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.
Keith writes:
“”Hi Dave,
Flew the Wright at a e-fly this last weekend. Saturday was beautiful, cool and calm. One of my friends took these shots of the Wright, thought you might like to see them. Also Dave Grife took a couple of short videos. Sunday was much windier and quite gusty (about 10 mph, gust over 15 mph). The Wright handled it fine with the modifications to the wing warping pushrods and the rudder pivot shaft.
Keith
First two minutes is Wright””
Note: Keith has constructed a take off dolly. As he takes of the model turns directly into the wind and leaves the dolly. I have no close up shots of the dolly. It’s a simple square board with two wheels up front, tail wheel on stinger and two pegs that catch a front cross member. Soon as the model lifts, it clears the cross member and leaves the dolly behind. The rear wheel is a smaller tail wheel type mounted to caster freely.
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.
Steve’s built a beautiful 1905. He has added some scale detail including flying wires and pilot.
Low Pass – Easy Climb Out
We can clearly see a pilot capable of flying this model right in it’s sweetest spot, low and slow.
Pilot Acknowledges Photographer
“Hi Dave,
I was at our local field last week, and one of the guys took 60 some jpg’s of the Flyer. Some turned out excellent…! I did a low and slow fly by (didn’t think it was quite that low!) and he caught the whole sequence. I also really like the turn down wind… Use any that you might like.
Best,
Steve”
Outbound to setup for another pass.
Thanks for providing the great photography Steve.
Entering the plyon turn at Reims, France, August 1909.
Address: See club provided map below and on website.
AMA Club Charter: #2434 Formed: 1969 History: RAMS History
Club Dues: $5 Average Membership: 60 Memebership Limit?: No
Flying Hours: Because this flying field is inside controlled airspace (Wright Field) , flying is generally limited to after 5:PM to sunset weekdays and generally 12:nooon to sunset on weekends. There are some other restrictions and special dates the field is closed, be sure to check the Park Rules on the RAMS website for the official information.
Membership Information: The club is open to all AMA Members who are Military, Retired Military or base contractors. Civil servents and retired civil servents also qualify. Essentially anybody who has or can qualify for a base pass.
Guest Flying: Club Secretary (2012) Keith Numbers informed me pilots in with a base pass who are here for a short stay (AFIT students for example) are welcome at the facility as a guest. He said to please contact the club for information and proper procedures & etc… Notes from Dave (writer of Radical RC Workbench Blog): Of course, all clubs appreciate being appreciated with funding, so if your going to be around a while, join up and do your part.
RAMS Flying Area Map
What you’ll find: The RAMS have a paved runway. There are no shelters, power or picnic tables, so be sure to bring any needed chairs, power or shade with you. The flying area is nice and open without obsticals. It is the choice place to test out extra large or fast models such as turbins. If you’ve ever been to the DOGS airshow, the RAMS field is at the far right end of the DOGS flying area on the crossing taxiway.
Special Notes From Dave: It’s always “Gentlemanly” to observe the AMA Safety Code as a baseline at any new field until all local rules, etiquette and customs are learned. Be aware some fields have routine full scale air traffic nearby, others very little or none. It takes time to become aware of all the special concerns and routines at any new flying field.
