retracts

[Peter Nevai]

One thing that surprises me now a days. Seeing how the trend has been towards bigger airframes and engines. That more guys are not incorporating retractable LG in thiers beasties.

Today the electronics and batteries are so small that the weight gain would be inconsequential. A simple circuit incorporating a optical sensor and timer circuit could automate gear operation.

It would work like this a small photo transistor (like the ones in optical taachs) is mounted in the cowl with a clear view of the prop. The engine is started and adjusted and then a small switch is thrown. This starts a programmable timer that starts counting down say about 45 seconds or so. The plane is released and in roughly 45 seconds as long as the photo transistor sees the engine running the gear go up.

You fly your pattern and when the engine quits the photo transistor sees the engine has stopped and lowers the gear. So long as the prop is spinning the gear stay up, if the engine dies the gear immediately come down. No need for remotes or control by wire The whole package less retracts could weigh in under 2 ounces.

[Trostle]

You might want to read the latest issue of Stunt News (May/June 07).  There are several articles regarding practical approaches to retracts.

[Leester]

It's only the beginning of June it'll be another 2 weeks before I get my S/N.

[Tom McClain]

Keith is correct.  The pertinent articles on retractable landing gear for CL Stunt Ships are in the May/June 2007 issue of PAMPA Stunt News on pages 85-92.  And for Mr. Concannon, if you have not received your May/June copy, you should contact the PAMPA Secretary/Treasurer.  The USPS should have delivered it by now.

[Tom Niebuhr]

Tom,
I get mine 1st class... but I guess not to Texas yet. Hopefully I'll see it Tommorrow.

[Tom McClain]

Tom,

May/June 2007 went out for First Class in the last week of April.  You should have received it over 4 weeks ago.  Contact  Shareen and let her know.  I will get a replacement out to you as soon as I can.

[Ken Deboy]

For those that aren't PAMPA members, September 1994 Flying Models has some of the same articles that are in the current issue of Stunt News. It's cool stuff. Thinking a PIC microprocessor might be another way to go.

cheers,
Ken

[Trostle]

For those that aren't PAMPA members, September 1994 Flying Models has some of the same articles that are in the current issue of Stunt News. It's cool stuff. Thinking a PIC microprocessor might be another way to go.

cheers,
Ken

Just so that there is no misunderstanding, the publisher of Flying Models gave Stunt News permission to reprint the two articles from Flying Models that appear in the May/June issue of Stunt News.

The third article in Stunt News is by Uwe Kehnen from Germany.  The article describes Uwe's experience with installing and flying with retracts in his stunt models.   I had the privilege to see one of his models perform last summer.  It is a really neat the to see.

I would also like to say the Uwe was a great help to our F2B team at the World Championships last summer in Valladolid,

[Tom McClain]

Just to back up what Keith Trostle said about Stunt New republishing the Bob Whitely and Joe Utasi FM Retract articles.  Read the following.

Two articles in our features section were provided by Flying Models magazine, courtesy of the publisher, Mr. Harold Carstens.  Mr. Carstens had this to say about Control Line Precision Aerobatics: “Tom: Pampa has our permission to reprint the Utasi and Whitely articles
from the September 1994 issue of Flying Models. Please credit Flying Models Magazine. It’s good to see this area of the hobby is still active and hanging tough. Too many modelers today don’t even know what an X-Acto knife is, no less scratch build a plane, or any kind of model. We’d appreciate a copy when it is released. Hal Carstens”

[Robertc]

I have built three retract planes using the Jomar controller as in the article.  Zero problems in the operation.
First was a piped plane - take apart.
Second was a Sheeks Mosquito
Third own design twin.
Didn't find a huge difference with gear up or down.  Minor difference. 
It does look really good to see the gear go up and down, and the plane
does look cleaner in the air with the gear up.  Great for impression
points.  As I found out on the first plane, it does take some thought
when designing.  My first had the edge of the wheels coming into the spar!

Robert Compton