78 MODEL AVIATION
Darwin Barrie, 4316 W. Rickenbacker Way, Chandler AZ 85226; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SOARING
I’LL OPEN MY first column with a
sincere thanks to Mike Garton for the past
few years of service to MA and the
Soaring community. The job of a monthly
or bimonthly columnist requires
commitment and dedication that steals
time away from other aspects of life.
Thanks, Mike. I hope I can keep the bar as
high as you have.
By way of introduction, I am 49 years old
and recently retired after serving 30 years
in law enforcement. A public-safety career
provides many exciting opportunities as
well as numerous frustrating and troubling
memories. I’ve had the opportunity to do
everything from investigate homicides to
fly helicopters.
As I was promoted up the ranks, I
performed many interesting functions. My
last was as commander of a large jail with
an average daily intake of 330 new
prisoners. I’m glad I’m out and look
forward to enjoying retirement.
My modeling days started as most do, I
would guess: through my dad. Although
he did not actively fly models, he loved
building them. My first project with him
was at age 5. I acquired my first radiocontrolled
airplane when I was 8, which
was an AristoCat with an Orbit analog
radio, which I still have. Man, have we
come a long way.
My second model and first sailplane
was a Midwest Lil’ T. This was not purely
a sailplane since it had a Cox .049 engine
on the nose to get it aloft. The Lil’ T set
the tone for my longtime passion of
Soaring.
A park close to my house provided me
The framework of the author’s full-scale Van’s Aircraft RV-7
stretches 65 inches from the baggage bulkhead to the tail.
Fusion wings in box. More room can be made by removing
shells.
A full view of the box before the final top skin of the fuselage is installed. There is no
top on the box—only a few straps to keep things down.
with a walking-distance flying field. I
would fly almost everyday after school.
After wearing out a couple of .049s, I
bolted on an O.S. .10 with a 1-ounce tank.
I had no throttle control, so a rich setting
was maintained. Then it happened.
Following my usual routine, I came
home from school, grabbed the model, and
headed for the park. I checked the radio,
fired up the .10, and gave it a toss. Seconds
later I realized I had no control. The
sailplane was perfectly trimmed and was
climbing rapidly in a slight left turn. With
a three-minute burn and no control, it was
out of sight in no time. I was only 10 years
old and devastated.
The Lil’ T flew east over Indianreservation
land, where farm fields
stretched for miles. I knew that finding the
model would be tough. I thought my
parents would be upset with me, but they
were very understanding.
My dad remembered a friend who flew
small private aircraft and called him to see
if he could fly us over the area. That
Saturday we flew over in a Cessna 172 but
sailplane to fly, but I had been introduced to
general-aviation aircraft.
In the next few years I owned a variety
of airplanes, mostly powered, and flew
whenever possible. I enjoyed the hobby with
my dad as he taught me the craftsmanship
skills that I carry with me today. These skills
are not only beneficial in modeling but in
everyday life and, as you will see later, in
full-scale aviation as well.
The soaring passion has been with me
since those early days, but the Soaring
competition bug hit me in the early 1990s.
My first contest model was a Larry Jolly
Model Products Pantera, which was quite
competitive at the time. I was reasonably
competitive in the Central Arizona Soaring
League (CASL) club events.
The full-function models were just
starting to show on the scene and were soon
required to even have a chance. That Pantera
still flies today, in the hands of its third or
fourth owner.
Today I have several Open-class and
Two-Meter Sailplanes. I love competition,
but the camaraderie of Soaring is truly what
it is all about. Anyone who has attended the
Visalia Fall Soaring Festival probably
understands what I mean. I’m sure there are
many other events at which the social aspect
is equal to the competition, but the Visalia
event is the king daddy of them all.
Box is accessible through hinged panel on baggage bulkhead.
Panel is secured with eight quarter-turn fasteners. Panel is secured, allowing neat installation with easy access.
My other modeling passion is Giant
Scale Aerobatics. I fly in several
competitions each year, in which specific
aerobatic figures are flown in sequence
and judged. My current model is an
Aeroworks 33% Edge 540T with a Desert
Aircraft 100 for power. The engine puts
out roughly 10 horsepower and can hover
at half throttle.
I am building a Columbo Anderson
40% Extra 330 for next season, and it
will be powered by a Desert Aircraft 150.
The Extra spans 122 inches and will
weigh approximately 38 pounds.
Although these airplanes are big, they fly
much like a basic trainer. Landing does
require power management and an active
rudder control.
As if that weren’t enough, my current
project is a Van’s Aircraft (www.vansair
craft.com) RV-7. This full-scale airplane
is a two-place, side-by-side-seating, 200
mph machine. Built from a kit, it is the
most popular home-built aircraft in the
world. There are nearly 4,000 Van’s
Aircraft airplanes flying worldwide.
The “7” will feature a full IFR
(instrument flight rules) all-electric panel
with EFIS (electronic flight information
system) moving-map GPS, and two-axis
autopilot. The autopilot is tied to the
GPS to provide course management.
Adding to the cool factor is a carbonfiber
panel. See, the modeling skills do
carry over to full scale.
Yes, this is related to Soaring. During
the construction I sought information from
other RV builders who had built storage
areas behind the baggage compartment
under the turtledeck. I found a few who
had, but all looked too heavy and
incapable of what I had in mind. My goal
was to carry a couple of Open-class
sailplanes and/or golf clubs.
I designed a framework of angle
aluminum and flat stock that stretched
from the baggage bulkhead to the last
turtledeck bulkhead. It was critical that the
structure be light and strong since all of it
was behind the CG. One of the troubling
aspects of the design was determining what
material the bottom and sides of the box
would be.
Again, modeling skills and knowledge
prevailed. I had to look no further than my
Packlite travel box, which is constructed
primarily from Coroplast. I have traveled
across the country with the box, and there
is nary a scratch on it.
Coroplast is like a plastic cardboard. It
is strong, light, and extremely durable. I
cut the bottom and sides from Coroplast
and used wide-flange POP rivets as
fasteners to the framework. The result is a
strong and durable box, but, most
important, it’s light. The entire box weighs
less than 3 pounds. Access is gained
through a hinged panel on the baggage
bulkhead.
The RV-7 will greatly expand my travel
range to contests. From my home in
Chandler to the Visalia Fall Soaring
Festival in California is a solid 10-hour
drive. The RV will get me there in three
hours. Since I live at the airport with a
hangar attached to my home, I’m always
leaving from Gate One!
I plan to take in some of the Southern
California contest-circuit events next
season. Most will be less than a two-hour
flight, making one-day contest travel
easy. The Nats in Muncie, Indiana, will
be a seven- to eight-hour flight, and there
is an airport adjacent to the AMA site.
The only difference with attending the
Nats is that I will have my models
shipped to AMA Headquarters.
I look forward to writing an informative
column for you every other month. I
urge you to contact me with ideas and
information that I can pass on to our
community. Next I will do a minireview
of the new JR 9303, Futaba 9C Super,
and hopefully the new Futaba MZ14
systems.
We are a diverse group and are spread
across the country. We meet many
modelers through Internet groups but
never in person. Next month I will begin
a feature in which I will introduce a
Sailplane modeler to everyone. This will
include a picture and a brief bio. Look
for me to contact you. Until next time,
max landings to everyone. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/02
Page Numbers: 78,79,80
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/02
Page Numbers: 78,79,80
78 MODEL AVIATION
Darwin Barrie, 4316 W. Rickenbacker Way, Chandler AZ 85226; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SOARING
I’LL OPEN MY first column with a
sincere thanks to Mike Garton for the past
few years of service to MA and the
Soaring community. The job of a monthly
or bimonthly columnist requires
commitment and dedication that steals
time away from other aspects of life.
Thanks, Mike. I hope I can keep the bar as
high as you have.
By way of introduction, I am 49 years old
and recently retired after serving 30 years
in law enforcement. A public-safety career
provides many exciting opportunities as
well as numerous frustrating and troubling
memories. I’ve had the opportunity to do
everything from investigate homicides to
fly helicopters.
As I was promoted up the ranks, I
performed many interesting functions. My
last was as commander of a large jail with
an average daily intake of 330 new
prisoners. I’m glad I’m out and look
forward to enjoying retirement.
My modeling days started as most do, I
would guess: through my dad. Although
he did not actively fly models, he loved
building them. My first project with him
was at age 5. I acquired my first radiocontrolled
airplane when I was 8, which
was an AristoCat with an Orbit analog
radio, which I still have. Man, have we
come a long way.
My second model and first sailplane
was a Midwest Lil’ T. This was not purely
a sailplane since it had a Cox .049 engine
on the nose to get it aloft. The Lil’ T set
the tone for my longtime passion of
Soaring.
A park close to my house provided me
The framework of the author’s full-scale Van’s Aircraft RV-7
stretches 65 inches from the baggage bulkhead to the tail.
Fusion wings in box. More room can be made by removing
shells.
A full view of the box before the final top skin of the fuselage is installed. There is no
top on the box—only a few straps to keep things down.
with a walking-distance flying field. I
would fly almost everyday after school.
After wearing out a couple of .049s, I
bolted on an O.S. .10 with a 1-ounce tank.
I had no throttle control, so a rich setting
was maintained. Then it happened.
Following my usual routine, I came
home from school, grabbed the model, and
headed for the park. I checked the radio,
fired up the .10, and gave it a toss. Seconds
later I realized I had no control. The
sailplane was perfectly trimmed and was
climbing rapidly in a slight left turn. With
a three-minute burn and no control, it was
out of sight in no time. I was only 10 years
old and devastated.
The Lil’ T flew east over Indianreservation
land, where farm fields
stretched for miles. I knew that finding the
model would be tough. I thought my
parents would be upset with me, but they
were very understanding.
My dad remembered a friend who flew
small private aircraft and called him to see
if he could fly us over the area. That
Saturday we flew over in a Cessna 172 but
sailplane to fly, but I had been introduced to
general-aviation aircraft.
In the next few years I owned a variety
of airplanes, mostly powered, and flew
whenever possible. I enjoyed the hobby with
my dad as he taught me the craftsmanship
skills that I carry with me today. These skills
are not only beneficial in modeling but in
everyday life and, as you will see later, in
full-scale aviation as well.
The soaring passion has been with me
since those early days, but the Soaring
competition bug hit me in the early 1990s.
My first contest model was a Larry Jolly
Model Products Pantera, which was quite
competitive at the time. I was reasonably
competitive in the Central Arizona Soaring
League (CASL) club events.
The full-function models were just
starting to show on the scene and were soon
required to even have a chance. That Pantera
still flies today, in the hands of its third or
fourth owner.
Today I have several Open-class and
Two-Meter Sailplanes. I love competition,
but the camaraderie of Soaring is truly what
it is all about. Anyone who has attended the
Visalia Fall Soaring Festival probably
understands what I mean. I’m sure there are
many other events at which the social aspect
is equal to the competition, but the Visalia
event is the king daddy of them all.
Box is accessible through hinged panel on baggage bulkhead.
Panel is secured with eight quarter-turn fasteners. Panel is secured, allowing neat installation with easy access.
My other modeling passion is Giant
Scale Aerobatics. I fly in several
competitions each year, in which specific
aerobatic figures are flown in sequence
and judged. My current model is an
Aeroworks 33% Edge 540T with a Desert
Aircraft 100 for power. The engine puts
out roughly 10 horsepower and can hover
at half throttle.
I am building a Columbo Anderson
40% Extra 330 for next season, and it
will be powered by a Desert Aircraft 150.
The Extra spans 122 inches and will
weigh approximately 38 pounds.
Although these airplanes are big, they fly
much like a basic trainer. Landing does
require power management and an active
rudder control.
As if that weren’t enough, my current
project is a Van’s Aircraft (www.vansair
craft.com) RV-7. This full-scale airplane
is a two-place, side-by-side-seating, 200
mph machine. Built from a kit, it is the
most popular home-built aircraft in the
world. There are nearly 4,000 Van’s
Aircraft airplanes flying worldwide.
The “7” will feature a full IFR
(instrument flight rules) all-electric panel
with EFIS (electronic flight information
system) moving-map GPS, and two-axis
autopilot. The autopilot is tied to the
GPS to provide course management.
Adding to the cool factor is a carbonfiber
panel. See, the modeling skills do
carry over to full scale.
Yes, this is related to Soaring. During
the construction I sought information from
other RV builders who had built storage
areas behind the baggage compartment
under the turtledeck. I found a few who
had, but all looked too heavy and
incapable of what I had in mind. My goal
was to carry a couple of Open-class
sailplanes and/or golf clubs.
I designed a framework of angle
aluminum and flat stock that stretched
from the baggage bulkhead to the last
turtledeck bulkhead. It was critical that the
structure be light and strong since all of it
was behind the CG. One of the troubling
aspects of the design was determining what
material the bottom and sides of the box
would be.
Again, modeling skills and knowledge
prevailed. I had to look no further than my
Packlite travel box, which is constructed
primarily from Coroplast. I have traveled
across the country with the box, and there
is nary a scratch on it.
Coroplast is like a plastic cardboard. It
is strong, light, and extremely durable. I
cut the bottom and sides from Coroplast
and used wide-flange POP rivets as
fasteners to the framework. The result is a
strong and durable box, but, most
important, it’s light. The entire box weighs
less than 3 pounds. Access is gained
through a hinged panel on the baggage
bulkhead.
The RV-7 will greatly expand my travel
range to contests. From my home in
Chandler to the Visalia Fall Soaring
Festival in California is a solid 10-hour
drive. The RV will get me there in three
hours. Since I live at the airport with a
hangar attached to my home, I’m always
leaving from Gate One!
I plan to take in some of the Southern
California contest-circuit events next
season. Most will be less than a two-hour
flight, making one-day contest travel
easy. The Nats in Muncie, Indiana, will
be a seven- to eight-hour flight, and there
is an airport adjacent to the AMA site.
The only difference with attending the
Nats is that I will have my models
shipped to AMA Headquarters.
I look forward to writing an informative
column for you every other month. I
urge you to contact me with ideas and
information that I can pass on to our
community. Next I will do a minireview
of the new JR 9303, Futaba 9C Super,
and hopefully the new Futaba MZ14
systems.
We are a diverse group and are spread
across the country. We meet many
modelers through Internet groups but
never in person. Next month I will begin
a feature in which I will introduce a
Sailplane modeler to everyone. This will
include a picture and a brief bio. Look
for me to contact you. Until next time,
max landings to everyone. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/02
Page Numbers: 78,79,80
78 MODEL AVIATION
Darwin Barrie, 4316 W. Rickenbacker Way, Chandler AZ 85226; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SOARING
I’LL OPEN MY first column with a
sincere thanks to Mike Garton for the past
few years of service to MA and the
Soaring community. The job of a monthly
or bimonthly columnist requires
commitment and dedication that steals
time away from other aspects of life.
Thanks, Mike. I hope I can keep the bar as
high as you have.
By way of introduction, I am 49 years old
and recently retired after serving 30 years
in law enforcement. A public-safety career
provides many exciting opportunities as
well as numerous frustrating and troubling
memories. I’ve had the opportunity to do
everything from investigate homicides to
fly helicopters.
As I was promoted up the ranks, I
performed many interesting functions. My
last was as commander of a large jail with
an average daily intake of 330 new
prisoners. I’m glad I’m out and look
forward to enjoying retirement.
My modeling days started as most do, I
would guess: through my dad. Although
he did not actively fly models, he loved
building them. My first project with him
was at age 5. I acquired my first radiocontrolled
airplane when I was 8, which
was an AristoCat with an Orbit analog
radio, which I still have. Man, have we
come a long way.
My second model and first sailplane
was a Midwest Lil’ T. This was not purely
a sailplane since it had a Cox .049 engine
on the nose to get it aloft. The Lil’ T set
the tone for my longtime passion of
Soaring.
A park close to my house provided me
The framework of the author’s full-scale Van’s Aircraft RV-7
stretches 65 inches from the baggage bulkhead to the tail.
Fusion wings in box. More room can be made by removing
shells.
A full view of the box before the final top skin of the fuselage is installed. There is no
top on the box—only a few straps to keep things down.
with a walking-distance flying field. I
would fly almost everyday after school.
After wearing out a couple of .049s, I
bolted on an O.S. .10 with a 1-ounce tank.
I had no throttle control, so a rich setting
was maintained. Then it happened.
Following my usual routine, I came
home from school, grabbed the model, and
headed for the park. I checked the radio,
fired up the .10, and gave it a toss. Seconds
later I realized I had no control. The
sailplane was perfectly trimmed and was
climbing rapidly in a slight left turn. With
a three-minute burn and no control, it was
out of sight in no time. I was only 10 years
old and devastated.
The Lil’ T flew east over Indianreservation
land, where farm fields
stretched for miles. I knew that finding the
model would be tough. I thought my
parents would be upset with me, but they
were very understanding.
My dad remembered a friend who flew
small private aircraft and called him to see
if he could fly us over the area. That
Saturday we flew over in a Cessna 172 but
sailplane to fly, but I had been introduced to
general-aviation aircraft.
In the next few years I owned a variety
of airplanes, mostly powered, and flew
whenever possible. I enjoyed the hobby with
my dad as he taught me the craftsmanship
skills that I carry with me today. These skills
are not only beneficial in modeling but in
everyday life and, as you will see later, in
full-scale aviation as well.
The soaring passion has been with me
since those early days, but the Soaring
competition bug hit me in the early 1990s.
My first contest model was a Larry Jolly
Model Products Pantera, which was quite
competitive at the time. I was reasonably
competitive in the Central Arizona Soaring
League (CASL) club events.
The full-function models were just
starting to show on the scene and were soon
required to even have a chance. That Pantera
still flies today, in the hands of its third or
fourth owner.
Today I have several Open-class and
Two-Meter Sailplanes. I love competition,
but the camaraderie of Soaring is truly what
it is all about. Anyone who has attended the
Visalia Fall Soaring Festival probably
understands what I mean. I’m sure there are
many other events at which the social aspect
is equal to the competition, but the Visalia
event is the king daddy of them all.
Box is accessible through hinged panel on baggage bulkhead.
Panel is secured with eight quarter-turn fasteners. Panel is secured, allowing neat installation with easy access.
My other modeling passion is Giant
Scale Aerobatics. I fly in several
competitions each year, in which specific
aerobatic figures are flown in sequence
and judged. My current model is an
Aeroworks 33% Edge 540T with a Desert
Aircraft 100 for power. The engine puts
out roughly 10 horsepower and can hover
at half throttle.
I am building a Columbo Anderson
40% Extra 330 for next season, and it
will be powered by a Desert Aircraft 150.
The Extra spans 122 inches and will
weigh approximately 38 pounds.
Although these airplanes are big, they fly
much like a basic trainer. Landing does
require power management and an active
rudder control.
As if that weren’t enough, my current
project is a Van’s Aircraft (www.vansair
craft.com) RV-7. This full-scale airplane
is a two-place, side-by-side-seating, 200
mph machine. Built from a kit, it is the
most popular home-built aircraft in the
world. There are nearly 4,000 Van’s
Aircraft airplanes flying worldwide.
The “7” will feature a full IFR
(instrument flight rules) all-electric panel
with EFIS (electronic flight information
system) moving-map GPS, and two-axis
autopilot. The autopilot is tied to the
GPS to provide course management.
Adding to the cool factor is a carbonfiber
panel. See, the modeling skills do
carry over to full scale.
Yes, this is related to Soaring. During
the construction I sought information from
other RV builders who had built storage
areas behind the baggage compartment
under the turtledeck. I found a few who
had, but all looked too heavy and
incapable of what I had in mind. My goal
was to carry a couple of Open-class
sailplanes and/or golf clubs.
I designed a framework of angle
aluminum and flat stock that stretched
from the baggage bulkhead to the last
turtledeck bulkhead. It was critical that the
structure be light and strong since all of it
was behind the CG. One of the troubling
aspects of the design was determining what
material the bottom and sides of the box
would be.
Again, modeling skills and knowledge
prevailed. I had to look no further than my
Packlite travel box, which is constructed
primarily from Coroplast. I have traveled
across the country with the box, and there
is nary a scratch on it.
Coroplast is like a plastic cardboard. It
is strong, light, and extremely durable. I
cut the bottom and sides from Coroplast
and used wide-flange POP rivets as
fasteners to the framework. The result is a
strong and durable box, but, most
important, it’s light. The entire box weighs
less than 3 pounds. Access is gained
through a hinged panel on the baggage
bulkhead.
The RV-7 will greatly expand my travel
range to contests. From my home in
Chandler to the Visalia Fall Soaring
Festival in California is a solid 10-hour
drive. The RV will get me there in three
hours. Since I live at the airport with a
hangar attached to my home, I’m always
leaving from Gate One!
I plan to take in some of the Southern
California contest-circuit events next
season. Most will be less than a two-hour
flight, making one-day contest travel
easy. The Nats in Muncie, Indiana, will
be a seven- to eight-hour flight, and there
is an airport adjacent to the AMA site.
The only difference with attending the
Nats is that I will have my models
shipped to AMA Headquarters.
I look forward to writing an informative
column for you every other month. I
urge you to contact me with ideas and
information that I can pass on to our
community. Next I will do a minireview
of the new JR 9303, Futaba 9C Super,
and hopefully the new Futaba MZ14
systems.
We are a diverse group and are spread
across the country. We meet many
modelers through Internet groups but
never in person. Next month I will begin
a feature in which I will introduce a
Sailplane modeler to everyone. This will
include a picture and a brief bio. Look
for me to contact you. Until next time,
max landings to everyone. MA