It Was a Lovely Day!  
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It Was a Lovely Day! - 3/30/2005 1:18:10 AM   
Eagle Al


 

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/28/2005
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Status: offline 		I got out today, for the first time this year, and took 10 flights on my Duraplane Trainer 40. I even managed to land 10 times too!

I have to say the Duraplane is a great aircraft too. Over a weekend I often see a half a dozen or so fatalities where the pilots walks away with a pile of balsa wood. That's the problem with the typical plane if one doesn't land it just so. I do pretty good landings, but on occassions, I flop it in or miss the runway and end up in the farmer's corn. Of course, today the corn wasn't up, but the plowed ruts were still there from last year.

Once upon a time, I was a naval aviator, but I retired a couple years ago and took up models. I spent the Winter training with the FMS (Flying Model Simulator), and the training was effective. With only a couple hours of real stick time last Fall, I was up in the air today without a problem or glitch. I have had a lot of experience over the years with simulators, so I wasn't surprised that my winter training paid big dividends.

Good equipment pays too. I have got to say my OS Max 40 is a super reliable engine, so I didn't have any dreaded dead stick landings. My Airtronics VG400 radio also does a fine job. Did any of you ever notice that the standard Airtronics servos develop 50 in-oz of torque? That's considerably more than most other standard makes!

Finally, for those of you looking for a good flight simulator, I highly recommend FMS. Check out their website:

http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html

You might also notice a couple of my posts in the Joystick Interface Forum regarding an interface to FMS: Oh the Joy and More Joy!

Ciao,

Eagle Al



_____________________________

He who ends up with the most toys doesn't win anything in this life. The winners are those who had a good journey!
       Post #: 1

RE: It Was a Lovely Day! - 3/30/2005 1:35:13 AM   
RCKen



Posts: 14717
Joined: 7/10/2002
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Status: online 		Eagle,
I'm jealous, you got to fly today!!! I've noticed other Dura-plane pilots laugh about repairs, something about heading to the hardware store.

Glad you had a good day. Hope you get more. I've still got 3 more days till saturday when I get to fly (fingers crossed, please please please please givef us good weather).

_____________________________

The take off is optional, but the landing is MANDATORY!!
AMA # 712539 www.gettingairborne.com
Moderator- Beginner''s, Sport Flying, Off-Topic, & AMA Discussions
RCU Community Moderator

(in reply to Eagle Al)
       Post #: 2

RE: It Was a Lovely Day! - 4/1/2005 6:53:23 PM   
Eagle Al


 

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/28/2005
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Status: offline 		RCKen:

I follow the weather reports and plan my outings. Since I'm retired, I can pick my days. For example, this coming Monday and Tuesday are supposed to be 70 & 75 respectively. Also I go out in the early mornings to take advantage of light winds. During the rest of the day until usually early evening, the winds play the devil with most models.

I've dumped the Duraplane in a couple of times. Once I lost sight of it or could barely see the control surfaces. I just shut down the engine and let it land itself! Not a scratch on it! I doubt that I'll ever bother with a conventional model just due their weak flimsy construction. I don't care much for trying to glue a thousand pieces of balsa back together - not my idea of fun. Besides, the Duraplane only cost $55, and I have the building experience and the parts for the second one.

Ciao,

Eagle Al

_____________________________

He who ends up with the most toys doesn't win anything in this life. The winners are those who had a good journey!

(in reply to Eagle Al)
       Post #: 3

RE: It Was a Lovely Day! - 4/1/2005 10:14:44 PM   
DBCherry


 

Posts: 5554
Joined: 1/25/2002
From: Hubbardston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		But balsa's lighter and flys so much better. (Waits for the flaming to begin.)

I've been flying for about 9 years now, and very rarely have a bad landing or crash a plane, so I really don't worry about having to glue 'em back together. For me, those plastic planes just don't cut it. But whatever you enjoy is what counts.

By the way, the standard Futaba servos have 46 ounces of torque, not enough less that you'd ever notice.
Dennis-

_____________________________

He who dies with the most toys is, none the less, still dead.

(in reply to Eagle Al)
       Post #: 4

RE: It Was a Lovely Day! - 4/2/2005 12:53:53 AM   
Pilot Chad


 

Posts: 2127
Joined: 1/22/2005
From: Madison, AL, USA
Status: offline 		I love my balsa trainer. I also try to plan my flights. Gonna try to go aroun 8 in the morning sunday so i can get some good skies with little wind. I got to try my new parachutes... Oh the joy

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AMA #837611
Joined a club and am happy as can be.

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RE: It Was a Lovely Day! - 4/2/2005 2:08:52 PM   
flycfii


 

Posts: 764
Joined: 2/17/2005
From: Roselle, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Newb- I saw your post about the parachutes- they actually work?? That's pretty cool. Ahhh....the power of a twisted mind....!!

So, you go inverted and they just kinda fall out and deploy, right?

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#26 Club Saito
RIP, W.R.

(in reply to Pilot Chad)
       Post #: 6

RE: It Was a Lovely Day! - 4/2/2005 5:53:06 PM   
Wynterhawk


 

Posts: 57
Joined: 9/10/2003
From: Killingworth, DC, USA
Status: offline 		DB Cherry, The ol SPAD planes are getting lighter as we discover new techniques and material combinations. I have attached a few pics of two of my SPAD's....one is a 40 size sport plane called Firebird, 48" wing, 5 3/4 pounds and 20 oz/sf wing loading which is pretty respectable, the other is a combat model called Mad Maxx, 3 1/2 pounds, 17 oz/sf wing loading.....the use of 2mil coro has made a big difference in weight.... but as you say, what ever makes your heart beat....

Attachments
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Thanks

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       Post #: 7

RE: It Was a Lovely Day! - 4/2/2005 5:55:05 PM   
Wynterhawk


 

Posts: 57
Joined: 9/10/2003
From: Killingworth, DC, USA
Status: offline 		Ah...let me try taht again...here's Maxx

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Thanks

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       Post #: 8

RE: It Was a Lovely Day! - 4/14/2005 7:26:22 PM   
Eagle Al


 

Posts: 70
Joined: 3/28/2005
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Status: offline 		The Duraplane Trainer 40 always get a bad rap from the balsa guys. My Duraplane weighs around 5 pounds which isn't that heavy. The plane does handle the wind quite well too. Also when the power is shut off, it comes in - it doesn't float around like some trainers. I consider that a virture, and if my approach isn't quite right, I can always add power and go around.

I never believe those people who fly balsa planes and claim to never have any mishaps. I have seen experienced R/C pilots bust them up left and right. Remember you're flying a little model in a huge environment of air and heat. You're going to screw up once in a while. I have 40 years of flying combat aircraft (full scale) as a Naval Aviator and a test pilot for a military contractor. I have spent a lot of time in the cockpit doing some serious praying. As a result, I have become not only old but still bold!

Ciao,

Eagle Al

_____________________________

He who ends up with the most toys doesn't win anything in this life. The winners are those who had a good journey!

(in reply to Eagle Al)
       Post #: 9

RE: It Was a Lovely Day! - 4/15/2005 3:03:22 AM   
Pilot Chad


 

Posts: 2127
Joined: 1/22/2005
From: Madison, AL, USA
Status: offline 		fly, the parachutes worked great. The only problems with them were my fault. The more strings you use the better they open

_____________________________

AMA #837611
Joined a club and am happy as can be.

(in reply to Eagle Al)
       Post #: 10

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