www.ModelAviation.com April 2012 Model Aviation 91
electrics
Greg Gimlick
[email protected]
Hello hands-free RC
SAFETY CO MES FIRST
Dave Gee
[email protected]
Happy April Fools’ Day.
Cactus Catastrophe
Several readers sent me a more
believable story that is full of sharp
points for all of us. We know that many
aeromodeling injuries do not involve
aircraft. Being outdoors has its own
hazards, and sometimes a modeler finds
them while concentrating on an airplane
or helicopter.
The news story was about a man
flying his model outdoors in a park area.
The airplane might have been a Slope
glider, because it landed below the edge
of a cliff.
While trying to retrieve it, the pilot
slid 120 feet down the steep cliff and
into a cactus patch. He was trapped
and used his cellular phone to call some
fellow fliers. They were unable to get
him out, so the fire department was
contacted.
Ilove seeing new gadgets and
technological advances in our hobby,
but sometimes things go the wrong
direction.
For example, some engineers got too
smart and designed a hands-free RC
control system interface. What were they
thinking? Stick the Bluetooth-enabled
device in your shirt pocket and it senses
the movement of your body, translating
the data into
control inputs
for a model
aircraft. If
you’ve seen
those video
games where
you have to
move around
in front of the
television screen
then you know
what this is.
The problem is that the model also
reacts to any false movement. As long as
you keep your arms outstretched, things
are okay, but if you try to scratch your
nose, the airplane spins out of control.
And how long can you balance on your
“hovering” foot? The microphone senses
any engine noises you make and sends
matching throttle inputs. A sudden
cough could mean big trouble.
Pilots would look ridiculous on the
flightline—making “vroom vroom” noises
while spinning and zooming with arms
outstretched. What will spectators think
of our hobby? Besides making modelers
look undignified, this contraption is
risky, and in my opinion it should not
be allowed. If you see someone flying
such a system, I recommend walking up
and offering the pilot a congratulatory
handshake. Problem solved!
The danger of “hands-free RC” is
no joke. Oh, wait, actually it is a joke.
PLUS:
> Needling a
cactus victim
> Throttle that
“Ukie” with RC
> NASA and AMA
partner
> The Droids you’re
looking for
Right: Tony Naccaratto shows electric CL models
that use RC for throttle control. They are so safe
and easy that even Dave Gee can fly them!
Hands-free RC control
interface? It’s an idea
that should never
come to fruition.
NASA test pilot Nils Larson took time to tape a video introduction
for a model airplane program promoting science to kids.
The poor, punctured fellow eventually
reached the top, thanks to a search-andrescue
team member’s rope. The story
concluded with a comment about how
the model was also rescued.
Okay, everyone settle down and stop
that snickering. Real cactus is not like
what you’ve seen in Wile E. Coyote
cartoons. Getting poked by one needle is
unpleasant, and a hundred at once will
hold your full attention. That pilot was
lucky to escape with minor injuries.
The lesson is that we need to watch
out for all hazards at the field, not just
the ones that come with our models. If
you must get a twisted ankle or insect
bite, do it somewhere other than the RC
field, please!
Test Flight
My local flying site has snakes and
gopher holes, but it also has a special
feature: nice, paved CL circles.
CL airplanes are special, because
they are the only type of model that
you actually get to feel in flight. If
you’ve never tried CL, you are missing
a wonderful experience! And no, you
won’t get dizzy if you concentrate on
the airplane as you’re supposed to do. I
sometimes fly on very short lines indoors
and have never had a problem.
CL airplanes come with their own set
of safety rules. An issue from way back
is that once the engine is started, you are
committed to flight until the gas runs
out or you crash. (I may hold the record
for the most use of that.)
Various gadgets have been used to
get around this situation, such as a
draggy third wire for throttle control, or
electrical signals sent through the lines
to an onboard servo. Even the modern
electric-powered systems depend on
timers or a depleted battery for landing.
Most pilots just go with the lighter,
simpler, old-fashioned way and “fly till
it’s dry.”
Well, things are changing; I got to
test-fly a model with 2.4 GHz RC
throttle control. What a great idea! The
transmitter hangs from the pilot’s belt.
It’s easy to reach down and operate the
throttle stick while flying the model
with the other hand.
The airplane I flew was a classic design
with modern electric power. It was
lighter than any gas aircraft. This made
me worry about line tension, but a lefthanded
propeller kept the control wires
tight because of the reversed motor
torque. Good thinking!
The demo model carried an RC
receiver with only one channel in use, and
I had full control of the power the entire
time. It was even possible to throttle
back for an acceptable landing, despite
my reputation for not wearing out the
wheels on my airplanes. There is no
issue with radio interference, even with
conventional RC models in use nearby.
Wouldn’t it be great if systems such as
this led to a resurgence of CL modeling?
A photo shows my friend, Tony
Naccarato, with the Old-Timer aircraft I
flew, as well as a new 3-D foamie model
modified for electric CL with the same
radio-throttle setup. It has an incredible
power-to-weight ratio. Electric “Ukie”
flying is a great answer to the flying site
challenge. It is silent, fun, and requires
little room to fly. What’s not to like?
AMA Expo
I’d like to see more kids building and
flying model aircraft. Maybe we could
get them interested by using the coolest
people and machines to show how
closely model airplanes are related to
full-scale aircraft.
Nils Larson is one of the coolest guys
around. He flies an F-18 for NASA,
which is pretty much the neatest job
ever. His time is valuable, and yet he
spent some of it taping segments for an
updated AMA AeroLab video for kids.
This program helps students learn
by experimenting with basic model
airplanes. Nils patiently did take after
take, demonstrating how to handle and
launch the little airplane. His full-scale
Hornet jet served as a backdrop.
The AMA and NASA agree on the
importance of helping kids find their
way into scientific careers, especially
aviation-related fields. This common
goal has led to a great partnership and
will benefit youngsters across the nation.
It was a privilege to tag along with the
AMA team as “model wrangler” and
see the effort and talent that goes into a
first-class video production.
After Nils left, the video crew asked
if I would mind flying the model a few
more times for the camera. Is that a
trick question? Let’s see, I’m here at the
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
at Edwards Air Force Base, in a hangar
full of exotic aircraft, and they want me
to fly my little airplane around. Yes, I
might be okay with that!
During the visit to NASA Dryden,
the AMA group got a preview of the
Droid sUAS test aircraft that was later
displayed at AMA Expo 2012. This
machine is a large, conventional model
airplane powered by a twin-cylinder gas
engine. The payload is what makes it
special.
The Droid airplanes have a radiocontrol
system, but lately have been
the test bed for an advanced terrainfollowing
navigation system. The
guidance computer is a standard
cellphone, loaded with a map of the
Earth. The map information is so
detailed that a Droid can, with the help
of GPS, fly at a low level and avoid hills.
Wow!
I spoke with Leslie, a NASA engineer
who also acts as the safety pilot for the
Droid-series aircraft. She told me that
she stands by during each flight, ready to
visually take control, whether the Droid
is flying with the navigation system or is
being used for training UAV pilots.
Some sport-flying first person view
(FPV) modelers gripe about the
requirement for a real set of eyes on
their aircraft while they fly. I think
that if NASA uses a backup with their
beyond-state-of-the-art system, we
should too. Things do go wrong, and
a good FPV backup pilot can prevent
disasters.
Sources:
AMA Safety Code
www.modelaircraft.org/files/105.PDF
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/home/index.html
Hands-free RC systems
Oh, come on … that was just a joke!
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/04
Page Numbers: 91,92,93
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/04
Page Numbers: 91,92,93
www.ModelAviation.com April 2012 Model Aviation 91
electrics
Greg Gimlick
[email protected]
Hello hands-free RC
SAFETY CO MES FIRST
Dave Gee
[email protected]
Happy April Fools’ Day.
Cactus Catastrophe
Several readers sent me a more
believable story that is full of sharp
points for all of us. We know that many
aeromodeling injuries do not involve
aircraft. Being outdoors has its own
hazards, and sometimes a modeler finds
them while concentrating on an airplane
or helicopter.
The news story was about a man
flying his model outdoors in a park area.
The airplane might have been a Slope
glider, because it landed below the edge
of a cliff.
While trying to retrieve it, the pilot
slid 120 feet down the steep cliff and
into a cactus patch. He was trapped
and used his cellular phone to call some
fellow fliers. They were unable to get
him out, so the fire department was
contacted.
Ilove seeing new gadgets and
technological advances in our hobby,
but sometimes things go the wrong
direction.
For example, some engineers got too
smart and designed a hands-free RC
control system interface. What were they
thinking? Stick the Bluetooth-enabled
device in your shirt pocket and it senses
the movement of your body, translating
the data into
control inputs
for a model
aircraft. If
you’ve seen
those video
games where
you have to
move around
in front of the
television screen
then you know
what this is.
The problem is that the model also
reacts to any false movement. As long as
you keep your arms outstretched, things
are okay, but if you try to scratch your
nose, the airplane spins out of control.
And how long can you balance on your
“hovering” foot? The microphone senses
any engine noises you make and sends
matching throttle inputs. A sudden
cough could mean big trouble.
Pilots would look ridiculous on the
flightline—making “vroom vroom” noises
while spinning and zooming with arms
outstretched. What will spectators think
of our hobby? Besides making modelers
look undignified, this contraption is
risky, and in my opinion it should not
be allowed. If you see someone flying
such a system, I recommend walking up
and offering the pilot a congratulatory
handshake. Problem solved!
The danger of “hands-free RC” is
no joke. Oh, wait, actually it is a joke.
PLUS:
> Needling a
cactus victim
> Throttle that
“Ukie” with RC
> NASA and AMA
partner
> The Droids you’re
looking for
Right: Tony Naccaratto shows electric CL models
that use RC for throttle control. They are so safe
and easy that even Dave Gee can fly them!
Hands-free RC control
interface? It’s an idea
that should never
come to fruition.
NASA test pilot Nils Larson took time to tape a video introduction
for a model airplane program promoting science to kids.
The poor, punctured fellow eventually
reached the top, thanks to a search-andrescue
team member’s rope. The story
concluded with a comment about how
the model was also rescued.
Okay, everyone settle down and stop
that snickering. Real cactus is not like
what you’ve seen in Wile E. Coyote
cartoons. Getting poked by one needle is
unpleasant, and a hundred at once will
hold your full attention. That pilot was
lucky to escape with minor injuries.
The lesson is that we need to watch
out for all hazards at the field, not just
the ones that come with our models. If
you must get a twisted ankle or insect
bite, do it somewhere other than the RC
field, please!
Test Flight
My local flying site has snakes and
gopher holes, but it also has a special
feature: nice, paved CL circles.
CL airplanes are special, because
they are the only type of model that
you actually get to feel in flight. If
you’ve never tried CL, you are missing
a wonderful experience! And no, you
won’t get dizzy if you concentrate on
the airplane as you’re supposed to do. I
sometimes fly on very short lines indoors
and have never had a problem.
CL airplanes come with their own set
of safety rules. An issue from way back
is that once the engine is started, you are
committed to flight until the gas runs
out or you crash. (I may hold the record
for the most use of that.)
Various gadgets have been used to
get around this situation, such as a
draggy third wire for throttle control, or
electrical signals sent through the lines
to an onboard servo. Even the modern
electric-powered systems depend on
timers or a depleted battery for landing.
Most pilots just go with the lighter,
simpler, old-fashioned way and “fly till
it’s dry.”
Well, things are changing; I got to
test-fly a model with 2.4 GHz RC
throttle control. What a great idea! The
transmitter hangs from the pilot’s belt.
It’s easy to reach down and operate the
throttle stick while flying the model
with the other hand.
The airplane I flew was a classic design
with modern electric power. It was
lighter than any gas aircraft. This made
me worry about line tension, but a lefthanded
propeller kept the control wires
tight because of the reversed motor
torque. Good thinking!
The demo model carried an RC
receiver with only one channel in use, and
I had full control of the power the entire
time. It was even possible to throttle
back for an acceptable landing, despite
my reputation for not wearing out the
wheels on my airplanes. There is no
issue with radio interference, even with
conventional RC models in use nearby.
Wouldn’t it be great if systems such as
this led to a resurgence of CL modeling?
A photo shows my friend, Tony
Naccarato, with the Old-Timer aircraft I
flew, as well as a new 3-D foamie model
modified for electric CL with the same
radio-throttle setup. It has an incredible
power-to-weight ratio. Electric “Ukie”
flying is a great answer to the flying site
challenge. It is silent, fun, and requires
little room to fly. What’s not to like?
AMA Expo
I’d like to see more kids building and
flying model aircraft. Maybe we could
get them interested by using the coolest
people and machines to show how
closely model airplanes are related to
full-scale aircraft.
Nils Larson is one of the coolest guys
around. He flies an F-18 for NASA,
which is pretty much the neatest job
ever. His time is valuable, and yet he
spent some of it taping segments for an
updated AMA AeroLab video for kids.
This program helps students learn
by experimenting with basic model
airplanes. Nils patiently did take after
take, demonstrating how to handle and
launch the little airplane. His full-scale
Hornet jet served as a backdrop.
The AMA and NASA agree on the
importance of helping kids find their
way into scientific careers, especially
aviation-related fields. This common
goal has led to a great partnership and
will benefit youngsters across the nation.
It was a privilege to tag along with the
AMA team as “model wrangler” and
see the effort and talent that goes into a
first-class video production.
After Nils left, the video crew asked
if I would mind flying the model a few
more times for the camera. Is that a
trick question? Let’s see, I’m here at the
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
at Edwards Air Force Base, in a hangar
full of exotic aircraft, and they want me
to fly my little airplane around. Yes, I
might be okay with that!
During the visit to NASA Dryden,
the AMA group got a preview of the
Droid sUAS test aircraft that was later
displayed at AMA Expo 2012. This
machine is a large, conventional model
airplane powered by a twin-cylinder gas
engine. The payload is what makes it
special.
The Droid airplanes have a radiocontrol
system, but lately have been
the test bed for an advanced terrainfollowing
navigation system. The
guidance computer is a standard
cellphone, loaded with a map of the
Earth. The map information is so
detailed that a Droid can, with the help
of GPS, fly at a low level and avoid hills.
Wow!
I spoke with Leslie, a NASA engineer
who also acts as the safety pilot for the
Droid-series aircraft. She told me that
she stands by during each flight, ready to
visually take control, whether the Droid
is flying with the navigation system or is
being used for training UAV pilots.
Some sport-flying first person view
(FPV) modelers gripe about the
requirement for a real set of eyes on
their aircraft while they fly. I think
that if NASA uses a backup with their
beyond-state-of-the-art system, we
should too. Things do go wrong, and
a good FPV backup pilot can prevent
disasters.
Sources:
AMA Safety Code
www.modelaircraft.org/files/105.PDF
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/home/index.html
Hands-free RC systems
Oh, come on … that was just a joke!
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/04
Page Numbers: 91,92,93
www.ModelAviation.com April 2012 Model Aviation 91
electrics
Greg Gimlick
[email protected]
Hello hands-free RC
SAFETY CO MES FIRST
Dave Gee
[email protected]
Happy April Fools’ Day.
Cactus Catastrophe
Several readers sent me a more
believable story that is full of sharp
points for all of us. We know that many
aeromodeling injuries do not involve
aircraft. Being outdoors has its own
hazards, and sometimes a modeler finds
them while concentrating on an airplane
or helicopter.
The news story was about a man
flying his model outdoors in a park area.
The airplane might have been a Slope
glider, because it landed below the edge
of a cliff.
While trying to retrieve it, the pilot
slid 120 feet down the steep cliff and
into a cactus patch. He was trapped
and used his cellular phone to call some
fellow fliers. They were unable to get
him out, so the fire department was
contacted.
Ilove seeing new gadgets and
technological advances in our hobby,
but sometimes things go the wrong
direction.
For example, some engineers got too
smart and designed a hands-free RC
control system interface. What were they
thinking? Stick the Bluetooth-enabled
device in your shirt pocket and it senses
the movement of your body, translating
the data into
control inputs
for a model
aircraft. If
you’ve seen
those video
games where
you have to
move around
in front of the
television screen
then you know
what this is.
The problem is that the model also
reacts to any false movement. As long as
you keep your arms outstretched, things
are okay, but if you try to scratch your
nose, the airplane spins out of control.
And how long can you balance on your
“hovering” foot? The microphone senses
any engine noises you make and sends
matching throttle inputs. A sudden
cough could mean big trouble.
Pilots would look ridiculous on the
flightline—making “vroom vroom” noises
while spinning and zooming with arms
outstretched. What will spectators think
of our hobby? Besides making modelers
look undignified, this contraption is
risky, and in my opinion it should not
be allowed. If you see someone flying
such a system, I recommend walking up
and offering the pilot a congratulatory
handshake. Problem solved!
The danger of “hands-free RC” is
no joke. Oh, wait, actually it is a joke.
PLUS:
> Needling a
cactus victim
> Throttle that
“Ukie” with RC
> NASA and AMA
partner
> The Droids you’re
looking for
Right: Tony Naccaratto shows electric CL models
that use RC for throttle control. They are so safe
and easy that even Dave Gee can fly them!
Hands-free RC control
interface? It’s an idea
that should never
come to fruition.
NASA test pilot Nils Larson took time to tape a video introduction
for a model airplane program promoting science to kids.
The poor, punctured fellow eventually
reached the top, thanks to a search-andrescue
team member’s rope. The story
concluded with a comment about how
the model was also rescued.
Okay, everyone settle down and stop
that snickering. Real cactus is not like
what you’ve seen in Wile E. Coyote
cartoons. Getting poked by one needle is
unpleasant, and a hundred at once will
hold your full attention. That pilot was
lucky to escape with minor injuries.
The lesson is that we need to watch
out for all hazards at the field, not just
the ones that come with our models. If
you must get a twisted ankle or insect
bite, do it somewhere other than the RC
field, please!
Test Flight
My local flying site has snakes and
gopher holes, but it also has a special
feature: nice, paved CL circles.
CL airplanes are special, because
they are the only type of model that
you actually get to feel in flight. If
you’ve never tried CL, you are missing
a wonderful experience! And no, you
won’t get dizzy if you concentrate on
the airplane as you’re supposed to do. I
sometimes fly on very short lines indoors
and have never had a problem.
CL airplanes come with their own set
of safety rules. An issue from way back
is that once the engine is started, you are
committed to flight until the gas runs
out or you crash. (I may hold the record
for the most use of that.)
Various gadgets have been used to
get around this situation, such as a
draggy third wire for throttle control, or
electrical signals sent through the lines
to an onboard servo. Even the modern
electric-powered systems depend on
timers or a depleted battery for landing.
Most pilots just go with the lighter,
simpler, old-fashioned way and “fly till
it’s dry.”
Well, things are changing; I got to
test-fly a model with 2.4 GHz RC
throttle control. What a great idea! The
transmitter hangs from the pilot’s belt.
It’s easy to reach down and operate the
throttle stick while flying the model
with the other hand.
The airplane I flew was a classic design
with modern electric power. It was
lighter than any gas aircraft. This made
me worry about line tension, but a lefthanded
propeller kept the control wires
tight because of the reversed motor
torque. Good thinking!
The demo model carried an RC
receiver with only one channel in use, and
I had full control of the power the entire
time. It was even possible to throttle
back for an acceptable landing, despite
my reputation for not wearing out the
wheels on my airplanes. There is no
issue with radio interference, even with
conventional RC models in use nearby.
Wouldn’t it be great if systems such as
this led to a resurgence of CL modeling?
A photo shows my friend, Tony
Naccarato, with the Old-Timer aircraft I
flew, as well as a new 3-D foamie model
modified for electric CL with the same
radio-throttle setup. It has an incredible
power-to-weight ratio. Electric “Ukie”
flying is a great answer to the flying site
challenge. It is silent, fun, and requires
little room to fly. What’s not to like?
AMA Expo
I’d like to see more kids building and
flying model aircraft. Maybe we could
get them interested by using the coolest
people and machines to show how
closely model airplanes are related to
full-scale aircraft.
Nils Larson is one of the coolest guys
around. He flies an F-18 for NASA,
which is pretty much the neatest job
ever. His time is valuable, and yet he
spent some of it taping segments for an
updated AMA AeroLab video for kids.
This program helps students learn
by experimenting with basic model
airplanes. Nils patiently did take after
take, demonstrating how to handle and
launch the little airplane. His full-scale
Hornet jet served as a backdrop.
The AMA and NASA agree on the
importance of helping kids find their
way into scientific careers, especially
aviation-related fields. This common
goal has led to a great partnership and
will benefit youngsters across the nation.
It was a privilege to tag along with the
AMA team as “model wrangler” and
see the effort and talent that goes into a
first-class video production.
After Nils left, the video crew asked
if I would mind flying the model a few
more times for the camera. Is that a
trick question? Let’s see, I’m here at the
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
at Edwards Air Force Base, in a hangar
full of exotic aircraft, and they want me
to fly my little airplane around. Yes, I
might be okay with that!
During the visit to NASA Dryden,
the AMA group got a preview of the
Droid sUAS test aircraft that was later
displayed at AMA Expo 2012. This
machine is a large, conventional model
airplane powered by a twin-cylinder gas
engine. The payload is what makes it
special.
The Droid airplanes have a radiocontrol
system, but lately have been
the test bed for an advanced terrainfollowing
navigation system. The
guidance computer is a standard
cellphone, loaded with a map of the
Earth. The map information is so
detailed that a Droid can, with the help
of GPS, fly at a low level and avoid hills.
Wow!
I spoke with Leslie, a NASA engineer
who also acts as the safety pilot for the
Droid-series aircraft. She told me that
she stands by during each flight, ready to
visually take control, whether the Droid
is flying with the navigation system or is
being used for training UAV pilots.
Some sport-flying first person view
(FPV) modelers gripe about the
requirement for a real set of eyes on
their aircraft while they fly. I think
that if NASA uses a backup with their
beyond-state-of-the-art system, we
should too. Things do go wrong, and
a good FPV backup pilot can prevent
disasters.
Sources:
AMA Safety Code
www.modelaircraft.org/files/105.PDF
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/home/index.html
Hands-free RC systems
Oh, come on … that was just a joke!