stunthanger.com
General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Paul Taylor on August 20, 2012, 08:43:06 PM
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I wanted to thank Curtis and Lou for helping me get my time down by calculateing the correct amount of fuel.
I had a over run on my first flight. As I got back on the flight line I was talking with Lou - Curtis came up and said lets figure out how to get the correct fuel on board.
Between him and Lou they did the math and my next flight was under 8 minutes.
A big shout out to Louis Rankin and Curtis Shipp!!!
Thanks guys!!!
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Yep, all you need is one of those graduated syringes you were looking at, a stop watch, and a good memory or note book to log info in. Time every flight. I use the stop watch function on my wrist watch for engine run time. Prop size will affect your engines fuel consumption. Temperature and humidity will affect it also as will nitro content. It's one of those little details that one needs to pay attention to if you want to see consistancy and that is what breeds experience. I've seen guys lose airplanes because they got used to a certain fuel load through the warm temps of summer, and then on the first flight of a 50 to 60 degree morning, have their airplane run out of fuel at the wrong time. Warmer air is thinner and has less oxygen in it so you need less fuel. Colder air is more dense and has more oxygen so you need more fuel to make the same power. If you time it close enough, you can see the difference on a day when there is a twenty degree or more increase in temps through the day. Some engines are more sensitive to this than others. That has been my experience.
Good seeing you this past weekend,
Dan McEntee
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go electric - same flight time no matter what temp, altitude or whatever else......of course you have to manage your packs so not to run them too low - but you'll NEVER have an overrun
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Wynn,
I was looking real hard at Tom's stuff but just could not pull the trigger.
I will say this. All three of my LA .46 engines were running great!
Fuel, Flip, and Fly.
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go electric - same flight time no matter what temp, altitude or whatever else......of course you have to manage your packs so not to run them too low - but you'll NEVER have an overrun
That is NOT true, there have been over runs and under runs with electric stunters. many of them, I saw 2 in 1 day, I have also seen them quit in parts of maneuvers.
Randy
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There is nothing infallible. Just when you think you have it figured out, ole Murphy steps in. You've heard of Murphy's Law I hope.
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When calculating fuel needs, I time the flight and then *remove* fuel from the next tank. If you *ADD* a certain amount to the tank, you *MIGHT* be adding to some that was left over. If, however, you completely fill the tank then take out a certain amount, you will side step the possible problem.
BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM
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As some might recall my problem at first was needing a bigger tank. Jim Lynch gave me a lesson on building tanks. Problem solved. Fill the tank up and get the pattern in.
It was during that hot weather. 10% fuel. I was just trying to cram as much fuel as I could on board.
Fast forward.... WKSI contest. Weather cooler in the 80's - 5% nitro was on the menu for the day. Fill the tank and flew FOREVER. HB~>
I did go over and buy one of Jim Lee's fuel syringes. ;)
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Actually just 9:20. I was working on my tan while you were practicing level flight VD~
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That is NOT true, there have been over runs and under runs with electric stunters. many of them, I saw 2 in 1 day, I have also seen them quit in parts of maneuvers.
Randy
an overrun would be a programming error - which one would imagine you SHOULD have tested prior to any contest -.....I have had electrics quit too - but NEVER overrun
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Actually just 9:20. I was working on my tan while you were practicing level flight VD~
You do not tan.... It was just another shade of pink like the color of your planes. LL~
Sun BURN.
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Paul,
You are flying very well, stay with Jim, Louis and your other help and you'll be a force in a season or two.
James
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Thanks James.
I'm glad I came over to hang out with you guys. I saw some very good flying.
I try and spend as much time as I can with Jim and Lou.