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.
Check out Kern Hanson’s Slow Stick Bipe creation. I can see parts from various models and he altered the wing mount system to hold the motor a bit higher than the stock setup would have been. The whole point with Slow Stick mods is to do it your way. Great Job Kern!
Kern Hanson’s Slow Stick Bipe in Blue
Dave here’s a few pictures of a Slow Stick Bi-Plane I built using a couple of your SS hop up parts. It’s very stable and fly’s nice and slow 🙂
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.
An innovative designer of flying wings, particularly soaring designs. I nice deep website with lots to read. I’ve often thought of kitting a scale glider at some point. Perhaps one of these designs will motivate me.
 Location: The Dayton Wingmasters are located behind Wegertzen Garden Center. Entrance to the area is through the Wegertzent Garden Center main gate. Another gate is at the entrance to the model airport area.
Access to the field: An access key is required. Obtaining and access key requires membership in the AMA. A fee is collected to offset the cost of maintainance, mowing and porta pottie expenses incured by the club. Membership in the club is not a requirement to fly at this facility, however, the club appreciates your memebership as support of the ongoing efforts. A membership includes access to electric.
Flying Hours: Monday thru Saturday 10:am to Dark, Sunday 12pm to Dark.
Membership Information: The club is open to all AMA Members.
Guest Flying:This club is open to guest flyers at any time.
Wingmaster Field
What you’ll find: Wingmaser Field is a beautiful site.   The 40 acre field includes a 40′ wide by 440′ long paved and striped runway, heli flying area, control line circles, shelterhouse, nessasary room, nearby lake, picnic tables, 110v electric and 12v electric.  Area around the runway is closely mowed and the area north of the runway is usually in good enough condition for grass strip flying.  This is the area’s largest group with flying every weekend and many activities.
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.