RE: Any guesses when Real Flight 6.5 will be upgraded to the next version?
Actually you have it backwards! ;) Revenue falls off if a new version ( and expansion packs ) do not appear within a given period of time. I'll walk out on a limb and predict the announcement of a new version for the 2013 holidays. I just hope KE dumps support for old & slow "Integrated" video processors and moves to at the very least DX10 compatibility instead of DX9.
Posted on: 6/13/2013 12:15 PM by Author "opjose" in the forum "RC Flight Simulator Software"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11542369

RE: Best small cameras for RC aircraft
For anyone interested. I've tried various cameras from different manufacturers including the FlyCamOne2. I've tried small Sony cameras that have AV capapabilities. The small keychain cameras and some of the hobby cameras produce less than stellar results. I was disappointed with the FlyCamOne2, but the peripheral "hot foot" servo controller, etc... were somewhat nice if overpriced. The Hero GoPro produces good results but I took the risk and purchased one of these on a whim. [link=http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__34114__HD_Wing_Camera_1280x720p_30fps_5MP_CMOS_USA_Warehouse_.html]Wing Camera[/link] I expected the above "wing camera" to produce video no better than the FlyCamOne2... I was quite surprised to discover that the AVI's the wing camera creates are on par with the more expensive GoPro. Not bad for the price!
Posted on: 6/13/2013 12:04 PM by Author "opjose" in the forum "Digital Camera & Photo Editing"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11542355

RE: OMP profile Edge any good?
Has anyone stuck a 15cc gasser on theirs? I have a NIB plane and a 15cc gasser that might make a good pairing.
Posted on: 6/13/2013 11:00 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "3D Flying!"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11542311

RE: Average Number of Crashes/Week at your field.
Yup I agree. If it were left up to me, I would require the people certify only with planes of a certain size ( .40 or larger equivalent ) using a glow or gas engine... I see too many electric flyers that have not learned the "healthy respect" of an electric motor... I don't want them to learn the same way I did and also end up in the emergency room. At least the noise & smoke of piston engines gives people pause.
Posted on: 6/13/2013 10:59 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11542308

RE: AMA Warning Label on FPV Advertisements???
FYI: Most ARF and RTF planes & helis from the larger vendors, and even most Asian imports come with warnings about following AMA rules ( in the U.S. ) and local laws and guidelines. Some post the complete set of guidelines & rules, while warning that you CAN be prosecuted for irresponsible behavior. FPV is something new and cool to most people who are not familiar with all of the above. It is bringing in a high percentage that have never heard of the AMA nor the regulations affecting RC. Their antics coupled with an innate public fear of how FPV will "violate public security rights" creates a double edged sword. That sword is already cutting a broad swath with 18 states enacting LAWS that effectively ban ALL RC ACTIVITIES due to lousy legislative wording and lack of comprehension on the part of the fear crazed lawmakers. That the AMA added a cautionary note to the advertizement is not a bad thing.... it would be nice to see all vendors embrace something like this to help discourage irresponsible behaviour... ( something Youtube is repleat with ) and keep FPV & RC legal.
Posted on: 6/13/2013 10:45 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11542299

RE: Average Number of Crashes/Week at your field.
[quote]ORIGINAL: on_your_six Thanks Jose, What do you do about accidents, like last night, where a pilot clearly dumb thumbed a foamy into the ground, goes over and dusts it off and flies again. Is that a crash? [/quote] I catagorize that the same way I would a "ripped out gear" landing. If the plane can be made to fly again without a lot of effort, it is not what I classify a "crash". If you practically have to rebuild it from scratch... it's a crash. - You bring up an interesting point vis-a-vis training. I see many people getting certified that really should never have been. They were able to take off and land the plane as per the cursory certification criteria, but the person who did the certification missed all of the tell-tale signs that the student was simply not ready yet. e.g. - The Student can not execute a decending turn into final approach, and instead ends up chasing altitude. - The Student can not hold a straight flight line down the entire length of the runway without veering towards one side or another. - The Student can not enter a straight in approach, and is always at an angle. - The Student can not correct and keep the plane running down the runway at takeoff in a straight line. - The Student is proficient in one approach direction, but not from the other. - Etc, etc.. So after training the student is given their card, they go off and fly, and end up destroying a bunch of planes learning to correct for all of the above. This increases the incidence of crashes that could have been avoided by more training. Many of us however learned the hard way AFTER training... The first two years I crashed a LOT of planes due to my own mistakes... now I usually only crash due to mechanical failures that are rare.
Posted on: 6/13/2013 10:31 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11542285

RE: Radio questions
[quote]ORIGINAL: jester_s1 Spektrum still has an issue with brownouts that other brands don't. Yes it's true that any 2.4ghz receiver will reboot if the voltages gets low enough, but the threshold is set lower on all the other brands. Spektrum reboots at 4 volts, [/quote] Eh, it's less than 3.2 volts not 4. Equipment, particularly servos can produce momentary large drains that make it appear that the RX is rebooting at higher voltages, but what occurs is that the voltage drops too quickly for a lot of meters to register correctly. Put everything on a scope and you can see all of this. The same is true of Futabas and other brands so it is not endemic to any one make or brand. The original problem with Spektrums was the longer reaquisition time which was cured long ago.
Posted on: 6/13/2013 9:14 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11542218

RE: arf tx and rx
That transmitter is a short range device which I would recommend that you NOT try to use with a plane. Since it sounds like you are new at this, the best advice anyone can give you is to find a local club, check out their field, meetings and training sessions, and join up. DO NOT purchase any planes or hardware until you do so. You will come away with a greatly changed view point and you may discover that your initial approach may not have been the best.
Posted on: 6/13/2013 9:06 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11542211

RE: Rc clubs
[quote]ORIGINAL: carrellh Kids do not seem to be fascinated with aircraft like I was, growing up in the 60s and 70s. My nephew, born in 1986, went to the field a few times with my brother and me but he really preferred hanging out with his friends versus hanging out with a bunch of 'old' men 40 miles from home. [/quote] I posted this on the AMA thread: Last year our club enlisted a few motivated members to do something about declines in membership. These motivated individuals put in the effort. As a result we've put more people through the Introductory Pilot program than any club in the nation ( over 250+ people in one year ). We also began a far more structured training program than we had in prior years, and undertook a bit of free advertizing... e.g. leaving stickers on old magazines strategically placed in public locations... etc. To offset training costs for the club, aside from the club and AMA membership requirements, we added a small $30.00 "consumables" fee for those undergoing training. The end result has been that our club ( and AMA ) membership grew dramatically over a very short period of time. We've added and certified many dozens of new pilots a year and doubled our maximume ever membership. Those that did not finish the training program last year stuck around. This year is no different. We find that we have to TURN AWAY students from our training sessions because the slots fill up quickly. The interest is there in spite of comments to the contrary. - What is lacking is the will to do something about it by the "tired few" that remain. We brought in "new blood" to handle the load and it worked.
Posted on: 6/12/2013 12:05 PM by Author "opjose" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11541319

RE: Hobby King Delivers quickly again
[quote]ORIGINAL: topspin That's why Hobby King has to pay people to post on sites like this one because they get more complaints than anyone, they need shills to keep the suckers biting. [/quote] There it is AGAIN... If you can't argue with direct experience then try to dis-credit the poster by calling them a SHILL or something that cannot be easily countered on a public forum. Sheez.... debate skills are lacking. In the mean time I too must be one of those hundreds of rare people that have pretty good experience dealing with them. I do not expect to EVER be able to return ANYTHING, but that's the risk I take. On 60+ orders they've only screwed up the contents once... it took three e-mails to resolve it, and they packed my missing item with my next order from Hong Kong. People who wish to rationalize paying more, or bemoan the derth of hobby stores, can blame Hobby King all they want, but the two are not related. Critique the quality of products vis-a-vis equivalents from elsewhere, otherwise such "shill" posts are specious and silly.... Damn HK must have a LOT of "SHILLS"... e.g. everyone who has ever purchased things from them, that they end up liking.
Posted on: 6/12/2013 11:58 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11541312

RE: EXPERT PILOTS
An "expert pilot" is the guy that the majority of others want maidening their planes. It's the guy that people ask to land their plane after the wheels fall off in flight, or who takes over for you when you discover that your ailerons are reversed. Everyone else is an "experienced" or "proficient" pilot.
Posted on: 6/12/2013 11:48 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11541303

RE: Average Number of Crashes/Week at your field.
235 members, 30-40 flying on average any given week, though during training and IPP sessions that my triple. We average one mid to large sized plane, catastrophic crash a week and probably about 3-6 foamies, plus one "treed" foamy a week. Almost ZERO larger planes flying into trees, even though trees boarder our runway. There have been weeks where I've seen three to four medium to large planes crash in a single weekend, but this is usually an exception. There are a lot of bent gear or ripped out gear landings every week and a good number of deadsticks. I also see on average one crashed heli every three weeks on the adjacent heli field.
Posted on: 6/12/2013 11:40 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11541298

RE: The Member who never came back
[quote]ORIGINAL: vpresley I would be pro-active, not passive. I would volunteer for what interests me. I would help out at the field every chance I got. I would try to interest my friends to come out also. Your experience is what you make of it, not what others do or think of it. Its been my experience that what you put in to an hobby, is what you get out of it. The rest of the things you seem to want will come with time, but only if you make the effort and not just sit back and wait for something to happen. [/quote] Yup, you, Combatpigg and Jester have it spot on. In our club it's fun to watch those with that type of attitude quickly BECOME the "inner circle" because of their involvement. The members who have been doing all of the work for years, look to such "new blood" to keep things vibrant and growing. Those who usually claim to be "completely ignored" tend to make very little effort. They SHOULD ask questions galore too... However if the latter is rebuffed, find a better club member to ask! People LOVE to have others listen to them... and there is no better way to be part of the existing membership than by letting others give you advice, or answer your questions.
Posted on: 6/12/2013 11:33 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11541289

RE: amp draw
[quote]ORIGINAL: chuckk2 It is possible for a failing digital servo to draw 1 1/2 ampere, and still function (but poorly) (Had it happen!) [/quote] Right and even properly functioning higher torque analog servos can draw 1500mA @ 6v or more when they approach stall. It is best to assume that EACH SERVO on your plane can draw close to or over 1000mA in flight and size your capacity accordingly. Average draw is less, on the order of 200-300mA per servo, but it's those momentary peaks that cause brown outs and voltage drops... Better to overdo it than not in this case. IMHO it is silly to try to fly a plane with an 800mAh to 1200mAh 6V pack now-a-days. I see many people show up with giant scale planes and 8 digital servos, using measly 2000mAh packs or dual 1200mAh packs... very foolish.
Posted on: 6/12/2013 11:22 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11541280

RE: Charging Batteries In Plane
We charge the two 4200mAh LiFe packs and the one 2300 NiMH Ignition packs WITHIN our club trainers, using that HiTec charger. We purchased two chargers. We charge the two 4200mAh internal packs in parallel with the charger set for 4200mA for safety. The NiMH pack are charged on a second port. With this arrangement we can charge two planes at a time from a single charger, and four planes simultaneously from both. Once or twice a season I'll extract the LiFe packs and balance charge them separately. This has worked so well that I am replacing the NiMH ignition packs with LiFE packs at the end of the season. We are spoiled by the 15minute charge time required by the LiFe packs, where the NiMH packs take 2+ hours to charge at 1amp... We want to be able to charge the planes up 15-20 minutes before a training session begins, to save us a lot of prep time and effort. I made eight sets of 40" extension cables to go from the charger to the connectors on the plane.
Posted on: 6/12/2013 11:15 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11541275

RE: Why the AMA is not growing...........
Last year our club enlisted a few motivated members to do something about declines in membership. These motivated individuals put in the effort. As a result we've put more people through the Introductory Pilot program than any club in the nation ( over 250+ people in one year ). We also began a far more structured training program than we had in prior years, and undertook a bit of free advertizing... e.g. leaving stickers on old magazines strategically placed in public locations... etc. To offset training costs for the club, aside from the club and AMA membership requirements, we added a small $30.00 "consumables" fee for those undergoing training. The end result has been that our club ( and AMA ) membership grew dramatically over a very short period of time. We've added and certified many dozens of new pilots a year and doubled our membership. Those that did not finish the training program last year stuck around. This year is no different. We find that we have to TURN AWAY students from our training sessions because the slots fill up quickly. The interest is there in spite of comments to the contrary.
Posted on: 6/12/2013 11:07 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11539055

RE: Neiuport 28 Maxford USA
[quote]ORIGINAL: Bob dunlop This is a great plane! I've been flying mine for about 5 months now...it flys like a trainer. I set mine up electric...E-Flite Power 160 on 10s 5800mah, Castle 120HV ESC so it did'nt need much to make cg. Did a bit of detailing..changed wheels and used cotter pins to secure them,added a scale tail skid,Aces of Iron pilot and some gauges. Also changed all wires and stuff to Proctor Enterprises, and a bit of weathering and Hat and Ring decals by Callie Graphics :) Here are some pics [/quote] Very nice. How did you go about painting the spokes on the wheels? I'm afraid that my attempts to do the same by hand will look terrible.
Posted on: 6/12/2013 8:59 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11541136

RE: A good deal or crap?
Consider that you will only be able to use that radio with the supplied receiver. If that is OK with you, go for it, but check that the unit functions ASAP. Somewhere I have a box with 3-4 of those radios I received with RTF's... they were quickly removed.
Posted on: 6/10/2013 4:11 PM by Author "opjose" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11539444

RE: Second plane?
[quote]ORIGINAL: RCEM-Joey that being said, you *do* have to consider that it is wood. [/quote] Which is a VERY good thing. You can fabricate replacement parts out of items available in any hobby shop or on-line. The ability to use standard covering means that your repairs leave the plane looking as good as or sometimes BETTER than new.... unlike the very poor repairs that foam planes endure. Foamies can be glued back together if they happen to break "just right" and you find all the pieces, but they look awful unless you engage in a lot of filling, sanding & painting. Most foamies look like trash heaps after one season of hard flying.... and you have to treat them like they are made of glass to avoid permant dings. Balsa/Ply planes can practically fly forever if you invest a bit of time as some of the prior repair photos in the Stik threads attest to. That "foamies are easier to repair" is merely a marketing myth.
Posted on: 6/10/2013 4:07 PM by Author "opjose" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11539030

RE: Funtana 125
[quote]ORIGINAL: ameyam Not meaning to hijack Grazhopper's thread but this is a matter close to heart. How does the DLE20 compare to the FG20 for this model in terms of throttle response in the mid range that is important for 3D? Ameyam [/quote] Dunno about the FG20, but the DLE 20 response is pretty quick. I'm using 17x6 3D props on our Giant Big Stik trainers that weight in at 17lbs and the planes all do high alpha takeoffs within a few feet.
Posted on: 6/10/2013 11:11 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11539102

RE: Funtana 125
Yup, gas...
Posted on: 6/10/2013 10:08 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11539035

RE: Need engine recommendation for new 10lb ARF
The carb is also an effective pump, so there is no difference to the engine. It also prevents siphoning, since fuel is only allowed to flow when the pressure pulses hit the carb. Mount it any way you want. If you follow proper procedure and notice that fuel is not flowing towards the carb during priming, first check your plumbing. If everything is OK remove the carb plate held in place with a single screw. Under that is a diaphragm. Remove the diaphragm and note the orientation... you'll have to put it back exactly the same way. Finally check for any manufacturing brass shavings or debris which will prevent the pump from working. While you are at it, also check the tiny screen... you'll need to revisit that screen every season or so.... otherwise the engines run great. Lots of power for an engine this size... EASILY the equivalent of a 2 STROKE, 1.20 glow engine when properly propped.
Posted on: 6/7/2013 9:08 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11536237

RE: Need engine recommendation for new 10lb ARF
[quote]ORIGINAL: flyinwalenda No but their design is a decent one and works very well. [/quote] Yeah I think the EVO 26cc I have is the same way.
Posted on: 6/6/2013 6:02 PM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11535702

RE: Need engine recommendation for new 10lb ARF
[quote]ORIGINAL: flyinwalenda The Evo 20cc (10cc&15cc too)engines pump requires tank pressure via the muffler to work properly. [/quote] The Evo does not have a Walboro carb?
Posted on: 6/6/2013 2:29 PM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11535516

RE: Second plane?
[quote]ORIGINAL: DenverJayhawk two words: Big Stik [/quote] Ibid! +3 You'll never tire of a Stik and it will hold up to the abuse of a second plane. Easy to repair, rugged, does VERY well in winds, lands easily, can be hovered, harriered, etc...
Posted on: 6/6/2013 9:18 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11535219

RE: Need engine recommendation for new 10lb ARF
[quote]ORIGINAL: scale only 4 me LOL, Dude,, it's a Spacewalker, there will always be a problem hovering it [:D] [/quote] Heh... absolutely... especially with those thin control surfaces! [:D]
Posted on: 6/5/2013 12:29 PM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11534300

RE: Need engine recommendation for new 10lb ARF
I have DLE 20cc engines pulling 17lb Giant Big Stiks around w/o any problems. The plane will NOT nose hang or hover with this engine, but when equipped with a 17x6 prop it does very well. I'm getting about 8400 RPM static with that prop... Run the numbers and you get back a very respectable 2.2+HP & 16lbs of thrust. On the Spacewalker the lighter engine and frame will pull the plane around VERY well... if you keep it in the 10-11lb range you'll have no problem hovering.
Posted on: 6/5/2013 10:46 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11534194

RE: Great Planes Giant Ugly Stick
[quote]ORIGINAL: superfli No, A 20cc is not enough. This thing is heavy. Just go with a G38. Replace all stock hinges with robart hinges. In the end you will have one fun plane. Superfli [/quote] A 20cc flies the Giant Big Stik just fine... with all stock hinges too... 100 - 16 minute flights a DAY(!!!) bear this out... A 20cc will NOT let you hover or prop hang the stick but it does let you fly the plane in a very pattern like manner. You DO have to put the engine out further or you'll end up adding a LOT of nose weight. I added 3lbs of nose weight to a DLE 20cc equipped Giant Big Stik, because I could not get a long enough beam mount to bring the engine out any further. The plane came in at around 16+ lbs but the 20cc swinging a 17x6 3D prop does just fine. I get static RPM numbers well over 8200-8400. Still unless you specifically WANT to tone the plane down, as I did for the pictured "trainers", your better off with a 30cc and above engine such as the G38.
Posted on: 6/5/2013 10:38 AM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11534189

RE: Great Planes Giant Ugly Stick
[quote]ORIGINAL: Super08 He has only been flying it a short time. [/quote] Incorrect assumption. [quote]ORIGINAL: Super08 I have seen some of them go a couple years before they start to fail, but they will fail. [/quote] I'll let you know when they do, but so far ACTUAL direct experience says differently.
Posted on: 6/4/2013 4:27 PM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11533433

RE: Great Planes Giant Ugly Stick
Hold that thought for a few years. When one finally does fail I promise to let you know... in the mean time we'll still be flying over a hundred flights A DAY.
Posted on: 6/4/2013 1:19 PM by Author "opjose" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11533238