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-geared-equipped S.E.5a
Winter projects and fly-in inspiration
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.
DEAF fly-in highlights
The Dallas Electric Aircraft Flyers (DEAF) hold an annual fly-in in late September or early October each year. The 2007 event had a nice cross-section of models representing nearly all facets of the R/C-aircraft hobby. Two caught my eye as nice small-field flyers.
#### Ralph Snow’s Focke-Wulf Stosser 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.
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.
#### Howard Schindler’s LAHeli Rotorshape autogiro 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. 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.
BEST fly-in and Michael Conley’s Telefoam
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-inch-span Telemaster 40 made from sheet foam such as Cellfoam 88 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 wingspan.
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 small-field flyer.
Al Clark’s Two Small
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.
Basic specifications:
- Wingspan: 18 inches
- Area: 72 square inches
- Flying weight: 5.3 ounces
- Power: two GWS EDF-50 motors
- Propellers: GWS 3 x 3
- Battery: 2S 700 mAh Li-Poly pack
- Controls: ailerons, elevator, throttle (Spektrum AR6100 receiver and DX7 transmitter)
- Construction: sheet balsa; wing has an 8%-thick symmetrical airfoil
- Fuselage: carved with hot-wire and finished with sailplane dope
- Trim: 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.
ParkZone Cessna 210 Centurion and small radio gear
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 spread-spectrum radio from Kyosho. This radio system has expanded the options for smaller models. The package uses motor-driven servos. It is a three-channel 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 ounces.
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 ounces. 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 glow-flying friends. Take a look at the photo of his double-size Jigitine 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 glow-power friends have enjoyed his gimmick as well.
Closing and contact
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:
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
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
