Radio Control: Aerobatics

RADIO CONTROL AEROBATICS Li Correction August 1998 column Chris Bergen misidentified Mike Levenson Apologies error POP CULTURE IS loaded sayings illustrate cyclical nature change nothing new under sun things change stay same nothing new old idea just few aphorisms regular resurrection bygone clothing styles foisted us fashion industry stands more-concrete example Pattern far immune circle game regardless fact modem era dating advent proportional radio equipment RC Aerobatics spans few decades Old Pattern ideas constantly being recycled re-combined occasional new insight attempt make new sum add up its familiar parts nothing wrong part its business usual progress deal changing rules demands sport Slower more-constant-speed presentation latest new idea come along concept can simply stated pattern looks better unified model going up down around constant speed effect perfectly achieved elegant ballet-like compelling nearly hypnotic idea conveyed watching judge serious precision control being demonstrated Large scores follow naturally kitten batting ball judges just cant seem help themselves Thats theory hands master technician results yielded flying style can very impressive hands average Advanced Masters F3A-class competitor result often soggy wandering anything-but-precise flight lack mass success hasnt translated disaffection style remains very popular carrot end stick large ering technique can produce big boost win columnso people doggedly stick program Most problems seem stem fact people attempting copy what see highest levels competition strictly imitation application much thought technique very close observation get handle problem like follow root case root doesnt grow RC Pattern constant-speed pattern concept born raised still best-practiced ancient honorable sport Control Line Stunt original Precision Aerobatic event Watching Stunt event hypnotic Part because maneuvers generally repeated pairs triplets mainly effect comes absolutely regular consistent velocity model scribes pattern contained hemisphere sky allotted lines effect least accidental Behind lies years experimentation engines props huge database created drawn Stunt participants past present experimentation ongoing era tuned pipe has dawned Stunt has spawned whole new set calculations designed achieve same constant speedlvariable thrust effect everything Stunt translates well Pattern Aside obvious differences free vs restrained flight control/no control roll axis Pattern have throttles Therein lies main rub offer Allisons Instant Axioms Any control can used can misused throttle misused often RC pilots point abuse Sunday local field RC pilots have unfortunate tendency treat throttle on/off switch taking off flight off spins landing Most Mode Two pilots can use aileron/elevator stick reasonably coordinated manner some can manage coordinate rudder aileron few can 78 Model Aviation Bill Bowen Gary McClellan Terry Hane scope out engine installation Bills immaculate Typhoon-D Othello Washington contest Alan Wellentin holds Zeus Loren Anderson Loren competes Masters comes Bend Oregon area manage decent simultaneous rudder throttle input Back Pattern flown AMAstyle long unscored turnarounds center maneuvers buried middle fullthrottle passes mattered because skill throttle wasnt necessary Most us could have flown style throttle hooked retract servo much problem Times changed Modern turnaround flying put model relatively small highly defined area box development continuous high-speed flight became impossible certain minimum amount skill throttle became must Most us came along point being able slide throttle stick back-andforth roughly appropriate time order stay within hailing distance few years ago available horsepower average Pattern engine barely sufficient draw acceptable vertical line some sort soggy corner end enough propulsion technology limiting factor couple years ago second generation modern Pattern engines arrived courtesy another rules change suddenly available power sufficient exit box vertically slowing down technology made things possible splendid new choices such big make maneuvers important fast fly Which brings us full circle course back Stunt Stunt propulsion technology sans throttle used limit speed provide thrust proportionate demand ie under load such vertical climb less unloaded vertical down line Given no-throttle operating condition parameter could probably achieve something similar result similar methods However have throttles maintaining full control physically unrestrained miniature aircraft no lines means keep doubt few us would vote away case no matter poorly may use Fortunately have few other methods can call along some basics borrowed circle guys Number listand borrowed Stuntis good propeller selection constant-speed maneuvering necessary item relatively low-pitch high-diameter unit average 120/140-sized Pattern engine/model combination would order 1517 inches diameter perhaps pitch Aimottpe gbtfal ltiedto fly ctth lild miag loadia Fcdlybsiltoflomraod machine ctct balsa aadp cotttponeete modal baud fitily balta sheeeo Kit jacitalee molded canopy cowl tiol oteem tolled mtttptom dmwapleoa aedetoso Rttdden am fimobostal Spaa63lettgth4lwea6lOmetglolllbefma 4 chatatel mdtoaed 35452 oyoleoc 45654 oyale BUT NEE MU SAllE liP IM WI ET MUSTANG 410999 72 L19RIRDDOG 414999 99 CIIIPMUNK 410999 63 AWN AIRCOUPE 412995 55 P39AIRACON6A 49699972 PIPER COMANChE 416995 60 REARWIN SPEEDOTER-11199972 TWIN COMANChE 419995 90 B24D LIBERATOR 42999909 MOONEY OVATION 436999 96 CESSNA 120/109425995 deoectded omim kit FULl COIAU CATALOG $2SNIPPING *110 KANDLING 5895 tII1IIte 5 u alt 516001 JA2I STAFFORD HOtEI$ usa. ama mac PHONE 1172799310 VtRA4 lSThRCARDDISCO/ER 3172796376 November1998 79 Gary McClellans new Elan has YS 140 power Gary Eugene Oregon El MEN RIENUPE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ALL OUR OFFERINGS SEND SASE TO hobbyhantee.c,, 2 PETERSBURG ROADph 6063344331 r HANGAR HEBRON KY 41048 Orders 8006113860 J & C HOBBIES 100 St Peim Hills PA 15235 Order Line 1-800-309-8314 Info Line 412-795-9344 HITEC RADIOS FOCUS 2 AM w/HS-3006195 FOCUS 2 AM wfl-lS-808195 FOCUS 4 FM12995 FOCUS 6 FM15995 FLASH S FM17195 PRISM7XFM21995 PRISM 7X5 FM29695 PRISM 7X5 Tx only19795 RECEIVERS W/XTALS RCD Supreme Rx 535 Micro Rx 555 Micro Rx SERVOS HS-50 HS-60 HS-77 BB HS-80 HS-85 BR HS-101 HS-205 RB HS-225 BB 115-235 AG 115-300 RB 115-425 115-545 BR 115-605 RB HS-615 MG I-IS-700 BR HS-705 MG HS-715 RB 115-725 BR IS-lOS BR CIRRUS SERVOS C S-20 CS-21 CS-25 CS-26 CS-30 Pro Mini CS-70 BB OUR OWN PRODUCTS J&C Sound Security J&C Fun-Rat J&C HOBBIES Order Line 1-800-309-8314 Info Line 1-412-795-9344 24 hr Fax 412-798-9857 Visa/Mastercard/Discover Shipping & Handling $500 Continental USA Prices Stibiect Change 5995 6195 6595 3695 2895 2995 2495 2995 2195 2495 2995 4395 1195 1795 3295 3295 4595 2895 4195 4295 4295 4695 2299 2799 2499 2599 1999 1499 1995 2495 low 10-11 inches know flies face much youve told necessary sound reduction cant help What after good thrust acceleration out low-speed flight lowrpm condition plainly means lower pitch just hill departing stop light means lower gear car need adequate area diameter propeller disc two reasons vertical up line wing working support weight aircraft provide thrust climb propeller Disc swept area loading become just important context wing area loading other make thrust must move air have two choices purposes much efficient move large cylinder air low rpm move small cylinder air high rpm especially high-speed flight intention power reduced idle vertical down line prop no longer turning fast enough accelerate air produce thrust Instead model pushing prop disc through air mass faster pitch prop speed turning can support thus creating drag phenomenon known aerodynamic braking larger diameter propeller disc lower prop pitch rpm braking generated complete discussion propeller theory relates Pattern aerobatics including fit sound reduction back picture will have wait another time basics above stan second probably important item constant-speed list good throttle-management technique can divide section two parts Physical might expect involves brain/thumb/fingers throttle stick technical aspect technical side matter deals everything radio associated inflight hardware can make task easter modem computer radios include exponential control throttle handy item matching engine output throttle stick position As anyone has ever installed radio model can attest rotary-output servo arm attached rotary-input throttle-barrel arm means pushrod method easily produces linear travel However choose position respective arms sufficient mechanical advantage does seem available built-in mechanical problem very likely main reason pilots treat throttle on/off switchthats way its always set up Dialing expo low end middle throttle curve depending setup can remove some built-in disadvantage careflal use tachometer few test flights engine response can tailored produce much useable in-flight mid-range Some well-known competitors have gone far file notches transmitter throttle-stick quadrants repeatable stick positions can clicked during flight transmitter programmed produce fixed throttle settings detent points method has very successful some cant recommend two counts First will undoubtedly void radio manufacturers warranty second weather conditions subject change setting might perfect calm day will probably what needed strong wind least several different flight conditions would have set cope weather changes skill level needed make complicated sort thing work well far beyond average Pattern pilot recent development deserves mention context twist-cable throttle-actuating device uses rotary servo motion produce rotary throttle barrel input use arms either end Ive tested unit its relatively expensive about $30 difficult initially install set up does work provide very linear throttle response recent improvements have made work better Its called Snake Drive its available direct Unique KMI RIC SERVICE AT ITS BEST Sales Service Anything Radio Controlled KMI 7420 Seven Mile Rd Northville Michigan 48167 Ph 248-486-4800 Fax 248-486-1603 Repairs Updates Custom Modifications Frequency Changes 6 Send Legal sized SAE 1997 Meter conversions ACE Airtronics Aristo-craft Cirrus EK Catalog containing lists RIC maintenance hints Futaba Hitec Heathkit Hobby Shack JR Kraft KGL KSE Kline Discover MCard VISA COD KoPropo Pro-Line RCD Tower Hobbies World Engines & others UPS USMA IL FEDEX etc Calibrated Equipment Quick Turnaround Walk-in daily service 800 am-S 00 pm Send E-Mail PTWaters@junocom 80 Model Aviation ON P OWEN LESS HASSLE MORE FUN Dieselize Davis Diesel Its Awesome Up 50% Power Same Easy Starting No Glow Plugs Runs lhice Long e Sound P0 Box 141 Dept MA ord CT 06460 877-1670 complete information packet send $400 credit applied first order k isg1 DAVIS MOOEL Design Development toll-free order number 888 740-7737 No easy answers other sufficient practice exist physical side throttle-management equation some simple techniques can pass along important simply move throttle stick smoothly slowly setting setting Jerking slamming throttle control around about useful graceful jerking other flight control Smooth power applications require nothing some planning ahead practice needed drill habitbut have effect smoothing visual presentation pattern aural sound presentation course engine sound judging criteria Pattern smooth-sounding power transitions undeniably contribute overall effect present judge Another useful technique works well slowing down stick movement simply retard throttle little sooner advance little later nearly everywhere pattern technique requires light model powerful engine us have right Learn work midrange doing flying off stops Pull power down way off loops Cubansand dont advance stick way forward level flight unless needed particular maneuver such crisp point roll Good throttle management isnt easy skill 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