Frequently Asked Questions - 2010/12

90 MODEL AVIATION
Aircraft storage racks
Bob Aberle | baberle@? Frequently Asked Questions optonline.net
Above: Bill Bonner devised an easy-to-build
model storage rack made from ordinary
11/2-inch-diameter PVC pipe and tee fittings.
Right: Although Bill didn’t, consider
covering the pipe extension with foamrubber
pipe insulation.
PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions;
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
placed in a group, separate from the text, at
the end of this column under “Sources.”
I have added a feature called “Tips” in
addition to frequently asked questions. These
hints will be numbered in the same sequence
as the questions and answers.
Q474: “With the ever increasing popularity of
small ‘park flyer size’ model aircraft, I find
that my basement shop is literally loaded with
planes and as a result I no longer have space
to store them. Can I purchase a storage rack
that would serve my purpose? I have so many
favorites that I really want to keep.”
A474: At roughly the time this question came
in, MA Editor Michael Ramsey received
several photos from Bill Bonner, an AMA
member who had come up with a neat and
simple idea for a model aircraft storage rack.
The photos I have included make it
obvious how this rack can be constructed and
installed. A drawing is unnecessary, because
the rack’s dimensions will vary depending on
the size of your airplanes and the location in
your shop or garage.
Bill used ordinary PVC piping and fittings
that are common for household plumbing
applications. You can find this type of plastic
at many places, including The Home Depot,
Lowe’s, and Ace Hardware Stores.
The two basic support poles are made
from 10-foot lengths of 11/2-inch-diameter
PVC pipe. These two main pipes can be fitted
between the floor and ceiling of your shop or
storage area.
You will have to figure out how to attach
the support posts; it will depend on your
particular application. You could use epoxy
cement, wood screws, and/or a few pieces of
scrap lumber. Regardless of the attachment
method, make sure that these poles are
carefully anchored in position.
The remainder of the rack involves a
bunch of 11/2-inch PVC “tee” connectors.
You will need two for each aircraft to be
stored. Those fittings are spaced so that one
aircraft clears the next. Slide the tees into
position before erecting the two poles (or
pipes). A special PVC cement will attach the
tees to the posts.
Last, add the 11/2-inch PVC pipe pieces on
which the aircraft will rest. These need to be
just long enough so that the wings of your
aircraft can rest on them.
Bill left his tube supports as is. You could
slide foam-type pipe insulation over the
protruding tubes to provide extra protection
for the models.
Bill made two racks. He estimates that the
Also included in this column:
• Connector current ratings
• Aerobatic maneuver diagrams
• D.C. Maxecuters Club and
Rubber Scale models
• Pemberton & Sons Aviation
12sig3x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 10/21/10 11:57 AM Page 90
total cost was approximately $60 and that the
entire assembly process took only roughly
three hours.
The rack on the left holds seven airplanes,
and the one on the right has a total of nine
smaller models. That’s a load of aircraft
stored in a small space.
An additional suggestion is to support the
main rack posts at close to the midpoint.
Heavier airplanes can cause these pipes to
bow or bend unless they have extra support.
I’ve already purchased my material for
two storage racks. Thanks, Bill, for an
excellent idea!
Q475: “I know you constantly suggest the use
of a digital meter to check things like the
motor current and battery voltage of electric
power systems. In fact I’ve found checking
voltage to be important because in some cases
a rapid voltage drop can be noted. This can
indicate that the capacity of the pack isn’t
sufficient to support the load placed on it.
“Well recently I noted a rather erratic
voltage level that resulted in the motor not
running properly. Certainly it was not at top
power. I thought that either my ESC or battery
pack was the problem. But a modeler friend
suggested it was my connectors. Does that
sound possible?”
A475: Yes it does, and it is an important point
to review. Most electric-power modelers take
the connectors (such as those going from the
battery to the ESC) for granted. Whatever the
manufacturer or distributor supplies is
typically used at face value. However, there is
a definite difference in the current-carrying
capabilities of these connectors.
I ran a series of tests and came up with a
set of connector recommendations for various
current levels. A photo shows the connectors
and the acceptable range of current.
A variety of micro-type connectors
accommodate up to approximately 2 amps.
Many of those are supplied with the various
RTFs that are currently on the market.
Next is the 2- to 5-amp current range that
typically accompanies smaller park flyers.
This is where our reader friend had his
problem.
It turns out he was using a Red JST
connector at approximately 8 amps. At this
level the connector got extremely hot, at
which point the voltage began to fluctuate.
Eventually the connector would have melted.
At 8 amps of current the reader should
have used a Deans four-pin connector, in
which two pins are connected for one wire.
(See the photo.) Combining two pairs of such
pins allows for even higher current levels.
This type of connector can be used in the
5- to 10-amp current range. It would be
suitable for larger park flyers. (Editor’s note:
The Deans Micro 2R Plug is also a good
choice.)
At more than 10 amps you should use the
Deans Ultra or the Anderson Powerpole
(APP)-type connector that is sometimes
referred to as a “Sermos” connector. The
APPs can be purchased with heavy-duty pins
for very high current applications.
The key is that you must use the correct
connector type for the particular application.
You can’t have a connector that is too large,
but you can certainly have one that can’t
possibly take the load.
Remember this simple rule; if your
connector gets hot, replace it with a highercurrent-
capable connector.
Since I’m on the topic of connectors, I
have a bit of advice about soldering wires to
the Deans Ultra variety. In the October 2010
column I provided tip 468, which showed Jon
Putnam’s handmade Deans Ultra soldering
fixture. Recently I was referred to a factorymade
soldering fixture that does the same job.
Steve Fileccia of Vigilante R/C is in
charge of production, and I’ve included a
photo of his fixture. The two Deans Ultra
connector halves are shown plugged together
during the soldering process. Most of us keep
connectors separated when soldering wires to
the pins, and that is what the W.S. Deans
Company recommends.
I have included the address of Steve’s
excellent Web site in the “Sources” section.
T476:Mick VanKampen, an AMA member,
sent me the following.
“I have been stuck for a while trying to
understand aerobatic maneuver diagrams. I
couldn’t find a good explanation until I
finally learned the name of it, ‘Aresti’
diagrams.
“I found an excellent Web site that tells
the entire story. [See “Sources” for the
address.] This may be something that would
be of interest to your readers.”
I thank Mick for this information.
Air Age has a piece on the same subject—
Aerobatics Made Easy—that features John
Glezellis, who is the MA RC Scale Aerobatics
columnist. He frequently provides
descriptions of Aresti in his writings.
(Editor’s note: Check out John’s October
2010 column.)
Aerobatics Made Easy is actually a highdefinition,
one-hour DVD that teaches you
about being an Aerobatics pilot. I’ve listed
Air Age’s Web site in the “Sources” section.
Many educational books and DVDs can also
be obtained from the AMA, for which I’ve
also included contact information.
Q477: “I have an interest in the small size
free flight, rubber powered, scale models that
can be flown indoors or even outdoors in very
calm weather conditions. Are there any clubs
who specialize in this kind of activity?”
A477: There sure are. Probably one of the
most famous rubber-power Scale clubs in the
country is the DC Maxecuters. As the name
implies, its members live in the Washington
DC, northern Virginia, and southern
Maryland area.
The group’s Web site, listed in “Sources,”
contains more than 30 photo files that will
keep you busy for a long time. Tom Schmitt,
a noted Scale modeler, compiled those pages.
The Maxecuters comprises many famous
Scale, Indoor, and micro fliers, such as Don
Srull and John Worth. You might enjoy going
through the extensive Web site. While there,
you can get information about indoor and
outdoor Scale flying sessions that the club
sponsors.
T478: A reader sent me information about
Pemberton & Sons Aviation: a family
operation based in Spokane, Washington, at
Felts Field that restores and flies antique
aircraft. To date Pemberton & Sons has
refurbished or extensively renovated 16
airplanes.
You should look through this outfit’s
wonderful Web site; the address is in the
“Sources” section. Many details that would
be suitable for Scale models can be seen on
these restored aircraft. MA
Sources:
Vigilante R/C
(248) 421-5132
www.vigilante-rc.com
Aresti RC Aerobatics diagrams:
http://bit.ly/bnGWGI
Air Age
(888) 235-2021
www.airagestore.com
AMA store:
(800) 435-9262
www.modelaircraft.org/shopama.aspx
DC Maxecuters Model Airplane Club scale
photos:
http://dcmaxecuter.org/photos.html
Pemberton & Sons Aviation
http://home.comcast.net/~biplane0