KRL

Anybody use flipup binoculars as part of regular flight?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...70&r=3756_5796

I will be joining the RC airplane world for the first time after I get back from the holidays. Have on order the EDF F-35 foam plane that's presently on sale at nitroplanes. Been playing with RealFlight G4 all during my Christmas break and having good success so decided to skip the newbie slowpoke planes and go for a fast one!

One thing I noticed was that the RealFlight simulator does automatic zooming of the camera. This has been so useful for flying far of course. The F-35 that I have on order is not that large so I was thinking of getting this type of flip up binocular (see link above) in case of that "panic" situation where a sudden gust of wind and/or pilot disorientation takes the plane just out of visual range where it cannot be brought back except by luck.

This pair of inexpensive binoculars could end up being some cheap insurance against losing a plane that is beyond visual range. The one problem I can tell right away is that the 6X magnfication of this unit might actually be too much. If I flip the binoculars down, the sudden change in field of view can make it difficult to visually "reacquire" the plane at distance even though the magnification is more than sufficient. Unfortunately, this model does not have adjustable zoom. I would buy it right away if it had adjustable zoom so am reluctant to do so unless I hear of people actually having use for this in real-world RC flight conditions. Anybody know of such a model? I would keep the binoculars at say 2X zoom and acquire the plane. Then manually swing the zoom up to 6X as needed to fly the plane back.

Stuntpilot51

Before you attempt to do the binocular trick, try to video a plane on full zoom with a video camera.

After you try that you will see the idea is not a good one.

CGRetired

My Feedback: (1)

Oh yeah, I must agree with that. It will take you a few seconds to get the plane in the focal view, then to focus it in, and then try to follow it.. well, those precious few seconds will certainly cost you. No, those are not a good idea for RC flight.

If you want to see the plane better, get a bigger plane.. which will mean going to fuel and getting something like a 60 size trainer. There are several out there.

CGr.

Rufcut

For starters, as you said, I think you would have a real problem reaquiring the model when switching from unaided vision to binoculars. Not to mention the fact that the AMA safety code specifically states that pilots will maintain visual control without enhancement other than corrective lenses prescribed for the pilot. Now, you may or may not be an AMA member, but common sense dictates that you keep the model close enough to see what you're doing. Flight simulators are a great help in learning how to fly but they are not the same as the real thing. You'll realize this about 2 seconds into you're first flight.
I'm not trying to discourage you, but you might want to reevaluate your choice of aircraft. Most people start with a "newbie slowpoke plane" for the very reason that they are slow, giving a new pilot the chance to think. In any case, I urge you to find an instructor to help you. He will make the learning process much easier and less expensive. There are a lot of clubs in NE and the people in this hobby are always eager to help those who want to learn to fly. Here's a link http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx
Good luck and welcome to the addiction!!

goirish

WOW!!!! I think mistake #1 is to skip the newbie planes. Good luck. I tried that and I can tell you I have a room full of spare wing ribs, stabs, engine mounts, and some really neat torn monokote. Get an instructor and save yourself some yankee greenback dollars.

jetmech05

Rufcut is on the money...a sim is a simulation of real life it is not a subistute for real life....no more than watching a porn movie makes you Don Juan
Good Luck

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Bad idea. I shoot a lot of video of these things and I almost always keep both eyes open - One in the viewfinder and one on the plane for orientation.

The trick is: Don't let the plane get so far away that you can't tell which way it's going!

opjose

I can GUARANTEE that your F-35 will have a lifespan measured in seconds after takeoff since you are using it as your first plane.

It is NOT suitable for a beginner, nor a buddy box.

That is a fast highly responsive plane that is extremely sensitive to trim and setup.

It is better suited to an intermediate to advanced pilot.

Do yourself a favor and put it away until you have a trainer and at least another mid level plane under your belt.

KRL

I'll be sure to capture my plane cratering into the grass at 80mph on video. Should make a good YouTube video!

brett65

My Feedback: (18)

People aren't trying to be harsh, its just reality. I watched a guy crash 3 planes in one day because he thought he could skip the newbie stuff. If you crash your stuff and waste money, then the hobby won't be any fun for you. We're all just trying to help here. It would be useful for you to atleast try and get some training time in at a local club.

HollywoodHitman

Dude,

Bad plan. Many of the guys who posted above me have been instrumental in my success learning to fly. If not for some of their sarcasm, but for the honest answers to mine, and other newbie's questions. I've only been flying for a little over a year now....

I started flying with a kit built, Carl Goldberg Eagle II with an OS 46 AX engine. I soloed in no time at all. I then got a Hangar 9, Pulse XT 40 with an OS 70 Surpass II, Four Stroke engine. I figure I have about 200 flights on it - I almost exclusively flew it for a solid year. I then got a Hangar 9 Spitfire with a Saito 100 Four Stroke - I still occasionally feel uncomfortable with the flight characteristics of that plane.

I'd take the advice - A nice guy who was learning to fly a couple months before I was - He crashed several of his planes because he didn't like to take the advice of some of the more experienced pilots. He was so frustrated that he didn't manage to solo before me and another new guy, that he hasn't been seen since. He was so frustrated that he apparently left the hobby, angry and disappointed. Too bad too, cause he was a nice guy.

Go ahead and get yourself a good 40 sized TRAINER and the setup for either electric or glow (whatever your preference) and spend the winter building and flying your sim. You'll be ready by spring, and if you do what your instructors tell you to do, you'll be flying solo by summer.

Anyway, thats my $.02, so the rest is up to you.

Good luck to you,

HH

MikeL

My Feedback: (3)

Unless, of course, you happen to hit a person or property. Then it'll make for good evidence. So will this thread, eh? These are things to think about.

Model airplanes *are* toys, but they can be dangerous toys. Until you've spent some time around them, that can be hard to really understand. An object larger and heavier than a baseball and moving at big-league speeds can really do some damage.

When people begin this hobby, they have this fantasy. That fantasy always involves flying a plane that really appeals to them, usually in an unrealistically small area. In the mind's eye it always is so easy. The plane takes off, you have a huge grin on your face, your friends/family watch in amazement, and you land it like a pro. Everybody starts with this. Everybody who has some experience in the hobby knows how unrealistic it is, but it's really hard to convey that to someone who has never flown a model or spent time at a flying field.

Real Flight is a neat piece of software, but it's not much like really flying. All it is good for is teaching familiarity with the sticks. It doesn't correctly model such basic flight situations as stalls and spins. All of the models in it fly very easily. Almost anyone can pick it up and do things such as hovering, which the simulator makes too easy. The sim is a useful tool at the things it's good for, which is teaching orientation and basic muscle memory.

There are a lot of things it won't teach you. It won't teach you about weight and balance, or how 1/4" too far can make your model uncontrollable. It doesn't teach you about proper servo linkages, and how an improper linkage leaves your model uncontrollable. It can't teach you about all of the real-life situations and events that you will encounter. It can't look over your ARF to make sure that the slave labor which built it got the details right. It can't tell you how much space you'll need to fly your model. Do you know?

There are easy ways to be successful in this hobby. Get on board with them, and you'll enjoy the heck out of it. In a short time, you'll be living that fantasy that you imagine right now. That's what you really want, right?

fly boy2

Those are very good points. I have that fantasy with some hovering a foot off the deck[8D]; Those planes may not seem to be moving fast until you do a low high speed pass. My trainer was bookin;When I did it; and my trainer is the slowest plane in the club. I just missed a tree when I did it. I can't imagine how fast a plane is moving with a more powerful engine than mine ( os 46 la) with is prolly everyone. Plus there is a prop going at a couple thousand rpms

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

While the simulator is a good tool to use for training, it should in no way be considered an instructor tool. I have seen many people use the simulator before ever contacting an instructor and often they will pick up and develop bad habits from the simulator. Often times these bad habits will have to be "un-learned" when an instructor is contacted. Don't get me wrong, I think that they simulator is a great tool to help decrease the training time needed when learning to fly. But this must be done properly It should be used to PRACTICE skills that are taught each training session. When done in this manner it is indeed a cheap and safe way to practice these new skills.
There are some things that most simulators aren't as accurate on as in real life, and these differences can often times give new pilots a false sense of security as to what they are capable of. A simulator is nothing more than a teaching tool, just like a buddy box is. It has a specific set of circumstances where it's use is applicable and it needs to be used properly like any other tool.

Here's a list of some of the "bad" habits one can develop:
1) Failing to keep the plane straight during takeoff run.
2) Climbing out too steep.
3) Not maintaining a constant altitude while turning.
4) Turns that aren't smooth, too sharp, etc.
5) Forgetting that there is a left stick.
6) Not lining up with the runway during landing approach.
7) Using ailerons instead of rudder to make course corrections when landing.
8) Using the elevator to extend the landing when you realize you're short.
9) Failure to learn the signs that a plane is about to stall, and what to do to avoid it, or recover from it.

The sim is NOT:
[ul][*]Going to teach you how to tune your engine [*]Going to teach you how to correct fuel system problems [*]Going to teach you how to set up your linkages [*]Going to show you about lateral inbalance and surface warp [*]Going to locate errors in assembly [*]Going to teach you how to maiden a plane [*]Going to trim out your plane [*]Going to simulate other flyers at the field [*]Going to blow a hard gust of air at your plane at just the wrong time [*]Going to simulate that hard sink thermal just off the runway threshold, though doable in G4 [*]Going to have a bird come out and attack your plane in the air [*]Going to give you the weak knees you'll get the first time you fly [*]Going to throw a bug in your face and the sun glare in your eyes at the wrong time
[/ul]

Ken

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

I've put together a list of planes that make good trainers and second planes. All of them on the list are proven planes that are well suited for successfully letting students learn to fly, or advance to a second plane. Check out the list here
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm] Looking for a trainer- what's available. (Updated 2-20-2008) [/link]

Hope this helps

Ken

KRL

I will always have my RC helis to play with in case the plane goes down for a while. Got a micro Walkera Lama 2 for indoors and a fast Walkera 4G3 collective pitch heli for outdoors (if its not too windy). The 4G3 is smoking fast for such a small heli!

opjose

That F-35 is a handful particularly for a semi-newbie.

You will be dealing with several things that you may be unfamiliar with at once, at takeoff.
Given your prior experience, you may want to start out with a "second" type plane instead.

KRL

I'll be maidening this F-35 EDF in a remote grassy area with no houses or property. But it will be hilly with patches of very dense trees and foliage. So no damage done to property except my own if it crashes hard and fast.

But I will never get into combustion engine RC aircraft. Maybe I will miss out a lot by avoiding this area of the hobby but its too complex and dangerous for me. I'm sticking to low weight foam based brushless electric planes and mini helis for a long while. I've read that brushless motors and LIPO technology are set to take over this hobby in a big way comments are welcome on this subject but maybe thats for another thread.

opjose

You may want to go over to the NP "support" forum and look at the thread called F-35 where I've gone into setting up this plane.

Don't forget that the EDF needs to be broken in as well.

goirish

Maybe we should set up a poll on how long it will last. The poll will range from: Nano-sec to 10 sec. What do you think? Anyone want in?

brett65

My Feedback: (18)

I think ep planes are going to get a bigger piece of the pie, but never takeover. People love the noise, smell, and realism that comes with a nitro or gas plane. The oily residue sucks, but that's life.

KWJ48

Lipo's are great for now, until a newer type of battery comes out. A123's are getting better and better. I'm sure they're always working on something better. I don't think they'll take over. Besides, not beating on lipo's because I have them too, but they can be dangerous as well. I've seen pictures of guys garages, trailers, and cars burnt up because of lipo's popping and catching fire. If local help is available, atleast look into it.

KRL

I'll be back in January to fly this F-35. In the meantime, I'll be practicing with RealFlight and enjoying my RC electric helis during my time off.

RealFlight G4.5 has the FlyZone Diablo EDF trainer that is the closest model they have to the F-35 EDF. The Diablo is the same size but the F-35 has a bigger engine and single fan. RealFlight has, of course, simulated wind but you can crank up micro turbulence and gust percentages to very high values if needed. Unless I miss some critical setup for this F-35, I reckon I will get at least 1 minute before it is totalled.

opjose

If you have G4.x I've modeled this plane in the sim in both an "in trim" and "as you'll fly it" out of trim version. And both the default 2 servo and the optimal 4 servo installation.

PM me and I'll e-mail you the AV files and the link for the EA.

At the least you'll see how it flies.

The Diablo is not even remotely similiar.

MikeL

My Feedback: (3)

The real one is about 50 pixels by 60 pixels?

Nothing in RF is real.