I am just now returning to the R/C hobby after a 35 year absence. (Abducted by aliens. :-) During those 35 years, I got my pilot's license and learnd a lot more about aerodynamics than I knew from my model days. One of the key things that I've learned is the importance of airspeed, especially during landings. Unfortunately, modelers have to guess what their airspeed is, based on visual clues, since we don't have any on-board feedback device.

There is no doubt that electronics have advanced tremendously in those 35 years, especially in R/C gear (my first radio was a Galloping Ghost!) So why hasn't someone designed an airspeed detector small enough for our models that would relay our plane's airspeed back to the pilot? The R/C car guys have engine temperature sensors that let the driver know how his motor is doing...

Or is this just a dumb idea? It's okay, I can take your ribbing if it is. It's just something that I was wondering about. (I'm also wondering if the guys who build models of airliners install servos that make their flight crews walk around with "On Strike" signs after every fifth landing. Now THAT would be true scale!)

There are on board instruments that will transmit back to the pilot lots of information (airspeed - via pitot tube, ground speed (via gps), engine temperature, engine rpm, altitude, etc. Eagle tree is a leading manufacturer. Cost is quite reasonable compared to what it would have taken many years ago. welcome back.

Not a bad question at all. [sm=thumbup.gif] I can think of a few reasons why this hasnt occured yet in R/C. Mainly, this equipment would not come cheap enough for a modeler to install on all of his/her planes (or even one for that matter). Though it would most liklely be small, the on-board equipment would add unecessary weight to the model. The airspeed indicator for the pilot would probably be mounted on/near the transmitter, and they would have to take their eyes off of their model to check the speed. Being a full-scale pilot as well, its fairly simple when seated in the cockpit to look down and glance your airspeed, as it should be when doing the 6 main instrument scan. Translated to model, taking your eyes off your plane is usually not a good idea!

Another strong reason is the pure unnecessity of this. I cant really think of any good reasons to know the precise airspeed of my models, except for when landing to make sure not too stall (and you definitely wouldnt want to be taking your eyes of your plane then!), and the scale modelers may want to know if their model is flying at a "scale" speed if in a contest. Other than that, I think the vast majority of modelers would agree that, while this would be cool, its completely not needed. To check your stall speed, we just practice taking a model high up and slowing it down to its stall and get an idea of what it "looks" like when flying right above the models stall speed.


"(I'm also wondering if the guys who build models of airliners install servos that make their flight crews walk around with "On Strike" signs after every fifth landing. Now THAT would be true scale!) "

Only if it were a model of an Air France airliner...

Hope this helps! [8D]

UM....do you really want to look down at a screen to determine your airspeed whilst your model is on final and headed in the general direction of the pits?

It's not a dumb idea, it's just overkill, IMHO.

The only indicator I think would be cool is a stall horn. For example, you could fly at altitude until you stall and set the warning for that airspeed (after you recover of course). Then, while you are landing, the speaker on your transmitter would give an audible warning when you are close to stall speed. You could then throttle up, dive to gain airspeed, go around, etc. That way you have the advantage of the stall warning without taking your eyes off the plane.
Hummm... I may need to patent that idea! hahaha

It's probably been done or at least thought about, but as Spitfire222 noted there are trade-offs. I bet most of the experienced pilots just have a good feel for their planes speeds so that is not needed. But, if the price was right and there was no huge weight penalty, I would consider one for the first time I maidened a plane, just to be safe. Especially one that I had spent hundreds of hours building!!!

Actually, RWright142, I think you might be on to something. The others made a real good point about not wanting to take your eyes off your plane during critical moments but your aural warning solves that problem. It could beep when the plane is close to stall speed and become a steady tone when a stall is imminent. Besides testing new builds, this device would tighten up full-stall spot landing contests. It would also be yet another gimmick that we could whine to our wives that we can't live without. :-)

I would spend a reasonable amount for an on-board airspeed indicator. Some sort of sound interface would be the way to go. A whistle that decreases in pitch as your speed decreases with a beep close to the stall speed is a good idea.

I guess the weight, battery draw, and complexity of putting a telemetry transmitter onboard might be unattractive except for larger scale planes. That and the added cost of having a receiver in your transmitter case with a diplexed antenna.

In a short amount of time, you will be able to see when a plane is about to stall out.

Trainers almost won't stall out. It's that Mustang, Corsair, Jet, Twin or other very cool plane, that you would really want it on, however by the time you are flying at that level, you should be able to see it, before it happens.

Just like you take check rides in full scale birds, you need to learn how to fly each type of airplane, too.

Still have that Galloping Ghost?