Hi,
Just a quickie today.
I found another Blog that you might be interested in. It is called ‘Jazzy's Flight Deck’, and here is an exert from she says about radio controlled airplane simulators.
‘Practicing with a flight simulator such as FMS or Realflight can make a big difference in your skills advancement. For beginners it can make the difference between crashing on your first flight and NOT crashing on your first flight. For experts, it can improve your precision and reactions with more advanced maneuvers and teach you how to "feel out" a new plane much faster.’
Gotto agree! Go to Practicing with a flight simulator to read the rest of what she says and her list of things to practice.
(Go to the end of her page for newer or older posts, she has other interesting things to say as well!)
Sunday 24 February 2008
Tuesday 19 February 2008
Why Use A Radio Controlled Airplane Simulator?
Why? Because it is one of the best advances ever in the hobby of radio controlled airplane flying! I put the RC Simulator right up there with the invention of proportional radio control.
When you are flying a real model, unless you are independently wealthy, you have to fly within your ability box all the time. It takes many, many hours of practice to build your box and then expand it into more complex areas of flying.
Any pushing of the limits of your box has to be done very very carefully or you quickly find yourself digging in your pocket for money for a new model.
The advent of computers and the RC flight simulator has changed all that radically. Using the simulator you can seriously push your limits. In fact you can blow them away completely!
You can set yourself up to learn one impossible thing after another and it costs you nothing. All you need is a bit of staying power and you can learn anything! You can crash 50 times in one evening and who cares? Your monitor doesn’t even fill up with all those smashed bits.
What I really like about the sim is that it is totally adjustable to suit exactly what you need at the time. Different model, no problem! Different weather, slow things down, speed things up, all is dead easy.
No, it isn’t exactly like flying a real radio controlled airplane, (Nothing can get even close to the potential level of terror using a real model!) but it is close enough to get that critical reflex training up to scratch. Thus, when the terror takes over the trained reflexes can save the day!
Ten minutes on the simulator is like a whole day at the field! In fact it is even better than that! In the ten minutes on the sim, you can do things that you wouldn’t dare to do at the field.
So, with a few weeks of dedicated practice pushing your envelope on the sim you can advance yourself the same amount it would take years to achieve in real life.
Make no mistake, a good simulator is one of the most important RC accessories that any pilot of any ability can own.
See what I have to say about RC Simulators on my pageLearning To Fly a Radio Controlled Airplane
All for now, and remember practice, practice, practice…
When you are flying a real model, unless you are independently wealthy, you have to fly within your ability box all the time. It takes many, many hours of practice to build your box and then expand it into more complex areas of flying.
Any pushing of the limits of your box has to be done very very carefully or you quickly find yourself digging in your pocket for money for a new model.
The advent of computers and the RC flight simulator has changed all that radically. Using the simulator you can seriously push your limits. In fact you can blow them away completely!
You can set yourself up to learn one impossible thing after another and it costs you nothing. All you need is a bit of staying power and you can learn anything! You can crash 50 times in one evening and who cares? Your monitor doesn’t even fill up with all those smashed bits.
What I really like about the sim is that it is totally adjustable to suit exactly what you need at the time. Different model, no problem! Different weather, slow things down, speed things up, all is dead easy.
No, it isn’t exactly like flying a real radio controlled airplane, (Nothing can get even close to the potential level of terror using a real model!) but it is close enough to get that critical reflex training up to scratch. Thus, when the terror takes over the trained reflexes can save the day!
Ten minutes on the simulator is like a whole day at the field! In fact it is even better than that! In the ten minutes on the sim, you can do things that you wouldn’t dare to do at the field.
So, with a few weeks of dedicated practice pushing your envelope on the sim you can advance yourself the same amount it would take years to achieve in real life.
Make no mistake, a good simulator is one of the most important RC accessories that any pilot of any ability can own.
See what I have to say about RC Simulators on my pageLearning To Fly a Radio Controlled Airplane
All for now, and remember practice, practice, practice…
Wednesday 13 February 2008
The Use Of EPP In Model Airplanes
I am a great believer in the use of new materials in the hobby of building and flying radio controlled airplanes. It is after all a high tech hobby! High tech goes with the hobby like strawberries with cream. But, man, do people resist new stuff!
So, on to EPP or Expanded Polypropylene. While looking similar to EPS or Expanded Polystyrene, (Styrofoam) it has some great benefits for building model airplanes.
First, when you get it wrong, the plane bounces! How cool is that? Pick it up, make sure everything is still where it should be, and off you go again.
Second, if you REALLY get it wrong, a few squirts of glue, put everything back where it should be, and off you go again.
As a long time builder of radio controlled model airplanes using traditional materials like balsa, I can promise you traditional materials don’t work like that! In a split second your beautiful model converts into many more pieces than it had before you started building it. They can often be more difficult to fix than they were to build in the first place!
So, as you gather, I like EPP. But there is a lot of misunderstanding out there about it, In fact this blog entry was motivated by an article I have just read in a national RC magazine.
The guy fussed so much about how to glue or paint EPP that you could be put off by it being to difficult to use. He treated EPP as if it were a strange sort of new, more flexible EPS.
Guys, EPP isn’t some sort of EPS. EPP may look the same as EPS but it is a whole new item.
EPP is immune to just about everything. There is it’s main problem, as it can be difficult to get glue to stick to EPP. It won’t run away just because you have frightened it with a little solvent! (Like EPS does!)
That means you can use solvent based glues and paints. I use a solvent based contact adhesive called EVO-STIK IMPACT that I get from my local B&Q to glue it, and I use normal automotive aerosol paint to paint it.
I have decided to put up a guide page on The Radio Controlled Airplane to hopefully dispel a little of the mystery surrounding the use of EPP.
The page is 'Using EPP' How easy is that?
All for now, try to avoid the bounce, but if you really must bounce, use EPP!
So, on to EPP or Expanded Polypropylene. While looking similar to EPS or Expanded Polystyrene, (Styrofoam) it has some great benefits for building model airplanes.
First, when you get it wrong, the plane bounces! How cool is that? Pick it up, make sure everything is still where it should be, and off you go again.
Second, if you REALLY get it wrong, a few squirts of glue, put everything back where it should be, and off you go again.
As a long time builder of radio controlled model airplanes using traditional materials like balsa, I can promise you traditional materials don’t work like that! In a split second your beautiful model converts into many more pieces than it had before you started building it. They can often be more difficult to fix than they were to build in the first place!
So, as you gather, I like EPP. But there is a lot of misunderstanding out there about it, In fact this blog entry was motivated by an article I have just read in a national RC magazine.
The guy fussed so much about how to glue or paint EPP that you could be put off by it being to difficult to use. He treated EPP as if it were a strange sort of new, more flexible EPS.
Guys, EPP isn’t some sort of EPS. EPP may look the same as EPS but it is a whole new item.
EPP is immune to just about everything. There is it’s main problem, as it can be difficult to get glue to stick to EPP. It won’t run away just because you have frightened it with a little solvent! (Like EPS does!)
That means you can use solvent based glues and paints. I use a solvent based contact adhesive called EVO-STIK IMPACT that I get from my local B&Q to glue it, and I use normal automotive aerosol paint to paint it.
I have decided to put up a guide page on The Radio Controlled Airplane to hopefully dispel a little of the mystery surrounding the use of EPP.
The page is 'Using EPP' How easy is that?
All for now, try to avoid the bounce, but if you really must bounce, use EPP!
Monday 11 February 2008
The danger of knowing too much!
I was reading some reviews on a beginner radio controlled trainer aircraft earlier and I was struck by a danger that folks may not be aware of.
The first review was by a total beginner who had never had anything to do with Rc flying before.
He bought the plane, which, I might add, was a perfect first time RC trainer, and then had a really fantastic experience with it. It did exactly what he needed and he was successfully flying on the very first day! Seven flights with no damage!
The second chap was a returning RC flier. He had not flown for many years and wanted to get back into the hobby. His choice of this plane was perfect to get his rusty fingers back into shape again. He had a terrible experience, ending eventually with a broken model.
So what was the difference? Surely the second chap should have had the easiest time? After all he had previous experience and could already fly. So why?
Well we need to flesh out the experiences a little to see what was different, but what it boils down to was, ‘Do as you are told’ If the model is halfway decent and you follow the instructions you will succeed.
That was exactly what the first chap did. Not feeling that he knew any better, he followed the instructions to the letter. They said download a RC Simulator program from here and use it to practice first. He did it. They said, put the model together like this. He did it exactly like they said. They said, Only fly in dead calm conditions. He did it. They said, fly like this. Yes you got it – he did it!
And his reward? Total success!
Now the other chap, because he had flown glow powered models before, thought that he did not need to follow the instructions to the letter. Notwithstanding the fact that he had last flown many years previously, or that this was a electric model about which he knew little. (Things have changed enormously in even the last five years!)
So what did he do?
First, he ignored the sim, after all this was a kids model anyway, and he could already fly. Bad move. Never underestimate the value of an RC Simulator. Just because you can get an adequate one for free and a really good one real cheap, do not make the mistake of thinking they are of no value. Whether you can fly or not, an RC Simulator is of unbelievable value in its ability to help you hone you skill without costing anything.
Second, he made all sorts of ‘improvements’ to the way the model went together. Frankly, the time for ‘improvements’ is later. At the beginning you have more chance of messing things up than improving them. Stick to the way the model is designed to be.
Third he made modifications to the electric system. Even though he knew nothing about electric airplanes he still dived in and fitted a switch in the battery cable, because after all we always used switches and there ‘should be one’. Very bad news here.
Now there are ways of doing this that are acceptable, but not a little slider switch. The reason is the very large currents that RC motors draw nowadays. Your average switch just will not cope. That is the reason one is not fitted as standard. This mod almost certainly caused him all sorts of voltage swing and interference problems.
Forth, It was windy when he went out. These little models get blown around real easy. Until you are good at flying it, leave wind out of the equation!
So there you have it – Good news followed all the rules. Bad news broke all of them!
There is something to be learned from this story by everyone. If you are a beginner, eager to get out there and do it, don’t be tempted to skip steps. If your are more knowledgeable, be careful that your knowledge doesn’t trip you up.
Check out what I have to say about simulators and learning to fly on
The Radio controlled Airplane.
The first review was by a total beginner who had never had anything to do with Rc flying before.
He bought the plane, which, I might add, was a perfect first time RC trainer, and then had a really fantastic experience with it. It did exactly what he needed and he was successfully flying on the very first day! Seven flights with no damage!
The second chap was a returning RC flier. He had not flown for many years and wanted to get back into the hobby. His choice of this plane was perfect to get his rusty fingers back into shape again. He had a terrible experience, ending eventually with a broken model.
So what was the difference? Surely the second chap should have had the easiest time? After all he had previous experience and could already fly. So why?
Well we need to flesh out the experiences a little to see what was different, but what it boils down to was, ‘Do as you are told’ If the model is halfway decent and you follow the instructions you will succeed.
That was exactly what the first chap did. Not feeling that he knew any better, he followed the instructions to the letter. They said download a RC Simulator program from here and use it to practice first. He did it. They said, put the model together like this. He did it exactly like they said. They said, Only fly in dead calm conditions. He did it. They said, fly like this. Yes you got it – he did it!
And his reward? Total success!
Now the other chap, because he had flown glow powered models before, thought that he did not need to follow the instructions to the letter. Notwithstanding the fact that he had last flown many years previously, or that this was a electric model about which he knew little. (Things have changed enormously in even the last five years!)
So what did he do?
First, he ignored the sim, after all this was a kids model anyway, and he could already fly. Bad move. Never underestimate the value of an RC Simulator. Just because you can get an adequate one for free and a really good one real cheap, do not make the mistake of thinking they are of no value. Whether you can fly or not, an RC Simulator is of unbelievable value in its ability to help you hone you skill without costing anything.
Second, he made all sorts of ‘improvements’ to the way the model went together. Frankly, the time for ‘improvements’ is later. At the beginning you have more chance of messing things up than improving them. Stick to the way the model is designed to be.
Third he made modifications to the electric system. Even though he knew nothing about electric airplanes he still dived in and fitted a switch in the battery cable, because after all we always used switches and there ‘should be one’. Very bad news here.
Now there are ways of doing this that are acceptable, but not a little slider switch. The reason is the very large currents that RC motors draw nowadays. Your average switch just will not cope. That is the reason one is not fitted as standard. This mod almost certainly caused him all sorts of voltage swing and interference problems.
Forth, It was windy when he went out. These little models get blown around real easy. Until you are good at flying it, leave wind out of the equation!
So there you have it – Good news followed all the rules. Bad news broke all of them!
There is something to be learned from this story by everyone. If you are a beginner, eager to get out there and do it, don’t be tempted to skip steps. If your are more knowledgeable, be careful that your knowledge doesn’t trip you up.
Check out what I have to say about simulators and learning to fly on
The Radio controlled Airplane.
Saturday 9 February 2008
What RC flying is all about!
Yea Gods! This has been an interesting path getting this lot together! I reckon it was easier to build my first plane. Anyway we are up and running. (Well mostly!) So let us proceed …
As a beginning, lets see what radio controlled airplane flying is all about and where you start
Well, you go off to your favourite mega store, pick up one of those big glossy boxes that bugle ‘Ready To Fly! Radio Controlled Airplane! Easy! All You Need Right In The Box!
You know, the one with the Mustang or Spitfire with its guns blazing on the front, the one that parts you from a sizeable chunk of your cash and therefore gives you a really good warm glow.
As you drive off home, thoughts of roaring through the sky terrorising sparrows and incautious little old ladies flow through your head.
Back home the lounge carpet quickly disappears under a drift of packing pieces and general bits as you proudly display your acquisition.
She Who Lives Indoors raises her eyebrows at your latest insanity, and being the sceptic she is, says, ‘you can’t fly that thing!’
‘Corse I can’ (Quickly banishing any creeping doubts that may have arisen from a quick glance at the manual.)
Anyway, kids fly these things don’t they? How hard can that be?
You can hardly contain your impatience as you wait for the necessary battery charge time to pass. (Surely they could be sold with charged batteries?!!)
At last the batteries are done and there you are at the local park with the clan gathered around for the maiden flight. She Who Lives Indoors, (AKA ‘I Wouldn’t Miss This For The World!’) is armed with the family video recorder.
Comments of ‘Look, a radio controlled airplane’ drift across from passers by and those creeping doubts begin to get a little bigger. ( Full blown panic isn’t macho.)
You place the model on the grass and, taking a deep breath, push the leaver the pamphlet said was the throttle fully forward as fast as you can. The model leaps forward across the grass and you suddenly realise that your mind has gone completely blank.
You realise that this is not a good time for that to happen, and powered by the need to do something, anything, you jerk back on the leaver on the other side.
In your blank mind state you watch in amazement as the model rises off the grass and executes a perfect loop. Well, it was perfect except for the last bit when the ground got in the way.
As you stare at the impressive pile of bits the model has reduced itself to, your day is improved no end by the football playing kid who, staring at the wreckage, says ‘Core! You sure smashed that Mister!’
As you trudge off home dripping pieces you know from the chortles of ‘Got it all, got it all’ from She Who Lives Indoors that this is not the end….
Been there? Done that? Got the T shirt? If you have, then, any comments?
If you haven’t had the experience yet, but are thinking about setting this scenario in motion, then you have come to the right place! Visit The Radio Controlled Airplane and read what I say on choosing a radio controlled airplane and on learning to fly a radio controlled airplane. They could make your experience a whole lot better!!
Also seriously consider getting the e-book Model Airplane Secrets. (Link at top Right of blog) If you are thinking of starting this hobby it is worth it as it gathers together a huge amount of the knowledge you will need to be successful.
While that information will eventually find its way here, it may take a while…
The links to the other sites etc are at the top right of the blog page.
As a beginning, lets see what radio controlled airplane flying is all about and where you start
Well, you go off to your favourite mega store, pick up one of those big glossy boxes that bugle ‘Ready To Fly! Radio Controlled Airplane! Easy! All You Need Right In The Box!
You know, the one with the Mustang or Spitfire with its guns blazing on the front, the one that parts you from a sizeable chunk of your cash and therefore gives you a really good warm glow.
As you drive off home, thoughts of roaring through the sky terrorising sparrows and incautious little old ladies flow through your head.
Back home the lounge carpet quickly disappears under a drift of packing pieces and general bits as you proudly display your acquisition.
She Who Lives Indoors raises her eyebrows at your latest insanity, and being the sceptic she is, says, ‘you can’t fly that thing!’
‘Corse I can’ (Quickly banishing any creeping doubts that may have arisen from a quick glance at the manual.)
Anyway, kids fly these things don’t they? How hard can that be?
You can hardly contain your impatience as you wait for the necessary battery charge time to pass. (Surely they could be sold with charged batteries?!!)
At last the batteries are done and there you are at the local park with the clan gathered around for the maiden flight. She Who Lives Indoors, (AKA ‘I Wouldn’t Miss This For The World!’) is armed with the family video recorder.
Comments of ‘Look, a radio controlled airplane’ drift across from passers by and those creeping doubts begin to get a little bigger. ( Full blown panic isn’t macho.)
You place the model on the grass and, taking a deep breath, push the leaver the pamphlet said was the throttle fully forward as fast as you can. The model leaps forward across the grass and you suddenly realise that your mind has gone completely blank.
You realise that this is not a good time for that to happen, and powered by the need to do something, anything, you jerk back on the leaver on the other side.
In your blank mind state you watch in amazement as the model rises off the grass and executes a perfect loop. Well, it was perfect except for the last bit when the ground got in the way.
As you stare at the impressive pile of bits the model has reduced itself to, your day is improved no end by the football playing kid who, staring at the wreckage, says ‘Core! You sure smashed that Mister!’
As you trudge off home dripping pieces you know from the chortles of ‘Got it all, got it all’ from She Who Lives Indoors that this is not the end….
Been there? Done that? Got the T shirt? If you have, then, any comments?
If you haven’t had the experience yet, but are thinking about setting this scenario in motion, then you have come to the right place! Visit The Radio Controlled Airplane and read what I say on choosing a radio controlled airplane and on learning to fly a radio controlled airplane. They could make your experience a whole lot better!!
Also seriously consider getting the e-book Model Airplane Secrets. (Link at top Right of blog) If you are thinking of starting this hobby it is worth it as it gathers together a huge amount of the knowledge you will need to be successful.
While that information will eventually find its way here, it may take a while…
The links to the other sites etc are at the top right of the blog page.
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