Flying High With Electric Power! The Ampeer ON-LINE! May 1999 The Club Newsletter of the Electric Flyers Only, Inc AMA Charter 2354 Walled Lake, MI, USA Editor: Ken Myers Fly the Future - Fly Electric!

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1911 Bradshaw Ct.	240 Cabinet	4733 Crows Nest Ct.
Walled Lake, MI 48390	Milford, MI 48381	Brighton, MI 48116
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4733 Crows Nest Ct.	18200 Rosetta	1911 Bradshaw Ct.
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The Next Meeting: Date: Thursday, May 6 Place: Rushton Rd. Flying Field, South Lyon, MI Time: 7:00 P.M. or ASAP

What's In This Issue?
MI Plane Ratings	Ken On the ElectriCub, Again	On Fusing	Where’d the Schoolyard Foamie Go?	The Folding Flyer
Lots of Ways to Get There from Here	NEAC News	Muncie Weekend 1999	Low-Lizz Plans	1999 Mid-Am Flier
Hotel Listing and Map for Mid-Am '99	Printable map to Mid-Am field	Upcoming Events
Send Ken email

NOTE: KRC 1999 has been canceled. More information next month.

Some New Ratings

John Houvener, 1105 Ashman St., Midland, MI 48640 wrote recently to ask some questions, and he also sent along some of his ratings for his planes. Thanks John.

Olympic II Sailplane: ***** Geared Speed 600, 7.5 minutes of power run and 20 minutes flights in dead air. (Couldn’t agree with you more. One of my all time favorites. I like to loop, stall turn and fly inverted with mine. It was the reason for the 15-minute pin rule at a glow club I belonged to! Km)
Old-timer Ben Buckle Buccaneer 66: *** geared Astro Flight 05, 10 minute flights with power control (terrible kit)
Ace PuddleMaster: *** Astro Flight direct drive 05, very sensitive to CG - sometimes a good flight, sometimes awful.

Built but not flown yet: Comet Piper Cruiser (rubber kit) speed 280, 10.4 oz. and ElectriCub with geared 1.72:1 Goldfire and 7 or 9 cells. Weight, ready to fly with 7 RC2000 - 46.65 ounces.

I’ve written on the ElectriCub many times, stating that I believe that the provided and recommended power system is inadequate. The "Ruth Chin" debacle proved that to the world. I’ve previously made power system recommendations that can really fly this plane. Here is my latest recommendation, using my favorite motor, the Astro Flight 035. The airframe, in my basement, weighs 20.2 ounces. If a small light weight, but not tiny, radio system weighing about 6 ounces, including speed controller and 270mAh Rx pack is used, that means a 26.2 ounce weight, less power system. The power system can be an Astro Flight geared 2.38:1 035 with 9 RC-2000 cells swinging a 9x6 prop. That brings the ready to fly weight to about 53 ounces. This would yield a wing loading of 15.9 oz./sq.in. If the use of a standard size radio system is desired, including a 550/600mAh pack, the power system of my choice could be the geared 2.82:1 Astro Flight 035 with 10 RC-2000 cells swinging a 9.5x6 prop. This one, ready to fly, would weigh about 59 ounces and have a wing loading of 17.7 oz./sq.ft. Either one would be a pleasure to fly with the wing loadings and both will have quite long flight times, and be relatively "sprightly"', doing all of the 3-channel aerobatics. Definitely a good way to make a good plane better.

An odd coincidence happened the other day. I had just read Martin Irvine’s March Quiet Scale column in Electric Flight International (Traplet House, Severn Drive, Upton-upon-Severn, Worchestershire, WR8 0JL, England www.traplet.co.uk - distributed in N. America: Carstens Publications Inc., PO Box 700, Newton, NJ - phone: 973-383-3355). His column covered fuses, cabanes and struts. I was particularly interested in his fusing recommendations, and was just about to build my fuse/switch combination for the Junior Falcon. Not five minutes after setting down the issue, John Sermos called to talk about the importance of fusing. While the aspect of using fuses in electric aircraft can become a "religious" issue to many, I use them. I use them because they do double duty. My fuse acts as my safety switch as well. I believe in using parts for multiple purposes whenever possible. For example, I use wing dowels and landing gear plates as fuselage cross-members. This helps to keep the parts count and weight down. On occasion, I also fly in Canada, where fuses are required. John has given his permission to use his printed fuse information here. Sermos 1 Sermos 2 Sermos 3 I’ve also printed Martin’s diagrams, and highly recommend that you subscribe to EFI ASAP. Martin 1 Martin 2 Martin 3 The price is worth it, just to read Martin’s column! The photos show the parts and my "homemade" fuse/switch. Myers 1 Myers 2 Myers 3

Back in October of 1998, Chris and I took holiday to St. Ignace, MI. I’d taken my laptop to stay in touch with email, but… I’d forgotten that I had information on the laptop to share with you. Oops. Sorry about the tardiness.

With the Schoolyard Foamie, Blue Foamie and Push-E-Cat leading the pack of high fun, low cost, good flying, low emotional involvement aircraft, a new challenger has entered the fray.

Sailplane and Electric Modeler, PO Box 4250, W. Richland, WA 99353; Phone/fax (509) 627-0456 or www.semodeler.com has a great May issue! The first article that "sparked" my interest was the conversion of a glow 1/5-scale ARF Bleriot XI by David Elias. David explained his powering method reasons in the May issue, and will continue in the June issue. The plane is imported by Bob Brooke of 3 Sea Bees Models. Unfortunately, how to contact 3 Sea Bees Models or Bob Brooke was not in the article, and a search of the internet proved fruitless. Since Dave had the data for the glow version of the plane, the actual airframe weight was known. According to the data in the article, the airframe weighs 74 ounces. That is pretty heavy for this 832 sq.in. plane. He stated that the finished flying weight, with 16 oz. of fuel was 129 ounces and thought that he could actually bring the e-version under that weight. He based his calculations on the 129 ounces. For further "guesstimating", I’ll use 130 ounces.
As I stated before, I like to use 50 watts of power out for my somewhat aerobatic models and would probably use something less for this type of model, except that it has a LOT of drag with flying wires, and open fuselage structure. At 8.125 pounds, 406 watts of output power would be needed. I use 85% efficiency for predicting brushless, 77% for brushed cobalts and 70% for brushed ferrites. Therefore brushless input should be about 477 watts, brushed cobalt 527 watts and brushed ferrite 580 watts. Using 25 amps static draw; 477 / 25 = 19 cells, 527 / 25 = 21 cells and 580 / 25 = 23 cells.
At 130 ounces the prop diameter could be (Sqrt((130 * 1.25) / Pi)) * 2 = 14 inches, and because this is a SLOW model a 7 pitch would be a good choice. At 130 ounces, the wing loading is 22.5 oz./sq.ft. and the stall speed would be about 17.55 mph. Since this model will not be aerobatic, about 2.5 times the stall speed should be okay. The target airspeed would be about 44 mph. The minimum required KRPM would be 44 / 7 = 6.286 KRPM. At 407 watts out, a 14x7 is turning about 6.6 KRPM yielding 46.2 mph, which probably won’t be attainable with this draggy plane, but probably enough about the minimum to be okay.

In the last issue of NEAC News we discussed the Limited Motor run (LMR) events for this year’s Nats; now it is time to talk about Scale and Pylon.
The schedule is set for Sport Scale and Fun Scale to take place on Thursday, August 5. By providing an alternative to sailplane and old timer competition and to enhance diversity in the types of models which are flown at the E-Nats, we hope these events will attract flyers who have not previously considered joining in the festivities. Perhaps the Nats bug will bite with enough effect to bring about more general interest in the competition world. Who knows? To be sure, the AMA would be unlikely to grant official status to these two scale activities since anyone who wishes to compete in (glow) scale, using an electric model, is free to do so. In fact, it has already been done success-fully and will surely increase in the coming years.
The following is an overview of our scale events, but please consult the AMA Rule Book (new this year!) if you plan to participate:
Sport Scale will be run in ac-cordance with the AMA Sport Scale Rules, event #511. Proof of scale and drawings or photos of no more than eight 8.5" x 11" pages are required. Static judging will occur with the judges located 15 feet from the model for a maximum of 100 points. Another 100 points is the top award for the flight score which will consist of the average of the best two out of three flights. Each flight will consist of 10 maneuvers; five are optional and five are mandatory. The inescapable or mandatory portion consists of: ROG; Figure 8; Fly Past; Landing; and Re-alism in Flight. Optional maneuvers, from which you must choose five, are: Taxi; Straight Flight Out; Procedure Turn; Straight Flight Back; Inside Loop; Outside Loop; Barrel Roll; Speed Run; Spin; Cuban 8; Touch-and-Go (counted as two options); Overshoot; Sideslip; Triangular Circuit; Rectangular Circuit; Traffic Pattern Approach; Spot Landing; Slow Speed Pass; Chandelle and any other maneuver typi-cal of the prototype and cleared by the CD.
Up to three of the following Scale Operations may be flown instead of an optional maneuver: Retract and Ex-tend Gear; Flap Operation; Bomb Drop; Torpedo Drop; Parachute Drop; Crop Dust-ing and any other maneuver typical of the prototype and cleared by the CD. If 10 ma-neuvers cannot be completed by the majority of contestants, then the best eight ma-neuvers will be scored.
The purpose of the Fun Scale event is to increase participation and enjoyment. This event is limited to single- motor, 1/2A aircraft. However, for 1999, we will allow multi-motor or other slight deviations from the rules with minor point deductions as a result. Our rules will follow those for AMA Fun Scale Event #520. Static scoring will consist of a score of 0 or 5 with the maximum points for contestants who show proof that there actually was a full-scale model of the same type, paint and marking scheme. Flight scores will be the same as Sport Scale except that ROG is optional, not mandatory.
Pylon (1/2A) will follow the rules on the Nats Information Sheet which is contained in the contestant’s registration packet. Because of the required support equipment, it will take place only if a minimum number of 10 contestants is registered by May 1, 1999.
For the various events we will need Event Directors, Timers, Judges and Helpers. If you can assist, please let me know as soon as possible. Without volunteers, we cannot function. Hope to see you there.

You can join NEAC (the National Electric Aircraft Council) for $15 a year. Contact Doug Ward, and support our national electric flight organization. NEAC #4 Ken Myers

The "Muncie Weekend" will be held again this year. The VR/CS newsletter will have the announcement when it is published, but I am sending this early information to those who attended last year. Art Schroeder has agreed to conduct his "un-contest" for Class 1 & 2 , using the maneuvers and rules existing in the early ‘60s. If you will remember, Class 1 was rudder only, and Class 2 was rudder and elevator, or aileron and elevator. Of course, throttle control was permitted in either class. So get your oldie ready and participate in the "un-contest". Trophies will be awarded to the winners (First place only. We are on a limited budget).
Delmar Johnson will be contest director this year. Entry fee is $5 by mail, $10 at the field. So save five bucks by getting your entry in now. Send to Delmar, address below. If you have read this far you are probably wondering "when?" I didn’t forget, it’s May 22 and 23!
This will be the 3rd annual "Muncie Weekend" for the Vintage R/C Society. We fly old-time designs, R/C and free-flight (R/Ced). Though not a strictly electric event, we have had many e-planes in the past. E-Playboys are very popular.

Once again, Carlo has provided us with a FREE plan. The specs are: Motor: Cobalt 15 - 25, Cells 12 - 16, 1700SCRC, Weight: 70 - 90 oz., Span: 50 7/8 in., Chord: 12 in., Area: 571 sq.in., Wing Loading: 17.6 - 23 oz./sw.ft., Note: Cover with MonoKote or Micafilm.
Here is what Carlo had to say after the first flight: The Low-Lizz flew this morning and the flight was great. However the front wheel fell off during the flight and the landing was less than graceful. Knocked a rudder off when it flipped over in the grass. Quite minor in fact it can be repaired in 5 minutes.
The take off was straight ahead with the trike gear and it required some down trim and right aileron trim. After trimming the plane was looped and rolled from level flight. Power is the trusty Astro 15 geared cobalt and 12 1700 SCRC cells. The prop used is the 13-6 Top Flight Super M. I did not take RPM and current readings this time but the power was more than enough.
Weight was 88 oz. total (a little on the high side) and the plans indicate 15 to 25 cobalt required. The fact that it flew well with the 15 cobalt means that it would be real dynamite with the 25 cobalt and 16 cells.
Attached is the zipped DXF file for the Low-Lizz, people can download this one for free as well. I will send you pictures as soon as the film has been developed so people can see what it looks like.
Many Thanks, Carlo
P.S. I received the pictures from Tim Knowles on the progress he has made with the Gee Bee. He has done a great job so far!
If you don’t have Internet service, and can’t download the plans and put them into your CAD program, I’ll be happy to print them on 8.5x11 paper and mail them to you for assembly. The cost will be the cost of postage and a $1 for my paper and ink. That ink jet ink is expensive! Thanks again Carlo from all of us.