Re: [RCSE] New RCSE

[John Erickson]

The Google group is a nice addition.  I¹ve used Google Reader for my news;
it¹s an excellent interface.  Very easy to understand.

Hope our list doesn¹t get too diluted across the web.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA




From: Dennis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:45:46 -0400
To: Soaring List 
Subject: [RCSE] New RCSE

I took it upon myself to create this Google Group to replace the soon to
disappear RCSE. Please let me know if you have and further suggestions. I'm
sure there will be bugs to workout.
 
The groups homepage is:
 
http://groups.google.com/group/rcse
 
The email address is [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 
Please tell your friends and get the word out.
 
Dennis Hoyle
WMSS

Re: [RCSE] "Could CD's Please Collect Plane's Flown By Whom?....

[John Erickson]

Chris,

That's more public info on one page than I've seen in awhile, and you want
more :-)  I think your analogy to Formula 1 is a good one.  I'd bet that 95%
of all glider guiders could not tell a difference between the top planes,
especially given varying conditions when they would be flying the plane.

The old sales trick of hooking up a glider into a thermal and then passing
the transmitter is always effective.  "Man, this thing flies great!"

I've flown many of the designs listed and the differences between each one
are not pronounced.  A Supra and a Perfect you can tell, but when they are
ballasted to the same wing loading it gets a little murkier.  The Experience
and the Perfect are really close, as is the Aspire (maybe a bit more float).

The Espada is slippery, a little quicker in getting back from downwind but
it like to be flown slightly faster due to the planform and airfoil.

Like I said, the differences are not that pronounced and the decision at the
top of the launch is WAY more important than the plane.  Still the guys who
are there have made their decision on what plane they like based on their
own preferences.  But it's not like that formula stays true forever.
Remember the Icon?  The Sharon?  Where are they in this list?

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:02:13 -0700
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Cc: Soaring@airage.com
> Subject: RE: [RCSE] "Could CD's Please Collect Plane's Flown By Whom?
> 
> Gordy,
> 
> As a designer, I look at the overall list as more of a Manufacturer's
> advertising list.  Think about it, each plane costs over $2500 to have
> in flying condition, and each is like a Formula 1/Indy racer in it's own
> regard.
> 
> For information on planes, I would be interested in 3 views (probably
> already available), weights, airfoils, etc.  However, are any of the
> planes "Original Designs"?  DP mentioned he was building a moldie a
> while back, and I was looking forward to hearing of it's results.
> 
> Are the planes so close in performance that differences do not matter?
> 
> Years ago, F3B Worlds used to distribute data on ships, new approaches
> to old problems etc.  I compiled a DVD back in 2001 of IHLGF data and it
> was distributed.  I an going to the German Open and home to take alot of
> pictures because how we address design issues for US conditions is alot
> different from the design conditions in Europe.
> 
> I would love to see more regarding planes, setups, etc.
> 
> Chris
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>>  Original Message 
>> Subject: [RCSE] "Could CD's Please Collect Plane's Flown By
>> Whom?Thanks!  (F3J World Planes)
>> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Date: Tue, July 01, 2008 3:40 am
>> To: Soaring@airage.com
>> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> _http://www.f3x.no/f3j/2008/models08.htm_
>> (http://www.f3x.no/f3j/2008/models08.htm)
>> 
>> Here's the  kind of list that we have all dreamed would be posted  after
>> every USA TD contest ever held in history! :-).
>> 
>> Take a look guys, it will show you whats considered hot in F3J right
>> now...or at least what was available :-).
>> Gordy
>> **Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for
>> fuel-efficient used cars.
>> (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut000507)
> 
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[RCSE] Re: Give it a rest, you're two year too late!!! : [RCSE] Caballeros, 2.4, Attention Everyone,

[John Erickson]

I'll be flying whiskerless in Poway this weekend with a 9C and a 2.4 module.
FASST works perfectly in my hand launch planes.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Flying High <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 09:54:25 -0700 (PDT)
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], exchange 
> Subject: Give it a rest, you're two year too late!!! : [RCSE] Caballeros, 2.4,
> Attention Everyone,
> 
> Martin and all,
> 
> Cect, I was flying on 72Mhz at the Toss contest
> recently and I'd be glad to show you the 2.4Ghz radio gear
> that I use on my glider, Heli's and other toys.  Why fly on
> 72Mhz when my shirt says otherwise?!?!?  BECAUSE IT WORKs
> and I CAN! :-)
> I fly on HAM gear as well, all FUTABA (go firure!?!), if
> you pay close attention you'll see me use all the different
> Futaba radios that are out and soon to be coming out to
> Market (the secret stuff)... not just my trusty 8U radio on
> 72Mhz.  All my radios are programmed to all items found in
> my hanger, nice to be able to swap a simplie Rx and not
> have to worry about wiskers sticking out of my stuff unlike
> others!!! 
> 
> -Edgar Vera
> "The Soaring Junkie"
> 
> 
> 
> --- Sheldon Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
>> Martin, does that mean that the FASST system will operate
>> on both 2.4Ghz and
>> 72Mhz??? Wowzer, is THAT considered forward thinking or
>> what?...(What was
>> that LJ said about "so that their FASST systems work???)
>> 
>> All I can say is it's going to create a nightmare for me
>> when I do the NATS
>> launch matrix (Note to NATS Registrar: Need to find the
>> FASST systems fast -
>> no pun intended - going to wreak havoc is we put them in
>> and standard 72Mhz
>> systems in the same flight group)
>> 
>> Good Lift and Good-Luck to all at the NATS...I'll miss
>> being there this
>> year!
>> 
>> -Sheldon-
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Martin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 2:59 AM
>> Cc: soaring@airage.com
>> Subject: Re: [RCSE] (Gay?) Caballeros, 2.4, Attention
>> Everyone, Including
>> Gordy and Martin Usher
>> 
>> For a real, unPhotoshopped, picture try:-
>> 
>> 
> http://klia.net/toss/pictures/2008-04-20-TOSS-SC2/gallery/pages/DSCN0070.htm
>> 
>> View includes both "FASST" and "Definitely a 72MHz
>> antenna"
>> 
>> Martin Usher
>> 
>> PS. I don't know about the 'gay' thing, as you know there
>> is no greater 
>> bond between two humans than that a pilot and their timer
>> so its easy to 
>> mistake the relationship (at least for about 8 minutes).
>> 
>> A. Real Man wrote:
>>> _http://www.sc-2.org/web/news/SC2-June06/Page16.htm_
>>> Correction to the link mentioned below
>>> Ain't they cute!
>>> 
>>> - Forwarded Message 
>>> From: A. Real Man <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>> To: soaring@airage.com
>>> Sent: Sunday, June 1, 2008 10:22:57 PM
>>> Subject: 2.4, Attention Everyone, Including Gordy and
>> Martin Usher
>>> 
>>> Martin,
>>> Take a look at the following link and the 3-4
>> subsequent pages.
>>> Are the fellows in the orange clothing the same
>> ones that you saw
>>> at the SC-2 contest?
>>> They seem to be a real pair to draw to!
>>> http://www.sc-2.org/web/news/SC2-Web/SC2Frames.htm
>>>  
>>> --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> ,
>>> Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
 
 I remember seeing the guys with the orange shirts at
>> our (SC)2 contest
 (the ones covered with "Futaba" and "FASST" and the
>> like). Worth a
 picture...they were quite obviously flying on 72MHz.
 
 Martin Usher
 
 PS. I fly with a Futaba radio. "Works fine for me"
 
 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Bill and Darwin,
> You know I love both you guys even though you wear
>> those Orange
> shirts, and I have to concede that it is possible
>> to do more with 14
> than 12. I want to point out that the discussion
>> was 2.4 and
> sailplanes, and I still feel IMHO that JR offers
>> more flexibility and
> better RX's for our competition sailplanes and
>> large scale models
>>> with
> multiple servos and high power requirements. I also
>> don't often
> venture in to the large aerobatic arena so it would
>> be unfair for me
> to comment on that phase of the hobby. I do know
>> something about
> Helicopters, and have always found that JR  has had
>> the best
> flexibility and options for programming. Even with
>> all the 
>>> limitations
> of the 12X over the 14, that guy Quique  somehow
>> manages to get the
> 12X to do enough that he is not embarrassed to show
>> up at a contest.
> Enough said I hope the Futaba is always good to
>> you. Larry
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
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>> are g

Re: [RCSE] 2.4

[John Erickson]

Darwin,

I'm flying the Lightspeed and the Vandal on the FASST system.  I have my
Taboo on a 72 mhz channel, hence my name on the roster that way.  My 2.4
receivers have been flawless to date.  The Futaba is an easier install than
the competitors; you don't have a satellite receiver with all it's
associated wiring.  All you need to do is find a good resting spot for the
ends of the antennae.  On both pods there are bands of carbon and Kevlar.  I
glue a little soda straw on the Kevlar portion and that in turn receives the
antennae end.  I also try to orient the other antennae at 90º of the first,
in a balsa fairing on the Lightspeed and on the little deck under the canopy
on the Vandal.

Why aren't there more?  Because we're a cheap group!  We have receivers that
work, so why jump across?  I see it as a gradual change.  10 years from now
they will be universally used.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Darwin Barrie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 07:14:07 -0700
> To: Soaring@airage.com
> Subject: [RCSE] 2.4
> 
> I thought 2.4 was all the rage. People abandoning 72 and ham band en
> masse to use 2.4 and selling everything off.  So, why are we not
> seeing it as much in the sailplane world?
> 
> At the SW Classic there were not nearly as many as I expected. I did
> not get the count but it was far less than we thought we'd get.  Now,
> I was reviewing the pilot list for the IHLGF and see that there are
> only 4 pilots using 2.4, myself included (53 total entries).
> 
> I am using the Futaba Fasst System. I have the 9C Super transmitter
> with the 2.4 Fasst Module and the 607 Fasst receivers in my Blaster,
> Blaster 2 and Vandal. These small receivers fit nicely and the two
> whisker antennas are easily exited from the fuselage.
> 
> So far they are working great with no range issues. Admittedly, I have
> not used the system in a crowded environment, but I have no doubt it
> will work fine.
> 
> Darwin N. Barrie
> Chandler AZ
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Re: [RCSE] "30 minute first flight on my new Cularis by Hitec/MPX)

[John Erickson]

AJ,

On the Easy Glider you need to make a new tow hook.  Most common way is to
drill a 3/8" hole at the very rear end of the existing tow hook tray.  Glue
in a 3/8" x 1 1/2" dowel and thread a tow hook into that.  It will launch
steeper in the new configuration.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: AJ Bhatta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 10:14:31 -0700 (PDT)
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Cc: RCSE 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] "30 minute first flight on my new Cularis by Hitec/MPX)
> 
> Good to know. We have had some guys inquiring about
> soaring and I think this foamie fits the bill. Has
> anyone up there tried the 2M (glider) Easy Glider on
> the winch? We tried this weekend but the CG was too
> far forward. Congrats to Lee on his fantastic
> achievement.
> Regards
> AJ
> 
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[RCSE] Topaz

[John Erickson]

I have a Topaz for sale:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=855095

Thanks!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA

Re: [RCSE] Real flight 3.5

[John Erickson]

At the AMA convention last Friday I demoed the FS-One.  They have a DS ridge
that I wanted to try, as well as the winch launch function.  I clicked on
the wind for the the DS ridge (25 mph) then tried winching the slope plane.
Straight downwind launch!  Couldn't get it to work.  Even when I kept
hitting the "winch tension" key no luck.

The two FS-One guys who were working the booth tried to get it to work but
they couldn't.  Couldn't figure out how to turn the plane around.

I found out later that you have to change the wind direction for launch,
then change the wind direction once again when you are in the air, or
something like that.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Mike Lachowski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 07:01:42 -0500
> To: tony estep <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: RSCE 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Real flight 3.5
> 
> List of sailplane features for FS-One
> 
>   * Hand launch
>   * HiStart (bungee line)
>   * Winch
>   * Tow plane (tow up the sailplane)
>   * Variometer support
>   * Thermal soaring
>   * Slope soaring
>   * Dynamic soaring
> 
> Plus latest plane pack includes a Supra.
> 
> tony estep wrote:
>> Cal, I don't know about 3.5 but I have Realflight 4. It has no launch except
>> handlaunch, but here's what you do.
>> 
>> Use the flying field called "Thermal Park." There are arrows showing various
>> air currents, including some pointing more or less straight up. Mouse around
>> until the plane is pointing right at one of the up arrows, but don't point
>> the nose of the plane up. Just give it a level launch onto the up arrow, and
>> then start circling. You'll climb out.
>> 
>> This is pretty cheesy, admittedly. The DS is really fun, however; even a
>> novice like me can get in the groove and really scream.
>> 
>> I think that Horizon sells a simulator that has some kind of winch launch
>> capability.
>> 
>> HTH!
>> 
>> - Original Message 
>> From: Cal Posthuma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> To: RSCE 
>> Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 4:30:46 PM
>> Subject: [RCSE] Real flight 3.5
>> 
>> 
>> When I use a glider like the BOT I can not get bungie style launch.
>>   All 
>> it does is glide out of your hand.
>> 
>> I looked in instructions and saw nothing referring to launch of a
>>  sailplane.
>> 
>> The on screen instruction is point with mouse and hit any key.
>> 
>> I am pointing into the wind.  I do not have spoilers out.
>> 
>> Cal
>>   
> 
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Re: [RCSE] Contest Format

[John Erickson]

Tim,

I appreciate all the thought you've put into the format.  I'd side with Jim,
however, on flying out the time.  If someone puts the hurt on me I'm not mad
at that person.  I'm mad at myself for not hooking into that air.  I don't
think sportsmanship really comes into play.

I've had the hurt put on me and then have the same guy come over and help
with a broken wing rib or bad battery lead.  That's sportsmanship.

I also like to see when a beginning pilot sneaks out on their own ride while
the experts are way off downwind and scratching.  Nothing builds up your ego
quicker when you're starting out than to have an expert pilot come poach
some air you've been working.

Your suggestion of coming down does move things along, but when the group is
on the ground at 5 minutes and I've taken a big risk being off by myself and
have a done a good job of working it, I don't think my effort should be
worth just a single point more than one of the 5 minute guys.

No matter what the format, it sure beats work :-)

JE
--
John Erickson
LSF V #122


> From: "Tim Bennett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:52:53 -0600
> To: 
> Subject: RE: [RCSE] Contest Format
> 
> 
> 
> Jim Bacus wrote:
>> 
>> "Shafting" the other fellow competitors by completing the task
>> time?  "Unethical?"  ;-)
>> 
>> I see it as maximizing my available flying time during a contest
>> event, and playing by the rules of the contest attempting to
>> maximize my score.
> 
> 
> Jim makes a valid point while at the same time highlighting one of the
> weaknesses of seeded MOM as currently practiced. The format creates a
> structure that encourages or even requires what would seem to some as
> unsportsmanlike behavior which belittles and demeans the unsuccessful
> competitor. The rules encourage exploiting any opportunity to "bury" someone
> who has a bad flight by putting on a show of being the only one flying for
> as long as possible while everyone stands and watches. This kind of
> structure is unnecessary and disproportionately rewards the single episode
> of good luck or heroic effort as opposed to consistent superior performance
> round after round. There can be no greater turn off in competition than
> being shafted or buried. While it may be fun for one guy, it is at the
> expense of everyone else. If playing by the rules makes the competition a
> turnoff to many, maybe better rules can correct this. This is an issue of
> the design of the contest format which my earlier idea seeks to address.
> 
> By assigning scores that are limited on the low side, a competitor is not
> able to lose or win the whole contest in one round and there is no need nor
> opportunity to bury or shaft anybody. I think this is a better way to
> structure a contest if you want to insure all competitors have a good time
> and encourage participation while not artificially limiting the performance
> of any competitor.
> 
> I guess a key objective I left out was:
> 
> "Respect for the dignity of all participants."
> 
> I also think "...maximizing available flying time during a contest..." is
> better done by increasing the pace of the event so more rounds can be flown.
> 
> Tim Bennett
> LSF IV
> 
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Re: [RCSE] "Jack Benny is 39 and 2.4 is 38?"

[John Erickson]

Gordy,

We know that you fly every day of the year, in every part of the world.
Considering that you attend maybe 4 contests a year where there are more
than 40 participants, that means that 99% of the time (literally) you can
fly worry free with a 2.4 gz. System.

I¹m not a marketing guy, I¹m not a statistics guy, I just enjoy taking out
my handlaunch on the Futaba 2.4 system and flying it anywhere without
worrying about what channel anyone is on.  As long as a CD in a large
contest still has impound, the scenario you described literally cannot take
place.

Your post came on Christmas Day.  How about celebrating the 99% instead of
focusing on the 1%?

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA



From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Tue, 25 Dec 2007 21:15:00 EST
To: Soaring@airage.com
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [RCSE] "Jack Benny is 39 and 2.4 is 38?"

Number of systems that can be in use simultaneously
Spectrum  Airtronics  Futaba  Xtreme
 39   38 (?)   ? 120
 

Got these from the XtremePowerSystems site (letting the Christmas turkey
settle to make room for pie and this was something I had been thinking about
for awhile, so decided to do a little Googling).
 
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the general modeler believed that
with 2.4 all concerns for freq control were overMillions could all be on
at once...there was the story about the huge heli event with hundreds of
attendees most enjoying the freedom of 2.4hmmmn.
 
Did you all believe that the amount of 2.4 TXs on at once was almost
unlimited?
 
Here's another wrench in the freq paradise workswhat about a mix of
brands and systems?  Some using two channels at once, some hopping around.
 
Regardless of the information encoding, radio waves are still radio waves,
and can be shaded, mixed and diluted.
 
How do you control 100+ contestants 2.4 TX's when there isn't any channel
assignments?  Impound every TX and only let up to 39 of one brand at a time?
>From 50 channels controlled to 38 hopefully safe?
 
Just wondering, if anyone else is wondering...oh yeah Merry Chrismas!
 
I got my new AMA card...you?
 
Gordy




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[RCSE] Launching Sanity

[John Erickson]

Mike,

I¹m the ³people² here, but I¹m just following the sage advice of those who
have gone before us.  Chuck¹s testament:

"After a few years, we began receiving complaints about not being able
to zoom so in order to satisfy those who came to zoom instead of
thermal, we added a bypass switch.  If the contestant chose to bypass
the tension limiter, NO RELAUNCHES were permitted for broken tow
lines.  A few people had trouble taping the peddle while the tension
limiter was cycling.  These fliers could usually get better launches
by putting the metal to the metal and letting the tension limiter do
the tapping.  Fliers with Oly II's and similar models didn't notice
any difference from normal winches.

We finally got tired of listening to complaints about not being able
to get good zooms so discontinued using the tension limiter and went
to heavier towlines.  The original tension limiter base is still
rusting in the weeds behind my shed in the woods behind my house."

I¹m going to launch and adjust to whatever set up the good people running
the Southwest come up with.  The last thing I want to do is make any
decision harder for them.  The problem last year was line breaks, and they
had lots of new line.  We¹ve been finding that the Memphis Twine batches
recently have had thin spots.  Once these are cut out you get some long
runs.

The guys are going to elevate the turnaround and winch, which should make
things more powerful, and less susceptible to nicks from the ground.  I¹m
sure they will come up with a balanced solution.  My point is if the winches
become too soft there will undoubtedly be some grumblings, just like there
are if there are too many line breaks.  It¹s tough hosting a contest!

I think the idea of flying off F3B winches is great but there are several
issues that come up:

1. Retriever set up for a large contest?
2. Inventory of average club
3. Cost of mono; having different diameter for different wind conditions

The plus side is that it is a regulated amount of torque and airplane
designers can use that for design parameters.  And it¹s International.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA



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Re: [RCSE] Re: Launching Sanity

[John Erickson]

Or the set up at Visalia.  Very few line breaks considering how many
launches they go through on a weekend.

All this resistance talk is good from a technical point of view, but for the
guys at the Southwest Classic they may have a marketing issue on their
hands.  "Travel hundreds of miles, spend money staying here and look forward
to 6v launch heights.  Guaranteed fewer line breaks".

I hope Chico and company have a good welcoming speech!  I'm considering
taking along a smaller plane that might launch higher.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: dharban <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Organization: RCGroups.com
> Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:19:00 -0600
> To: soaring@airage.com
> Subject: [RCSE] Re: Launching Sanity
> 
> 
> One other thought.  The winch setup at the Nats was excellent with
> regard to reliability and uniformity.  In addition, I did not find the
> winches so powerful that they blew my hair back (at least what's left
> of it).Perhaps someone who was responsible for the set up of these
> winches would like to comment on the setup and what went into setting
> them up.
> 
> Don
> 
> 
> -- 
> dharban
> 
> dharban's Profile: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=31927
> View this thread: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=789230
> 
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Re: [RCSE] Re: HKM's High End"

[John Erickson]

Mike,

I¹m sure you¹re seeing ³big² differences, but at first glance I also thought
about the Icon.

High End

Span:  133.8²
Area:  1,109 in2
Foil:  8.4%/2.3%
Weight:  72.3 oz
Wing loading:  9.38

Icon

Span:  130²
Area:  1,150 in2
Foil:  8.98%/2.25%
Weight:  76 oz
Wing loading:  9.5

I think the High End is optimized towards what you are looking for in an F3J
plane, but I don¹t see the Icon as far away in comparison.  Let¹s just call
them aerial cousins.  They both can get the job done.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA



From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:24:43 -0700
To: Doug Barry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: soaring@airage.com
Subject: RE: [RCSE] Re: HKM's High End"

Hey Doug, mmm, the High End is so NOT and ICON.
 
When I first saw a photo of the High End, I had no idea who designed it or
where it came from, but, I recognized something in the design.  I studied
those pictures carefully, because I knew that the designer was someone I was
very familiar with.  I mean those little up-swept tips, the bullet skinny
fuse, the functionally beautiful design, and the shape of the wing planform
all spoke to me.  Then it hit meDieter Perlick!  This must be Dieter's
new F3J model! WOW, COOL!  Because, Dieter designs gliders the way I wish I
could, and executes his designs even better than I wish I could.  And
because I flew Dieter's Altus' in the F3B Team Selects, then the F3B World
Champs.  So, you might be able to tell that I am a little fired up about
this model, and can't wait to get mine.
 
So, taking nothing away from the venerable ICON, I just can't see how you
could use it in your comparison to the High End.   They don't look anything
alike.  I can guarantee you that Dieter did not glance at the ICON for
inspiration in approaching the High End design.  To me, he answered my
dreamsStretch out an Altus.  But he opted for a more practical tail, as
I would have chosen to stay with the Altus T tail.
 
Happy Holidays
 
Mike Smith

>  Original Message 
> Subject: [RCSE] Re: HKM's High End"
> From: Doug Barry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, December 12, 2007 2:00 pm
> To: soaring@airage.com
> 
> 
> HKM High End  finally the Europeans can fly an ICON and not have to give
> credit to Joe Wurts.
> 
> Doug Barry
> Richmond VA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> At 01:21 PM 12/12/2007, you wrote:
>> http://www.hkm-models.com/High%20End.htm
>> 
>> Take a few minutes to read the thought process behind this ships development,
>> it will give you a lot of insight into the process of investing the time and
>> money it takes to create a mold.  Thousands of bucks for the mold and a lot
>> of machine work and hand polishing, so not something to decide on casually.
>>  
>> Gordy
>> Still in Greece :-(
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> See AOL's top rated recipes
>>   and easy
>> ways to stay in shape
>>   for
>> winter.
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>> generally NOT in text format

[RCSE] Sting F3F for sale

[John Erickson]

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781982#post8677752

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA



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[RCSE] Aerologic

[John Erickson]

Has anyone used Aerologic software?

http://www.aerologic.com/

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA

Re: [RCSE] Vandal Full house with Rads....1K, DLG or maybe its actually

[John Erickson]

http://www.jonesprototypes.com/photo.htm

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA



From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:46:20 EST
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: soaring@airage.com
Subject: [RCSE] Vandal Full house with Rads1K,  DLG or maybe its
actually

Vandals are 3m. Look a lot like Supras,  Servos and stuff complete makes it
in the 1k Range.
 
Gordy




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and top money wasters
  of 2007.

Re: [RCSE] Re: Soaring V1 #10398

[John Erickson]

I have the FASST system in my new Lightspeed hand launch glider.  I was
careful to place the antennae ends in areas where there was no carbon.  That
being said, both ends are adjacent to electronics, the carbon boom and
strips of reinforcing carbon.  The two ends are at 90º to one another.

I haven¹t had a glitch and I¹ve flown the plane to 1,500 feet.  I¹ve also
flown low over buildings and fences, and in crowded radio environments.  So
far, so good!  Different than the Spectrum set up, the Futaba just has a
single receiver.  Very easy to install and set up.  I like the ability to go
to the flying site and not worry about getting shot down.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA



From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:43:57 EST
To: Soaring@airage.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [RCSE] Re: Soaring V1 #10398

In a message dated 11/25/2007 10:41:14 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,
Soaring@airage.com writes:
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 
I am using Futuba 2.4 GHz FASST Systems with no problems and excellent range
in:
 
1) An Electron 2 M F5J Outrunner Class electric sailplane
 
2) An AVA F5J Limited Class electric sailplane
 
3) A Super V 100 full house TD sailplane
 
4) A foam Cub park flyer test plane
 
With all these sailplanes and the park flyer I have not had any problems
flying at three field sites around Albuquerque.  At the Albuquerque Balloon
Festival Park I have flown all these sailplanes to my limit of sight in the
presence of others flying Spectrums and 72 mc radio systems.
 
Dale Nutter




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[RCSE] Lightspeed review

[John Erickson]

I got to fly my new Lightspeed DLG over the weekend.  I've posted a
mini-review on RC Groups, in the hand launch section.

http://www.rcgroups.com/hand-launch-96/

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] EverReady's Answer to the Lithium 1.5 V Cell Question

[John Erickson]

Chris and Jim,

Will you two please cover the Calvin Cycle next?  I sat in on my daughter's
AP Biology class and I swear out of 20 questions on a pre test I got 1
right.  Humbling experience when your kids shoot way ahead of your knowledge
level.

Of course she knows very little about downwind turns with a Skeeter.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 14:44:09 -0700
> To: soaring@airage.com
> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: RE: [RCSE] EverReady's Answer to the Lithium 1.5 V Cell Question
> 
> In proper terms, the Lithium ion, Li+, is chelated by the "Organic" compounds.
> Lithium disulfide and Lithium Sulfide are properly termed "Inorganic" unless
> you are from a different planet with alternate element based Life forms (LOL).
> As mentioned below, the propylene carbonate, dioxane, and dimethoxyethane are
> really carriers and do not themselves have a charge.  In theory, these
> compounds would not be electrolytes because they themselves are not charged.
> They may be polar, and that characteristic permits them to solubilize polar
> compunds as well as charged ions.  The electrodes, e.g. carbon or other
> related metals are just the location where electrons are given up or accepted
> by the oxidation or reduction reactions. It is the combinatin oxidation and
> reduction reaction that gives a cell it's overall potential (voltage). In
> order for Lithium to give up it's electrons the Fe (iron) must accept the
> electron. Only when all the FeS2 is used up, or likewise all the Li available
> releases the electrons will the cell reaction hit an equilibrium and the
> battery be "Used Up".  Recharging is the reverse the reaction, however due to
> the content of the cell components, reversal may not be the reverse of the
> electricity generating process. Batteries are made with the electrolytes as a
> "Paste" for a variety of reasons, and ion diffusion in the paste is controlled
> by temperature and hence time.  That is why if you leave a battery for a while
> after discharge it seems to come to life again, but not for long. The
> solvents, dioxane, propylen carbonate and dimethoxyethane are used for their
> low toxicity and solubility for dispersion, in water if you are an
> environmental person.
> 
> BTW, water, which we say is an electrolyte is both a polar as well as produces
> ions.  Within water as a solvent, water dissociates into solublized (H2O
> solvent) H+ (protons, an acid) and OH- ions (hydroxide base) to a large enough
> extent to conduct electricity.
> 
> If the reader will consult the URL for Li polymer descriptions, they will see
> the the 3.0+ volt reduction potentials.
> 
> As an aside, what we really should be using is room temperature molten salt
> batteries.  Their elements and reactions are so flamable that they are
> extremely dangerous.  However, due to their extremely high energy density, as
> well as their flamablilty and explosive nature, they are used in relatively
> short duration electronic applications, i. e. cruise missles.  When they
> explode the battery itself becomes part of the explosive and flamable
> destructive power. If you think the Li polymer batteries we have explode, you
> should see these electrolytes go up when exposed to air.
> 
> Grins!
> 
> Chris 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> The Lithium-Iron chemistry deserves a separate section because it is one of a
> handful of lithium metal systems that have a 1.5 volt output (others are
> lithium/lead bismuthate, lithium/bismuth trioxide, lithium/copper oxide, and
> lithium/copper sulfide). Recently consumer cells that use the Li/Fe have
> reached the market, including the Energizer. These have advantage of having
> the same voltage as alkaline batteries with much more energy storage capacity,
> so they are called "voltage compatible" lithiums. They are not rechargeable.
> They have about 2.5 times the capacity of an alkaline battery of the same
> size, but only under high current discharge conditions (digital cameras,
> flashlights, motor driven toys, etc.). For small currents they don't have any
> advantage. Another advantage is the low self-discharge rate­10 years storage
> is quoted by the manufacturer. The discharge reactions are:
> 
> Type Reaction Nominal Voltage Range
> FeS2 Version 2 FeS2 + 4 Li ‹> Fe + 2Li2S 1.6 Volts 1.6-1.4 V
> FeS Version FeS + 2Li ‹> Fe + Li2S 1.5 Volts 1.5-1.2 VBoth Iron sulfide and
> Iron disulfide are used, the FeS2 is used in the Energizer. Electrolytes are
> organic materials such as propylene carbonate, dioxolane and dimethoxyelthane
> 
> 
>>  Original Message 
>> Subject: [RCSE] EverReady's Answer to the Lithium 1.5 V Cell Question
>> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Date: Fri, October 27, 2006 2:05 pm
>> To: soaring@airage.com
>> 
>> To confirm my earlier post that lithium was probably a component of the
>> electrolyte and not truly a controlling element of the electrochemical
>> reaction (which determines voltage), I contacte

Re: [RCSE] 3 cells or 4?

[John Erickson]

Jim,

You don't need no stinkin' Red Bull when the wind dies out 6 hours into the
flight.  You will be moving fast enough.

My buddy Nowell "watched" 3 movies while he did his 8 and I did my 4.  When
I did my 8 there was enough action going on to keep everyone entertained.
Joe Nave and I were flying Parker like it was a thermal contest, up about
700' above the lip.  It was uneventful, but the guys down lower gave us all
kinds of thrills, especially when the lift cycled big time.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "James V. Bacus" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 18:51:47 -0500
> To: soaring@airage.com
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] 3 cells or 4?
> 
> I'll prep about 8 to 10 cans of Red Bull for in flight use, and some
> Chimay Blue Label for post flight refreshment. ;-)
> 
> 
> 
> At 06:17 PM 10/25/2006, Bill Swingle wrote:
>> One point though. Caffeine is also a diuretic. Just a thought...
>> 
> 
> Jim
> Downers Grove, IL
> Member of the Chicago SOAR club, and Team JR
> AMA 592537LSF 7560 Level IV   R/C Soaring blog at www.jimbacus.net
> 
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Re: [RCSE] Stopwatch Recommendation

[John Erickson]

I agree with Brian.  I've had one for 10 years.  It's worth the money.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Brian Chan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 09:11:21 -0700
> To: David Register <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "RCSE (Soaring Exchange)"
> 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Stopwatch Recommendation
> 
> At 8:47 AM -0500 10/17/06, David Register wrote:
>> Seeking a little input on stopwatch recommendations, particularly
>> for discus but also for general TD use. I have an old Accusplit with
>> a 10 lap/split memory and programmable target timing but the buttons
>> are pretty shaky, even after cleaning and re-adjusting the gaps. A
>> couple of things would be useful:
>> - greater than 10 memory capability (30 would likely be more than
>> sufficient),
>> - simple (one button) lap timing operation,
>> - don't really need a target time setting - that's useful but not critical,
>> - same button for start/stop/lap timing,
>> - no lap time freeze before clear.
> 
> Why would you need lap time for TD work?
> 
> I have the Seiko for over 20 years, and it is the best. Others are
> just copy cats of the Seiko.
> 
> Brian
> -- 
> Brian Chan,
> An Electric Airplane Junkie @ San Mateo.Ca.USA
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Re: [RCSE] A good day in Louisville!

[John Erickson]

Ben,

That was a great story!  I can just imagine ducking in and out of the trees,
going up and down hills.  You get a new appreciation of what cross country
is all about.  I was lucky enough to be with guys who had thick skin; when
we turned around at the checkpoint and I was sitting backward looking over
my disappearing plane at 2,000 feet and I wasn't happy.

It's a great feeling when you are on the final leg and you know you are
going to make it.

JE
--
John Erickson
LSF V #122


> From: Ben Wilson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 23:38:18 -0400
> To: "soaring@airage.com" ,  LASS Soaring List
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [RCSE] A good day in Louisville!
> 
> I showed up the field yesterday (Sunday) on what one might consider our
> real first "fall" day.  I figure it's officially fall when either I have
> to wear long sleeves to the field, you can call it "Fall".
> 
> I noticed some electric stuff flying around the field, and upon further
> inspection, I noticed it was one of those foam-core profile "3D" planes.
> It was doing loops and rolls, level inverted flight, flat spins,
> knife-edge stuff, the whole kit.  I figured we must have pulled in one
> of the acro guys from the the gas club from the North side of town.
> Searching the field, I was surprised to see our own "little" Lee
> Atchison tearing up the sky with this plane that I'd never seen him fly
> before.  10 years old and putting us all to shame!  He's told me before
> that he uses RC flight sims quite a bit, and based on what I saw at the
> field, I'd have to believe him.  Amazing stuff.
> 
> Lee left the wings to his Sagitta 600 at home (Lee is known for being a
> little forgetful when it comes to that stuff - then again, I've seen
> Gordy drive home to get his wing bolts on occassion), so Ed decided that
> he'd let Lee try his Soprano RES.  Lee was admittedly a bit afraid of
> such a big plane, being that his Oly II is the biggest thing he's flown,
> but Ed knew he could handle it.  Ed threw it the first time for him, and
> Lee guided it up the line - and picked up an 18 minute flight!  That
> fulfilled his LSF Level II thermal duration requirements, and he even
> picked up a handful of landings, the last of which was 18" from the nail.
> 
> Lee also has been doing his part to spread the soaring word, and brought
> along a buddy of his ("Jake") who is just itching to get a plane in the
> air.  President Ed is putting the finishing touches on a ship for him.
> We've also had quite a few folks stop by the field with their kiddos,
> and President Ed helped a guy and his kid tweak a HobbyZone parkflyer
> into shape.
> 
> Meanwhile, I was scratching lift here and there, looking to maybe, just
> maybe get a goal and return in.  Ed predicted a "noon balloon", and by
> the 30-40 degree temperature differential, I concurred.  However, things
> remained a bit overcast and it never developed into booming skies. It
> *did* remain effervescent near the ground - I had a handful of saves
> with my DLG and with my EZBD that turned out to be good, workable
> thermals.  What I wanted to make Dave Register proud and do a
> goal-and-return with my XP-3.5 handlaunch glider, it's batteries were
> down and I decided to switch to my other favorite Polecat product, the
> EZ Bubble Dancer.  Despite the fact that my EZBD #1 has been smashed
> into the earth at Mach 1 (estimated) and spent 3 hours in a tree and was
> beaten with sticks, I had taped and glued it back together for the World
> Soaring Masters as a backup.  It's got "character" now, and still
> launches and flies like a champ.
> 
> Tony, our club Jeep-driver and I pored over the street map and worked
> out a few possible courses based upon wind-vectors.  I kept getting into
> lift, but it was so wide and soft that I didn't think I was going to get
> high enough - but Tony wouldn't let it rest!  Finally I summed up my
> courage (with some prodding from Tony) and Tony opened the Jeep door and
> I climbed in.  Having never done XC stuff before, but always being
> fascinated by it, I knew I was in for a trip.
> 
> Kentucky, for those of you who haven't been here, is a predominantly
> hilly state with plenty of stately oak and maple trees.  That certainly
> makes cross-country a bit of a challenge, especially when rolling along
> the tree-lined streets of elder suburbia - which is where the LASS
> flying field sits.  We drove about a 1/4 of a mile to the entrance of
> the park in a clearning and sat there for a bit while I gained a little
> more altitude.  Did I mention also that our park is in a hole?  That
> complica

[RCSE] World Soaring Masters 2006

[John Erickson]

Back at the computer screen after 5 days in Muncie.  Yesterday was our
travel day, very low stress not having to get out of there right after the
contest.  We (Gary F., Lex M. and Mike R.) dropped of our planes at the
local FedEx then headed over to the AMA museum.  You can spend hours in
there looking at all the historical planes, but what always gets me are the
innovative experiments and developments that the hobby has seen over the
last 75+ years.

If people are looking at the scores and wondering how some top pilots could
take such a beating, then they don't understand the full story and man on
man scoring.  After the first two days I don't think there were more than 5
flights out of 400 that were over 11:30.  There were times where a 6 minute
flight would win the heat.  There were also times where a guy could be the
second to last plane down and end up with a 500.  That's the proverbial
shovel that all of us got (and in many cases, gave).

I flew the entire contest with my Icon.  I have a heavier version, around 78
ounces.  In the last 4 years of flying this plane the ballast tube has
always just collected dust.  Not this contest!  I was walking around,
checking out all the other Icons and asking their owners "how many tubes
that time?".  I flew most of the time with two tubes (20 oz.) and several of
the rounds with four tubes (33.6 oz).  I could have gone to more but you had
the danger of line breaks.  You got two for the entire contest.  No pop offs
either; you flew it out of you popped off.  You'll see some very low scores
where the timer has just finished timing the rapid descent of the fuse as
the wings tumbled off.  I was telling everyone that it was a very good
contest for the manufacturers; a lot of lost planes to be replaced.

In conditions like these, with 25 mph winds you want your equipment to be in
top shape.  No out of trim stuff, no loose linkages.  I was a victim of my
own tinkering; I had reset an elevator servo and the trim was slightly off.
I also had a flap servo come loose, so after the second round I got all
fixed and started to settle down.  Too late!  No throw out rounds.  The guys
on top were also those that for the most part had no problems with their
planes.

A lot of the flying in the wind had to do with surfing and pumping as much
energy out of any wave lift you could find.  As Ben mentioned, there was
very little thermal turning going on Friday and Saturday.  The drill was to
launch and clean up the plane as much as possible (lower rates, rudder only
for me), camber and pull up when you had a little energy, then get out of
there quickly if conditions deteriorated.

In an average contest you can get gaggles where everyone goes because
everyone is there.  It's not always where the lift is.  Not in this contest.
The gaggle was usually a good place as you could really judge what was going
on with the other planes and you could cover someone if they broke off with
a thermal.  Well, not exactly.  Guys would make heroic efforts at working
lift downwind and then spend 3 agonizing minutes trying to get back to the
field.  If you could pull it off you could get out the shovel, but on Friday
and Saturday I twice saw the maxes take place out on front, not downwind.

Sunday was a different story.  Still windy, but lots of legitimate thermals.
Now you had to go downwind, usually about 3 times to get your 12.  Sometimes
it was a case of getting out 5 seconds before everyone else.  The bus left
the station in a hurry.

There were a variety of planes that did well.  Sharon's, Supra, Pike
Perfect, Icon, Fazer, Stratos V, Espada.  There wasn't any clear cut
advantage in my mind.  It all had to do with the piloting, which was how it
was supposed to be.  The landings were pretty easy with the stiff headwind
and the soft grass.  It wasn't a spearing contest.  You could come in and
practically hover over the tape.  When you put the nose down into the ground
you would be buried about 3 inches.  It was kind of fun to dig away till you
found the end of the nose cone.  Hey, it's an 80!

The barbeque on Saturday night was unreal.  Jambalaya, deep fried stuffed
turkey, Jalapeno poppers, and some home brewed ale.  Mr. Dirr did an
outstanding job.  He even had some steaks for the food crew and I was
sniffing around the grill like a drooling dog.  I got a nice piece of the
marinated New York that you could cut with a plastic knife.

All the volunteers did their job perfectly.  Impound, equipment, scoring,
all handled without a glitch.  Mark N. was a very even handed CD who managed
the entire event in a good mood.

The pilot's raffle was a really good time.  You're hearing the "DVDEE"
online because Paul Naton had donated 40 gift certificates and the prize
came up pretty often, including one stretch where it was a DVD 6 times in a
row.  

They'll probably have this event every two years to keep it special.  I'm
glad I got to be in the inaugural.  A very, very good time!

JE
--
LSF V 122



RCSE-List 

Re: [RCSE] New LSF Thread Level 6

[John Erickson]

Level 6?  Great timing on the suggestion, Larry :-)  I work for about 3
years to get to Level V.  I become all philosophic and relaxed about the
hobby.  Then all at once a whole group of Sportsmen start talking about
Level V being impossible to attain if you don't get to contests, and on the
other hand some top Experts suggesting Level V not being high enough?

Can't we leave LSF alone for a few weeks?

I've got to stay true to what I've been saying all along.  It's a personal
achievement program.  I just wonder for both sides if it is about improving
and promoting the hobby, or just for recognition.  We all like to be
acknowledged for what we've done; we're human and we have egos.  That being
said, I'm more interested in the challenge of the tasks rather than the
kudos.

I'd say it's a disservice to those who have completed the program to change
it.  If there are new ideas they should be in a new program, maybe not even
associated with LSF.  You can have The Sportsman Challenge headed up by the
guys in RC Groups who want it in the first place, and you can have the Team
Extreme Double Gold set up by the Soaring Titans, you know who you are.

One last item, Darwin, I disagree about equipment being responsible for
anyone getting their Level V.  First off, in contests you are up against
everyone else flying the same stuff, no advantage there.  8 hour slope and 2
hour thermal?  You can do those with a Gentle Lady if the conditions are
right.  The slope flight is about keeping your concentration for that length
of time and the thermal is about hopping around from thermal to thermal for
a couple of hours.  When the day is right (5 times a year?) you can do it
with any plane.  XC has always used big planes, even when the LSF started.
They had varios.  Personally, I turned the one I had off because I wasn't
interested in going higher than 3,000 feet because I couldn't see the plane
anymore!  What good is it having a vario to tell you that you're in great
air when you can't even see your plane?

As far as pilots being added to the Level V list, not sure what you mean
here.  Not many this year.  Marc Gellart and me so far.  Joe Nave and Jon
Stone last year.  By your argument shouldn't there have been many, many
more?  In 1987 and 1988 there were a total of 17 guys who made it to V.
What did equipment have to do with it?

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Darwin N. Barrie" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 09:46:19 -0700
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, 
> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] New LSF Thread Level 6
> 
> I tend to agree with the possibility of a Level 6. When the LSF program was
> developed the equipment was archaic by todays standards. I know it is the
> pilot but the equipment certainly has added a little advantage. How many Level
> 5's have been added in the past year or so?
> 
> A Level 6 should be considered to reflect the evolution of the hobby. Not
> quite to the standards Skip outlined but similar.
> 
> Darwin N. Barrie
> Chandler AZ 
> Level 0
> - Original Message -
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> To: Soaring@airage.com
> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 8:42 AM
> Subject: [RCSE] New LSF Thread Level 6
> 
> 
> I read Skip's, response last night and it occurred to me that with as many
> Level 5's as there are now, Skip has a valid point about initiating a Level 6.
> I have to admit that I am not much interested in the thread that has been
> being passed around on this forum the last week. Either you get it or you
> don't, the LSF program is a personal achievement program that was designed to
> enable the aspirant to gain as much experience as possible in all phases of RC
> Soaring including competition, with other like minded pilots. The program has
> stood the test of time, and requires commitment and dedication to achieve the
> highest coveted levels. The wisdom of the founders of the achievement program
> has proven that even with the performance available in modern gliders, the
> program is still challenging, and the pilot will gain much knowledge and
> piloting expertise as he climbs the ladder of achievements. Level 5 is not
> designed to be easy, and is not a goal that everyone will achieve. All
> arguments about the program being impossible and extraordinarily hard are
> B.S.. It wasn't to hard for John Ericson who just finished his level 5. So if
> you have decided that you don't have what it takes to be a Level 4 or 5. You
> just can't invest the time, and in the end it just is not something that you
> really want to do. Then admit it and go on. Changing a valid program to match
> your circumstances just isn't realistic or fair to those that have finished
> the program before you.
> How ever, with that said, several Level 5's have discussed the possibilities
> of higher Levels in the past. Personally I have mixed feelings about adding
> another level, as many Level 5's are no

Re: [RCSE] Level V slideshow

[John Erickson]

Title: Re: [RCSE] Level V slideshow



Jim,

With friends like you...who needs enemas.  See you in Muncie.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


From: "James V. Bacus" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Thu, 07 Sep 2006 19:21:15 -0500
To: soaring@airage.com
Subject: Re: [RCSE] Level V slideshow

What a fantastic journey, congrats on making it to level V!

Here's a picture I bet you wish I didn't have:  ;-)
http://www.jimbacus.net/soaring/nats2004resnos/pages/DSC02352.htm



At 07:09 PM 9/7/2006, John Erickson wrote:
I ve put together a slideshow of different events as I worked my way through the LSF program.  Jim Deck put out some stats about the average time to achieve Level V.  It s somewhere around 10 years.  I thought 2 1/2 years was long enough!  I was really struggling at times trying to get my 20 person wins.  One day Larry Jolly told me Don t worry about the wins.  They ll come.  Just have fun .  Truer words were never spoken.  I stopped trying so hard and started enjoying all the aspects of our great hobby.  

There were stories behind every task, including the last 2 hour thermal.  The post flight graph from the variometer at one point showed me 150 below my starting elevation.  All I know was that I was 10 off the ground with 20 minutes to go.  I caught a miracle hand launch thermal and made it out.  It wouldn t have been exciting without some drama, and there was plenty of it all though the LSF tasks.

A big thanks to Dan Borer, Major Anderson, John Yee, Ian Douglas, Gene Hays, Lex Meirop, Joe Nave, Joe Wurts, Greg Norsworthy, Nowell Seigel, Duke Rovarino, all the guys in our SCSA club, the SWSA club, the TOSS club, the SC-2 circuit, Jim Deck, Bill Rakozy, Tom Kallevang and all the LSF council, and many, many others who I have flown with along the way.

http://homepage.mac.com/jrerickson/LSF/iMovieTheater35.html

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA
LSF V #122


Jim
Downers Grove, IL
Member of the Chicago SOAR club, and Team JR 
AMA 592537    LSF 7560 Level IV   R/C Soaring blog at www.  jimbacus.net  

[RCSE] Level V slideshow

[John Erickson]

Title: Level V slideshow



I’ve put together a slideshow of different events as I worked my way through the LSF program.  Jim Deck put out some stats about the average time to achieve Level V.  It’s somewhere around 10 years.  I thought 2 1/2 years was long enough!  I was really struggling at times trying to get my 20 person wins.  One day Larry Jolly told me “Don’t worry about the wins.  They’ll come.  Just have fun”.  Truer words were never spoken.  I stopped trying so hard and started enjoying all the aspects of our great hobby.  

There were stories behind every task, including the last 2 hour thermal.  The post flight graph from the variometer at one point showed me 150’ below my starting elevation.  All I know was that I was 10’ off the ground with 20 minutes to go.  I caught a miracle hand launch thermal and made it out.  It wouldn’t have been exciting without some drama, and there was plenty of it all though the LSF tasks.

A big thanks to Dan Borer, Major Anderson, John Yee, Ian Douglas, Gene Hays, Lex Meirop, Joe Nave, Joe Wurts, Greg Norsworthy, Nowell Seigel, Duke Rovarino, all the guys in our SCSA club, the SWSA club, the TOSS club, the SC-2 circuit, Jim Deck, Bill Rakozy, Tom Kallevang and all the LSF council, and many, many others who I have flown with along the way.

http://homepage.mac.com/jrerickson/LSF/iMovieTheater35.html

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA
LSF V #122

Re: [RCSE] "Skip Miller Injured"

[John Erickson]

Title: Re: [RCSE] "Skip Miller Injured"



It looks pretty tight after 6 rounds.  If JW can make it into the fly off I like his chances.  All scores in the preliminary rounds are thrown out.

BTW, to get to Martin, go north from Zvolen.  If you hit Cadca you’ve gone to far.  Near Rajec and Zilina.  Reminds me of when I was driving around Eastern Europe.  You think reading signs is tough around the States, try some of these places that are anti-vowel.  “Make a left at Zdroj”


JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA

 
Glad it wasn't JW's ankle, we need him in A-1 shape for the finals!
 
Sorry no photos.
Gordy

Re: [RCSE] NATs HLG

[John Erickson]

Title: Re: [RCSE] NATs HLG



Alright, Mike!  Great job!  Something about you and the NATS...a good combination.  Way to represent the West Coast!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:02:03 -0700
To: soaring@airage.com
Subject: [RCSE] NATs HLG

It's official
 Mike Smith from San Diego is the new national champion. Mike flew superbly during a tough event. Lift was spotty and sometimes non- existant. His launching and air reading skills really showed up in the sometimes windy conditions, lots of overcast. 
CONGRADS Mike   Well Done
George
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[RCSE] SC-2 contest

[John Erickson]

SC-2 Contest #4 will take place on Sunday July 16th at the ISS (Riverside,
CA) soccer field flying site. John Erickson from SCSA will be the CD with
all equipment supplied by ISS. The tasks will be 6, 8, and 10 minutes,
runway landing scored 950/50.

Pilot's meeting at 8:45 am, first round will start at 9:00 am. See you
there!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] Icons....

[John Erickson]

Bill,

I'm not dumping mine!  I am keeping an eye on development, however.  One of
the great things about the hobby, the constant evolution of designs.  When
you get near the top of optimization there have to be some sacrifices.
After you've flown for awhile you try to figure out where you need the most
help.  We all know that you should fly one design until you realize any
shortcomings that you feel are holding you back.  Then you move on.  This
elusive moving target and the quest for the "Silver Bullet" never seems to
end.

So when they make that next model that is very robust yet extremely light,
the one that can fly really fast between thermals and really slow for
landing, the one that handles like a hand launch yet you can see when it is
2,000 feet away, I'll check it out.  For now I'll keep working on landings
and finding 10 minute air.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Bill Swingle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: "Bill Swingle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 09:51:44 -0800
> To: 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Icons
> 
> Dumping an Icon. Interesting concept.
> 
> Bill Swingle
> Janesville, CA
> 
> 
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Re: [RCSE] "Midsouth-Louisville is gonna be more fantastic than ever!'

[John Erickson]

Gordy,

A polo field is 300 yards long, not 900 yards long.  Hand me my mallet,
Jeeves.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 01:39:04 EST
> To: Soaring@airage.com
> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: [RCSE] "Midsouth-Louisville is gonna be more fantastic than ever!'
> 
> Hi guys,
> 
> Ed Wilson and our clubmates have really outdone themselves on a field this
> year.
> 
> The field we will be flying on is a polo field and a half at least, flat
> soft grass, with a lot of open space to work low lift up and off the field.
> For  
> those of you who are not polo-savvy, a single polo field is 9 football fields
> long!
> 
> It is going to be Man on Man, no retrievers no golf carts.  So that  means
> registrations are going to have to be limited in order to get enough  rounds
> in.
> 
> Don't even wait to get your registrations in.  We are figuring a  max of 150
> pilots. There is enough room to launch 10 at a time I think.
> 
> There are a bunch of large open areas behind the tree lines and the Ohio
> River very close by, so lift conditions should be great!
> 
> Gittyup!   _http://louisvillesoaring.org/content/view/105/43/_
> (http://louisvillesoaring.org/content/view/105/43/)
> 

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Re: [RCSE] "Results of Southwest Soaring"

[John Erickson]

Just getting back to things after the long weekend.  I've got the raccoon
eyes face after looking into a very strong Arizona sun for 3 days.  George
Joy and his crew did a great job running the contest.  It's no small feat to
host a 180 pilot meet.  You need a CD, an impound director, winch master,
multiple landing judges, catering company, marketing company and graphic
artist for the t-shirts.  The CASA volunteers were there the whole weekend
hosting, and if it wasn't for their effort we wouldn't have anything to
discuss.

There were weather reports for Saturday predicting winds out of the east at
15-25.  I wasn't too worried about the Icon, but I brought along two pounds
for the Topaz.  The morning seemed calm enough so I didn't ballast up for
the first round, a 4 minute flight.  I was the very first flight of the
contest, and with a slight downwind launch I was off.  I pinged off the top,
turned into the wind, and proceeded to drift backwards towards California.
It wasn't 25 mph up there, but it wasn't even close to what you felt on the
ground.  Probably about 12-13 mph, enough to stop the RES planes in their
tracks.  It was relatively smooth, however, and if you just flew without
touching the sticks you could make your time.

The landing zone was a box runway, the center square worth 25 points, the
next boxes on either side worth 15 and the end boxes worth 5.  The width was
only about 20", so if you had any crosswind (most of the weekend) it wasn't
an easy shot.

Rounds 2 and 3 were part of the add-em-up with a 10 minute max.  Thermals
started popping but the wind had a pretty big influence.  You couldn't have
one ride for the full 10, you needed about 2 or 3 thermals, unless you had
great eyes.  Lots of off field landings.  Round 3 had a killer sink cycle in
it.  Daryl P. had something like a 5:25, I had a 3:13...and a DQ for
circling low over the pits.  So much for my Open score.  In all fairness we
had been warned; the landing judge signed my card, but when I got back to
impound George took me aside and told me I was getting zeroed for the
flight.  I understand the decision, coming on the heels of some spectacular
vaporization of planes that landed on power lines.  I don't know if you've
seen or heard a smoked plane up close, but you get an idea of what
cartoonist must think off when they draw something getting zapped.  In one
case the line was severed and still sparking.  A minute later there was a
second bzzzrrap that sounded like a sound check at a Pink Floyd concert.
Most likely a transformer circuit blowing out on reset.

Because of a slow start, the 4th round of the add-em-up was called off, so
the three flights were a 23 minute task.  Sunday morning there was a 5
minute task, the third round of the add-em-up, then a 8 minute flight to end
the contest.  The conditions Sunday were much the same but calmer in the
morning.

Larry Jolly won RES on his last flight, beating out Joe Nave by a landing.
Both those two would have been in 3rd and 4th place in Open, so the RES
planes did more than hold their own.  Mike Reagan got 3rd in RES flying his
AVA.  He also got 9th in Open flying his Supra.  Oh yeah, the AVA score was
higher than the Supra score :-)

Daryl won the whole thing because he was, as usual, a landing machine.
Incredible control of the Insanity and great thermalling as well.  Joe
rallied at the end to get 2nd place.  Joseph Newcomb got third flying his
Espada.  He is on the USA F3J Junior team.  I had the pleasure of being on
the same team during the Team Trials in Denver this summer, and Joseph
continued his fearless flying style that most people just don't see.  I mean
that seriously.  I don't think half the guys in the contest could see where
he was flying.  He has eyes like an eagle, and all his landings were done
without a skeg.  Try that crosswind on a runway landing.

Barry Kennedy was there with lots of toys.  I don't think he had many Supras
left, but I hate to break the suspense.  The Supras didn't win it all.  It
is a beautiful plane but once and for all, it's the pilot who wins the
contest.  Oh, except in hand launch.  Joe, Larry and me all flying Blasters
:-)

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Marta Zavala" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2006 08:31:32 -0800
> To: "Paul Emerson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] "Results of Southwest Soaring"
> 
> Congrats to all the winners and non winners too.  With gas prices, cost of
> attending, etc these days, just making it to a 2day makes you a winner.  Did
> RES have same tasks as Unlimited?  If so Id say several of the RES guys more
> than held their own with the Unlimited planes.  I see
> DP won another one with his bagged Insanity.  Bet he even beat a few molded
> birds to do it. 
> Walter

> 
> 

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[RCSE] SWC on Google Earth

[John Erickson]

I was just checking out the flying site at Schnepf Farms for the Southwest
Classic.  Looks like the Schnepf people have done some creative mowing.
Check out their crops from about 4,000 ft...

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] convert this please

[John Erickson]

I've got something called a Widget that comes with OS X that does all kinds
of conversions, including square meter to square foot.  I think your buddy
Jim Bacus must have it on his computer...

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Dan Kitching <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2006 12:05:19 -0500
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Cc: soaring@airage.com
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] convert this please
> 
> Hi Richard,
> 
> I've put a fantastic freeware application up on my website that can
> convert many different units of measurement. It's runtime, so you don't
> need to actually install it. You can download it at the following URL...
> 
> www.dankitching.com/convert.exe
> 
>   Dan
> 
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
>> At soaringusa.com, the ThermicXL  is listed with 81.7 dm squares and
>> 36.7 grams/ dm square.
>> 
>> Can someone tell me what that would be in square feet . Eventually i
>> want to figure the wing loading at different all up weights .
>> 
>> Thanks in advance, Richard
>> 
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Re: [RCSE] assisted soaring,etc

[John Erickson]

Good points all around.  I think people take different things away from a
contest.  Some just go for the camaraderie, some go to win, some go to see
how they are doing against their peers.  I personally don't think that using
a Picalario puts you ahead of the rest of the pack.  You still have to make
the right flight decision, you still have to work the lift, and most
importantly, you still have to land.

However, if you had a GPS/heading lock unit that put the plane on the 100
every time...it would bother me because the real reason I go to contests is
to watch grown men cry when they flip their plane on a downwind landing :-)

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA



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Re: [RCSE] Picalario Pixilation

[John Erickson]

I think we could do better than the rising/lowering beep tone on the
Picalario.  You see the happy, smiling face when the guy with the earplug is
watching the plane go up.  When he's plowing through sink, however, there
should be some tune like the entrance music for Darth Vader or maybe Taps
played on a violin.

I've used one for cross country, but really did it matter if I was 2,200 or
2,500 feet?  I was up there high enough and more thermals were up the road.

I'd rather listen to a good timer than a 3 second delay Picalario.
  
JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Tom H. Nagel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2006 10:58:25 -0500
> To: "RCSE" 
> Subject: [RCSE] Picalario Pixilation
> 
> 
> Guys,
> 
>   I wonder if the common belief that pilots can't listen to an altimeter and
> fly RC at the same time is related to the pretty well proven fact that driving
> and talking on a cell phone is an accident waiting to happen.
> 
>   Hang up and fly.
> 
> Tom H. Nagel
> 
> Judicium Procurator
> Recuperatio 
> 
> 

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Re: [RCSE] Best sailplane airline case?

[John Erickson]

Mark,

The Sport Tube is a good system.  It is a crap shoot whether or not you will
get charged for oversized luggage.  When I flew out to Denver this last
summer, no charge, but two years ago I did get dinged.

Denver was easy; an airport with a conveyor belt designed for Sport Tubes
due to all the skiers.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Mark Howard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 19:33:15 -1000
> To: 
> Subject: [RCSE] Best sailplane airline case?
> 
> What's the best bang for the buck for traveling by air these days?
> Anybody using snowboard cases? What about X-cess fees?
> 
> TIA!
> Mark
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[RCSE] OT: Fully Ballasted Goose

[John Erickson]

I know it's the time of year when folks eat these creatures, but I saw a
scene this morning that anyone who has flown in high winds would appreciate.
We're in some heavy weather in California right now, with a winter storm
hitting the coast packing 40 mph winds.  Every morning at about 7:00 am a
flock of Canadian Geese fly right over my house on their way to breakfast.
My dog, a Golden Retriever, always looks up and stares at me, like "Get a
gun, shoot one, and I'll pick it up out of a marsh.  Please."

The Geese are usually honking and carrying on, flying in loose formation.
This morning they were all business.  A tight V with their squadron leader
locked into the heading.  Tall trees were just about bent over sideways, and
these geese were barely getting bumped around.  No noise from them, however,
they were pretty serious looking getting through the weather.

I'm sure the guys up north see this all the time, but I was impressed with
their skills in this storm.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA



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Re: [RCSE] What are you doing to kill 5125/168 servos?

[John Erickson]

The 5125 is advertised as having the "unbreakable MP gear train".  When I
did an autopsy on my 5125, that specific gear was in tact.  The one next to
it, however, was stripped, and it was metal.

This happened with a number of other pilots in our club.  Our conclusion was
that there had to be a poor quality metal for the batch of servos we
received.  I have heard folks say that they have had good runs with this
servo and I'm sure it is true.  Maybe their was a time period in which a
lower grade metal was used?

None of them had motor problems; all had stripped gears.  We were not
landing them hard, but maybe the "holding power" works against them in a
solid installation.  The gear train was the first to give.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Simon Van Leeuwen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Organization: Radius Systems
> Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 11:37:15 -0800
> To: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: soaring@airage.com
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] What are you doing to kill 5125/168 servos?
> 
 
> The current quality of servos available to us from all marques continue
> to improve. Singling out a marque and calling it crap as someone stated
> just leads to a silly pissing contest and clouds the issue. It's easier
> to install a fatter servo like the 368, as there is less chance of a
> problem precisely as a result of it being beefier. Let's not confuse the
> issue by diminishing the abilities of the thinner servo. Again...it is
> not the servos fault!
> 
> 
> 

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Re: [RCSE] Hi Tech 5125MG Digital Wing Servo

[John Erickson]

Good servo, but not strong enough for flaps.  I've stripped two of them, and
I have friends who have stripped many more than that.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Dan Kitching <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2005 18:32:58 -0500
> Cc: rcse 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Hi Tech 5125MG Digital Wing Servo
> 
> I have two of them that have now outlived two planes, a hotliner and a
> F5B ship. Excellent servos.
> 
>   dan
> 
> Dan Ahearn wrote:
> 
>> Anyone have any experience with the Hi Tech 5125MG Digital Wing Servo?
>> 
>> DJA
> 
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Re: [RCSE] great new tool

[John Erickson]

Dave,

Looks like a nice sander.  I get a lot of mileage from my Dremel, first with
a cut off wheel to open things up, then with the 3/8" sanding drum to round
into the corners.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2005 18:00:07 -0500
> To: "RCSE" 
> Subject: [RCSE] great new tool
> 
> hi,
> just wanted to show you guys this great hand held belt sander.
> you can also angle the belt down.
> 
> http://www.git-r-built.com/newsmgr/templates/grbNews.asp?articleid=18&zoneid=1
> 
> 
> Dave Hauch
> www.git-r-built.com

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[RCSE] Re: PLEEEEEEASE REEEEEAD! IT WAS ON GOOD MORNING AMERICATODAYSHOW...]]

[John Erickson]

Browning,  You Laguna Beach Hillbilly...urban legend...

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/microsoft-aol.asp

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "mark browning" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 20:13:14 +
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], soaring@airage.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
> JoeWurts@csi.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: PLEEASE READ! IT WAS ON GOOD MORNING AMERICATODAYSHOW...]]
> 
> 
> - Original Message - > Subject: Fw: PLEEASE READ! IT
>> WAS
> ON
> GOOD MORNING AMERICA TODAYSHOW
>> .]
>> 
>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
> 
> 
>> 
>> 
>> My legal friend tells me it is a real deal. Check it out.
>> 
>>> 
>> THIS TOOK TWO PAGES OF THE TUESDAY USA TODAY - IT IS
>> FOR
>> REAL
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Kathy South Alcoa - EHS Maintenance Coordinator, Phone:
>> 
>> 765/771
 -
 3547
>> 
>>Pager : 765/420 - 6575
>> 
>>   To all of my friends, I do not usually forward
>> messages,
 But
>>this
>> 
>>is
>> 
>>   from my friend Pearlas Sandborn and she really is
>> an
 attorney.
>> 
>>> 
>> If she says that this will work - It will work. After
>> all,
>> What
 have
>> 
>>you  got to lose?
>> 
>>   SORRY EVERYBODY.. JUST HAD TO TAKE THE CHANCE!!!
>> I'm
>> an
>>attorney,
>> 
>>   And I know the law. This
>>thing is for real. Rest assured AOL and
>> 
>>   Intel will follow through with their promises for
>> 
>> fear of
 facing
>> 
>>a
>> 
>>   multimillion-dollar class action suit similar to
>> the
>> one
 filed
>>by
>> 
>>   PepsiCo against General Electric not too long
>> ago.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>   Dear Friends; Please do not take this for a junk
>> letter.
 Bill
>> 
>>Gates
>> 
>>   sharing his fortune. If you ignore this, You will
>> 
>> repent
 later.
>> 
>>   Microsoft and AOL are now the largest Internet
>> companies
 and
 in
>> 
>>an
>> 
>>   effort to make sure that Internet Explorer
>> remains
>> the
 most
>> 
>>widely
>> 
>>   used program, Microsoft and AOL are running an
>> e-mail
> beta
>>test.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>   When you forward this e-mail to friends,
>> Microsoft
>> can
> and
 will
>> 
>>   track it (If you are a Microsoft Windows user)
>> For a
>> two
 weeks
>> 
>>time
>> 
>>   period.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> For every person that you forward this e-mail to,
>> Microsoft
> will
 pay
>> 
>>you  $245.00 For every person that you sent it to that
>> forwards
 it
 on,
>> 
>>Microsoft will pay you $243.00 and for every third
>> person
>> that
 receives
>> 
>>it, You will be paid $241

Re: [RCSE] micro sloper....

[John Erickson]

I've been having a fine time finding micro slopes with my Swyft from Scobie
at Liftworx.  www.liftworx.com  The plane weighs 4.6 oz.  Flies very well!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA



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[RCSE] Aquila Grande NIB

[John Erickson]

I've just listed this rare kit on ebay:

http://cm.ebay.com/cm/ck/1065-29296-2357-0?uid=10732180&site=0&ver=LCA080805
&item=6013103445&lk=URL

Photo and description with the listing.  Great build for the winter!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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[RCSE] Garnet DLG

[John Erickson]

I just put up my Garnet DLG for sale on ebay.  Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6012994472

This is an excellent glider, flown just a few times.  Photos and description
are with the listing.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA



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Re: [RCSE] Model Aviation Editor's reply

[John Erickson]

Wow, less than 5%?  Sure isn't that number in our club, or the soaring clubs
around Southern California.  More like 50%, and in our club that number is
higher.  We use competitions as one way to fly together.  These are not cut
throat, yet they are competitive.  I must be really out of touch with the
rest of the AMA world, because less than 5% is a really small number.  So
for every twenty modelers only one flies competitively?

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> The competitor is now in the minority in AMA. In fact, less than 5 percent
> of our membership compete in any manner at all.

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[RCSE] Visalia pics

[John Erickson]

Alex Eremenko took a few photos at Visalia.  Here are some of them...
http://homepage.mac.com/jrerickson/Gliders/PhotoAlbum31.html

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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[RCSE] 300 mph broken

[John Erickson]

Just read that the 300 mph barrier has been broken by Kyle Paulson today up
at Parker.  Santa Ana winds blowing 25 mph in Acton, must be close to 50 up
at Parker.

300 mph with a sailplane!

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424220

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] DLG contest at Visalia

[John Erickson]

Not exactly, Chris.  I had a big time collision on launch with Brad
Willoughby (I think that's who it was).  We crossed paths on the way up.
His plane shredded my stab and rudder.  I think, in turn, his aileron servo
stripped.

In any case, I now know how small a full flying stab can be before loosing
stability.  Try 1" x 7".  I actually continued to fly like this for a few
more rounds.  When the plane was cruising it flew okay.  The slow speed
handling was a disaster, as were the loops, but I hung in there for awhile.

On Sunday morning some friends delivered the remains of the stab to our
tent.  I've glued things back together and it looks like it will fly.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Mon, 03 Oct 2005 11:39:15 -0700
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Cc: Soaring@airage.com
> Subject: [RCSE] DLG contest at Visalia
> 
> I had anticipated a few more midairs, when actually there were none during the
> contest.
> 
> So it was, simple, not scorecards required, everyone, I beleive, laughed and
> had fun, and in the end we had some really great flying.
> 
> Thanks to all who participated.
> 
> Chris Adams

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Re: [RCSE] Long music wire????

[John Erickson]

Bill,

This is .018" wire for a DLG.  You can practically tie it in a knot.  It
needs a housing to take shape.  The curve from the coil goes away as soon as
the push rod is in the housing.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Bill Swingle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: "Bill Swingle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 14:04:26 -0700
> To: "John Erickson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: "Soaring List" 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Long music wire
> 
> A 4" coil? Isn't that hard to straighten?
> 
> Bill Swingle
> 
> 
> 

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Re: [RCSE] Long music wire????

[John Erickson]

Try www.smallparts.com  I got 30' of .018 wire for DLG pushrods.  Comes
wrapped up in a 4" coil.  800 220-4242

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Lee Cox <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 10:17:45 -0700 (PDT)
> To: lenci1938e <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: soaring mail page 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Long music wire
> 
> Hi Shawn,
> 
> I don't think anyone has long music wire...
> 
> Try a weld shop. I have used welding wire. normally a weld shop will give you
> 15 feet or so. it comes in different diameters and is not hard to straighten
> out enough to work. I have used it on a couple of different planes.
> 
> LEE
> 
> lenci1938e <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Anyone have a good source for 48" or longer 1/16" straight music wire
> for pushrods? I have a couple of projects that 36" wire is not going
> to get it.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Shawn
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> LeeCox-Nevada, U.S.A.
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> __
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com 

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Re: [RCSE] Recent performances... Lazurite can be found in...

[John Erickson]

Yeah, Mike's been flying really poorly lately.  He had a particularly bad
day yesterday at the SC-2 contest:

 http://silent-wings.org/popoff/2005Scores/SC2-TOSS-Aug05.htm

That would have been a Level V win, Gordy.  You'll get your turn to win a
few as soon as you finish that goal and return.  Of course, finding the 20
person contest isn't always that easy out your way, especially in the
winter.  See if you can get California on your travel schedule!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 17:37:30 EDT
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], soaring@airage.com
> Subject: [RCSE] Recent performances... Lazurite can be found in...
> 
> While not shown on HobbyClub's website, it originates
> in the remote mountain valley called Kokcha,  Afghanistan
> 
> Apparently it only comes in blue, but can be had with some  yellow flecs in
> it.
> _http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/lazurite/lazurite.htm_
> (http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/lazurite/lazurite.htm)
> 
> Seems that a span of 130" as is popular for TD and F3J today  would be
> heavier than 68ozs though :-)
> If Mike Lee did that well with it, it must be a phenomenal  sailplane, cuz we
> all know he's not much of a thumb  :-)
> Gordy
> 

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Re: [RCSE] I made a glider video

[John Erickson]

Very cool!  Good effort!  That graph at the end is really informative.
Looks like you had the boomer over Elsinore then a nice cruise over the
mountains to the beach.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Quiet Man <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:36:02 -0700 (PDT)
> To: soaring@airage.com
> Subject: [RCSE] I made a glider video
> 
> Not exactly up to Paul's standards.
> 
> Not models.
> 
> But you might enjoy it...
> 
> http://www.martialartsacademy.org/./media/mp_zr_3.asx
> 
> John Roe
> www.roenation.com
> 
> 
> 

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Re: [RCSE] One full day of RES

[John Erickson]

With the introduction of production planes like the Ava and the Topaz, RES
is now the fastest growing segment of plane in this neck of the woods.
Where it used to be just a few people it is now nearly even with the amount
of Open class entries.  There are several fliers that have won Open contests
with these planes and it isn't a fluke.  Over the last year I have
consistently scored better with my Topaz than with my Open class plane,
primarily because of the ability to just drop it on the spot and have it
stick.  They are so light they don't carry too much momentum.  They thermal
easier, the handling is excellent, they just don't like as much wind, but
then again, they can successfully be ballasted.

In the big monthly contests SWSA holds, the number of Open class planes is
probably around 30, RES is about 20 and 2M is about 10.  It seems completely
upside down to me that 2M at the NATS gets 2 days while RES gets 1/2 a day.
Additionally, the awards banquet is held before RES and NOS are even flown,
pushing it down further from a competitive event to more of a fun fly
afterthought.

I would have Monday for 2M, Tues and Wed for Open, Thurs would be RES, Fri
morning hand launch and Friday afternoon NOS.  Events like F3B, F3J,
X-Country and Scale would be on the weekend before or after.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Jim McCarthy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 14:34:52 -0500
> To: 
> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [RCSE] One full day of RES
> 
> What's amazing is that the United States is the only country the flies 2M. I
> think if you took a poll at the Nats those entered in the event only fly it to
> occupy time until Unlimited starts. The latest phrase coined at this years
> event was " Do you know what flies worse than a 2M?" Answer: "Nothing". In
> general most prefer the bigger models and very few clubs fly 2M on a regular
> basis.
> 
> Let the flaming begin.
> 
> Jim McCarthy

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[RCSE] Whatever happened to...

[John Erickson]

What is Dr. Selig up to these days?  Anyone know?

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] Re: top or bottom driven ?

[John Erickson]

Rob,

That's an interesting page.  I especially like the drag summary at the
bottom.  For a mid Cl the airfoil is responsible for 55% of the drag,
induced drag is another 20%, the fuselage is about 18%, the linkages about
3% and the stab is worth about 4%.

In almost all cases the linkages on the bottom were a better choice.  In all
cases faired were the best (other than internal) and the shorter the linkage
(and fairing) the better.

No wonder everyone puts so much into the wing.  Worth about 75% of the
overall drag at average flight speeds.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2005 19:16:51 EDT
> To: Soaring@airage.com
> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: [RCSE] Re: top or bottom driven ?
> 
> I like bottom driven flaps and ailerons for various reasons. According to
> Dr. Hepperle a properly faired set of 4 linkages on the bottom of a wing add
> around 3% total drag to a typical F3B airframe. You can go dig around  his
> website and find a number of interesting tidbits.
> _http://www.mh-aerotools.de/airfoils/index.htm_
> (http://www.mh-aerotools.de/airfoils/index.htm)
> 
> happy trails - Rob Glover
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> hi all,
> I've been asked this a few times, and I give my  opinion,
> but i want to see what you guys have to say.
> 
> What gets better  mechanical advantage, top or bottom
> driven linkage, and how much does the  drag of bottom driven
> really effect things, if any ?
> 
> My vote goes  towards bottom driven.
> I can always get the throws I want, easy to set up and  adjust,
> and gives a solid control surface.
> 
> Dave  Hauch
> www.git-r-built.com
> 
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[RCSE] 8 hour follow up

[John Erickson]

My battery just finished discharging.  I had 668 mah left.  Voltage was
4.65v.  Based on a full 1850 mah charge, it means I used about 150 mah per
hour for my 3 servos and receiver, exactly what I estimated!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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[RCSE] 8 hour day - Long!

[John Erickson]

Yesterday a group of us attempted our 8 hour LSF Level V slope task.  We
chose Parker Mountain as the site.  The weather pattern in Southern
California this time of year is noted for a dense marine layer along the
coast ("June gloom") giving way to sunshine in the afternoon.  Parker's
location is at the end of a west facing valley, and the onshore flow caused
by the desert brings the wind straight up the slope.  In theory!

There was a storm system that hit the Northwest, and we got the tail end of
it.  Luckily the wind direction was still good, but our day began under a
thick cloud layer and 15 mph winds.  John Yee was the first to launch.  He
was flying a borrowed Marauder, a 118" RES ship.  I launched immediately
after.  Well, almost immediately after.  Major Anderson, one of our able
assistants, followed my instructions by pointing the nose down on my Topaz
and giving it a strong throw.  The wind at the lip of the bowl was gusting
to about 20 mph.  The plane left his hand and went straight into the ground.
The world's fastest pancake landing.  No damage to the plane, just a little
embarrassment, which of course, was recorded on video.

I picked up the plane and headed about 15 feet down the slope face.  The air
was much more manageable.  I gave my trusty Topaz a throw and off she went.
Anticipating a windy day, I had loaded her up with 2 pounds of ballast.  I
would soon find out that I now possessed the world's fastest Topaz.

Joe Nave next launched his Ava.  He had wired in 4 double A's and placed
them in his wing.  This was a clever set up that added capacity and doubled
as ballast.  Ian Douglas, LSF #1192 and Level V #71 (Nov. '89) launched his
2 meter after Joe.  Ian is going for his Level V a second time!  He was the
voice of experience in our group and always seemed to be in good air.  He
was flying with 4 double A sized Li-poly packs.  Plenty of capacity.

Finally Dan Borer was ready to launch.  Major and Dennis Ingram (our other
assistant) were both needed to steady the wings of Dan's 14 foot Gnome.
This monster plane had successfully been flown back in 1983 for the 8 hour
task.  Dan had enough battery capacity for, by his estimate, "43 hours of
flight time".

I keep mentioning battery capacity because it was a big concern of mine.  By
my calculations, I figured that the 3 servos of mine might draw about 50 mah
each.  Multiply by 3 then by 8 and you have 1200 mah.  I have a 1850 pack on
board.  Thought I would be fine.  Dan, a few nights earlier, had reminded me
about the receiver draw.  Oops, forgot about that one...

We now had 5 planes in the air.  It was quite a sight.  It looked funny to
see all these big thermal planes parked up in the sky, with all of us trying
to get a lot of altitude because it felt "safer" up there.  We were later to
find out that this certainly mattered.

We settled into our chairs about 20' back from the lip of the bowl.  We all
started the "multi-tasking" that is required for this endurance event.  This
included simple things like opening up your bottle of Gatorade, to more
advanced things like applying the second coat of sunscreen, or the most
advanced, relieving yourself with your back to the plane.  I won't get into
details on this one!

The first couple of hours went by quickly.  There were patches of blue
starting to come through and the wind was fairly steady.  As we got closer
to lunch, thermal activity began.  You'd think that a slope is somewhat
immune to thermals, but at Parker this is not the case at all.  One thing
that you really learn when flying for 8 hours is how weather changes through
the day.  When a thermal would roll up the hill, the wind in our face would
nearly stop.  The flags on the antennae sometimes faced towards the bowl!
The thermal would pass through followed by a huge amount of sink.  We had a
couple of close calls, even though the wind speed indicator was now reading
20 mph with gusts to 25.

Dan had been giving us numbers to ponder, like after the first hour when he
told John Yee and me that we were "12%" done.  We, of course, corrected him,
telling him it was actually 12.5%.  Yes, conversation does get down to this
level :-)

When we reached 50% I realized why Nowell Siegel had seemed a little grumpy
when we did our slope task last year.  I had finished my 4 hour, and I was
jumping up and down and Nowell just sort of glared at me.  I can relate to
Nowell now!  BTW, he went on to complete the task.

We weren't too grumpy, but staring into the sky for 4 hours isn't easy, and
knowing you have 4 more hours to go doesn't exactly put you in a happy go
lucky mood.  One thing nice about flying with 5 guys, however, was someone
was always having some sort of adventure.  We had several notable "pucker
factor" events, usually when swapping batteries for the transmitters, or in
my case, swapping transmitters.  For the record, with a PPM receiver, the
procedure should be turn off T-1, and quickly turn on T-2.  Don't turn them
both on at the sam

Re: [RCSE] JR Aero tow Reply

[John Erickson]

Here's a modest start...
http://homepage.mac.com/jrerickson/Gliders/PhotoAlbum28.html
There were a lot of guys shooting video and pictures.  I'm sure it will
start to surface soon.  Some of the guys who attended aren't even home yet.

Great contest.  90 pilots.  Each heat had 15 guys going man on man in some
tough conditions.  6 heats per round, 10 rounds, 3 more for the fly off.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "James V. Bacus" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 17:58:33 -0500
> To: soaring@airage.com
> Subject: RE: [RCSE] JR Aero tow  Reply
> 
> You are right, I have never been...  I have never been to the World
> Championships either, but I hope to some day.  I was only speaking of my
> current experiences.
> 
> So where are all the picture galleries and video from this years IHLGF?  8-)
> 
> 
> 
> At 05:52 PM 6/8/2005, Lex Mierop wrote:
>> Shows that you've never been to the IHLGF.  We had Englanders and
>> Brazilians, Japanese & Kiwis. Also Yankees, Good ol' Southern Boys, Texans,
>> Midwesterners and them funny guys from north of here that don't seem to know
>> what that big yellow thing is in the sky...
>> 
>> :-) :-) :-)
>> 
>> -l
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: James V. Bacus [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 1:57 PM
>> To: soaring@airage.com
>> Subject: Re: [RCSE] JR Aero tow Reply
>> 
>> 
>> Nice write up Jack, there was a guy from Canada as well.  And of course the
>> two guys from Japan   doing the video show.
>> 
>> I would say it was the most cosmopolitan event I have ever been to.
>> 
>> 
>> Jim
>> Downers Grove, IL
>> Member of the Chicago SOAR club, and Team JR
>> AMA 592537LSF 7560 Level IV   R/C Soaring blog at www.jimbacus.net
>> RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News.  Send "subscribe"
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>> AOL are generally NOT in text format
> 
> Jim
> Downers Grove, IL
> Member of the Chicago SOAR club, and Team JR
> AMA 592537LSF 7560 Level IV   R/C Soaring blog at www.jimbacus.net
> 
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[RCSE] "Splatter"

[John Erickson]

This idea of a "clean" transmitter is an interesting problem.  I know this
list has a lot of radio professionals.  Can a transmitter "leak" the signal?
I know I've experienced this in some big hand launch contests when you have
12 radios on at the same time.  I've had hits when I know no one is one my
channel.

If it's true, shouldn't a transmitter frequency check be required at the
start of any large contest?

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Tom Kallevang <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 10:43:21 -0700 (PDT)
> To: John Derstine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED], Soaring@airage.com
> Subject: REply: [RCSE] Had a chance to try the Freq Checker this weekend
> 
> This would be a huge
> loss to the the R/C community, as you can actually eyeball if a Tx is
> clean or not without a scope and an advanced degree.

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Re: [RCSE] OVSS and Line Breaks

[John Erickson]

Jeff,

With all the telemetry available now it would be an interesting study to see
what results in the highest launch.  In my opinion the most important
factors are the wind or thermal activity, the stretch of the line, and the
strength of the airframe.

The whole point about cambering the wing and getting lots of tension
initially is to get the most potential energy out of the line.  If it can't
all be created to kinetic energy at the zoom, then it is just a case of
burning out brushes on the winch.  I always shake my head when I see someone
really tension up, full pedal, then fly off at the wrong time without a
zoom, maybe just a flat trajectory going a little faster.

Dr. Drela did some launch sims comparing 6 volt and 12 volt winches.  The
most important factor was the speed at the top of the launch.  If you can do
it with tapping, great.  The sim indicated that full pedal was the best way.
There are a lot of other factors he put into the equation, such as line
elasticity, line diameter (resultant drag on the line), weight of the plane,
drum diameter, etc.

You can find the results here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Allegro-Lite/files/Winch_Launch/

I hear what everyone is saying about the lost art of winching a fragile
plane.  I have a Bird of Time that would most likely fold the wings under a
full pedal winch into a 10 mph headwind, yet it goes up fine without damage
if I tap carefully and don't zoom too hard.  The Icon, on the other hand,
can take just about any kind of abuse.  Because it is F3J related, the idea
is to get off the line quickly, hence lots of tension and smoked winches (I
know, I'm the club equipment manager).
  
JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Jeff Steifel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 08:54:42 -0400
> To: RCSE 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] OVSS and Line Breaks
> 
> Let's discuss launch for a minute. I think TK hit on something that gets
> lost: technique.
> Why do guys do pedal to the metal launches?
> Is it to get more altitude?
> More zoom?
> Trash the brushes on the winches?

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[RCSE] Futaba 9C again

[John Erickson]

Before I pack up the radio to send it in, has anyone recently purchased a
9CA?  Do you have the flap issue in Butterfly?

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] Futaba 9C (Secret untold)

[John Erickson]

Maurice,

Thanks for your link.  I might try a step by step set up tonight.  The
v-tail problem was in any radio prior to 6/30/02.  I bought my radio after
that.  This is another problem.  I only get about 45º of flap travel on the
servo arm.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 4 May 2005 10:18:56 -0700
> To: "John Erickson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Futaba 9C (Secret untold)
> 
> Hi John
> 
> I believe the problem you are talking about is the V-tail glitch that was
> fixed with a modified chip.  This caused one side of the ruddervator to have
> no compensation is Butterfly.  I have never heard a problem with flaps in
> Butterfly.
> 
> The untold secret is the OFS function that allows you to change the center
> of the servo electronically giving you 90 deg. flap travel.  You can read
> about this on my 9C set up page which was graciously published for me on the
> Soaring index.
> http://www.nonsilence.com/soaring/9c/
> 
> Maurice
> - Original Message -
> From: "John Erickson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "Soaring List" 
> Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2005 8:55 AM
> Subject: [RCSE] Futaba 9C
> 
> 
>> I've had a 9C for two years now and I've always struggled to get full
>> flaps
>> in Butterfly.  I've had all kinds of workarounds involving offsets, longer
>> servo arms, travel volume, etc.
>> 
>> I finally called Futaba to ask about the situation and they told me to
>> send
>> the radio in; there is a software update that fixes the problem.  I was
>> surprised!  Anyone else hear of this?
>> 
>> JE
>> --
>> Erickson Architects
>> John R. Erickson, AIA
>> 
>> 
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>> AOL are generally NOT in text format
>> 
> 
> 

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[RCSE] Futaba 9C

[John Erickson]

I've had a 9C for two years now and I've always struggled to get full flaps
in Butterfly.  I've had all kinds of workarounds involving offsets, longer
servo arms, travel volume, etc.

I finally called Futaba to ask about the situation and they told me to send
the radio in; there is a software update that fixes the problem.  I was
surprised!  Anyone else hear of this?

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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[RCSE] SC-2 hand launch 4-24-05

[John Erickson]

After the SC-2 contest Sunday at SWSA (Covina, CA) we'll be holding a hand
launch contest for all interested flyers. Probably just 4 rounds with 10
minute windows. It'll start at 1:30 pm. Hope to see you there!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] Fw: Gas to reach 3 dollars a gallon

[John Erickson]

Harley,

While this isn't a hoax, you are forwarding on some bad information.  From
the actual Department of Energy website:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/experts/contactexperts.htm

We almost import as much oil from Canada as we do from Saudi Arabia!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Harley Michaelis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2005 19:17:53 -0700
> To: 
> Subject: [RCSE] Fw: Gas to reach 3 dollars a gallon
> 
> MessageThis is soaring related in that we all buy gasoline to do our flying. I
> thought this analysis was worth passing on in that it points out which of the
> companies we buy gas from import Middle East oil and which don't.
> 
> I don't have a long mailing list outside of the RCSE, so this was my best
> avenue to pass on the message. I trust it is a legitimate one worth our
> consideration.
> - Original Message -
> From: Jenny Eggers
> To: Eggman2 
> Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 5:46 PM
> Subject: Gas to reach 3 dollars a gallon
> 
> 
> Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 8:42 AM
> Subject: FW: Gas to reach 3 dollars a gallon
> 
> 
>> Subject: Gasoline to hit $3
>> 
>>>   
>>> 
>>> You guys might really want to pay attention to this as they are now saying
>>> that gas is going to hit the $3.00 mark! (Was on the nightly news 3/9/05).
>>> 
>>> WHERE TO BUY YOUR GAS, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW.
>>> 

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Re: [RCSE] Signal strength switch?

[John Erickson]

I want to thank everyone for their help and advice with our situation.
Doug, we are in California to answer your question.

I've seen many, many instances where the famous "I'm being hit!" gets
interpreted as interference when in fact it has nothing to do with another
signal, but has to do with something in the plane or transmitter.

Tops on the long list include an unseen break in the receiver antennae
(usually at the solder joint on the circuit board), an unseated crystal,
poor solder joint on a battery lead, switch problems, unscrewed transmitter
antennae, a transmitter left on in the pits, and the (in)famous dumb thumbs
exacerbated by turbulent conditions.

I wasn't at the field during the latest episode, but I was there when the
first plane went in.  We have an ICOM IC-R2 hand held scanner.  The
transmitter was shut off but there was still a strong signal on channel 16.

We don't have any type of directional Yagi antennae to locate the source.  I
did drive around the site and didn't see anyone else flying.  As I
mentioned, we are near an industrial complex that has some companies using
robotics; perhaps this could have been the case although it was Sunday
morning and the chances of them working at the time are less than average.

There is a church nearby that uses a wireless microphone set up.  There is
also a chain link fence around the field and the pilot was standing near the
fence.  These factors MAY have contributed to the loss; at this point we are
just trying to be "radio forensics" to figure out where the signal came from
and if it caused the plane to go in.

My original post was just a wish list item.  Using PCM will allow a fail
safe mode, but sometimes fail safe isn't so safe!  For instance, if you're
in a spiraling dive and you go into fail safe with flaps out, and all other
surfaces level, you'll still crash, maybe just not as hard.  Second wish
list item:  Parachute deployment?

I understand that spread spectrum is still a ways off.  It seems that there
should be a way as Jim B. suggests that each one of us could have a "digital
signature", that the first signal the receiver hears is the only signal it
hears and all other interference is shut out.  I saw it demonstrated with a
Berg receiver and it looked very promising.  The new Shadow 3 sounds good as
well.
 
JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Doug McLaren <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2005 21:08:14 -0600
> To: John Erickson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: Soaring List 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Signal strength switch?
> 
> On Thu, Mar 31, 2005 at 11:29:07AM -0800, John Erickson wrote:
> 
> | We've has a couple of club members lose planes recently from
> | interference.
> 
> Personally, I've seen interference blamed for a lot of user errors
> too.  Not that this is the case in your situation, but ...
> 

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[RCSE] Signal strength switch?

[John Erickson]

We've has a couple of club members lose planes recently from interference.
We have a scanner on the field.  It shows a channel is on (sporadically)
although all our pins/radios are accounted for.  We suspect another flyer
about a mile away but we've yet to find him.  There are both houses and an
industrial complex nearby.  I know they do some robotics in the industrial
area.

I know just enough about a radio to get myself into trouble, but I had a
thought.  When you are flying near someone who is on the same channel, you
usually have a "gray area" where you start to lose control of the plane.
The common next move is to run towards the plane in hopes of getting it
back.  Many times as you get closer you can get control back.

Would it be possible to start your flight with reduced range (3/4 signal
strength) and then flip to full strength in an emergency?  Better yet, a way
to boost signal strength?  If I don't understand what is happening with
interference between two radios on the same channel, take it easy on me :-0
  
JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] What do you have in your toolbox?

[John Erickson]

Al forgot some:

Allen wrench set (Metric, for my Topaz)
Stopwatch
LSF voucher

Actually, I have basically the first half of his list in a small fishing
size box.  I have the glues in a separate tupperware container.  They
usually stay in the car.

I don't have the soldering iron or solder, but I will take one to a 2 day
contest.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Albert E. Wedworth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: "Albert E. Wedworth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 15:24:27 -0800
> To: "Dave Brombaugh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] What do you have in your toolbox?
> 
> What to bring to the field??
> EVERYTHING!
> Servo arms for every servo you own
> Tape
> Scissors
> Needle nose pliers
> Screw drivers of all sizes.
> Soldering Iron
> Solder
> Crescent wrenches
> Tweezers
> Hemostats
> All types of CA glue ( fast, med, slow, rubberized foam friendly )
> Epoxy 5 & 30 min
> Mixing cups
> Stir sticks
> X-acto knife
> X-acto blades
> Battery checker
> Battery chargers
> Deep cycle Battery
> Winch 
> Turnaround
> Radio
> Planes of all types, one for each condition
> Ballast
> Sunglasses
> Hat
> Enjoy!
> Al
> 
> Albert E. Wedworth ( AL )
> ERA  Capshaw  Realestate
> REALTOR- ASSOCIATE
> Cell  530-228-9445
> Fax 530-343-1715
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[RCSE] If we could just get our gliders to do this...

[John Erickson]

http://modellvideos.de/videos/KnuffelVerstellprop-die-zwote.wmv

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] Airfoil question

[John Erickson]

Don,

A lot of the airfoils will reference numbers that have to do with 2 things:
Camber and Thickness.  The Zenith has a HQW 3.5/8.  The HQW part is the
author, in this case Helmut Quabeck.  The 3.5 is the percent camber, and the
8 is the percent thickness.

In general, the greater the camber, the more lift but at a price of more
drag.  Where you really see it is in windy conditions or when you are trying
to go fast.  Trying to make the best of both worlds, the designers have set
up the airfoils so you can change the trailing edge of the wing (reflex or
camber) hence changing the airfoil.  A reflexed airfoil is going to scoot
across the sky better, but not have as much lift.

Some of the differences between airfoils are so small that only as a more
experienced pilot will you notice a difference.  There are other factors
like the wing planform (shape) that also come into play.  So...the MH32 has
less camber than the HQW 3.5/8 which in turn has less than the 7037.  That's
probably the order you would put them in general terms if you are talking
about drag and lift.

Your final sentence sums it all up.  If you practice 3 times a week (lucky
man) it won't really matter what foil your plane has.  A good pilot can make
a number of foils "work", it just comes down to preference and flying style.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Don & Lisa Copley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 02:41:26 -0600
> To: 
> Subject: [RCSE] Airfoil question
> 
> Over the past week we have gone from Artemis to Zenith's in what to fly
> discussion category.
> 
> It's boiled down to two things:
> 1.) it's a tool use it...practice, practice practice
> 2.) ...and airfoil
> 
> What is the difference between (Zenith etc.) MH-32 and (Sharon Pro) SD 7037
> which turn into a RG15. This is Greek to me. I don't have aerodynamics
> degree but it seems pretty important for what your airplane can do and can
> do in a contest environment...yes, I will have practice at least three times
> a week.
> 
> Don
> 
> 
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Re: [RCSE] Rare earth magnets as wing retention devices?

[John Erickson]

My old office had a metal floor.  With your magnets placed in the shoes of
the draftsmen, we could have gotten some work done.

Of course we'd flip the magnets for my shoes and I could glide across.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Simon Van Leeuwen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Organization: Radius Systems
> Date: Tue, 01 Mar 2005 21:32:42 -0800
> To: "Zb. Michalczyk" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: soaring@airage.com
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Rare earth magnets as wing retention devices?
> 
> I have a couple of 3" x 1.25" x .75" rectangular neodymiums, if they
> were allowed to move towards one another due to their own magnatism, the
> rate of closure/impact would cause them to shatter.
> 
> If they were allowed to come together (under control), the force
> required to separate would be in excess of 400Lb. Sliding them apart
> with extreme care, by two sets of hands and pieces of wood, is the only
> safe way to get them apart.

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Re: [RCSE] Connector DLG

[John Erickson]

You can go a lot lighter than that.  The Encore ships with a 4 pin connector
that I have seen before at computer parts stores.  I think they come about 8
pins wide and you just break off (cut) it down to 4 pin size.  Hasn't failed
yet!
 
JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Tue, 01 Mar 2005 19:47:42 -0500
> To: Soaring@airage.com
> Subject: [RCSE] Connector DLG
> 
> ***Any suggestions for DLG wing connector, where you only need four pins and
> the light weight is important?***
> 
> Dean's 4-pin on a short harness
> 
> 
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Re: [RCSE] Re: Optimum aspect ratio - induced drag and span

[John Erickson]

Is the problem the term aspect ratio?  For his project he's probably using a
plank wing.  Aspect ratio is a term that can be applied.  What happens to
the same span if the planform becomes elliptical?  Do you still apply the
same aspect ratio?

Out of practical experience there is a big difference between a plank and an
ellipse, even with the same foil (most noticeable at higher speeds).

I think we've spun away from the original premise of how aspect ratio and
glide rate are related, but it's obvious that more variables quickly come
into effect.

I did a similar science fair project in high school where I tried two
different foils on the same planform and airframe.  I used the school gym,
turned out the lights and recorded the flight by leaving my camera lens open
and using a strobe light.  The project basically proved that the break
through airfoil I was trying didn't work at all.  The fact that I got to
integrate a glider and photography was probably more important.  I still
have one of my favorite pictures, where the glider was flown, banked hard
left towards the camera and flew by, all recorded by the strobe.  I think I
was blinking for about a week after that project.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> 
> I stand by my previous statement: that total induced drag does not depend on
> the 
> AR for a fixed span (which is aero 101 really).
> And I just learned something about English units!
> Best regards,
> Oleg.
> 

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Re: [RCSE] 2-meters suck....??? Sure they do, but they do look Cool??!?!? Well some do....

[John Erickson]

Edgar,

You just gave me an idea for flying 2 meter.  I have a number of hand launch
planes just sitting around, including my original Photon.  It's good looking
enough to qualify.  Let's see, a little tape on tow hook, a baby sized skeg
and voila, I've got an 11 ounce (undersized) 2 meter.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA

> 2M pilots do need more friends!  Hey, you don't have to
> listen to me, but it would be nice to see more pilots
> compete in this class.  Okay, what is the 2M to get???
> Which ever one you feel comfortable flying and feel it will
> give you an edge!  There's still many models out there to
> fill your needs, I fly an Organic only because it's cool
> looking, not because it floats like a feather or penetrates
> in windy conditions or because it lands on a dime!  I would
> never fly a glider that does all that!  I fly the ORGANIC
> just because of it's looks!!!  :-)
> 
> Friends don't let Friends fly UGLY 2M gliders
> 
> Edgar
> "the Soaring Junkie"

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Re: [RCSE] Contest/gathering/format

[John Erickson]

When I flew at the NATS last year for the first time I was all pumped up for
the MOM format.  I thought it would be like in hand launch where you truly
(at least at the start of a heat) launch at the same time.

Wasn't exactly like that.  I recall one round where I was in the ten spot
and it literally was 3 minutes between the time number one launched and when
I launched.  There can be all sorts of reasons (guys not ready to launch,
line breaks, crossing lines, tangles, etc) why it doesn't go as planned.

3 minutes of air on a windy day is a lot of change.  I tried to chase the
guys downwind but it was just not there when I arrived.  I like the concept
of MOM but wish it was a true simultaneous launch.

There's sandbagging in MOM, it's just more subtle than at other contests!
 
JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Michael Lachowski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 20:54:28 -0500
> To: soaring@airage.com
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Contest/gathering/format
> 
> There is one nice part about MOM.  You don't have to deal with the crap
> some people create when they utilize that other thermal soaring skill
> called sandbagging.

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Re: [RCSE] The perfect platform or Not....

[John Erickson]

Thomas,

I'm still trying to figure out how the Sharon 3.7 does it.  The Sharon's
flew beautifully this last weekend in Phoenix.  Great plane for the "mid"
winds and thermal cycles they had at the contest.

The Sharon has a 7037 at the root, transitioning to a RG-15 at the tips.
Seems totally backwards; more camber at the root than at the tips.  This is
aerodynamic washin unless there is some twist in the molding process.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Thomas Koszuta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2005 15:30:49 -0500
> To: 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] The perfect platform or Not
> 
> You can only optimize a wing with one airfoil for one speed.  You then
> either need to compromise for good performance at more than one speed or
> accept the poor performance at other speeds.  The old floaters are good
> examples of this.  This is one of the reasons that camber flaps are so
> popular.
> 
> The alternative is to blend the airfoils to get aerodynamic washout and
> decreased stall speed at the tips.  Martin Simons book describes this by
> using more camber at the tips, then using geometric washout to bring the
> aerodynamic AOA back to the same value.  I have taken to this by using
> something like SA7035 at the root (2.5% camber) and SA7038 at the
> tip(3.25%camber) with the SA7036 and SD7037 between and washing the whole
> wing out.  It is a near continuous twist to about 0.75 degreees - the
> approximate 0.75 degree (estimate) difference in zero lift angle.

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Re: [RCSE] Lawyers are killing the kit business

[John Erickson]

Tom,

If this is the case, then you should let the evil accountants and executives
go to court without your profession.  Unless you walk away from the lawsuit,
you are still a foot soldier in this war.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Tom H. Nagel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2005 18:30:44 -0500
> To: "Ed Berris" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: "RCSE" 
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Lawyers are killing the kit business
> 
> Actually, Ed, and fellow flyers,  it is not the evil lawyers doing this.  It
> is the evil bean counters and the corporate dilberts who seek to maximize
> profit at any expense.

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Re: [RCSE] article

[John Erickson]

Spencer,

This is a noble goal.  When we have given a demonstration at a local school,
or when kids come up to see what we are doing it's amazing what the first
question always is:

"How much does it cost?"

It's too bad that all the subtler aspects of the hobby are lost if the first
answer scares them away.  I've also found that those who are interested find
the hobby rather than the hobby finding them.  I think all of us in the
hobby have a fascination of flight in our blood.

The other day at a contest an Osprey flew over the field.  They're rare
around here.  Virtually everyone stopped to watch.  It was the field topic
of conversation for the next 5 minutes.  Like I said, it's in our blood.

I think all the educational lessons you mention are valid.  I'd like to hear
how others put on demonstrations.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "eagle_owl2000" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 18:34:53 -
> To: soaring@airage.com
> Subject: [RCSE] article
> 
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> I am considering writing an article that would show how the r/c
> soaring hobby could be used in schools to facilitate different
> educational lessons in elementary and secondary schools while sowing
> interest in r/c soaring among young people.
> Some of the lessons I was thinking about concern science(gravity,
> aerodynamics, physics, weather and geography) , mathematics
> (fractions, algebra, etc) and logical thinking(decision-making
> processes, goals for flight).
> But this is by no means a limited list.
> I was wondering if you folks would like to contribute ideas that also
> could be used in terms of educational value of r/c soaring.
> Also, if I might be able to request interviews with several high-
> profile soaring enthusiasts, that would help me out a lot.
> 
> Spencer Webster - US Navy Glider Guider - serving in Cuba
> 
> 
> 
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[RCSE] SoCal hand launch on Saturday

[John Erickson]

There will be a Saturday morning session at Paramount Ranch in Agoura.  If
the winds don't blow too hard and you can get away from shopping duties,
come on out.  All DLG flyers welcome!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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[RCSE] Worker bees?

[John Erickson]

Brian,

I don't know where you're getting your information.  The guy making the
Photon and the Charm is Victor Stamov from Kiev, a past world champion in
Nordic (F1A) free flight.  Victor Isaenko makes the Topaz, and is national
team member in free flight.  He has placed in the top 3 in the world
championships.  The Graphite, AVA, and Blaster are made by Vladimir
Gavrilko, F3J national team member.  Most of the Ukrainian planes are made
in Kharkov, a city of 2 million and the aircraft industry center of the
country.  The lead guys do the bulk of the work in producing the planes,
like Phil Barnes does here.  You can't just get dumb help to put together
one of the wings.  The people helping them are also skilled modelers, most
of them also pilots.  Some pictures of Vladimir's production:

http://www.airplane-model.com/tech-molding.html

The pay is a result of the economy, lucky for us.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Brian Chan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2004 08:51:29 -0800
> To: "JIM EALY" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "Stuart A. Hall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: RCSE <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] "Drela foils" == marketing gimmick now?
> 
> I doubt any of the "Czech worker-bee" are pilots, they are people
> that work for very little pay. And most of them probably never saw a
> model plane before they walked into the factory.



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[RCSE] Wind comments

[John Erickson]

Once everyone has found the wind gauge...it's interesting to learn about
ground effect.  We had a cross country event out in Lancaster.  The wind was
blowing at a moderate clip.  If you held the wind meter about 4' off the
ground it was reading 8-10 mph.

Joe W. then took the meter and put it up to about 10' off the ground.  I
think he tacked it to a pole or something, I can't quite remember.  In any
case, the meter now registered 15-18 mph.

This made sense with what our planes were doing up in the air (read going
backwards).  This also shed light on hot landings with ballasted planes.
You're driving into the wind about 50' off the ground, you bring the plane
down to the deck and the speed goes up, much higher than anticipated.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] Photon II question

[John Erickson]

I broke my Photon, but the ground had something to do with it.  Had a little
hitch in my delivery.  By the way, they fly pretty well without the right
wing tip, if it matters.

The only thing I've noticed is that on a two year old plane a recovering can
really bring up the torsional strength.  Structure wise I've never broken
one from a normal throw.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 19:35:15 EST
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Photon II question
> 
> I tried as hard as I could to break my Photon.  It took everything I could
> give it with no modifications.
> 
> Bruce Davidson
>Louisville, KY
> 

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Re: [RCSE] New mini SAL HLG and video link

[John Erickson]

Wow!  What a nice video!  Great job on the editing and the footage.  Good
luck with the plane!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: steelhead <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Organization: RCGroups.com
> Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 12:10:44 -0500
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: [RCSE] New mini SAL HLG and video link
> 
> 
> Howdy All-
> 
> Just wanted to let people know that we've got a new HLG design we are
> releasing. Called the STEELHEAD "FRY"  it is a 30 to 32 inch MHLG that
> is launched SAL or side arm. Weighs 4 to 5 ounces rtf and a launch of
> 80 feet is possible with a side arm throw. Pre-production price of the
> FRY is $15.00 for the foam cores and a foam pod with general
> instructions. Pre production stops after we publish the full size
> plans, polish the instructions and post the plane on the website.
> 
> We sell custom cut Cores on CNC, so let us know if you need anything.
> 
> 3 minute video of this plane in action-
> 
> There are two versions (different compression/file sizes), I recommend
> the larger MPEG as the quality is much better. Here are the links:
> 
> http://www.hankandheather.com/stuff/minidlg.mpg
> (MPEG, 30MB)
> 
> http://www.hankandheather.com/stuff/minisal.wmv
> (WMV, 11MB)
> 
> Thanks 
> Dean
> 
> 
> -- 
> steelhead
> 
> 
> 
> steelhead's Profile:
> http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?action=getinfo&userid=11937
> View this thread:
> http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=292087
> 
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Re: [RCSE] Say What!!!!

[John Erickson]

> It might be worth building a DLG with a Clark-Y airfoil; I don't think
> anyone's done it so I don't think we can say its that much worse than any
> other foil. (I suspect it will work rather well, especially if there's an
> expert flying it.)
> 
> Martin Usher


Martin,

There would be a noticeable drop off in launch height and penetration.  I'd
guess in the neighborhood of 15%.  While it's true that in capable hands it
would be competitive, there are a lot of capable hands that would steer
clear of it.

The difference is most dramatic when the speeds are highest right after
launch.  The Clark Y, especially without a Phillips entry and with a 12%
thickness would be a drag, literally.

The top aerodynamicists in the country don't have to build the DLG to know
that it wouldn't be the best choice.  We would see a Clark Y if Dr. Drela or
Joe or Dr. Selig thought it would work.

It was the venerable choice for the gas bag planes, but they never had to go
80 mph (intentionally).

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA

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Re: [RCSE] So Cal this w/e - Lancair...

[John Erickson]

Is this just me, or doesn't this plane look like a scaled up Speed 400
racer?

http://www.lancair-kits.com/IV_images/IV_2_lrg.jpg

Kit is just $109,000 for the pressurized version.  330 mph.  That'll work.
Plus you get the cool turned up winglets.  They make a difference.  Your
stall speed goes from 75 to 73 mph :-)

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Daryl Perkins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 11:19:37 -0700 (PDT)
> To: Steve Meyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] So Cal this w/e - Lancair...
> 
> OK, I've gotten a couple of emails like this. Nothing
> happened to the old Lancair. It's for sale should any
> of you be interested. And it's gorgeous, and
> perfect... only flown by a little old
> ladychurch... sundays... you know the deal.
> 
> I am in simply in search of a faster plane. We're
> thinking turbine Lancair IV-P. Pricey - send money...
> care of daryl needs a new plane fund.
> 
> I didn't dork, spank, crash, ding, damage, dent, or
> even lightly bruise the airframe ;-)
> 
> Thanks for your concern,
> 
> D
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ___
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
> http://vote.yahoo.com
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Re: [RCSE] shipping

[John Erickson]

Another viable option is DHL Express.  They bought out Airborne Express.  I
recently shipped a plane at half the price of UPS.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Phil Barnes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2004 18:54:17 -0400
> To: "'RCSE'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: RE: [RCSE] shipping
> 
> I used to ship everything via UPS ground. 

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[RCSE] Visalia pics

[John Erickson]

I've published a few shots from Visalia taken by Hank Schorz.  They are
mostly club related (SCSA) but still give some of the flavor of the event.

http://homepage.mac.com/jrerickson/Gliders/PhotoAlbum20.html

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] XC story

[John Erickson]

I've always been far sighted.  Up to about 4 years ago, I had 20-15 distance
vision but needed reading glasses.  As I hit a certain age my distance
vision started to deteriorate, exactly like the optometrist said it would.
I now wear trifocals (actually "progressive" lenses).

All this preamble means...that plane is way, way up there!  Are you kidding?
5,463 ft?  The average flying guy will get really uncomfortable with an open
class plane at about 2,000 ft.  Orientation is a factor, and so is the fear
of losing sight of the plane, if not just for a second.

Yet another example of Joe's deal he cut with a hawk when he was a kid.
Somewhere there must be a hawk who is really talented at engineering, or
else the hawk got short ended on the trade.

I hope the extreme altitude numbers don't scare off beginners.  You still
can have a great time at a lesser altitude.  Joe's just in another league!
A day XC soaring always is more than just a flying day.  It always seems to
turn out to be some kind of adventure.  It's very cool.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Joe Wurts" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 19:56:02 -0700
> To: "'RCSE'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "Bill Rakozy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] XC story
> 
  I queried the vario at
> one point for altitude and got in response 5463 ft in altitude.  It was
> pretty darned high... and I was scared to push too hard because I was afraid
> of using too much down elevator.  Fortunately, I finally popped out the far
> side of the lift, and I could start breathing easier.

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Re: [RCSE] Definition of Acceleration

[John Erickson]

This is exactly how it goes when my Tiger Moth passes a Slo Stick.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Simon Van Leeuwen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Organization: Radius Systems
> Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 19:45:31 -0700
> To: 6-CRCSS <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, 5-Soaring Forum <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> 2-IMAC <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, 4- GSAL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [RCSE] Definition of Acceleration
> 
> The dragster launches and starts after you. You keep your foot down
> hard, but you hear an incredibly brutal whine that sears your eardrums
> and within 3 seconds, the dragster catches and passes you. He beats you
> to the finish line, a quarter mile away from where you just passed him.
> 
> Think about it, from a standing start, the dragster had spotted you 200
> mph and not only caught, but nearly blasted you off the road when he
> passed you within a mere 1,320 foot long race course.
> 
> .and that my friend, is ACCELERATION!

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Re: [RCSE] Musing on Icons....

[John Erickson]

No, but Photoshop will.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Ed Jett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2004 08:20:36 -0500
> To: "[RCSE]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Fw: [RCSE] Musing on Icons
> 
> 
> Paint job won't make an Image into an Icon.
> 
> EJ
>> - Original Message -
>> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> To: "James V. Bacus" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "RCSE" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> Sent: Friday, September 24, 2004 7:38 AM
>> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Musing on Icons
>> 
>> 
>>> Holly Cow, di you all see that 2-meter Icon on the floor as well !!
>>> 
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Jack Strother
>>> Granger, IN
>>> 
>>> LSF 2948
>>> LSF Level V #117
>>> LSF Official 1996 - 2004
>>> CSS Gold
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -- Original message --
>>> 
 With all this ICON talk I almost forgot I had a big box from Don
> Peters
 down in the hangar I hadn't sufficiently drooled over.
 
 Here's a picture to top off a big gnarly ICON thread...
 http://www.jimbacus.net/
 
 
 Jim
 Downers Grove, IL
 Member of the Chicago SOAR club, AMA 592537 LSF 7560 Level IV
 ICQ: 6997780 AIM: InventorJim R/C Soaring blog at www.jimbacus.net
 
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>> 
> 
> 
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[RCSE] Optimized thermal planes

[John Erickson]

I liked Paul's analogy of not using a Big Bertha driver out of a sand trap.
I really don't think our high performance planes are that far apart, but
just for discussion here are three categories:

Launching:  A plane that pulls hard (good set up), cleans up well, low drag
at high speed.  Weight not critical, in fact if the winch can take it a
little more helps.  Good plane at this:  NYK

Thermalling:  A plane that floats well but also has the ability to cruise
from thermal to thermal.  Can handle wind.  Wingloading in these conditions
can be a plus.  Good plane at this:  Icon

Landing:  A plane that flies slow well.  Good low speed handling.  Stable.
Light weight helps by minimizing slide.  Good plane at this:  Mantis

There are days when one plane can do two of these things really well, but
rarely all three.  I'm thinking of Phoenix a few years ago when a large
group of us were flying Addictions...backwards.  The heavier molded planes
didn't seem to have as much of a problem.

Then you have those soft thermal days when there isn't much wind and the
floater is about the best you can use.

All this is fine as we go chasing down the area in which we have a
deficiency.  Can't land?  Get a Mantis.  Can't thermal all over the sky?
Get an Icon.  Both planes, as a whole bunch of others are good enough multi
purpose toys.  What it really is all about is how skilled you are with the
plane you choose.  Most of us think there is a "silver bullet" out there
when the only bullet is a lot of practice and familiarity with one plane.

So the answer is to practice, but that is way too boring an answer.  In the
spirit of perpetuating the myth, I'd like to hear what everyone thinks is
the best plane in each one of these categories, and why.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] Re: Is an LSF# - still an LSF 'Task' if you use electronic help?

[John Erickson]

I agree with Craig.  The level 5 wins are tough to come by, especially since
you are up against 20 other guys.  To do all the levels you are flying in 24
contests so you get your share of competitive time.

I don't care what kind of electronics you have on board, looking into the
sky for 8 hours without a break ain't easy.  We should be talking more about
sunglasses than electronics.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA (working on my Level V)


> From: "Craig D. Allen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 00:14:16 -
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: [RCSE]  Re: Is an LSF# - still an LSF 'Task' if you use electronic
> help?
> 
> Having flown in the late 60's and 70's, the way I see it is any help
> you get through technology is offset because contest wins are harder
> to get today than back then. Back in the day their were fewer pilots
> and if Rick Walters failed to show up, it was anyones contest :-)
> Rick Walters could fly the pants off of anybody, to bad he graduated
> to full size :-) It would be great to see a flyoff between Rick and
> Joe...
> 
> Craig Allen LSF111
> 
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Re: [RCSE] Odd servo problem

[John Erickson]

Interesting, but why wouldn't I see the same behavior in the rudder and
elevator servos?  They are quiet no matter which transmitter.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Simon Van Leeuwen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 17:13:35 -0700
> To: John Erickson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Cc: Soaring List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Odd servo problem
> 
> What you are observing could be as simple as exceeding the AGC
> (automatic gain control) with one TX's RF O/P, and not the other. Does
> the jittering cease when the TX is farther away from the RX? Also
> consider that 60Hz AC indoor lighting (especially fluorescents) can
> exacerbate the problem. Does the jittering cease/diminish when the RX is
> moved away from noisy appliances or when the lights are off? If so, it's
> a non-issue.
> 
> John Erickson wrote:
> 
>> I'm trying to figure out a strange problem with a spoiler servo.  I have two
>> transmitters, a Futaba 8 and a 9.  With the 8 all is normal.  When I switch
>> over to the 9 the servo starts jittering and locking.  The programming for
>> the model is the same on both transmitters.  The receiver is an Electron 6.
>> 
>> JE
>> --
>> Erickson Architects
>> John R. Erickson, AIA
>> 
>> 
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>> 
> 
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Re: [RCSE] Odd servo problem

[John Erickson]

Brian,

I think you gave me the answer.  On the 8 I had used a Glider 2 setup while
on the 9 I used a Glider 1 setup.  The servo is plugged into the throttle
channel (3) so I thought that it wouldn't matter, but I do have a mix on
from airbrake to elevator.  Maybe there is a difference between the
programming with a GLDR1 or GLDR2 set up, or maybe there is a difference
between the programming on the 8 versus the 9C.

All seems to work now, so thanks for the suggestion!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: Brian Chan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 14:30:31 -0700
> To: John Erickson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Soaring List
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] Odd servo problem
> 
> At 1:54 PM -0700 5/26/04, John Erickson wrote:
>> I'm trying to figure out a strange problem with a spoiler servo.  I have two
>> transmitters, a Futaba 8 and a 9.  With the 8 all is normal.  When I switch
>> over to the 9 the servo starts jittering and locking.  The programming for
>> the model is the same on both transmitters.  The receiver is an Electron 6.
>> 
>> JE
>> --
>> Erickson Architects
>> John R. Erickson, AIA
>> 
> 
> The spoiler on the ch3(throttle stick)? or other mixed channels? Did
> you have the ch 5-6 or 6-7 output turn on on the 9C? Did you copy the
> exact program from the 8u to the 9C (or9Z) ? There are some
> difference between the programming on the tx may couse the problem?
> What vintage is your 9C(is it a 9C or 9Z?) I know certain vintage of
> the 9C has bugs in the pregrams.
> 
> Brian
> -- 
> Brian Chan, Instrumentation Support
> Aeroflightdynamics Directorate, U.S. Army
> MS-215-2, Rm 120 , Ames Research Center
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 650-604-0389

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Re: [RCSE] The new virus...WARNING!!!

[John Erickson]

SpamSieve is a Baysian filter that has been working very well with OS X for
any Mac people out there.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Andrew E. Mileski" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2004 15:48:57 -0500
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] The new virus...WARNING!!!
> 
> Aerofoam wrote:
>> I have been using "mailwasher", its a free download
>> program that lets you view yout email or headers
>> without downloading them and it compares them
>> to spammer lists. It then allows you to blacklist
>> or bounce the offending messages.
> 
> NEVER EVER bounce messages!
> 
> Why?  Because the return address is FORGED!  You end
> up mail-bombing an innocent.
> 
> Take a look at SpamBayes.  It learns what you deem to be
> non-spam.  A verison of it was ported to Windows:
>  http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/windows.html
> Mozilla has a similar built-in feature.
>  http://www.mozilla.org/releases/
> 
> -- 
> Andrew E. Mileski
> Ottawa, Canada
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Re: [RCSE] 4 pin connector

[John Erickson]

Andrew,

The web page needs updating.  Karlton is no longer there.  I'm trying to
find out where he is.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Andrew E. Mileski" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 17:39:28 -0500
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: [RCSE] 4 pin connector
> 
> John Erickson wrote:
>> Karlton is no longer in the building...
> 
> Huh?
>  http://www.multiplexrc.com/
> 
> A quick search turned up another source too:
>  http://www.flyelectric.com/connectors.html
> probably others.
> 
> -- 
> Andrew E. Mileski
> Ottawa, Canada
> http://isoar.ca/
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Re: [RCSE] Re: DS Record is tied!

[John Erickson]

Tom,

We've all lost planes one way or another.  Most of the time it is our own
mistakes (pilot error, equipment failure, battery problems).  When your
plane blows up at 232 mph, however, that is the equivalent of dying with
honor :-) 

>From the "It's better to burn out than to fade away" school of thought.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Tom Sheehy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2003 01:41:04 -0500
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [RCSE] Re:  DS Record is tied!
> 
> Please don't take this the wrong way, as I don't know diddly about DS.. never
> done it, never seen it done, etc..  I checked out the 232mph video - and the
> guy's plane disintegrates about 1 second after reaching this speed.  I know
> there aren't hard and fast rules here, and this is all in fun, but does anyone
> else find this amusing?  "Look, there goes the fuselage!"
> 
> -- Tom

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Re: [RCSE] Emphasis or de-emphasis on landings

[John Erickson]

F3J is flown without skegs.  Pilots routinely put their planes in the 100.
There is a reason for this other than they are good.  It is that they are
allowed to land in any direction they choose!  Unless the CD has designated
a "no fly" zone, the planes take the best approach, into the wind, into the
landing zone.

At nearly all the major contests I've attended you are forced to land in a
certain preordained way.  The reasoning has to do with safety.  You can't
have 300 pilots landing whatever way they choose at a place like Visalia; it
would be chaos.  Pilots are told they will get a zero if they fly over the
pits, or over the launch or landing areas.  In this case, when you are
landing sometimes straight downwind, I would argue that the skeg is a very
good thing.

For those lucky enough to have a large field with plenty of different
approach patterns the skeg debate is probably a non issue.  With a tight
field and limited approach patterns more often than not I think the skeg
helps the pilot.

When landing downwind without a skeg, all the talk about energy management
goes by the wayside unless you have a ton of experience in this style of
landing.  It is what is not natural, not the skeg!

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Aradhana Singh Khalsa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 09:17:19 -0700
> To: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: RE: [RCSE]  Emphasis or de-emphasis on landings
> 
> Well, now I've entered the great debate with one of our best glider guiders,
> teachers, and debaters. Thanks for the response, Gordy! Okay, here goes...
> 
> American...
> Whether skegs were invented by Americans doesn't it make a good idea or bad
> idea by itself. I'm 11th generation American, and I don't like them. I can
> see that some Americans do like them. Most of my American friends and model
> sailplane mentors don't like them.
> 

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[RCSE] Crystal

[John Erickson]

I know Tom Copp asked for wish list items for planes.  Here is one for the
manufacturers.  I would like to see receivers with a separate mounting
option for crystals.  Some sort of extension lead where the crystal could be
mounted independently of the receiver.

Anyone who has been asked to change crystals and has a buried receiver will
appreciate this idea!  I just did it with a hand launch and it wasn't
pretty.

In bigger planes with room in the fuse this isn't a real issue.  I'm talking
about tight installations.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


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Re: [RCSE] [RCSE]Vulture Vario

[John Erickson]

A cousin of mine who is an ornithologist at Cornell told me there is a pack
mentality with many of the raptors.  They see other birds circling and they
go check it out.  

That being said, watching a hawk thermal on their own you know they are
doing more than just looking around for signs of lift.  He explains it by
hypothesizing that they are just extremely sensitive to movement across
their wings.  They learn to soar, so over time they know what "14th feather
on the left going up" means.

JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA


> From: "Tom H. Nagel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2003 16:33:59 -0700
> To: "RCSE" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [RCSE] [RCSE]Vulture Vario
> 
> While flying Sunday afternoon, it crossed my mind that soaring birds must
> have some sort of pretty good vario on board.  Does anyone know of any
> actual research on what they use for a vario? Is it anything more than
> the inertial inner ear pit of the stomach thing we sense when going up in an
> elevator?
>   I had a ride in a Schweitzer years ago,  and could distinctly feel it
> when we hit lift or sink.  But once in the lift or sink, the inner ear/pit
> of stomach settled down and I couldn't tell lift from sink without the
> vario.  Are soaring birds any different?
> 
> 
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