All about Electrics
A FEW MONTHS have gone by since this series began. I wish to restate a point made in Part One: "It will be the policy of this writer to present only experience-guided information and techniques." In other words, I am presenting experience-backed stuff and sharing some personal practices and preferences based thereon. Surely these are not the only ways to do, or to view, things Electric, nor are these offerings necessarily the best way in every case, but they do work. Thus, if you should witness, or personally experience, some different but successful viewpoint or approach, please write me and share the information. Though I have been flying Electrics for more than 10 years, I don't know everything.
All about Electrics
THIS PART of the series differs somewhat from earlier parts in two ways. First, installations is a lengthy topic, requiring two issues to cover thoroughly. This month we will present Section A; next month, we'll have Section B. The second way this part of the series differs from the others is that much of the information is contained in the photos and sketches. This format is prompted by the large number of people visiting the annual KRC Electric Fly wanting to know "how to put the stuff in." It's amazing how many eager observers there are when someone removes a wing to reveal the "hidden secrets" of how it's done!
All about Electrics
YOU MAY WANT to review Part 5 as you go through this one. They are related, and some pictures and sketches cover mutual areas. 1. Switches. Generally, two common types are used in electric power systems: miniature toggle and miniature snap-action switches (microswitches). Switches are used in a variety of ways-manually or servo-driven-to do different things, such as a simple ON-OFF operation, or to change speed in steps, as in OFF-LO-HI.
All about Electrics
IN THIS SECTION and the next, I'll try to "bring it all together" as so often promised in past issues. If you've been following this series, by the time you finish next month's segment, you should be well-equipped and on your way to experiencing first-time and continuing Electric success-with understanding. It's what I call Electric Elation. Four electrifying profiles of success. Long ago in Part 1, I took strong issue with some of the common misconceptions of electric-powered flying: that it is too difficult, that it is too heavy to fly well, that it doesn't have enough power, and that it offers too short a flight.
All about Electrics
THIS IS A CONTINUATION of the topic begun last month: what flies. The previous issue described in detail the makeup and performance of four Electrics. While specific designs were covered, the real message of Part 7 was that there is nothing magical about the particular examples and that any planes of similar makeup should fly comparably. Now, we're going to cover some generalized rules of thumb for electric power and some construction suggestions. The purpose is to further tie together earlier information and to help assure first-time and continuing Electric success-what I call Electric Elation.
