tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-537563668468712612012-01-02T19:49:27.950-07:00Updates on my RC Planes and FPV workJeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.comBlogger721100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-7932658443893872912012-01-02T18:25:00.002-07:002012-01-02T19:49:27.983-07:00

Just picked up a couple 1100mm Durafly F4U Corsair and P51D Mustang from Hobby King. They have full retracts, 4ch controls and LED lighting and come very highly praised... I also took today to work on my broken tricopter and repair most all of it, as well as to fix my DW Foamies Yak 54 that needed a lot of gluing (stupid landings tear the gear out every time). And, I reglued my Park Zone T28

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-12056645698270931392011-12-29T19:29:00.002-07:002011-12-29T19:33:27.173-07:00

Got my eagle eyes system mostly back up and working, including a new addition, the guardian stabilization module, which should fix a lot of my questionable RTH functions. But in the mean time, I wanted to begin getting just basic video FPV only working with my tricopter. Finally seem to have a pretty good setup working with the copter, and it seems pretty stable. I've been practicing on the

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-69479747267473908332011-12-18T13:44:00.002-07:002011-12-20T13:57:06.948-07:00

Got it all finished up yesterday, in spite of minor board problems with my Hobby King v2. LED lights are really cool at night on it. I've gone through more props than I care to count right now. Been playing with different sizes, and I need to re-engineer my back motor mounts, because they are a bit flimsy and it has become obvious that running these motors with anything less than 10x4.7 is

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-16297015220626538112011-12-16T20:58:00.002-07:002011-12-16T20:59:16.713-07:00

Just got the first part of the center plate cut out and drilled from 0.060" Aluminum stock. Not sure that is going to be great for radio reception or FPV, but I'll get something better later. Going to try to make this a V-tail Y4 copter, I think...at least first. That skips the need for a rear servo for yaw. Similar to this basic config, anyway. MultiWii copter V-tail does better control,

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-23230318466434006582011-12-09T18:08:00.003-07:002011-12-13T10:27:44.427-07:00

Just ordered a bunch of parts to build a tricopter to begin to put FPV on it. This field has come a LONG way in just a couple months, and hopefully, I can get some time on this and begin to get back into my FPV stuff with this as well as on the longer range EZ*. Will keep you updated. For now, thanks to Toby, my new next door neighbor, who needed some help with his build and just required a

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-55235373486507637162011-03-08T13:16:00.002-07:002011-03-08T13:16:10.772-07:00

Figured I'd post an update here. I've been busy with being a parent and work. Got new goggles still haven't even tried out (fatsharks). I've got the latest FW updated on the ET OSD Pro and am working on getting the GoPro HD into a new EZ* airframe...hard to get motivated...

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-72124025052657639612010-06-09T19:56:00.002-06:002012-01-02T18:32:10.374-07:00

Got my Fat Shark wireless 2.4GHz goggles in from the Memorial Day sale from Range Video. Excited to try them out, but I have been very distracted with work and weekends at the cabin, so haven't had time to rebuild my EZ* fuse or even try these out with any setup. I also go the GoPro HD camera in and need to figure out how to put it in the EZ*. I'm very tempted to just try to work it into the

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-26233786471046983942010-06-02T06:14:00.003-06:002012-01-02T18:33:34.819-07:00

Well, I ordered a GoPro HD camera for my plane last weekend from Amazon.com. This is a pretty good 1080p/30fps or 720p/60fps HD camera that records to SD card in MPG4 and has a light lion battery and waterproof case plus a ton of helmet and vehicle mounts.  Planning to run it as a separate feed/local recorder for now. There is talk that they are planning to have a FW update that will allow it

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-46198378093796021082010-04-28T10:07:00.002-06:002010-05-03T21:20:39.688-06:00

Flew last night and last Monday (it was >30mph then). It was really green last night and I got a flight in at 7PM between rain storms, and pretty calm. I put a gyro on my roll to see if it would help stabilize some of the pitching (it works ok, but need to dial the gain a little). I think I’m exceeding my BEC for the receiver, with the gyro, all the servos and the OSD. I kept getting dropped

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-7110090162880311552010-04-26T06:54:00.001-06:002010-05-03T21:21:52.588-06:00

Went out today and tried out the new filter on the video Tx antenna. It didn't help, but I think the cheap HXT servos are just picking up noise from it. Also tested out the gyro on the roll axis for the ailerons, which is set a little too aggressive on the response. Too bad I forgot my sony miniDV recorder. I also got the pitot tube airspeed kit in. Worked MUCH better than the GPS speed,

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-51608822796907940642010-04-19T19:42:00.001-06:002010-05-03T21:22:23.832-06:00

Took the plane up to the cabin to try some scenic mountain flying. I've been waiting to get a better distance and practice before trying in trees and tough recovery locations, like mountains and dense trees. Well, with the last couple flights and testing out the eagle eyes diversity and antenna tracker, and with spring setting on, I figured it would be a good time to try. So, packed it all up. I

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-68146734046800364852010-04-01T22:09:00.009-06:002010-05-03T21:25:33.540-06:00

So, I finally made it up over a mile. 5280ft above the ground. And on that SAME day, I flew two other ~20 minute flights. The last one, of which, also got up to about a mile high, but also was almost 11,000ft (over 2 miles!!!) line of sight away. And the subsequent glide back down was long and peaceful. I had a great time. I'm now pushing about 2ft/mAh of battery with the 2835 Turnigy inrunner

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-64728013784467459752010-03-20T18:56:00.003-06:002010-05-03T21:37:55.304-06:00

Well, I got up and left the house with my DW Foamies BAF 48" Yak 54 and my Tiger 2 electric conversion plane in my back seat with plenty of batteries to fly. Temp, a chilly 33'F. Got over to a sod farm that people are flying regularly at over by Eagle Road, and no one was there, but the wind wasn't up yet. Perfect. Flew the Yak for about 4 packs, and had a great time. Wind coming up a bit and my

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-48367635955906379252010-03-14T10:09:00.005-06:002010-05-03T21:35:54.795-06:00

I took a sample screen of my Eagle Tree Systems On Screen Display (OSD) and highlighted what each element of the display is telling you. Just hover over the large image below.

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-44545208183117104982010-03-07T09:22:00.002-07:002010-05-03T21:37:12.910-06:00

Got some video of my Yak 54 from DW Foamies today. Thanks to my wonderful wife for video taping! Here is an iPhone version. Also, here is an iPhone version of me flying the pluma.

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-24010603573600249942010-03-07T09:00:00.006-07:002010-05-03T21:39:53.244-06:00

Well, in an attempt to get the 3dbi video Tx antenna moved as far away from the servos and Rx as I could, I ran an SMA 24" extension cable out to the end of the wing and put the antenna on there. Figured it would be a little unbalanced, but not completely uncontrollable. Also was a little worried it was running the exact same direction as my Rx antenna (grin). Field check showed it ok for

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-39722932059819457832010-03-06T10:15:00.012-07:002010-05-03T21:42:18.601-06:00

Well, I put the 3dbi longer antenna on the Video Tx (compared to the slightly shorter 2dbi one). I get all sorts of servo jitter and massive interference. Hum...it goes away when I unplug the video power, and is almost completely cleared up when I go back to the 2dbi Tx. I may have to just move to a flying wing like everyone else here and separate everything out really far. I'm still not happy

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-63009594973484695222010-03-03T22:23:00.002-07:002010-05-03T21:42:50.208-06:00

Had my best two FPV experiences to date late yesterday. Fixed the issues with the video I was having and sounds like it is a problem with the hardware and ground loop with the pan servos. Weather was beautiful and there were big puffy low clouds all around. My elevator servo has been slowly striping out, and I was getting worried it was really bad, but it was giving me about 15% of movement (grin

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-22695441398124315932010-02-21T19:54:00.007-07:002010-05-03T21:43:31.361-06:00

Amazing video compilation of some FPV footage from a guy (Trappy, on RCG) in a mountain town in Austria. Wow. Click the pic for youtube or expand below to watch in better resolution on Vimeo here in a window. What is FPV? from Raphael Pirker on Vimeo.

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-43835474598684801442010-02-13T11:35:00.005-07:002010-05-03T21:44:27.636-06:00

Eagle Tree Systems (the one that provides my GPS and on screen display overlay as well as data logging for my FPV setup) has been working hard to get a ground station setup that has built in antenna tracking control, remote telemetry and video diversity (picks best of two separate receivers for video). I spent over $150 for a basic video diversity already by itself, and this new unit from ET has

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-45081403664890224392010-02-02T06:30:00.016-07:002010-05-03T22:16:35.228-06:00

I finally went ahead and got one of the DW Foamies 48" Yak 54. Going to run my Turnigy 35-42C 1100kv motor in it with a 40A Turnigy ESC and either an APC 11x5.5E or 12x6E prop. Probably try to pick up some 1800mAh 3S1P Lipo's for light flight, but 2200mAh will be normal. Want to also try 4S 2200mAh. Went with 4 hitec HS-65HB servos, which are a little spendy, but not as much as the metal gear

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-15722658723113514592010-01-12T22:26:00.005-07:002010-05-03T22:00:27.806-06:00

This is just about the coolest indoor 3D flying I've seen. I still want to get a 48" BAF Yak 54 from DWFoamies.com. Not that it is anything like flying what is below, but it works better for me to fly at the park.

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-37159767636093050942010-01-10T21:18:00.006-07:002010-05-03T22:19:32.345-06:00

Took it out for a windy/chilly maiden flight today (using the old wings, since the ailerons had been all repaired). CG is still a little too far back for basic flight, even with 3300mAh lipo in, but if flew just fine (actually did some pretty nice soaring). I may see how it does with the two 2650mAh 3S1P's in parallel (yes, that is a 3S2P). Flight times would be pretty long (flew over 25 minutes

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-82170154973446821192010-01-09T18:11:00.020-07:002010-05-03T22:23:18.886-06:00

Began work on the new FPV airframe (a new grey wing colored Multiplex Easy Star). One thing I really wanted to do, after learning a lot from the first one, was to put the elevator and rudder servos (Hitec HS-81's in this case) embedded in the tail section and to put most of the electronics in the fuselage beneath the wings. This should move the CoG back quite, which was needed for larger 3000+

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-69252478684667364922010-01-08T21:05:00.002-07:002010-05-03T22:24:04.398-06:00

I have been looking at upgrading my Futaba 7CAP for a while. I had been thinking about a 9ch at least, and I wanted to still be able to do 72MHz, since that seems to carry better than 2.4GHz for distance FPV. Settled on a Futaba 9CAP Super, which makes use of plug in modules for all the transmission frequency function. That means, you buy a module for whatever 72MHz channel you want, or they

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-4245705345210457452009-12-29T21:52:00.005-07:002010-05-03T22:28:07.141-06:00

So, figured I would compile a list of the current best things for a complete FPV setup (including twin video reciever with diversity switching, head tracking, On Screen Display, and with the new low cost of telemetry tracking). This doesn't include S&H or a bunch of the small cables and costs there, or backup/replacement servos, props, multiple batteries, a camcorder to record your flights, etc.

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-89277813133203920092009-12-28T15:03:00.000-07:002009-12-28T15:03:40.063-07:00

Wow...been trying like hell to find a replacement Multiplex EasyStar Kit. They've been back ordered for around 6 months now. Finally found a place in Utah that had them in stock for $60 each, plus S&H, so ordered 2. Merry Christmas to me. ;) Can't wait to get them here to begin some of the mods I had planned (like carving out the inside and putting the servos in the tail to balance out all

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-80964989106938241402009-10-29T21:21:00.008-06:002010-05-03T22:26:58.392-06:00

I just got my Parkzone BF-109 plane. The latest addition to my livery. Hopefully, it will be nice enough this weekend to fly it while I wait for a replacement fuse for my Easy Star. I have been very happy with my T-28, and really would love to get a F4U corsair as well. These foam warbirds from Parkzone are really pretty good planes. Update: (10/30/2009) I finished getting it all ready tonight,

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-60891330679310872042009-10-17T13:20:00.009-06:002010-05-03T22:29:32.193-06:00

Winds were blowing a strong 30mph, with gusts higher. Was periodically blowing over my camera tripod. I wanted to test out my new Oracle Diversity switch and 8dbi patch antenna, and drove 20 miles out into the desert to get away from signal interferance and traffic. I was also trying to fit a new 2600mAh lipo in. It didn't fit well. Got it hand launched, despite the wind trying to rip it out of

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-54487186127663157032009-10-15T23:27:00.003-06:002010-05-03T22:30:33.832-06:00

Got my Oracle Diversity switch in as well as a second 900MHz Rx (which I promptly removed the guts of and put inside the diversity switch hard wired to the power and the Video #2 inputs). Powered it up and hooked everything up (including my previous 2-ch Rx wired into video #1 input). It switches very nice, but I need to probably give it a real test run out in the wild. Just 5 to 20 feet away,

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-44031745830498532682009-10-11T17:13:00.003-06:002010-05-03T22:31:14.500-06:00

Flew yesterday again. Had same servo jitter. So, seems like I fly here by my house and live with servo interferance on 72MHz or fly over at the soccer fields by work and get video interferance on 900MHz. Grin. Managed to get up over 1500ft today, easily. I got new LIPO's in that are 2600mAh that should easily allow over 4000ft AGL. Need to probably go out of town to try that. I would love to fly

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-87412604469445704732009-10-07T18:30:00.003-06:002010-05-03T22:31:55.108-06:00

I have some video showing the problem with the Sony DPC 480A AWB and the red hue it has. Turns out, it isn't triggering the DSP to resample on power up without proper amounts of white in the screen. You can force it to trigger/sample by transitioning through the menu settings from fixed->manual->ATW->AWB and it clears everything up. Problem is, it is again hosed the next time you power up. But,

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-55796054538168693602009-10-05T21:02:00.005-06:002010-05-03T22:33:45.642-06:00

Well, I keep unraveling more and more mysteries as I learn more. First, I have determined that my AUW Multiplex Easy Star with full video equipment and batteries has gained an impressive 11oz, to top out at 37.5oz (that is just over 2 lbs!!!), which leap-frogs it into second place, just behind my Tiger 2 for highest wing loading at 14.5oz/sq-ft. Second, thanks AGAIN to Thomas Black at DPCAV, my

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-49235192565614667432009-10-03T12:03:00.010-06:002010-05-03T22:35:03.796-06:00

Went out to fly with the fully integrated OSD Pro and eLogger v3 this morning. Had 3 major problems. First, the weight was too far forward in the plane and caused an immediate nose-in on first launch. This caused a second problem, which was I stripped the tilt servo on the camera, so it was locked in place. Third problem was again with the video goggles (no video out and it refused to function

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-22753893186298500342009-10-02T19:50:00.010-06:002010-05-03T22:35:59.657-06:00

Flew my first FPV flight today. Well, it probably wasn't really FPV, since the goggles battery supply died about 3 minutes after turning them on. I had to just fly it visually, but I did do some by watching the video camera display. This was without the elogger and OSD, just to make sure everything was working ok. I am getting some interferance, and it really panics me when I'm flying remote

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-35456638337951361222009-09-30T20:46:00.005-06:002010-05-03T22:36:29.133-06:00

I have read a lot about people putting gyro stabilizers on airplanes to correct erratic behavior and wind buffeting. Seems like a natural inclusion for FPV to stabilize the video. Anyway, ideally, you want one that ONLY engages when you flip a switch (meaning you need a secondary channel) or disengages when you get past say 1/3 joystick movement (again, still needs a secondary channel and pmixing

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-5814270198949584222009-09-27T19:00:00.006-06:002010-05-03T22:37:40.261-06:00

Well, I've been trying to fly my Carl Goldberg Tiger 2 electric conversion for a while now, but keep finding reasons not to. For one thing, it is a 5lb model with a 61" wingspan and capable of speeds over 80mph. That isn't something you just take to your local playground park. I went out to the local flying club last weekend, despite a strong 10-15mph wind. There were a ton of folks out there

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-62443311182510667652009-09-27T07:58:00.006-06:002010-05-03T22:39:22.220-06:00

This guy has some beautiful transmission video. I have no idea how he can get that clear of a picture and clean transmission, but I think I'm beginning to see the value in a flat 9db patch antenna. I suspect I will need the signal tracker to properly keep it focused on the plane at only a 15 degree horizontal/vertical window. The alternative is to get an expensive diversity switch that allows you

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-8278964396316571862009-09-27T06:55:00.011-06:002010-05-03T22:41:07.593-06:00

I got the camera pod for the easy star all built. It has the servos for moving the camera all installed, place for a 650mAh 3S1P lipo (for the camera/tx) and I'm trying to figure out the best routing for the servo wires, camera wires and the rx. Uggghhh, don't even want to think about how this is all going to route when I get the elogger/OSD and sensors all in there. Need some double-sided servo

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-35297835541341804412009-09-24T21:35:00.012-06:002010-05-03T22:41:53.869-06:00

I took the plunge and ordered an FPV system. I got it from Digital Products Co in Folsom. Thomas Black is super on support and I would highly recommend ordering a system from him. I got a 480p Super HAD CCD camera and am transmitting with 500mW over 900MHz with a dual A/V output reciever and got the Eagle Tree Systems data logger and OSD Pro (for on screen display of data) with GPS and return to

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-4103430140775878072009-07-08T21:22:00.002-06:002009-07-09T14:25:49.989-06:00

Well, I have packed up my triple display monitors, touch screens and flight controls to make my desk more useable (it always was just a prototype setup to test out stuff). Did that last December, and I'm REALLY getting pangs of wanting to get back to flying. But I'm not going to do it at my desk. The setup is too chaotic and temporary. I need to figure out if I can build a small cockpit

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-75845012662763310412009-06-14T08:42:00.016-06:002010-05-03T22:45:11.598-06:00

Started building my Pluma 3D. I'm REALLY stressed about how thin the 3mm foam is on this. It folds/breaks so easy, I'm pretty sure this plane isn't going to last nearly as long as my beloved EPP Piaget, but I sure love flying the Pluma 3D on my RealFlight sim. The build seems pretty straight forward, so far. I like the aileron connectors and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-6923567458977893622009-06-14T08:24:00.006-06:002010-05-03T22:45:55.558-06:00

I want to get a 55" BAF Yak 54 from DWFoamies for some large scale park flying. Here is some good video of a great Tiger paint scheme BAF. Can get one for around $100 from RC Foam, too. Like the torque rod controls and I think this would be a great way of doing all my larger flat foamies in the future. Looks like you want about a 40A ESC and 3S1P 2200mAh lipo. Flying weight looks like about 36oz

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-90375176009249495882009-05-16T16:28:00.003-06:002010-05-03T22:47:39.475-06:00

Put a new video up of me flying the Piaget in the park. This has become one of my favorite planes. It is getting pretty beat up, and I really need to work on my Pluma bi-plane foamie. With spring days like this, if the wind would quit blowing (it did today!) I could really fly a lot. Piaget Video [400MB]

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-64066233583043384232009-05-02T18:40:00.006-06:002010-05-03T22:48:52.209-06:00

I picked up an Electrifly Pluma 3D at the LHS for $49. I figure on putting some HXT 5g servos in for the elevator/ruder and one of the 9g servos for the ailerons. I'm going to use the 24g blue wonder motor and a 10A BESC and figure on using 410mAh 2S (indoor) and 640mAh 3S (outdoor) lipos. I sure like the way this plane floats in the simulator, so hope it is as good in real life. I need to find

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-22521430526569711382009-04-26T11:20:00.026-06:002010-05-03T22:52:30.374-06:00

I have had an old Carl Goldberg Tiger2 40 that I had a .61 ASP in that I built over 15 years ago and crashed. The right rear horizontal stab was broken. Anyway, it has been gathering dust in my garage for years, and I was thinking I would try to repair it and outfit it with a new electric motor. Just came across this thread in RCGroups, too, that seems to discuss it. So, I pulled the old motor

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-74987812606156308802009-04-05T12:10:00.011-06:002010-05-10T12:17:42.945-06:00

I have been thinking I really should try to take my Multiplex Easy Star over to Table Rock and try and do some cliff/slope soaring with it. Well, I had my replacement Hitec Mini 6S (yeah...more about that later) that they sent me that still needed trying out, and it was too windy to do any 3D flying with the Piaget, and my Typhoon 3D wings were not being held in by the small plastic tabs that

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-31318561785438379932009-02-22T12:34:00.015-07:002010-05-10T12:21:26.111-06:00

Got some video of my Piaget this morning, despite it being on/off breezy. I really can't say enough about this plane. This is with the new aileron push rods put in (think it really helped, but have to get the longer horn in next). Also, not sure if it was the wind or not, but I'm pretty sure the Corona SC Rx was gliching on me, mostly when the radio was pointed right at the plane. That really

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-85623294614541883112009-02-21T19:23:00.003-07:002010-05-03T22:59:30.401-06:00

Well, it was too windy to fly today, so I spent the day fixing planes. I REALLY needed to change the aileron push rods on the Piaget (they were flexing and not pushing in a straight line). So I did that, and I also was not real happy with the reception on the GWS 4ch SC Rx on the piaget, so I swapped it out to try the synthetic Corona 4ch SC I got. It worked pretty well from what I can see, and

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-45202561890739175752009-01-15T19:47:00.008-07:002010-05-10T12:16:09.617-06:00

I ordered some new lipo's from Hobby City in Hong Kong. This is my third order from them, and they seem to have pretty good stuff. The chargers, lipos and motors are all much cheaper and seem to be ok quality. I've been wanting to try to get into the 3D foamie flying. SloFly.com is a great site and resource for free plans and doing 3mm EPP foam home built. There are also a lot of people

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-27955596512904894342009-01-11T12:56:00.006-07:002010-05-10T12:22:18.193-06:00

I got a Park Zone T-28 Trojan PNP version for Christmas. It was a scratch and dent special from Air Land Hobbies. It had a slightly crushed canopy and the trailing edge of the wing had been compressed pretty hard, but I got it all repaired pretty well, and it looks great! I love the way it flies (once I got the CoG worked out and pushed the battery forward better). With the CoG right at 2.25"

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-48732837240355230232009-01-10T20:10:00.002-07:002010-05-10T12:22:41.299-06:00

Well, I keep having problems with my Hitec Mini 6s single conversion Rx. The gliching happens in multiple planes, different ESC's and all different locations (even way out in the desert where there should be no interferrance). I'm pretty sure it is bad (or maybe the ch 30 crystal is bad???). Anyway, I'm going to replace it with a Neutron 6s dual conversion. I love how they work. I've had too

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-3478817916308918192008-12-24T18:36:00.004-07:002010-05-10T12:23:08.638-06:00

I took some on board video from my EZ* on the ATC2K. Merry Christmas! Winter Video

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-54223183849073735922008-12-07T17:42:00.004-07:002010-05-10T12:23:40.133-06:00

Well, I think I finally figured out what was wrong with my EZ* (which is currently at 26.5 oz flight weight with 2200mAh). It has been glitching and motor cutting out (along with the whole servos and everything). It was very intermittent and happened for only brief periods of time, but it was getting worse and when it made all the controls go unresponsive, it was very bad. So, I swapped ESC's out

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-62634838851796552492008-12-05T21:29:00.019-07:002010-05-10T12:26:50.089-06:00

Got my first aerial video footage with my ATC2K helmet cam from Oregon Scientific. Spent some time and edited the footage down to about half of what was there originally. I need to learn to fly smoother when taking video, because the erratic motion of large control surface movements really makes it tough to watch. It would be cool to find a way to integrate the on screen display with current,

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-39981169627163593812008-11-30T21:15:00.007-07:002010-05-10T12:27:38.793-06:00

Put some pictures up below of my aileron mod to my easy star. I put carbon fiber rods in the foam to help give it more stiffness. Also, just used simple packing tape for the hinges after cutting 45-degree slices out of the bottom of each mating surface. Then, used Hitec HS-55 micro servos in the wing. Had to use some extensions for the cords (should have probably put it in closer and might

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-86562593780587010602008-11-30T12:38:00.013-07:002010-05-10T12:29:56.289-06:00

Maidened my Park Zone Typhoon 3D yesterday (the original, not the Typhoon 2) that I got for $65 on close out from AirLand Hobbies. Holy !@$#, that was a handful. None of the surfaces were right, despite "looking" lined up ok. Thing jumped off the deck like I was use to from the simulator, but then it was pitching, rolling and diving. Even with lower rates it was full time panic, while I tried to

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-69513301059342187822008-11-24T17:56:00.004-07:002010-05-10T12:30:35.601-06:00

There is a pretty good web page that describes how exponential rates work (the negative vs. positive expo on JR vs. Futaba sort of messes me up too). I also put together a quick Control Rates XLS spread sheet to graphically demonstrate how the control surface should move with various rates and expo settings for a given stick movement and to help myself visualize how the response works for

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-26491938977016793462008-11-15T22:11:00.007-07:002010-05-10T12:32:40.604-06:00

I just built my Easy Star kit and got it all setup. Here are some pics with the HXT 2835 2700kV brushless motor installed, and a Turnigy Sentry 25A BESC with a Zippy 2200mAh 3S1P LiPo. I put the BESC on the outside to try to help keep the heat down. The HXT motor sure seems to run hot (hope it isn't a dud). I still have to pop the Hitec Neutron 6S Rx with HS81 servos in and get the push rod

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-69094801497026960422008-11-09T18:05:00.006-07:002010-05-10T12:33:58.174-06:00

Just maidened my Wild Hawk. Got it from HF for $79, plus 20% off (they had to price match the web site and then do the 20% off coupon). Moved the battery forward and put packing tape around the rear fuse and nose. The thing still wants to really stall when under power (seems too tail heavy). I'm about 3.2" back from leading edge on CG. Without power, it is actually pretty balanced and this

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-8611167397788842512008-11-01T21:37:00.005-06:002010-05-10T12:35:50.047-06:00

Of course, once Harbor Freight starts carrying these, you can begin considering them "disposable". The Wild Hawk is a knock off clone cheap version of the EPP foam Easy Star. Super forgiving, very cheap, and easy to fly...got to see if our local Harbor Freight has one. Check out the Wild Hawk.

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-12858654476742123592008-11-01T18:34:00.007-06:002010-05-10T12:38:34.308-06:00

I went ahead and bought an Aerobird Xtreme from Hobby Zone off Ebay for $80. It was used, but only had a problem with the elevator control horns and a broken canopy (and that seems like it was all just shipping damage, everything was in new sealed containers and it didn't look wreaked or anything. Fixed all that, got a 7.2v 3800mAh NiMH pack off Amazon for longer flights (compared to the

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-6472119346822793002008-10-19T18:14:00.022-06:002010-05-10T12:41:34.729-06:00

...when you have some of the cool new stuff they are doing with electric model R/C planes and full motion, light weight, hi-resolution video with GPS overlays and head tracking servo control. Wow. The Fields - Easystar FPV Onboard Camera from Oliver Fietz on Vimeo. FPV (or First Person View) R/C control is amazing. Helped out by places, such as Hobby Wireless with light weight wireless

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-12336475346541582942008-09-04T21:37:00.002-06:002008-09-04T21:43:29.926-06:00

We have been spending a lot of time up at our cabin in Cascade, so I haven't had any time to really do any development work on the hardware side of the cockpit. For now, I've just been flying as many different missions and planes as I can on my current mock setup to make sure it has everything I want to have addressed. I really need to install Descent 3 again and just try it out on the wide

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-18179401813071567732008-07-17T06:36:00.007-06:002008-11-30T22:12:40.892-07:00

I finally got my second nVidia GeForce 8800 GT card in, so that I could run all 4 virtual monitors (two 15" touch screens, one 8" touch screen, and the three 19" monitors that make up the virtual TH2Go main display) in Vista. After multiple fatal crashes with just about every nVidia driver I could use when running FSX, I finally disabled DX10 preview in FSX and it all works just fine. Frame

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-43659015334103060132008-07-01T22:29:00.007-06:002008-11-30T22:18:51.029-07:00

I finally gave up (for now) getting twin video cards (of different vendor/chipsets) working in Vista (even with old XPDM drivers, as lots of stuff native to Vista quits working when you do that, if you can even get them installed). And I just focused on getting ONE of my flat panel 15" touch screens working. It frustrates me that I can't seem to save the position of the instruments on the

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-62739755034447275712008-06-30T22:40:00.000-06:002008-09-02T22:11:16.406-06:00

I've been trying to get my ATI x1900 PCI-express adapter to work in the second PCIe slot along with my nVidia 8800 GT PCI-express card. Vista keeps disabling the ATI (secondary PCIe slot) and notes that an incompatible video card has been disabled. According to this article at Microsoft, it explains that WDDM drivers under Vista now require "homogonous" video card support due to the new

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-44907082738209538592008-06-16T22:14:00.001-06:002008-11-30T22:13:51.715-07:00

So, I've been going over what all I am going to need for an initial design plan for a cockpit. First, while a lot of folks in the full cockpit simulation experience are going for triple projectors for the wrap around 210-degree experience (sans virtual cockpit) and letting the ACTUAL cockpit obscure the view from there, I don't think I want it to be quite that big. With a 19" LCD monitor, that

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-77255767142501336912008-06-15T10:24:00.001-06:002008-11-30T22:14:21.983-07:00

I flew from Cascade airport to Boise on a VFR route yesterday in a twin beachcraft. Pretty cool with Tile Proxy running. Buzzed our cabin and everything...grin. The boys evey did very well piloting the little ultralight around and were loving it.I have to admit, the F/A-18 Hornet sure makes you appreciate how fast those military jets can fly. I barely get taken off and messing around with

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-49640798699711693892008-06-14T10:39:00.004-06:002008-11-30T22:14:51.960-07:00

Got all my hardware in and sort of mocked it up on my desk last night. Was up until 3:30AM dinking around with it all. The HannsG monitors are pretty much what you'd expect for $170. Two have dead/stuck pixels on them (one has one stuck and a grid of 4 dead on it) and they all seem to get some very characteristic "sparklies" on them in certain places (it looks like it is obvious stuck/coupling

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-85881425981342869192008-06-07T10:51:00.005-06:002008-11-30T22:15:21.753-07:00

I just got back from visiting Washington DC last week, and we spent time at the Air and Space museum. While there, I had the chance to play around in a flight simulator (for $8) that tilts up and down and rolls 360', called SX-Interactive from Simworx. Looking online, they only run around $85k, new (grin). There is an even better one, called FS2000 from Maxflight that does both 360' pitch and

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53756366846871261.post-51099358299511027462003-01-25T09:17:00.000-07:002008-09-02T22:18:17.580-06:00

It has been a long time since I've put much new content up here (I get thousands of emails every month and lots of questions, and I should probably put them all in a FAQ or something, but I'm too lazy...grin). I still have my beloved MAME 2 that I finished almost a 18 months ago, and I still love it (though I just had to spend $90 to get the Princeton Arcadia 27" Hidef monitor fixed). I've also

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16937131691811060956noreply@blogger.com0