PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions,
since that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
published Qs and As (for follow-ups),
provide the number as a reference.
References to addresses and Web sites
are now placed in a group, separate from the
text, at the end of this column under
“Sources.”
Q407: “In last month’s FAQ column you
went into considerable detail on the
charging of very small, lightweight and low
capacity Li-Poly batteries for use with
micro and indoor RC model flying. When I
finished reading your answer it looked like I
might need three types of chargers to take
care of all my electric power needs.
“What I would like to see is a single,
sophisticated charger that could do
everything. Is that on the horizon?”
A407: I’ve been telling people that progress
in the micro/indoor flying arena can
practically be measured in months rather
than years. This might not seem possible,
but after only a month, I learned about a
charger that will work with every battery
chemistry.
I’ve already received a sample and I’m
testing it. MA’s “The Battery Clinic”
columnist, Red Scholefield, has also been
testing his. This new charger that we’re both
thrilled about is the FMA Direct Multi4 (or
“M4,” as we are calling it).
This new unit is capable of charging Li-
Poly, Li-Ion, A123, Ni-Cd, NiMH, and leadacid
batteries ranging from 5 mA to 4 amps
and from one to four cells. It costs $79.95.
The best news is that the M4 can charge
a single Li-Poly battery cell at a rate as low
as 5 mA. It has an LCD screen that indicates
battery voltage and the capacity expressed in
terms of percentage of full charge. You also
get a positive alarm to signal when the
charging is complete.
As I mentioned last month, many of the
small, less-than-200-mAh Li-Poly packs that
consist of two cells do not have node (or
balance) connectors, in the interest of saving
weight. The new M4 can charge these packs
as well as single cells. The new circuitry that
allows the M4 to charge all kinds of battery
chemistry permits the charging of lowcapacity,
two-cell packs that have no balance
connector.
FMA Direct also offers a special cable that
plugs into the M4. At the other end is three
ParkZone-type connectors that mate with the
ParkZone 70 and 110 mAh micro Li-Poly
single cells. So you will be able to charge up
to three of those at the same time.
The only proviso is that all of the
attached batteries must have roughly the
same charge level. The assumption is that
you will run the battery down every time
until the ESC cuts off the motor. By doing
that, each battery will be at approximately
the same level of charge.
A pigtail cable is provided so that you
can make your own adapter cable that will
accept a variety of connectors found on
single cells and two-cell Li-Poly packs.
FMA Direct also sells AC-to-DC supplies
that can power the M4 when you are flying
in a gymnasium, field house, or inflatable
dome.
You can order the Multi4 charger from
the FMA Direct Web site, where the
instruction manual is also available.
Q408: “I recently had a heart pacemaker
device implanted in my chest after
experiencing specific cardiac problems.
I’ve been a long-time and active RC flyer
and was concerned that the signal emitted
by my RC transmitter might cause
interference or a malfunction to my
pacemaker. What is your suggestion?”
A408: This exact concern has come up
several times in the past couple years.
Several prominent manufacturers make and
sell this type of product to the medical
profession. After checking with these
people, the consensus was that in each case,
the person with the pacemaker should
contact the manufacturer and ask for its
specific recommendations.
I passed this information on to the
reader who, in turn, sent an e-mail to his
pacemaker’s manufacturer. It was one of
the largest producers of this type of
product.
86 MODEL AVIATION
The response from the company was
interesting and specific. I thought it was
important enough to share with you, so it is
as follows.
“We thank you for contacting us with
your questions about possible interactions
with radio-controlled airplanes and your
heart device. Our tests indicate that our
heart devices (pacemakers) are extremely
resistant to outside electrical interference.
“Heart devices have a titanium case
around them which guards against many
types of outside electrical interference.
Additionally, we have designed filters into
our heart devices that also block out many
electrical interference signals.
“However, to avoid interference with
your heart device, we recommend a
distance of 6-inches or more between the
antenna of the remote (RC transmitter) and
your heart device. Also avoid standing in
front of another antenna if there are
multiple people flying planes at the same
time.”
My recommendation is still to contact
your device’s manufacturer and let it have
the last word on this subject.
Q409: “In your FAQ #372 you mention
Carlos Reyes and his RC Advisor’s Web
site that included a design calculator. I
understand that recently (February 2009)
Mr. Reyes has released a new book. Can
you tell me anything about it and where I
might purchase a copy?”
A409: Many of MA’s contributors have
been making positive comments about this
new resource. Carlos Reyes is a bright,
young engineer who is making a name for
himself in our hobby.
His new book, Model Airplane Design
Made Easy, contains 206 pages and
includes many photos, diagrams, and a
detailed index. Major chapters cover fluid
dynamics, airfoils, propellers, structures,
wings, airplanes, power systems, design
processes, inexpensive design tools, free
online resources, and where to buy
products.
Carlos has a nice, easy-to-read style that
is often humorous, to keep your attention.
As those who have reported on this book
before me, I give it top marks and I’m glad
to have it on my shelf for ready reference.
You can purchase Model Airplane
Design Made Easy from Amazon.com for a
discounted price of $17.95. You can also
buy a copy directly from Carlos.
Q410: “I remember years ago that John
Sermos sold a special variation of the APP
[Anderson Powerpole] connector that could
be mounted on a fuselage side so that you
could have access to it from the outside of
the fuselage. This would enable you to kill
or disarm your power system, insert a fuse
or even charge the battery.
“After John’s passing I never saw this
variation of his popular connector again.
Did anyone ever pick up on this scheme?”
Did You Know …
That most donations you
make to AMA are taxdeductible?
AMA is a 501(c)(3), not-forprofit
association. This means
that any funds you donate
beyond your regular
membership dues can be
deducted from your taxes.
Please consider donating to
AMA. Your gift will help us
continue our efforts to
improve your organization.
A410: Dave Thacker of Radical RC came
up with two variations of the original
scheme. He made a box from laser-cut
plywood parts. The components assemble
easily with CA and allow for easy mounting
on the inside of a fuselage, such that the
connectors pass through to the outside for
easy access.
Dave has a 3 Pole Laser Cut Switch Box
that provides for a combo switch function
(like an arming switch) and for charging
purposes. He has a two-pole variation that
acts strictly as an arming switch.
These items are inexpensive, at $5.50 for
the three-pole and $4.50 for the two-pole
housings. I wouldn’t consider them for
parking lot flyers, but larger models would
have no problem with them.
Q411: “I’ve seen many of your references
to the Bell Inc. transfer decal paper where
you can make your own decals on your
inkjet printer and apply them to your
aircraft. One of my problems has been
finding the correct font type and size for my
different scale model applications. Is there a
Web site you can reference where I can
download these fonts?”
A411: A reader/member, Jack Boone,
directed me to an interesting Web site that
provides military fonts and much more. See
the “Sources” list for the address.
Follow-up to Q381: I’ve been given more
Virtual Aircraft Museum information.
Reader Frank Pisano wrote in to direct me
to another excellent source for full-scale
aircraft three-views and aviation photos.
The three-views are of excellent detail,
and there are hundreds of aircraft from
which to choose. You can print these threeviews
on 81/2 x 11-inch paper and take them
to a reproduction facility, such as Kinko’s,
to enlarge them to any size you need for
modeling purposes.
Follow-up to Q383: Frank Pisano came up
with several interesting alternatives. He has
had luck getting various sizes of rubber Orings
in the plumbing section of The Home
Depot and Ace Hardware stores. MA
Sources:
FMA Direct
(800) 343-2934
www.fmadirect.com
Model Airplane Design Made Easy:
(505) 206-1569
www.rcadvisor.com/book
http://tinyurl.com/rcadvisor
Radical RC
(937) 256-7727
www.radicalrc.com
Military fonts:
www.fonts4free.net/amarillo-usaf-font.html
Virtual Aircraft Museum
http://richard.ferriere.free.fr
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/08
Page Numbers: 84,85,86
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/08
Page Numbers: 84,85,86
PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions,
since that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
published Qs and As (for follow-ups),
provide the number as a reference.
References to addresses and Web sites
are now placed in a group, separate from the
text, at the end of this column under
“Sources.”
Q407: “In last month’s FAQ column you
went into considerable detail on the
charging of very small, lightweight and low
capacity Li-Poly batteries for use with
micro and indoor RC model flying. When I
finished reading your answer it looked like I
might need three types of chargers to take
care of all my electric power needs.
“What I would like to see is a single,
sophisticated charger that could do
everything. Is that on the horizon?”
A407: I’ve been telling people that progress
in the micro/indoor flying arena can
practically be measured in months rather
than years. This might not seem possible,
but after only a month, I learned about a
charger that will work with every battery
chemistry.
I’ve already received a sample and I’m
testing it. MA’s “The Battery Clinic”
columnist, Red Scholefield, has also been
testing his. This new charger that we’re both
thrilled about is the FMA Direct Multi4 (or
“M4,” as we are calling it).
This new unit is capable of charging Li-
Poly, Li-Ion, A123, Ni-Cd, NiMH, and leadacid
batteries ranging from 5 mA to 4 amps
and from one to four cells. It costs $79.95.
The best news is that the M4 can charge
a single Li-Poly battery cell at a rate as low
as 5 mA. It has an LCD screen that indicates
battery voltage and the capacity expressed in
terms of percentage of full charge. You also
get a positive alarm to signal when the
charging is complete.
As I mentioned last month, many of the
small, less-than-200-mAh Li-Poly packs that
consist of two cells do not have node (or
balance) connectors, in the interest of saving
weight. The new M4 can charge these packs
as well as single cells. The new circuitry that
allows the M4 to charge all kinds of battery
chemistry permits the charging of lowcapacity,
two-cell packs that have no balance
connector.
FMA Direct also offers a special cable that
plugs into the M4. At the other end is three
ParkZone-type connectors that mate with the
ParkZone 70 and 110 mAh micro Li-Poly
single cells. So you will be able to charge up
to three of those at the same time.
The only proviso is that all of the
attached batteries must have roughly the
same charge level. The assumption is that
you will run the battery down every time
until the ESC cuts off the motor. By doing
that, each battery will be at approximately
the same level of charge.
A pigtail cable is provided so that you
can make your own adapter cable that will
accept a variety of connectors found on
single cells and two-cell Li-Poly packs.
FMA Direct also sells AC-to-DC supplies
that can power the M4 when you are flying
in a gymnasium, field house, or inflatable
dome.
You can order the Multi4 charger from
the FMA Direct Web site, where the
instruction manual is also available.
Q408: “I recently had a heart pacemaker
device implanted in my chest after
experiencing specific cardiac problems.
I’ve been a long-time and active RC flyer
and was concerned that the signal emitted
by my RC transmitter might cause
interference or a malfunction to my
pacemaker. What is your suggestion?”
A408: This exact concern has come up
several times in the past couple years.
Several prominent manufacturers make and
sell this type of product to the medical
profession. After checking with these
people, the consensus was that in each case,
the person with the pacemaker should
contact the manufacturer and ask for its
specific recommendations.
I passed this information on to the
reader who, in turn, sent an e-mail to his
pacemaker’s manufacturer. It was one of
the largest producers of this type of
product.
86 MODEL AVIATION
The response from the company was
interesting and specific. I thought it was
important enough to share with you, so it is
as follows.
“We thank you for contacting us with
your questions about possible interactions
with radio-controlled airplanes and your
heart device. Our tests indicate that our
heart devices (pacemakers) are extremely
resistant to outside electrical interference.
“Heart devices have a titanium case
around them which guards against many
types of outside electrical interference.
Additionally, we have designed filters into
our heart devices that also block out many
electrical interference signals.
“However, to avoid interference with
your heart device, we recommend a
distance of 6-inches or more between the
antenna of the remote (RC transmitter) and
your heart device. Also avoid standing in
front of another antenna if there are
multiple people flying planes at the same
time.”
My recommendation is still to contact
your device’s manufacturer and let it have
the last word on this subject.
Q409: “In your FAQ #372 you mention
Carlos Reyes and his RC Advisor’s Web
site that included a design calculator. I
understand that recently (February 2009)
Mr. Reyes has released a new book. Can
you tell me anything about it and where I
might purchase a copy?”
A409: Many of MA’s contributors have
been making positive comments about this
new resource. Carlos Reyes is a bright,
young engineer who is making a name for
himself in our hobby.
His new book, Model Airplane Design
Made Easy, contains 206 pages and
includes many photos, diagrams, and a
detailed index. Major chapters cover fluid
dynamics, airfoils, propellers, structures,
wings, airplanes, power systems, design
processes, inexpensive design tools, free
online resources, and where to buy
products.
Carlos has a nice, easy-to-read style that
is often humorous, to keep your attention.
As those who have reported on this book
before me, I give it top marks and I’m glad
to have it on my shelf for ready reference.
You can purchase Model Airplane
Design Made Easy from Amazon.com for a
discounted price of $17.95. You can also
buy a copy directly from Carlos.
Q410: “I remember years ago that John
Sermos sold a special variation of the APP
[Anderson Powerpole] connector that could
be mounted on a fuselage side so that you
could have access to it from the outside of
the fuselage. This would enable you to kill
or disarm your power system, insert a fuse
or even charge the battery.
“After John’s passing I never saw this
variation of his popular connector again.
Did anyone ever pick up on this scheme?”
Did You Know …
That most donations you
make to AMA are taxdeductible?
AMA is a 501(c)(3), not-forprofit
association. This means
that any funds you donate
beyond your regular
membership dues can be
deducted from your taxes.
Please consider donating to
AMA. Your gift will help us
continue our efforts to
improve your organization.
A410: Dave Thacker of Radical RC came
up with two variations of the original
scheme. He made a box from laser-cut
plywood parts. The components assemble
easily with CA and allow for easy mounting
on the inside of a fuselage, such that the
connectors pass through to the outside for
easy access.
Dave has a 3 Pole Laser Cut Switch Box
that provides for a combo switch function
(like an arming switch) and for charging
purposes. He has a two-pole variation that
acts strictly as an arming switch.
These items are inexpensive, at $5.50 for
the three-pole and $4.50 for the two-pole
housings. I wouldn’t consider them for
parking lot flyers, but larger models would
have no problem with them.
Q411: “I’ve seen many of your references
to the Bell Inc. transfer decal paper where
you can make your own decals on your
inkjet printer and apply them to your
aircraft. One of my problems has been
finding the correct font type and size for my
different scale model applications. Is there a
Web site you can reference where I can
download these fonts?”
A411: A reader/member, Jack Boone,
directed me to an interesting Web site that
provides military fonts and much more. See
the “Sources” list for the address.
Follow-up to Q381: I’ve been given more
Virtual Aircraft Museum information.
Reader Frank Pisano wrote in to direct me
to another excellent source for full-scale
aircraft three-views and aviation photos.
The three-views are of excellent detail,
and there are hundreds of aircraft from
which to choose. You can print these threeviews
on 81/2 x 11-inch paper and take them
to a reproduction facility, such as Kinko’s,
to enlarge them to any size you need for
modeling purposes.
Follow-up to Q383: Frank Pisano came up
with several interesting alternatives. He has
had luck getting various sizes of rubber Orings
in the plumbing section of The Home
Depot and Ace Hardware stores. MA
Sources:
FMA Direct
(800) 343-2934
www.fmadirect.com
Model Airplane Design Made Easy:
(505) 206-1569
www.rcadvisor.com/book
http://tinyurl.com/rcadvisor
Radical RC
(937) 256-7727
www.radicalrc.com
Military fonts:
www.fonts4free.net/amarillo-usaf-font.html
Virtual Aircraft Museum
http://richard.ferriere.free.fr
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/08
Page Numbers: 84,85,86
PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions,
since that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
published Qs and As (for follow-ups),
provide the number as a reference.
References to addresses and Web sites
are now placed in a group, separate from the
text, at the end of this column under
“Sources.”
Q407: “In last month’s FAQ column you
went into considerable detail on the
charging of very small, lightweight and low
capacity Li-Poly batteries for use with
micro and indoor RC model flying. When I
finished reading your answer it looked like I
might need three types of chargers to take
care of all my electric power needs.
“What I would like to see is a single,
sophisticated charger that could do
everything. Is that on the horizon?”
A407: I’ve been telling people that progress
in the micro/indoor flying arena can
practically be measured in months rather
than years. This might not seem possible,
but after only a month, I learned about a
charger that will work with every battery
chemistry.
I’ve already received a sample and I’m
testing it. MA’s “The Battery Clinic”
columnist, Red Scholefield, has also been
testing his. This new charger that we’re both
thrilled about is the FMA Direct Multi4 (or
“M4,” as we are calling it).
This new unit is capable of charging Li-
Poly, Li-Ion, A123, Ni-Cd, NiMH, and leadacid
batteries ranging from 5 mA to 4 amps
and from one to four cells. It costs $79.95.
The best news is that the M4 can charge
a single Li-Poly battery cell at a rate as low
as 5 mA. It has an LCD screen that indicates
battery voltage and the capacity expressed in
terms of percentage of full charge. You also
get a positive alarm to signal when the
charging is complete.
As I mentioned last month, many of the
small, less-than-200-mAh Li-Poly packs that
consist of two cells do not have node (or
balance) connectors, in the interest of saving
weight. The new M4 can charge these packs
as well as single cells. The new circuitry that
allows the M4 to charge all kinds of battery
chemistry permits the charging of lowcapacity,
two-cell packs that have no balance
connector.
FMA Direct also offers a special cable that
plugs into the M4. At the other end is three
ParkZone-type connectors that mate with the
ParkZone 70 and 110 mAh micro Li-Poly
single cells. So you will be able to charge up
to three of those at the same time.
The only proviso is that all of the
attached batteries must have roughly the
same charge level. The assumption is that
you will run the battery down every time
until the ESC cuts off the motor. By doing
that, each battery will be at approximately
the same level of charge.
A pigtail cable is provided so that you
can make your own adapter cable that will
accept a variety of connectors found on
single cells and two-cell Li-Poly packs.
FMA Direct also sells AC-to-DC supplies
that can power the M4 when you are flying
in a gymnasium, field house, or inflatable
dome.
You can order the Multi4 charger from
the FMA Direct Web site, where the
instruction manual is also available.
Q408: “I recently had a heart pacemaker
device implanted in my chest after
experiencing specific cardiac problems.
I’ve been a long-time and active RC flyer
and was concerned that the signal emitted
by my RC transmitter might cause
interference or a malfunction to my
pacemaker. What is your suggestion?”
A408: This exact concern has come up
several times in the past couple years.
Several prominent manufacturers make and
sell this type of product to the medical
profession. After checking with these
people, the consensus was that in each case,
the person with the pacemaker should
contact the manufacturer and ask for its
specific recommendations.
I passed this information on to the
reader who, in turn, sent an e-mail to his
pacemaker’s manufacturer. It was one of
the largest producers of this type of
product.
86 MODEL AVIATION
The response from the company was
interesting and specific. I thought it was
important enough to share with you, so it is
as follows.
“We thank you for contacting us with
your questions about possible interactions
with radio-controlled airplanes and your
heart device. Our tests indicate that our
heart devices (pacemakers) are extremely
resistant to outside electrical interference.
“Heart devices have a titanium case
around them which guards against many
types of outside electrical interference.
Additionally, we have designed filters into
our heart devices that also block out many
electrical interference signals.
“However, to avoid interference with
your heart device, we recommend a
distance of 6-inches or more between the
antenna of the remote (RC transmitter) and
your heart device. Also avoid standing in
front of another antenna if there are
multiple people flying planes at the same
time.”
My recommendation is still to contact
your device’s manufacturer and let it have
the last word on this subject.
Q409: “In your FAQ #372 you mention
Carlos Reyes and his RC Advisor’s Web
site that included a design calculator. I
understand that recently (February 2009)
Mr. Reyes has released a new book. Can
you tell me anything about it and where I
might purchase a copy?”
A409: Many of MA’s contributors have
been making positive comments about this
new resource. Carlos Reyes is a bright,
young engineer who is making a name for
himself in our hobby.
His new book, Model Airplane Design
Made Easy, contains 206 pages and
includes many photos, diagrams, and a
detailed index. Major chapters cover fluid
dynamics, airfoils, propellers, structures,
wings, airplanes, power systems, design
processes, inexpensive design tools, free
online resources, and where to buy
products.
Carlos has a nice, easy-to-read style that
is often humorous, to keep your attention.
As those who have reported on this book
before me, I give it top marks and I’m glad
to have it on my shelf for ready reference.
You can purchase Model Airplane
Design Made Easy from Amazon.com for a
discounted price of $17.95. You can also
buy a copy directly from Carlos.
Q410: “I remember years ago that John
Sermos sold a special variation of the APP
[Anderson Powerpole] connector that could
be mounted on a fuselage side so that you
could have access to it from the outside of
the fuselage. This would enable you to kill
or disarm your power system, insert a fuse
or even charge the battery.
“After John’s passing I never saw this
variation of his popular connector again.
Did anyone ever pick up on this scheme?”
Did You Know …
That most donations you
make to AMA are taxdeductible?
AMA is a 501(c)(3), not-forprofit
association. This means
that any funds you donate
beyond your regular
membership dues can be
deducted from your taxes.
Please consider donating to
AMA. Your gift will help us
continue our efforts to
improve your organization.
A410: Dave Thacker of Radical RC came
up with two variations of the original
scheme. He made a box from laser-cut
plywood parts. The components assemble
easily with CA and allow for easy mounting
on the inside of a fuselage, such that the
connectors pass through to the outside for
easy access.
Dave has a 3 Pole Laser Cut Switch Box
that provides for a combo switch function
(like an arming switch) and for charging
purposes. He has a two-pole variation that
acts strictly as an arming switch.
These items are inexpensive, at $5.50 for
the three-pole and $4.50 for the two-pole
housings. I wouldn’t consider them for
parking lot flyers, but larger models would
have no problem with them.
Q411: “I’ve seen many of your references
to the Bell Inc. transfer decal paper where
you can make your own decals on your
inkjet printer and apply them to your
aircraft. One of my problems has been
finding the correct font type and size for my
different scale model applications. Is there a
Web site you can reference where I can
download these fonts?”
A411: A reader/member, Jack Boone,
directed me to an interesting Web site that
provides military fonts and much more. See
the “Sources” list for the address.
Follow-up to Q381: I’ve been given more
Virtual Aircraft Museum information.
Reader Frank Pisano wrote in to direct me
to another excellent source for full-scale
aircraft three-views and aviation photos.
The three-views are of excellent detail,
and there are hundreds of aircraft from
which to choose. You can print these threeviews
on 81/2 x 11-inch paper and take them
to a reproduction facility, such as Kinko’s,
to enlarge them to any size you need for
modeling purposes.
Follow-up to Q383: Frank Pisano came up
with several interesting alternatives. He has
had luck getting various sizes of rubber Orings
in the plumbing section of The Home
Depot and Ace Hardware stores. MA
Sources:
FMA Direct
(800) 343-2934
www.fmadirect.com
Model Airplane Design Made Easy:
(505) 206-1569
www.rcadvisor.com/book
http://tinyurl.com/rcadvisor
Radical RC
(937) 256-7727
www.radicalrc.com
Military fonts:
www.fonts4free.net/amarillo-usaf-font.html
Virtual Aircraft Museum
http://richard.ferriere.free.fr
