Do you control your flight time?? If you do... how?

I like to control my flight times, i really dont like empty tank surprises
Well, i bought a cook alarm. I just need to setup the minutes, and it beeps, lol. What are you guys using?

My timer is incorporated in my radio, which is a JR378. I set the timer for 12 minutes and it counts down, when it reaches the last 30 seconds it starts to beep , ending in a long beep at the 12 minute mark. It is then i go into circuit and land with a small reserve of fuel in case i need to do a go around. I also record all my flights in a log book, time , weather conditions wind etc.
Bill

Scolpit,
I do exactly what you brought up. I have a countdown timer that I use when flying. What I do is take each plane and run it on the ground at full throttle so that I know how long a tank of fuel will last. Then I use that time as a basis for how long I can fly. I like using the timer because I don't have to take my eyes off of the plane to see how long I've been in the air. When it's time to land the timer beeps to let me know. I've been doing it this way for 9 years now and it's always served me well.

Hope this helps

Ken

Same here. Both my 9C and 9Z transmitters have built in timers. When you approach the end of the timer the transmitter starts to periodically beep at you.. When the timer expires you get a long beep that is unmistakeable. When it goes off, I immediately setup to land and have enough fuel to go around a couple of times if necessary. You can either setup your start/stop on a switch or as noted below.


Another function that is nice on these built in timers is an auto start/stop function basis a given stick position.. Basically you can set it up anyway you like but for example, at idle the timer is off,,,,, but at 1/8 stick(or wherever you set it) the timer automatically starts. As you fly the timers starts and stops as you move the stick above and below the stick position cutoff/on. This has one useful purpose for me... I dont have to remember to start the timer! I have been known to takeoff and realize I didnt turn my timer on, then I have to cut my flight a little short to be sure I have fuel. This stick position driven auto start/stop takes that worry out of the equation. I know you are burning fuel during idle, but its not much and I have found that its insignificant and I adjust my timer so that I have about 1/8 of a tank when I land.

Also each model is separated in these computer radios, so you can have different timer setups for each model, and you don't have to think about it. When you bring up the model, the timer is just there. You dont have to look for it. Also the timers are visible on the main screen so if you want to take a quick peek, its right there in front of you. But you do not have to look at all since the timer will beep at you when it runs out.

I fly every single flight until I run out of fuel and deadstick the landing....thats the most fun of the flight!!...Rog

of course I do fly 1/2a and only 2 of my 10 planes even have wheels

I use one I purchased at Radio Shack that clips on a neck strap or wherever that is very similar to [link=http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103034&cp=2032060&pg=1&f=Taxo nomy%2FRSK%2F2032060&categoryId=2032060&kw=timer&k wCatId=2032060&parentPage=search]this[/link]

If anybody is on good terms with a doctor ask them for a countdown timer. Most doctors offices have more than they can use. Why?? Because that is one of those freebies that pharmacutical reps give away to the doctors (one reason why health care costs are so high these days. But don't even get me started on that topic!!!). A lot of doctors clip them outside of the exam room with a countdown timer anywhere from 6-10 minutes so they know when they need to be done with their patient. They usually have extras laying around.

Ken

I tried my timer on my radio, but I ended up not liking it.... So now I just try to
do it mentally, and I have been doing pretty good, On the last flight on my Showtime/
YS 110..... She died just as I was going to press the kill switch in frt. of me.....[X(]
I have been bite a few times.... But even then I sort of knew I was low.... But then
the "just one" more circuit/stunt gets me.........

I like to know how long I have flown for because I log all of my flight time for my planes.

Ken

I was doing pretty good with the timer on my radio, until just yesterday that I biffed in my Li'l Something Extra after only 3 minutes of flight on a deadstick. It helps if one fuels up after the last landing! Thankfully, damage isn't too bad.

Ok, i think i am the only one using a cook alarm, lol! My radio don't have timer, so my cook alarm still a good solution

I got the West Bend timer at Wally world. I think it was $4. Just what I use it for. Gets me close enough. (Try to get more than 40 take off / landings, not touch n goes, on a tank.... stock Tiger 2, tank, Supertigre 45)