82 MODEL AVIATION
Contributors John Krouse and Ferrell Papic expound on their latest creations
Also included in this column:
• Keeping those Li-Poly batteries
warm
• The Flying Circuits’ two-day
indoor fly-in
• Gordon Johnson’s battery capacity
and performance test results
• Dave reports on his Legal
Ferrell Papic’s 16.3-inch RC Archaeopteryx Bird is covered with onion-skin wrapping Eagle micro project
paper decorated with a computer ink-jet printer.
Carbon-fiber tubes are used for the LE and TE in the center of the wing of John
Krouse’s 10-inch micro Plantraco-controlled model.
GREETINGS, MICRO FANS. I am
writing this in January, which in Virginia
spells winter.
Not having access to a regular indoor
site, my flying days are limited. Naturally,
I am jealous of those who have moderate
weather or indoor facilities.
I have also learned that some of our
equipment—especially Li-Poly cells—do
not like cold weather and rapidly lose
capacity under these conditions. After
putting up with short, low-powered flights,
I began to ponder options.
Enclosing the cell in insulating material
such as beaded foam helps keep the
warmth (and pep) in. In some cases I
gained nearly double the flight time when
temperatures were in the 40s.
This may be slightly late, but on March
18-19, 2006, the Kansas City Flying
Circuits club in Kansas City, Missouri, is
holding a two-day indoor fly-in that shows
a lot of promise. More information is on
the club’s Web site at www.kcflying
circuits.com/miff.
I am making plans to go. Perhaps I will see
some of you there. Good indoor flying meets
are scarce and this one has potential.
I mentioned the temperature issue with Li-
Poly cells, but there is more to deal with when
matching a cell to your system. Several times,
in my zeal to save weight, I have chosen a cell
that was too small for the job at hand.
Gordon Johnson, an established expert in
the micro field, has run a series of tests on
various cells to establish their capacity and
performance. You can find this information at
http://home.comcast.net/~gordon-johnson.
These charts have been a big help to me and I
thank Gordon for this effort.
I have established several regular contributors
who generously share information about their
Micro-Flying Dave Robelen | [email protected]
May 2006 83
This Dynamics Unlimited receiver has
been upgraded to narrow band while
retaining its light weight and small size.
The author’s Big P-Nut is not exactly a micro-sized model, but has its roots in one.
The author’s model is based on the full-scale Legal Eagle by
Leonard Millholland.
The author’s micro RC Legal Eagle ultralight is great fun on
those pretty evenings when the winds are light.
projects. One is John Krouse, 1124 Pipestem
Pl., Rockville MD 20854; E-mail: jbkrouse
[email protected]. John has been developing
indoor models for the 900 MHz Plantraco
system. One of the photos shows John’s
latest design which he describes in the
following.
“Having built several model airplanes
based on the Plantraco HFX-900 system, I
decided to explore its full potential by ‘going
small.’ I chose a wingspan of 10 inches as a
practical lower limit. To reduce weight, I
used the Plantraco 0.25-gram hinge actuator.
“Likewise, a direct-drive motor
eliminated the weight of a gearbox and a big
propeller. A 6 x 12mm, 4.5 ohm pager motor
spinning a 56mm diameter Balsa Products
yellow propeller seemed to be a good
combination. Placing the motor over the
wing improves ‘rash-worthiness’ while
incorporating manually adjustable pitch/yaw
thrust angles.
“Carbon fiber (CF) tubes are used for the
LE and TE of the center section of the wing.
CF rods are inserted into the tubes to form
the tips. After covering the framework with
grocery store Reynolds Wrap, the model
weighed roughly 1/3 ounce. It flies on throttle
and rudder controls.”
Thanks for sharing, John. The innovations
possible with the current equipment seem
endless.
Another contributor checked in with a
unique project. Ferrell Papic, 300 W. Lincoln
#82, Orange CA 92865, sent me information
about a neat project he calls the RC
Archaeopteryx Bird. He wrote:
“The RC Archaeopteryx Bird was created
with 1/32 balsa and .03-inch and .04-inchdiameter
bamboo sticks made with a steel
drawplate which is used to fabricate model
ship parts.
“The aircraft is covered with onion-skin
wrapping paper that is decorated with a
computer ink-jet printer. The water-based ink
is secured with spray fix. The covering is
attached to the frame with a mix of 50% cleardrying
560 latex glue and 50% water.
“Power is a KP-00 or geared N-20 motor.
The radio control [system] is a two- or threechannel
Micro Joule. The battery is a one- or
two-cell 170 mAh Li-Poly. The 16.3-inchwingspan
model could be controlled with a
small Plantraco RC system. I have flown the
airplane in a gymnasium and outdoors on
calm mornings with success.”
Ferrell is offering full-size building plans
for a 23-inch-wingspan version and the 16.3-
inch-wingspan model on one D-sized plans
sheet for $13 in the United States. For a
catalog of other plans and plans book, send
him an SASE.
one of which is a model of an ultralight
aircraft called the Legal Eagle, designed and
built by Leonard Millholland. Leonard
developed the two-cylinder engine from
Volkswagen parts. He calls this the Better
Half. To follow up on the full-scale projects,
check the Web site www.usastores.com/
betterhalf/.
My model was developed from small
rubber-powered FF plans included in the
Central New York Indoor Flying Society
Thermals newsletter published by Hal
Stewart. The outlines are the same, but I went
with a different size and altered the structure
for RC.
My version uses the Plantraco HFX-900
system, has a 15.5-inch wingspan, and
weighs .5 ounce. The framework is all balsa
and the wing and tail are covered with
Risteen Associates Microlite (available from
www.homefly.com).
The little Legal Eagle certainly has
established the ability of the Plantraco
equipment to fly Scale models. It is peppy
enough to rise-off-ground, climb at a brisk
rate, and cruise at 60% power. The flight
characteristics are similar to those of a
trainer with a circle diameter of
approximately 10 feet.
It is great fun on those pretty evenings
when the winds are light—or for you lucky
modelers with an indoor site. Look for this
design to be published in Model Airplane
News.
I have been working with a piece of
equipment that impresses me. It is the
microreceiver from Dynamics Unlimited
(www.smallrc.com). The current version has
been upgraded to narrow band while
retaining the extremely light weight and small
size.
The neat thing about this receiver is its
flexibility. You can purchase the basic
receiver and decoder, and it will drive a
brush-type motor and operate magnetic
actuators. It is compatible with the micro
brushless-motor controller shown in the
picture, and with the installation of a plug-in
board it will drive servos as well. All this on a
single Li-Poly cell!
My experience with this equipment has
been extremely positive, and the people at
Dynamics Unlimited stand behind their
products.
My final offering for this month is not
exactly a micro-size model, but it has its roots
in one. It’s a direct enlargement of an earlier
micro design. The picture shows the Big PNut:
a project developed to make the most of
a GWS LPS DXA drive. The wing is cut
from pink insulation foam to an MA409
airfoil, while the rest of the model is built
from 1/16 balsa.
With a couple standard microservos; a
640 mAh, 7.2-volt Li-Poly pack; and
small Berg receiver, the final weight is 4.3
ounces. Just for kicks I carved a propeller
to try to bump the top speed up slightly
and it worked!
This baby is almost scary fast on a
flyby. Meanwhile, it will perform any
maneuver in the basic aerobatic pattern with
a nice, clean roll motion.
Now that I have seen the potential, it is
time to go back and fit the original micro
with one of the miniature brushless motors.
When it comes to the ability of a model to
perform clean rolling maneuvers without
ailerons, try to keep an open mind because
it really can be done.
I will leave you with that thought. As
always, I enjoy your sharing pictures and
information about your projects, and
manufacturers are welcome to share
information about new products. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/05
Page Numbers: 82,83,84
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/05
Page Numbers: 82,83,84
82 MODEL AVIATION
Contributors John Krouse and Ferrell Papic expound on their latest creations
Also included in this column:
• Keeping those Li-Poly batteries
warm
• The Flying Circuits’ two-day
indoor fly-in
• Gordon Johnson’s battery capacity
and performance test results
• Dave reports on his Legal
Ferrell Papic’s 16.3-inch RC Archaeopteryx Bird is covered with onion-skin wrapping Eagle micro project
paper decorated with a computer ink-jet printer.
Carbon-fiber tubes are used for the LE and TE in the center of the wing of John
Krouse’s 10-inch micro Plantraco-controlled model.
GREETINGS, MICRO FANS. I am
writing this in January, which in Virginia
spells winter.
Not having access to a regular indoor
site, my flying days are limited. Naturally,
I am jealous of those who have moderate
weather or indoor facilities.
I have also learned that some of our
equipment—especially Li-Poly cells—do
not like cold weather and rapidly lose
capacity under these conditions. After
putting up with short, low-powered flights,
I began to ponder options.
Enclosing the cell in insulating material
such as beaded foam helps keep the
warmth (and pep) in. In some cases I
gained nearly double the flight time when
temperatures were in the 40s.
This may be slightly late, but on March
18-19, 2006, the Kansas City Flying
Circuits club in Kansas City, Missouri, is
holding a two-day indoor fly-in that shows
a lot of promise. More information is on
the club’s Web site at www.kcflying
circuits.com/miff.
I am making plans to go. Perhaps I will see
some of you there. Good indoor flying meets
are scarce and this one has potential.
I mentioned the temperature issue with Li-
Poly cells, but there is more to deal with when
matching a cell to your system. Several times,
in my zeal to save weight, I have chosen a cell
that was too small for the job at hand.
Gordon Johnson, an established expert in
the micro field, has run a series of tests on
various cells to establish their capacity and
performance. You can find this information at
http://home.comcast.net/~gordon-johnson.
These charts have been a big help to me and I
thank Gordon for this effort.
I have established several regular contributors
who generously share information about their
Micro-Flying Dave Robelen | [email protected]
May 2006 83
This Dynamics Unlimited receiver has
been upgraded to narrow band while
retaining its light weight and small size.
The author’s Big P-Nut is not exactly a micro-sized model, but has its roots in one.
The author’s model is based on the full-scale Legal Eagle by
Leonard Millholland.
The author’s micro RC Legal Eagle ultralight is great fun on
those pretty evenings when the winds are light.
projects. One is John Krouse, 1124 Pipestem
Pl., Rockville MD 20854; E-mail: jbkrouse
[email protected]. John has been developing
indoor models for the 900 MHz Plantraco
system. One of the photos shows John’s
latest design which he describes in the
following.
“Having built several model airplanes
based on the Plantraco HFX-900 system, I
decided to explore its full potential by ‘going
small.’ I chose a wingspan of 10 inches as a
practical lower limit. To reduce weight, I
used the Plantraco 0.25-gram hinge actuator.
“Likewise, a direct-drive motor
eliminated the weight of a gearbox and a big
propeller. A 6 x 12mm, 4.5 ohm pager motor
spinning a 56mm diameter Balsa Products
yellow propeller seemed to be a good
combination. Placing the motor over the
wing improves ‘rash-worthiness’ while
incorporating manually adjustable pitch/yaw
thrust angles.
“Carbon fiber (CF) tubes are used for the
LE and TE of the center section of the wing.
CF rods are inserted into the tubes to form
the tips. After covering the framework with
grocery store Reynolds Wrap, the model
weighed roughly 1/3 ounce. It flies on throttle
and rudder controls.”
Thanks for sharing, John. The innovations
possible with the current equipment seem
endless.
Another contributor checked in with a
unique project. Ferrell Papic, 300 W. Lincoln
#82, Orange CA 92865, sent me information
about a neat project he calls the RC
Archaeopteryx Bird. He wrote:
“The RC Archaeopteryx Bird was created
with 1/32 balsa and .03-inch and .04-inchdiameter
bamboo sticks made with a steel
drawplate which is used to fabricate model
ship parts.
“The aircraft is covered with onion-skin
wrapping paper that is decorated with a
computer ink-jet printer. The water-based ink
is secured with spray fix. The covering is
attached to the frame with a mix of 50% cleardrying
560 latex glue and 50% water.
“Power is a KP-00 or geared N-20 motor.
The radio control [system] is a two- or threechannel
Micro Joule. The battery is a one- or
two-cell 170 mAh Li-Poly. The 16.3-inchwingspan
model could be controlled with a
small Plantraco RC system. I have flown the
airplane in a gymnasium and outdoors on
calm mornings with success.”
Ferrell is offering full-size building plans
for a 23-inch-wingspan version and the 16.3-
inch-wingspan model on one D-sized plans
sheet for $13 in the United States. For a
catalog of other plans and plans book, send
him an SASE.
one of which is a model of an ultralight
aircraft called the Legal Eagle, designed and
built by Leonard Millholland. Leonard
developed the two-cylinder engine from
Volkswagen parts. He calls this the Better
Half. To follow up on the full-scale projects,
check the Web site www.usastores.com/
betterhalf/.
My model was developed from small
rubber-powered FF plans included in the
Central New York Indoor Flying Society
Thermals newsletter published by Hal
Stewart. The outlines are the same, but I went
with a different size and altered the structure
for RC.
My version uses the Plantraco HFX-900
system, has a 15.5-inch wingspan, and
weighs .5 ounce. The framework is all balsa
and the wing and tail are covered with
Risteen Associates Microlite (available from
www.homefly.com).
The little Legal Eagle certainly has
established the ability of the Plantraco
equipment to fly Scale models. It is peppy
enough to rise-off-ground, climb at a brisk
rate, and cruise at 60% power. The flight
characteristics are similar to those of a
trainer with a circle diameter of
approximately 10 feet.
It is great fun on those pretty evenings
when the winds are light—or for you lucky
modelers with an indoor site. Look for this
design to be published in Model Airplane
News.
I have been working with a piece of
equipment that impresses me. It is the
microreceiver from Dynamics Unlimited
(www.smallrc.com). The current version has
been upgraded to narrow band while
retaining the extremely light weight and small
size.
The neat thing about this receiver is its
flexibility. You can purchase the basic
receiver and decoder, and it will drive a
brush-type motor and operate magnetic
actuators. It is compatible with the micro
brushless-motor controller shown in the
picture, and with the installation of a plug-in
board it will drive servos as well. All this on a
single Li-Poly cell!
My experience with this equipment has
been extremely positive, and the people at
Dynamics Unlimited stand behind their
products.
My final offering for this month is not
exactly a micro-size model, but it has its roots
in one. It’s a direct enlargement of an earlier
micro design. The picture shows the Big PNut:
a project developed to make the most of
a GWS LPS DXA drive. The wing is cut
from pink insulation foam to an MA409
airfoil, while the rest of the model is built
from 1/16 balsa.
With a couple standard microservos; a
640 mAh, 7.2-volt Li-Poly pack; and
small Berg receiver, the final weight is 4.3
ounces. Just for kicks I carved a propeller
to try to bump the top speed up slightly
and it worked!
This baby is almost scary fast on a
flyby. Meanwhile, it will perform any
maneuver in the basic aerobatic pattern with
a nice, clean roll motion.
Now that I have seen the potential, it is
time to go back and fit the original micro
with one of the miniature brushless motors.
When it comes to the ability of a model to
perform clean rolling maneuvers without
ailerons, try to keep an open mind because
it really can be done.
I will leave you with that thought. As
always, I enjoy your sharing pictures and
information about your projects, and
manufacturers are welcome to share
information about new products. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/05
Page Numbers: 82,83,84
82 MODEL AVIATION
Contributors John Krouse and Ferrell Papic expound on their latest creations
Also included in this column:
• Keeping those Li-Poly batteries
warm
• The Flying Circuits’ two-day
indoor fly-in
• Gordon Johnson’s battery capacity
and performance test results
• Dave reports on his Legal
Ferrell Papic’s 16.3-inch RC Archaeopteryx Bird is covered with onion-skin wrapping Eagle micro project
paper decorated with a computer ink-jet printer.
Carbon-fiber tubes are used for the LE and TE in the center of the wing of John
Krouse’s 10-inch micro Plantraco-controlled model.
GREETINGS, MICRO FANS. I am
writing this in January, which in Virginia
spells winter.
Not having access to a regular indoor
site, my flying days are limited. Naturally,
I am jealous of those who have moderate
weather or indoor facilities.
I have also learned that some of our
equipment—especially Li-Poly cells—do
not like cold weather and rapidly lose
capacity under these conditions. After
putting up with short, low-powered flights,
I began to ponder options.
Enclosing the cell in insulating material
such as beaded foam helps keep the
warmth (and pep) in. In some cases I
gained nearly double the flight time when
temperatures were in the 40s.
This may be slightly late, but on March
18-19, 2006, the Kansas City Flying
Circuits club in Kansas City, Missouri, is
holding a two-day indoor fly-in that shows
a lot of promise. More information is on
the club’s Web site at www.kcflying
circuits.com/miff.
I am making plans to go. Perhaps I will see
some of you there. Good indoor flying meets
are scarce and this one has potential.
I mentioned the temperature issue with Li-
Poly cells, but there is more to deal with when
matching a cell to your system. Several times,
in my zeal to save weight, I have chosen a cell
that was too small for the job at hand.
Gordon Johnson, an established expert in
the micro field, has run a series of tests on
various cells to establish their capacity and
performance. You can find this information at
http://home.comcast.net/~gordon-johnson.
These charts have been a big help to me and I
thank Gordon for this effort.
I have established several regular contributors
who generously share information about their
Micro-Flying Dave Robelen | [email protected]
May 2006 83
This Dynamics Unlimited receiver has
been upgraded to narrow band while
retaining its light weight and small size.
The author’s Big P-Nut is not exactly a micro-sized model, but has its roots in one.
The author’s model is based on the full-scale Legal Eagle by
Leonard Millholland.
The author’s micro RC Legal Eagle ultralight is great fun on
those pretty evenings when the winds are light.
projects. One is John Krouse, 1124 Pipestem
Pl., Rockville MD 20854; E-mail: jbkrouse
[email protected]. John has been developing
indoor models for the 900 MHz Plantraco
system. One of the photos shows John’s
latest design which he describes in the
following.
“Having built several model airplanes
based on the Plantraco HFX-900 system, I
decided to explore its full potential by ‘going
small.’ I chose a wingspan of 10 inches as a
practical lower limit. To reduce weight, I
used the Plantraco 0.25-gram hinge actuator.
“Likewise, a direct-drive motor
eliminated the weight of a gearbox and a big
propeller. A 6 x 12mm, 4.5 ohm pager motor
spinning a 56mm diameter Balsa Products
yellow propeller seemed to be a good
combination. Placing the motor over the
wing improves ‘rash-worthiness’ while
incorporating manually adjustable pitch/yaw
thrust angles.
“Carbon fiber (CF) tubes are used for the
LE and TE of the center section of the wing.
CF rods are inserted into the tubes to form
the tips. After covering the framework with
grocery store Reynolds Wrap, the model
weighed roughly 1/3 ounce. It flies on throttle
and rudder controls.”
Thanks for sharing, John. The innovations
possible with the current equipment seem
endless.
Another contributor checked in with a
unique project. Ferrell Papic, 300 W. Lincoln
#82, Orange CA 92865, sent me information
about a neat project he calls the RC
Archaeopteryx Bird. He wrote:
“The RC Archaeopteryx Bird was created
with 1/32 balsa and .03-inch and .04-inchdiameter
bamboo sticks made with a steel
drawplate which is used to fabricate model
ship parts.
“The aircraft is covered with onion-skin
wrapping paper that is decorated with a
computer ink-jet printer. The water-based ink
is secured with spray fix. The covering is
attached to the frame with a mix of 50% cleardrying
560 latex glue and 50% water.
“Power is a KP-00 or geared N-20 motor.
The radio control [system] is a two- or threechannel
Micro Joule. The battery is a one- or
two-cell 170 mAh Li-Poly. The 16.3-inchwingspan
model could be controlled with a
small Plantraco RC system. I have flown the
airplane in a gymnasium and outdoors on
calm mornings with success.”
Ferrell is offering full-size building plans
for a 23-inch-wingspan version and the 16.3-
inch-wingspan model on one D-sized plans
sheet for $13 in the United States. For a
catalog of other plans and plans book, send
him an SASE.
one of which is a model of an ultralight
aircraft called the Legal Eagle, designed and
built by Leonard Millholland. Leonard
developed the two-cylinder engine from
Volkswagen parts. He calls this the Better
Half. To follow up on the full-scale projects,
check the Web site www.usastores.com/
betterhalf/.
My model was developed from small
rubber-powered FF plans included in the
Central New York Indoor Flying Society
Thermals newsletter published by Hal
Stewart. The outlines are the same, but I went
with a different size and altered the structure
for RC.
My version uses the Plantraco HFX-900
system, has a 15.5-inch wingspan, and
weighs .5 ounce. The framework is all balsa
and the wing and tail are covered with
Risteen Associates Microlite (available from
www.homefly.com).
The little Legal Eagle certainly has
established the ability of the Plantraco
equipment to fly Scale models. It is peppy
enough to rise-off-ground, climb at a brisk
rate, and cruise at 60% power. The flight
characteristics are similar to those of a
trainer with a circle diameter of
approximately 10 feet.
It is great fun on those pretty evenings
when the winds are light—or for you lucky
modelers with an indoor site. Look for this
design to be published in Model Airplane
News.
I have been working with a piece of
equipment that impresses me. It is the
microreceiver from Dynamics Unlimited
(www.smallrc.com). The current version has
been upgraded to narrow band while
retaining the extremely light weight and small
size.
The neat thing about this receiver is its
flexibility. You can purchase the basic
receiver and decoder, and it will drive a
brush-type motor and operate magnetic
actuators. It is compatible with the micro
brushless-motor controller shown in the
picture, and with the installation of a plug-in
board it will drive servos as well. All this on a
single Li-Poly cell!
My experience with this equipment has
been extremely positive, and the people at
Dynamics Unlimited stand behind their
products.
My final offering for this month is not
exactly a micro-size model, but it has its roots
in one. It’s a direct enlargement of an earlier
micro design. The picture shows the Big PNut:
a project developed to make the most of
a GWS LPS DXA drive. The wing is cut
from pink insulation foam to an MA409
airfoil, while the rest of the model is built
from 1/16 balsa.
With a couple standard microservos; a
640 mAh, 7.2-volt Li-Poly pack; and
small Berg receiver, the final weight is 4.3
ounces. Just for kicks I carved a propeller
to try to bump the top speed up slightly
and it worked!
This baby is almost scary fast on a
flyby. Meanwhile, it will perform any
maneuver in the basic aerobatic pattern with
a nice, clean roll motion.
Now that I have seen the potential, it is
time to go back and fit the original micro
with one of the miniature brushless motors.
When it comes to the ability of a model to
perform clean rolling maneuvers without
ailerons, try to keep an open mind because
it really can be done.
I will leave you with that thought. As
always, I enjoy your sharing pictures and
information about your projects, and
manufacturers are welcome to share
information about new products. MA