Thoughts from the workbench of Radical RC. The online retailer of electronics and kits for radio control aircraft. Dave Thacker shares his thoughts and knowledge of electronics, batteries, kit design and overall enjoyment of the hobby.
Hi Dave,
I know you are interested in getting young folks interested in Model
Aviation. Last Saturday my club helped at the NASA Space and Rocket Center
Aviation Challenge event. Here is a photo of me planting the seed with a
little one (he was thrilled). Later I introduced his dad to flying and we
“set the Hook”.
Archie
More info from Keith Shaw who you’ll remember has done some extensive scale detailing to one of our kits. Keith is an AMA Hall of Fame member. He’s tuning and trimming his bird and offers the following.
Hi Dave,
Now have 8 more flights on the Wright. Two improvements have GREATLY helped the directional control.
1) I found that the aileron cross pushrod was buckling. Increased wire thickness to 1/16th, helped a little. Rolled masking tape around pushrod ends and middle to get it up to the ID of 1/8th aluminum tube. Coated the tape with 5 minute epoxy and slipped the tube on. Wing warping is now very solid and uniform over flight speed range.
2) Mine had the few hertz rudder oscillation like yours. Carefully flexed everything back there and found that the vertical wire was wobbling all over the place at the bottom. The rudder pushrod was very solid in comparison, so side loads on the fins cause large distortion of the bottom inch of wire. Drilled out the boom bearings and plywood fin cross braces to use a 3/32″ wire instead. Rudder control is nice and solid and the oscillation is gone. Might have been able to get away with 1/16″ wire, but went for the 3/23″. Besides, I needed to move the CG back. 🙂
Now flying with CG about 7/8″ behind leading edge, still need to do some small tweaks on the motor thrust line. The plane now has a very solid feeling, with only a slight pitch bobble when it hits some turbulence. Flew it twice yesterday at an airshow in Detroit in 10 mph breeze with some minor turbulence. No problems. Before the mods this would not have been wise.
BTW, the crowd at the airshow LOVED it. More photos taken and questions asked than any other plane there.
Take care,
Keith
December 12,2012: Another zone were self defense is forbidden, where dying at the hands of a wacko is held in higher moral regard than defending your own life or the lives of other Americans. Clackamas Town Center Mall, A place where your life is flippantly put at risk. Hey wackos! Come here! Come to our place where we have disarmed the “sheeple”, easy victims for you to prey upon. Score two more innocent deaths for the anti-self defense cause.
I know the anti-self defense crowd must get warm fuzzies when they post a “No-Guns” sign. I don’t question their intentions. I’m sure their intentions are good. However, when you measure the results of gun free zones, of forbidding self defense, what you really have done is made your “zone” an attractive place for a law breaker or maniac to let loose his sick fantasies upon your customers and friends. The owners of this mall are complicit for creating a dangerous place to inhabit. I am sorry for the families of the loved ones who were lost, sorry our country tolerates this kind of ignorant stupidity. Shame on you for creating another place that gives preferential treatment to criminals.
At best, missing from many people’s education and upbringing is the simple lesson that predators seek easy victims over difficult ones. Do Hyenas feed upon Lions or Gazelles? Or, do they simply begrudge you your right to choose to be a Lion rather than a Gazelle? For some it’s ignorance, others pure politics, they are offended by American liberty to choose anything.
At Radical RC we respect the right of every American to self defense. Any visitor or employee is not only welcome to carry a weapon if they wish, it’s respected. Failing to exercise constitutional rights risks lowering ones appreciation for the gift of freedom and liberty we enjoy in this country. And, it weakens our resolve, easing the way for those who are continually chipping away at our liberties. I respect your right to choose, what I don’t respect are the tyrants that feel it’s their right to choose for you.
If I err in any way, I choose to err on the side of Liberty.
My name is Dave Thacker and I’m doing something about it.
Gate Opens At 8:30 For Sellers / Set-Up Swap Meet Starts At 10:00 – Flying Starts At 12:00 – Flyer Below
2012 Wingmasters Swap And Fly Flyer
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