RE: SCALE JET e-S76 build
If you have flights lasting more than 4 hours contact your physician.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 10:57 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261763

RE: SCALE JET e-S76 build
Butch, I applaud your cahones in running that thing around the sky! The first take off - back in looked hairy. After that, it seems like you got the jitters out. The lights are outta control!! Sandy is finishing up the paint work on my gear and then I'm going to actually fly this thing! I'll make sure to have a video camera on hand this time.
Posted on: 11/16/2009 6:01 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9258487

RE: Chinook scale build
Awesome! I'm getting about 2,500 Watts of power from my setup and it turns a 2,200mm rotor disk with no issue and flies well at high altitude (Denver). The twin rotors should do just fine on yours.
Posted on: 11/4/2009 1:29 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9227806

RE: SCALE JET e-S76 build
[quote]ORIGINAL: bwellmaker Don't you have like 8 feet of snow there? How do you fly in that? B [/quote] Easy, you just fly above it. [:D]
Posted on: 11/2/2009 4:22 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9223038

RE: SCALE JET e-S76 build
You know, on second thought, maybe I should just fly the thing. It is a helicopter after all. mk
Posted on: 11/2/2009 3:55 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9222994

RE: SCALE JET e-S76 build
Nice work here Butch! I need to extend the levers on my doors so they open higher. For now, however, I'm removing my gear and sending them off to Sandy for a nice powder coating!
Posted on: 11/2/2009 3:19 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9222920

RE: No limit to electric helis - HUGE S-76C+ running 2x 10,500 mAh packs!
I've started to work on the cockpit so I'm not sure when videos will appear! Yeah, I'll get it shipped out to you tomorrow. [:D]
Posted on: 10/30/2009 12:26 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9215078

RE: No limit to electric helis - HUGE S-76C+ running 2x 10,500 mAh packs!
[quote]ORIGINAL: andrewdhm Nice bird. Who make the aluminum rotorblades. I have never seen them before. [/quote] M-Blades. They are nice!
Posted on: 10/29/2009 5:17 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9212997

RE: SCALE JET e-S76 build
It's official: you are one sick dude, Butch. [:D]
Posted on: 10/22/2009 7:47 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9194456

RE: Turbine Agusta A119 Police Heli Pix!
Hang in there and you will! I have an article coming out in next month's Helicopter Pilot magazine (sold at newsstands that carry FlyRC) that talks about starting out and the best equipment to choose. mk
Posted on: 10/22/2009 5:11 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9194122

RE: Banana Hobby Back on POOR List
You've identified the issue: guys who want the best for little money. Cheapness was never a quality I admired. It's ok not to over-spend your budget, but when paying a bit more gives you better quality, cough it up and quit whining is my belief. Pete should not cave to the whiners. Bring a good product to market and people will pay.
Posted on: 10/20/2009 11:55 AM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9188067

RE: Banana Hobby Back on POOR List
No, I don't visit that forum for reviews. The reviews are generally not as well-written as they are here (sure, I'm biased) and I generally don't like giving Jim Bourke page views. [:D] That said, I've had every Banana plane with retracts bonk out on me (servo or retract) so I must be the stupid one because I keep buying them. The A-10 was the last straw for me. I still have a TomCat in the box, but I'm wondering if it has the power to fly at this altitude. I could always taxi it around and swing the wings back and forth if it doesn't fly...
Posted on: 10/20/2009 1:27 AM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9187243

RE: Banana Hobby Back on POOR List
[quote]ORIGINAL: Tony A. LDM - What's the confusion? I still visit and continue to do business with Banana Hobby today. My point in the reply to mkrantiz was, just because a servo is bad, that alone doesn't deter me from doing business with Banana Hobby. I fix it and move on, especially something like a bad servo. For me, it's more of a hassle trying to wait for it to get here, then just to buy another servo and move on, not bash a company on RC forums over a bad servo. Obviously, it depends on what the problem is, in sorting out how to resolve an issue. In the case of Jet-Tech, they (Rocky) promised to replace the airplane once I provided them pictures of the damage airframe and shipping info, which I did. They made a UPS claim and never shipped or exchanged the plane. That happened back in May 09! They lost my business and I moved on. Best, Tony [/quote] Tony, "bashing" is different from reporting FACTS. My immediately preceding experience with Banana was over a $500 f 18 that had substandard servos, esc and wing supports according to Pete. And yet, they sold it anyway. Since when is it fine to sell sub-standard products/components and wait for the customer to call to replace it? Re-read my post and you will see that it is accurate and non-inflammatory. You may not mind doing business with them, but after buying at least 5 products from them, I can tell you that I'm finished.
Posted on: 10/19/2009 6:13 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9186089

RE: Banana Hobby Back on POOR List
Will JetTech stand behind the products? I wasn't aware you could buy them without servos installed. I would much rather do that than rip the servos out and replace them.
Posted on: 10/19/2009 1:44 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9185475

RE: Banana Hobby Back on POOR List
I just checked the BBB rating for Banana Hobby on the LA BBB site (http://www.la.bbb.com) and Banana Hobby has an [size=4]"F"[/size]! You have to really try to get a rating that low.
Posted on: 10/13/2009 12:24 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9169651

Banana Hobby Back on my DO NOT RECOMMEND List
Check the story here: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9167768/anchors_9167768/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#9167768
Posted on: 10/12/2009 7:38 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9167774

Banana Hobby Back on POOR List
I'm stunned. Several months after Pete from Banana Hobby told me that they had upgraded retract servos on the F/18 due to failures, I stupidly assumed that the manufacturer had corrected the issue for all products with mechanical retracts. NOPE! I ordered the A-10 and BEFORE I WAS FINISHED ASSEMBLING IT, one of the retract servos failed! Pure garbage. Cheap servos for otherwise nicely conceived airplanes. Now, to top it off, when you call their phone number, you get a nice message telling you that all of the lines are busy and it hangs up on you. This is poor customer service. I'm in a chat window conversation with them right now to see if I can get it taken care of that way, but it would be much easier to put higher quality servos in the product. Banana has a US exclusive on many of the EDF jets they sell and can influence the manufacturer. I know this because they had the manufacturer redesign the F 18 with metal gears after customer complaints. I also know that when they have a batch of merchandise that they know is defective, they just sell it anyway. This is likely the case with the A-10. If you like the airplanes Banana sells, go ahead and buy them, but beware of low-quality components and be prepared to fix it yourself. This is an amateur operation and unless they shape up their sales and customer service practices, you can count the CEO of RCUniverse as one who WILL NOT recommend Banana Hobby to anyone. PS: In all fairness, their online chat person just confirmed they were sending a replacement servo.
Posted on: 10/12/2009 7:36 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9167768

RE: SCALE JET e-S76 build
Hey, the shot clock has buzzed and it's time for your next post!!
Posted on: 10/9/2009 4:53 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9159859

RE: AMA and what does it do for you??
[quote]ORIGINAL: combatpigg The simple truth [with no spin or word wars] is that if you want to join an AMA flying club, you are forced to join the AMA. To argue that point is being sophomoric. [/quote] Not true. If you want to compete in an AMA sanctioned contest you have to belong. Otherwise, if the club is a public club on public property you DO NOT have to be a member of the AMA to fly.
Posted on: 10/7/2009 2:00 AM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9153031

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
[quote]ORIGINAL: J-MICHAEL I like this one.......... ([:D][8D]) : http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9139599/tm.htm I want to get someday the chance to possibly get this far with the hobby as you have with that beast ! [;)] Very nice....... ~ Jeff [/quote] Jeff, believe me you can. When I started helis, I was dreadful at airplanes. Couldn't land worth a $#@T. So I figured I might as well try helis because the ground just comes up to meet you. Seriously, having not had proper patience on planes I decided that if I invested $1,200 bucks in a setup I would be VERRRRY careful and I took my time. I took two lessons and worked with a friend and a simulator. The entire time I kept reminding myself that there was no deadline. I fly my large birds the same way. I push the edge of the envelope slowly and only when I'm ready. I fly conservatively and incrementally add to my skills. It's not a contest. It's a lifelong hobby. The only thing that will ruin that is rushing it and crashing your way to bankruptcy and disappointment. Now go forth, Grasshopper and FLY!! [:D]
Posted on: 10/6/2009 4:40 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9151766

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
I'm reading this thread and thinking that there is a whole world of helicopters that pilots miss by flying single rotor fixed pitch first, as if it were a stepping stone to collective pitch. I don't believe these machines are good stepping stones because they give an unrealistic sense of how collective helis fly. I find fixed pitch helicopters very limiting and I recall starting my heli career with one and being frustrated at the level of difficulty. I would posit that many new pilots never make it to collective pitch helis because they become discouraged at their progress with fixed pitch machines. Sure they are a bit more sturdy and sure they are cheap, but if you want that, buy an Air Hogs helicopter or a cheap coaxial and have at it. I believe hobbyists who want to progress can do so with maximum success using a LARGER glow helicopter (say a 30 sized) and using training gear. Most importantly, new pilots need to TAKE THEIR TIME. I spent nearly 4 months hovering less than a foot off the pavement with training gear, learning how to orient and control the helicopter nose-in and nose-out. This was after I had tried a few small and fixed-pitch helicopters. There is also no understating the value of a simulator. If you intend to fly an electric helicopter, there are great advantages to a constant throttle speed and variable pitch. With this type of setup, you won't find yourself falling out of the sky because you lowered the throttle too much to recover (that can still happen, but with less frequency if you always have full power when you apply collective). FWIW, I would skip the fixed-pitch and fly a helicopter that operates like a real one. Military and civilian helicopters are collective pitch for a reason: collective pitch works better than fixed pitch.
Posted on: 10/6/2009 1:14 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9151312

RE: Chinook scale build
Sounds good. Contact Cliff Preston at MaxAmps and tell him I sent you. He can hook you up with either 4 cells or two 10amp 5S packs (easier to manage and charge). michael
Posted on: 10/6/2009 12:01 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9151108

RE: Chinook scale build
I'm flying a 30+ lb, 7-foot long electric Sikorsky S-76C+. You can get what you need from Sandy at www.v-eastonline.com . Call him. I'm running a proprietary 8hp outrunner with a Kontronik Power Jazz 63 ESC and two 6S, 10,500mAh packs from MaxAmps.com. 1,000mm blades (aluminum). Go electric; especially on a tandem. I had the Hirobo CH-46 and it flew fine, but vibrations and smoke ruined the scale effect. Or...go turbine! [quote]ORIGINAL: tjmackey I have been thinking of going electric for a more scale feel, and more importaintly less vibration. Anyone have ideas on suitable brushless motors and ESC that will do the job? The Align 90 flies the machine great but I could do without the noise, oil smoke, and vibration[:D] Converting to electric will be very easy, But finding suitable equipment is my prob. [/quote]
Posted on: 10/6/2009 2:49 AM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9150332

RE: SCALE JET e-S76 build
I was posing the heli for photos and was about 40 degrees from nose in close to the ground (to get the mountains in the background for the show). A bit of wind pushed the nose down and I over-corrected. That lead to some gyrations because I was in ground effect. It didn't help that the heli was now drifting laterally so as soon as I stabilized the pitch party, I swing the tail around. It still had sideways momentum and I was above grass at about 6 inches altitude. In retrospect I suppose I should have added collective, but the wind sock pole and a fence were nearby and I was nervous already. I landed with some sideways momentum and it broke a ball link off the gear door and separated the forward hinge from the gear door. The telescoping tube came apart on both sides and broke the link on the other. It's all working now. Truth be told I should not have brought it into a nose in hover at 5 feet high on my second flight ever. I had only flown it for 5 minutes total over two flights and I told the guy taking shots for me that I wasn't really comfortable doing it...but did it anyway since the magazine deadline is coming up this week. I had scheduled to have a qualified pilot friend fly while I shot pix, but he didn't make it to the field and the weather was perfect when I got there (until the wind started gusting of course). Anyway, I got some good shots and she's ok. Lessons learned!!
Posted on: 10/4/2009 11:27 AM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9145544

RE: SCALE JET e-S76 build
Salivating at the site of this work!!! Had a nasty landing on Friday and did some minor damage to gear and one door. Had it fixed in about an hour or so. Question for you: When my gear are fully extended with the plunger nearly all the way in, I can still move the gear with my hand. Sandy is helping me on this but I'm wondering if you experienced the same. mk
Posted on: 10/4/2009 2:52 AM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9145017

RE: No limit to electric helis - HUGE S-76C+ running 2x 10,500 mAh packs!
Had a rough landing today while shooting pix. Need to fix a few pushrods and reattach the door on one side. My fault. Dumb thumbs.
Posted on: 10/3/2009 1:40 AM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9142760

RE: No limit to electric helis - HUGE S-76C+ running 2x 10,500 mAh packs!
[quote]ORIGINAL: ea01bg Sweet, what mechanics are in that ?? [/quote] Peka-Lufttechnik mechanics. You can see them at http://www.scalejet.com. They are elegantly designed! I have to shoot still shots today, but will try to get video tomorrow! Sorry guys!
Posted on: 10/2/2009 12:10 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9141228

No limit to electric helis - HUGE S-76C+ running 2x 10,500 mAh packs!
For those who think there are limits on what you can do with electric helicopters, check out my Scale Jet Sikorsky S-76C+. It has an 8HP electric motor and runs on two 6S, 10,500 mAh packs. That's 44.4 volts! The motor swings 1,000 mm aluminum blades and a fully machined tail rotor with aluminum blades and stainless steel counter balance balls. The retracts and doors are all scale and are just fun to watch and play with! I hope to shoot some video this weekend. Michael
Posted on: 10/1/2009 7:13 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9139599

RE: SCALE JET e-S76 build
Hey Butch, Your pilot is a weenie in his red jump suit. You should get with Mike Brent and have him carve a full pilot in your likeness (I did it!). He does fantastic work and it would be the crowning finish to an awesome piece of craftsmanship. I like the IP prognosis. I'm going to begin cutting floor templates soon. Are you doing an overhead console as well? mk
Posted on: 9/30/2009 5:07 PM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9136556

RE: SCALE JET e-S76 build
Blades are naturally dark gray aluminum. They are imposing!! I'll bet there is no more than 2-3 inches clearance between the main tip and the tail rotor tips!
Posted on: 9/28/2009 9:45 AM by Author "mkranitz" in the forum "Scale RC Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9129588