RE: Need help finding next plane! 2m Brushless glider, reccomendations needed!
Started flying sailplanes in 94'. Flown electric and glow all sizes and types of flying you can think of...................... After health problems last year I got a Radian and was amazed on the ability of foam-lipoly-brushless. March I gave away over $2,000 worth of glow-electric scale, sport, aerobatics aircraft. Monday I'll order two Radians and fly at the three clubs I'm a member of and the five parks in town and sit in a folding chair and.......... "Hi, my name is Bill and I haven't flown since yesterday."...........-=grin=- Hint: Radian is the most fun flying of any sailplane I've ever had!
Posted on: 5/3/2009 12:34 AM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8735717

RE: Duraplanes
DuraPlane is not a beginner aircraft. Read the (small) manual that comes in the kit (not really an ARF) It flies fast and 'throttle on' and it won't look -too much- like a falling rock. Bought my 5th DuraPlane (owned 5 cubs to!) and will enjoy our 80X300 grass strip on any windy day - all to myself and unless the cross wind is higer than 20 mph I'll fly my DuraPlane 40 (with a FX .46). Use lots of power - power glide, no such thing as 'motor off' glide - -=grin=- So ugly the first time a model flyer sees one they ask,"What is it?" Happy powered rock flyer.
Posted on: 8/2/2008 8:45 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7801432

RE: Parkzone Ember
Purchased an Ember this morning at RC+ in Salem, Ore. Ron (RC+) allows flying on the RC car track IF no one is running a car. -=Grin=-. Allowing flying is a 'freebe' and everyone understands the guys with the RC cars have primary usage. We are now flying at a HS Gym thru a local AMA club that pays $50 per hour to use the basketball court so Ron allowing us a free/limited flying site is a 'kick and a half'. Been flying electric since 94'. Waiting for the Vapor so I can fly in the house, and out on the patio. This has been my dream since about 98' after a BS session and we (LEFTies) first formed. Going to fly the Whoot out of the Ember! Oregon is a indian word meaning,"Wet Land".
Posted on: 4/29/2008 5:03 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Electric Indoor & Micro RC Flight"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7436150

RE: Making and using A123 packs for my Hobbico Electristar RTF
Flown the Electrastar with 4 cell Dewalt batteries. Flies fine! Puzzled that the A123 battery at 2300mah last longer than 7-3500mah Nimah packs. Above last November. Swapped Electrastar and -now- putting another togeather (Tower Hobbies $208 incl shipping). Will fly with Li-ion 4,5, and maybe 6 cell if not too much volts for motor). Find the Electrstar fine flyiner! Still like Nimah packs! The abrupt cut off of Lith-ion needs careful watching, but great to have a battery that cost less, won't burst in flame and have a life span Experience shows Li-poly suck after 50 charges and/or cold weather.
Posted on: 2/13/2008 7:31 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7071480

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF
Some history on the Electrastar. Flown and owened since Spring 07. Setup is easy. Flies like any .40 sport plane. I've flown with two 6cell, 7cell, 8 cell NIHI packs, also Lith-ion (A123) with 4 cells and now getting some 5 and 6 cell Lith-ion. Flies fine with the $25 7-3000 mah packs using a cheap car 6-7 cell charger (I have the Astro Lith-ion 2 to 10 cell Lith-ion 10 amp charger also) I consider it a Great Sport Flyier. Three club member are flying and expect an explosion of new flyers with the $208 incl shipping Towers is selling the Electrastar. Flown electric since 94' and this is the best .40 size electric! Just ordered another on for a spair ARF and going to use the motor/speed control in my 4 Star 40 and remove the Saito .56 Happy with a electric that is welcome at our field (Big Bird 80X300 runway). Only real complaint the glow fliers (I fly glow to) is the almost quiet motor -=GRIN=-
Posted on: 2/9/2008 6:56 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7049965

RE: A123 charges, motors and ESC?
Fly with a friend into taking Dewalt drill batteries (10 cell 2300 mah) lith poly batteries. This is what I know. Astro sells a charger for lith-polly up to 8 cells charged upto 8 amp rate. Cells are rated as 2300mah (act like 3000mah) weight about 2.5 oz cell charge to 3.2 volt (Ed charges to 3.6 v - can be charged to 4v but shorter life. I've flown -quite nice- a 6.5 pount Electric with a 4 cell pack of lith-poly. go digging and there is more info.
Posted on: 1/9/2008 11:53 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6883370

RE: Current draw of 550 size motor???
Not a colbolt motor. just a $5 brushed can. 105 watts. Max 7 cell - 8.4v 8v X 15amp = 120 Watts -you bet- powered glider is about the only thing a 'can' will fly. Use a 8x4 prop. Be happy if it climbs. BUT in the early 90s in a Electra 78" glider with a 1200 mah 7 cell (motor off-on switch with servo) it was lots of fun!
Posted on: 1/9/2008 11:45 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6883352

RE: Bolting the wing on Superstar EP
What reasion for bolting the wing on?
Posted on: 1/8/2008 10:41 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6877419

RE: Hobbico Superstar EP Performance
Quit bitchin about the stock setup! The airplane has over 40 watts per pound and if you fly 'on the wing' it is fine. Yes, more power means more aerobatics, but you only need 30 watts per pound to fly. I've seen glow fliers (yes, I flown glow - lots) stall electrics into the ground because there isn't enough power (hint: quit pulling up elevator and stalling) I'm putting the motor out of a Electrastar with A123 4 cell pack in a superstar ep. That's the set up used in the 5-6 pound electric into a 3 pound electric. Power is fun but low power flying is fun. Your saying something is bad, when it is only you don't know how.................
Posted on: 1/8/2008 10:37 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6877397

RE: Duraplane Conversion
Had a friend almost make a duraplane electric. two 6 cell car packs on a magnetic mayhem motor with a too flat pitch prop. Just wouldn't lift off at about 35 mph. Needed a higher pitch prop and it would of made it into the air. Could be done, but why? With the set up above and more pitch on the prop I'm sure it would of flown - maybe two minutes.
Posted on: 7/2/2007 1:46 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Glow to Electric Conversions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6061928

RE: I need help choosing my first plane.
Go to an AMA field. Fly the club trainer with the club instructor. Then see if you want to teach yourself.
Posted on: 4/17/2007 12:32 AM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5727694

RE: Trainers vs. electric park flyers.
Park flying and 'club field flying are totally different. I fly both. What you learn park flying teaches you ZERO about flying a 'glow' powered 5 pound 60+ mph club field flyer. My opinon is park flying is fun and a great way to spend $$$ buying another, and another, and another electric park flyer. I even take a park flyer to the club 'glow' field when it is too windy/rainy for the 'glow' flying. I have a friend that has a new park flyer every month-week-sometimes day. and that is the best thing about parkflyers. I spend less in a year flying at the 'glow club' and enjoy it more, but I do have a new parkflyer - another pico stick.
Posted on: 4/17/2007 12:25 AM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5727674

RE: First Plane - Hobbico
Not having flown the ElectraStar, but experienced with both glow and electrics over the past 15 years I feel if you want to fly at a AMA field with a flight instructor that the instructor will enjoy teaching you how to fly using the ElectraStar. It has 'enough' size and power to be welcomed by the flyers and from the review of R/C Reports (my favorite mag) if it is 'still' the best 40 sized trainer/sport flyer in September when I turn 60. I'm a sport flyer of both electric and glow and seeing the ElectraStar has a take down wing it will fit in my Toyota Echo I'm looking toward having it (with 3 flight pacs) this September. Sure, glow is alot cheaper, more powerful, longer flying, but I also like mowing the lawn with an electric mower. My preference, and I fly alot.
Posted on: 4/16/2007 12:00 AM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5722353

RE: What is the largest Mah subC 7 cell?
After thinking about the flying I do, and reading a comment by another SS ep flyer, I find I asked the wrong -but almost right- question. I'm stripping my next SSep flyer for thermal hunting. No ailerons, no wheels, sh55 rudder/elevator servos AND down to a 6 cell pack. Question changes to: How large are C size batteries- larger than sub C- and does anyone know of a mfg/seller of a 6 cell pack or individal cells. Imagine my SS ep floating around for a loooong time looking for a thermal on a 5,000 mah OR LARGER battery -grin- Tsk. "Ya, I'm going flying. Ya, it is raining and the wind is blowing -so?"
Posted on: 4/10/2007 7:44 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5696000

What is the largest Mah subC 7 cell?
Question is a bit specialized. Flying a Supersport EP and worn out two crash/crunch. Buying a new SS ep and want to set it up with the largest Mah 7 cell pack I can find. Planned use is the usual sport flying off a canvas airstrip; touch and go, loops, spins, thermal hunt and I would just like to keep going untill the battery is finished. Brushed 600T -stock- and a nickelmetalhidride pack please. Yes, I know about brushless motors and lipoly packs. Almost everyone in LEFTies and Wingdingers fly with them..... can motors and subC battery packs are always welcome.
Posted on: 4/9/2007 10:40 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5691588

RE: Which mods to add for the Hobbico Superstar
IF your willing to leave a good design alone then just buy some 7 cell 3800mah packs and go fly! local hobby shop sells the 3800 packs for $38. Bigger main wheels, brushless motor, 2 lipoly packs - and charger and speed control cost enough to have -atlest- 8 7X3800 packs..... I leave the charger at home and fly. Belive me 8 minute flights 8 times is more than all the flying I do at the field, of coures Dallas Wingdiners has a canvas runway. BTW 6 to 8 minutes is the average the glow flyers do at a time - timmed with a stopwatch in the pocket.
Posted on: 4/9/2007 6:09 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5690047

RE: superstar ep general electric motor questions
The Superstar EP replacement motor is 12 bucks, on my second and got a long time untill I need another. If you want more power go buy another airplane.
Posted on: 4/9/2007 2:45 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Brushed/Brushless motors, speed controls, gear drives"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5689182

RE: what battery do I need to achieve 15 min flights Hobbico Superstar EP
Slimers are fine, Lipoly are great (expensive) batteries. Go out to the club field and time the average flight of a glow (slime) flyer and you will find the average is about 6-9 minutes. No I'm not a slime hater, I've owned and flown slimers for years BUT I fly more with a Superstare EP (and other electrics) than I ever did with an Aerostar/Easyfly/Taub/Avastar/Nextstar I've owned. Just buy more batteries for you Superstar EP and keep flying. Of course it's nice to have a canvas runway!
Posted on: 4/9/2007 2:39 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5689149

RE: Superstar EP or Electristar EP?
Hobbico Super Cub is the best parkflyer I've flown and a great trainer, flying my second. Hobbico Superstar is the best sport electric (Wingdingers in Dallas Ore. has a canvas strip) I've worn out crash-crash-crash two (add stiffer main landing gear and a tail wheel) and decided to buy my third. Been flying brushed motors and Nicad since 92'.
Posted on: 4/9/2007 2:30 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5689113

RE: hobby zone super cub motor
Sure, just be ready to shell out money. BUT you will need a different speed controll - the super cub speed controll is built in the reciver. If the motor is biger it is heavier so you will need to add tail weight. AND, of course, you will want a bigger battery, BUT you can't put a larger battery in the battery box, SO I suggest you just fly the cub!
Posted on: 4/9/2007 12:07 AM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5686812

RE: WHAT COMPANY MAKE THE BEST AIRCRAFT?
Nextstar fits in my Toyota Echo..... I built a 'carry' box that takes the passanger front-back of the little subcompact. Been flying since 93' and for just fun flying the Nextstar is my love.
Posted on: 4/7/2007 10:35 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5681324

RE: The right prop is there such a thing ?
Prop test results are results as used, not what happens in static test. As a electric flyer - past tense since the lipoly change - load in static testing is about 25% more than in flying. To explain; I found thru lots of flying a Speed 400 motor on just about every glow/electric prop in the 5 to 7 size the BEST was the Cox -gray- 6X3 (for the .049.) - go figure - flying is the only test that shows what a prop will do. Drag/weight/power is a combo figure!
Posted on: 4/5/2007 5:18 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5670575

RE: Electric Fliers; Check this:
I've been flying nicad electrics since 93. I have avoided the 'lith' batteries knowing the fire danger. Now the AMA Prez has explained how to use them: store/charge in a fireproof container and charge with a 'ballancer'/charger. I've removed my Saito .30 from my Sonic and now ready to brushless (yep, been flying 'brushed' for 14 years). Been waiting for a safe way to fly my glow size aircraft as electric. (not saying much but, a Easyfly .40 flies with an Astro 15 geared, so does a Taub .40)
Posted on: 4/3/2007 8:03 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5661043

RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fuselage?
I like building balsa. I like repairing balsa. I like modifying balsa kits. 60% of my enjoying the hobby is in the shop. I'm just a sport flying balsa cuting kind of modeler.
Posted on: 4/3/2007 3:31 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "NitroModels Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5659664

RE: Proximity to Club Regulations - MAAC
I'm a AMA member and the limit is the 2.6 miles. This is not a law, just common respect. The AMA can't (and won't) do more than be a guide. I don't fly anything but electric and a -very few- AMA members act as if their god..... be polite and fly.
Posted on: 3/23/2007 8:38 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Park Flyers & Backyard Flyers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5606954

RE: Speed 400 Gliders?
Why not: Speed 400 .................. $9 6X3 prop/adapt............ 6 7X840 mah batt........... 8 Super Cub wing........... 20 1/8 balsa fuse............. 12 Scratch build it for $50-60. do it when ever I feel like 'buildin'.
Posted on: 3/11/2007 11:27 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5547668

RE: super cub rtf
On my second Super Cub. A bit larger wheel may enable you to take off on shorter grass. I fly at a field with a canvas runway and half the time just hand toss. Flies fine with 7 cell supplied, lots more climb with 8 cell and still flies fine with 6 cell. Does inside loops, spins and thermals quite well. I removed the struts and added strapping tape to stiffen wing. Great flyer, but doesn't like much wind. Fly a Superstar EP and converting a Sonic 52" 'gassy' to electric. Still flying with brushed motors and nicads..... Some day I'll go to brushless??? Flown electric since 94' Biggest is/was a bird of time glider at 118 inches and just about everything else. Belong to a club called LEFTies 'Lazy Electric Flying Team in extreme stress'. Meet each Thusday and fly in parks.............
Posted on: 3/6/2007 3:13 AM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5517928

RE: "aero ace" RTF by AIR HOGS
Flow RC long time. Member of 3 clubs. Newsletter editor, flight instructor, fly sailplanes, fly glow fuel, fly electric. Bought my third Aero Ace to day at Toys R Us (11 left in stock). GO BUY AND FLY!
Posted on: 8/8/2006 7:27 PM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4599189

RE: Great Planes Spectra ARF Sailplane
Ya, but all you get is a shorter run and a hot motor and pack. Maybe a little more oomph, but not much, just a lot of heat. Bill Drummond Salem, Oregon I live in the Willimatte valley. Willimatte is an Indian word for 'rain'.
Posted on: 5/17/2006 11:54 AM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Brushed/Brushless motors, speed controls, gear drives"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4287824

RE: How many cells for an Astro 15 geared?
Thanks Walt, The Astro 15G is in a Sig Senorta. About 6 years ago I helped a friend fly it. Using two 6 cell car packs it flew at less than half throttle, just a big puppy. It has a 12X6 prop and I'll leave it on. More like a powered glider. Might even buy some car packs and go thermal hunting. Bill Drummond Salem, Oregon If your not getting rained on you must be inside.
Posted on: 5/17/2006 11:46 AM by Author "pcsketch" in the forum "Brushed/Brushless motors, speed controls, gear drives"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4287795