100 MODEL AVIATION
GREETINGS, fans of micro models.
Assuming you get this when I anticipate
you will, let me wish you a happy holiday
season. Of course, I hope you find your
cherished new micro product under the
tree.
The officers of the National Indoor
Remote-controlled Aircraft Council
(NIRAC) are working hard to make the
arrangements for the 2005 championships.
At this point, I anticipate that the contest
will be in the fall and will likely be held in
a golf-dome type of building on the East
Coast. For updated information, check the
NIRAC Web site at www.nirac.org.
It appears that the events will be the
same as in 2004, with minor adjustments in
a couple of the categories. In general,
models that were used in 2004 will be
suitable for the 2005 event. All efforts are
being made to ensure that contestants get the
maximum amount of flying time possible.
For those who attend the championships,
you can help yourself enormously by having
the entries tested and ready to compete without last-minute work.
Stay tuned and be ready to make reservations!
One class that has produced some really neat models is the Old
Timer Climb and Glide. A photo shows three of the entries. Bill
Conkling’s Clipper Jr., my Miss America, and Bob Aberle’s
Playboy Sr. are just a taste of the models possible for this event.
I have been developing an indoor model that would be at home in
confined areas as well as large halls. My Butterfly is the result of
this effort. With a wingspan of 25 inches and a weight of only 23
grams, the Butterfly can be flown in areas as restricted as a large
recreation room or small social hall, but it is peppy enough to be
satisfying in a larger building.
Models such as this require a few special techniques and
materials, but they are well within the grasp of any modeler who
is comfortable with stick-built FF airplanes.
You must have light materials to build a lightweight model. If
you are fortunate enough to live near a well-stocked hobby shop,
you may be able to find suitable wood in the rack. A 3 x 36-inch
sheet of 1⁄32 balsa should weigh no more than 6 grams. For thicker
sheets, multiply the target weight by the amount exceeding 1⁄32
inch. (A 1⁄16 sheet would weigh 12 grams.)
Choose wood that is reasonably stiff and not mushy. Being
selective here is a good start toward an efficient airframe. Wood
of this grade may be found at Sig Mfg., Superior Balsa, Lone Star
Balsa, and probably some other suppliers.
For covering, I am using thin, clear Mylar in 2um thickness.
This is available from Dave Lewis at www.homefly.com. 3M
Super 77 spray contact cement does a fine job of holding the
covering to the frame. With frames this light, I do not heat-shrink
the covering; I just get it as smooth as possible as I attach it.
I chose to color the balsa with spray paint. A light coat of
Krylon brand color from Wal-Mart only added 0.1 gram to the
model, and it does brighten it up considerably.
Although the popular KP-00 drive with a U80 propeller would
Dave Robelen
M i c r o - F l y i n g
Route 4, Box 369, Farmville VA 23901; E-mail: [email protected]
These Old-Timer models include (front to back) Bill Conkling’s Clipper Jr., the author’s
Miss America, and a Playboy Sr. by Bob Aberle.
The author’s 23-gram Butterfly is an indoor model that is at home
in confined areas as well as in a large hall.
The author attached two Dynamics Unlimited actuators to a balsa
block to obtain adequate magnetic centering.
102 MODEL AVIATION
The Fun Foam Models AT-6 is laser cut from a sheet of blue
insulation foam and is extremely easy to assemble.
The Butterfly’s flight time is nearly doubled using a custom
micro drive with a higher ratio drive and larger propeller.
The FMA Direct M5LV is a true dual-conversion receiver and is
nearly unaffected by interference.
pull this model adequately, I chose to build a custom drive with a
higher gear ratio to turn larger propellers. The motor came from a
KP-00 drive (a Mabuchi M20LV), and I raided a broken battery
alarm clock for the 6.5:1 gear set. The 1mm shaft and ball
bearings came from Dave Lewis. With this higher-ratio drive and
larger propeller, the flight time is nearly doubled and the
acceleration is noticeably improved.
I am still fond of the RFFS-100 receiver and companion
actuators for control. I attached the two actuators to a balsa block
to obtain adequate magnetic centering. This results in proportional
movement of the controls relative to the stick.
Gary Hutchison, a talented toolmaker, makes the plastic
hardware for the actuators and the control horns. These parts,
along with the receiver, actuators, and Li-Poly cells, can be found
at Dynamics Unlimited; the company’s Web site is www.slow
fly.com. While at that site, you might order some small-diameter
carbon-fiber rod. I used 1mm diameter and 0.5mm diameter in
these projects.
When you begin building light models, the pleasure of flying
indoors really expands. The Butterfly can cruise at speeds as low
as 5 mph, turn with a 3-foot radius, and still have a peppy rate of
climb. Come on and join the fun!
Recently I have been flying a neat model that can be built quickly.
The profile AT-6 is made by Fun Foam Models and sold by Balsa
Products online at www.balsapr.com. The entire airplane is lasercut
from a sheet of blue insulation foam and is extremely easy to
assemble. A unique technique that’s recommended is the use of a
hot-glue gun for assembly. I tried it, and this approach worked
great.
It is possible to go fly with the model in the “raw” foam colors.
I wanted a little more realism, so I used Testors spray enamels to
get a bit more color. Applied with a light touch, there is very little
weight buildup.
Although the AT-6 is a low-wing model with rudder and
elevator controls, it handles well even in breezy conditions. The
people at Balsa Products have more models in this Fun Foam line;
you might want to check them out.
The controls in my AT-6 are an FMA Direct LVM5 receiver
with the companion ESC and two PS-20 servos. This is a true
dual-conversion receiver, and it’s nearly immune to interference.
The whole system is designed to operate from a single Li-Poly
cell, which results in a nice weight savings. With full range
capability, I cannot find the limits of the M5LV receiver in the air.
Teamed with a 340 mAh Li-Poly cell and a low-voltage GWS
drive, the complete package is quite lightweight. Fully equipped
and painted, my AT-6 weighs barely 4 ounces ready to fly.
FMA Direct has quite a few products that would be of interest
to the micro flier. Check out the company at www.fmadirect.com.
Meanwhile, if you want to be rich and famous, send me pictures
and descriptions of your latest project. I can probably help you
reach at least one of the objectives! MA
Visit the AMA Education Committee
Web site at www.buildandfly.com.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/01
Page Numbers: 100,102
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/01
Page Numbers: 100,102
100 MODEL AVIATION
GREETINGS, fans of micro models.
Assuming you get this when I anticipate
you will, let me wish you a happy holiday
season. Of course, I hope you find your
cherished new micro product under the
tree.
The officers of the National Indoor
Remote-controlled Aircraft Council
(NIRAC) are working hard to make the
arrangements for the 2005 championships.
At this point, I anticipate that the contest
will be in the fall and will likely be held in
a golf-dome type of building on the East
Coast. For updated information, check the
NIRAC Web site at www.nirac.org.
It appears that the events will be the
same as in 2004, with minor adjustments in
a couple of the categories. In general,
models that were used in 2004 will be
suitable for the 2005 event. All efforts are
being made to ensure that contestants get the
maximum amount of flying time possible.
For those who attend the championships,
you can help yourself enormously by having
the entries tested and ready to compete without last-minute work.
Stay tuned and be ready to make reservations!
One class that has produced some really neat models is the Old
Timer Climb and Glide. A photo shows three of the entries. Bill
Conkling’s Clipper Jr., my Miss America, and Bob Aberle’s
Playboy Sr. are just a taste of the models possible for this event.
I have been developing an indoor model that would be at home in
confined areas as well as large halls. My Butterfly is the result of
this effort. With a wingspan of 25 inches and a weight of only 23
grams, the Butterfly can be flown in areas as restricted as a large
recreation room or small social hall, but it is peppy enough to be
satisfying in a larger building.
Models such as this require a few special techniques and
materials, but they are well within the grasp of any modeler who
is comfortable with stick-built FF airplanes.
You must have light materials to build a lightweight model. If
you are fortunate enough to live near a well-stocked hobby shop,
you may be able to find suitable wood in the rack. A 3 x 36-inch
sheet of 1⁄32 balsa should weigh no more than 6 grams. For thicker
sheets, multiply the target weight by the amount exceeding 1⁄32
inch. (A 1⁄16 sheet would weigh 12 grams.)
Choose wood that is reasonably stiff and not mushy. Being
selective here is a good start toward an efficient airframe. Wood
of this grade may be found at Sig Mfg., Superior Balsa, Lone Star
Balsa, and probably some other suppliers.
For covering, I am using thin, clear Mylar in 2um thickness.
This is available from Dave Lewis at www.homefly.com. 3M
Super 77 spray contact cement does a fine job of holding the
covering to the frame. With frames this light, I do not heat-shrink
the covering; I just get it as smooth as possible as I attach it.
I chose to color the balsa with spray paint. A light coat of
Krylon brand color from Wal-Mart only added 0.1 gram to the
model, and it does brighten it up considerably.
Although the popular KP-00 drive with a U80 propeller would
Dave Robelen
M i c r o - F l y i n g
Route 4, Box 369, Farmville VA 23901; E-mail: [email protected]
These Old-Timer models include (front to back) Bill Conkling’s Clipper Jr., the author’s
Miss America, and a Playboy Sr. by Bob Aberle.
The author’s 23-gram Butterfly is an indoor model that is at home
in confined areas as well as in a large hall.
The author attached two Dynamics Unlimited actuators to a balsa
block to obtain adequate magnetic centering.
102 MODEL AVIATION
The Fun Foam Models AT-6 is laser cut from a sheet of blue
insulation foam and is extremely easy to assemble.
The Butterfly’s flight time is nearly doubled using a custom
micro drive with a higher ratio drive and larger propeller.
The FMA Direct M5LV is a true dual-conversion receiver and is
nearly unaffected by interference.
pull this model adequately, I chose to build a custom drive with a
higher gear ratio to turn larger propellers. The motor came from a
KP-00 drive (a Mabuchi M20LV), and I raided a broken battery
alarm clock for the 6.5:1 gear set. The 1mm shaft and ball
bearings came from Dave Lewis. With this higher-ratio drive and
larger propeller, the flight time is nearly doubled and the
acceleration is noticeably improved.
I am still fond of the RFFS-100 receiver and companion
actuators for control. I attached the two actuators to a balsa block
to obtain adequate magnetic centering. This results in proportional
movement of the controls relative to the stick.
Gary Hutchison, a talented toolmaker, makes the plastic
hardware for the actuators and the control horns. These parts,
along with the receiver, actuators, and Li-Poly cells, can be found
at Dynamics Unlimited; the company’s Web site is www.slow
fly.com. While at that site, you might order some small-diameter
carbon-fiber rod. I used 1mm diameter and 0.5mm diameter in
these projects.
When you begin building light models, the pleasure of flying
indoors really expands. The Butterfly can cruise at speeds as low
as 5 mph, turn with a 3-foot radius, and still have a peppy rate of
climb. Come on and join the fun!
Recently I have been flying a neat model that can be built quickly.
The profile AT-6 is made by Fun Foam Models and sold by Balsa
Products online at www.balsapr.com. The entire airplane is lasercut
from a sheet of blue insulation foam and is extremely easy to
assemble. A unique technique that’s recommended is the use of a
hot-glue gun for assembly. I tried it, and this approach worked
great.
It is possible to go fly with the model in the “raw” foam colors.
I wanted a little more realism, so I used Testors spray enamels to
get a bit more color. Applied with a light touch, there is very little
weight buildup.
Although the AT-6 is a low-wing model with rudder and
elevator controls, it handles well even in breezy conditions. The
people at Balsa Products have more models in this Fun Foam line;
you might want to check them out.
The controls in my AT-6 are an FMA Direct LVM5 receiver
with the companion ESC and two PS-20 servos. This is a true
dual-conversion receiver, and it’s nearly immune to interference.
The whole system is designed to operate from a single Li-Poly
cell, which results in a nice weight savings. With full range
capability, I cannot find the limits of the M5LV receiver in the air.
Teamed with a 340 mAh Li-Poly cell and a low-voltage GWS
drive, the complete package is quite lightweight. Fully equipped
and painted, my AT-6 weighs barely 4 ounces ready to fly.
FMA Direct has quite a few products that would be of interest
to the micro flier. Check out the company at www.fmadirect.com.
Meanwhile, if you want to be rich and famous, send me pictures
and descriptions of your latest project. I can probably help you
reach at least one of the objectives! MA
Visit the AMA Education Committee
Web site at www.buildandfly.com.