Today was a stunning Canberra Spring day. I've been playing with a few of my planes and trying to fly some that haven't seen the air for a while, so today's menu was:
1. Extra 260 - I flew this without landing gear and a 10x4.7 prop last time. I put the gear on it and an 11x5 to get some extra oomph. Glydr hadn't seen this plane before.
2. Parkjet - I tried flying it a few weeks ago but one of the motor connector wires burnt off... again. I wanted to have some proper speed runs this time.
3. Red Eagle wing - I've been playing with this for a potential FPV plane. I didn't have an FPV camera to put on it, so I went with a keychain and wanted to put some air time into it.
4. FPV Raptor - I brought this to show off to glydr. Love flying it.
First thing that went up was the Extra. Took off nicely, got a few clicks of trim and then I gave it more throttle. The prop started making a weird hollow sound - I don't remember that noise with the 10" prop... Anyhow, it was flying nicely, but I thought I should bring it in and double check that prop and that nothing had come loose. My first run at the runway (cricket pitch) I came in too hot, and instead of gliding nicely the plane was bumping around all over the place! I went around for another attempt and put it down nicely, though a little hot, about halfway down the runway. My wife decided to walk in front of it and the wing hit her leg, sending the nose and rest of the plane in different directions. Was a pretty clean break, but a sad end to an otherwise nice landing!
Next plane to go up was the wing. Glydr was flying his Bonsai, and I was going to try and get some shots of it in the air, but his battery fell out and by the time he found it I'd landed. On landing, I noticed that the motor was a little loose. Two of the screws were only being held into the ply mount by the hot glue I'd used to sure up the connection!
Third I put up the Parkjet. Glydr launched it for me and I got in a couple of speed runs before the plane emitted some magic smoke. I still had control but lost the motor, which it turned out had burned.
I was scared to put the Raptor up, but thankfully all went without a hitch. A confidence saver at the end of the day. Phew. Haven't had so many repairs needed in one day for a loooong time.
1. Extra 260 - I flew this without landing gear and a 10x4.7 prop last time. I put the gear on it and an 11x5 to get some extra oomph. Glydr hadn't seen this plane before.
2. Parkjet - I tried flying it a few weeks ago but one of the motor connector wires burnt off... again. I wanted to have some proper speed runs this time.
3. Red Eagle wing - I've been playing with this for a potential FPV plane. I didn't have an FPV camera to put on it, so I went with a keychain and wanted to put some air time into it.
4. FPV Raptor - I brought this to show off to glydr. Love flying it.
First thing that went up was the Extra. Took off nicely, got a few clicks of trim and then I gave it more throttle. The prop started making a weird hollow sound - I don't remember that noise with the 10" prop... Anyhow, it was flying nicely, but I thought I should bring it in and double check that prop and that nothing had come loose. My first run at the runway (cricket pitch) I came in too hot, and instead of gliding nicely the plane was bumping around all over the place! I went around for another attempt and put it down nicely, though a little hot, about halfway down the runway. My wife decided to walk in front of it and the wing hit her leg, sending the nose and rest of the plane in different directions. Was a pretty clean break, but a sad end to an otherwise nice landing!
Next plane to go up was the wing. Glydr was flying his Bonsai, and I was going to try and get some shots of it in the air, but his battery fell out and by the time he found it I'd landed. On landing, I noticed that the motor was a little loose. Two of the screws were only being held into the ply mount by the hot glue I'd used to sure up the connection!
Third I put up the Parkjet. Glydr launched it for me and I got in a couple of speed runs before the plane emitted some magic smoke. I still had control but lost the motor, which it turned out had burned.
I was scared to put the Raptor up, but thankfully all went without a hitch. A confidence saver at the end of the day. Phew. Haven't had so many repairs needed in one day for a loooong time.