Official RC Plane Thread

[Jmel]

So, as mentioned in another of my threads, here is a thread about RC Planes.

I fly electric RC planes, and really am into FPV. It appears many folks are lurking around this great site with a love of flight as well.

What do you fly? How long have you been flying? Any fun stories? How do you fly while traveling?

 

[velojym]

I've been flying quadcopters mostly lately, but have a few fixed wing planes, too.

Here's one I built for a school Fall Festival:

 

[blmkid]

Jmel,

Gonna be a good thread. Thanks. No, I don't own one, just like 'em.

 

[MikeRuth]

I own them and have been flying them now for 51 years!!! OMG I'm getting old.

Seriously though I have literally flown just about anything there is in the RC world. Fuel, electric, jet and gliders. Done RC cars, trucks etc, Multicopters(do not call them drones please).
Helicopters both fuel and electric. although in that world I have not gone the 3D route as my brain and hands just don't connect when trying to make a helicopter do things helicopters are not supposed to do . Now I can do 3D with a plane pretty damn good.

I'm gonna leave it at that for the moment, but glad to see this thread here.

Mike R (The Foaminator) LOL, story for another time.

 

[John61CT]

Ever seen a model jet fly at 451 miles an hour?

https://boingboing.net/2017/10/29/ever-seen-a-model-jet-fly-at-4.html

 

[jimindenver]

I started flying in 91, soloed on Thanksgiving and gave a lesson on my very next flight. I flew and instructed at various clubs here for 15 years. I flew all sorts of different planes but my favorites were the giant bi-planes with big 4 stroke power plants that could make them hover at sea level. The giants that I tried to sell were my dream squadron that I had barely started building when health issues forced me to quit the hobby.

I did sell the micro Cap 232 and have a good bite on the giant Pitts and GeeBee. That leaves me with a dilemma because the Pitts is the only plane there that is big enough to take the twin Sato. It becomes a $1000 paperweight if the Pitts sells. Other planes have drawn interest but not the whole collection. My thought is if I have to keep some of it, then I am keeping all of it.

What I have flyable right now is a Shoestring racer with a Sato 91 4-stroke. A built up fuselage fun fly with a Supertigre 46. A trainer with a 40 FP and buddy cord. I'll start with the trainer to get my thumbs back and work my way back up.

 

[velojym]

One of the harder parts of selling my stuff and condensing it into a cargo trailer is that... my fixed wing planes. They take up a lot of room, though none are as
"high end" as yours.
I have a Bix3, an Ultra Stick 40, a PT40 I was planning on converting to a twin UAV, a PZ FW190, an FT Spear flying wing, and a couple others.... I might be able to make room for a couple of 'em, but the rest would have to go.
The multicopters are more compact, so I'd sell a couple I don't use much, and still be able to hang on to the others.

Since I had to get out of full sized flying, these have been my aviation fix.

 

[blmkid]

Just wondering. Has anybody flown there RC planes at previous RTR's? A certain location used? 

 

[jimindenver]

There is a RC airfield in Quartzsite.

 

[DangerBird]

I currently have over 100 kits in my stash.... :O and 15 or so currently airworthy. All electric stuff and gliders which are also powered. Over the years while I was "collecting" I kept telling my wife that the time will come when I will have more time than money and it worked! All I will need to purchase is glue, props and batteries for the rest of my life. Many are ARF's that I have the motors and speedos for.... but some are stick built models. Did I mention over 300 servo's from sub micro to standard full size. Lots of 72mhz stuff as well as 2.4ghz gear. Dozens of receivers for both bands also. Also have a fleet of Micro's that I fly out in the street in the calm evenings in front of the house. The neighbors and the kids love it! I have been accused by some friends of having the nicest and well stocked hobby shop in town in my hobby room!

Usually fly 3-4 days a week since the flying field is only 2 miles away or I will fly over at the fullsize airpark 1/4 mile away with a bunch of guys I know over there. The asphalt is nice for touch and go's. We do this with the full permission of the FBO and home owners association. Again, all electric.

I will have my phantom Quad copter with me at the RTR and maybe a few micro's which weigh less than 50 grams which are good to fly most anywhere. I have been to the field in Quartzite but that would be for the kind of birds Jim in Denver flies with the glo fuel (slimers)

-Mike

 

[jimindenver]

Yeah, flying thru a swarm of micros is bad. I have to pick them out of the grill and scrape them off the windshield.

 

[Troutbum]

What are the usual prevailing winds in Quartzite in January?

Never been to the desert before and thinking about bringing some foamies to fly at your club there but heard the wind can be strong there in winter. I am a member of AMA already so what are the dues there?

 

[eDJ_]

I recently acquired a Sharper Image DX-5 Streaming Video Drone dirt cheap at Ollie's.  It has a 250 ft range and about an 8 minute flight time. (after charging it 100+ minutes)   But that is enough flight time for me.
I got it to inspect the roof of my house so I wouldn't have to set up the ladder and climb up there.  This way I can check out the gutters, chimney (for cracks and potential leaks), and condition of the shingles.  

What I'm wanting to do next is use my VR hood to put the Cell in and fly the drone.  Like IFR training.  This for checking the top of the chimney so I don't have to drag a step ladder up the extension ladder so I can inspect the top of the chimney. 

This could be a small business for Van Dwellers.    Roof Inspections.  A fly over so the customer could see his/her roof for himself could be one price but if one was to record the inspection on a USB thumb drive that could bring a better fee. 

[img=250x250]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/418axY1V7aL.jpg[/img]

 

[wolfv]

Ever seen a model jet fly at 451 miles an hour?

https://boingboing.net/2017/10/29/ever-seen-a-model-jet-fly-at-4.html

Cool looking jet :thumbsup: .

545mph glider-speed record:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3092351-New-RC-World-Speed-Record-545MPH!
34:30 peak load over 120 gs, typical DS session averages 60 to 80 gs.

 

[wayne49]

Going fast without going anywhere.