- Out flying on the last day of the year. I flew both my AVA electric (F5J extreme postal tomorrow) and the new shockflyer. Arild was there with his Harrier and the SX3 while Richard Blindheim (RC-flight) stopped by with his Porter with Saito engine (nice sound of those motors. You get what you pay for...). The Shockflyer amazes me in performance. At 220g ready to fly weight it hovers nice and knifeedge in low altitude is no problem with no coupling. I have allready ordered a second one (this one is built for Richard). My 2x700kokam cells was too cold today so I could not get the power I wanted. But the 3x360 kokam was great and that MTM motor is not pulling much. I flew over 10 minutes on one pack and that is 4minutes more than I do with the Klepaker and 3 minutes more than I do with the AXI. The clue is that the motor has a higher efficiency at the power we operate. The light was not super for pictures but I took a lot anyhow since pictures says more than words.
DAY ..
30. December 2004
- The Shockflyer had maiden flight today - indoor!!
Outside was +4 degrees and windy so Arild grabbed my camera and I flew in
his living room. We did fly outside but no fun and I had trouble with a
servo. Building of the Shockflyer was a nice experience. What I liked best
was all the plastic parts that makes all the carbon parts fit and the
landing gear a hassle free experience. It does also look better than I have
seen on pictures. I found myself looking towards it last evening (I was
building in front of the TV...). In time I used apx 3 hours in total and
most time is used on the wings and gluing the big parts. You have to cut the
ailerons and glue the carbon spars on the wing. The model is prepared for
the speed 300 and gear so I made a 2mm bulkhead for the brushless motor.
Maiden flight HERE (2,5mb .wmv)
SX3: Arild have had an encounter with the snow in -14,5 degrees celcius (6
Fahrenheit). So he found that the model is not "indestructible". But after
som thin CA, kicker and some love and care it flew again.
In the evening I just had to have a hover session. Looks like the motor
"sparks". Lucky with that one I think!
DAY ..
30. December 2004
- Knewt have also decided to have a calender. His
page HERE. Or directly to
calender page
HERE.
Great photos. If you missed mine
HERE it is.
DAY ..
29. December 2004
- Santa has been here a little late... From
RC-flight I received
a model and equipment that I have been wanting to test for a while. Richard
Blindheim one of the owners is also a member of our club and stopped by on
his way to a holiday. He brought a
Shockflyer that he wanted me to fly a bit
and also supplied accessories. For the price of it is really
ridiculous to cut one in depron myself if the model is as fine as in the
first looks. The motor is a rather hot
MTM 400XT that
should provide extreme power for this light plane (see test results from a
Norwegian guy HERE) and they have also
supplied a
MTM 25A controller that is priced in the low range (595Nkr). Weight
of controller was 19g but I chopped of the loooong leads and ended up at 14g
and that is nice for such a powerful controller. The weight of the motor is
on the heavy side (46g) but will then be nice for a wide range of models
since you can take out 700g of thrust .
We also got to do some flying today. I was up for some nice flights with my
AVA on bungee and Arild flew his new Harrier with 90 4-stroke OS. Plenty of
power for most flying but he might change to a 90 2-stroke to get that
extreme vertical climbout. The model seemed fine and I got to test it for a
spin. To me the rudder seemed a bit small (and he got a powerful servo on
it) but the model was soft and nice to fly. A video of the two first maiden
flights is HERE (7,2mb .wmv)
DAY ..
28. December 2004
- Just had to go outside for a smoke... It is snowing
and 0 degrees celcius. Big changes every day in temperature!
Pictures taken with slow flash and 10-16sec shutter time (not the first one
offcourse).
DAY ..
26. December 2004
- It was COLD today! -14 celcius (6 Fahrenheit) But with proper clothing and 3mm
depron in my shoes I had a nice time on
the frozen lake. Arild was also there but he did not have proper clothing
and his SX3 had an encounter with the snow. Even EPP can be too cold and it
cracked a bit. I flew my AVA sailplane on a bungee (Graupner HLG that I wrap
4 times and 40m line). Had some nice flights before the light went out. BTW
my Tx was not charged and had been in the cold car. I had to charge it two
times just to keep the batteries warm.
DAY ..
24. December 2004
- Merry Chrismas guys. I have a gift for you all and
maybe first of all Michelle Goodrum that missed it last year! So a Merry
Christmas too Michelle and Craig in South Africa from me in Norway :-) You
can download the Calender for 2005 HERE
(2,4mb .pdf). All pictures taken by me during the season of 2004.
I was out flying today also. The Santa had to get ready so I was out in the
dark with my son in the dark with the SX3 two times this evening
DAY ..
22. December 2004
- Just a quick flight outside to give you a Christmas
picture. I also got my Orbit charger back today. The Santa heard me it
seems. Arno Hausmann at
Orbit electronic must be the Santa :-))) Here is the best tip for
sailplane guys this month. I dont know if it was the reason for my breakdown
but anyhow: Do not have your charger attached to your winch battery while
using the winch. That means both when you start on it, when you run the line
back and when you spool the line back. What happens is big spikes of voltage
from the winch motor. You are now warned! There is only one charger I maybe
would prefer to try instead and that is the
TEMA charger. Dont know if it is as good as the specs. but it seems
nice...
DAY ..
21. December 2004
- Not sure todays pictures / video deserves to be
here but this is a diary... Me and Arild went to fix his car and it became
late before we had a chance to fly. So we stopped by the road and flew some
SX3 with lights.
DAY ..
19. December 2004
-10 degrees celcius but me and Arild just had to fly
a bit. Another guy was also there so we were 3 guys freezing our buts of but
had some fun. I had a flight with my AVA and the SX3 but are REALLY missing
my Orbit charger that have been for repairs now for several months... BTW AVA photos taken by Arild.
DAY ..
17. December 2004
Indoor and the first flying inside with SX3. It all
went well off course and I even got to fly in the dark with it. I first
tried with some lights thru a door but that was boring. So if it wasn't for
the firelights it would have been all dark. We also had a few more guys here
today. Both Otto from Gol and Kjell Arne (leader of the club) was here. And
offcourse Arild with SX3 and Lierider. Otto found to have some problems with
his GWS plane but Kjell Arne rocked hard with both his GWS biplane and his
T3D. I think he found all the walls we have but he also had the most
spectacular flying :-) The famous "Weeg roll" after takeoff is
HERE
DAY ..
16. December 2004 SX3
Just a small flight outside while the dinner get
ready... The SX3 is great with lights. Just remember where those trees
are... Tried a new setting for the camera (16sec, F3.2, Focal length 5.2mm
Olympus 730UZ) and that seemed fine. Though the second image was disturbed
by some wind.
DAY ..
15. December 2004 SX3
Me and Arild went to "Hov i Land" to visit some
friends and Arild was selling of some planes. We also flew a bit outside
with the SX3. Plenty of people but not much building going on now right
before christmas.
DAY ..
14. December 2004 SX3
Today we tested the SX3 with a heavy setup just for
fun. Arild had a Mega 400-15/5 (63g) and with 10x4,7 and a 2x2000HD pack
(100g) this draws 20A and extreme power. It was too heavy for indoor flying
for sure. But for outdoor normal aerobatic it was ok. The weight was just
above 400g. So the SX3 can take a bit more weight but it flies best when the
weight is low. Kind of cool today that I actually flew with 3 different
motors in my model. The AXI in the morning, the Mega mid-day and finally I
attached my Klepaker Extreme in the afternoon in the dark (I have also
lights in the fuse). Since the AXI is perfect for the Lierider I will fly
the SX3 with KE17 (Klepaker Extreme 17turn). This gives me a bit more power
and the same weight.
A bunch of night pictures HERE
DAY ..
13. December 2004 SX3
Finally - or maybe not finally since it has gone
pretty quick to build the new SX3 (SouthernX3) in EPP. We were the first to
order a ARF SX3 and probably the first to complete one :-) Lets say it
immediately: I am very pleased with it and did just what I expected from a
"soft" machine like this. It hover, flies knife-edge, knife-edge loop (Arild
did two in a row), very nice loops, rolling circle (much better when we get
the diff. correct) and probably all other 3D stuff you can think of. If I
were to set my finger on something it will be: - one needs 3M77 spray that
is almost as expensive as half a model. It is an ARF so maybe the parts that
need this should be premade. The fuse tail was also a bit difficult to get
straight but if one adjusted a bit it was ok. - The hinging is difficult but
did work out ok after a few mishaps. - There was some carbon in the set for
pushrods. This can just as well be 1mm piano since the servos will is right
by the control surfaces. - The colours were....
A few tip: - motor angle is 0 all ways (maybe slightly down but not
meassured). Arild`s had a bit up thrust and the
model became strange. - Use lots of time on hinging and pushrods. Lots of
travel = fun. - First tests showed a bit too much differential. We have the
ailerons servo on top with no angle on the horn. - Use 3M77 on all places...
Makes it easier to work and the tape sticks to the EPP. - To join the top
and bottom of the fuse I now like to have packing tape first and the join by
a smaller clear tape. Then you can adjust if you do wrong. We first used
glasfiber tape but it is hard to get off if you want to adjust. - EPP seems
to be ok with all kinds of cyano and kicker. I used thin cyano many places
with kicker and liked it.
Maybe I remember more later :-) We also
did some lights. 2 bright 10mm LED`s (1,7v, 20mA 300mcd) were made in series
so that they could be plugged right into the receiver. Strange that they
were marked with 1,7v because at that voltage they dont light.. Must be 3v
that were packed wrong I think... Anyhow we cut the hingeline and had one in
each wing and made a plug at the servo end since we are using 4channel
receiver. Will have two led`s in the fuse also that can be plugged in when
we want. You can just see the lights in one of the pictures... It was cold
so we did not fly long (I flew 750mah of a 3 cell pack) and my model is 217g
+ 55g battery. I used the AXI 2204 while Arild used a powerful LRK.
Video of the cold fun HERE (10mb .wmv).
Check also our building thread with other
info on the model
DAY ..
11. December 2004 SX3
SX3 have arrived....
Building thread started
Arild thru all away and jumped in the car as soon as it
arrived... Guess we have been waiting for this one :-) But offcourse we have
been out flying also. First a small flight on Fagernes and then outside my
house in the dark. We had a small "competition" around the christmas tree
and while Arild touched 2 times I deliberately laided my 3DX in the tree :-)
DAY ..
10. December 2004
As always in the winter. Every friday a new day of
indoor flying. Arild with Vertigo and Lierider and me mostly with 3DX mini
and slightly Lierider. The 3DX is becoming a hovering machine and after I
had worked a bit on the battery placing (hang the model by the prop and
balance) it is much easier to hover. So today I was both around the lights,
on the wall and multiple rudder slides. Nothing like sailplanes but cool.
Arild captured it on video with my camera.
4,5mb of .wmv HERE
DAY ..
9. December 2004
FINALLY!! A day out with the winch is extremely nice
when you are addicted to sailplanes. I got 4 starts with my Pike Brio today
and got dialed in most of the settings on the new elevator servo (Volz MM HP
digital). First impression is fast and quick response on the elevator so it
looks promising. The temperature was just below zero so when it suddenly
rained for a few minutes we needed "de-icing" of the models. Arild flew his
Ultimate powermodel but also his Lierider. I also flew some minutes with my
3DX and Arild`s borrowed the sticks and said: "I think I can be good at
hovering with this model". Just under 2 hours outside but it was good to be
in the air with a sailplane again. Arild took some video of me that shows
that I am "a bit" rusty in the landings... practice, practice, practice...
DAY ..
8. December 2004
Great ice today and it has been so high temperatures
the last days so there is only 5cm of snow on the ice (30cm on the ground).
This means that I hope to set up the winch tomorrow. Today Arild and Morten
came out with their motor gear and I zoomed around with my Lierider. It
feels kind of small... wonder why... Luckily I got to fly Arild`s Stick a
bit. It actually hovers a bit but the prop is too small and the rudder also. In the evening I flew the 3DX around
the christmas tree outside. I have put my AXI on the 3DX and fitted 2 cells
and 2 bright red LED`s. Two red LED`s in series can be plugged directly into
the Rx and gives enough light to go flying. I have prepared a small video
of me hovering around the tree. 6mb
.wmv HERE
DAY ..
6. December 2004
A fantastic morning with deep red sky. The photo you
see under is not worked to get that color... A
few more pictures HERE. Later in the day me and Arild
had a session with the Lierider`s. BTW I am VERY impressed by the
TMM-1210-3s controller (expert edition) I got from
El-flight. The
residual BEC warnings (motor cuts some revolutions when preferred value sets
in) are just perfect as longs as I use LiPo cells that can take the amps I
am taking out. It even works perfect with Kokam 360`s. For fun I borrowed a
strange 600mah from Arild that I knew would not take the amps I was drawing
(11,5A at full throttle) and the controller warned me all the time when I
pushed the pack too hard. Pretty cool to stay in hover and get warnings by
motor revolutions. Yes I can maintain hover while it warns me :-) I also got
another LiPo pack today. I have been very happy with the HET 1050 although
after my motor burnt up I lost some mah. So I have bought a second one. The
pack is 3 cell 1050mah, 55,4g with thick wires. It was 59g but I cut of 3,6g
of wire so they became 5cm long.
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DAY ..
5. December 2004 Inside hovering of 3DX in a garage just had to be tested. The test shows that I need more practice.... Video HERE. But it was a lot of laughs and we had a good time. The 3DX have been relatively easy to hover with 2 cells but with 3 cells the power is maybe to tough for me :-)
DAY ..
4. December 2004
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DAY ..
3. December 2004
Indoor again as every Friday. Me and Arild used up 7 Lipo
packs in a little over an hour. You might say that we did a lot of flying in
a short time :-) We did fly a short session outdoor earlier in the day but
it was cold outside...
A small video of my tongue of all things
HERE (3mb .wmv) and a "how to make a Z-bend"
HERE (3mb .wmv)
DAY ..
1. December 2004
A normal day in the local club? Well we got out our
"snowmobile" that will ensure us with good airfield on the ice in the winter
and we had a club meeting in the evening. I flew for the first time in a
small room with the 3DX (and hit the roof) and outside in the floodlight we
had some fun in the snow and wind. I even made a vertical takeoff with the
3DX. Great day! Check out the
video HERE (5min
14,5mb .wmv)