Small-Field Flying - 2008/02

104 MODEL AVIATION
THIS TIME OF
year is traditionally
the period set aside
for new projects
while we anticipate
the coming outdoor
flying season—at
least that’s often
the case for
modelers who live
in colder climates.
Sometimes
inspiration for a new project can be obtained by reviewing models
seen at some of the previous season’s fly-ins. That sure does work
for me. With that in mind, let me share information about a few
airplanes I had the opportunity to see during the latter part of the
2007 flying season.
The Dallas Electric Aircraft Flyers (DEAF) hold an annual fly-in
in late September or early October each year. The 2007 event had a
Small-Field Flying Paul Bradley | [email protected]
Projects from 2007 fly-ins to inspire you
Also included in this column:
• Al Clark’s Two Small
• ParkZone radio-gearequipped
S.E.5a
Ralph Snow attended the annual DEAF fly-in with the Focke-Wulf
Stosser he built from an Al Lidberg kit.
Howard Schindler’s LAHeli Rotorshape demonstrated that
autogiros can be excellent small-field flyers.
Michael Conley’s 2-pound, sheet-foam Telefoam is a lightweight
version of the 72-inch-wingspan Telemaster.
The Two Small from Al Clark has an 18-inch wingspan and two
GWS EDF-50 motors for power.
nice cross-section of models representing nearly all facets of the
RC-aircraft hobby. Two caught my eye as nice small-field flyers.
Ralph Snow, a member of the DEAF club, turned out a nice
rendition of the Focke-Wulf Stosser. This model was built from an
Al Lidberg kit. It has a 48-inch wingspan (288 square inches) and is
powered with a Speed 400 motor that is geared 2.33:1. Energy
comes from a three-cell, 2080 mAh Li-Poly battery pack. The flying
weight is 31.3 ounces.
02sig4.QXD 12/20/07 10:59 AM Page 104February 2008 105
Al Clark transports his Two Small to the field in this compact
package on the back of his motorcycle.
This profile S.E.5a by Richard Cox shows what can be done with
the components of the ParkZone Cessna 210.
Sam Will has great fun showing his glow-power-flying friends that
electric models can make engine noises.
The Stosser is lovely. If you haven’t checked out the offerings
from Al Lidberg, you might find the model that will be perfect for
your winter building time. See the source listing for contact
information.
Another neat aircraft I saw at the DEAF fly-in was the LAHeli
Rotorshape built and flown by Howard Schindler. This is an
excellent autogiro imported from the Czech Republic by ICARE
Sailplanes and Electrics. See source information.
Autogiros are not commonly seen at the flying field and they
make excellent small-field flyers. Howard’s Rotorshape
demonstrated great agility. He even flew it in a little wind and the
small rotary-wing aircraft barely noticed the breeze. Howard put on
a nice demonstration of what a good autogiro is capable of
delivering in terms of fun flight.
A gaggle of people—I was included—pestered Howard with
questions each time he flew the model. Based on how well the
Rotorshape flew, I think there will be an autogiro in my future.
In addition to DEAF, I was able to attend the Best Electrics of
Southeast Texas (BEST) fly-in. This early October gathering
attracted a wide variety of models. One that captured my attention
came from Michael Conley.
I have featured Michael and his models in past columns. He is an
innovator and one heck of a good 3-D pilot. One of his contributions
to our hobby is the now ubiquitous hydrofoam.
I’m sure you have seen the flying hydroplanes that are offered by
many different sources. Michael is the person who came up with the
idea that inspired so many manufacturers to develop their own
versions of his flying hydroplane.
What tickled my fancy this time from Michael was a 72-inchspan
Telemaster 40 made from sheet foam such as Cellfoam88 or
Depron. He calls it the Telefoam.
While you may think something that large would not be suitable
for small-field flying, think flying weight. Michael’s model only
weighs 2 pounds. That’s 32 ounces for a 72-inch-span model! Add
an inexpensive outrunner brushless motor and you have a nice, slow,
aerobatic small-field flyer.
Michael had everyone fascinated when he flew this model during
the event. It is equipped with full-span flaperons. When deployed,
the model simply hangs in the air. Apply throttle and the big
Telefoam can do some interesting things.
I think Michael has hit another home run with his concept of
duplicating the bigger models in light sheet foam. His Telefoam
shows that a larger, lightweight airplane can be an excellent smallfield
flyer.
How about a portable twin? Perhaps models seen during the 2007
flying season did not light your winter building fires. Let me
tantalize you with a nice model from the creative mind of Al Clark.
Take a look at the photos of his Two Small.
The name says it all; it is small and has two motors. You know
the old adage: if one motor is good, two must be better. For Al’s
Two Small that saying may be right on the mark.
The basic specifications are an 18-inch wingspan producing 72
square inches of area, a 5.3-ounce flying weight, two GWS EDF-50
motors, GWS 3 x 3 propellers, and a 2S 700 mAh Li-Poly battery
pack.
Controls include ailerons, elevator, and throttle that are handled
by a Spektrum AR6100 receiver and DX7 transmitter. Construction
is sheet balsa with a wing that sports an 8%-thick symmetrical
airfoil. The balsa was colored with alcohol tinted with Rit dye,
followed by clear dope. The color trim is Solite.
As you can see in one of the Two Small photos, it can be carried
to the field in a compact box along with the transmitter and support
equipment. Al carries his to the flying site on the back of his
motorcycle.
If this lovely little twin gets your juices flowing, I have some
good news. The Two Small will appear as a construction article in a
future issue of MA.
If you have been reading the modeling press or attending any
modeling gatherings in recent months, I’m sure you have seen the
ParkZone Cessna 210 Centurion. This little RTF includes a micro
02sig4.QXD 12/20/07 11:02 AM Page 105spread spectrum radio from Kyosho.
This radio system has expanded the
options for smaller models. The package
uses motor-driven servos. It is a threechannel
unit that provides two servos and
throttle control. You know it is lightweight
when you consider that the Cessna 210’s
total flying weight is only 18 grams.
With such a nice system available in an
RTF, it’s not surprising that the modeling
community found new homes for the
featherweight gear that comes inside the
Cessna airframe. One such modeler is
Richard Cox. He sent me some photos of
several airframes he built to house ParkZone
Cessna equipment. He used some of my No-
Cal FF plans.
I have included a picture of Richard’s
S.E.5a that sports the Kyosho radio system
from a ParkZone Cessna. The model has a
16-inch wingspan and weighs 22 grams. It is
a docile flier that is perfect for indoor or for
more confined outdoor spaces in calm wind
conditions.
I have the feeling that we will be seeing
some great models coming from modelers
using the small Kyosho radio gear.
Silent Electric Models—Or Not? One of
the things we normally associate with
electric-powered aircraft is quietness—
especially the smaller models. Some desire
that, but for others the lack of engine sounds
leaves them feeling that something is
missing. These days all my models use
electric power, but at times I miss the sound
of a well-tuned, liquid-fuel-engine-powered
aircraft.
The lack of engine sounds can also be
the source of some good-natured bantering
between electric and liquid-fuel-power
modelers at the flying field. One electric
modeler, Sam Will, wrote to me noting that
he and his flying buddies have had a
running dialogue about the lack of engine
sounds when he flies his electric-powered
models.
Sam comes from the generation that
remembers placing playing cards in the
spokes of a bicycle to generate a motor
sound. That was popular during my youth.
You would use a clothespin to hold a
playing card in the path of the moving
bicycle wheel. The passing spokes slapping
the playing card produced a nice motor
sound—at least it sounded good to an 8-
year-old!
Remembering this old trick, Sam
decided to have a few laughs with his glowflying
friends. Take a look at the photo of
his double-size Jigtime Stinson Sentinel.
Stuck on the nose are a clothespin and a
miniature playing card that extends into the
propeller arc.
Sam says he is having great fun
“buzzing” around the patch with his card in
the propeller-equipped model. His glowpower
friends have enjoyed his gimmick as
well.
It looks as though I am out of space. As
always, it is great to hear from you and to
see what you have been building and flying.
You can contact me via E-mail at the address
shown in the column header or by regular
mail at my new address at 10201 Scarlet Oak
Dr., Independence KY 41051. MA
Sources:
A.A. (Al) Lidberg Model Plan Service
(480) 839-8154 (6-10 p.m. evenings and
weekends)
www.aalmps.com
ICARE/IKARUS
(450) 449-9094
http://icare-rc.com
106 MODEL AVIATION
West Mountain Radio
westmountainradio.com
18 Sheehan Ave., Norwalk, CT 06854
Toll Free order line 888 937 8686
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