Monday, 28 July 2008

Sunday 27/7/08.
Probably the best day of the year so far for weather and flying. My 2.4Ghz receivers returned from Horizon earlier this week and I've fitted one in the Sunbeam, and one in the Yak54. Flew both today, and no problems - excellent.

Off to Cornwall next weekend, so I must get the other 2.4Ghz receiver fitted in the CAP21 before then. Also I'm still waiting for some Li-po batteries, a charger,motor and an ESC to arrive hopefully this week, so I can fly the Pico Jet.

Monday, 7 July 2008

Flying Now


Current models are Sunbeam trainer, I've had this model for years, Its nearly been shot down twice by someone else switching on their transmitter on the same frequency, but I somehow managed to maintain control and land safely. So now I've finally invested in 2.4Ghz. Powered by an Irvine 25 and guided by Spektrum DX7. My Yak 54 is a fairly new model, laser sculpted by Seagull Models, its powered by an SC108 which is more than ample for vertical performance. Guidance is by Spektrum DX7 with 6 servos. I've experienced a few problems with this engine with regard to keeping an exhaust muffler on it. It just will not stay on, so I've wired it on just in case. Oh yes, the carburrettor has a design fault. There is a reducing sleeve in the barrel which at the fully open position will engage with the body casting jamming the throttle wide open during flight. Spending 30 minutes flying around at full bore is no fun, and landing dead stick with this aircraft is difficult. It does'nt glide far and if you need to turn it drops like a stone due to the tapered wing.








The CAP 21 is 60" span aerobatic aircraft for a .40 two stroke to .60 four stroke engine. I used to fly this with an OS .61 four stroke, but it was 'orrible. It kept changing its trim settings during flight and landings were less than graceful. Currently its fitted with a four stroke engine I designed and manufactured myself, the Ketro KT .54fs. A change of radio to Spektrum with digital servos has eliminated the trim change problem, and the engine has performed faultlessly for over a year. I'm well pleased.


The Pico Jet is a small electric delta. I use 8 x Kan 1050 cells to power the 400 size motor and pusher prop. Guidance is by Spektrum using the AR6100 receiver.