My guess is that the majority of pilots against the wavier... aren't good enough to do all the maneuvers.

That's the thing.... There aren't any "Textbook" maneuvers to do. It's not like you have to study for a driving test, and practice parallel parking. You just have to show competence. And since this is hobby related, that means going to a flying site, and having a good time, by .... FLYING !!

I'll say it took me a month to get both people required at the flying field for me to get my waiver, I glad I got it because at the time I was only in my 2 year of flying and it shut up all those freaking bench poilts who never fly but act like there the -- you know

Yep... but you got to fly, and have fun. AND... it's an accomplishment that makes you feel good. Right?

I had to travel to a field that was about an hour away... and I had to go 4 times. But, I got to fly, and meet a new group of guys.


You comments about the "Bench Pilots" is funny. There is a group of them at every club I've belonged to. Personally... I'm about half way on that. There have been times where I'm just not "Feeling it"... so I tinker, and don't fly. But there are other days where I get 10~12 flights in.


Mike... I noticed that engine sold... did you get it?

I wish he said someone put a bid in 10min after it posted. I just figured out how to set the fourms up to email me every time someone post a turbine for sale.

I have been thinking I wanted a 22 pounder but I know in my hart I want a skymaster f15 and the 22 pounder any going to work so I would rather get a 24-30 pounder and turn it down

When looking at the older turbines... generally, the engines in the upper 20's are just hotter versions of low 20# engines. A good example is RAM. The 750 was originally, 17#. the 750+ was 22#, and the 1000 was 28#. Then Carlos turned it up to 30#. (all the same engine, with updates)

With the more modern engines.... the 22 Lb engines are SAMLL !!!! Some companies got the "54" sized engines turned up to 100N. (like Wren, and Jet Central)


The Gripen you just got can hold a "Larger" engine. So, it would be to your benefit to buy a large engine, and turn the thrust down to match the air-frame, so you can move it to your F-15 later.

I fly both and have done a number of large EDF conversions and can tell you that not all airframes are suitable for EDF conversion. IMO the Byron F-16 is not a great airframe for conversion because with the cheater hole and lack of good ducting, it is has too much drag. Will it fly as an EDF? Sure. But your flight times will be short and you will be hard pressed to get jet like performance such as large loops and good verticals. Some of the keys to successful EDF conversions are a low drag, efficient airframe, good ducting (unless you are using a Schubeler HST fan that was designed to operate in an open ducted environment), and top shelf batteries. With an efficient airframe, good ducting, and top shelf batteries you can get up to 6 minute flight times. If you are looking for longer flight times, then a turbine is the way to go.

In the end, this is a hobby meant to bring enjoyment. No matter the opinions of others (myself included), do what brings you the most enjoyment.

Kirk

I own a Byron f16 I have had since 1980 the best engine I have used is a Rossi 81 with a bit of port work and a Byron tuned pipe 5 % nitro fuel plane came in a bit over 12 lbs fueled , not the fastest jet for sure but the most forgiving and slowest landing plane I have ever flown except maybe a spacewalker.......118 mph was as fast as I could get her to go but could fly circles around most at the club, keep it light as possible , it is a great airframe for pleasure flying and she's kinda pretty too.

I've always wondered how flyer's figure out how fast their plane is going. With my electric prop planes I can use pitch of the prop and rpm's to get a rough idea of how fast it should go or how fast it is actually going. How do you figure that out with a jet? Do you have some type of radar? Or maybe an on-board data device?

Thanks
-oD

I know when mine are going fast enough when at least 2 guys in the pits get scarred.

Right - it's easy to sneak up on the runway real quiet like, kinda low, then bank right or left to show the top of the wing, and jam the throttle wide open. The sound/sight can scare the beejesus out of somebody if they're not expecting it.

There's several iPhone apps that use the Doppler effect to measure speed. Do a search in the App Store and you'll find them. They say they're pretty accurate.