The Upcoming 2009 Mid-America Electric Flies

Flyer

Map & Hotel List

     Last year I really returned to flight instruction once again. I volunteered to be the head flight instructor for the Midwest RC Society for both glow and electrically powered models. I've been contacted by a lot of folks about training them to fly RC planes. Unfortunately, most of these folks have contacted me after purchasing a plane. I've yet to find anyone who has purchased the best trainer plane, sometimes even with my recommendations! Darn!
     Right now, I am satisfied with starting a beginner out using the Multiplex EasyStar RTF (ready-to-fly) to learn the basics of control and orientation. This is really an excellent "introduction to RC flight" plane. My article on the Multiplex EasyStar RTF can be found here:
www.theampeer.org/easystar/easystar.htm
     I still recommend this as THE plane to start with if you absolutely have to train yourself!
     The main problem, when using the EasyStar RTF for training, is that the supplied NiCad battery takes quite a while to charge on the supplied charger. Multiple batteries are required to keep the flight training going during a given session.
     I solved the problem by using a 2S "A123" 2300mAh pack as the power source, but this "fix" requires a special, relatively expensive charger or other device to safely charge the pack.
     Also, the supplied 3-channel/3 function radio system, while more than adequate, doesn't allow for the student's growth.
     Next, I move them to the parkzone T-28 4-channel, rise off the ground (ROG) flight trainer using a buddy box. The parkzone T-28 RTF comes with an unacceptable radio system, due to the supplied receiver being useless. If the receiver is changed to one that actually works with the supplied transmitter, the RC system becomes acceptable.
     In my opinion, the provided Li-Po charger is inadequate and dangerous.
www.theampeer.org/t28/parkzonet28.htm
     If the supplied charger is used for flight training, it takes a long time to charge the battery and multiple batteries are required for several flights during a given flying session.
     After struggling through Horizon Hobbies' less than helpful phone help line information, Gorilla gluing the main landing gear plates in, changing the receiver and purchasing a spare transmitter for a buddy box and changing the battery to a 3S "A123" 2300mAh pack, my parkzone T-28 is a good 4-channel, buddy box, ROG trainer.
     Once my students can successfully and consistently fly around the sky with good control, land and take off, my students are transitioned to "their" trainer of choice, glow or electric power.
     While this "system" works for me, it is hardly universal. I'm probably the only person in the world to do it this way.
     A new student, who actually wants to start out and do it correctly from the beginning, has recently approached me. His final goal is to fly electrically powered models, but it could just as well be glow-powered models.
     My main goal was to find a "trainer" that would work with a 3S "A123" 2300mAh pack. Why? It requires no charger. Why is that important? It keeps the initial cost down and as the student develops a "taste" for the hobby allows the student to choose a charger to suit his or her interests or, if going the glow route, not have a charger that isn't needed.
     If the student wants to move onto glow and gas powered planes, it eliminates learning how to care and feed a 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine and allows the student to concentrate on learning to fly.
     All that is needed to "fuel" a 3S "A123" 2300mAh pack is a 12v battery, a power meter, some "lamp cord" and appropriate connectors.
     I spent a lot of time researching 4-channel/4 function ARF trainer type planes (the flying season has started here) with a shoulder or high wing design that could possibly be used for training purposes.

Rugged: This is especially important for the landing gear. It also must have the landing gear placed correctly.
Relatively Stable: A high or shoulder wing is usually appropriate.
Appropriate CWL: The wing cube loading should not be too light. It is true that the lower the CWL, the "easier" a given plane is to fly. A CWL that is too low limits the plane to light wind conditions and restricts the amount of flying time a beginner can acquire in a given amount of time. For a "trainer", with help of an instructor on a buddy box, an appropriate CWL is between 7 oz./cu.ft. and about 9.9 oz./cu.ft. If a plane has a CWL under 7 oz./cu.ft. it can be "too light" and limit flight instruction to calmer days.
Appropriate Wing Span: A wing span of 50" or better is good for visibility and orientation. Smaller planes are harder to see and orient on at the distances that beginners tend to allow their aircraft reach.
Radio: The best trainer radios are 4-channel or 5-channel 2.4GHz full range types with as few "options" to learn as possible. The transmitter should be easy to buddy the box. I found out the hard way last year that many systems, while incorporating a buddy box function, are not very buddy box "friendly"!
Field appropriate: The plane should be able to rise off of a typical grass RC flying field.
Looks: The student should not love the looks of the trainer. My current students are using a J-3 Cub, T-34 Mentor and nicely painted parkzone Corsair. They really have too much "emotional" investment in their planes, as well as the financial investment. It makes teaching and learning more difficult than it should be.

Great Planes ElectroStik EP ARF 50"
www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUTN8&P=ML
589 sq.in., span 52.75", 3.5 lb. w/3S 3200 Li-Po (about the same with 3S "A123" 3200mAh pack), CWL 6.77 oz./cu.ft., recommended prop diameter 11", $114.99
Rejected: CWL is slightly too light, also
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=938835&highlight=Electrostik

Multiplex Mentor Airplane Kit 64.2"
www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVEP7&P=7
697 sq.in., span 64.2", 4.3 lb. w/3S 3200 Li-Po, CWL 6.46, recommended prop diameter 11" - possibly 12" okay, $139.99
Rejected: CWL slightly too light, asking too much from a 3S "A123" pack at about 100 watts in per cell, also
RC Groups Thread

Sig Kadet EP-42B Blue ARF (Red available)
www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXTLR1&P=7
330 sq.in., span 42", 26 oz. w/provided motor & 3S 1400 Li-Po, CWL 7.5 oz./cu.ft., provided prop diameter 8.5" - possibly 9" okay, $159.99
Rejected: The CWL is good with the stock set-up, but the supplied motor and ESC would have to be replaced for use with a 3S "A123" 2300mAh pack. The flying weight would go up to about 33 oz. for a CWL of 9.5. That is still okay, but the supplied ESC and motor would become "wasted" for the price. The wingspan is a little short, but could be okay.

E-flite Mini Ultra Stick ARF
www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL2250
325 sq.in., span 38.75", 25 oz. w/3S 2100 Li-Po (28.5 oz. with 3S "A123" 2300mAh), CWL w/"A123" 8.4, recommended prop diameter 11", $129.99
Rejected: While the CWL is "good", the span is too short. It is really too small for good orientation.

Apprentice 15e PNP by E-flite
www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL2900
525 sq.in., span, 58", 45 oz., w/3S 3200 Li-Po, CWL 6.46, recommended prop diameter 11", trike landing gear, $229.99 or
Apprentice 15e RTF with DX5e Radio by E-flite
www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL2725
includes Dx5e radio system, $299.99
Rejected: CWL is slightly too light, comes with motor that would have to be replaced for use with a 3S "A123" pack. Tricycle landing gear tend to "blow over" when being taxied in the wind.

Mini-Telemaster ARF
www.hobby-lobby.com/mini-telemaster_6880_prd1.htm
329 sq.in., span 47", 23 oz. w/7-cell 1100mAh NiMH, CWL 6.66 oz./cu.ft., recommended prop diameter 8", $74.90
Rejected: Prop clearance barely usable with 3S "A123" 2300 pack. CWL slightly too low.

E-flite Ultra Stick 25e ARF
www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL4025
480 sq.in., span 50", 3.4 lb w/3S 3200 Li-Po, CWL 8.94, recommended prop diameter 12", $169.99
Possible: Good CWL for decent "windy day" flying. Motor and speed control (ESC) can be selected to match a 3S "A123" pack and 11" or 12" diameter prop.

Model Tech Fledgling Gen-II R/C EP ARF w/BL Motor & ESC
www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/123506.asp
495 sq.in., span 55.5", 3.1 lb. w/3S 2100 Li-Po (54 oz. with 3S "A123" 2300mAh), CWL w/"A123" 8.47, recommended prop diameter 10" Ð looks like can handle up to 12", $169.99 but $149.99 on sale, limited supplies
Possible: Good CWL for decent "windy day" flying. The provided outrunner and ESC "should" be able to use an appropriate 11" or 12" prop when running on a 3S "A123" 2300mAh pack since the recommended prop is a 10x5.

     While both planes should work, I would not consider the E-flite Ultra Stick 25e ARF at this time because it is a &quoe;stick" and can be quite maneuverable. The Model Tech Fledgling Gen-II is a high wing/cabin type, which should make it a bit more stable. The review on RC Groups for the Ultra Stick 25e also notes that it is not really for a beginner.
RC Groups Thread
Be sure to read Dereck's comments.

     I found that this plane is available from several other suppliers, besides the one originally noted.
www.atlantahobby.com/shopexd.asp?id=6023
www.radicalrc.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=241

More info:

     This thread is mostly about the Gen-I plane, which goes back to Speed 600 brushed, and NiCad days, but the new Gen-II is mentioned.
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=542894
     This thread contains mostly comments concerning the Gen-II motor and ESC but with some nice comments about the plane being a good "windy day" flier.
RC Groups Thread

     The motor appears to be a TowerPro Brushless Outrunner 3015-7 1000kv / 470W:
Found Here

     The ESC might be a TowerPro L40-acro 40Amp Brushless Speed Controller
Found Here
and its programming card (optional)
Found Here

     The only major problem that I anticipate, based on the photos, is the landing gear. My best guess is that it will be very soft "Chinese noodle" wire, and with its high "stance" it will probably bend easily.

Radio: Spektrum DX5e 5Ch Full Range Transmitter/Receiver only MD2 (MD2 means mode 2, the most common set-up in the USA with the throttle and rudder on the left stick and ailerons and elevator on the right stick.)
www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPM5500
Check around for best pricing, but the list is only $99.99.
3 Servos: Possibly standard size, but without having the airframe, it is hard to say. ~$30 for standards
Battery: 3S "A123" 2300mAh pack (see article at www.theampeer.org/M1-outrunners/M1-outrunners.htm for sources. ~$40
Prop(s): to be determined, but if the given Kv of 1000 is close, several 12" diameter props should work. ~$3 - $4 each, maybe $12
Power meter: Astro Flight 101N Super Whattmeter With No Connectors - $49.95
Whattmeter Here
Balancer for A123 cells: Astro Flight 106-123 Astro 7quot;Blinky" Battery Balancer for A123 Cells - $29.95
www.astroflight.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=21
Connectors: 6 pairs of Anderson Power Poles - ~$9
Lamp cord: 9 or 10 feet $?
Glue (thin CA & 15 or 30 minute Epoxy), tools? and other items?: ~$20?
Total to get started from scratch: about $480

     Can an expenditure of about $500 be justified when a "beginner's&qot; plane like the HobbyZone Aerobird Swift RTF Electric can be had for $136.00?
www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HBZ7200
     Only the individual desiring to "try" the hobby can really determine that. In my opinion, the Swift, as a trainer, is a dead end, allowing for no further growth. It is hard to train on and I personally find none of the Aerobirds acceptable for any reason. Basically it comes down to, what do you want to do with your time and money?

     After doing the research over a three day period, I ordered the Fledgling Gen-II from Hobby People on Sunday, April 19. You know what will be coming soon. ;-)

Fledgling Photo from Hobby People Web Site

     On Saturday, April 19, the EFO had their first flying meeting of the year. It was held at the Ribcrackers' flying field on Grand River Avenue in New Hudson, MI. A special thanks goes out to EFO member Roger Wilfong for allowing us to visit as guests!
     Most of the exceptional turnout of EFO members occurred about 10:00 a.m. It was a beautiful day, with the temperature in the low 70's by noon. Unfortunately, it was also a very windy day. Most of the EFO member flying took place before 11:00, when the Ribcracker members really started to show up.
     EFO member Jim Maughan took some very nice photos to share with us all.

Leon Narozny's Bipe on final

Tom Bacsanyi's big, beautiful KMP P-38

Tom Bacsanyi's EDF Sabre at lift off

Are we too close to the road?

Roger Wilfong's ElectroStik

Denny Sumner's 4 Star on final

     The next EFO flying meeting is on Saturday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the Midwest RC Society 7 Mile Rd. Flying field in Salem Township, MI. Everyone with an interest is welcome. AMA membership is required to fly. See you then!

     On Sunday, May 3 the Radio Control Club of Detroit (RCCD) presents their 4th Annual Electric Fly-In at RCCD field. It is sponsored by Castle Creations. There is a Landing Fee of $5 for Pilots. The contest director is Mike Pavlock, phone 586-295-3053. More details and the field location can be found at www.rccd.org

     I want to thank all of you who took the time to send a card or an email expressing your sympathy on the death of my mother on March 18.
     It meant a lot to me and lifted my spirits and helped me through all of it more than you'll ever know.
     It once again demonstrated to me what a truly great hobby this is, especially when folks take the time to drop a line from across town or across the globe. A very warm and sincere thank you to you all!