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New plane about ready - 8/17/2005 12:28 AM   
W4UAV



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From: Gainesville, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Ok guys, Ive been working on this plane for about a year now, off and on, mainly off.
The wing is a straightened Tower Hobbies 40 trainer wing, everything else is scratch.
The fuselage is skeleton frame similar to the SIG Kadet Senior to minimize weight, covered in
Dove Grey Monokote, I have Neon Green stripes under the wing. I was going to bolt on the wing,
decided different, too much work. The engine is an OS 32SX-H helicopter engine, they put out 1.2 HP, thats more than
an OS 40 LA. It has a 24 oz. fuel tank, all batteries are up front.
The project for this plane will be a GPS aimed camera dome using the PDC-10 autopilot to aim the
camera at a fixed point like it would the rudder on a conentional UAV. I may put a Co-pilot on it
but it wont be autonomous nor will I will be going for any altitude records, done did all that Im gonna
do. I did add a small flight electronics compartment just forward of the LE, (where the 2.4ghz antenna sticks up)
I plan to put all the camera gear in there with a pull down door thatll have the voltwatches of all batts mounted on the
door so I can see all voltages on the ground when the door is open.
This plane doesnt weigh all that much with the skeletonized frame, itll fly ok I think.
Kinda looks like something familiar though...hmmm?

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RE: New plane about ready - 8/17/2005 12:45 AM   
mklarich


 

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Status: offline 		Dave, I see you viewing this message. Be nice to mikey

Matt

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RE: New plane about ready - 8/17/2005 12:47 AM   
dave jones


 

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Status: offline 		I am talking to Mikey on Skype.
Dave

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RE: New plane about ready - 8/17/2005 5:56 PM   
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Status: offline 		Looks like a certain UAV that I've been eyeing for a while. Do you have one of the really cool, expensive stands though?

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RE: New plane about ready - 8/17/2005 7:45 PM   
kd7ost


 

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Status: offline 		Sweet Mike,

Nice to see the Ghost ready to go. I'm intrigued by your camera guided to waypoint with a PDC-10. Thats a very cool concept. Nice piece of forward thinking. It will be pan only I presume? Any way to adjust the tilt?

Thanks Mike

Dan

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RE: New plane about ready - 8/17/2005 9:20 PM   
W4UAV



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Status: offline 		I did find a page that a group has used an HS55 integrated into the dome:
http://www.ee.byu.edu/magicc/images/archive/Gimbal_web_gallery/
I think I found that page on one of these forums, if I do incorporate tilt
itll be a little depending on if the target is a large area or something specific
closer in, I dunno.

I figured if the PDC-10 will aim the nose of the aircraft using rudder, it can aim
a dome camera on a modded servo.
Dan, I saw a post of yours on another forum about the servo creep eliminator chip/board.
I like that little device.

Ive always been a fan of the Pioneer UAV, it was one of the first and I got hooked on UAVs at
Nauticus in Norfolk VA a couple of years a go. They had a Pioneer hanging above the lobby and from
a kiosk that resembled a UAV Ground station you could remote operate the camera.. I was hooked!
My wife had to drag my away! I was kicking and screaming, made quite a scene!!

The Gray Ghost needs aileron servos mounted and itll be ready. Ill post pics!
Thanks guys!

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RE: New plane about ready - 8/17/2005 9:26 PM   
W4UAV



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Status: offline 		Yeah, the wingspans a little longer on the Pioneer...

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< Message edited by W4UAV -- 8/17/2005 9:33 PM >

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RE: New plane about ready - 8/18/2005 1:34 AM   
lvspark



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Status: offline 		Great job on the plane.. Looking forward to the video.

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RE: New plane about ready - 8/21/2005 3:49 AM   
W4UAV



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From: Gainesville, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Maiden test flight went off today with only minor hitches. I have a little flutter on the thin
rudders I installed. The plane flew great, the straight wing took a little getting used to on roll.
She lands like a dream, after being used to low wing load planes like the SIG LT40 and Kadet Senior
this plane has a great sink rate on landing, a little flare is all it takes to grease a carrier landing
nose high, very impressive. The .32 heli engine pushes it pretty good, I may need to go to a larger
engine if I load it up with more gear than I plan.

It looks great in the air, I got many comments on that today.
Everyone got pics of it but me, Ill have to have some in flight pics taken.

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RE: New plane about ready - 8/31/2005 11:56 PM   
W4UAV



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Status: offline 		Ive just ordered the Sullivan Genesys onboard power system for the Grey Ghost, Tower has them for $94, the lowest
Ive seen it yet. When its installed I want to see how long the OS 32SHX engine runs on its 24 oz fuel tank and the
onboard charger.

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RE: New plane about ready - 9/1/2005 12:38 AM   
kd7ost


 

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Status: offline 		Mike,

Do you have enough prop clearance for a 4 stroker?

That would get you some fuel economy, but it would also dop the rpm and wattage from the Genesys.

Dan

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RE: New plane about ready - 9/1/2005 12:39 AM   
typicalaimster



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Status: offline 		Very good post Sir! Please let us know how the Genisys works out. I've been thinking about picking up one myself.

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RE: New plane about ready - 9/1/2005 2:43 AM   
W4UAV



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Status: offline 		Dan, I put the engine mount right on the thrustline, I shouldve gone up a little, itll clear an 11X7P on takeoff but I like
the RPMs I get with a 10X6P, more clearance too. I am going to fly it full tank and see how long it takes, just for kicks!

T'aimster, Ive been eyeing Genesys for a while, then the price dropped and Tower has a $25 coupon ending at midnight tonight
on a $149 order, so I need a new battery pack for the helicam and a backplate (with built-in needle) for my 46 FX. I sheared it off
in a crash about a year ago, so..$25 is a good deal, covers shipping.

Im working on a drawer for the side now. I want all camera electronics mounted on a drawer-type mechanism that I can slide out
on the side to service or add to, Ill post pics when thats done.

Thanks guys!

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RE: New plane about ready - 9/1/2005 4:07 AM   
kd7ost


 

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Status: offline 		Understood about the prop clearance. I have 3 1/2 inches of clearance with my 18x8P Zingers. Have to order them from Joe Zingali himself at 25.00 each. About 28.00 each by the time you buy a few and factor in the S&H. I did a few flights from gravel roads and it was hit and miss. But, I got prop damage every time. The rocks get sucked up from underneath and hit the props. I thought I would be smart and even though I couldn't find the exact right size, I did find a Master Airscrew 16X10 3 blade pusher at Tower hobbies. Glass filled nylon. It was cheaper too. Only about 15.00 each. It flew the plane just fine so I went back to gravel roads. I did get a dent in one blade and one day while doing some Video switch testing at my lake bed, I threw that dented one. (Sure sounds funny and makes the plane shake bad) I got it set down OK though and chalked it up to that dent. I used a second three bladed prop on a gravel road takeoff about two weeks ago. It was brand new never used. I was about 5 seconds away from rotation when "Whap" and a little dust cloud appeared behind the plane. The engine reved high and I shut it down. It was fairly hard pack so the plane rolled another 30 yards or so before it finally came to a stop. I hate those. Irrigation ditch on one side and fence on the other. Anyhow, I picked up at least one or more rocks and lost the ends of two blades. Thats it, I'll just take off from dirt, vegetation or pavement from now on no matter what prop. I did take the remaining wooden Zingers and put a layer of .5 oz glass cloth with polyester resin on the last three inches then balanced them back out. This keeps the sand and little stuff from sandblasting the ends. I figure after 3 wooden props and two glass filled, (Over $100.00 just in props) I'm designing the next plane with the engine sitting higher. Maybe a single tail boom like Dave Jones planes of AUAV. I just can't quite get comfortable with the geometry of the design. Lots of stress on that single tail mount. I might stick to twin boom but will just have to move the engine mount above the firewall and offset the thrust to compensate. Other than the rocks if I pick a bad runway, The plane flies like it's on rails. Handles cross wind real well etc.

Have you played with your Ghost in cross wind yet. It looks like it wouldn't weather vane bad at all.

Dan

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RE: New plane about ready - 9/8/2005 6:06 AM   
W4UAV



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Status: offline 		Yes, Dan I did a few crosswind landings Saturday, no problems.
I just received the Genesys, (not the device, Khan) the onboard
charger. Looks pretty straightforward, Ill post when I get it installed.


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RE: New plane about ready - 9/8/2005 6:34 AM   
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Status: offline 		The Genesys looks like a really neat thing. How much current does it produce ? Have you tried it yet ??

I really need one of those to recharge my electric powered airplane while I fly

Jett

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RE: New plane about ready - 9/8/2005 6:39 AM   
W4UAV



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Status: offline 		It says up to 800mah, I am at the 'put it on the plane' stage.
You get one of these to recharge your electric as fast or faster than
it expends, we'll talk!!
Many great ideas come from ones garage.

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RE: New plane about ready - 9/16/2005 5:38 PM   
W4UAV



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Status: offline 		The Genesys works flawlessly. It comes with an external LED lead that plugs into the CCU and lights when enough RPM (about 4k)
to charge the battery. As far as output, you get about 100ma at 4000 RPM and up to about 750-800 at 15000 RPM. You can charge a separate pack and plug in nav lights or landing lights.
I find it useful for longer flights, itll counter much of the drain of the main battery pack in flight. I also did not notice any difference in drag on the engine, it still flies it fine.

I still want to try an endurance flight just curious to see how long itll run out 24 oz of fuel, I have a large battery in the transmitter, thatd be the thing to keep an eye on.



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RE: New plane about ready - 11/18/2005 4:30 PM   
kd7ost


 

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Status: offline 		Mike,

Applogies if I'm asking a question you've already answered. (Thats the way these threads go though eh?) How do you mount your booms to the wing? Was the wing a modified ARF wing or something you had control of throughout?

:edited to add another question:

Also, what did your all up weight end up at?

Thanks Mike

Dan

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RE: New plane about ready - 11/18/2005 6:43 PM   
JettPilot



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Status: offline 		Hi Dan,

I have been reading about your prop problems off gravel roads, and it seems that rocks are getting thrown up by your nosewheel. Higher will be better, but I suspect that you will probably get prop damage no matter how high your engine is with the nosewheel kicking the rocks up Some jet airliners have deflectors on the nosewheel to keep water from being sprayed to the engines ( MD-80 ). Maybe some type of deflector behind the nosewheel that is removable would allow you to fly off gravel when you need to.

JettPilot

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RE: New plane about ready - 11/18/2005 7:36 PM   
kd7ost


 

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Status: offline 		I think they're getting vacuumed up. The nose wheel is about 4 feet out in front of the prop. I have a fender on the nose wheel to keep the soft dirt I sometimes fly off of from plastering under the fuselage. It used to get on the latex window once in a while that I have covering the camera lens.

The engine is that 2 cid gas fuji though. I had a wider main LG built and those wheels are spread far. By the time you put an engine like that at full rpm with tips 3.5 inches off the gravel, it's going to pull a few rock up. Any plane will do that actually. I remember having a low wing tiny stunter plane some years back with an OS .25 FP. I had little pieces of black top from our flying field rattling around inside the wing after if got thrown through the monocote but not hard enough to exit out the other side. That plane hugged the ground though.

I think most planes would have similar problems if the pilots are using un-improved area's to fly from. Unless you have your prop tips plenty high above the ground. If I always flew off pavement or low vegetation, it would never be an issue.

Dan

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RE: New plane about ready - 11/18/2005 8:36 PM   
W4UAV



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Status: offline 		I cut the monokote away and epoxy a fixed structure of flat Basswood plate (1/16, 1/8) and corner bracing. I then use the flat plate thats expose on the inside of the boom to cut out for the elevator servo. I use the aluminum mounting plates from helicopter servos.
The outside of the boom is another basswood plate that is epoxied in place for the aileron servo.



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RE: New plane about ready - 11/19/2005 5:32 AM   
kd7ost


 

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Status: offline 		Mike,

What did the ghost weight end up being?

Dan

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RE: New plane about ready - 11/19/2005 11:38 AM   
W4UAV



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Status: offline 		Ill try and weigh it, havent yet. Sorry I missed you on Skype, I turned in early.


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RE: New plane about ready - 11/19/2005 3:48 PM   
kd7ost


 

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Status: offline 		Thanks Mike,

And no problems on the skype miss. I tried pretty late for your time zone.
Skycam 41 is working out the numbers for a version of his own. I'm
trying to collect a few pieces of info and in this case am just intersted in
your wing loading. He has both a .32 and a .53 engine to work with. There
is still that decission on what wing to build with.

Do you ever find yourself wishing the Grey Ghost was a little larger or is it
just right?

Dan

< Message edited by kd7ost -- 11/19/2005 4:12 PM >

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