Frequently Asked Questions - 2006/05
Byline
Bob Aberle | [email protected]
This is the 26th monthly column in which I will try to give you the best possible answers to questions you have written or e-mailed to me. Each new inquiry has a sequential number for identification purposes. Because publication space is limited, part of this month’s material will be published here, and you can find the column in its entirety on the AMA website at www.modelaircraft.org/mag/faq/index.asp. All questions and answers will be posted there. Once the material is posted to the website, you must access particular questions and answers by subject matter or categories. This is done to help you retrieve data for particular subjects. When you call up a question, it reads “Answer …” Double-click on that word, and that information, along with any related photos, will appear.
Let’s get started!
A clarification on the availability of Demon-Clean
Before I start I need to follow up on FAQ 153, which was published in the October 2005 MA. I had suggested the use of a product called Demon-Clean to remove the varnish buildup from many fueled engines—especially on the cylinder head and mufflers.
I didn’t know that the original supplier—Cooper Products—had sold Demon-Clean to a new company, and I have received many letters and e-mails asking for the new supplier. The Cooper Products website (www.cooperfuels.com) now has a link to the new Demon-Clean supplier:
- Bill Jensen, B.J.’s Model Engine Service
51 Hillside Dr., Beacon Falls, CT 06403 Tel./fax: (203) 888-4819 E-mail: [email protected]
Q209: “I’ve seen several very small electric-powered RC helicopters in the various magazines of late. One was labeled as the ‘World’s Smallest RC Helicopter.’ Can you give me a reference source that I can pursue?”
A209: I hate to claim any one model is the “smallest in the world” because that title changes quickly. However, I recently saw a flight demonstration of a Micron FP electric-powered RC helicopter that has a rotor diameter of only 8.25 inches. The model’s length is 9 inches and the ready-to-fly weight is 50 grams (1.76 ounces). That weight includes a two-cell, 250 mAh Li-Poly battery. This is a “conventional” helicopter in that it has a separate tail rotor and includes gyro stabilization.
Precision Heli sells the Micron FP. Contact information:
- Precision Heli
Box 1635, Saint Augustine, FL 32085 Tel.: (904) 825-1171 Website: www.precisionheli.com
The website contains all the information and prices. From what I can gather the Micron is available separately or as a complete system with radio unit, gyros, battery, etc.
Q210: “I heard recently that Northeast Sailplane Products was going to come out with tiny RTF RC scale models for indoor flying. I didn’t find any reference on their website. Can you offer any insight on this?”
A210: I saw several prototypes of these RTF scale indoor electric-powered models at the JR Indoor Electric Festival—specifically a Nieuport 11 and a Bücker Jungmeister. Each spanned approximately 12 inches and was claimed to weigh 24 grams (0.85 ounce) ready-to-fly.
These little airplanes come with the radio systems, magnetic actuators, and motors already installed. They flew smoothly at slow speeds and even did touch-and-gos at the event, which is difficult for models of this size. I understand they are being made in the Czech Republic.
I did not find any references to these models on the Northeast Sailplane Products website (www.nesail.com) at the time, but it was likely to be added by the time this column was published. Northeast Sailplane Products:
- Northeast Sailplane Products
948 Hercules Dr., Suite 12, Colchester, VT 05446 Tel.: (802) 655-7700
Q211: "I have one of the new Plantraco Butterfly RTF indoor RC electric models using the company's new 900 MHz RC system. As small as that airplane is, I heard that someone had reduced the Butterfly to an even smaller size. Have you seen this aircraft?"
A211: You are correct. Noted indoor micro RC designer and flier Joe Malinchak has a Butterfly scaled to half size, with a 3.5-inch wingspan and a total weight of just 2 grams. It is covered with Risteen Associates MicroLite.
- Motor: Didel 4 mm pager-type with a homemade 5:1 gear drive
- Actuator: 30-milligram Mueller type
- Control: rudder plus throttle
And yes, it does fly indoors well. For more details you can reach Joe at [email protected].
Q212: "Can you recommend a good source for helpful technical tips for the general model aircraft enthusiast?"
A212: A great source is the collection of forum responses by Don Stackhouse of DJ Aerotech and his partner Joe Hahn. Don and Joe produce the small profile RC indoor scale models called the Roadkill Series and have collected many helpful posts on their website.
- Website: www.djaerotech.com/dj_askjd/
You will find roughly 400 posts (and growing). A search feature helps you select subject matter. Categories include Hand Launched Gliders, Electrics, Design and Finishing, Building, and Flying Techniques.
If you can’t find what you want, there is a space to e-mail your aviation-related query directly to Joe and Don; they promise to answer reasonable questions.
Q213: "I'm trying to locate a device that would enable me to slow down the speed of my retractable landing gear servo so that it would raise and lower in a more realistic manner. I'm sure I saw a reference for such a device but can't seem to locate it. Can you help?"
A213: If you have Internet access, use a major search engine (Google, Yahoo, etc.) and search for terms like “slowing the speed of model servos.” That led me to a couple of useful resources:
- RC-CAM: www.rc-cam.com/ldstatics.htm — shows a device called the Landastic, the “ultimate RC model retract controller.” It’s a small accessory that goes between your RC receiver and your retract servo; it appears to be a construction project.
- Dionysus Design: www.dionysusdesign.com — sells a Servo Rate Reducer. It costs about $9.95 and weighs just a gram.
The basic idea is to use search engines to locate hard-to-find hobby items—especially accessory items such as this.
Q214: "I know that one of the advantages of electric power is that multimotor operation (more than one motor) is a lot more practical because the motors always start together and stop together. Is there any inexpensive way for me to try an electric-powered twin or even a four-motor aircraft?"
A214: I watched Don Post of Toms River, New Jersey, fly his four-motor Sport Scale B-29 in Columbus, Ohio, at the JR Indoor Electric Festival. The model is an RTF sold by Cedar Hobbies of Houston, Texas. It is made from molded foam and has a 41-inch wingspan.
- Power: four GWS E-50 motors running direct drive on a 7.2-volt, 650 mAh battery pack
- Price: selling for about $49.95 (check Cedar Hobbies for current details)
- Cedar Hobbies website (as listed at the time): http://cedarhobbies.net/index.php?id=products&pid=0
Keep in mind the differences between brushed and brushless multimotor setups. With brushed motors you can often wire motors so one ESC or a simple arrangement handles multiple motors. With brushless motors each motor generally needs its own brushless ESC. That increases weight, wiring complexity, and cost. Brushless twins are reasonable; beyond that you should carefully consider the trade-offs before going brushless for three or more motors.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
