Ken Willard's DRAKE II
Maiden flew my most recent project: Ken Willard's Drake II seaplane. Notwithstanding the first flight was an unassisted take off from our grass field, it still flew great. Have now completed a float test in my flying buddy's in-ground pool. No leaks. With the limited space of the pool, the Drake showed that it comes up quickly and will ROW as easily as it ROG in the first flight. The rudder was responsive enough given the two additional verticle fins but not overly crisp. If this is my only complaint I'm too hard to please! I converted the glow in the original to an electric. Plenty of power, cruising at about 40% throttle with the battery pack bringing the CG to the recommended spot. The triple tail is neat looking in the fly-by. I'm starting out with a 3S 2100 LiPo with a 1410KV outrunner. The speed controller is a 30A. Both motor and speed controller purchased at the most recent WRAM show. Now it's time to wait for 6 Oct for a float fly in Fredericksburg, VA. Can't wait. S. Barnett CBRC Arnold, MD
Posted on: 9/10/2012 12:02 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11223973

RE: Magnum XLS 61
Thanks for answer. It was spot on. Steve B.
Posted on: 8/17/2012 11:03 AM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11196995

Magnum XLS 61
I am trying to set the low speed needle on a magnum xls 61. I have no ref material to give me a ballpark number of turns on the low speed needle for a start point. I'm using 10% fuel with approximately one hour's running time on the motor. High speed needle is fairly well adjusted as the plane shows no sagging on an extended verticle upline. Thanks in advance. Steve B Arnold, MD
Posted on: 8/16/2012 9:17 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11196457

Kwik Fli
Have just recently completed a Kwik Fli. The fuse was entirely plans built with the wing built from a partial wing kit. First effort at barndoor ailerons. Being somewhat sentimental, as it is an older kit I had to put Fox motor up front. I wasn't happy with the power plant choice at first but, now that I have put about 15 flights on it, the Fox is just about broken in and I am lovin' it. Starts easily, idles well, pulls the plane around the patch with no problems and appears to be getting better with every tankful. I covered the plane with Solartex. After looking at my small fleet I have come to the conclusion that most of my planes are early 70's era designs. My other workhorse plane is a Bridi Sun Fli 4. What a marvelous flying plane. I do like the way they fly. Steve B. CBRC Arnold, MD
Posted on: 7/27/2012 11:56 AM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11171427

RE: Sun Fli 4
I'm currently flying the SF 4. What a gem of a kit to build! I have a GMS .61 in the nose with fixed landing gear. While not a powerhouse, the GMS gets me through the sky cruising at about 60% throttle. What I appreciate the most about my SF4 is it's landing habits. It settles in and flairs for a main gear kiss better then any plane I've had with perhaps the SF 5 being the only exception I can think of. A great plane for any flying occaision. Steve B Arnold, MD
Posted on: 2/24/2011 11:10 AM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10360651

RE: Buddy Box Training Vernacular
Whatever terms you use I find consistancy to a most important thing. Changing terms will only confuse all. Prior to letting the student have the plane, I have them place their thumb and forefinger over mine so they will get a physical feel for the small amount of movement it takes to smoothly fly the plane. This has always elicited a response of, "you hardly move the stick at all!". I also consistantly reenforce the concepts of smaller stick movement(s) with steady pressure rather then pulsing, to achieve smooth flight.
Posted on: 1/2/2011 8:18 AM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Sport Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10233872

RE: Lebanon Pa show?
Place 12 Mar 2011 on your Flea Market calendar. The Central Penn Modelers 31st Annual Flea Market is on.
Posted on: 1/2/2011 8:07 AM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Events, Shows and Fun Fly's - Airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10233838

Hobby King Quattro 4 x 6s Multi Charger
Have recently received mine and downloaded the instructions. Too bad the instructions didn't get the attention that the device seems to have been given! Any folks have experience with this item? My specific area of concern is the proper setting of charging current and time for 700 Mah nicad packs. I like the sequential discharge/charge feature but don't want to fry a pack using a charging current too great for the pack. Steve Arnold, MD
Posted on: 12/28/2009 1:35 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9366403

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 4
David, Thank you Sir. The download came through fine. Steve Barnett
Posted on: 1/30/2009 3:09 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8419980

RE: Bridi Sun Fli 4
w8ye, have already made templates of w1 and w10, stacked the appropriate number of rib blanks to employ the stack sanding method. I have sanded one half of the stack and now ready to start the other half. I was looking for a template or guide to ensure I was doing the task accurately. I would like to think I'd end up with some rather interesting flying characteristics using two differerent airfoils on the same mono-winged aircraft. Although a neat experiment, I would rather spend my time flying then trying to trim a wierd airplane. However, thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my basic question. Steve Barnett
Posted on: 1/30/2009 3:07 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8419972

Bridi Sun Fli 4
I am building a Bridi Sun Fli 4 as re-kitted by Bluejay. All was proceeding well until I did a "dumb thumb" move by inducing a warp in the right wing panel. Alas, the kit is not in the current inventory as offered by Bluejay. Bluejay was contacted but no help was offered through either a purchase of an entire kit or wing rib templates. Anybody have a set of plans depicting individual rib patterns or know of a source where I can buy a set of rib templates? My expirience in building and flying the Sun Fli 5 tells me the 4 should be just as nice. Steve Barnett Arnold, MD
Posted on: 1/30/2009 9:03 AM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8418817

Tower System 3000 6XM interface
I am working with a student pilot's Tower Hobbies System 3000 6XM xmtr as the master radio for flight instruction. The buddy box is a Futaba Skysport. The Tower System 3000 works perfectly when flying the airplane. When we checked the buddy box with the Tower System 3000, all worked well with the exception of the ailerons. There was movement in the proper direction but , the servo, when controlled by the buddy box, would not center. We tried to center the servo with trim but there was insufficient trim to do the job, plus it left nothing for flight trimming. All other servos centered. The pilot/owner didn't have the manual to see if there might be a mixing issue so the buddy box was shelved and training continued via the pre-buddy box method of passing the xmtr. Fortuneately the student was very adept and no problems were encountered. Any clues here? Thanks.
Posted on: 7/27/2007 2:37 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6163709

RE: BRIDI Vagabomd
Gentlemen, Thanks for the responses. Chuck - I agree with your suggestion of enclosing the tips ofthe ailerons. Have done that on previous airplanes and feel the mod is worth the bit of time that it takes. Ron - The good news in the link you provided is all expressed positive statements about the Vagabond. Good endorsements. Steve
Posted on: 6/12/2006 9:59 AM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4381107

BRIDI Vagabomd
Several years ago, while Bridi was still producing and selling kits, I saw his 40 size Vagbond and thought it was a neat looking sport flier. Needless to say, I let the non-RC logic of too many projects already on the table persuade me not to buy the kit. By the time the project list was somewhat pared down, Bridi was no longer selling kits. It has taken me a while but I stumbled onto Bluejay Airplanes with their treasure trove of Bridi designs. Here was the Vagabond. I am now anxiously awaiting the "brown airplane truck" to bring it to my front door. Having already built and flown three other Bridi designs I can only anticipate the great flying characteristics of the Vagabond. I am looking for anyone with experience with this plane and, If I am really lucky, anyone with recent experience with the kits from Bluejay Airplanes. Let the balsa dust fly! Steve Barnett Arnold, MD
Posted on: 6/10/2006 1:35 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4375091

RE: Saito 30 Tach Readings
Hobbsy, Thanks. Back to the beginning I guess. I started at close to three turns open to start, got it started, went to full thottle and got about 4400 on the tach. Commenced the leaning out process and the motor stopped at 7500. Never got close to 10K. A large delta here. When I mounted the motor, I checked the position of the idle screw and it was at the half open mark. Besides, that shouldn't impact the running when at full throttle. The bugger is, at, 7400 I get a relatively decent transition to full throttle. By the way, I checked, and when the throttle stick is fully advanced the barrel is fully open. I went to school on Wva and still wonder why you would want to live there. LOL Steve Barnett
Posted on: 12/23/2004 2:45 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Tachometer Readings"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2462143

Saito 30 Tach Readings
I'm looking for operational (tach) numbers for the above engine. The one I have turns up to 7500 and then abruptly stops. Have I reached the end or do I need to look for a reason why I can't turn more rpms. I have a Zinger 10x5 prop on the front and S&W 10% in the tank. The motor has about 45 to 60 mins run time. Thanks. Steve Barnett Arnold, MD
Posted on: 12/23/2004 9:33 AM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Tachometer Readings"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2461212

Dare (Elec) B-17
I am presently building the above kit and have a question. I'm to para 5 of the fuselage section where I am instructed to install formers F1 through F13. No problem so far. My problem is with the fuse top formers F4and F6. The plans appear to show these two formers atop the 3/32d balse battery floor but, the battery floor isn't installed until step 16 of this section. Is the battery floor installed prior to F4 and 6? The laser cutting and fit is neat so far. The plans a bit busy but if studied well enough, readable. Any help here. Steve Barnett Arnold, MD
Posted on: 12/4/2003 5:07 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=1327397

Saito 40
I'm breaking-in my new Saito 40 on the bench. I plan on 30 mins of bench time followed by another 30 mins of air break-in time. What should I expect as reasonable tach numbers after break-in? I tend to run Zinger props as I am partial to wood. I expect to run props in the 11 x 4 to 11 x 6 range. Any help here? Steve Barnett Arnold, MD
Posted on: 9/5/2003 5:54 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Tachometer Readings"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=1118301

Wally's Squadron August Fun Fly
Thanks for the info. It's on my calendar. Steve
Posted on: 6/12/2003 5:48 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Events, Shows and Fun Fly's - Airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=854304

Wally's Squadron August Fun Fly
I attended last year's fun fly and left planning on a return trip this summer. To date I haven't seen anything advertising this year's fun fly, but then, I may not have looked in the right place either. Is there going to be a Wally's Squadron Fun Fly in Summersville, WV this August? I plan on being in WV (Clay Cty) in August for business and family and am planning on bringing several planes with me. Any help here? Thanks. Steve Barnett Arnold, MD
Posted on: 6/11/2003 7:41 PM by Author "STEVEB" in the forum "Events, Shows and Fun Fly's - Airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=854302