RC Flying

[markeg1964]

Just wondering how many of you are into RC flying.

When I was a kid my dad and I built and crashed a number of U-control airplanes. At the time, RC was too expensive so we never got into it. As I got older I discovered motorcycles and girls and totally forgot about model airplanes. Then about a year or two before purchasing my 170 (and learning how to fly in it), I purchased an electric RC moto-glider. It didn’t fly too well and required a large field so I only flew it a few times before losing interest. I then purchased an electric helicopter that was a lot of fun to learn to fly but once I mastered hovering in the wind I lost interest. I also got my 170 about the same time, so, my RC stuff ended up in the garage collecting dust.

Then about three months ago a friend mentioned that he was into RC airplanes. I dusted off my moto-glider and helicopter and went flying with him. That led to a number of internet searches which let to my purchasing a balsa kit. Someday (when I have more time and money) I hope to build an RV8 or a Starduster II. Building the little balsa plane was much more enjoyable than I thought it would be probably partly due to my dream of someday building a full scale plane. Since building the first plane, I have redesigned the tail and am in the process of building an aileron wing for it. I have also started a second plane that will fly slower in a smaller area. The attached pictures are of my kit built Telemaster.

IMG_0656ss.JPG

IMG_0689s.JPG

I’m having a blast. The cost of RC modeling has really dropped while the technology for electric motors and batteries has really improved. I purchased the balsa kit for under $30, brushless motors for under $20, servos for $15 and a six channel programmable transmitter/receiver combo for around $150. I’m used to purchasing 170 parts for $300+! I feel like I’m getting my airplane fix at a fraction of the cost and I’m at home as opposed to being out at the hangar. Not to mention I can go flying when the cloud layer is at 300 feet!

I’ve found plans for a 170 that I hope to build once I learn to fly without crashing.

Anyway, I wish I had rediscovered RC flying sooner because I’m really having fun. Anyone else into RC flying – what are you flying?

[15A]

I feel like I’m getting my airplane fix at a fraction of the cost and I’m at home as opposed to being out at the hangar. Not to mention I can go flying when the cloud layer is at 300 feet!

I can almost relate with you on that statement! But 'what ever floats your boat...'
I was just a 7 years old, living at the airport on week-ends where my Dad kept his Aeronca. Grass field with RC guys flying their planes. But this was WAY BACK when they only had 1 axis control. 1 push for left rudder, 2 for right! Had to wind up the rubber band that went from the servo to the little door on the tail. Many a time these guys would launch their planes too soon just to find out they didn't turn the "switch" on!!! Off into the wild blue it would go aimlessly!!! Into the Champ we'd go to follow it and see where it went down! Always a lot of fun. I've seen more than my share of RC's pile straight in and turn into splinters. But they always came back with patched up planes and kept going at it!

[Iceman07]

Not R/C or Control Line, but for most of my life I was into competitive Free Flight ( http://freeflight.org/ ) , mostly gas when I was a kid, then I graduated to "Wakefiled" (International class rubber-powered: http://home.pacbell.net/andriuko/Produc ... lsetup.htm )

But, after I got the 170, all of my spare change (and time) goes towrds 5740C. I still have most of the stuff downstairs, but it is just collecting dust. I'll probably get ack into it when (if) I lose my medical.

[Rick Allison]

I stumbled into the TIC170A forum while looking for info to help with building a 1:6 R/C model of a '52 170B.

I learned how to fly R/C on a PC simulator, RealFlight, which comes with an R/C transmitter box that hooks up to your PC via USB.

I 'soloed' on a ready-to-fly pod & boom 4-channel plane, the Wing Dragon 4 park flyer like this one:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/j- ... directlink

I learned to love R/C flying with my second plane, an almost-ready-to-fly sport-scale model, the Taylorcraft 450 park flyer:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Gn ... directlink

My third plane, and first "big" R/C plane (8' wingspan), a pre-built but 'naked' kit, the Senior Telemaster:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4E ... directlink

My reason for being here, the PassTime Hobbies reproduction of the vintage Berkeley Models' Cessna 170:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Allison.Pub ... 0082176658

...When Iceman07 and 15A talk about the days of single channel and free-flight gas models, this was one of them. The original kit is from '54, and is of a '52 170B; the reproduction kit is for 3-channels, but I've added ailerons.

And I'm also scratch-building a 4:1 up-scale of a wind-up rubber band glider--one of those Guillow's balsa thingies with the red prop and wheels, only with a four-foot wingspan. No pic, yet...

All are electric. 'zat answer the question?

One day, when the ship comes in, I'll fly for real. In the meantime, hats off to the folks here.

- Rick

[GAHorn]

...One day, when the ship comes in, I'll fly for real. In the meantime, hats off to the folks here. - Rick

I think perhaps YOU are the real talent! Anyone who can fly an airplane back towards themselves and keep it right has MY admiration!

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Why thanks George. I flew RC airplanes and helicopters, both gas powered and electric for about 10 years BEFORE I evertook the controls of any type of 1:1 aircraft.

I don't fly regularly anymore but to the amazement of my friends when occasionally handed a transmitter, I can still fly them pretty well.

[jon s blocker]

Rick,
Do you know if you can get just the cowl for the 170B you are building? I have the plans and plan to scratch build off of them, but having a source for a cowl would be great. I have built and flown several 1/4 scale models. All scratch built, usually from someones plans, (I think they technicaly call them plans built), most with the old chain saw motors converted. I don't know if they do that anymore, or just build the bigger motors without having to convert. I built one of those Taylor Craft you built and thought it flew great. I used to get American Modeler Magazine, take the plans and scale them up and build the models without the kits. I built a Sig Cub, modified it to a scale SuperCub and put cables in for controls just like the full size. When I retire I plan to get back into building, hopefully after I rebuild a full size Cub. Have fun with your hobby, it's a good one. Jon

[Rick Allison]

Rick,
Do you know if you can get just the cowl for the 170B you are building? I have the plans and plan to scratch build off of them, but having a source for a cowl would be great. I have built and flown several 1/4 scale models. All scratch built, usually from someones plans, (I think they technicaly call them plans built), most with the old chain saw motors converted. I don't know if they do that anymore, or just build the bigger motors without having to convert. I built one of those Taylor Craft you built and thought it flew great. I used to get American Modeler Magazine, take the plans and scale them up and build the models without the kits. I built a Sig Cub, modified it to a scale SuperCub and put cables in for controls just like the full size. When I retire I plan to get back into building, hopefully after I rebuild a full size Cub. Have fun with your hobby, it's a good one. Jon

Yes, Jon, I'm happy to point you to my source, with a caveat: No one currently makes a 1:6 C170 cowl, but Fiberglass Specialties (website follows) makes a 1:6 l-19 Bird Dog cowl that's close enough for this sport scale kit, so that's what I'm using. The main modification for improved scale is to reduce the size of the small air intake under the prop. Anyway, you can find them at:

http://www.fiberglassspecialtiesinc.com/catalog.htm

Look for the Jack Stafford Models' Bird Dog Cowl. I think it's $38 plus shipping. But it's either that or start carving, right?

A number of manufacturers are building engines for quarter-scale R/C planes nowadays, though I don't have enough space for planes that size. I have a great respect for modelers who can plans-build; a good portion of what I see at the field these days, even 1/4 scale, is ARFs. I'm an odd-man-out for starting off with easy ones and moving to the kits... the Berkeley Cessna is probably my limit, though, for build complexity. But doing it from raw balsa? I salute you!

Yeah, the little Taylorcraft is a pleasure to fly. I'm practicing my three-pointers on it so I don't prang the C170 when I finally get her finished...

Regards,

- Rick