Hi Larry,

Glad you're here! 

Frank, I have put off the covering for now................ it is completed, bare wood is doped and ready.  In the last month, I have accomplished very little in the way of building, at least as far as I am concerned........  just got a touch overwhelmed, or something.  I get just small things done when I go into the shop.........

Bill <><

No guilt, we all go in fits and starts.  I haven't done much to my FA since sheeting the LEs, and I may not be done with that step, if I decide to replace some. 

Oops, wrong thread.  Sorry. (Buncha stuff deleted)
--Ray

After sitting all winter, I think these little engines probably need to be taken out in the back yard or garage or somewhere and run once or twice to get all the gunk out before hitting the field.  Now we'll see if I take my own advice.

--Ray

Well, OK, I went flying today--took out 3 planes: Snapper, new LilGeo, and LittleAxe.  Flew one: LittleAxe.  Why not the other 2, you ask?  BECAUSE, I couldn't get the engines to run...I sure oughtta listen to myself more.  The Snapper has a production Cox engine; I got it started but it quit before I got to the handle and wouldn't start again.  Acts like something's probably under the reed.  The LilGeo is even more asinine: It has a new VA .049 on it, never been run...my half-baked plan was to run a couple of tanks through it on the ground, then put it up in the air.  'Way stiff, never got it to start.  What was I thinking?

But my trusty Norvel .061 in the LittleAxe didn't let me down...fired right up, ran like a champ, as always; the airplane is great!  I actually believe I could enter a Stunt contest with this plane, note I didn't say win anything, but compete at least.  It turns the prettiest square corners you ever saw, I can square it out at the bottom with nary a bobble, sits on a rail flying level upright or inverted...makes even me look better than I am.  Very nice controlled glide, smooooooth landing. Only little problem is a trim issue: it gets a little light on the lines overhead, enough to make me a little nervous.  I'm gonna add some tip weight and move the leadouts forward about 1/4" and see if that helps any.   Running a 6x2, 48' lines, it's turning a 5+ second lap, may be a little slow.  I'll try a 6x3 next time out.  Also my clunk tank didn't cut off cleanly, it burped around a few laps first...I'm changing the length of the uniflow vent for next time.  All in all, a positive beginning to the 2007 flying season for me.

Next opportunity, I guess I'll take the Queen Bee out and see what it'll do...and the Autogyro.  But I'm gonna run the engines first in the back yard, I promise!

--Ray

Try a 6x2 APC prop on 45 foot lines.  I think you will find you have a speed/line pull combination that works.  Theory says that more speed and longer lines gives better control, but that simplified theory does NOT take into account the angular rotation effects of line drag.  Been there, done that!

In my experience, you need a certain amount of weight to pull on a certain amount of line, speed not withstanding.  I haven't got it all straight in my head yet, but this is my best advice.  Lines have to be balanced by weight at speed.  And it is not a simple trade-off.  Sadly, I should be able to write the applicable formulas, but haven't gotten to it.  (I'd rather design new models!!)

Larry

Except for Dave Shirley Jr.'s Cyclon powered model, which flies fine on 60'lines (340 sq.in. plane) I have yet to see a 1/2A or 1cc model that can handle even 5 second laps.  Mine fly in the low 4's.  Slower than that and I lose line tension.  If the speed problem can be solved, I would LOVE to hear about it!

My best results come from spinning a low pitch prop very fast.  The model tends to stay at a more constant speed, and doesn't slow down in square corners.  This gives better line tension all the way through maneuvers. 

I have .008 X 45 foot lines and a Cox .o49 of some sort with a 5X3 prop. That'll be my starting point.