Flight Log 05.31.08

Flew the Enticement and the Super Cub this morning at the Duck Pond. Here's some on-board video I took with the Enticement and my Cobra DMC300 5-n-1 camera:

Flight Log 05.30.08

Well, the glue and tape on my Enticement's wing worked! I flew this morning at the duck pond with my buddy Dave. I used my big'ol 1500mAh battery only, in the hopes that I'd use the smaller Thunder Power at work...but, the afternoon was too breezy for the Enticement -- so sad :(

Flight Log 05.29.08

Flew the Enticement at work today...for the first time in this little patch of greenspace we have on one side of the building. You can find it on Google maps by going here.

I showed off a bit too much near the end of my flight and broke a wing. But, some CA glue and tape will fix that I hope :)


I also made the mistake of attaching my prop facing the wrong direction...wow, that makes a big difference in thrust...I'd say a 70% difference. This prop should have its embossed text markings facing forward, see image.

frappr map reminder

If you haven't noticed my Frappr map in the right border...I'd love to have you sign it with a picture of your choice and your own custom shout out.

Go ahead...it's free...it's fun

Flight Log 05.28.08

Flew again at the Duck Pond this morning with my Enticement. Another great morning, of probably many more to come this year, for flying...overcast again and no breeze.

I used both of my batteries and experimented with the control throws more...I definitely like it with the ailerons wide open!

I'm getting better at hovering and whatever you call it when you head straight up and then give it full left or right rudder -- hammer head I think???

This is a fun little plane -- very capable as an outdoor flyer.

Flight Log 05.26.08

Flew this morning at the Duck Pond with my Enticement. Great morning for flying...overcast and no breeze. I used both of my batteries and experimented with the control throws a bit...things got fun and exiting with the ailerons wide open!

This is a fun little plane.




Here's the video of my 2nd flight from last Saturday:

Flight Log 05.24.08

Flew this morning at the Duck Pond with my son and my flying bud Dave. Flew the Enticement and my Super Cub. Great morning for flying!

After my first flight with my standard Thunder Power batt. I tried out the FlightPower 1500mAh 7.4v 2s LIPO...It looked large on the plane, but it worked great! I flew it for a couple minutes...then it got too breezy. That's when I pulled out the Super Cub :) It really likes a good breeze.

After flying the Super Cub 10+ minutes I waited a little longer for the breeze to stop and then flew the Enticement for another 10 or so minutes using the FlightPower 1500mAh 7.4v 2s LIPO still...everything went great.

Foamies are a blast...and this Enticement is sweet for some really enjoyable sloooow maneuvers.

I'll post some video a little later

Enticement Build Pictures

Here are the build pictures I promised:

This picture is a "Build Tip". I found that the large "bullet" connectors, used for most electric motors these days, fit perfectly in the crimping holes of my wire stripper tool. This made it really easy to complete the soldering of the connector to the wiring.





Here's a picture of the receiver (the basic 6200 that comes with the DX6i) installed; the wiring taped down; and, the control rod for one of the ailerons. You may notice that I had to glue some carbon rod extensions to the rods the kit supplied as they were about 1/2" too short for making the linkage.




This picture might show the extension a little better I think.









This picture shows just about all of the electronics installed...missing the battery and the BSC.











And now some picture of the completed kit...just waiting to fly.























Next posts will hopefully have some video of how well the Enticement flies...not necessarily how well I fly it, but the plane flies great :)


Here's a breakdown of the parts I used to complete this kit:

• Enticement ARF by E-flite (EFL1175)
  
• Spektrum DX6i
• Spektrum 6200 Receiver (with the satellite receiver)
• E-flite S60 Super Sub-Micro Servos (EFLRS60)
  
• E-flite Park 300 Brushless Outrunner motor (EFLM1150)
  
• Thunderbird 18 BSC by Castle Creations
• Thunder Power 910 mAh 7.4v 2s LIPO (Works great)
  
• FlightPower 1500mAh 7.4v 2s LIPO (Haven't tried yet???)
• Deans Ultra Plugs were used for battery and bsc connections
• E-flight Gold Bullet Connectors (EFLA241) were used for the motor to BSC connection
• ElectriFly PolyCharge 1-3 cell LIPO charger
• 8 x 4.3 Slow Flyer Orange Electric Propeller (EP-0843)

Flight Log 05.23.08

Flew the Enticement this morning. This makes flight number 2. I repaired the minor damage I did to it the other morning with a little CA and some spare foam. Everything worked great...next flight will need to have some video shot, so I can prove it's truly flying :)

I also flew the good'ol Super Cub. Had a very pleasant flight, as always, with it too.

All this went down at the duck pond area. There was a slight breeze, but not enough to move the windsock...and it was cool and overcast -- just a great morning!

Flight Log 05.21.08

I flew the Enticement this morning at the Duck Pond! I goofed on my initial takeoff, ran into the grass edging, and messed up some fuselage foam and the landing gear...But, after a hand launch everything was fine and I had a very successful flight!

This is an indoor plane...and, there was a slight breeze...but, it did very well. I kept it pretty mellow with mostly flat turns emphasizing the rudder and a couple rolls to break up the monotony. Overall, a very good flight.

I'm pretty stoked that I built something that flies!

The kit is well put together. And for the most part the instructions are really good. I had to improvise several times along the way -- but that's good for you...makes you more of a modeler than just someone gluing parts together.

Enticement Build Update

I'm pretty much done...I'd publish some pictures if Blogger would let me !)*!@(#*! You're lucky to even be reading this "plane" old text entry...as Blogger is giving me and many other bloggers difficulties with publishing.

Anyway, everything but the wing breaks has been glued on and\or connected; the electronics are good; the battery is charged; and all I need is a windless area for some flying :)

Enticement Build Update

I've started to add the electronics...I think my receiver may be a bit large, but I'm goin for it -- maybe I'll change it out later :)

I found out this evening that the eFlite Park 300 motor I bought...is actually a Park 450 in a 300 box...no wonder it doesn't work with my system. Looks like I'm going back to the hobby store. I'm a little aggravated by this !!@#!*()@!@$#!

Flight Log 05.19.08

Just came back from flying the Super Cub, at the Duck Pond. I met some friends of mine, who also have a SC, on a different channel, and we attempted flying together. The wind sock was pushing out to about 45 degrees, so there was a good breeze.

I told the kid who was going to send up his SC, "There's a good breeze. The plane can handle it fine, but you're going to have work the controls to keep it under control...you may not want to fly." But, his relative that drove him urged him on and he went for. After a few circles around the field something went terribly wrong and the next thing I knew his cub was nose diving into the cement pad, fairly close to where I was standing (and flying my plane). It then screamed in front of me and ran head on into the 3 foot cement barrier that encircles our flight pad. Well, there was some serious damage, that's for sure. It can definitely be repaired...with some glue, toothpicks and tape :) I donated a new motor that I had lying around...and he'll need a new prop shaft. It shouldn't be long till he flies again.

I also flew my little red low wing plane for 5+ minutes...it's still flying good !

Build Progress on the Enticement

Well, I've got the plane together...Yeah! It's ready to start adding the electronics. I'm not going to complete this in the 3-4 hour range, like the instructions say...but, that estimate is probably for the more experienced modeler :)

Here's what the plane looks like now...












The build instructions are good -- Nothing confusing or left out yet. I think the hardest part, the electronics and the balancing etc., are what's next.

Tomorrow morning, a friend of mine is going to let me buddy-box with him to give me a feel, using his foamy, of what I'm in for...should be interesting. I seem to fly foamy's fine in simulation...how well will that translate to the real thing??? I'll let you know.

Build Tip: Glue, Pens, and Making part templates

When tracing factory parts onto paper, to make templates for replacement parts, don't use a Sharpie...When the CA adhesive touches it, it darkens and sometimes even runs a bit...making your foam a little messy looking.

And...wax paper doesn't seem to like pencil or ballpoint pen -- that's why I used the Sharpie. So, you might want to pick a different paper...like velum or white butcher paper.

Wing Men

Cool article from Popular Science about an awesome scale A-10 Warthog:

On the eve of the world championship of remote-control flight, an American financier, a three-star general, a jet engineer and the Air Force’s most powerful civilian have come together in Thailand to build the perfect fighting plane—at 1:5 scale

By Tom Clynes Posted 04.17.2008 at 12:51 pm 6 Comments

If a sodden rice paddy feels soft and forgiving underfoot, it is not a merciful place to set down an airplane at 200 mph. And that’s only one of Mike Selby’s reasons to look nervous as he watches his A-10 Warthog—a 10-foot-wide, 65-pound, hand-built model—begin its maiden takeoff roll down a rough asphalt runway near Bangkok, Thailand. Selby, who spent over $12,000 and the better part of a year fabricating and building this radio-controlled jet, stands runwayside with his thumbs hooked into the belt loops of his jeans, trying to look relaxed as he draws on a Cuban cigar.

Read more here

Build Tip: Glue

Don't apply heat, from a hair dryer, to the CA glue you're using to piece two foam pieces together...the glue heats up, boils and melts the foam. I thought a good dry heat might speed up the process...nope.

Luckily, I caught the mistake before too much melted :)

I don't think the CA glue I bought is any good. I can't even get it to stick my fingers together?!?!? Anyone know anything about "pactra" Instant Adhesive CA (Model RC5997)?

I bought a new plane today...

The Enticement F3P ARF!

Along with the plane and all the necessary completion parts...I also bought a Spektrum DX6i.

I'm really exited to see how it all comes together. I really haven't built a model in a while...especially one that needs to fly when it's done.

Check here for to buy one and\or to get more info...including flight videos etc.

I'll keep you posted on the build progress. Tonight, I started with making templates of the major foam parts -- in case I break something while flying it. And, I'm in the process of gluing the fuselage together.


Product Specifications

	Wing Span:	34 in (860mm)
	Overall Length:	33 in (833mm)
	Wing Area:	241 sq in (15.5 sq dm)
	Flying Weight:	5.0–5.75oz (140–165g)
	Motor Size:	E-flite Park 250 BL Outrunner Motor, 2200Kv
	Prop Size:	8x4 Direct Drive Prop: Black
	Speed Control :	E-flite 10 Amp Brushless ESC
	Recommended Battery:	2S 7.4V 480mAh Li-Po
	Control Throw (Ailerons):	1 1/4" (35mm) with 25% Expo on Low or 2" (50mm) with 40% Expo on High
	Control Throw (Elevator):	1" (25mm) with 20% Expo on Low or 1 1\2" (40mm) with 45% Expo on High
	Control Throw (Rudder):	1 1/2" (40mm) with 30% Expo on Low or 2 3/4" (70mm) with 50% Expo on High
	Scale:	Indoor F3P/Aerobatic Flyer
	Approx. Assembly Time:	3-4 hours

Flight Log 05.06.08

Flew my Super Cub today -- Woo Hoo! It was real fun. Felt like forever since my last flight.

Flew at the field by my work. It was a great lunch hour -- sunny with a slight breeze and a very comfortable 55-60 degrees.

Flight Log 05.05.08

Flew my little yellow Prop\Rudder plane today. Had several good flights in a 15-20 minute period. I've grown to really to like this plane.

My April Flight Log...So sad :(

I was just checking out my April Flight Log, that I have posted here...Can't believe I only logged one flight with my Super Cub.

I do have an indoor plane, that I fly in my cube at work -- but, I don't log those 30 sec flights...You should buy on of those Aero Soarers though, they're cool.


Well, I hope to do better in May. Maybe with Bush's economy stimulus check I can buy a new plane too!

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