Charging and cycling questions
I've been flying for over twelve years now and thought I knew enough about my transmitter and receiver batteries. I have recently come to believe that I don't. I fly with NiCd and NiMH, so I'd like to exclude other types of batteries from the discussion for now. I have always used the wall wart chargers over night before I fly, used an analogue voltmeter religiously at the field, and a Hobbico quick charger at the field when my flying day out lasts my charges. Until last year I had also used a Hobbico accu-cycle every now and then to cycle my batteries to keep them in shape and monitor their health. I liked the accu-cycle for how easy it was to use. Plug it in, two switches, and it let me know when it was done. Unfortunately, the accu-cycle simply wore out last year and I have been without a cycler since then, and my batteries were beginning to show voltage depression and I don't like not being able to monitor their health. If the Hobbico accu-cycle was still manufactured I would have bought another I liked it so much, but it is discontinued and I have often thought about branching out into electric flight, so I bit the bullet and bought a Triton 2 EQ. It seems like it will do everything I could possibly want and then some. The problem is that I don't know enough about batteries and charge/discharge/cycling rates to program this thing. I have both NiCd and NiMH batteries, four cell, five cell, and eight cell packs in sizes from 450 mAh AAA all the way to 1800 mAh sub C cells. I am looking for a dummy's guide to charge and discharge rates for different types and sizes of cells.
Posted on: 10/10/2009 6:56 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9162304

Third annual Warbirds Over Fort Valley fly-in
GAMA RC is doing a Warbird fly-in again this year. Warbirds Over Fort Valley III will be held on Friday and Saturday, November 13-14 2009. Co-Sponsored by the Giant Scale Warbirds Association. 80" minimum wing span for mono planes, 60" for biplanes. There is room for camping and RVs, no hook ups are available. AMA is required to fly at the field.
Posted on: 10/9/2009 11:20 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Events, Shows and Fun Fly's - Airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9159087

Perry swap meet 2010
GAMA RC club is now accepting table reservations for the SMS (Perry) swap meet 2010. Tables are $15 each, show dates are 5/6 March 2010. More information at the following link- http://www.gamarc.com/georgia.html
Posted on: 10/9/2009 10:54 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Events, Shows and Fun Fly's - Airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9159024

RE: Barn door drop hatch
I did something like that in a wing once. Barn door hatch, control horn on the inside, servo also on the inside moving the barn door just like a control surface.
Posted on: 10/6/2009 10:49 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9150931

RE: HOW TO RECOVER FROM AN UNINTENTIONAL SPIN?
Most of the trainers and 'Stik' type aircraft will come out of a spin just by letting go of everything, even when the engine is dead. Some pattern aircraft I have flown, including my Kaos, tend to require full opposite rudder and some with an aft CG require full down elevator or power advance. Some aircraft in my fleet will not spin. I have a Delta Vortex that I have tried to spin in every way imaginable, but the best I can get out of it is a loose spiral. The best way to live through a spin is to not do it down low. In warbirds, this means keeping your speed up and avoiding low altitude stalls.
Posted on: 10/5/2009 2:31 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9148572

RE: HOW TO RECOVER FROM AN UNINTENTIONAL SPIN?
Relax the elevator, some planes you may have to push down to break the stall. Ailerons to neutral. Full rudder opposite the direction of rotation. Full power. This should all be accomplished in a fraction of a second and preferably all at the same time. Second step is to pull up gear and streamline all speed brakes if your aircraft is equipped with them. Leave your flaps alone until you have broken the spin and established a positive rate of climb. Then retract them as you build speed. It is a good idea to check out the stall and spin charcteristics of each of your aircraft at altitude, as some aircraft may require a slight modification to the process to break the spin. Many aircraft will come out of a spin just by letting go of everything. Some (usually heavier aircraft with higher wingloadings) will require more work to recover.
Posted on: 10/5/2009 2:24 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9148557

RE: what is the best delta?
I have built and flown the Diamond Dust. It is very easy to build and it can be framed up in one evening. I spent more time covering than framing. It flew well, was pretty quick, and I had a lot of fun with it. That said, if I were to try another delta right now, I would build the Screamin Demon. Mainly because of the improved airfoil and better designed center section.
Posted on: 10/5/2009 10:58 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9148024

RE: want new plane?
Go for the profile, you will like it. And with a proper CG location and dialed down throws they can be very smooth in the air.
Posted on: 10/5/2009 10:55 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Sport Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9148013

RE: Futaba connections
I have done this many times. Just clip/sand/shave off the 'J' tab and plug it in. Be sure to pay attention to the colors on the wires when plugging things up, as removing the tab makes it possible to plug in servos and extensions backward.
Posted on: 10/5/2009 10:47 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9147990

RE: OS 26 FS vs. OS 30 FS
It was a 67" Quaker Flash. I never weighed it, but it was fairly light. I'm thinking three pounds maybe? I Tried several props on the .26 and it seemed happiest with a 9x4 wood or 9x5 wood. I was running 15% nitro and about 20% castor/synthetic mix. I sold the plane to a club member who put an OS .30 on it and I flew it with the new engine on it. He runs 10% nitro and 18% castor/synthetic mix. I don't know what prop he has on it, but the engine made a significant difference in climb rate and shortened the takeoff roll considerably, and didn't seem to change the glide characteristics with added weight.
Posted on: 10/5/2009 10:43 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9147979

RE: OS 26 FS vs. OS 30 FS
I have flown an OS .26 and .30 four cycle in the same plane and the .30 had considerably more power.
Posted on: 10/3/2009 9:15 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9144435

RE: Important announcement
Ancient R2800? That's cutting edge technology right there. [;)] I and two others restored an R-1820-97 for our local museum in the spring quarter. There are pictures in the warbirds forum in a thread caled "Radial Overhaul"
Posted on: 9/19/2009 10:47 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9108793

RE: Important announcement
Nah, I wouldn't call it short. I'm 6'1" and built like a tank. Although, I do have a short beagle. He is built like a beach ball.
Posted on: 9/19/2009 10:44 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9108787

RE: Important announcement
Thanks guys. It seems like it took forever. That's what my parents say too... And CP, after my first $100,000,000.00 and I begin to appoint dust cleaners, engine degreasers and flying field liaisons, you'll be at the top of my list for czar of composite speed plane modifications and custom parts analysts.
Posted on: 9/19/2009 7:37 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9108426

Important announcement
, I would like to henceforth be addressed as Baron Manfred Von Lomcevak Duck. Celebrations
Posted on: 9/19/2009 2:35 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9107929

RE: Oakdale Aircraft still in business?
I can't say with much certainty, as I never owned a Phenom, but do a search in this forum for some reviews on it. There was at least one that seemed to fly well, and at least one that never flew after many attempts because he couldn't get it to pull past initial launch. I think they were coming out pretty heavy.
Posted on: 9/18/2009 11:03 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9106851

RE: Radial Overhaul
We finished this engine back in July and it is now on display at the Warner Robins Museum of Aviation. pictures of the restored engine below.
Posted on: 9/8/2009 7:31 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9079790

RE: BEST DELTA EVER! Post your deltas
CP! The pictures of that flying menace are scaring my cat! I was going to ask you to take them down, but I think they may be the best way I've found of getting rid of the cat... [sm=idea.gif]
Posted on: 9/1/2009 7:40 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9061189

RE: Mac Hodges NEW B-29
Mac flew the B-29 yesterday without problems. He even did the X-1 drop. Looks like he will be back on tour with it soon.
Posted on: 8/30/2009 10:07 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Events, Shows and Fun Fly's - Airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9056251

Mac Hodges NEW B-29
To those of you who saw Mac Hodges fly the big B-29 and knew he lost it at an airshow some time back, and for those of you who've never seen it but would like to: His new B-29 is ready to fly! It will be the same size as the old one and is scheduled to maiden this Saturday, August 29, 2009. I am pasting content copied from an email received from Mac on the subject. [quote] Greetings From Hodges Hobbies; I would like to invite everyone over Saturday, August 29, for the test flight of the new B-29. Seems appropriate to fly the 29 on the 29. We picked the plane up last Saturday, brought it back, and went to work. The builder, John Monaghan, is here working on it as well as myself and several of the Hodges Hobbies team. There was a lot of work to be done to finish the plane, and there is still a lot to be done, but we are making good progress and I feel confident we will be ready Saturday. John has done an outstanding job on the plane. Fit and finish is amazing. It really looks great!The plane is the same size as the old one as it was built from a duplicate set of foam cores. The plane has 4 new ZDZ Super 80s so it should have a little more power than the old plane which had standard 80s. If everything goes well, we will do several flights as well as a X-1 drop. We will plan on flying sometime after lunch on Saturday. And this will be the actual first flight! There are no plans to fly it prior to Saturday. So come out and enjoy the day. Bring a plane and fly. See you Saturday, Mac [/quote] To anyone in the area wishing to attend: The Hodges Hobbies field is in Andersonville, GA. It has a beautiful grass runway large enough to accommodate full scale aircraft, with the hobby shop on site. Must be an AMA member to fly. more information on the shop, field, and history of Mac's B-29 can be found at the following site: http://www.hodgeshobbies.com/
Posted on: 8/26/2009 11:59 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Events, Shows and Fun Fly's - Airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9046584

RE: MAN pull out plan GNAT
Ha! I have a set of those pull out plans too. With exactly the same thing in mind- that I might get around to them some day. They are stashed right along with the Zirolli .10 size Sukhoi pull out plans. That I might build one day...
Posted on: 8/18/2009 4:41 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9026079

RE: MOUTRIE GA. SWAP MEET
Moultrie is in deep South Georgia, a bit below Tifton. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=moultrie+ga&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=us&ei=B8qGSrTOGc-OtgeoxdjnDA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1
Posted on: 8/15/2009 10:46 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Events, Shows and Fun Fly's - Airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9018092

RE: wankel 49-pi
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_133/tt.htm Bax is the moderator of that forum and can be quite helpful.
Posted on: 8/14/2009 2:33 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9016339

RE: wankel 49-pi
These are not very common engines so if you don't get the answers you are looking for here, try posting these questions in the OS engines support forum. And welcome to RCU [:)]
Posted on: 8/14/2009 2:31 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9016333

RE: Twin engine speed planes
A sport-speed twin will never win a race against one of those German freight train types, I know. I have no illusions of 200 MPH with a sport engine, no matter how many how many of them you have. I also understand that two engines don't necessarily mean twice the speed because of several reasons. But twins are cool and if they both turn 18k or more, I think it's neat. Sort of like the new Dodge Challengers. They'll never beat a funny car in the quarter mile, but I'd be OK with driving one around town...
Posted on: 8/11/2009 8:37 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9008802

RE: Simple Things to Add Speed - Your Tips
1) Keep them light. If there's any weight to be lost, put your planes on a diet. Heavy airplanes need more lift to stay in the air. More lift means increased induced drag and a slower aircraft. Like others above have noted, I have personally witnessed (upon multiple occasions) OS .32 dusts with small servos outrunning the same airframe with a larger engine and standard servos. I believe this is because of the weight / induced drag difference. 2) Make them slippery. Add fillets around the wings, cowl the engine, hide control linkages inside the wing/fuselage/tail. This can be done on smaller airplanes than you think. And for heaven's sake don't hang aileron servos under the wing or tail servos on the outside of the fuselage. 3) Don't use fixed gear if you can possibly get around it. Use retracts or learn to hand launch. 4) Use the right propeller. Short diameter and high pitch is the recipe for a high revving engine on a slippery model, and keep in mind that just because one engine seems to run well with a particular prop doesn't mean that it is the best match for every airframe. I like APC, others like wood props. Don't be afraid of over-square props, ie 8x9, 9x10... You may need to play with modifying props to suit your needs. I found that an APC 9x8 cut down to 7.5x8 worked very well on my last OS .32/Diamond Dust combo. I liked it better than the 8x8 cut down too. It always seemed as though the extra prop chord hooked up better on launch than the 8x8. Suggestions for a simple speed plane: -Q500 with any good .46-50. For more fun, cut the wing down to around 40" span and lose the gear. -Diamond Dust/ Screamin Deamon/ Outlaw with a .32. My favorite .30-.35 engine was the OS .32SX. Sadly, they have been discontinued for about a year and a half but you may be able to find one on ebay every now and then.
Posted on: 8/11/2009 8:25 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9008766

RE: SR-71 prop jet project
Any news yet?
Posted on: 8/11/2009 7:41 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9007080

RE: Twin engine speed planes
I did read that thread some time ago, but I lost track of it. I'll read through it again. And I have seen the video of the Rutan pond racer, I'm not sure I'm ready to tackle that complex wing from an engineering standpoint.
Posted on: 8/11/2009 7:35 AM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9007073

RE: Twin engine speed planes
Also on the pondering list was/is the Matney models Zoomer with a single fuse and twin .32s
Posted on: 8/10/2009 9:49 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9006270

RE: Twin engine speed planes
[quote]ORIGINAL: evan-RCU I'm assuming you found my twin Outlaw?? [/quote] Yes I did. It is my main inspiration for wanting to build a twin for speed. I really like your twin Kaos too, even though that's not really a speed design. I like my single engine Kaos, so I really considered scaling down the twin version for speed. I have a pair of OS .32SXs NIB and I've been trying to come up with something fitting for them, but nothing is really standing out just yet. I thought about doing a twin Q-500 or a twin mustang, but I can't find a mustang kit in the size range I am thinking about. The HOB mustang I think may be too small to bash into a .32 sized F-82 and the GP .40 I think is too large with too thick of an airfoil to be really speedy.
Posted on: 8/10/2009 9:47 PM by Author "Lomcevak Duck" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9006266