What is new at Superman?
 

Hi,
At the fun flys I go to they will not give you your transmitter from the impound without a pin, whether you have a DSC cord or not. I guess you could make adjustments in the morning before going to the impound, but when people see you with your transmitter on they get very nervous. I guess it would be OK at club fields where there are less people and they know one another. You really shouldn't have to make major set-up or programming changes at the field, that should have been done at home.
Regards,
Jon

FWIW
 

FWIW, I would like to say that Jerry did an excellent job running Superman. I've only missed the event once since inception and that was when I got married. Let us not allow few mishaps that happened at the event overshadow all the good time we had. Unfortunately, some bad apples amongst us would love to make life miserable but we should not let them deter us from having good time.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to say "THANKS" to Jerry for making SUPERMAN an event we all look forward to every year and please keep up the good job you are doing.

SUPERMAN 2002
 

Concerning my problems at Superman,
This is for those who do not have knowledge of myself or my background, I have been flying R/C for 23 years. Like a friend had stated, "If you aint crashed you aint flown" Well, I crashed. Not once but twice. I am hoping that what I am about to say will help solve some of the rumors that already had started after the first accident from all of the "unknown" experts that are present at the field when a problems arise. This, freak? occurrence may or may not ever be solved. I PERSONALLY believe that I was shot down. (ONCE AGAIN, ONLY MY PERSONAL BELIEF) I do not believe that this is an issue of the impound area whatsoever. I never made any accusations to whom I believe did this. I have had numerous pilots come to me with some thoughts. But they are just names and were buried with the plane. AGAIN, I do not know what or who is responsible for these crashes but here are the FACTS, Approx. 6:15 PM, Rob from Jet Cat just landed while I awaited the pin. He had a super flight with his Hot Spot. (I believe) At this time I was unaware of any problems with this channel since he just landed safely. I had preflight the aircraft with all signals go. Using all JR premium equipment owned by CJM, I felt just fine.
Shortly after take off from right to left the plane did a snap roll on its own. I told Lewis Patton (standing next to me) that the radio was in FAIL SAFE. This was in a "HOLD" fail safe preset. You do not get "glitches" using this feature. The RX will LOCKOUT completely until the signal is 100% clean again. I was locked-out for about 3 seconds and then the signal was returned. I dropped the gear and flaps for my base to final. During the slight right hand turn, while on final the RX went into fail safe again until it hit the edge of the runway into the grass. Lewis told me to shut the TX off. Upon doing so, it revealed the spike of another TX transmitting. Suddenly it went off. Lewis did NOT use his RF meter during the flight despite some previous comments posted. Friday night I had my personal Radio Equipment FedEx'ed overnight so I could use this equipment for the F-15, which I have been using in Florida for a year now. I had checked out those who flew on my channel and there were NO problems. I felt confident that perhaps Friday night was a fluke until 30 seconds into the flight of the F-15 where I had the same exact problem as Friday night. Keep in mind using TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT TRANSMITTERS AND RECEIVERS. If you think it was simply radio interference, explain why no one else on my channel had any problems???? Chance...? I still don't believe so. So I have to say this, models can be made over and over....I am glad no one was injured throughout the weekend.
I do not claim to have all the answers, then again no one does. I only have the facts as they lay before me but have had random emails of certain individuals who have been seen turning on their transmitter. Again, no names just their aircraft.
Unlike some modelers, I wouldn't post any info unless I had the 100% true facts.

If you have any questions, comments or info please email [email protected]

Thanks for your time,
Dean Di Giorgio

What is new at Superman?
 

Dean,

Quit crying........

Just kidding... Sorry to you, Bruce and the CJM Team. I really hope this crap doesn't go on.. This hobby is suppose to be about having fun and making good Friends...

Best regards,

T.F.N.G

Mig control unit...
 

I sent Bill Stevick an ECU I received a couple of years back and told him to try it. Its a completely programmable unit for distance across time and should solve the MIG gear cycling issue. I have one more here and can get plenty from a contact in NRC.

Will follow up with Bill and see if he tried it and report back. ;)

What is new at Superman?
 

believe me Ed, we will love to hear about this ecu unit....
keep us informed

What is new at Superman?
 

David Reid, you're the greatest, but you really owe an apology to Dino. He never WAS at Winimac, and he's not the kind of guy to shout interference for no reason. I've known the guy since he was twelve, I think.
Just got off the phone with him. He truly knows he was shot down.
I won't speculate who did it or why...it could be someone just being sloppy in the pits, or it could be someone who does not want to see CJM succeed, or whatever. I really do not know. But it was NOT pilot error, and you were out of line saying that...you ought to throw out an olive branch. It's not that big a community, and I know you would probably have reacted a BIT more strongly than he did if you had lost two airplanes over one weekend under rather mysterious circumstances and then had somebody say it must have been pilot error...

What is new at Superman?
 

Hi Dean:

I spoke to Bill Stevick last week about something different and failed to ask if he has tried to use the programmable ECM I sent for him to try on the MIG 29 (Russian beer keg :^).

It was originally designed as a channel expander. You plug it in a single channel and connect four servos. The programming unit I sent with it permits each servo to be set individually across time and distance parameters. This could be used as a sequence unit for a complex landing gear system as is found on the MIG 29.

It may require two units to achieve the desired results...that's a lot better than seeing the MIG 29 hanging from your ceiling at something like $8,000.00.

Get Bill to join this forum and give us a report. The manufacturer wanted me to take the product line for sale on BuyAero and Scale Aero but I felt there was just not enough market. They are $299 each..at that price the Multiplex Profi-4000 looks cheap ;^) at $1,400.00 :^)

Let me know if I can be of further help. Just a thought...

What is new at Superman?
 

Hey Ed,

Billy is actually building my Mig 29.. I thank you for helping out and hope the ECU will work. I spoke to Billy today and he is laying out all the plumbing this week. He is online here at RCU and he does post so I am sure you will hear from him soon. Again I thank you so I don't have a mig 29 hanging from my ceiling...

Chris (T.F.N.G)

Control unit from Scale Aero
 

I have been playing with the programmable control unit I got from Ed Clayman and I am trying to figure out the best way to configure the unit to do what i need it to do. This unit has so many ways it can be used that I am still trying to find the best possible setup. There is a learning curve involved and I am on a very long curve since I am computer illiterate. I will let you know as I start seeing results. This unit shows real potential.

Channel Expander ECU
 

Quite literally, there is little that one could not accomplish with the ECU I sent Bill. Yes, it can take a while to dial in the unit to do what one can imagine. I suggest plugging servos into each port and setting up a logical sequence of action desired to occur. As a task is accomplished write down what you set the controller to do to accomplish the task.

After you achieve a full cycle sequence, you need only reverse the set and you re home free except for when you need to set up the end points for travel, etc.

Once you get the set up in place, literally everyone with a MIG is going to use the same sequence with the exception of the end point adjustments.

Be patient and it will "suddenly" see very easy. Just a thought:^)

What is new at Superman?
 

Easytiger,

Sorry to say if you will re-read my post above you will see I never said Dean was at Winamac. Dean was not the person I was talking about at Winamac, nor am I slamming anyone for claiming there was interference! I am not slamming Dean's ability to fly an airplane either so I have nothing to apologize about!!!!

That being said ........re-read Dean's post about his "interference problem". Assuming that he is using PCM equipment and that he had hsis failsafe set to hold his description of what happened could not have ome from interference. Read Silver182's description in the other Superman thread it describes exactly the kind of "fail safe" event that would happen. I am more inclined to believe that Dean had a problem with a battery, or with an untested airframe. The Talon flight looked more like it was a maiden flight of the airplane and if so what he described sounds more like a CG problem than anything. I watched the flight and it looked exactly that way to me.

David Reid

response
 

David,
Simply for starters lets do some basic reading 101.....
Your post:
(post # 50) quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Got any info on that fire?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think that one was a Century Jets (CJM) F-15. Pilot claimed radio interference, claimed that someone turned on while he was flying......funny he claimed the same thing when he dorked another one.
Last edited by ghost_rider on 10-07-2002 at 6:53 PM

Another post shortly after:

Quote: (post # 57)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dino is not in the habit of randomly dorking planes. He REALLY is a great pilot. Honest!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe so but he managed to kill 2 at Superman. The same guy that started screaming interference called wolf up at Winimac. I don't dispte there was a problem but I can't believe that there is this big a problem at every jet meet.

DR

Seems clear to me? Could I possibly be missing something??

Is it possible that perhaps you were at another Superman event in another state on the same weekend?

Let me clearify just for the record for those modelers who have a clue:

The talon had 6 prior flights by Lewis Patton. As far as watching a flight? There was nothing to watch, it lasted 30 seconds. (So there was no maiden flight nor CG issues)

The F-15 had over 40 flights (Battery problem?.. NA, dont think so)
This will be my last response to garbage postings.

Best regards,
Dean Di Giorgio

What is new at Superman?
 

Pretty surprised at you, David. And dissapointed. Dino is one of the good guys, and deserves better than that. Your posts were pretty clear.

What is new at Superman?
 

Don't tell me you are being so naive to think that a battery problem could not happen after ANY number of flights. Could it be possible the battery did not get charged even??


Read post number #57 by itself the two posts arre not additive Lewis was at Winamac and was claiming all kinds of radio interference. Lewis was also hollering on the flightline that someone had turned on. Again not a slam of Lewis just the facts. The ICOM scanner is a good tool used properly.


Takeoff and almost an immediate snap roll then a circuit, you did one complete circuit with the gear down (gearpass?) then turned to final and the airplane crashed. Hardly a 30 second flight maybe 2 minutes.


The assertion you have made is that someone intentionally shot you down. What would ANYONE have to gain by shooting you down intentionally?? You may consider this garbage posting but if you have solid proof that someone shot you down bring it out so that we can all see it. Otherwise chalk it up to a potential problem with your airplane or a mistake you made as a pilot. Simple it happens ...... to Top Gun competitors as well as us poor pions that just get out and fly for fun.

David Reid

What is new at Superman?
 

David,

I am not sure who you are but, I have been flying with Dean for years and people that know him, know that he is the first one to admit pilot error or equipment failure or whatever... He is the last one that would make a call as to being shot down unless he truly believed that was the case. I agree with easytiger, he is one of the good guys, he just shows up and does his thing. Doesn't brag or carry on about how great of a pilot he is. The truth will come out sooner or later and when it does you will owe him an apology.

T.F.N.G

Take it easy
 

Okay guys - let's see if we can calm it down a little.

It is certainly true that a lot of crashes get incorrectly labelled as interference. However, I know I would be a tad unhappy if I did have equipment failure, and a public discussion seemed to be suggesting that I had dumb-thumbed it and pretended to have equipment failure in order to save my ego... especially if I was already smarting at the loss of two jets.

So, let's have a little consideration for each other here, okay ?

Gordon


BTW David - I too read your Winimac post about "the same guy" as meaning Dean. Sometimes what one writes is clear to oneself but not to others. I face that problem at work all the time :(

What is new at Superman?
 

My apologies to Dean about the Winimac post as I did not mean it the way it was read. From other discussions about this same series of crashes at Superman some pretty heavy accusations were flying about being shot down. Even specific accusations toward another manufacturer. I found that particularily offensive that anyone in the jet community would shoot another pilot down, and I also found it particularily offensive that the accusation of that would be made without some sort of proof. I typed in a hurry and did not fully express myself on the first two posts but I felt, and still feel that if there is proof that he was shot down intentionally he should lay the cards out on the table so that we can all see them. It is also my belief that the ICOM scanner standing on the flight line is a useless tool. I saw it disrupt a jet event at Winamac when it was not justified. The channel up at Winamac that was supposedly recieivng "hits" wsa flown by a good friend of mine multiple times with no problems the day before, during, and after the supposed "hits". Every crash is not radio interference, equipment fails, pilot's screw up and planes go in. Such is life flying RC airplanes.

David Reid

Superman
 

David,

Thanks for your post. I still feel the need to clarify my feelings.
It is my understanding that there are some certain individuals who have made some statements on my behalf which were not true whatsoever. I know my equipment, including the battery systems. All was double checked and just fine. The talon was not a cause of battery failure. I have NOT pointed any fingers at anyone in particular at all. That goes for other companies as well.
I have had numerous rumors pointing from my house to Cali.
Once again... I would love nothing more to say I had dumb thumbs, it would make this ordeal much easier on myself, the owner and rcu experts...lol. Not knowing simply sucks.
One more time, I have NO proof that anyone shot me down... NONE. It is my personal gut feeling that I am sticking with regardless of any expert response. Thanks to those who can relate and understand.

Regards,
Dino

More insite and opinion ----------
 

(Please don't take this wrong Lewis, I'm just stating the facts)

A note here is appropriate I believe. Lewis P showed up to Superman this year, thinking he was some kind of RF target. I thought that was kinda strange! When I saw him for the first day this year, I asked him what frequency he was on trying to strike up a friendly conversation. He thought that should be some kind of secret, and didn't like the idea I asked him. The only reason I asked was because he and I were on the same frequency a couple of years ago. I was curious if he was still on that frequency. I was hoping he was cause I was on a totally different one this year. As it turned out I lucked out, no-one else was on the frequency I used and I flew from Wednesday on it was nice not to have to ever wait for the pin -------------- I can't understand why Lewis thinks he or CJM (are they still in business?) would be a target, who cares that much? ---- what motivation would anyone possibly have??

I agree with DavidR on this one, I think it is very rare someone shows up to an event with the sole intention of shooting down someone else. A lot of guys show up with problems with equipment, I believe that's what happened in Davids case. Also things get broken while there flying. Couldn't resist that line Matt ----------- :) But the chance anyone would care enough to target someone else is really stretching it, I think!

I did see it actually happen years ago, in California (everything happens first in California), don't take that the wrong way you Californians you know it's true! You've got to understand racing, when first place is the only thing that counts. You know how some guys are about wining! That's one reason I got out of racing, cause the one with the most money seems to win most of the time ---------- and if they can't win one way they will figure out a way to win another way ------.

Moved my post over here, more on topic!

Hello Dean,
What you have stated below (Red) is very confusing. You write that "the plane did a snap roll on its own" ?? Can I assume you were flying a JR 10 channel radio? Or at the least transmitting in PCM mode to a PCM receiver? If so the only way outside interference could cause your plane to do a snap roll on its own, would be for the preset fail-safe's to be set for a snap roll !! If no fail-safe presets were set all you would have seen is your plane fly on just as your last command input dictated, that surly wasn't a snap roll. Do you see why I am confused at what you wrote?

I have done extensive range check tests over the past many years while trying to solve problems in ECU RF emissions. During those many hours of range tests, I have discovered relative position of the interfering RF source, and it's output strength make all the difference in the world.

In most cases a transmitter turned on antenna collapsed or removed will not effect an otherwise good RF link of an airplane while it's flying. Even on the same frequency!! If the interfering transmitter's antenna is extended the chance of "interfering with the in flight RF link/aircraft" is much greater, but not assured until the interfering transmitter is "closer to or stronger in RF signal" than the transmitter controlling the in-flight aircraft. Think about the flight line at Superman and virtually all other flying sites. What I am saying is unless the RF output of the interfering transmitter is stronger or closer to the in-flight aircraft interference is not a forgone conclusion.

3IM signal strength produced by our modern transmitters alone, is not enough to cause interference to an otherwise strong RF link. If that 3IM is amplified by a much stronger RF signal source, (such as channel 4 TV audio output) 3IM is a virtual certainty. Our local model field is an example of this sort of 3IM, R/C channels 20 & 21 are prohibited at our field just because of this situation.

Shortly after take off from right to left the plane did a snap roll on its own. I told Lewis Patton (standing next to me) that the radio was in FAIL SAFE. This was in a "HOLD" fail safe preset. You do not get "glitches" using this feature. The RX will LOCKOUT completely until the signal is 100% clean again. I was locked-out for about 3 seconds and then the signal was returned. I dropped the gear and flaps for my base to final. During the slight right hand turn, while on final the RX went into fail safe again until it hit the edge of the runway into the grass. Lewis told me to shut the TX off. Upon doing so, it revealed the spike of another TX transmitting. Suddenly it went off. Lewis did NOT use his RF meter during the flight despite some previous comments posted.

I believe something other than interference caused your above described crash, but just what is the puzzle. I assume you checked your airborne battery pack(s), hopefully cycled it / them to verify exactly how much power remained. What you have described is truly a puzzling set of circumstances. I hope you find out what or who caused your crash(s).

Was the second crash you experienced the one across the bean patch and in the corn field that burned? If that is the case, Nat L a friend was one of the guys who went out to put that fire out, he said little if anything remained of the aircraft. In that case obviously it was impossible to check any components like the batteries, or anything else for a cause. If that was the your second aircraft crash, what was your perception of what happened during and before the crash?

I hope there is a way for you to find out what happened. Please let all of us know what if anything you find out. Many in the Jet modeling community are concerned about this situation, I for one would like to get to the bottom of this. I am sure you guys have gone through much thought over how to prevent this from happening again. One recommendation I have is to make sure you set in a preset fail-safe control surface reaction that "you cannot mistake" for anything else but just that a fail-safe event. Examples would be half up elev. and or landing gear down! If you fly Jet Cat turbines and have the new 4.0xx software you can check to see the number of fail-safe hits/events after every flight, I do that routinely after each flight.
Best Regards,
Lee H. DeMary
AMA 36099

Get it Out
 

Is it just me! How come there are a few guys who are so insistant that a given crash did not happen as explained. It is almost as if Mr. Reid (no matter what is said) has to end his sentance with an explanation of his own for the events at a given event such as Superman.

Mr Reid, why is it SO important for you that the loss of the models in question be explained in the way that you do? Whats in it for you? Why do you care HOW the models crashed? What is so important that keeps you coming back again and again to repeat phrases like - "Every crash is not radio interference, equipment fails, pilot's screw up and planes go in. Such is life flying RC airplanes". (your quote)

If it is true that "such is life" why do you spend so much of yours trying to convince others of your views. Don't you think "life" is understood by us other modelers> Trust me, we can work things out for our selves. We don't need a big brother like yourself to explain things to us.

Just as an observer it seems as though you and others like you are spending a lot more energy trying to dispell rumors that were never even started. I don't think anyone can find a post on this site started by the modeler in question that he announced to the (RCU) world that he was shot down. When confronted however (by posts such as this) he has answered by speaking his mind.
I ask you and anyone else here - What the heck is wrong with that. If you have nothing to gain from the crash, which I am sure you don't, then I would ask that you refrain from such accusations as you have stated.

GCS

Re: Get it Out
 

:sunsmiley (IM SPEACHLESS) :sunsmiley

Once again
 

Hey Silver 182, I ask you the same question, why are you posting your jibberish? Who is Lewis P, and what has he said in these forums? Why do you find it imperitive that you say the things you have stated? Has someone attacked you or your intersts? I haven't seen a "Lewis P" statement anywhere in here.

You spent a lot of time in your last post prefacing something that no body here has heard of, or cares to . . .why? You ask in your last post -"I can't understand why Lewis thinks he or CJM (are they still in business?) would be a target, who cares that much? ---- what motivation would anyone possibly have??" (your quote)

Now I ask you the same question! Seems to me you are trying the tried and true art of "starting a bunch of crap on the internet" routine. Give it a rest! You guys act as though you are defending something yet you you start a new argument with each post. Do you not have a life?

And by the way the "Don't take this wrong" disclaimer at the start of your post is like saying " Hey. . I want to trash you but I want to do so under the noses of the moderators and everyone else here" - nice try!

GCS

Safety Issue
 

By Lee H. DeMary
AMA 36099
Who's the "new friend" with the sharp keyboard, GCS / Trident? All the "jibberish" as you call it are beliefs and opinions as stated and pertinent to a point. You say crap, I say beliefs to a point. The point being what we have here is nothing more than a routine crash being over blown into accusations that are roomer-mongering prima fascia ------ If there is really something more to this, then these crashes / incidents have potential of being a significant Safety Issue.

Note the lead sentence in the excerpt below from post #53. Before you whip your keyboard into action, and try to deflect the facts read the posts--- bring yourself up to speed then add something constructive to this issue------.

quote copied and pasted from post #74
"Who is Lewis P, and what has he said in these forums? Why do you find it imperitive that you say the things you have stated? Has someone attacked you or your intersts? I haven't seen a "Lewis P" statement anywhere in here."

(LHD) Your right GCS / Trident, Lewis P didn't make a statement here that I know of, but if you will read post #74 you will see where he was clearly referenced.

That reference did catch my attention because as I stated Lewis came to Superman this year, and made a statement to me about being a target ------- That's a fact, and at the time I thought it was a little bit of a strange statement. At this point I am sure it was a strange statement, as that occurred hours before the events related below by Dean Di Giorgio.
Maybe Lewis knows something we don't, if he does I would like to hear it -------- that might give us all some in-site we should all have! This is a safety issue one way or the other, and the truth will help all of us.

quote copied and pasted from post #53
PERSONALLY believe that I was shot down. (ONCE AGAIN, ONLY MY PERSONAL BELIEF) I do not believe that this is an issue of the impound area whatsoever. I never made any accusations to whom I believe did this. I have had numerous pilots come to me with some thoughts. But they are just names and were buried with the plane. AGAIN, I do not know what or who is responsible for these crashes but here are the FACTS, Approx. 6:15 PM, Rob from Jet Cat just landed while I awaited the pin. He had a super flight with his Hot Spot. (I believe) At this time I was unaware of any problems with this channel since he just landed safely. I had preflight the aircraft with all signals go. Using all JR premium equipment owned by CJM, I felt just fine.
Shortly after take off from right to left the plane did a snap roll on its own. I told Lewis Patton (standing next to me) that the radio was in FAIL SAFE. This was in a "HOLD" fail safe preset. You do not get "glitches" using this feature. The RX will LOCKOUT completely until the signal is 100% clean again. I was locked-out for about 3 seconds and then the signal was returned. I dropped the gear and flaps for my base to final. During the slight right hand turn, while on final the RX went into fail safe again until it hit the edge of the runway into the grass. Lewis told me to shut the TX off. Upon doing so, it revealed the spike of another TX transmitting. Suddenly it went off. Lewis did NOT use his RF meter during the flight despite some previous comments posted. Friday night I had my personal Radio Equipment FedEx'ed overnight so I could use this equipment for the F-15, which I have been using in Florida for a year now. I had checked out those who flew on my channel and there were NO problems. I felt confident that perhaps Friday night was a fluke until 30 seconds into the flight of the F-15 where I had the same exact problem as Friday night. Keep in mind using TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT TRANSMITTERS AND RECEIVERS. If you think it was simply radio interference, explain why no one else on my channel had any problems???? Chance...? I still don't believe so.

What is new at Superman?
 

I could not agree more. The fact is that this whole discussion started at the event. There are more people involved in it than the people that are posting their beliefs on this forum. It is great that we have individuals like Mr.Trident to keep us in line guess what though some of us have been posting in this forum and others for a long time and will continue doing so. If you don't like what I have to say don't read it, simple solution.


Lee,

Do you have any idea why Lewis has felt like he is being targeted? Again I find it appaulling that someone would threaten to shoot someone down, or even consider it. If someone has made that kind of threat or if someone has proof that this is going on it needs to be brought out into the open. This is a serious safety issue.

David Reid