Micro-Flying
Joe Malinchak | [email protected]
The 2009 NEAT Fair
THE NEAT (Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology) Fair has always been one of my favorite aeromodeling gatherings of the year. I look forward to visiting with friends, experiencing the beautiful flying site, and seeing the latest developments in electric-powered models!
This year’s NEAT Fair was held September 17–20 at the Peaceful Valley Campsite in Shinhopple, New York. The event’s indoor night had to be canceled because of construction in the nearby Downsville school gym.
Night flying and the slow-flyer contest
That cancellation was a big blow for us micro-fliers, but it gave me a chance to enter the nighttime slow-flyer contest. I had a set of glow wire I purchased a few years ago that I installed in my trusty Tensor biplane. The object of the competition was to touch or burst balloons for points.
I figured my Tensor would be a good choice because I could fly it fast, slow, or even hover into the balloons. The only problem was that I thought we would go up one at a time to strike the balloons. At the pilot briefing, I learned that all aircraft were in the air at the same time and that it was more like a combat balloon-bust! I was still excited about the night flying and could hardly wait for the first round.
Two balloons were released, and away we went. I decided to go for the lower of the two. After being in the air for only a minute or so, my airplane collided with someone else’s who had the same idea. We were allowed to repair our airplanes and continue, so I went into the headquarters tent to fix my model. After 45 minutes, I had it back together and ready to compete.
At this point in the competition, the balloons were attached to what looked like a long pipe that was hard to see. We released our models, and mine had approximately 30 seconds of flight time. I went straight for the first balloon. My aircraft hit it head on but seemed to get tangled in the string and went directly into the ground! Even though I had only a few minutes in the air, it was fun to compete. I highly recommend the NEAT Fair slow-flyer contest for a good night-flying adventure.
LED lighting for micros: XeroGear
One of the new products that caught my eye at the NEAT Fair was an LED system by XeroGear. I have been looking for a good light setup that would work well on our micro-size models, and this system looked promising. The company has developed a lightweight, flexible, bright LED tape that can be folded in half without damaging the tape. The tape can be cut into sections of three LEDs that weigh only 450 milligrams each. You can use thin wire because the LEDs draw very little current. The only thing that concerned me was that the system needs at least two Li-Poly cells to work; the manufacturer recommends a separate battery source for the lights.
I decided to try this system in my ParkZone Vapor. I wanted to use the lightest two-cell battery possible, so I wired a two-cell, 20 mAh Li-Poly pack. I cut three sections of lights from the LED tape: red and green as position lights and white for the tail. The complete light system weighed only 3.6 grams. I knew the Vapor would fly with the extra weight, but how well? I gave it the nighttime living-room test, with great results—the model flew slightly faster but easily handled the extra weight.
I wondered how long the lights would last on only two 20 mAh Li-Poly cells. I was surprised that they lasted through four flights with little sign of dimming. I haven't tried it yet, but I am sure they will even work on two 10 mAh Li-Poly cells to save even more weight.
For more information about this system, see the XeroGear website.
Micro jets and EDFs
With all the advances in micro RC technology, diminutive jets are becoming a reality. At the NEAT Fair, Pete Foss piloted a great-flying TeeRific Jet Models MiG-29. It was powered by the 13/2/16TJ brushless motor that DC Enterprises designed for the TeeRific micro jets. Pete finished the beautiful MiG with Tamiya paints. It weighs 1.5 ounces ready to fly. I built and piloted the TeeRific Jet Models micro F-18, and these are great-flying aircraft!
Axon Micro F-4 Phantom EDF
I received an Axon Micro 14-inch-span F-4 Phantom EDF Jet, distributed by 2 DogRC’s Warehouse, just before this column’s deadline. The all-foam model is designed to use a 30–40 mm ducted fan and is available as an ARF. It comes nicely colored in a cool F-4 scheme.
Axon’s jet is fairly quick and easy to put together. The fuselage is preassembled and needs only intakes and tail pieces installed. I used my favorite foam glue—UHU—for construction. The one-piece wing is glued onto the fuselage, and the wingtips are raised to give the Phantom a more scale look. The builder needs to bend the stabilizer down to approximately the scale position. The hardest part of construction is getting all of the F-4’s components installed and working; it is set up with a delta configuration (elevons).
I used a Spektrum 6300 2-gram receiver, two 2.5-gram servos, and the stock 30 mm ducted fan unit, which requires at least a 12-amp ESC. The fan also requires a thrust tube for maximum power—I made mine from clear plastic using the supplied pattern.
I had my jet built and ready to test-fly in one evening. It weighed 84 grams ready to fly, using a 450 mAh 28C Dualsky 7.4 V battery pack. I needed a test flight to complete this review. I woke early to check the winds and went out. The wind was blowing about 5–10 mph, and it was raining! However, I was not going to let that stop me.
The model flew great on its first flight. I had to dial in up-elevator trim, but the aircraft tracked nicely and had a light feel. I did a few laps to get used to the Phantom’s characteristics, then performed rolls and even a loop. I need more time on this jet to see its full potential, but I think it is an excellent micro ducted-fan design. For more information, visit 2 DogRC’s website.
Books and plans: Hannan’s Runway
Hannan’s Runway is an excellent source of books and plans for micro-model airplane builders. Bill Hannan’s books are fun to read, with great photos, plans, and information to inspire other aeromodelers.
Recommended titles include:
- Model Builders & Their Models — packed with photos of people who, with their airplanes, contributed to the growth of model aviation.
- Models & Methods International — salutes modelers and their aircraft from locations around the world.
- GBs & Gee Bees International — features significant air-racing models of the past and includes three-view drawings and plans of some great aircraft.
Visit Hannan’s Runway for more information.
Tiny brushless motor test: Gasparin prototype
Stefan Gasparin, a friend, sent me an amazing new G09UL 450-milligram brushless motor prototype and a new MUC1 100-milligram brushless ESC to test in one of my models. I installed them in a new 1/72-scale F4U that I have been working on.
I wanted to make the model three channels because Stefan claimed the G09UL could produce as much as 5 grams of thrust. My airplane is made from printed Durobatic foam. For guidance, I used a Plantraco three-channel receiver with Bob Selman’s PWM Converter. The model weighs 4.6 grams and will fly for as many as five minutes on a 30 mAh Li-Poly cell. I used two Plantraco NanoAct Magnetic Actuators with two 1 x 2-inch N50 magnets in each aileron.
The F4U maneuvers well, and I think I may have done the world’s first 1/72-scale controlled aileron roll! It wasn’t pretty, but it rolled over and pulled out before hitting the ground. The new motor and ESC will be available from MicroInvent.
MA
Sources
- NEAT Fair
- XeroGear Ltd.
(800) 407-0473 www.xerogear.com
- TeeRific Jet Models
- 2 Dog RC’s Warehouse
(800) 517-3810 http://2dogrc.com
- Hannan’s Runway
(530) 873-6421 www.hrunway.com
- Gasparin CO2 Motors
- MicroInvent
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
