Greetings everyone,
 
I would like offer some comments on the new Will Hubin Programmer and FM-9 timer units. My history with  flying electric control line stunt goes back over  6 years. During that time I have used 5 different timer units.  For those relatively new into electric control line,  believe me you "haven't missed anything!!!".  For those  who have been in it a couple of years you will easily remember like I do the  following :  "counting seconds and multiplying by 10" to arrive at a flight time.... flipping 5 different dip switches to achieve a power level and flight time. ....adjusting 4 different pots to achieve the same...etc..etc... All procedures we had to go through "in the good old days!!!"  Then continuously recording where the unit was last set!!
 
I am happy to say that all our prayers have been answered in the new Will Hubin Programmer and FM-9 timer units.  While specifics have been described earlier by several in this column, I would like to concentrate on actual flight experiences we were finally  ( delayed due to terrible weather in the mid-west)  able to do  this past Saturday.
 
I had received the programmer and several timer units a couple of weeks ago and was extremely impressed in "how easy it now was" to program a full flight,  including start delay...rpm setting..and flight total  all in a few seconds.  As well as changing any of those parameters just as easily.
 
On Sat my  E control line flying buddy Bob Branch and I spent the afternoon with 7 of our electric stunters.....5 of which we had put the FM-9 units into for their first actual in-air testing. (picture below)
 
To make a "long afternoon" short... ALL of the FM-9 units performed flawlessly and were extremely easy to both set up and adjust.
 
A couple of important details...The programmer cycles thru just 5 screens and allowed our choice of time for total flight time,...delayed start time..type of ESC unit (6 different types of settings avail)  ...in our case  it was set to PX High RPM Govern mode..then  for that mode a selection of motor RPM  from 8040 to 12880  with changes possible at plus or minus 0.5% (in approx.  50 to 60  rpm steps in the 8-9000 range)....all of the preceding steps were easily adjusted by "Up and Down" buttons on the programmer...and then "FINISH"... "that's all folks"..it was that simple.  In addition, by plugging the FM-9 timer back into the box you could easily see "what levels were currently  programmed"..no more pads and pads of paper.
 
I took the approach of dialing in the "last known rpm"  that I used on my 4 planes early  last winter..setting   each of the  planes for a 1 minute flight and then Bob and I  timed for lap speed (looking  for the desired ..at least for us, of 5.2 sec/lap) and also performed some specific maneuvers during that minute...to get the feel.  After 2-3  one minute flights per plane we "were there".  Next flights......flight timer  was set to 5.5 minutes (took about 20 seconds) and full patterns.  Bob was also checking out some smaller  size, lighter, batteries and was concerned with total flight draw down..so he set his tests to 2:45 seconds...1/2 of a normal flight..and then could double the  draw to get a good total flight estimate.
 
In total we did well over 25 flights on 6 different aircraft during a 4 hour flight session.  The new Programmer and timer allowed a quick "turn-around" between flights, enabling us to accomplish  "weeks worth" of testing in just a few hours.   Since all my planes are "dialed in"...for our next  session..full patterns for all the planes...all session!!!
 
Needless to say I have nothing but phrase for the new units.  While they might cost a little more initially due to the cost of the Programmer box...the Timer units are much less expensive than any other unit currently out...and most important...they work flawlessly and parameters can be changed easily.  All this is complimented by the fact that Will Hubin is a fantastic person to work with and is always seeking feedback for his projects and makes changes appropriately.
 
I rate this combination a 5 star.
 
Thanks for your interest,
 
Rick Sawicki

Hi Wynn,

Thanks for your  kind comments.

  Please remember that a part of the 25 flights were 1 minute tests to dial in the correct rpm and flight speed.. With the new  FM-9 timer this was a breeze.  Take off...time it...do a few maneuvers..then one minute later  (something that cannot be done with a gasser!!!) it was back on the ground awaiting the next adjustment (if required).   By plugging in the Programmer box and cycling thru the inputs we could easily see the rpm the previous  flight was at...and then it was relatively easy to adjust (faster or slower in 50 rpm incremental steps) for the next one.

Yes we also had a good supply of batteries...at least 15  Packs between us.  In addition we were car charging some of the packs as we finished using them.

YES..YES...you will love it....and ...YES...YES...Will had definitely produced a real winner. 

Please furnish your comments after trying it.

thanks,
Rick Sawicki

Where can I find a complete list of what Will Hubin offers ?