for some time, so an update
is certainly in order. I’ve
mentioned several kinds of
balancing stands or fixtures.
Some you can build
yourself and others are
manufactured products that
you can purchase.
I still use a simple block
of wood with two dowels
and two rubber pencil
erasers as a balancing stand.
You can see it in the photo.
If you inquire about
model aircraft CG or
balancing on any Internet
search engine, you will find
many good references. One
that is especially good is
available on the
rcplanetalk.com website.
This site has a section titled,
“How to Trim Your RC
Plane.” You can also scan a
load of other subjects offered on this
particular home page that
might be of interest.
Another good reference
can be found on the
Wikipedia website listed in
the “Sources” section at the
end of this column. Its title is,
“Center of Gravity of an
Aircraft.”
Bob Aberle’s favorite model design
Bob Aberle | baberle@? Frequently Asked Questions optonline.net
August 2011 89
Also included in this column:
• Model Builder magazines on
DVDs
• TME Xtrema Balancer with
computer data cable
• Center-finding ruler or tape
Above: Of the 90 he has published, this
is Bob’s favorite design.
RC Universe has an interesting
balancing write-up. In this diagram,
the model is supported at both the
nose and the tail to determine
lateral balance.
A simple balance stand can be fashioned from a block of
wood and two wooden dowels with rubber pencil
erasers on top of each dowel. Bob’s Lil Bucaboo sits
balanced on the stand.
Right: Bob is holding his Seaweed in
this picture from the Flying Models
article. It is powered by an Enya .60.
Yes, he did use fuel back then!
PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions;
that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
already published questions and answers
(for follow-ups), always provide the number
as a reference.
Also note that references to addresses
and websites are placed in a group, separate
from the text, at the end of this column
under “Sources.” A “Tips” feature is
provided in addition to frequently asked
questions; these hints are numbered in the
same sequence as the questions and
answers.
Q509: “I’ve decided to take the balancing
and trimming of my RC model a lot more
seriously. Until now I’ve just ‘made do’
with CG positions and the basic trimming of
my model. Can you get me started with
some good-reading literature on the overall
subject?
“I’ve also have heard about ‘lateral
balancing.’ What is that all about?”
A509: I guess I haven’t covered this subject
08sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 6/23/11 8:51 AM Page 89
your aircraft, it is definitely worth doing. A
good reference article on this specific
subject appears on the RC Universe forum.
That website is also listed in the “Sources”
section.
Q510: “Bob, I know that over many years
you have published a load of originaldesigned
model aircraft. Just how many
have you designed to date? I’m also curious
as to which aircraft was your favorite of
all?”
A510: Recently one of our new Silent
Electric Flyers of Long Island (SEFLI) club
members asked me that same question.
What is my most favorite aircraft? At that
time I really couldn’t come up with an
answer.
My first published design, the Long
Islander RC sailplane, appeared in the
December 1973 Flying Models. In March
2011, in RC Micro World, my Lil
Bucaboo, a micro indoor RC design, was
my number 90.
That’s 90 original designs in 38 years.
I’ve kept a listing of every design by
name, as well where and when it was
published. I don’t have my own website to
put this on, but if any of my readers are
interested, send me an email. I can attach
that listing in a reply. It may bring back
some memories for modelers who have
been involved in this hobby as long as I
have.
Getting back to
my favorite of all
designs, I’d have to
say my Seaweed,
which was a large
.60-powered Sport
model on twin
floats for ROW
flying. The design
article, with two
pages of plans, appeared in the March 1975
issue of Flying Models. My bride of then 13
years, Irene, was pictured holding the
Seaweed on the cover of that issue. We will
be celebrating our 49th anniversary in 2011.
The Seaweed was 700 sq. in., had a 65-
inch wingspan, and weighed nearly 8
pounds. It was totally sheeted; there was no
covering at all except for fiberglass cloth on
the floats.
A unique part of this design was that the
vertical fin and rudder were inverted. The
rudder was made long enough so that
several inches of it actually went below the
surface of the water. That allowed my
rudder to serve two purposes: steering in the
air as well as steering in the water. No
added water rudder was necessary.
I also put some dihedral in the stabilizer
to provide more water clearance. That
unusual tail design made this model quite
distinctive. It proved to be an excellent,
stable airplane.
It is my understanding that a local
modeler, who bought the Seaweed from me
many years ago, still flies it every summer
while on vacation up in New England. This
airplane could easily be scaled down to a
park flyer size and weight and still provide
much water-flying enjoyment. Plans for the
original can be purchased from Carstens
Publications (the Flying Models publisher).
See the “Sources” listing.
90 MODEL AVIATION
The TME Xtrema Balancer is available with a computer data cable
that allows you to connect to your PC via a USB port so you can
read individual cell voltages and plot graphs among other things.
A centering ruler shows the full measurement on one scale and
the mid-point measurement on the other.
Roland Friestad is offering the entire
255 issues of the old Model Builder
magazine on two DVDs. Each page has
been carefully scanned.
Most articles about aircraft CG or
balancing will discuss “lateral balancing.”
When we discuss aircraft balancing, we
generally think in terms of fore and aft
balancing. In other words, the aircraft can
end up nose-heavy or tail-heavy.
Lateral balancing is the opposite; it
involves balancing an aircraft from side to
side or wingtip to wingtip. Support the
airplane at the nose and the tail. If one wing
panel is heavier than the other, the airplane
will drop off to that heavy side. You need to
add weight to the opposite wingtip to
balance the aircraft.
For general sport flying, lateral balance
isn’t that important, but when you start
flying Pattern or Aerobatics, a laterally
unbalanced aircraft can easily drift off on
one side or the other. If uncorrected, you
might even have trouble getting several
consecutive loops to track on the same path.
Because it is so easy to lateral balance
08sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 6/23/11 8:55 AM Page 90
Q511: “With modern computer technology
being what it is, I hear that old model
magazines are now being scanned onto DVDs.
That really reduces the bulk storage of these
magazines and also makes it easier to retrieve
specific articles. Can you recommend a source
for some of these archival DVD discs?”
A511: I suspect there is more than one source
for these DVDs. The process involves
scanning every page of every issue. That
requires a lot of man-hours. As a result the
DVDs aren’t cheap, but the thought of
eliminating an entire bookcase in favor of
several small discs is inviting.
One provider who comes to mind is
Roland Friestad, the new editor of RC Micro
World and the editor of the SAM Speaks
newsletter. Roland has recently announced
that he has all 255 issues of the old Model
Builder magazine contained on just two
DVDs. He is selling this disc set for $75
postpaid anywhere in the world.
Roland is now hard at work scanning
issues of Flying Models, Model Airplane
News, and Air Trails. He is hoping to have
these DVDs ready for sale by mid-2011.
Also, as a further plug for Roland, he
offers a bimonthly publication, online as well
as printed, called Full Size Plans. This
magazine caters to the model aircraft plans
collector. In the process of setting up this
business over a period of years, Roland has
established a large archive of model aircraft
plans. He has reached out all around the world
gathering his plans collection.
I’ve included his email address in the
“Sources” section so you can contact him
regarding the magazine archives discs and his
Full Size Plans magazine.
T512: A reader recently told me that TME
(Tejera Microsystems Engineering, Inc.) has a
computer data cable available that works with
its popular TME Xtrema Balancer. The data
cable plugs into a USB port on any PC.
It will allow you to monitor individual cell
voltages, plot graphs, run tests, and customize
your balancer for minimum and maximum
voltages via your PC. I’ve included a
photograph of the balancer/data cable and
listed the TME overall website in the
“Sources” listing.
T513: AMA member Jim Martin brought
something to my attention that I was
unfamiliar with. Jim uses a special ruler that
helps him find the center location of any item
being measured. He says it helps him a lot
when assembling ARF models.
I have always measured the total surface,
such as a wing or stabilizer, and divided that
distance by two to obtain the halfway point.
The center-finding ruler, also available as a
tape measure, has two scales. One is full size
(or scale) while the other scale, usually right
below the first, is at half scale or size. If you
have a stabilizer that measures 20 inches, just
look at the 20-inch mark on the half scale and
you have the halfway point—which in this
case is 10 inches.
I bought one of these tapes from my local
Ace Hardware store for less than $8. I found
many sources for these center-finding rulers
and have listed some of them in the “Sources”
section. Many thanks, Jim, for pointing me in
the right direction. MA
Sources:
How to Trim your RC Plane
www.rcplanetalk.com/trim.html
Center of Gravity of Aircraft
http://bit.ly/lG67Ev
Balancing How-To on RC Universe
http://bit.ly/lD49oc
Carstens Publications
(888) 526-5365
http://carstensbookstore.com
Roland Friestad
[email protected]
TME
11705 Boyette Rd. #418
Riverview FL 33569
http://tmenet.com/index.php
Center Finding Rulers:
Ace Hardware
(866) 290-5334
www.acehardware.com
U.S. Tape
(800) 472-8273
www.ustape.com
McMaster-Carr
(330) 995-5500
www.mcmaster.com
Harbor Freight Tools
(800) 444-3353
www.harborfreight.com
August
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/08
Page Numbers: 89,90,91
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/08
Page Numbers: 89,90,91
for some time, so an update
is certainly in order. I’ve
mentioned several kinds of
balancing stands or fixtures.
Some you can build
yourself and others are
manufactured products that
you can purchase.
I still use a simple block
of wood with two dowels
and two rubber pencil
erasers as a balancing stand.
You can see it in the photo.
If you inquire about
model aircraft CG or
balancing on any Internet
search engine, you will find
many good references. One
that is especially good is
available on the
rcplanetalk.com website.
This site has a section titled,
“How to Trim Your RC
Plane.” You can also scan a
load of other subjects offered on this
particular home page that
might be of interest.
Another good reference
can be found on the
Wikipedia website listed in
the “Sources” section at the
end of this column. Its title is,
“Center of Gravity of an
Aircraft.”
Bob Aberle’s favorite model design
Bob Aberle | baberle@? Frequently Asked Questions optonline.net
August 2011 89
Also included in this column:
• Model Builder magazines on
DVDs
• TME Xtrema Balancer with
computer data cable
• Center-finding ruler or tape
Above: Of the 90 he has published, this
is Bob’s favorite design.
RC Universe has an interesting
balancing write-up. In this diagram,
the model is supported at both the
nose and the tail to determine
lateral balance.
A simple balance stand can be fashioned from a block of
wood and two wooden dowels with rubber pencil
erasers on top of each dowel. Bob’s Lil Bucaboo sits
balanced on the stand.
Right: Bob is holding his Seaweed in
this picture from the Flying Models
article. It is powered by an Enya .60.
Yes, he did use fuel back then!
PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions;
that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
already published questions and answers
(for follow-ups), always provide the number
as a reference.
Also note that references to addresses
and websites are placed in a group, separate
from the text, at the end of this column
under “Sources.” A “Tips” feature is
provided in addition to frequently asked
questions; these hints are numbered in the
same sequence as the questions and
answers.
Q509: “I’ve decided to take the balancing
and trimming of my RC model a lot more
seriously. Until now I’ve just ‘made do’
with CG positions and the basic trimming of
my model. Can you get me started with
some good-reading literature on the overall
subject?
“I’ve also have heard about ‘lateral
balancing.’ What is that all about?”
A509: I guess I haven’t covered this subject
08sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 6/23/11 8:51 AM Page 89
your aircraft, it is definitely worth doing. A
good reference article on this specific
subject appears on the RC Universe forum.
That website is also listed in the “Sources”
section.
Q510: “Bob, I know that over many years
you have published a load of originaldesigned
model aircraft. Just how many
have you designed to date? I’m also curious
as to which aircraft was your favorite of
all?”
A510: Recently one of our new Silent
Electric Flyers of Long Island (SEFLI) club
members asked me that same question.
What is my most favorite aircraft? At that
time I really couldn’t come up with an
answer.
My first published design, the Long
Islander RC sailplane, appeared in the
December 1973 Flying Models. In March
2011, in RC Micro World, my Lil
Bucaboo, a micro indoor RC design, was
my number 90.
That’s 90 original designs in 38 years.
I’ve kept a listing of every design by
name, as well where and when it was
published. I don’t have my own website to
put this on, but if any of my readers are
interested, send me an email. I can attach
that listing in a reply. It may bring back
some memories for modelers who have
been involved in this hobby as long as I
have.
Getting back to
my favorite of all
designs, I’d have to
say my Seaweed,
which was a large
.60-powered Sport
model on twin
floats for ROW
flying. The design
article, with two
pages of plans, appeared in the March 1975
issue of Flying Models. My bride of then 13
years, Irene, was pictured holding the
Seaweed on the cover of that issue. We will
be celebrating our 49th anniversary in 2011.
The Seaweed was 700 sq. in., had a 65-
inch wingspan, and weighed nearly 8
pounds. It was totally sheeted; there was no
covering at all except for fiberglass cloth on
the floats.
A unique part of this design was that the
vertical fin and rudder were inverted. The
rudder was made long enough so that
several inches of it actually went below the
surface of the water. That allowed my
rudder to serve two purposes: steering in the
air as well as steering in the water. No
added water rudder was necessary.
I also put some dihedral in the stabilizer
to provide more water clearance. That
unusual tail design made this model quite
distinctive. It proved to be an excellent,
stable airplane.
It is my understanding that a local
modeler, who bought the Seaweed from me
many years ago, still flies it every summer
while on vacation up in New England. This
airplane could easily be scaled down to a
park flyer size and weight and still provide
much water-flying enjoyment. Plans for the
original can be purchased from Carstens
Publications (the Flying Models publisher).
See the “Sources” listing.
90 MODEL AVIATION
The TME Xtrema Balancer is available with a computer data cable
that allows you to connect to your PC via a USB port so you can
read individual cell voltages and plot graphs among other things.
A centering ruler shows the full measurement on one scale and
the mid-point measurement on the other.
Roland Friestad is offering the entire
255 issues of the old Model Builder
magazine on two DVDs. Each page has
been carefully scanned.
Most articles about aircraft CG or
balancing will discuss “lateral balancing.”
When we discuss aircraft balancing, we
generally think in terms of fore and aft
balancing. In other words, the aircraft can
end up nose-heavy or tail-heavy.
Lateral balancing is the opposite; it
involves balancing an aircraft from side to
side or wingtip to wingtip. Support the
airplane at the nose and the tail. If one wing
panel is heavier than the other, the airplane
will drop off to that heavy side. You need to
add weight to the opposite wingtip to
balance the aircraft.
For general sport flying, lateral balance
isn’t that important, but when you start
flying Pattern or Aerobatics, a laterally
unbalanced aircraft can easily drift off on
one side or the other. If uncorrected, you
might even have trouble getting several
consecutive loops to track on the same path.
Because it is so easy to lateral balance
08sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 6/23/11 8:55 AM Page 90
Q511: “With modern computer technology
being what it is, I hear that old model
magazines are now being scanned onto DVDs.
That really reduces the bulk storage of these
magazines and also makes it easier to retrieve
specific articles. Can you recommend a source
for some of these archival DVD discs?”
A511: I suspect there is more than one source
for these DVDs. The process involves
scanning every page of every issue. That
requires a lot of man-hours. As a result the
DVDs aren’t cheap, but the thought of
eliminating an entire bookcase in favor of
several small discs is inviting.
One provider who comes to mind is
Roland Friestad, the new editor of RC Micro
World and the editor of the SAM Speaks
newsletter. Roland has recently announced
that he has all 255 issues of the old Model
Builder magazine contained on just two
DVDs. He is selling this disc set for $75
postpaid anywhere in the world.
Roland is now hard at work scanning
issues of Flying Models, Model Airplane
News, and Air Trails. He is hoping to have
these DVDs ready for sale by mid-2011.
Also, as a further plug for Roland, he
offers a bimonthly publication, online as well
as printed, called Full Size Plans. This
magazine caters to the model aircraft plans
collector. In the process of setting up this
business over a period of years, Roland has
established a large archive of model aircraft
plans. He has reached out all around the world
gathering his plans collection.
I’ve included his email address in the
“Sources” section so you can contact him
regarding the magazine archives discs and his
Full Size Plans magazine.
T512: A reader recently told me that TME
(Tejera Microsystems Engineering, Inc.) has a
computer data cable available that works with
its popular TME Xtrema Balancer. The data
cable plugs into a USB port on any PC.
It will allow you to monitor individual cell
voltages, plot graphs, run tests, and customize
your balancer for minimum and maximum
voltages via your PC. I’ve included a
photograph of the balancer/data cable and
listed the TME overall website in the
“Sources” listing.
T513: AMA member Jim Martin brought
something to my attention that I was
unfamiliar with. Jim uses a special ruler that
helps him find the center location of any item
being measured. He says it helps him a lot
when assembling ARF models.
I have always measured the total surface,
such as a wing or stabilizer, and divided that
distance by two to obtain the halfway point.
The center-finding ruler, also available as a
tape measure, has two scales. One is full size
(or scale) while the other scale, usually right
below the first, is at half scale or size. If you
have a stabilizer that measures 20 inches, just
look at the 20-inch mark on the half scale and
you have the halfway point—which in this
case is 10 inches.
I bought one of these tapes from my local
Ace Hardware store for less than $8. I found
many sources for these center-finding rulers
and have listed some of them in the “Sources”
section. Many thanks, Jim, for pointing me in
the right direction. MA
Sources:
How to Trim your RC Plane
www.rcplanetalk.com/trim.html
Center of Gravity of Aircraft
http://bit.ly/lG67Ev
Balancing How-To on RC Universe
http://bit.ly/lD49oc
Carstens Publications
(888) 526-5365
http://carstensbookstore.com
Roland Friestad
[email protected]
TME
11705 Boyette Rd. #418
Riverview FL 33569
http://tmenet.com/index.php
Center Finding Rulers:
Ace Hardware
(866) 290-5334
www.acehardware.com
U.S. Tape
(800) 472-8273
www.ustape.com
McMaster-Carr
(330) 995-5500
www.mcmaster.com
Harbor Freight Tools
(800) 444-3353
www.harborfreight.com
August
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/08
Page Numbers: 89,90,91
for some time, so an update
is certainly in order. I’ve
mentioned several kinds of
balancing stands or fixtures.
Some you can build
yourself and others are
manufactured products that
you can purchase.
I still use a simple block
of wood with two dowels
and two rubber pencil
erasers as a balancing stand.
You can see it in the photo.
If you inquire about
model aircraft CG or
balancing on any Internet
search engine, you will find
many good references. One
that is especially good is
available on the
rcplanetalk.com website.
This site has a section titled,
“How to Trim Your RC
Plane.” You can also scan a
load of other subjects offered on this
particular home page that
might be of interest.
Another good reference
can be found on the
Wikipedia website listed in
the “Sources” section at the
end of this column. Its title is,
“Center of Gravity of an
Aircraft.”
Bob Aberle’s favorite model design
Bob Aberle | baberle@? Frequently Asked Questions optonline.net
August 2011 89
Also included in this column:
• Model Builder magazines on
DVDs
• TME Xtrema Balancer with
computer data cable
• Center-finding ruler or tape
Above: Of the 90 he has published, this
is Bob’s favorite design.
RC Universe has an interesting
balancing write-up. In this diagram,
the model is supported at both the
nose and the tail to determine
lateral balance.
A simple balance stand can be fashioned from a block of
wood and two wooden dowels with rubber pencil
erasers on top of each dowel. Bob’s Lil Bucaboo sits
balanced on the stand.
Right: Bob is holding his Seaweed in
this picture from the Flying Models
article. It is powered by an Enya .60.
Yes, he did use fuel back then!
PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions;
that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
already published questions and answers
(for follow-ups), always provide the number
as a reference.
Also note that references to addresses
and websites are placed in a group, separate
from the text, at the end of this column
under “Sources.” A “Tips” feature is
provided in addition to frequently asked
questions; these hints are numbered in the
same sequence as the questions and
answers.
Q509: “I’ve decided to take the balancing
and trimming of my RC model a lot more
seriously. Until now I’ve just ‘made do’
with CG positions and the basic trimming of
my model. Can you get me started with
some good-reading literature on the overall
subject?
“I’ve also have heard about ‘lateral
balancing.’ What is that all about?”
A509: I guess I haven’t covered this subject
08sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 6/23/11 8:51 AM Page 89
your aircraft, it is definitely worth doing. A
good reference article on this specific
subject appears on the RC Universe forum.
That website is also listed in the “Sources”
section.
Q510: “Bob, I know that over many years
you have published a load of originaldesigned
model aircraft. Just how many
have you designed to date? I’m also curious
as to which aircraft was your favorite of
all?”
A510: Recently one of our new Silent
Electric Flyers of Long Island (SEFLI) club
members asked me that same question.
What is my most favorite aircraft? At that
time I really couldn’t come up with an
answer.
My first published design, the Long
Islander RC sailplane, appeared in the
December 1973 Flying Models. In March
2011, in RC Micro World, my Lil
Bucaboo, a micro indoor RC design, was
my number 90.
That’s 90 original designs in 38 years.
I’ve kept a listing of every design by
name, as well where and when it was
published. I don’t have my own website to
put this on, but if any of my readers are
interested, send me an email. I can attach
that listing in a reply. It may bring back
some memories for modelers who have
been involved in this hobby as long as I
have.
Getting back to
my favorite of all
designs, I’d have to
say my Seaweed,
which was a large
.60-powered Sport
model on twin
floats for ROW
flying. The design
article, with two
pages of plans, appeared in the March 1975
issue of Flying Models. My bride of then 13
years, Irene, was pictured holding the
Seaweed on the cover of that issue. We will
be celebrating our 49th anniversary in 2011.
The Seaweed was 700 sq. in., had a 65-
inch wingspan, and weighed nearly 8
pounds. It was totally sheeted; there was no
covering at all except for fiberglass cloth on
the floats.
A unique part of this design was that the
vertical fin and rudder were inverted. The
rudder was made long enough so that
several inches of it actually went below the
surface of the water. That allowed my
rudder to serve two purposes: steering in the
air as well as steering in the water. No
added water rudder was necessary.
I also put some dihedral in the stabilizer
to provide more water clearance. That
unusual tail design made this model quite
distinctive. It proved to be an excellent,
stable airplane.
It is my understanding that a local
modeler, who bought the Seaweed from me
many years ago, still flies it every summer
while on vacation up in New England. This
airplane could easily be scaled down to a
park flyer size and weight and still provide
much water-flying enjoyment. Plans for the
original can be purchased from Carstens
Publications (the Flying Models publisher).
See the “Sources” listing.
90 MODEL AVIATION
The TME Xtrema Balancer is available with a computer data cable
that allows you to connect to your PC via a USB port so you can
read individual cell voltages and plot graphs among other things.
A centering ruler shows the full measurement on one scale and
the mid-point measurement on the other.
Roland Friestad is offering the entire
255 issues of the old Model Builder
magazine on two DVDs. Each page has
been carefully scanned.
Most articles about aircraft CG or
balancing will discuss “lateral balancing.”
When we discuss aircraft balancing, we
generally think in terms of fore and aft
balancing. In other words, the aircraft can
end up nose-heavy or tail-heavy.
Lateral balancing is the opposite; it
involves balancing an aircraft from side to
side or wingtip to wingtip. Support the
airplane at the nose and the tail. If one wing
panel is heavier than the other, the airplane
will drop off to that heavy side. You need to
add weight to the opposite wingtip to
balance the aircraft.
For general sport flying, lateral balance
isn’t that important, but when you start
flying Pattern or Aerobatics, a laterally
unbalanced aircraft can easily drift off on
one side or the other. If uncorrected, you
might even have trouble getting several
consecutive loops to track on the same path.
Because it is so easy to lateral balance
08sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 6/23/11 8:55 AM Page 90
Q511: “With modern computer technology
being what it is, I hear that old model
magazines are now being scanned onto DVDs.
That really reduces the bulk storage of these
magazines and also makes it easier to retrieve
specific articles. Can you recommend a source
for some of these archival DVD discs?”
A511: I suspect there is more than one source
for these DVDs. The process involves
scanning every page of every issue. That
requires a lot of man-hours. As a result the
DVDs aren’t cheap, but the thought of
eliminating an entire bookcase in favor of
several small discs is inviting.
One provider who comes to mind is
Roland Friestad, the new editor of RC Micro
World and the editor of the SAM Speaks
newsletter. Roland has recently announced
that he has all 255 issues of the old Model
Builder magazine contained on just two
DVDs. He is selling this disc set for $75
postpaid anywhere in the world.
Roland is now hard at work scanning
issues of Flying Models, Model Airplane
News, and Air Trails. He is hoping to have
these DVDs ready for sale by mid-2011.
Also, as a further plug for Roland, he
offers a bimonthly publication, online as well
as printed, called Full Size Plans. This
magazine caters to the model aircraft plans
collector. In the process of setting up this
business over a period of years, Roland has
established a large archive of model aircraft
plans. He has reached out all around the world
gathering his plans collection.
I’ve included his email address in the
“Sources” section so you can contact him
regarding the magazine archives discs and his
Full Size Plans magazine.
T512: A reader recently told me that TME
(Tejera Microsystems Engineering, Inc.) has a
computer data cable available that works with
its popular TME Xtrema Balancer. The data
cable plugs into a USB port on any PC.
It will allow you to monitor individual cell
voltages, plot graphs, run tests, and customize
your balancer for minimum and maximum
voltages via your PC. I’ve included a
photograph of the balancer/data cable and
listed the TME overall website in the
“Sources” listing.
T513: AMA member Jim Martin brought
something to my attention that I was
unfamiliar with. Jim uses a special ruler that
helps him find the center location of any item
being measured. He says it helps him a lot
when assembling ARF models.
I have always measured the total surface,
such as a wing or stabilizer, and divided that
distance by two to obtain the halfway point.
The center-finding ruler, also available as a
tape measure, has two scales. One is full size
(or scale) while the other scale, usually right
below the first, is at half scale or size. If you
have a stabilizer that measures 20 inches, just
look at the 20-inch mark on the half scale and
you have the halfway point—which in this
case is 10 inches.
I bought one of these tapes from my local
Ace Hardware store for less than $8. I found
many sources for these center-finding rulers
and have listed some of them in the “Sources”
section. Many thanks, Jim, for pointing me in
the right direction. MA
Sources:
How to Trim your RC Plane
www.rcplanetalk.com/trim.html
Center of Gravity of Aircraft
http://bit.ly/lG67Ev
Balancing How-To on RC Universe
http://bit.ly/lD49oc
Carstens Publications
(888) 526-5365
http://carstensbookstore.com
Roland Friestad
[email protected]
TME
11705 Boyette Rd. #418
Riverview FL 33569
http://tmenet.com/index.php
Center Finding Rulers:
Ace Hardware
(866) 290-5334
www.acehardware.com
U.S. Tape
(800) 472-8273
www.ustape.com
McMaster-Carr
(330) 995-5500
www.mcmaster.com
Harbor Freight Tools
(800) 444-3353
www.harborfreight.com
August
