Flying for Real..

[DaveB]

I tried again today mate but it was one of those odd days.. calm with no wind to gusting with plenty back to calm again. I gave up before the end of the first battery (which is a lot shorter than you with the Radian) Tomorrow is showing 15mph winds for me so that's me out!

ATB
DaveB

[Vc Ten]

Yesterday was too windy to give Chippy her maiden flight But today was fine
She flew fine with little trimming needed Landings were reasonably uneventfull
will try a few aerobatics next time out

[VEGAS]

Wonderful model matey.

One of the few aircraft that I have actually flown for real.

[DaveB]

Oh yes.. I'd have some of that

Nice one Dale

ATB
DaveB

[Vc Ten]

Glad you like her guys
Took her out again this afternoon, couple of flights but wind was blowing across the strip making for some interesting landings Tried a few mild aerobatics and slow flight to see how the flaps react, she balloons a bit and if I decide to use them for landing I may mix a bit of elevator in. However the strip is plenty long enough to not bother with them
Using a 70 fourstroke with petrol conversion and although at the lower end of the recomended size,its well adequate and sounds realistic. Got a couple of lost model finders off ebay, as the crop in our field is 6ft tall now
Cheers
Dale

[VEGAS]

Well the weather looks rather good for us next week.

Or should I say at least better than it has been, given that its almost June.

Could be an ideal time for some thermal experiences.

Dave, when does your Icon A5 arrive?!

[DaveB]

Now you've done it.. I'd forgotten about the A5 Been looking at a Double Horse 9116 4ch helicopter instead. If I have any more cans.. I just might buy one tonight

The A5 would be a treat though 3ch is ok.. in fact it's great when the weather is calm enough to handle it but I'm looking for the challenge of ailerons now. And here I was telling SWMBO the Champ wouldn't be the start of something expensive The Blade 120SR is nice but very fast.. too fast for me I fear. The DH9116 is less so and a whole pile cheaper. I wish you'd not got me thinking about the A5 again though

ATB
DaveB

[VEGAS]

The A5 ticks all the boxes for you sailor/aviator types..

Go on. Treat yourself.

You only live once.

[DaveB]

It certainly does tick all the boxes and you're right.. you only live once. However, while I have no plans to depart the land of the living any time soon.. I fear the purchase of an A5 would accelerate that somewhat Annoyingly, there's one for sale, brand new, BNF, sitting in a shop not 4miles away from where I'm sitting now

ATB
DaveB

[DaveB]

Eddie.. a question for you.

There's a small tab at the bottom of the rudder on the Champ which fits into the rear fuse. Does it just push in?

I looked out of the window this morning and decided to test conditions. It turned out to be at the limit of the Champs controllability but I stayed out for 3 batts worth anyway. Useful control practise Didn't crash I'm glad to say.. in fact my last landing was the smoothest ever.. a perfect 3 pointer from a few inches above the ground However, the lower part of the rudder suffered a little damage when I ended up breaking the fin a while back and I fear I exceeded it's buffet limit today. The tab on the lower rudder is no longer in the fuse. I'm not sure if I should just shove it back in or glue it. It doesn't look like it was glued originally.

An A5 on the canal would have been interesting today!

EDIT..
Closer inspection has revealed the problem..

This shot shows the 3 rudder attachment points.. 2 to the fin and 1 to the fuse. You can also see the crease caused by the prang mentioned above. I've pushed the lower tab back into the fuse and taped across the rudder/fin joints. Seems to have worked!



ATB
DaveB