RE: Do you think the FAA should be sticking its nose into our hobby?
Why can't we all just get along!!!!
Posted on: 1/29/2012 1:16 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10933908

RE: Do you think the FAA should be sticking its nose into our hobby?
Ya... I feel sooo much better now!!!
Posted on: 1/26/2012 10:27 AM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10928926

RE: Do you think the FAA should be sticking its nose into our hobby?
Do we really think that FAA is looking to regulate the fact that someone crashes his 40 to 120 size airplane? Regardless of how often? I think the FAA involvement comes when someone gets involves in such things as FPV's, over 40% Over 200 MPH (actual) or those brainchild 4 year olds controlling aircraft and Helli's too close to the crowds. The FAA involvment probably will not be felt by those of us that have joined the "controlling element" club, AMA. Those aforementioned classes of enthusiasts may be looked at for the protection of the public and self. The hobby has advanced far past the boundries that the "rules" of the AMA can control as a volunteer to join club. They are simply (possibly) going to bring the rules of the AMA to an umbrella level to cover anyone that is involved in the hobby. Kinda shows how well the AMA really has done for the first 100 years or so. Mabee if everyone that wants to get involved in the hobby would join and follow the "rules" those people wouldnt worry so much about the FAA getting involved. Rich
Posted on: 1/24/2012 6:39 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10926040

RE: Why Futaba does not offer BNF?????
I would like to see all aircraft produced with no electronics built in to let everyone choose the radio system they prefur. I like to be able to repair a damaged plane by replacing a damaged servo or reciever instead of replacing the entire circuit board.. as in the microflyers. Oh well.... I will just fly larger planes
Posted on: 1/19/2012 7:54 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10917917

RE: Why Futaba does not offer BNF?????
(I understand your point. I use the same high end Tx for my ParkZone aircraft as I do for my 20lb Gasser or Jet. Any RC aircraft is a toy. In most cases, the smaller ones just cost less to replace. I expect the same degree of reliability out of the PKZ BNF aircraft and supplied radio equipment as I would from the more expensive aircraft and radios.)(Quote) Then why do we pay for the more expensive radio? Fly that $6,000.00 Jet on a fully reliable PKZ BNF Spectrum radio??????
Posted on: 1/18/2012 5:10 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10915931

RE: Why Futaba does not offer BNF?????
Gentlemen; Somewhere in this thread the point was made. Spectrum radios as part of the PKZ BNF planes are toys. They are produced as toys and are sold as toys. You can interface the larger spectrum radios to operate these toys but they are still toys. I have many of the PKZ PNP aircraft and they work just fine with the full size 2.4 or 72 Mhz recievers. I fly them as the toys they are. I dont expect the same performance from them as I would a real RC Aircraft. Futaba Rc Radios are a small part of Futaba and as such not intended as a controller built for a specific component. It is a very high quality controller for a variety of applications. I have 9 radios to include 3 of the radios that come with the PKZ RTF planes. They came with the toy I bought it with. When I build an RC aircraft I put in a real reciever and operate it with a real controller. I hold their operation to a very much higher standard than that of the toys from PKZ. Is is a failure of Futaba that they dont produce the circuit board recievers so that they can compete in the level of the industry that PKZ and Spectrum have droped to? As I see it they hold the industry standard and produce the radio systems for the people in the hobby that insist on top quality radio performance for their aircraft. As it states in the construction manual of every kit I have seen THIS IS NOT A TOY!. Give me a radio that is not a toy. I will take my Futaba 8FG or 7CAP. Futaba is a company that does not have to produce a toy just to compete. Just my opinion!
Posted on: 1/18/2012 11:26 AM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10915359

RE: DR1 camo streaking
I recently completed the Balsa USA Fokker DR1 1/4 scale. I got a very good look by painting the entire surface with a base coat of light brown (Behr Mississippi Mud) and then dry brush the top with a color called Chocolate cupcake (also Behr). That is a Home Depot paint! It has the green in to match the origonal very well. The Brush I use to dry brush is a "chip" brush. That is one of those that they have a big box of on the botom shelf at Lowes or Home Depot . Just watch for loose hairs getting in to your work. It is a very coarse hair brush and they sell very cheep. The key is to work consistantly and patiently. Good Luck! Rich
Posted on: 1/2/2012 2:05 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10888186

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
BOXCAR; Boooooo! I almost went to that too... I am only about 2 miles from there.
Posted on: 11/6/2011 3:04 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10799722

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
There is a Skydiver club in Columbus, OH that uses a Telemaster to boost up to 7 skydivers at a time into the air. They use a DA 150 to power them.
Posted on: 11/3/2011 2:20 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10795363

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
The step on your little plane is way too far back! on that it should be mabee 1/4" back of the GC.
Posted on: 11/3/2011 2:15 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10795353

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
ken Oh... I guess I should have known where China was as I worked at Colony Marine doing new boat prep on sea Ray boats. But that was in the early 80's. It was just down the shore a few miles. Didn't work there long. Sounds like you got a nice place to fly. I have a 300' landing strip in the back yard lit with solar lights. Fun to fly at nite but as you I am restricted to the 40 to 60 size airplanes due to the tree lines. jeffin Dont forget to post us some pics so we can keep up on your progress! CATSPAW I understand every bit of that!!!
Posted on: 10/12/2011 5:14 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10762233

RE: Giant Telemaster on floats!
Hi everyone! Nice job on the Telemaster Build! I also got mine up this summer. Flew very well at the Gaylord Michigan ALPS Splashin in August. Flys very well off water and in a stiff breeze.
Posted on: 10/12/2011 7:26 AM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10761350

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
Hay Box Car; There is a site called Seaplane Supply that sells foam core floats. I have a set of theirs on a biplane I Kitbashed from the plans for the Lt-40. The company is located in Lake Orion Michigan and make floats up to 60". They probably would work for the 12' Telemaster but as the formula came closer to the 67" range I decided to try my hand at scratch building them. As I only had a week to the first Float fly of the year i didnt have time to wait for them. It only took 4 days to build them. The E_Bay site 1/3 scale floats also would probably work. They give several options on mounting hardware that can be used and methods of mounting. either option would work well. BTW cant place China... I am origonally from Standish but hang around Gaylord MI a lot. They have a GREAT Float fly every year at the county park.. Check it out sometime. CATSPAW; Man... build that kit!!! Wut ya waitin fer?? Just dont use the crush tubes and dowel rods for wing supports. Even the guys at Hobby Lobby tried to upgrade those. The build discussion I read last year included comments from Aerocraft Where they tried several methods of mounting the struts and they found that the brass ends worked well... Since then there have been posts of 3 Telemasters going down for failure of the bond of the brass ends to the wood struts. After reading those and talking to Aerocraft I decided to go aluminum all the way. You can do as they say on the plan and put one strut on each side but at least upgrade to aluminun all the way.
Posted on: 10/12/2011 7:05 AM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10761316

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
The mounts for the floats are places centered over the cg as much as possible. I had to move the mounts back as to be the same place as the landing gears new position and to clear the bomb box opening. It is not that critical where they are as long as the step is 1/2" to 1" behind the CG. The lenght of the floats are determined by the length of the plane from mounting plate on the front of the engine to the rudder hinge x .75.. in this case I came up with approxamately 67"width then came out to about 7 1/2" at the widest point. I figured about 55% of the float is behind the step so I have a 36" tail and the bow is at about 28". The rest of the length is the carved balsa block for the bow tips and the stern is 1/2" ply block to hold rudders. Comes out to about 67" overall. The most important measurement of any is the measurement of 1/2" to 1" from the CG on the plane to the Step on the floats. The step is behind the cg sothat you get proper rotation up to plane when taking off. This is the most realistic plane to watch take off from water. I attend a lot of full scale float events and it takes off just like a full scale Cub. Why do I run glo engines.... I dunno.... I guess I had that engine laying around and I didnt feel that the Saito 180 that I was given for christmas for that plane was enough. I have been in this hobby for almost 5 years now and out of the 54 planes I have they are all glow and only 2 are not 2 stroke... Yes I get picked on about that... I did break down and ordered a 50cc gas for a lanier cap 232 I am building.. I guess I will try it! I got the Supertiger 3450 for $100.00 at a swap meet. Figgered I would use it.
Posted on: 10/11/2011 12:56 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10760105

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
Ok... That didnt take long! Here are the pics of the new water rudders. They are made of PVC kitchen drawer seperators laminated together I found this at The Container Store in Columbus. Cut to shape and the hardware is made similar to any available float hardware only muuuuucccchhhhh larger. As I converted the Telemaster to Tricycle landing gear the front wheel is operated from a servo on the bottom of the fuse. I ran cables to this servo for operation of the Water Rudders. My recommendation would be to modify that to mount servos inside or on the floats themselves and use a Y connector off the rudder connection on the reciever. I have done that on several other sets of floats and it works well. Yes servos will work when wet! All for now.. Good building and above all have fun!!
Posted on: 10/11/2011 6:27 AM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10759518

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
Hi; The aluminum I used is standard hardware aluminum available at any Home Depot or Lowe's. For the main struts I used 1/8" x 3/4" x 12' and cut it to size. for the secondary struts (rear struts) I used 1/8" x1/2" x 12'. As you can see by the prevous pics they are not exactly airfoil shape but are rounded similar to airfoil. The spruce prevents them from bowing under stress and the balsa on top enables you to shape them. They are laminated together using Gorilla Glue. (Pollyurethane base construction glue). Ok Floats.... Hmmmm .. The floats are sorta patterned from Great Planes 40 size floats. I took the basic outline and enlarged them to the appropriate size for the Telemaster. for the tops I used a 1/4" flat plywood sheet and laminated a 1/2" strengthining piece to the bottom (the piece in the pics with the holes). The bottoms are put on last and are light ply. The sides are 5/32" hard balsa with the grain vertical to the float. They are a bit heavy at 12 pounds but the would support a small cessna. The support cage I built from landing gear wire and again it is simmilar to the wire supports on the 40 size floats only using 1/4" and 3/16" wire. Each joint is wire wrapped, soldered and finnished with JB Weld and sanded to shape. The cross supports are same construction of the main wing struts. The water Rudders are a story in themselves and I will have to take some pics of the new ones. I will post them soon. The rudder you see in the pics was not a flip up and was distroyed as soon as I moved the plane off the table... Another oh $#!+ experiance. I will see ya when I get some new pics. Pobly today sometime. Rich
Posted on: 10/11/2011 5:51 AM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10759474

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
Hmmmmm wing flex..... Not sure why you would need a lot of flex.. Wouldn't that be hard on those glued up joints in the wings and add a twisting motion to the strut ends?..the struts maintain wing incedence constant for the length of the wing..... mabee that is why this is the point of failure for so many. I dont really know. All I know is that somewhere there is a pic of my plane (I wish I had it) crashing flat down into a lake and water splashing more than 10' over it with no damage... They work for me! Anyway.... The bomb box... Removable and only held in by a single wing bolt. I take it out for flights that I dont want to drop crap (duckies) on peeps on the beach.. see pics below of the build... It takes a while to get the length of the control rods right but doors open and close easily. I didn't have a retract servo so you have to keep power to it after it is loaded. It works real well tho. Thanks for lookin at my build pics, I do have step by step photos on this one but I dont have a build thread. Rich
Posted on: 10/10/2011 12:59 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10758348

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
Oh... I found a couple of pics of the construction of the struts!
Posted on: 10/9/2011 7:33 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10757088

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
Another suggestion would be on the control links. I used all #6 Ball links and Giant scale control horns bolted thru control surfaces! No movement unless I want it to move.. Flutterless! Rich
Posted on: 10/9/2011 7:16 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10757052

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
These are a couple views of the strut mounts on the wing and Fuse. On the maiden flight of this plane the engine cut out and the plane glided nicely down to about 10 feet off the water when it dropped.. the wings, struts and landing gear took all the stress and the only thing that I found damaged at all was the mounting eyebolts that hold the floats on, (I bent it back out and it was fine). We had a cub do about the same thing and it broke both wings off.
Posted on: 10/9/2011 7:08 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10757039

RE: Senior Telemaster Scratch Build
Just finnished 12' Telemaster build. Flew wonderfull with 12 pounds of Floats! Power is Super Tiger 3250. Great build. It is like a gigantic open base to modify into whatever you want! Rich
Posted on: 10/9/2011 6:45 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10756996

RE: 12' Telemaster- gonna need help
Good luck on your build. Sounds like you are off to a good start in getting the kit a Month sooner than I did! Just a point to mention: I found many threads that stated lost birds due to wing strut failure. I took the brass ends that are in the kit and tossed them away. I made full length aluminum struts by laminating 1/8" aluminum to 1/4" spruce with a top of balsa. sanded to airfoil shape.. Very strong. I also created a primary strut and a thinner smaller secondary strut (same construction smaller materials) and moved the strutmounting point from the center of the wing rib to just in front of the main and secondary wing spars. 1/4" ply laying flat along the wing rib holds 1/4" blind nuts for strut mounts. very strong. I use 1/4" aluminum screws in place of any nylon screws too! Another point to ponder... I sheeted wings and tail to the main spar top and bottom... really add to strength. As you can see by photos I felt I needed it! Keep those telemasters in the air! Rich
Posted on: 10/9/2011 6:01 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10756920

RE: Largest Wingspan Beginner Float Plane RTF/ARF
There are 2 really great planes to start out with on floats. My favorite is the Sig Lt-40. Sig has been having trouble getting their floats but they fit the Lt-40 the best. I run a Super tiger .45 on mine and have had many many flights in a lot of different weather conditions including rain! The other equally fun plane is the Tower hobbies PT-40. I have attached a set of Hanger 9 ARF floats to it and have flown it as much as the LT-40. all weather and easy to fly! I also have the Great Planes Seawind, a SPAD Plane on floats and a (very) kit bashed 80"wingspan biplane built from the planms for the LT-40. Flying off water is much more fun than off the ground for me. It presents some challenges but the options for landing safely are almost endless. The only problem that I have encountered is the curious spectators that want to come close to you and make landing a real challenge.
Posted on: 5/12/2011 6:31 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10516660

RE: What's on your building table or next in line?
Everyone has a lot of planes on the board and it is good to see that we are still building the old fashion way. Not the chineese ARF way. (They have their place[>:]) I am just putting the first coats of paint on a MIG 29 from AK models. I did quite of few mods to it striving for more realism. Looking good so far. I also have another LT-40 on the bench that I am building as a match to my old one. Mods on that include the Float supports and the hatch under the nose to house the battery and reciever in a waterproof box. Also I have a low wing version of the popular pt-40 and that will be a scratch build. Should be a good sport flyer. In the mean time I am about to start the 1/4 scale Fokker DR1 from Balsa USA. And in the garage (litteraly) I have a B24 Liberator project going. That is a monster 14' wing span and will operational turrets and retracts. Power will be 4 Saito .82's. Completion of that project estemated to be in the year 2011.[:o] Well good building and safe flying! Rich
Posted on: 10/2/2009 6:03 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9141886

RE: Flying off water
I have been flying off water all this summer. Just this past weekend I had a great Float fly in Gaylord Michigan with the club there. They know a lot about flying off water and we had a lot of tricky wind to deal with, However!!! It is not as hard as these guys put it up to be. I flew a SIG Lt-40 equiped with SIG ARF 40 size floats and the plane handles very well on the water and up in the air. Dealing with tricky winds has made for some exciting takeoffs and landings (and a few flips). Even when this plane is resting comfortably upside down in the water it will not take on much and if your reciever is in a small plastic bag that is enough to protect it. The second plane is a Tower Hobbies PT-40 and a set of Hanger9 arf floats. The only problem with them is they will break loose on a hard landing if not screwed on with brass hump straps into a hardwood mount. The third plane I tried was a Tower hobbies Kaos! I just screwed the floats on and removed the water rudder and tossed it in. A verry sucessfull flight in very unpredictable winds. It is all about the Excitement!! Don't let any of these Technogeeks scare anyone into missing the thrill of the flight off water!!![:D]
Posted on: 8/31/2009 6:42 PM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9059756

RE: how many RC's do you own?
I have a small one bedroom apartment so I am somewhat limited but here goes the list: Kadet LT-40, Tower PT-40, Sig Seniorita .35, Unknown kit trainer .28, Hobbico Extra 300s .60, Tower Uproar .60. 2 Diamond dusts (.40), Great Planes .60 J-3 Cub, Pica Cessna 182 .60, and P40 Tigershark .35 Profile Control line. I also build Planes from materials like PVC Pipe and Coroplast. I have 2 48" wingspan planes .52 and .68, 1 36" ws .40, and one made from 4 x 4 Fence post cover (PVC) with a wing span of 81" with a 1.48 MDS power. I live R/C Planes!
Posted on: 1/21/2008 10:12 AM by Author "rich6170" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6943660