Frequently Asked Questions - 2011/05

76 MODEL AVIATION
AMA’s Sport Aviator Webzine’s new format
Bob Aberle | baberle@? Frequently Asked Questions optonline.net
Left: The new Sport Aviator Web site home page. Its format is entirely different
and more user-friendly, thanks to the efforts of Mark Benson, an AMA web
designer. Big arrows point to “Original Site Navigation” and the new “Sitemap.”
Below: The E-flite UMX Beast from Horizon Hobby is a new micro RTF that is
capable of 3-D maneuvering. It weighs approximately 2.4 ounces using the new
ParkZone AR6400LBL brick.
This ParkZone AR6400LBL brick, available
from Horizon Hobby, contains the receiver,
two long-throw linear servos, and a
brushless motor ESC, all in one 7.8-gram
package.
The E-flite Park 180 micro brushless motor
is the smallest in that line and weighs only
12.5 grams including propeller, propeller
adapter, and metal motor mount.
Also included in this column:
• ParkZone bricks grow in size
• Storing brushless motors
• Mounting video camcorders on
your hat
PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions,
since that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
already published questions and answers
(for follow-ups), provide the number as a
reference.
Also note that references to addresses
and Web sites are placed in a group,
separate from the text, at the end of this
column under “Sources.” An additional
feature—“Tips”—is provided in addition to
Qs and As. These hints will be numbered in
the same sequence.
Q498: “I realized recently that I hadn’t
looked up any reviews that appear on the
AMA e-zine (or Webzine), known as Sport
Aviator, in quite some time. I called up the
site and was surprised to see a totally
different format or layout. I got completely
confused because I couldn’t find reviews
and articles in the “normal” places.
“After a while I gave up, disappointed
that I could no longer find the articles that I
wanted. What did they do to me?”
A498: Everything that was on Sport Aviator
is still on Sport Aviator. Editor Frank
Granelli created this Web site, which has
been in existence for roughly nine years.
I’ve listed the address under “Sources.”
Sport Aviator continues to grow, with an
accumulation of close to 300 articles that
include product reviews, instructional
features, technical pieces, and much more.
In the beginning, organizing these articles
was somewhat confusing.
Frank originally cataloged all small RC
models in the “Ultra Light” category. That
didn’t make much sense back then, and that
section eventually became “Park Pilot
Aircraft.”
It was recently decided that the Sport
Aviator format needed updating that could
provide even better access to all of the
stored articles. The job fell on Mark Benson,
who is AMA’s new media/web designer. He
redesigned the entire Sport Aviator format
and did a fantastic job. But I have to admit
that I got somewhat lost the first time I tried
to find something.
I’ll share a few hints that will allow you
to feel more comfortable with this new
format. When you arrive at the home page,
across the top is a series of categories
including “Home,” “Featured,” “What’s
New,” etc. If you scroll over “Reviews,” the
subtier menu comes up with various
categories such as “Airplane Kits,” “Test
Pilot Reports,” and more.
If that doesn’t satisfy you, go to the
next line that starts with “About,”
“Contact,” etc. At the right is “Original
Site Navigation.” Clicking on that will
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May 2010 77
There is a load of rubber-powered scale
models out there just waiting for the
AR6400LBL and the micro Park 180
brushless motor. Kits that come to mind
include those from Dumas Products, Dare
Design and Engineering, Easy Built Models,
and many others.
I have written a full and detailed article
about this new brick and its potential
applications. By the time you read this, it
will have been published in the January
2011 issue of RC Micro World.
As of the November 2010 issue,
members can get a PDF copy of the most
recent issue of RC Micro World for free,
without using a password. I have included
the Web site in the “Sources” section.
Free-access users will not get the benefit
of free full-size plans. To get that service,
you need a subscription, which you can
obtain from RC Micro World Publisher
John Worth. His e-mail address is in the
“Sources” section.
If you are using the
“free access” and need
copies of plans, you can
purchase them from
RC Micro World
Editor Roland
Friestad, who also
operates a business
known as “Full
Size Plans.” His email
address is also
listed in the “Sources”
section.
A499: The new
ParkZone
AR6400LBL brick
is a slightly larger
version of the one
that the reader
mentioned. The
primary difference
is that the new
edition has a builtin
brushless motor
ESC that can
handle up to 3
amps of current.
It is also
intended for twocell
Li-Poly (7.4
volts) operation.
Another nice
feature is that the
two integral linear
servos are set up
for long control throw.
The reason for this new brick is to fly an
equally new E-flite UMX Beast RTF: a 2.4-
ounce biplane that is set up for indoor/micro
3-D-type hover maneuver flying. The Beast
will be powered by an E-flite Park 180
motor that is capable of running up to 15-20
watts of input power (on two Li-Poly cells).
The AR6400LBL brick will also be sold
separately. It has six-channel capability, and
you will be able to purchase separate longthrow
linear servos for external (to the
brick) aileron control or possibly flaps.
Until this new brick was released, there
was a void in our micro RC power systems.
The original brick works with models
weighing as much as approximately 2
ounces. Using discrete microreceivers and
servos, you can also fly aircraft weighing 4-
5 ounces up to roughly 6 or 7 ounces.
But the missing link has been flying
models in the 2- to 4-ounce weight
category. The new brick
will do this well.
Typical brushless motors of various sizes. The column text features
Tom Cimato’s comments about storing these power plants.
Above: A closer view of Casey’s hat-mounted
camera. The Sony video camcorder lens can be set
at various angles. After slight adjustment, Casey
can track his model in flight.
revert the site to all of the original categories.
This should allow anyone who is
unhappy with the changes to feel happy
again. You have lost nothing when you take
this approach.
The hope is that you will eventually
learn to take advantage of the new format,
and in doing so you will learn what a
treasure Sport Aviator has become.
If you click on “Sitemap” you will see a
list of every article posted to the site in the
past nine years. Nothing has been removed;
it’s all there.
So if you are buying a used aircraft that
is no longer in production and want
information about it, you might be able to
find a detailed review on this site. I found it
easy to find my two-part series called
“Selecting Electric Power Systems.” I even
found my R/C Model Aircraft Quick-Start
Guide CD, reproduced in total.
As you get into the site, you will learn
that you can use the search box in the upper
right-hand corner. But to do so you must
type in the exact name of the article or
product; otherwise it will lead you to related
items but not the one you want.
I did a search for my review of the Mini
Ultra Stick. It turned up an article for the
larger Ultra Stick, but not the Mini. Then I
went through the sitemap and realized that
the article was cataloged as the “E-flite Mini
Ultra Stick.” That got me there!
There is a wealth of knowledge stored in
the files of Sport Aviator. Get used to the
new format and take advantage of all you
can learn from it.
Q499: “I understand that Horizon Hobby
will soon be offering a new version of their
brick radio system which contains the
receiver, two servos and an ESC, all in one
package. How does this new brick differ
from the ones we have seen in the ParkZone
Ember, Vapor, Sukhoi, P-51, Cub, Aeronca
and T-28 RTF models?”
Left: Casey Brandsema used Velcro tape to
fasten a tiny video camcorder to the visor of his
cap. Since he is always looking at his airplane in
flight, the camera can easily track it, leaving
both of his hands free to stay on the
transmitter control sticks.
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If you would like a copy of the
November issue of RC Micro World, drop
me an e-mail and I will send it to you.
Q500: AMA member Dawson Gillaspy
wrote in and asked of is it okay to store his
brushless motors in the same box or bag.
If one motor is adjacent to another, can the
magnetic properties compromise their
performance in any way?
A500: I didn’t think this would be a
problem, but to be sure I asked my old
friend, Tom Cimato, who manufactures
brushless motors and ESCs under the
name MaxCim Motors. Following is his
answer.
“Storing a bunch of brushless motors,
inrunner or outrunner, will not be a
problem. Since all modern brushless
motors use rare earth magnets that are
enclosed within the motor, proximity to
one another will not cause a change in
magnetization (increase or decrease). Rare
earth magnets do age (lose flux) over time,
but in room ambient conditions it would
take centuries to detect a difference.
“My concern would be to protect
against corrosion and mold. The steel and
aluminum components could corrode
enough to seize the rotor and/or the
insulating materials, allowing a voltage
breakdown in the future.
“I would wipe down all accessible
surfaces with a mild solvent such as
mineral spirits (not alcohol which is
78 MODEL AVIATION
hygroscopic and attracts moisture) and
seal them in a bag with a desiccant. I’m
talking about long term storage in a typical
basement shop. No need to go crazy; just
common sense clean and pack.”
Thank you, Tom!
Tom said that if you have any more
questions, contact him through his Web
site, which is listed under “Sources.” He
still sells motors and ESCs.
Q501: “I saw somewhere a while back
where someone had attached a small
digital camcorder to the visor of his hat
for hands-free filming purposes. Can you
find this reference for me?”
A501: I couldn’t find the reference, but I
did remember that Casey Brandsema, a
fellow Silent Electric Flyers of Long
Island club member, has been using this
technique for a long time. I asked him to
bring his camcorder and hat to the field,
and the resulting photos are in this
column.
Of particular interest is the fact that
Casey’s Sony digital video camcorder has
an adjustable-position lens. It might take a
couple of flights to get your aircraft
centered using this adjustment. But once
you have it, you’ll be able to film your
model in flight with your hands free to
control both transmitter sticks.
It’s worth a try! MA
Sources:
Sport Aviator
http://masportaviator.com
John Worth
[email protected]
Roland Friestad
[email protected]
RC Micro World
www.co-op-plans.info/rcmw/rcmwvisitor.
pdf
MaxCim Motors
(716) 662-5651
www.maxcim.com
Hobbyclub.com
P.O. Box 6004, San Clemente, CA 92674, U.S.A.
(949) 425-1362 - Voice • (949) 349-0829 - Fax
WINGSPAN: 2000mm
LENGTH: 1170mm
AUW: 570g (20 oz)
WING AREA: 498.6 sq.in.
WING AIRFOIL: AG 46-44
FUNCTIONS: Rudder, Elevator, Ailerons, Flaps, Motor
INTRODUCTORY PRICE: $279.95
Reichard Maxx ARF
ALES-LMR-F5J Competition Glider
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