Frequently Asked Questions-2011/11

82 MODEL AVIATION
The author provides this type of electric motor data with his published designs, aircraft
product reviews, or even production kits. Keeping a record of this data will prove invaluable
when selecting new power systems.
Paul Matt Scale Aircraft Drawings
Bob Aberle | baberle@? Frequently Asked Questions optonline.net
Also included in this column:
• The great electric motor test data
• Safely dispose of sharp metal items
• Jim Zare’s Junior Falcon
• Spektrum AR6115 is
compatible with DSM2 mode
• Modeling pins
This revised book titled Aeronca Golden Ages
is a classic in every regard. If you have a thing
for Aeronca aircraft, this is a must-read.
The Paul Matt Scale Aircraft Drawings books
are loaded with three-view drawings for
scale model aircraft applications. Publication
has been taken over by Wind Canyon Books
in California.
PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions
since that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
previously 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.”
Another feature, “Tips,” will be provided
in addition to frequently asked questions.
These tips will be numbered in the same
sequence as the questions.
Q524: “Years ago, I bought several books
published by Aviation Heritage Books, of
Destin, Florida. I’m sure there were at least a
dozen of these books covering various fullsize
aircraft. I’d like to buy more, but can’t
find any reference to the original publishing
company. Any ideas?”
A524: In May 2011, I received a surprise
email from Alan Abel, the original publisher
of the Aviation Heritage series of scale
aircraft books. Alan and his mom, Drina
Welch Abel, ran this business for many years.
Alan informed me that some of his
originally published books have been taken
over by Wind Canyon Books, of Stockton,
California. The new website appears in the
“Sources” section at the end of this column.
Alan went on to note that the company
has republished the Paul Matt Scale
Airplane Drawings books (both Volume 1
and Volume 2). They are available in 8½ x
11 bound copies. These books contain loads
of Paul Matt’s famous three-view scale
drawings, enough to keep a modeler busy
for a lifetime. Any aircraft drawing can now
easily be scaled up to a size of your choice
at major print facilities such as Staples and
FedEx Kinkos.
I urge you to go to the referenced website
and check out all the available aviation
books. There is one in particular I noted
titled Aeronca Golden Age. Scale model
enthusiasts will love this book. I might add
that you can purchase the publications as a
hard copy or in CD format.
Alan, it was good to hear from you
again!
Q525: “Bob, I read your two articles on
TYPICAL ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM PARAMETERS
Weight of aircraft and wing loading (oz/sq.ft)
RC GEAR USED (list Tx, RX and Servos)
POWER SYSTEM (DATA)
Prop: GWS 7X 3.5
Motor current: 4.28 amps
Voltage (under load): 7.13 volts
Power Input: 30 watts
Battery Loading: 5.3C
Power Loading: 68.6 watts/pound
Flight Time: 12 minutes but with some motor throttling except
15-18 minutes.
November 2011 83
Left: Cas e y Br and s e m a
s ug g e s t s using a n e m pt y
“w i p e s ” c o nt a iner t o h e lp
dispose of sharp cutting blades
such as like X-Acto blades or
single-edge razor blades.
The popular Spektrum AR6110 micro sixchannel
receiver has been replaced by the
AR6115. Identical to the AR6110, this new
receiver can be operated by both DSM 2
and DSMX transmitter signals.
T h e a u tho r ’s fav o r ite blue pins a re no
longer available; however, the red pins at
the l e ft, calle d Gri p P ins, are av ai labl e
from Midwest Products.
Below: Keep the cover closed
so you can’t touch any of the
b l a d e s an d rec e i v e a c u t .
When the box gets full, throw
it out and replace it.
Belo w: RC Mod eler co ntr ibu tor J im Zare
built this 250-square-inch, electric-powered
Junior Fal con He sells p lans and laser -cut
parts.
selecting electric power systems that appear
to this day on the AMA website. One of the
best sources for electric motor data that you
referenced is the Great Electric Motor Test
website that was created by Fredrik
Wergeland of Stockholm, Sweden. Recently,
I attempted to open Fredrik’s site and
received an ‘error message.’ Is the site still
available?”
A525: I was surprised and concerned by this
question and immediately tried opening the
website myself. Unfortunately, I received
the same error message. It took me some
time but I finally obtained Fredrik’s email
address and sent him a note asking about his
site. I received this sad note from Fredrik:
“A voice from the past! Hi Bob, nice to
hear from you again after so long. Yes, my
site is gone. The domain expired and I did not
renew it. Life moves and I don’t find the time
and commitment to keep it running. The
Version-5 of the Great Electric Motor Test
that you have is the last version that I
uploaded to the site.”
There will be no new motor
test postings from Fredrick.
Fortunately I have a
PDF file of the last
Edition No. 5. Plans are
in the works to post some of
this reference material on the AMA
website, but until then, send me an email
requesting the PDF file and I will send it to
you as an attachment. It may take some work
on my part, but on the other hand it
will give me an idea as to the interests
of my readers.
While I’m on this subject of electric
motor data, most hobby magazines cut
corners today and do not post motor
parameter data for each published aircraft,
whether it is an original design or a kit
review.
Using a digital meter, it only takes a few
minutes to come up with all the interesting
parameters for an aircraft. Every author will
tell you the motors used, battery, and
propeller type, but when you are rolling your
own or even changing power systems, the
supporting data is helpful. I’ve included a
sample chart showing the type of data I like to
see. You will find this in every article that I
publish.
T526: Once again my fellow Silent Electric
Flyers of Long Island (SEFLI) club member,
Casey Brandsema, shares a suggestion. This
time it involves the safe disposal of such
items as knife blades, single-edge razor
blades, or any sharp item found in your shop.
His idea is to use a small plastic container,
such as the ones sold with cosmetic wipes.
There is a small opening on the top. The used
blades are inserted in that opening, where you
will never touch them again. When the box is
nearly full, dispose of it and start with a new
container. Discarding these blades in your
shop wastebasket is asking for an accident to
happen.
Thanks again, Casey!
Q527: “I used to read an electric column
that appeared in the old RC Modeler
magazine authored by Jim Zare. Besides a
regular column, Jim was responsible for
many small-size, electric-powered model
designs. Where is Jim today?”
A527: I personally keep in touch with Jim,
who still resides in Ohio. I used to meet up
with him at the Toledo Show.
After receiving your question, I decided
to contact Jim and see what he is currently
doing. I happened to mention to him that I
had recently reduced a Junior Falcon down
to a mere 100 square inches and 3.8 ounces
for the September 2011 RC Micro World.
Jim quickly came back with several
photos of his “full-size” Junior Falcon
(roughly 250 square inches) which he had
converted to electric power. Jim went on to
tell me that he also has the low-wing version
of the Falcon, called the Junior Skylark, and
a twin-motor version of the same aircraft.
The best news is that Jim is selling plans
for these aircraft and is also making
available laser-cut parts, which saves much
work. I’ve listed Jim Zare’s email address in
the “Sources” section. Drop him a note!
Q528: “Bob, I’ve noticed in many of your
published micro/indoor designs that you
employ the Spektrum AR6110 and 6110e
11sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/22/11 10:56 AM Page 83
84 MODEL AVIATION
2.4 GHz spread spectrum receivers. I
followed your lead and have bought several.
At only 3.5 grams, they are the right size and
weight and they accept standard servo
connectors. Recently, I tried to order more
and, discovered that that particular receiver
could no longer be found on the Horizon
Hobby website. Have you any suggestions for
an alternative receiver?”
A528: I must have bought more than 15 of
those AR6110 or 6110e receivers in the past
two years, operating all from my Spektrum
DX7 DSM2 transmitter. When the new
DSMX transmitters and receivers were
announced a few months back, I decided it
was unnecessary to convert my DX7
transmitter to DSMX based on my usual
flying routine.
After reading this question I decided to see
if I could find out what happened to my
favorite AR6110 receiver. My reader friend
was correct; it’s gone from the Horizon
website.
I did find what looks to be an identical
receiver, designated AR6115, which weighs
the same 3.5 grams, accepts standard servo
plugs, and costs the same. It states on the
website “for use with the DSMX mode.” I
decided to ask my friend, Kim Payne,
Marketing Publicist at Horizon Hobby, what
the story was. Do I now have to convert my
DX7 to DSMX? This was Kim’s answer:
“The AR6115 is the same size as the
AR6110 and 6110e that you have purchased
in the past. Although it is DSMX, you will be
able to use it with your DX7 transmitter
without having to send your radio in for the
add-on. It will just operate in the DSM2
mode.”
So there you are! I went back into the
Horizon site, called up the AR6115 receiver
and then read the specifications for that
Scale Avionics LLC
Scale Avionics LLC
 !"#$%&’(&)*+,%#
# - &,&*’.#$(/%&#012.%)2
Lithium Ion
Batteries
$34.00
R e l i o n 2 6 0 0#
7.4 Volts, 2600mA, 3.3oz
Available w/Deans,EC3,MPX and PowerPoles at added cost.
R e l i o n 5 2 0 0#
7.4 Volts, 5200mA, 6.6oz
Available w/Deans,EC3,MPX and PowerPoles at added cost.
$68.00
Price in ad does not include Deans
Connector
DC-UP MRK IICricket
Fromeco’s DC-UP Mark II
It’s back, new and improved. Now capable of 8.4volts,
the new DC-UP can be implemented anywhere in your
Flight System. NEW LED light bar shows voltages from
8.4 down to 4, and read real time.
• Light bar captures lowest voltage in flight.
• 1.25 Farads of Capacitance.
• Brilliant Blue lights above 5 volts and Red below
5 volts.
$35.00
Proudly built by us,
HERE!
WE ARE THE BEST
503.715.0020
www. f romeco.org
$28.00
Fromeco’s Cricket
NEW from Fromeco. Cricket is a voltage monitoring
device. Meant to be mounted in a conspicuous area on
your Aircraft. LED light bar configured in a half round dial
configuration. Mount in cockpit floor or behind dash for a
realistic gauge look.
• Light bar captures lowest voltage in flight.
• Brilliant Blue lights above 5 volts and Red below
5 volts.
receiver, and noted that it will work on DSM2
and DSMX. If you now order the new
AR6115 receiver, it will be business as usual.
You might also check some of the other
DSM2 Spektrum receivers to see if this same
situation applies.
T529: I have had many readers ask where I
get those blue-topped modeling pins that
appear in my construction articles. A simple
straight pin requires the use of both hands—
one to hold the pin and the other for a small
hammer to drive it into your building board.
These “blue” pins are standard pins to
which molded plastic ends are applied. They
allow you to grip the pin with one hand while
your other hand holds the wood in position
over the plans. Unfortunately, these are no
longer available.
Reader Al Lautenberger of Dallas, Texas,
found a similar pin sold by Midwest Products.
The company calls it the Grip Pin. I’ve
included a photo and listed the website in
the “Sources” section.
I noted recently that Tower
Hobbies/Great Planes sells a little gadget
called a Pin Driver that holds a typical T-pin
while you insert it. This might prove an
interesting alternative. I’ve listed its website
in the “Sources” section. MA
Sources:
Wind Canyon Books
(800) 952-7007
www.windcanyonbooks.com
Alan Abel
[email protected]
Jim Zare
[email protected]
Horizon Hobby
(800) 338-4639
www.horizonhobby.com
Midwest Products
(800) 348-3497
www.midwestproducts.com
Tower Hobbies
(800) 637-6050
www.towerhobbies.com
Why Pay a Dollar
for just 4 Screws?
W e h a v e t h e h a r d w a r e y o u n e e d
at a fraction of retail!
Order today at:
www.rtlfasteners.com
or call 800-239-6010
708 Battlefield Blvd South #107
Chesapeake, VA 23322
11sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/22/11 10:56 AM Page 84