Cross country Flying

Cross country Flying
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Cross country Flying - 3/11/2006 3:56:08 PM

phues

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From: Champaign, IL, USA
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Am Looking for information on the feasibilty of cross country flying an RC airplane. Has anyone done it?
Pittfalls?
Multi fuel tank systems?
Any info will be helpful.

Thanks

Post #: 1

RE: Cross country Flying - 3/11/2006 7:44:32 PM

w8ye

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Tunnels present a real problem as do steel truss brides and stopped traffic.

Use a larger plane with a light wing loading that can carry lots of fuel.

A big four stroke running at low speed is usually more economical than a two stroke.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Post #: 2

RE: Cross country Flying - 3/11/2006 8:33:21 PM

phues

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From: Champaign, IL, USA
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Thanks, Jim

We're lookin' seriously at a Top Flite DC-3 thinkin' it "should" be able to carry the extra fuel easily. Tunnels aren't a problem here in the flatlands, but Radio Towers can be. Traffic will always be a concern but we have a lot of rural land and can circumnavigate small towns.
What kind of distances and time aloft can be achieved? Are there any rules that need to be adhered to for setting records or whatever? Is there any info anywhere about people who have done this? These are questions we're askin' cuz at this point we have only a small idea of what we're gettin' into. This is an idea that a friend and I have been kickin' around because we're both long distance motorcycle riders, as well as airplane freaks. (crazy people in other words---i.e. we've been known to ride to Alaska for a halibut sandwich) But we want to do this the right way, and not go off half-cocked.

Thanks again for the rsponse, Jim
Dan

(in reply to w8ye)

Post #: 3

RE: Cross country Flying - 3/11/2006 9:39:09 PM

red head

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Lots of people have done it in all kind of stages. Example : Someone flew across the Atlantic. Sail plane flyers have cross country flights all the time. Up in the Chicago area they used to have a cross country fly,I don't know if they still do. I talked with some folks in Kansas that used to do it quite often.

I would think that if you got in touch with AMA they could probably help you out. Especially seeing Dave Brown landed the Atlantic crossing in Ireland I think. That was a world record flight.

My understanding of this kind of thing would be to use a very light High wing plane that can carry a large load like a Telemaster but I'm only going on what I've heard. I did drive for a cross counrty glider a couple times and I'm here to say it can get very interesting. At times I had to really put the peddle to the metal.

I'd suggest you find an area that you can drive around about a mile square and try it there before you venture to far, I think that will give you a fair idea what to expect.

ENJOY !!! RED

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Post #: 4

RE: Cross country Flying - 3/11/2006 10:01:15 PM

phues

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From: Champaign, IL, USA
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Thanks, Red

I'll contact the AMA

Thanks
Dan

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Post #: 5

RE: Cross country Flying - 3/11/2006 10:39:36 PM

Gringo Flyer

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I would think unless you are wanting to do a cross country scale flight another plane other than the DC 3 would be more feasible. Something with lower wingloading that will be a real floater. Keep us posted on what you end up doing it sounds very interesting!

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RE: Cross country Flying - 3/12/2006 12:48:27 AM

w8ye

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Latch onto someone with a convertable car? They will not let you ride in the back of a pickup in some states.

I think the cross country record is up around 380 miles. You will be limited by the hours of daylight.

You will need to use the Sullivan generator on your engine to keep the batteries up.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Post #: 7

RE: Cross country Flying - 3/13/2006 2:19:09 PM

phues

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From: Champaign, IL, USA
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Jim,

I have been wondering about the receiver batteries. Thanks for the tip. Didn't know anyone made a generator for these motors. You can bet I'll be lookin' into one of those.
\
Thanks,
Dan

(in reply to w8ye)

Post #: 8

RE: Cross country Flying - 3/13/2006 2:39:25 PM

w8ye

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Generator

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFV20&P=7

strobe lights may come in handy?

< Message edited by w8ye -- 3/13/2006 2:41:50 PM >

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Original AMA #31261

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Post #: 9

RE: Cross country Flying - 3/20/2006 4:04:30 PM

Deadeye

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The Great Falls club 'Big Sky RCers', does this at least twice a year. Usually the flights are 60 miles or so, and they do stop for refueling / rest along the way. I've seen guys do it in the back of pickups. They dress warm, and use ski goggles to keep their eyes from tearing up.

It is important to have some communication with the driver, ie, like a sliding rear window in the pickup. I have also seen guys do it from the front passenger seat of a car, but they are very experienced doing this.

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RE: Cross country Flying - 3/21/2006 5:23:56 AM

Gremlin Castle

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Bob and Doris Rich did it back in 1975 flying modified Goldberg Senior Falcons using both K&B 40&61 engines. It took them 23 days to cover the 3026 miles plus 16.49 gallons of fuel burned during the almost 69 hours of actual flight time. They started in Kitty Hawk North Carolina and flew to Oceanside California.

quote:

ORIGINAL: phues

Am Looking for information on the feasibilty of cross country flying an RC airplane. Has anyone done it?
Pittfalls?
Multi fuel tank systems?
Any info will be helpful.

Thanks

< Message edited by Gremlin Castle -- 3/21/2006 5:25:49 AM >

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RE: Cross country Flying - 3/21/2006 6:06:44 AM

Deadeye

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Gremlin Castle

Bob and Doris Rich did it back in 1975 flying modified Goldberg Senior Falcons using both K&B 40&61 engines. It took them 23 days to cover the 3026 miles plus 16.49 gallons of fuel burned during the almost 69 hours of actual flight time. They started in Kitty Hawk North Carolina and flew to Oceanside California.

quote:

ORIGINAL: phues

Am Looking for information on the feasibilty of cross country flying an RC airplane. Has anyone done it?
Pittfalls?
Multi fuel tank systems?
Any info will be helpful.

Thanks

That's awesome. That really is a Cross Country in every sense of the phrase.

_____________________________

Randy Rossmiller, proud husband of Terrorist Hunter www.shannenrossmiller.com
Proud & Happy customer of www.slimline.co

(in reply to Gremlin Castle)

Post #: 12

RE: Cross country Flying - 3/21/2006 1:08:56 PM

crasharama

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Some guys here did it with a helicopter, they flew from Tasmania to Melbourne across Bass Straight ! 610km's over water.

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RE: Cross country Flying - 3/22/2006 2:35:27 AM

jlingrel

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From: Huntsville, AL, USA
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Anyone here read about Maynard Hill flying the Atlantic with a GPS equiped plane. I read the article somewhere on the internet a year or two ago. Quite a technological feat when you consider it was done with out government funding.

John

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Post #: 14

RE: Cross country Flying - 3/22/2006 4:30:55 AM