RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Hey guys, it's been a really sad day. You can read the details about it here. I posted this tonight in the hope of maybe helping a parent or a your teen who may read these post avoid the same tragedy. The thread is in Clubhouse.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/A_go...2061729/tm.htm

Please take a minute to read this and then hug your children if you have any. If not, call your parents, if they are still alive, and thank them for being so concerned about you when you were out and about on the town and doing the dumb things that teens do. You can never be too observant or careful. It's a wonder any of us survived being a teenager.
This is the real deal and it's just awful. It can happen to any of us.

On a more positive note. I will have to get the dates for the Big Bird for next year. We still have not finalized this as of this posting. Once I have it I will let you know. Dave, Atlanta would be the best bet for an international flight if you are serious. Honestly, would love to have any of you guys and you all are welcome at my home any time.

I am about as numb as you can imagine right now over the above issue. I knew this young man pretty well and his family. There are 8 guys on the boys varsity tennis team so it's hard not to get to know them all pretty well. As you may remember, I did a slide show from all the matches for the tennis banquet this past year. You get close to them all when you are taking hundreds of photos of them all. Just a senseless tragic loss.

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Roger thanks for the story, it is really sad. I know the other mods have to do their job so I suggest posting this story on my website in the Forums and I will keep it up for you. Very sad [:o]


kindest regards and sympathy

matt naqvi

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Roger, Another quiet weekend on the thread. I tried to get into the link you supplied to find out what happened, but for some reason access has been denied. Obviously some kind of tradgedy so being accustomed to that lately my heart is with you.

If David comes here from the U.K., I will definately drive up for the Big Bird fly in. Your hospitality is appreciated, but I am sure that we would be a housefull. Perhaps we can just get a motel room close by as I don't think you would like me wandering around your house at 5am!! I am only concerned about my equipment as I do not want to leave everything in the back of my truck in a parking lot. Also hoping I could impose upon you for the use of your tools if needed so that I could leave the flight box home. That way I just need to bring the Decathlon, fuel can and transmitter.

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Stoney, the thread was closed and removed because it had nothing to do with RC. I escalated the issue to Marc and he stood by the policy for understandable reasons. Due to the size of the membership there are tragedies happening every day to someone in the hobby. The site is for RC topics and the enjoyment of it's members. If Marc allowed people to post as I did there would be something tragic on RCU all the time. The policy is designed to keep the doom and gloom out for the purpose of keeping the site focused on RC. This in a nut shell is why the post was closed . I understand and will live with it.

No flying for me this weekend. Winds were up yesterday and a funeral today. Just got back. Bearings have been replaced in the 160 and just need an opportunity to get out to the field. Maybe tomorrow.

We will work something out with accommodations and especially keeping the airplanes safe. I will let you guys know the date as soon as it's finalized. A year goes fast, but we have a while to plan. This would be a fun thing to do if we can get it put together.

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Roger,

I agree and think it would be a fun time and a chance for everyone to get together and put faces and personalities that are normally behind computer keyboards. There is plenty of time to plan for this get together and it would be nice if Joe could plan to attend as well. I'm guessing that it would be to far for J.W., although that would be a moot point if David comes from England. I am also assuming at this point that Matt would be too busy with other things as he doesn't always do what he says.

We have our Gathering of the Giants here in Florida in the middle of March. You might want to think about attending. Lets see how the planning for this proceeds. If David comes, I wouldn't miss it for the world!!

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Guys..... :)

Eight hours at the field Sat THEN another Eight hours Sunday too..!...All the gang were there ..best w/end of the year ...;)...bit breezy, but 32 centigrade...:)small britches got loads of time in with me on the "Buddy" lead..and i've got sunburnt [:@]..Been looking at flights to Atlanta, :)..cant see any problems there just a case of exactly when..loads of diferent options attatched to this outing ...all V apealing ;)... more on that later...couple of pics..chat in a bit ...its 3 A.M. :)..lots to do at work this week , on vacation as of next Sat...:D

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

I finally got my second UCD in the air on Sunday. I can say that the OS .91 four stroke is a big improvement over the OS .91 two stroke that was in the first one.
I never got to fly the first one with the cowl on and I can see what everyone meant about how different the plane flies with it on. I tried to land this one like I did the first one and almost lost it. It took me a while to figure out what was different.
But I got to say that I am really going to have allot of fun with this plane assuming there are no more radio problems.

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Hey Guys,

Mine is all finished except for the canopy, balancing and transmitter setup;). I have to go to the LHS in the morning to get two extensions to go from the receiver to the wing as I'm enabling the flaperons. I plan to do a preliminary balance tonight to see where the weight needs to go.

Joe, I will balance at 4 7/8" as we discussed. Should I be dead level, or slightly nose heavy??

David,

Do you remember how many turns in your elevator control horns are set?? I'm using the same Dubro ones that you have. I noticed that I CAN NOT turn them to make adjustments with the elevator screwed on. I will need to get them right on or real close as I plan to epoxy the elevator to the airframe.

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Stoney..

Yup.;).. the horn bit was origonally set at halfway down the threaded bit..and in the middle of the Du-Bro, Hitec standard, H/D servo arm, this was fine with 100% servo movement for "High" rate on normal flying...HOWEVER...for 3D rates the horn had to be 3/4 down the threaded bit, and out 2 more holes on the servo arm...is that confusing or what...[:@] pic shows initial settings.

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Stoney, its a real treat to try to get this to stay perfectly still on the CG machine. What you will have to settle for is, if it falls to the front as easily as it falls to the back, then your there. Should balance this plane upside down on the CG machine and 4-7/8 is considered nose heavy, so its not necessary to favor the nose like a trainer.

Hondalan, Only lost one to radio trouble? I lost two before I figured it out and outfitted the third UCD with all new gear only to have the crystal pop out. I gotta tell you, #4 is magic. The UCD can keep your attention all night, every night.

There is nothing like going to the field, flying a plane and in your spare time shooting the breeze with others instead of fixing and adjusting. Yesterday afternoon was glorious, sunny, warm and zero wind. Been waiting all summer for that. Later, Joe

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

I've been to the mountian, for meditation and experimentation. On the recommended 3D throws, you will find, that like the rudder, the control surfaces, are too big for this plane. On 3D elevator, as well as 3D rudder settings, it will stall the plane. Even with the thrust and massive airflow from the YS, it will stall. With 30% of rudder removed and @ low rate setting, it will still do a knife edge loop. Try swinging your rudder 4 inches in either direction, just be ready. The three inches on the elevator is a bit much as well. I can see 3D throws on elevator only if it is mixed with ailerons, example....... elevator up/ailerons down. Spoilerons? Ailerons are the perfect size, max linkage setting, max ATVs, max rates. It will spin like a top below cruising speed. I tried the 3D settings and ended up toneing them down. Be carefull and have fun with them.....up high. Joe

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

O.K. Guys I think I got it.

To be on the safe side I'll set up the throws per the instruction manual in the morning and go from there. First flight will be on low rates anyways.

Thanks for the tip Dave I was too far out and when I made the carbon fiber pushrods I set everything up from the last hole out. I will not epoxy the elevator until everything looks good. Looks like this weekend is out for flying, look at our weather forecast. Tropical storm (maybe hurricane), "Charlie" is due to pay us a visit on Saturday. After 8" of rain last week the ground is saturated and this could be a real problem for us. Florida sometimes is not all what it is cracked up to be!! If you care to look, we are on the Gulf Coast between Tampa and Naples.

Joe, I'll get her level without the Cline onboard. That way should be just slightly nose heavy when I install the regulator. All the plumbing is done, just need to install the regulator after break in. If we are not running for our lives, I'll take the photos this weekend. Please get with me on our other project;). B....

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Gentlemen,
Hooked everything up this morning, set the throttle and rudder throws. When I got to the elevators guess what nothing, nada, zippo, nothing. Thought perhaps the Y harness came unplugged even though I shrink wrapped the connections. In the interest of diagnostics I hooked my servo tester up and everything worked fine. Took another receiver out of another plane and everything worked fine. Hooked the new receiver back up double checking the connections and again nothing on channel 2. It would appear that this brand new receiver is bad[:@].

I'll see if the LHS will switch it out this morning or make me send it back to Hitec. Shouldn't matter anyways as the forecast track for "Charley" has been revised. Forecasts now predict the storm to be a category 1 or 2 hurricane over the top of us sometime on Friday. Be thinking about us this weekend.

RE: u-can-do 60
 

I saw a 40 size U Can Do fly with a Saito 100 and it flew beautifully. I like larger planes so I'm planning to buy the 60 size. Anyone have experience installing a Saito 120 in the 60 size plane and if so will it fit without a lot of mods?

K.O.

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Stoney..[:-]

Just seen the weather you look like getting...gulp..[:-]...good luck :)...you might need a different prop to fly today...;)...Dave

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Dave,

Thanks like a ramjet!! It's 3:30 am here and the thunderstorms just woke me up. We'll be riding it out here at home so be thinking about us. The worst is supposed to be late this afternoon through about 8pm.

LHS switched the receiver out (Hitec Supreme shift selectable), hooked up the new one and instantly got full down elevator. Called Hitec they could offer no suggestions other than fax them the receipt. They would instantly ship another receiver and send a pickup for the bad one. Pretty nice I thought, while in the process of doing that, I hooked up my Hitec RCD 3500 8 channel Supreme and everything worked perfectly so I left it installed. The airplane is ready so now just need to be around later to try her!! Brian....

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

After only 15 flights the UCD wend down in blaze of glory, right into the paved runway, the cause of the accident is unknown, possibly radio interference, I have two models on the same frequency, and both have had moments of erratic control, which involves throttling up, and snap rolling, this time it happened 20 feet above the runway, I have been told the problem may be truckers using illegal linear amps on their CBs. The cause is irrelevant, but the structural damage is of note. I have heard how the tail and landing gear have had problems. In this crash, the fuselage was demolished, and the only thing that held together was the tail and landing gear, matter of fact, I am reusing the landing gear on the new model I started building. I used the high strength Lock Tight on the gear bolts, if you use high strength don’t plan on ever taking off the gear, I had to rip the gear off the remaining amount of fuselage, which took considerable strength, and grind the blind nuts off, and I would say the gear was installed fairly well. The Tail and tail surfaces were intact with about 2 inches of fuselage still attached remaining at the leading edge of the horizontal stab. The wing bolts did not shear, they rarely do in any crash, maybe because I tighten them too much, the wing mounting bolts broke out, and the dowel pins with a big chunk of balsa leading edge broke out of the wing, minor tip damage to the wing also occurred. Note: I did epoxy the horizontal stab in place.

I any of you want pictures of the damage, I can post them. Most everything is the same as it was when it crashed, except I removed all the control horns and ripped out the landing gear. Once you build one of these, the second time around goes like light speed, with only a total of 4 hours, spent over two nights, I already have the wing finished with servos and control links adjusted, and tail installed, should be finished up tonight, or early tomorrow if I put about another 4 hours in, ready for flight latter tomorrow. I was fairly lucky with the engine, OS 91 surpass II with pump, the carb was destroyed, the needle valve broke out the base metal and wollered out the needle hole, new carb $100, that’s one third cost of the engine, I feel like I have been rapped.

olstoney, I like you appache logo, I worked on the longbow appache program, as an engineer, for almost 10 years.

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Martin,
Sorry for your loss, but I would double check everything with that radio before trying it again. Is anyone else having problems or just the frequency that you are using?? We have a similar problem at our airfield, but it only seems to effect channel 36 no others so figure that one out.

The Apache was the closest thing I could find that was appropriate for me. I have over 300 combat hours in Hueys during the late 60'S. There I go giving my age away again!! Good luck with your new project. The rain and wind are starting here now, They expect the storm to be a Category 3 (Winds over 110mph) 65 miles due west of us about 2pm today. Better shut the computer down and get it to higher ground.

Later Guys Get With You When We Are Able. Brian....

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

martin18152 - Sorry to hear about the "blaze of glory " .......Man, I hate to hear that. Might want to get a frequency tester to see what's going on with the airwaves.

Stoney, looks like you guys are right in the path. Batton down the hatches. BTW - thanks for serving our country. I had a good friend who flew Hueys about the same time. Howard Smith, from Lakeland, Fl. my home town. Long shot but thought I would ask.
Still having engine woes with the 91. Just no umph. Think I am going to either try cooking with antifreeze in the crockpot or sending back to OS.

My engine woes on the 160 are behind me now. 160 running great with the new bearings and crankshaft. 8940 rpms and zero DS after 6 flights. All seems to be working just fine. Soucy is a very nice airplane. Would highly recommend. You would really enjoy assembling this one.

I broke down and decided to build a kit. I picked up a 1/4 scale 105" WS Piper Cub in an estate sale. Got it for 100.00. Not a bad deal if you want a cub, which I have never had. Should be a fun fall project.

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Olstoney, I had plenty of dealing with the UH-1, at the old Rock Island Army depot. Rummer has it that they could build the frame up from scratch, and a quite a few T-53s( I think it was the T-53 the Huey used) have come up missing, lol, some one is got their own private Huey and is still flying it around today.

I only been in one hurricane, and they are scary, I got chased out of Pensacola once, kept driving north till it was time to go to bed.

I fly on 49, and at two different fields, one public, and one is my club’s. Unfortunately the club field is the only one having this problem. I don’t think it’s the transmitter, but it’s possible. There has been a rumor on possible sabotage, I find this hard to believe, one disgruntle neighbor has been trying to shut down the club field; he lives about 1 mile away. He has come to the field on sever occasions and expressed his feeling in no uncertain terms. We are on the river bottom in a corn field, about 1 mile from the interstate HWY.

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Hello to all! Hope you made it ok Stoney!!

Got a few flights in tonight and the more I fly the more I am dissapointed. It's not too bad though, easy fixes. I need to add a few degrees of down thrust, I cannot hold a hover without some elevator input and uplines tend to want pull over as well. I also need to balance the wing, it favors one side very heavily and is a handful in the hover. Other than that its fun! I will order some Ernst thrust plates and see what happens....again.. :eek:



matt

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Brian, I hope its just the power or your phone lines that are out, curious as to your decision to ride out the storm. Nothing good to be said in the news.

Well, Olstoney's bad weather blew by on Saturday and yesterday turned out to be one of the better ones. Got to fly at two different fields on Sunday, with the only rain activity as we traveled from field to field. Just under 8 hours of flying and the UCD was shineing. It was also in good company, here is Al's 35% with a 3W 150 twin and 45 hours of air brushing. Check it out. Joe

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

nice pics Joe! I cant believe you get guys get to fly for soo long! I am lucky to get in 2-4 flights a weekend. I will make a point to the spnd most the day at the field soon. I want to go through a gallon in 1 day! Well..ill try ;)


matt

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Matt, thats not always the case. For two weeks I reminded wifey, you know....the way they remind us, that we were going to another field. Persistance paid off, she actually told me to have a good time. I really wanted to see the Heli jocks there. Only one showed and did not fly while we were there. No planes of interest either, so no pics. I did more BS than flying and only burned a half gallon. The way the weather is, if its not raining, then you have to be flying. Later, Joe

RE: u-can-do 60 II
 

Hey Guys,

We survived Charley!! We evacuated at the last minute when our local news guys noticed that the storm was consistently turning towards us and not going north as predicted by the National Hurricane Center. The eye of the Hurricane passed 12 miles due west of our home. We lost the shingles on our south side roof causing water damage to our master bedroom. We lost three large trees and most of the screening on our rear porch that is 46'X 20'. We feel very fortunate that there was no damage to any of my aircraft, equipment or our personal household effects. This could have been much worse for us as I'm sure that you guys have seen footage on the news. This has been quite an adventure for us. Please pardon me for cutting this short as we are very busy. We just got our power and water back at 5:30pm and as some of you are personal friends, we wanted to let you all know we were O.K. Be back ASAP. Brian....