RE: Shoot down airplane or not for noise???
Do you know anyone that flies model rockets? They should have the same right to use the park. How about a mass launch? And IF Opps happens, Oh Well..... [:D] Ric
Posted on: 5/11/2008 6:54 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7484084

RE: AirHogs Nano Hawk (Silverlit Palm-Z)
Nick, Just sent you a PM. Ric
Posted on: 3/26/2008 11:11 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric Indoor & Micro RC Flight"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7288721

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
I got the new tail parts and it's ready to fly again. I just haven't had time. Just finished my Wildfire Fighter's certification and headed back to the school for more training next week. Maybe I'll have time Saturday to fly but it's looking iffy right now. Ric
Posted on: 10/17/2007 10:15 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6504986

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
The AF1 is still avalible from Tower $159.99. And most parts are still avalible from Estes, but it is supposed to be discontinued sometime in the next year. The last time I talked to a rep, January a new line of aircraft should be released. We'll see on that. They wouldn't tell me if a new ducted fan would be released or not. Ric
Posted on: 10/17/2007 9:57 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6504893

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
FYI for all who own the AF2. They have been discontinued. [X(] Almost all the parts are gone at Estes. When I ordered my stabilizer Friday the sales person said that it was the last stabilizer and all the ducted fans were gone also. The AF1 is not far behind. It has been discontinued and parts are going fast. [8|] Ric
Posted on: 7/30/2007 10:26 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6176874

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Between work and the rain I haven't been able to do much of anything. I hope to order the tail and maybe one of Estes park fighters next week. Eddie, You get that AF2 in the air yet ? Dave ESPI, what's up ? You been flying ? Later, Ric
Posted on: 7/13/2007 9:43 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6108282

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
The small amount of damage a full power, nose first, slam into a brick wall and 60-70ft fall, nose first into a concrete sidewalk will do. Not much. Also the location of the AF2 nose weight. 26.66mm x 5.99mm steel. Basicly a 1/4 x 1-1/6in steel rod.
Posted on: 6/29/2007 12:14 AM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6049143

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
David, The three aluminum stickers are supposed to be used as weights to help balance the Aero Ace. They don't do much though, most of the time if you need weight, it will be in the nose and a small washer works better. Ric
Posted on: 6/28/2007 11:53 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6049062

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Took the AF2 out and tried to fly it in winds a little too strong Sunday morning. A 6 story school building jumped out in front of it. [:D] Full power with a tail wind, nose first into the brick wall. [X(] Broke the horizontal tail on impact and half landed on the roof. 6-8 inches higher and it would have cleared the building and maybe flown over. The battery popped out and the plane and battery fell straight to the concrete sidewalk, (again nose first). Broke the plastic under the nose but the weight stayed in, (yes, the AF2 has the weight also), and kinda mushed the nose some. Probably could have repaired it and flew it again but for the half tail on the roof, I'm gonna have to order a new one. So the AF2 is down for a couple of weeks. [8|] Flooding rain forecast for the next week so I don't think I'll get much flying in anyway. [&o] I'll post a picture tomorrow of the weight and location. I need to get a scale to weigh it..... Ric
Posted on: 6/26/2007 2:06 AM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6035340

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
winbe, Welcome to R/C flying and RCU. Great to hear you got the AF1 flying. If your looking for a plane that is almost break proof, will teach you the very basics and be cheap, check out the Air Hogs Aero Ace. Do a search here on the forums for Aero Ace and see the great things said about them, I have 5 now. They will fly in a good sized back yard and are lots of fun. The Bi-wing plane is best to start with. Plus you can get more than one channel, (different colors = different channels), so you can fly with/against your Dad. Walmart sells them around $30 and you can probably get them cheaper. Yes, they look like a "toy" but they work great and are fun. Check out the mods page here on the forums also, all sorts of things can be and are done to them. Before you buy just about any R/C planes or equipment do a search here and see what others are saying so you waste as little money as possible. Welcome again. Ric
Posted on: 6/26/2007 1:51 AM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6035312

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
I have; Estes AF1 Estes AF2 Silverlit 737 (2 ea) and a Megatech A-7. All are two channel ducted fan, Nimh battery, planes. I have a minimun of ten flights on all except the AF2 and have broken only one, (737, repaired in one night with epoxy). I have slamed the AF1 and Sliverlit planes into the ground more than once and only broke the 737 because the CG was way off. If I'd learn to keep them up higher then I wouldn't crash so much, I keep trying to fly them low because I like low overhead or just in front, passes. I also have three, three channel and a four channel prop planes, I do the same with them, if I'd keep them higher than 20ft I'd fly more and repair less. [8D] And five AirHogs Aero Aces that just get beat around and cut up with mods. I've never keep an AA stock for more than a day or two.[:D] Ric
Posted on: 6/17/2007 8:15 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5999699

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
The AF1 is a little faster, turns better and can handle some wind. The AF2 is slower and can't handle any wind. If you've never flown a ducted fan before I'd suggest the AF2 and little to no wind. Ducted fan planes react to control a little slower because of the fan, (it takes them longer to spool up and produce thrust than a open propeller), and these two channel planes are even slower to react. But because they are so lite weight there's less chance of a crash hurting them. Catch a day when the winds are low and [b]Just Do It[/b]. [:D] Ric
Posted on: 6/17/2007 7:59 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5999644

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
I was able to get two flights on the AF2 today before rain clouds moved in and the wind came back. Flight Conditions: Middle of the day, winds about 2mph, temp around 80, and humidity about 75%. Plane set-up: Assembled as per Estes instructions, balanced at the factory recommended CG, no modifications, or added weight. Flight: Hand launch. Flight is slow, slower than the AF1. Climb; slow, needed 80yds straight flight to climb to 80ft at full power, Turns; slow, could not get it to turn tight enough to lose control. With just turn control it will enter a large corkscrew that is easily exited. Glide; very good. Landings were very easy and smooth, it does take a large glide path to touch down and a pulse of power about 2ft off the ground will lift the nose for a gentle slide. At recommended CG I could not get it to stall. Overall; I think it needs the battery moved forward a bit to increase the air speed for a little better turning but I’m not sure how that will affect climb-out. I will have to cover the lower part of the fans with clear packing tape, as after only two flights they are showing a lot of wear. The AF2 flies slower and turns slower than the AF1, it can not handle the wind the AF1 can, anything 5mph and up will over power the fans and make turning very hard. You will need a large football field or more, to fly this plane. Total flight time per battery was approx. 5 minutes. Not bad but the winds and lack of power will make it an occasional flier. Ric
Posted on: 6/16/2007 10:44 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5996897

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Eddie, I don't want you cutting up your AF1 untill you need to. But once you start flying it keep an eye on the skid, it'll break-up and come off pretty easy. The weight is under the hard plastic nose skid and inside a hole in the fuse. I'll just keep adding weight until I get good flight again. I just received the replacement AF2 fan from Estes, works fine. Depending on the rain storms I hope to fly it this weekend. shschon, Good info, I'll have to remember for when I finally switch it over. Ric
Posted on: 6/16/2007 1:59 AM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5993938

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
I got in four flights wtih the AF1 this evening just before dark. Anybody know how much that weight in the nose is supposed to weigh? I lost mine several flights back and I'd like to replace it. I tried some solder wraped in a coil but I didn't use enough, the nose still lifts to much on full power. Ric
Posted on: 6/10/2007 11:40 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5971140

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Well based on the measurements a brushless inrunner won’t fit in the stock fan housing. The inside where the FK-130 motor fits is sized to the oblong shape and would have to be cleaned out with a Dremel to fit a round inrunner. It looks as a 180 size motor will fit but all you would get from this is a small weight gain and a small gain in torq. To use the torq you’d need a different impeller. So really a complete upgrade to a larger fan unit with brushless inrunner and then a complete switch of the Rx and ESC to handle the battery voltage. Although a change to 7.4 LiPo should not be a problem and give a decent weight savings and a small boost to power, plus with higher mAh LiPo’s, a longer flight time. Ric
Posted on: 6/9/2007 5:03 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5965975

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Motor – Mabuchi FK-130SH 6-7.2v Length overall shaft end to end 38.0mm Can Widest Dia. 20.2mm Smallest Dia. 15.4mm Length w/o Shaft 25.2mm Shaft Dia. 1.97mm Shaft Exposed length 7.85mm Fan Housing Inside Dia. 48.0mm Outside Dia. 49.6mm Length 27.3mm Impeller Dia. 47.8mm Length 19.0mm Blade Width 9.65mm Length 12.0mm Tech note; 8.4v or more will fry motor.
Posted on: 6/9/2007 4:25 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5965866

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Presidential VIP Airliner R/C Jumbo Jet PN: 4120 aka: AF2 Repair parts from Estes 4120-1 Right wing, $9.99 each 4120-2 Left wing, $9.99 each 4120-3 fuselage w/receiver, $29.99 each 4120-4 Stabilizer, $2.99 each 4120-5 antenna, $2.99 each 4120-6 transmitter, $24.99 each 060769 battery pack, $16.99 each 060828 PVD charger, $15.99 each 4120-10 AC charger(wall adapter), $12.99 each 060912 Ducted fan, $9.99 each 4120-12 Rubber bands (set of 4), $1.00 061446 impeller - 1 set of 2 per order, $3.00
Posted on: 6/8/2007 9:49 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5963398

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Air Force I Presidential R/C Airliner PN: 4123 aka: AF1 Repair parts from Estes 061081 Ground Stake $3.99 each 061273 Launch Cord $4.99 each 061305 AC Adapter $15.99 each 061316 Delta V Charger $24.99 each 061320 Antenna $2.99 each 061338 Transmitter (tx) $35.99 each 061339 Antenna Ribbon $1.99 each 061362 Fuselage $39.99 each 061363 Left Wing (no engines) $12.99 each 061364 Right Wing (w/receiver (RX) no engines $24.99 each 061366 Vertical Fin $4.99 each 061277 9.6V Flight Battery $19.99 each 061369 Ducted Fan Engine Set (Sold as pairs) $25.99 each
Posted on: 6/8/2007 9:46 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5963381

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
I'm in semi-flat central Texas and it seldom stops blowing, once in a while I get lucky and it slows down enough to fly. It was real calm at luch but by the time I got home from work it was back to 15mph. [>:] I hope it will slow down tomorrow. [8|] Ric
Posted on: 6/8/2007 9:26 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5963293

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
If you noticed I haven't said a word about breaking the AF1. I've had a few real hard landings and a couple of [b]hard[/b] crashes and haven't broke anything. Yet [:D] About the only thing I could see breaking it would be a full wing tip to wing tip cartwheel or a nose first dive into the ground. Landing in grass hasn't hurt the fans or fusealege belly. I would [b]not[/b] want to land on concrete but grass is fine. I used two foot tall weeds the first few flights and that helped. Did have to dig weed stems out of the fans though.[8|] Ric
Posted on: 6/7/2007 11:48 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5959553

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Eddie, The biggest challange with the AF1 is backing off the power once it's up and flying. If you stay at full power once it's up and flying it will start porposing, up and down and that with a turn will lead to a dive and possiable crash. Just take it easy, remember it's a airliner and not a fighter jet. Being a ducted fan it will react slower to power than a prop plane so remember to think ahead and anticipate turns and when you are going to land. Don't try to make turns to tight, once it starts lifting a wing to turn, back off the turn control and it will make a nice wide turn, sometimes you have to tap the opposite control to straighten it out after it's completed the turn. Landings are a breeze, just line it up and stay off the power and it will glide in real smooth. Small blips of power left/right are all it takes to keep it lined up and it will probably suprise you with how well and far it will glide. I haven't had a problem powering up and going around for another try when I over shot a landing as long as I get back on the power before it's under 5 feet or so. My AF2 lost an engine while I was cycling the batteries, I contacted Estes and they are sending me one free of charge. Great customer service! I don't know what happened, guess it was just a bad motor, the first battery pack they both ran fine, on the second, one fan started running slower and even after switching them left for right it got slower and now I have to spin the fan by hand with power on to get it to run. On the plus side I now have the replacement parts list with prices for both the AF1 and AF2. The prices are cheap and shipping/handling charges are even low. And I get to pull that fan apart and see if a brushless inrunner will fit. I'll the price lists together in one post tomorrow. Ric
Posted on: 6/7/2007 11:37 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5959510

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
I love the way my AF1 flys, and I only used the bungie&stake system once and hated it, I always hand launch the AF1. Just toss it straight out into a light breeze and not up, it only takes about 30 feet to start gaining air speed. I'm not sure but the AF2 fans seam stronger than the AF1, and it seams lighter over all. Gives me bad thoughts about putting four AF2 fans on the AF1. If my order from Harbor Freight ever gets here I'll be able to weigh them. I have a short vid of the AF1 in flight but I guess I deleted the program for my digital cam and can't get the vid into my computer. [:@] Did a liposuction job on the Silverlit 737 twin ducted fan I got off eBay for $65 and it flies alot better, doesn't glide worth a sh_t, but flies good. [:D] Even added LED lights to the wing tips and under the nose. Belly landing on the LED hasn't hurt it yet, but when it catches in the grass it gives a new meaning to arrested landing. 20mph to 0 in 6 inches...[8|]
Posted on: 6/5/2007 10:57 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5950173

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Yep, did the $69 thing. Kinda suprised me the Tx is AAA batteries, if it had been AA I could have flown this evening.
Posted on: 6/5/2007 10:14 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5949939

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Just got a AF2 in the mail, hope to get both AF1&2 in the air tomorrow evening.
Posted on: 6/5/2007 10:05 PM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5949892

RE: Silverlit 737 problem
Check that motor also, even a couple hundred RPM differance will cause it to pull to one side. I just haven't tried to pull the fan blades off yet.. new thought: you said you snapped a wing twice? Was it the same wing? If so it might be a little heaver one on side than the other. Just a thought. I'll post the mods I did to plane #1 soon.
Posted on: 5/24/2007 11:30 AM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric Indoor & Micro RC Flight"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5895830

RE: Silverlit 737 problem
I got two off eBay. Both with 110VAC chargers and English manuals, so I’m guessing they were Canadian releases. ?? The first flew but was center balanced and was real touchy, just about anything would cause it to crash, which I did from about 80ft, breaking the fuse in half, and have now done some major surgery to lighten it overall and change the CG, plus I added lights. The second flew great right out of the box and I’m not going to change anything. I did notice and fixed a possible problem with the first one’s wings, the outer half of the wing past the fans were stressed into a slight downward curve by the clear tape, once I pealed it up and flattened the wing I reapplied it holding the wing straight like the other plane is and it seamed to help. Taking readings from the plane that flew good from the start the CG seams to be around 2&3/8� to 2&1/2� measured from the leading edge @ a 1/2" out from the fuselage line. rocketpunch, I’d check to see if either or both wings have warped. Being foam if it was stored leaning on a wing, or with something on the wing, that will warp it. Check the battery, if it’s inserted in such a way as to change the CG. Being such a small plane and overweight with a short tail, it’s real touchy to small weight changes. Also check to make sure there’s nothing, (grass, hair, ect…), wrapped around the fan blades or motor shaft, I’ve had that problem and it’s a pain to get out. Let me know what you find. Ric
Posted on: 5/24/2007 11:07 AM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric Indoor & Micro RC Flight"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5895753

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
Anybody been flying ? High winds have keep me grounded. [:@] Ric
Posted on: 5/24/2007 10:35 AM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5895648

RE: Is there a do-it-all Charger for Aircraft ?
Evan, Thanks for the offer. I really like the BC-6 dual voltage. I fly a lot in my back yard and even put in a all weather AC plug out there for my chargers. I've found an old Bar-B-Que pit to be a great, (ie: safe), place to charge LiPo's... So far my only question would be how low on the mAh auto charging either will go? I want to be able to charge small (100-150mAh Lipo), for AirHogs and some homebuilt planes using the Silverlit electronics & motors, and some indoor flyers that use 50mAh LiPos. I also fly a couple of different parkflyers that run on AAA or sub-AAA cell packs and have had problems with some chargers going that low in the auto, (peak), setting. Yes, I could convert them to LiPo, but then I'd end up redesigning almost the entire plane so what's the point? Belly landing on an exposed LiPo probably isn't the best idea [:D] I've read through the BC-6 & BC-8 manuals and neither say anything about the mAh rates, just the cell count and top amp ratings. That's how I got a SuperBrain 960 that reads and tries to auto charge my AAA's and sub-AAA's but doesn't full charge either unless I go back and reset the charge rates and that gets to be a pain when I'm trying to test fly three or four different planes before the evening calm winds go away or it gets dark. [&o] Being in Central Texas I get one evening of calm wind, (maybe an hour, sometimes two), for every two weeks of building time. [8|] Ric
Posted on: 5/24/2007 10:07 AM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5895554

RE: ESTES Airforce 1 Ducted Fan 747 Jumbojet
shschon, I'm not sure where you are getting your info. My Estes Air Force 1 is AAA sized batteries, not 2/3AAA. I emailed Mike @ cheapbatterypacks.com three weeks ago, (his largest AAA cell is 720mAh), and his answer to me was in regards to 1/3AAA's & LiPo’s, but the feeling I got was, what you see is what we have, if you don't see what you want or need, go somewhere else. So I did and so I do. When and if he has something I need, I may go back. Check the attached picture and you will see one of the 650mAh AAA packs that came with my AF1 and the cover to the other one, along with the 1000mAh batteries I used to make a new pack. The other Estes pack had connection problems from the time I got it and sometimes it would charge and sometimes it wouldn't, same for working in the plane. I haven't gotten around to taking it apart to see if it’s a bad connection between cells, but that's what I figure. I used the end covers and wires/connector from that pack to assemble the new pack. Yes, it gets warm, almost hot, in use, but so do the Estes packs. I'm still not sure how long the 1000mAh pack will last in flight, I end up landing after about ten minutes and haven't ran it dead yet. The other picture shows; a 1/2, a 1/3, a 2/3 and the Estes AAA battery packs. I’m not sure how the plane would fly on LiPo’s, 2S is 7.4v and 3S is 11.1v, I don’t think the four fans would have the power needed on 2 volts less and I am pretty sure the Rx/ESC wouldn’t handle 11 volts. Right now I like how it flies and I’m not going to switch it over to a regular Rx and ESC just so I can use LiPo’s that cost twice as much, change the CG and belly landing on a exposed LiPo is a really bad idea, unless you like Bar-B Q’ed foam… Ric
Posted on: 5/19/2007 1:31 AM by Author "PrkFlyrRic" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5865543