[RCSE] 2003 Montague X/C Challenge Results
This year's Montague X/C Challenge was held on June 14th and 15th at the Siskiyou County Airport, a full scale glider airport near Montague California. We had 15 teams show up and perfect weather. This was my first year to actually fly in this event and it was a big thrill for me. For those of you have never tried this, you are really missing out. Granted there are some difficulties getting started but it is well worth the effort. It's hard to describe what it's like to be sitting in the back of a truck with the plane speeding across the sky at high altitude and your navigator telling the driver to speed up because the plane is outrunning you. And then getting down to telephone pole height thinking you are going to have to land out but then finding a thermal and off you go again. Ron McElliott told me he once got so low his wing actually touched the tall grass but a dust devil came along and he was able to get back up and spec out again. When we asked the winning pilots to relate their flights, they all had some exiting moments during their flight to tell about. I'm telling you, this stuff is FUN. As in the past the first day's event is a distance task. There are marked turnpoints and you may choose which turnpoint to go to from the turnpoint you are at, as long as you don't go between two turnpoints repeatedly. (You may go from A to B and then from B to A but you cannot then go back to B). The second day's task is a speed task. You go as far as you can in a 2 hour time period using the same turnpoints as above. Your speed is then the distance you travelled divided by 2 hours. If you were not in the air for 2 hours your speed is still calculated by dividing by the 2 hours. If you go over 2 hours, your distance is divided by your time. This means you have to go much faster to increase your calculated speed if you go over 2 hours. Look at the Rich Spicer and Mike Gervais results for Sunday. Mike Gervais's team went .2 miles farther but it took them 4 minutes more and moved them into 3 place. The maximum time you are allowed is 3 hours. The results below should line up if you are using Courier or Courier New font. If you have a problem, you can always copy this message into WordPad, highlight it and change the font to Courier New. Saturday: Distance Task Place Team Distance (mi.) 1 John Ellias55.36 2 Mike Gervais 49.03 3 Mat Brady 44.67 4 Rich Spicer32.22 5 Rich Beardsly 26.48 6 Jim Thomas 18.19 7 Mark Mills 16.77 8 Paul Gradwell 16.29 9 Rich Tiltman 13.01 10 Jim Rolle 11.69 11 DJ Buell8.43 12 Del Ashmutte6.73 13 Randy Banta 5.83 14 Ron McElliott 1.70 15 Bill Rinkleib 1.30 Sunday: Speed Task 2 hr. min, 3 hr. max Speed calculated by: mi/2hr if <= 2 hr, mi/time if > 2 hr. Distance Time Speed Place Team (mi.) (hh:mm) (mph) 1 Rich Tiltman 39.54 2:43 14.55 2 Rich Spicer28.68 2:03 13.99 3 Mike Gervais 28.89 2:07 13.65 4 John Ellias25.99 2:02 17.78 5 Rich Beardsly 24.49 1:58 12.25 6 Mark Mills 23.63 1:55 11.82 7 Paul Gradwell 16.27 1:06 8.14 8 Ron McElliott 8.61 1:20 4.31 9 Matt Brady 7.86 0:51 3.93 10 Jim Rolle 7.48 1:02 3.74 11 Jim Thomas 5.03 0.28 2.52 12 Del Ashmutte2.50 0:57 1.25 Overall 2-Day Combined Place Team Points 1 John Ellias 1878 2 Mike Gervais1824 3 Rich Spicer 1544 4 Rich Beardsly 1320 5 Rich Tiltman1235 6 Mark Mills 1115 7 Mat Brady 1077 8 Paul Gradwell853 9 Jim Thomas 502 10 Jim Rolle469 11 Ron McElliott327 12 Del Ashmutte 201 13 DJ Buell 152 14 Randy Banta 105 15 Bill Rinkleib 24 -- Terry Mickle Southern Oregon Soaring Society RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
[RCSE] Re: Monticello aerotow pics posted
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=125605&perpage=15&pa genumber=1 RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
RE: [RCSE] BC6 and LED strips (3 of 3)
I've learned this, in some cases the hard way ($$$) and, over time, it has proven to be a reliable way to approach the subject. A word of caution...On this List we may tend to question how prone our aircraft are to glitches but look at the materials used to construct some of our state-of-the-art planes...Carbon Fiber, carbon rod, some metals, occasionally a bearing...All conductors of electricity and all capable of generating interference. A piece of carbon reinforcement that is cracked can sometimes be noisy as all get out...Electrically. Switches tend to go bad intermittently. Wires and plugs, the same thing. More glitches than what is "normal" is an indication of a problem. Don't get me wrong, the BC6 is definitely NOT the "do-all and be-all" however, used and interpreted properly it can be a very useful diagnostic and early warning device. Sorry for the soapbox, it's really a matter of trying to help people gain a better understanding of the subject and their options... Regards, -Sheldon- YNT uDesign A Soaring Nationals Supporter RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
RE: [RCSE] BC6 and LED strips (2 of 3)
As for glitches and "how many is too many"...I don't have an answer, only some practical experience after years spent with R/C Helicopters (the worst environment for creating glitches) and the BC6. I have to be honest and state that I have re-kitted helicopters because I didn't pay attention to what the BC6 was telling me...That's my fault, NOT the BC6's! Regardless of the type of aircraft, we fly a "system", that consists of the airframe, controls, powerplant (if applicable), Rx, servos, switch, battery, and whatever other little widgets we deem necessary. Any portion of the system has the potential to introduce glitches which may (or may not) affect the Rx and potentially the performance of the aircraft. Let's not get into PCM vs PPM as PCM is NOT a true solution...It does not resolve the cause of the interference, but that's another whole subject. I have learned however that some "systems" seem to have a few (usually 1 or 2) glitches as their "normal" mode of operation and that they don't seem to affect performance. Other "systems" have no glitches as their "normal" mode. My rule-of-thumb, and what I advise my customers is that A) Zero glitches is the most desirable, B) if your "norm" is 1 or 2 then that's your norm (don't drive yourself crazy trying to isolate it unless that "your thing"), 3) and most important...If the glitch count starts increasing from your "norm"...That is DEFINITELY indicative of a problem and should be investigated and resolved prior to further flights RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
Re: [RCSE] SOAR Fred - Chicago - FRIDAY
Peg and I are leaving early Fri for the SOAR extravaganza. Maybe I should bring my XC ship too. Looking forward to a great weekend with you guys. Mike Remus V.P. LOFT Glider Club Fort Wayne IN LSF 4 (almost 5 ) The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
RE: [RCSE] BC6 and LED strips (1 of 3)
This got long so I had to break it up into pieces, please try to read all 3 parts... No problem D.O. - Thanks for correcting your earlier statements "for the record" . I did just check the links on my site and all appears to be operating normally so you may have encountered a "glitch" (pun intended) that stems from my provider. Sorry 'bout that! But let's talk a little bit more about what the BC6 can tell you. Most of us, after a period of time, have a "feel" for how our equipment responds and have an idea of how it "normally" consumes power. If, at the end of a flight, the BC6 appears to show an "unusually" low battery voltage, compared to what you are used to, then that could mean any of several things...1) binding controls, stalled servos, servos going bad, battery going bad, etc. Whatever the cause, it would certainly be something that is worth checking out rather than losing a plane (or worse yet physical harm to someone). RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
[RCSE] The Right Glider for the Job?
Hello all, This past weekend, I completed the last of my LSF III tasks (1 km goal and return) and only have contest points remaining. With these tasks behind me and IV, V ahead, I have been giving a lot of though to how I would accomplish them and what should I fly. I have been flying a Mistral and it has performed extremely well, but I believe that it may not be up to the larger tasks ot IV and V. I had some trouble seeing it at altitude and on the move during the goal and return. This brings me to my question. Those of you that have completed the LSF Level IV and V tasks, what do you fly? My preference would be built up wood models but I could be swayed. I have been knocking around the idea of scratching a Sagitta XC or maybe a building a Challenger. Any other ideas about wood ships and mods you have made? Thank you, Michael "Augie" McKibben _ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
Re: [RCSE] Re: Soaring V1 #2069 Sirius Pro Tx batt size
If, like me, you have made the move to the larger NiMH packs you can eliminate the need to restart your Sirius Pro every charge by sending it to George at Peak Electronics for upgrading to the Pro+. It's an 'off the menu' option (I've not seen it advertised anywhere) and costs about $35. You'll also need a DC power source capable of at least 3 amps. The mod doubles the charge current (to 1.1 amp) and updates the logic for big NiCD and NiMH packs. The downside is that the lower limit goes up, too, so if you're also charging small packs you may lose that flexibility. With the Pro+ and a Dymond Super Turbo in my flight bag, I'm covered for just about anything. Tom --- Bill Swingle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > >>But wouldn't it be easier to just plug it in > once and forget > > >>about it? Especially on larger packs? > > > Good golly gosh YES. > > But Andrew, we have to remember the guys who like > the Sirius like it > because it's "IDIOT PROOF". RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
Re: [RCSE] Fold 'em up and fit 'em
Surely, thou dost jest. - Original Message - From: "tony estep" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 12:12 PM Subject: [RCSE] Fold 'em up and fit 'em > > --- Tom Hoopes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I liked the look and function of the Sportube, but > > found that fitting multiple handlaunch gliders in the Sportube often > > looked like a dog's breakfast. > > > > I began looking for ways to > > reduce the carrier by 4" to achieve 63" in overall length. > > > After reading about Tom's travails in getting HLGs to fit into a > Sportube collapsed to 63", you may wonder how to get a big plane into > mine and still meet the length requirement. For example, I have a > Genie, an Icon, and an Ava, all of which have 3-piece wings, but very > long fuselages. > > The answer came to me late one night. A quick trip to the hardware > store, and I had what I needed: 3 cabinet door hinges and a hacksaw. > Yessir, if the old hinged-fuselage concept is good enough for Army > cargo planes, then it's good enough for me. > > Some helpful hints: first, if you get the lightweight hinges, and don't > put them too far behind the c.g., you don't need as much nose weight to > compensate. Second, you can hinge the pushrods with a clevis > arrangement, then slip a piece of tubing over it to lock it straight. > Finally, a neat wrap of tape over the fuselage joint in a contrasting > color tidies up the look of the plane and can actually add a jaunty > look -- function with flair. > > __ > Do you Yahoo!? > SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! > http://sbc.yahoo.com > RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. > RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
[RCSE] Fold 'em up and fit 'em
--- Tom Hoopes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I liked the look and function of the Sportube, but > found that fitting multiple handlaunch gliders in the Sportube often > looked like a dog's breakfast. > > I began looking for ways to > reduce the carrier by 4" to achieve 63" in overall length. > After reading about Tom's travails in getting HLGs to fit into a Sportube collapsed to 63", you may wonder how to get a big plane into mine and still meet the length requirement. For example, I have a Genie, an Icon, and an Ava, all of which have 3-piece wings, but very long fuselages. The answer came to me late one night. A quick trip to the hardware store, and I had what I needed: 3 cabinet door hinges and a hacksaw. Yessir, if the old hinged-fuselage concept is good enough for Army cargo planes, then it's good enough for me. Some helpful hints: first, if you get the lightweight hinges, and don't put them too far behind the c.g., you don't need as much nose weight to compensate. Second, you can hinge the pushrods with a clevis arrangement, then slip a piece of tubing over it to lock it straight. Finally, a neat wrap of tape over the fuselage joint in a contrasting color tidies up the look of the plane and can actually add a jaunty look -- function with flair. __ Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
Re: [RCSE] BC6 and LED strips
d. o. darnell wrote: As for the number of glitches, what's too many? How many is inconsequential? I've only had mine a short time (got it Monday), but... The buzzer and glitch counter are great for range checking. Keep walking while twiddling the sticks until the buzzer sounds. Now walk back and reset the glitch counter. Have a friend watch for glitches as you repeat the range check. Especially useful if your field has high grass on uneven gouns so you can't eyeball the surfaces as you twiddle the sticks (and my eyesight ain't so hot either). If you are flying and suddenly think you've taken a hit, you'll know for certain now. More than once I've wondered if it was my imagination, now I'll know. Now only if there were a BC6/Alti2/Piccolario/Apitec in one small and light device! -- Andrew E. Mileski Ottawa, Canada http://isoar.ca/ RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
Re: [RCSE] Re: Soaring V1 #2069 Sirius Pro Tx batt size
Bill Swingle wrote: >>But wouldn't it be easier to just plug it in once and forget >>about it? Especially on larger packs? Good golly gosh YES. But Andrew, we have to remember the guys who like the Sirius like it because it's "IDIOT PROOF". I know it's difficult. Ah. Okay. Gotcha. "Nothing is idiot proof, as idiots can be so damn clever." -- Andrew E. Mileski Ottawa, Canada http://isoar.ca/ RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
RE: [RCSE] BC6 and LED strips
Oops I stand corrected: I have reviewed the BC6 "manual" as published at http://www.yntdesign.com/ but found the Installation, Operation, About Glitches and Specifications links inoperative. I incorrectly deduced the requirement for a PC due to the presence of the blue connector which i thought was an external serial connector of some type. Since the mentioned pages were unavailable, I had no other information to go by. The page I could read says that the device records the lowest voltage encountered during the latest episode. That information may then be evaluated (without external equipment) and then a decision made as to whether to fly or charge. The LED strip on the other hand only tells you the voltage NOW. Whichever you find more informative is a matter for personal choice. As for locating a lost plane, that's a very good feature I failed to mention. As for the number of glitches, what's too many? How many is inconsequential? George Steiner has a circuit in his book on R/C electronics published several years ago which is a glitch recorder. I found the circuit interesting but of little practical value in the real world. Perhaps others have additional information they would like to share on glitch recording or voltage reading after the fact. I however, have no more to say about this having blurted out the extent of my meager knowledge on the subject. I do however stand corrected about the necessity of using external equipment with the BC6 and apologize for any confusion I may have caused now or at any time in the future. At 01:02 PM 6/18/2003 -0400, you wrote: D.O., Your reply is INCORRECT...The BC6 is a self-contained unit that DOES NOT require a PC or any additional equipment in order to access the voltage state, number of glitches, or help in locating a down plane. I believe that you may have the BC6 Flight Monitor confused with the ALTi2 Altitude Data Logger. Again, there is no "data dumping" with a BC6...Please visit the YNT website at www.yntdesign.com and you can read the entire instruction/setup manual to see what the potential is.
Re: [RCSE] Re: Soaring V1 #2069 Sirius Pro Tx batt size
>>But wouldn't it be easier to just plug it in once and forget >>about it? Especially on larger packs? Good golly gosh YES. But Andrew, we have to remember the guys who like the Sirius like it because it's "IDIOT PROOF". I know it's difficult. Bill Swingle Janesville, CA [EMAIL PROTECTED] RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
Re: [RCSE] Re: Soaring V1 #2069 Sirius Pro Tx batt size
Ted Garman wrote: I've been charging packs larger than 1000 mAh with my Sirius Pro for a couple of years. It's less hassle than you think, mainly because the Sirius is so idiot-proof. If you can't remember whether it is the first, second or third time that the pack is plugged in; no worries - the charger's green light will soon blink if the pack is fully charged. Of course, I'm only talking hypothetically as I have never lost track of charging my packs. ;-) But wouldn't it be easier to just plug it in once and forget about it? Especially on larger packs? If I'm unsure about the charge state of a pack, I just charge it. I've never had problems doing this, even if the pack was just charged 1 minute ago (yes, I've forgotten and done this). The peak logic, in my two chargers at least, has always reliably detected a fully charged pack and terminated (the Alpha4 is by design slower to terminate than the 112DX). -- Andrew E. Mileski Ottawa, Canada http://isoar.ca/ RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
[RCSE] Chicks Dig Sportubes
Hi All, At this point, some of you might think that Gordy is Sportube's one-man marketing force. Let me add my two cents. I've carried my gliders on the airlines in Corroplast boxes many times without incident, until 9/11. What used to be a simple transaction with a skycap has now become an "iffy" affair at best. The inconsistent responses, and worse, the inconsistent charges for "over-sized baggage" caused me to search for a better solution. After reading of Gordy's escapades with the Sportube, I managed to snag my own Sportube at the end of the ski season for a third of the normal price. I liked the look and function of the Sportube, but found that fitting multiple handlaunch gliders in the Sportube often looked like a dog's breakfast. I decided to build a carrier out of 1/4" plywood that could easily be inserted into and removed from the Sportube. I added a single vertical spine such that the wings mounted on one side of the spine with foam rubber blocks supporting the wing tips, while the fuselages and stabs mounted on the other side of the spine. The carrier was completed a few days before the IHLGF and provided a convenient and safe method for packing four handlaunch planes. Just about this time, Gordy posted his troubles with the Sportube and the over-size charges. I chatted briefly with Gordy trying to determine what might trigger an over-size charge. I followed his suggestion of attaching a key to the exterior of the Sportube for its lock. Gordy was told that cases up to 63" in length would slip "under" the over-size requirement. My Sportube, with the internal carrier measured 67" in overall length. After a bit of contemplative reflection, okay, reckless desperation, I began looking for ways to reduce the carrier by 4" to achieve 63" in overall length. The Sportube comes with foam pads attached to each of the inside ends. I couldn't reach in far enough to peel off the foam, so I enlisted the help of my 13 year old son by shoving him into the Sportube and telling him that he wasn't coming out until he had the entire foam pad in hand. Okay, well maybe the $5 incentive did the trick. This brought the overall length to 65". The top of the Sportube is a bit bulbous, so I cut "dog ears" from the corners of the carrier and the overall length dropped to 64 1/2". At this stage, I started thinking of taking up a different sport, like golf ;-) Finally, I could see that the carrier was being held up by the internal molded section around the Sportube wheels. The integrity of the carrier would have been lost if I cut enough off to clear the wheels, then I thought to turn the carrier upside down and simply notch the spine. Five minutes later, my Sportube's overall length was at 63" exactly, with the internal carrier installed. Rather than putting a picture of a model plane on the exterior of the Sportube as Gordy suggested, I just left the Sportube label showing some kid on a snowboard. I popped over to Sportube's website and they had a nice bit of detail regarding travel on the airlines with the Sportube. I printed off the information and highlighted the pertinent details with a bright pink highlighter then I inserted this page into a clear shipping label and stuck it to side of the Sportube. I also taped a couple of wire ties next to the lock in case security wished to open and view the contents. I added some lettering graphics showing that the overall length was 63" and where the two halves of the Sportube should line up when properly closed. On my way to the airport, I was thinking of all kinds of clever things to say to the skycap to divert attention to anything other than the Sportube. All of the skycaps were males, so I wasn't about to tell them how nice their hair looked. Mind you this is Salt Lake City and these guys are used to seeing this kind of stuff, although not in the middle of the summer. I set the Sportube and my single clothes bag on the ground. Before the skycap could comment, like an unexpected belch, I replied, "It is under size and under weight". He picked it up and said, "So it is!". I handed him a 10 spot and he assured me that my two bags would be the first off the plane in San Diego, which they were. The planes travelled nicely and the return trip back to Salt Lake was even less eventful. As I stood waiting for the shuttle to the long term parking lot, I noticed something different. The two halves of the Sportube were not lined up to the marks that I had added and the tag next to the key was missing. I quickly realized that my Sportube had been opened for inspection. I was curious to see if they had damaged anything when opening up the Sportube, as would have been the case before the addition of my internal carrier. A quick inspection showed everything to be just fine. Thus far, I haven't found the need to blatantly misrepresent the contents of the Sportube. I appreciate the fact that Gordy has shared his findings of t
