RE: New Guy
Economics and competition from cheap Chinese knock offs has caused many companies like Tower to slim down their product line and offer only the best selling products. Same thing that happened with GM cars, you used to be able to buy Buicks, Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, Cadillacs, and Chevy's, now you have a smaller selection of the most marketable items.
Posted on: 7/24/2012 4:54 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11167847

RE: which way is better
Can't post any pics right now, but I hang my electrics vertically between 4 pieces of 1" PVC hung from the ceiling and spaced about 6" apart. I store my nitro planes horizontally in a home made rack that is secured to the wall. Wings in one rack, fuselages in another. Even with an empty tank, if you store a nitro plane vertically, you are going to drip some fuel/oil on the floor.
Posted on: 6/11/2012 6:57 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11114258

RE: First Kit
Ditto on the hinge tool. It will come in handy. You may also want to get a razor plane, Z-saw and mitre box, a covering trim tool, and a pin vise. The 60 is going to be easier to fly, easier to see, etc just due to the fact of being larger. As far as building, it will take a little more room on the work table, but other than that, not much difference. If you are a person who is thorough and pays attention to detail, you can do just fine building over the plans. But the wing jig would probably serve you well, especially if you plan on doing more builds. Just my opinion of course.
Posted on: 6/11/2012 6:09 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11114211

RE: If you could only have FIVE airplanes, what would they be?
1/4 scale cub Venus Somethin Extra Avistar Parkzone T-28
Posted on: 6/10/2012 6:18 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11113739

RE: First Kit
If you want a simple kit to get started and get a little experience building, the Uproar kit or the Dazzler kit are good builds and fly similar to the Somethin Extra. Somethin Extra is also a good kit and great flying plane, but cost a little more. Also, there is nothing wrong with Magnum 4 strokes. I've got Saitos and Magnums,I can't complain about either one other than the finish on the Saitos holds up a little better and you usually pay more for a Saito.
Posted on: 6/10/2012 7:32 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11113150

RE: Noob with a plane (kinda)
I have yet to have any problems with the plastic ones like your pic, but I have had one of the metal ones get loose and slip off of the pushrod threads. A gentle crimp with some pliers and a drop of CA cured the problem. Fortunately, this was on the aileron of my 1/4 scale cub. If it had been the elevator, it could have been a sad day!
Posted on: 6/7/2012 2:50 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11110404

RE: Noob with a plane (kinda)
I don't see a spinner in front of the prop on the plane, is it just removed for the pic, or are you trying to start the motor by pressing the starter against the prop? If this is what you are doing, DON'T!!!!! Get a spinner or at least a prop nut large enough to fill the cone on the starter.
Posted on: 6/7/2012 8:18 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11109996

RE: Help building first plane
Well said!
Posted on: 6/5/2012 5:50 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11107949

RE: Help building first plane
What exactly has convinced you it is so obvious he is a troll?
Posted on: 6/5/2012 4:17 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11107811

RE: Help building first plane
If you look at post #25, he has shown you two ways to do it without a computer radio. The link he gave you for the V-tail mixer would probably be the easiest of the two. The picture of the two servos mechanically linked is a strictly mechanical method that is going to take some patience to get set up and trimmed properly.
Posted on: 6/5/2012 10:03 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11107362

RE: Something that I have to ask
Thanks for the invite FenderBean. I can't take you up on it this year because I'm an instructor now in a tech school and due to class schedule I won't be able to take off this year. But I may take you up on it next year!
Posted on: 6/4/2012 7:05 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11106642

RE: Help building first plane
You haven't said anything about your current flying skills and I don't see anything about planes in your profile. If you have no fixed wing experience you may want to start with a high wing trainer of some sort. Or, if you have a little patience, you could build one of the easy low wing planes like an Uproar while you learn to fly on an Arf or Rtf high winged trainer. The Uproar is not a beginner plane for flying, but it is a good begginer build. You let us know what you're thinking and we'll give you some more suggestions for good kits.
Posted on: 6/4/2012 6:47 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11106618

RE: Something that I have to ask
I've seen the same thing Fenderbean is talking about in all areas of life. Some people get their sense of self esteem by being condesending to others. I've been in industrial maintenance for many years now and see the same thing on the shop floor. Some older or more senior maintenance guys won't help newcomers because their sense of worth is threatened by a sharp newcomer. Some won't help them because they are scared of some one else getting their job. And some are just A-holes and won't help anyone who isn't their drinkin buddy. All of these guys are always threatened by a guy like me who can learn on his own when he needs to and doesn't mind teaching other guys what I've learned. I'm not a jet guy yet because I know I'm not ready. I've flown some 100mph prop planes and Edf's and I don't think I will have any problem with the flying when I get ready to fly jets. But I'm not ready to devote the time and money I'm going to need to dive into building and learning about turbines. But I have an advantage over many newbies, I know how to help people and likewise I know how to find the people who will be willing to help me. When I get ready to get into jets, I won't get discouraged by the A-holes. I'm afraid many guys who could become responsible assets to this hobby if they were helped by the right people are turned away by the wrong people.
Posted on: 6/4/2012 6:34 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11106590

RE: Help building first plane
No, you do not want to try to use a car tx or rx, but you don't have to buy the top of the line computer radio system either. Anything from a Futaba 6x up will probably do what you need.
Posted on: 6/4/2012 5:56 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11106535

RE: Help building first plane
you will need a computer radio that will allow you to program an "elevon" mix. Once the mix is programmed properly, the computer in the Tx will move the ailerons in opposite directions when you move the stick left / right and will move them together when the stick is moved up and down. Good luck to you, you have chosen a difficult build for your first plane, but you are in the right place to ask questions!
Posted on: 6/4/2012 5:46 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11106524

RE: New to planes!
I'll ditto what's aready been said. I did teach myself to fly because I just didn't know there were any clubs around and I didn't learn about RCU until I had already been flying for a while. Now I teach people to fly so I can save them a lot of the agravation and money that I wasted in the process. The closest club to me is an hour away and if I had known about it when I started, the fuel I would have spent driving to the club would have been a fraction of the money I spent crashing, repairing, and buying new planes! If you really have no choice, it is not impossible to learn on your own, but get ready for frustration and set backs. If there is a club within an hour or two of you, it will be well worth your time to go there. At the very least, you definitely need to start with a high wing trainer and find someone with some experience to help you.
Posted on: 6/4/2012 10:13 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11105982

RE: Noob with a plane (kinda)
A 1/2mm of play is nothing to be concerned about. A large amount of fuel leaking in that area is a concern but a minor amount seeping on to the engine is not unusual, especially if you have inadvertently flooded the case with fuel. If it leaks badly after you get a few tanks of fuel to run thru the engine, then you may want to replace the bearings (bushings on that engine).
Posted on: 6/4/2012 9:55 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11105955

RE: parkzone p51 esc
I am assuming you are not referring to the mini P51, but to the large P51 with the 480 brushed motor and gearbox driven prop. If I am not mistaken, you can use a lipo with with the stock esc if you remove the jumper for the low voltage cut off. This will raise the cut off voltage to about 9.3 volts so you don't drain the Lipo pack too low. You can probably use one of the Esc's you have, if it has no cut off adjustment and is set up only for Lipo you can still use the Nicad packs, you just loose a little flying time since the Lipo cuttoff voltage is higher. if you are going to keep the brushed motor, then you will need an Esc made for brushed motors. A 1500 to 2200mah, 3cell, 25c to 30c lipo is a good match for that plane and motor, but you will want at least a 25amp esc, preferably a 30 to 40 amp.
Posted on: 6/3/2012 8:01 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11105314

RE: Front Gear
I have a couple Avistars with trike gear that I use for teaching. After a few hard landings, the front gear will be bent back at about a 30 degree angle. I have turned the gear around several times with no problems. When the gear gets bent again, I just turn it back around, I've not noticed any difference either way.
Posted on: 5/2/2012 5:52 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11065236

RE: I tried to warn him
You can't prevent someone from doing something stupid once they've made up their mind to ignore your advice. I would have had to watch his friend's folly also. Maybe from a little more of a safe distance incase he did hit those power lines, but I would have had to watch. And show the video. I had a similar, albeit less consequencial experience with a fellow who was determined to maiden his new foamy Cessna 182 even after I offered to buddy box him for his first flight on one of my planes. I had my equipment right there and even showed him how it worked with my Super Cub, but he was determined to do it all himself. Of course, his first ever flight lasted about 20 seconds and his plane ended up in three pieces. Now he wants my help. Maybe Skeletor's friend will learn something and try to be more responsible next time, maybe not. But......, if he hits those power lines next time, it will cost him a lot more than a plane and some pride!
Posted on: 4/16/2012 6:12 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11044906

RE: Minnflyer (AKA Mike Buzzeo) has unexpectedly passed away
Very sad that I never got to meet him in person. We talked here in the forums and on the side a few times and he was always very accomodating and willing to share. Even if he disagreed with you he had a courteous and non-condesending way of expressing himself that is rarely found. He will be missed.
Posted on: 4/12/2012 12:36 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11039218

RE: 72mh radio
I still fly with 72mhz Futaba radios, and so do a great many other folks ,with no problems, just make sure your tx and rx battery packs are up to snuff. 2.4ghz is the latest greatest in radio tech. There are no "channels" with 2.4 since the rx and tx constantly "secure" what ever channel they need to communicate with each other. Supposedly, as many pilots as desire to can fly at the same time with no interference to or from another pilots' radios. Sounds so great that lots of folks are switching to 2.4 and finding out there are occasionally some "chinks" in the 2.4 armor. But the bright side for you and me is the 72mhz stuff can now be bought dirt cheap here and on e-bay!
Posted on: 3/13/2012 3:39 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10998895

RE: Need ideas for next airplane!
[quote]ORIGINAL: jetblast96 Hmm the escapade looks pretty cool. The SSE idea is hard for me... it's been so soon and that was my first ever kit build. The build would go faster but I'm afraid that it's too much work doing 2 kit builds back to back. I need to put in some thinking... it was a ton of fun for the 2 1/2 flights I had it for... Actually I have an idea. Maybe I can find the ARF version. It isn't cheating if I built it already ;) and man that plane was fun... Also there seems to be another interesting plane: what's your take on the Sig Mayhem .40? Mike [/quote] I hadn't heard of the Mayhem until now, looks like a mid-wing SSE, should fly pretty good, I may have to get one myself.
Posted on: 3/13/2012 6:35 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10998248

RE: os la 40 WILL NOT stay running
Welcome to RCuniverse Slappy! I figured a moderator would chime in by now, but since they haven't, I'll give you a tip. You have posted your question in a forum that is meant for tech support from Nitro Models. You need to post your question in the glow engine forum or the beginners forum and I or some one else will help you there!
Posted on: 3/12/2012 9:44 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "NitroModels Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10996998

RE: Need ideas for next airplane!
I'll ditto that. I love my SSE. If you want a little quicker and simpler build that flies very similar, Tower Hobbies uproar, or a Dazzler if you can find a kit. Both of these also come in ARF. If you want to go ARF and a little more docile, you might look at the Escapade.
Posted on: 3/12/2012 9:36 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10996979

RE: Engines dying randomly?
How exactly did you tune them on the ground? How did you check the glow plugs? Which glow plugs are you using? What fuel ? Did you notice how hot the engines were after you landed? Assuming you are correct and there is nothing wrong with the fuel or the glow plugs(this is a big assumption!), either a lean or a rich condition can cause what you describe, but usually if too rich you will have trouble in transition from idle to higher rpm. I would try again, tune your engines the same as you did before, but this time turn the HS needle a couple clicks rich before you fly and see if you still have the same problem.
Posted on: 3/12/2012 6:19 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10996702

RE: choosing second plane
I'd reccomend the P-51. Why?........... Because from what I read, you really want to improve your skills, not just look like you are. The P-51 is going to be less forgiving of some mistakes than the Edge or the Extra. The Extra and Edge are awesome planes that will let you power out of a lot of bad situations. You will probably crash the P-51 more than you would either of the other two, but you will learn how to "fly" it, as opposed to learning how to power out of mistakes. Just my opinion.
Posted on: 3/1/2012 3:48 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10983385

RE: FIGHTER PILOT
Cool video
Posted on: 3/1/2012 3:34 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10983372

RE: Lipo charge rates
Lipo's are always best charged at 1C. For a 5000mah pack, that would be 5 amps, 1000mah would be 1amp, etc. Number of cells doesn't matter as far as charge rate is concerned.
Posted on: 2/15/2012 3:41 PM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10960696

RE: Mythbusters
[quote]ORIGINAL: speedracerntrixie Ok Jerry, I think I understand where you are coming from. I have noticed when I am flying pylon that the upwind to downwind turns require less elevator then the opposite so I get where you are coming from about track. I still somewhat disagree about the downwind stall, the way you described it. To me it seems that the additional control imputs causes the stall and that happens wind or not. [/quote] You are correct. As I pointed out near the end of my prior post, the control inputs are what caused the stall, not the wind. If there were no wind, the control inputs would be the same, no problem, and no argument there. Even in the wind, if we weren't concerned about ground track, there would be no need for those control inputs to be different. My point of contention is that it is deceitful to tell a student pilot that there is no difference between an upwind turn and a downwind turn. He will find out the hard way that there is a difference when you are concerned about ground track, and most model airplane flying does indeed require some concern for gound track.
Posted on: 2/14/2012 6:34 AM by Author "hugger-4641" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10958330