flown was 46 ounces per Square (a Royal P-38) and it was satifactory in flight but aerobatics needed to be big and fast. I have no doubt that airplane at 37 ounce per square will fly fine 'But' it may take some of the joy out of the aerobatics. Perhaps it would be better to go to something between the 26 and 50cc engines. For what its worth most of the airplanes I test for folks that are not really fun to fly are the ones that have grossly undersized or oversized engines. This is usually because its always a result of an engine they just happen to have laying around. My most successful and enjoyable airplanes have been the ones I either had the appropriate engine for or purchased one for it. John
Posted on: 11/19/2009 8:44 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264797

RE: Dedicated Cessna 182
A lot more work of course and please do post pics of the results along the way. But do be careful as excessive adherance to the extreme scale syndrome can and has a way of killing projects in both construction stages as well as flight stages. John
Posted on: 11/19/2009 8:16 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264751

RE: Dedicated Cessna 182
I think most attempts at someting like that has and will fail due to drag. What you can try though since you aready had thought to unplug the nosewheels its not a stretch to mount the rear mains not inside the floats but instead inboard of the floats along side the float inboard. That would greatly simplify an unplugable axle an make the mains easily removable just like the nosewheel. The mains axles would plug right into the side of the float and go clear to the other side of the float in a brass tube and a simple collor could secure it on the other side. John
Posted on: 11/19/2009 1:07 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264430

RE: How Many Gallons of Glow Fuel Do you Burn Up in a Year?
Since my retirement in 1994 have averaged between 40 and 50 gallons a year up untill about two years ago I have slowed a bit due to health to around 25 gallons a year. John
Posted on: 11/19/2009 12:43 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264395

RE: mini servos in .40 sized plane a no-no?
I use HS-80,81 and 85's on almost all my airplanes for throttle and they are entirely satisfactory even up to four and six engines and the resultant unique vibrations no problem. As for the original Poster he wanted to know if two 'mini' servos he already has were alright for his ailerons using two servos. The problem of course is he has not come back with any specific info. Unless the airplane has extremly oversized ailerons then true mini's such as the HS-225's are entirely satisfactory The HS-80 series are considered micro by most and they have their limitations however I have used them quite successfully on dual ailerons with several twins around eight pounds with .25's John
Posted on: 11/18/2009 8:21 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264001

RE: mini servos in .40 sized plane a no-no?
So Gary which is it? Once agine a question cannot properly be answered with any info. Exactly what servos do you have that you are calling mini's? What is the airplane? Mini's of which the Hitec HS 225's are can be used on ailerons of many airplanes up to even sixty size. Agine the type of airplane is important. Micro's of which Hitec HS 80,81 and 85's are. May not be appropriate on most airplanes of that size The reason I make referance to Hitec is I suspect you may be using them due to your location. So what do you have? John
Posted on: 11/18/2009 1:57 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9262995

RE: mini servos in .40 sized plane a no-no?
Using some mini's on some types of sport airplanes on ailerons as you noted is entirely appropriate. I have used my favorite mini's (Hitec 225's) in many applications like that. Many folks tend to call different size class servos mini's so the big question here is what servo are you talking about? And what airplane? John
Posted on: 11/18/2009 9:11 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9262455

RE: The greatest flight box
Tom that is a wonderful idea and clever.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 11:18 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261810

RE: Great Planes Floats- Woes on Alpha Trainer
Those floats are grossly oversized for that airplane, far, far to long that setup will not work. Floats generally should have a length of 75% of the distance between the tailpost and the propellor. The step needs to be on that airplane behind the CG but not more than a quarter inch. The proper place to provide strut attachments on a typical trainer like that is near the leading edge bulkhead and at the trailing edge bulk head. Trying to use existing main gear attachment points results in a second rate installation. The steps to float installation 1. fly airplane on wheels and determine what CG it flys best at and mark that Cg. 2. The airplane must fly at that CG after float installation, Position the step 1/4 inch 'behind' that Cg that you have determined the airplane flys best at. 3. after the float installation the CG will not now be at that same spot, usually the CG has moved aft. 4. Use lead weights (yes this is the only time I suggest using lead (that is except for mass balance but thats a different thread) in the bows of the floats not in the airplane to bring the CG back to that spot. In this way changeover between water and wheels can be done without balancing everytime. Those floats are far to big for the airplane. John
Posted on: 11/17/2009 11:11 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261789

RE: The greatest flight box
Thanks guys
Posted on: 11/17/2009 10:40 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261722

RE: Considering giving nitro flight a try.....any advice?
Its a good deal (keep in mind the Tx is a single airplane radio) and it will work for you quite well. I have no qualms about saying yes go ahead and get it. Get an instructor and get to cooking! Your Friend who say's stay away from glow is one, he's never done it or Two, he tryed (perhaps on his own, one of those who refuse help) and failed. Yes there are electric only flyers but I beleve a majority do ultimately want to try Glow. John
Posted on: 11/17/2009 10:23 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261675

RE: The greatest flight box
Thanks Bob. That is about the only way I can do it, being somewhat immoble and saving all my energy for daily trips to the field. Hobby shops would be difficult anymore so I do tend to stock up to avoid waits for completion because of some silly widgit I don,t have. John One of the prolific posters here PM'ed me and wanted to see more of my shop looking for storage ideas so I said I would add some. I hope the OP does not mind. I work out of a wheel chair so the hanging stuff comes down pretty low in layers and folks on their feet have some trouble but I just dart around at low altitude[:D]
Posted on: 11/17/2009 4:03 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9260648

RE: Need suggestions for a plane
Its virtually impossible to make any reccomendations for an airplane without explaining the mission and the nature of your modifacations, In other words what is this airplane supposed do?
Posted on: 11/17/2009 2:48 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9260495

RE: The greatest flight box
I am not one to carry fuel in a flight box especially after witnessing a local experiance severe burns on hand and arm by picking up a flight box that was on fire in bright daylight. Alcohol burns virtually invisably in daylight. It was not a lithium fire it was fuel residue and poor maintenace. I do not use power panels as uneccesary and wasted cost, a potential fire hazard if fuel is carried on board. The first pictures are of the old Hobby Shack box, seems the original had wooden legs but the acturally are better than the alum types which each leg has to be pulled down separately. The wooden ones extend two at a time. The box in wood finish with the alum leggs is the one that normally stays in my truck all the time. I only use the leggs on occasion at some other flying sites or shorelines where its difficult for me to tailgate. The little flightline or Startline box is the only one that goes to the pits/starting tables etc. and this is how I carry my fuel. John
Posted on: 11/17/2009 11:22 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9260110

RE: The greatest flight box
I have one just like that only someone painted it like a barber pole. They used to be sold by Hobby People back when they were still Hobby Shack. The minumum bid for that one seems a bit pricey. Ask around your club a few will be certain to have and may part with it for next to nothing.
Posted on: 11/16/2009 7:12 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9258652

RE: My visit to AMA museum.
Thank you Sammy so much. Its refreshing to see a positive post in this forum without the constant and pointless bickering. I truly would love to be able to make the trek to see the museum. The museum alone makes membership all these years worth it. The preservation of these fragile and priceless artifacts is so important to the future of our Hobby/Sport/passion. I am fortunate to be able to continue to fly/build in roughly that order everyday but could never make that trip but thats ok just knowing its there is what its all about. Thanks agine Sammy for the pics. John[8D]
Posted on: 11/16/2009 10:09 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9257441

RE: Orange Triangles
Thank you Sooper That is perfect, now I can add some variety to my board. Mine is a commercial unit but don,t know who sold them, got it with a buy out I made from a local gentleman. I like it for some types of projects not all and am a little short on hardware and magnets. Thanks agine John
Posted on: 11/15/2009 8:34 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9256211

RE: Orange Triangles
What ever you call it, appears they are being used as a magnetic building board system, I would like to know about the magnets with the hold down bar? Would not mind adding a number of those magnets and triangles to my magnetic building board. John
Posted on: 11/15/2009 5:48 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9255805

RE: New Here
[quote]ORIGINAL: krashkart . It obvious he did crash with them by the wing and such but that is life. Let us all hope he is better at his day job. He is a commercial pilot! Hey, and thanks for the links to the covering too! [/quote] There you go Minnflier came through with the links and they are good ones. I would rather start someone with no full scale experiance anytime. Much easier for me. Full scale flyers typically seem to take longer to acheve the skills. While the aerodynamics are the same the way in which RC is flown is very different requiring full scalers to retrain in all the basics. On occassion some full scalers come with an 'attitude' thats is counter productive to their goals. I also am a retired full scaler and long time instructor in both fixed and rotor wing. I think you will find lots folks that work in various aviation disciplines also are modelers.
Posted on: 11/15/2009 2:08 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9255419

RE: New Here
Yup its those 'things' on the leading edges. They were intended to be removable and attached with tape or perhaps double face tape. Hope no one glues them. The best way to learn doing film coverings is to watch someone doing it. There are some good vidios for this somewhere. Perhaps someone will post a link. I frequently have someone from the field follow me home to watch that as well a some other building techniques. Network you locals starting with the Pacini's and you will surely get good help. I am about two hours from you but I don,t travel well anymore but fly virtually every day. So if you want ever come this way I will be pleased to help with the flying and getting you back in the air. John
Posted on: 11/15/2009 1:27 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9255352

RE: New Here
Ken in this case I would advise aginst using those drag flaps as well as the wing cuffs, as they are actually counter productive in my opinon. I also would advise aginst the electronic wing leveler. But do find a mentor to help you out testing the airplane and guideing you on your first flights. A mentor will be the key to your success. John
Posted on: 11/15/2009 12:51 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9255288

RE: question about going from 4 chan to 3?
[quote]ORIGINAL: HighPlains If your transmitter will do it, I recommend mixing the rudder channel with the aileron channel. The reason is that you are used to using the rudder stick while on the ground for steering. [/quote] This is an a great idea, which will help soften the transition to full house setups for the young man. Primary dirctional control (mode 11) in flight will be on the right stick and on the ground you can teach them to taxi with the left. I have not done this in the past but will in the future. Thanks HP. Minnreefer you could not have picked a better airplane for your very young student and the no aileron version is an asset in this situation preferrable. This is Larry. He has been sorta flying for five years and up till recently has never really learned how to fly and this has been made worse with his insistance on the usual very inappropriate airplanes. I was finally able to convince him to make a deal with me and I built a Senior for him my way with my choice of new engines that he was to provide (an LA .65). Deliberately without ailerons and large oversize quality air filled wheels Also part of the deal was I was to do the mentoring and this worked out very well. In this case a buddy box was not needed and he finally is flying genuinely on his own as well as progressing. Something that had not occured in all that time since his supposed solo somewhere and that long list of destroyed airplanes he has been through. The Senior excells at this type of mission and Minnreefer I am interested in your very young students progress with this setup. The youngest I have mentored has been aroung nine I think. John
Posted on: 11/15/2009 11:09 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9255111

RE: question about going from 4 chan to 3?
You will enjoy the maiden. The kit built versions are stock without ailerons are fully capable of most rolling manuvers. The airplane can be quite aerobatic with just rudder, elevator, throttle. There is no need to be aprehensive at all They are wondereful flyers and yes like everyone has said it is SOP to plug the rudder to your aileron stick. You will not really know you are flying without ailerons and do not really need to do much different. For what its worth when flying Rudder, aileron, throttle only increased dihedral increases roll rate quite the opposite when ailerons are used. The Arf version of the Senior with ailerons has one half the dihedral of the kit built version which does not have ailerons. John
Posted on: 11/15/2009 3:57 AM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9254692

RE: Radio Question
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCXM7**&P=7 This is the least expensive way with a simple small rudder/elevator glider but as you progress you will soon be wanting more channels and a 2.4 system so sometimes it better to invest in a more capable setups of which the are very nice ones between 150 to 200 dollars.
Posted on: 11/14/2009 7:02 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9253856

RE: U-Can-Do 3D, fuel foaming issue.
As Ed Smith indicated in his post and provided a link to Tetra bubbless tanks. That is the only certain solution. A bubbless type cannot/will not cause foaming and are typically mounted without foam, Its not neccessary. There is no clunk used in the tank at all. I use them on some airplanes that have presented a foaming or fuel delivery problem. John
Posted on: 11/14/2009 6:50 PM by Author "JohnBuckner" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9253827