Archive/Newsletter/April

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=156 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00e9cc00egerdp.jpg"> <div> <B> <STYLE>  </STYLE>  </B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="97" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 313 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home Page"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Archive"><U><B>Archive</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id5.php" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact"><U><B>Contact</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Downloads"><U><B>Downloads</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id7.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Events</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id8.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="For Sale"><U><B>For Sale</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id9.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Galleries"><U><B>Galleries</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id14.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Games"><U><B>Games</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Magazine"><U><B>Magazine</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletter"><U><B>Newsletter</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reference"><U><B>Reference</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Video"><U><B>Video</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Weather"><U><B>Weather</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00f00640egerdp.jpg"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Archive </B></I></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=380 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > <STYLE>  </STYLE>  </FONT><A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Archive/Newsletter/March"><U><B><<</B></U></A><B>   </B><A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Archive/Newsletter/May"><U><B> >></B></U></A></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="30" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="606" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFBF0 > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1893 WIDTH="540"><div> <IMG SRC="3a290710.gif" border=0 width="400" height="113" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>April 06</B></div> <div> BMFA club affiliation No 0340</div> <div> <B>FLY SAFE - Fly Again</B></div> <div> <B>Next gathering at St Andrews Rugby Club April 3rd  - Don't forget the meeting is now on the first MONDAY of the month.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The BMFA subscriptions were due a long time ago on 1</B><B>st</B><B> Jan.  If you have not sent them off yet, why not, do it now. - Club rules -YOU MUST NOT FLY without BMFA membership.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Don't forget I have changed my e-mail address, have you updated your contacts?</B></div> <div> If not you will find my new one at the bottom over the page .</div> <bR> <div> It was a shame to see so few turn out for the March meeting after the good attendance of the previous month.  To those of you who missed it - you missed a fair treat of nostalgia.  Mike brought along issue one of RCME (Radio Control Models and Electronics) up to volume three.  The wonderful gadgets we used to build and squish into our models back then, all just to make a servo turn the other way.  Now it's just a quick flick of the finger and the jobs done.  Browsing the pages it did strike me that as modellers some of us have forgotten the planning stage.  What I mean is - do we give enough thought to push rod effectiveness and angles?  Do we plan servo installation or just rely on the transmitter's cleverness to sort out the directions of movement later?  But on a positive note John seems keen to build (I've forgotten what) one of the free plans from one copy.  Go for it John, I know you will make a good job of it!</div> <bR> <div> In the quest to encourage new members I am pleased to announce that the FFF website is back up and running.  Many thanks Gez, I know the time and effort it takes to develop and maintain a website.  So lads give it a look over at</div> <bR> <div> http://www.fennisflyers.org.uk  or   http://fennisflyers.org.uk</div> <bR> <div> If you have any comments or ideas for additional content then I am sure a mail to the Webmaster will be gratefully received.  There is a forum and message board section, so keep in touch with each other, leave messages about anything, especially field conditions or anything others should be aware of.  If you have anything to sell post a message.  At least half of our members have Internet access, and word of mouth will pass on the info to others.  Other club sites have large for sale and wanted sections.  If we use the site then it will help inspire non-member visitors to join our club.</div> <bR> <div> The diligent among you will recall from last months news that I foresaw better weather round the corner.  All I can say is reviewing the last month it's a long corner.  I think we have had it all, snow, bitter cold, rain, and to cap it all never ceasing high winds.  Take heart fellow flyers it cant be far away now, can it?  As you have all had your models on standby for the last few weeks now, I think you still have time to do a battery cycle or two to guarantee hiccup free batteries.  Come to think of it, the way things are going you probably have time to build a whole new model!!!!</div> <div> When the weather intervenes and forces cancellation of flying activities, may I encourage you to delve into the BMFA handbook.  Have a look at the A and B test schedules and try to get inspired.  Besides that, there is lots of stuff in there that is worth reminding ourselves of.</div> <bR> <div> A reminder of how to trim a model and what to look for.  Use the chart as you wish but remember that not all planes will respond the same, so don't try to get your trainer to complete all of the tests!! </div> <div> Notes: </div> <div> 1) Trim in calm conditions. </div> <div> 2) Make multiple tests before adjustments.   MORE TO FOLLOW NEXT MONTH</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="10" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="526" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 82 ><NOBR><div> 1. Control neutrals</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="105"><div> Fly model straight and level</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="105"><div> Adjust the transmitter trims for hands off straight and level flight</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> Adjust clevises to center transmitter trims</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 261 ><NOBR><div> 2. Control throws</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="105"><div> Fly model and apply full deflection of each control in turn</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="105"><div> Check the response of each control</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> *Aileron Hi-rate: 3 rolls in 4 seconds.   </div> <div> *Lo-rate: 3 rolls in 6 seconds.   </div> <div> *Elevator Hi-rate: to give smooth square corner.   </div> <div> *Lo-rate: to give a loop of approx. 130' dia..   </div> <div> *Rudder Hi-rate: approx. 30-35 degrees for stall turns.   </div> <div> *Lo-rate to maintain knife edge flight.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 164 WIDTH="105"><div> 3. Decalage</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="105"><div> Power off vertical dive. Release controls when model is vertical (elevator must be neutral).</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="105"><div> A. Does the model continue straight down?   </div> <div> B. Does the model start to pull out (nose up) ?   </div> <div> C. Does the model start to tuck in (nose down)?</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> A. No adjustment   </div> <div> B. Reduce inciderence   </div> <div> C. Increase incidence</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 180 WIDTH="105"><div> 4. Center of gravity</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="105"><div> Method 1: Roll model into near vertically banked turn.   </div> <div> Method 2: Roll model inverted.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="105"><div> A. Nose drops   </div> <div> B. Tail drops   </div> <div> C. Lots of down elevator required to maintain level flight   </div> <div> D. No down elevator required to maintain level flight, or model climbs</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> A. Add weight to tail   </div> <div> B. Add weight to nose   </div> <div> C. Add weight to tail   </div> <div> D. Add weight to nose</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> FLY Safe,  fly again and enjoy <B>- the better weather should be here soon. </B><I>Stu</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="25" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="606" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFBF0 > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 2468 WIDTH="550"><div> <IMG SRC="213909b0.png" border=0 width="400" height="155" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <I><B>April 03</B></I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Wing Loading: An Idiots Guide.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> The wing loading of a model aircraft is vitally important if you are to attain the performance you expect. Most of us have seen the effects of too much weight on a model when airspeed is lost. Instead of the gentle mush at the stall we see instead a quick wing drop, which the pilot, for some reason, usually tries to correct with full up elevator! This, of course, results in an instant flick and spin into the deck.<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" > <IMG SRC="214c5970.png" border=0 width="197" height="151" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> <I><B>   </B></I>Another symptom often displayed by the overweight aircraft is when lots of elevator is applied in normal flight. Instead of the nice loop he expected the pilot is treated to a partial flick. The pilot usually releases the sticks immediately but by this time the model is inverted, panic sets in and the pilot is unable to correct the situation, usually because he's putting in massive control corrections which are themselves causing further stall/spin events. Soon all is lost and the model explodes into the ground at high speed in a shower of shattered balsa.</div> <div>    What we've also seen is the guy flying a Fun Fly type model, you know, the Panic / Limbo Dancer type, and recovering from extreme low level “situations" with ease. How can this be? </div> <div>    Well, it's mainly to do with the wing loading. Most Fun Fly types have very light wing loadings that are more usually found on gliders. Something in the region of 10 to 12 ounces per square foot, and it's this that enables them to recover from a stall situation almost immediately with only a tiny increase in airspeed or decrease in angle of attack. Add to this a high power to weight ratio and thick airfoil section and you have a machine which can be safely flown into ridiculous situations at low level.</div> <div>    Of course, a lot of this is horses for courses, as they say. Even if it were possible to build a Mustang with a 10 ounce per square foot loading, it wouldn't be a lot of use unless it were very small. It would be bounced around by the merest zephyr and wouldn't display the fast, smooth trajectory of the full size at all. A Mustang would require a loading of 20 to 25 oz sq ft to perform as you would expect, and the pilot would have to be fairly experienced and be able to detect the onset of a stall instinctively.</div> <div>    A trainer, for instance, would want a wing loading of around 16 to 18 oz sq ft. This is so it's heavy enough to not be blown around by the wind too much, and also to fly at a reasonable speed for good penetration and control surface effect. It would also be able to fly </div> <div> quite slowly at this loading and recover from a stall fairly quickly and so be forgiving to the newcomer. So we can see that the wing loading has a lot to do with the way in which a model flies. </div> <div>    A 10% increase in wing loading will mean a 10% longer take off roll, higher landing speeds, sluggish loops, vertical climbs will be shorter etc, and recovery from any nasty situation is going to take much longer to achieve. So always do your best to achieve the designers target weight, it can make a big difference.</div> <div>    It's difficult to say what the wing loading of such and such should be but as a general rule, on average sized models, don't go much over 25 ozs sq ft for WW2 <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><IMG SRC="215c3b40.png" border=0 width="195" height="180" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> type aircraft and aerobatic types. Sport types and 3D models will want to stay below the 20 ozs sq ft mark. Vintage types, both scale and model, will be well under 16 ozs sq ft and the hoverbatic Fun Fly types too. </div> <div>    A lot also depends on the size of the wing. The bigger a wing the more efficient it becomes. For instance, if I were  to build a 60" span model of a Robin Alpha it would have to have a wing loading of around 20 ozs sq ft to perform well, whereas the full size Robin Alpha has a wing loading in aerobatic mode of 12.6 <I>pounds</I> a square foot!</div> <div> I have an 80" wingspan CAP 21 which weighs 14+ pounds and has a wing loading of 30 ozs sq ft. This flies just fine because the wing is so much bigger and therefore more efficient. However, that kind of loading would be far too much for, say, a 54" span model of the same, which would want a loading of no more than 20 oz sq ft for a similar result. </div> <div>    There must be an awful lot of annoyed designers getting complaints off people who think that their design doesn't fly very well, when in fact, it's all down to the builder who's beefed up the structure and totally vandalised the in flight behavior of the model! So do try to meet the designers target weight for your model, it can make a <I>big</I> difference….</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> *</div> <div> Here's the formula if you want to check it out for yourself:</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="217c81f0.png" border=0 width="200" height="31" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Hairy Hinges</B></I></div> <div> Have you tried those mylar like hairy hinges? They look a lot like thin fibreglass matt and are very flexible and seem to be very uniform in thickness, unlike the old mylar type.</div> <div>   Simply assemble the control surface on its hinges and apply thin cyano' to both sides of the hinge. The cyano' wicks in beautifully. I tested one and found the wood disintegrated before it </div> <div> became unstuck from the hinge! </div> <div>   Of course, you can pin them with your preferred method as well. They can be bought in strip or as precut hinges. They're the quickest hinging method I've ever come across. Try 'em!</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>DOH!</B></I></div> <div> Just pulled the battery from my FF6 transmitter for cycling. I use an old Challenger transmitter that's gone off tune to run them down with.</div> <div>    4 hours later it seemed nicely discharged and then I realised! I'd lost all my settings in the FF6 because I'd disconnected the battery. DOH! No power to keep the memory alive. I immediately put the battery back in and connected it to a charger. After 10 minutes I couldn't wait any longer and switched it on. Unbelievably all the settings for my various models were still there! Phew! </div> <div>    I scanned the manual for any mention of how long the memory will survive if the battery is disconnected but couldn't find a thing. Luckily it's at least 4 hours!</div> <div>    They probably use a PROM so there shouldn't be anything to worry about, but, the point is the manual doesn't say a word about it, so it's best to take care and keep a battery connected.</div> <bR> <div>    </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Alan Boneham</B></I></div> <div> Many of you will be shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of one of our oldest and most popular members, Alan Boneham.  Alan was ex R.A.F. and worked for most of his life in the aircraft industry. Known as “One Flight” to a lot of us for his penchant for solving the world's problems in conversation with the lads before remembering to get a flight in before home time!</div> <div> Many were the idyllic, lazy summer afternoons we spent soaring the blue yonder to our hearts content; the troubles of the world left far behind.</div> <div> His heart was in the sky and there he will ever rest. Goodbye old chum.</div> <div> Alan leaves a wife and two daughters to whom we extend our heartfelt and sincere condolences.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Last Months Crossword Solution</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Across:                                   Down:</B></I></div> <div> <I>  4. Yaw                                   1.Murphys War</I></div> <div> <I>  6. Cloud Dancer                     2. Frise</I></div> <div> <I>  8. Prop' Hang                         3. Full House</I></div> <div> <I>10. Saito                                  5. Autogyro</I></div> <div> <I>11. Strut                                   7. Fennis Flyers!</I></div> <div> <I>12. Carbon Fibre                       9. Point</I></div> <div> <I>14. Aerofoil                              11. Sidewinder</I></div> <div> <I>16. Flap                                  13. Balsa</I></div> <div> <I>18. Mix                                   15. Cowling</I></div> <div> <I>19. Greaser                             20. Exhausted</I></div> <div> <I>23. The First of the Few            21. Stab</I></div> <div> <I>25. “V” Tail                              22. Dead Stick</I></div> <div> <I>26. Clevis                                24. Snake</I></div> <div> <I>28. Duct                                  27. Epoxy</I></div> <div> <I>29. Top Rudder                        30. Rib</I></div> <div> <I>31. M.D.S.</I></div> <div> <I>32. Kwik Link</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Bring `n' Buy</B></I></div> <bR> <div> The April 1st club meeting will be a Bring `n' Buy and will be held at the St Andrews Rugby Club, Ash Lawn Road, Rugby, at 7.45pm, as usual.</div> <div>   Make sure you sort out that stuff you've been meaning to sell and bring it along - and don't forget to bring some cash for that bargain!</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Quote:</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>On the ground the 747 is perhaps a bit fussy underneath, like a house being moved around on a lot of roller skates, but when it gets into the air, cleans itself up, and pours on the 100,000 horsepower of its turbofans, there is nothing less awkward or lovelier aloft. Unless you had been told, you would never think of it having 400 people on board. It looks as if there is only one man in there, having the time of his life.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> `Whatever Next?'</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" > </FONT> Clive James.  <I>G :-)</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Archive/Newsletter/March"><U><B><<</B></U></A><B>   </B><A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Archive/Newsletter/May"><U><B> >></B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>