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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: wwwarbird on May 27, 2014, 09:54:51 PM

Title: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: wwwarbird on May 27, 2014, 09:54:51 PM
 I don't know about the rest of you folks, but I'm pretty hungry for the return of some regular enlightenment from "our" Howard. I heard a while back that he'd been hiding under the radar and burning the midnight oil in his preparation for whooping the world's a--. When do you suppose that we can expect him to resurface? Maybe after the next ESPN magazine "The Body" photo shoot? :##
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Tim Wescott on May 27, 2014, 10:03:28 PM
I've been working on some electronics for him; he's (a) still burning that midnight oil, and (b) trying hard to keep from getting distracted by the Internet.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Randy Cuberly on May 28, 2014, 12:22:45 AM
I've been working on some electronics for him; he's (a) still burning that midnight oil, and (b) trying hard to keep from getting distracted by the Internet.

Good advice for most of us!

Randy Cuberly
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Steve Helmick on May 28, 2014, 05:15:39 PM
I spoke to Howard on Sunday and again today (Hump Day). Sunday, it sounded like he was close to getting his electrons installed, but not quite. Today, he said he was almost there. I offered to meet him at the field for test flying about anytime. If that happens, I always have the camera in the truck, so might be able to sneak a few pictures. Chris Cox showed me some pictures Saturday, so I have some idea of what the paint scheme is like. It's kewl, of course, and looks real smooth without the VGs. He'll probably get 20+ appearance points at the WC. ;) ;) ;) Steve 
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Larry Fernandez on May 28, 2014, 05:22:46 PM
Quote from: Steve Helmick
He'll probably get 20+ appearance points at the WC. ;) ;) ;) Steve 
[/quote

No appearance points at the "Worlds"

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Steve Helmick on May 28, 2014, 05:29:41 PM
Larry...you didn't notice the  ;) ;) ;) , eh? I thought 3 would be enough warning. Apparently not!  LL~ Steve
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: RC Storick on May 28, 2014, 05:43:44 PM
I am sure he will find his way back.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Steve Helmick on May 31, 2014, 01:56:35 PM
Mike reported by telecon that Howard's new Impact flew last night, May 30. He took pictures and will post them soon.  I suspect there may be some trimming sessions in the near future at WSR. Rumor has it that there will be some flying done this afternoon. The wind was low this AM, and I was at the field, but nobody else could get loose. The wind came up a bit, but at 1pm, it looks flyable. I may even be able to attend, but also need to pack for a 3 day fishing trip to the Okanogan.  ;D Steve 
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Mark Scarborough on May 31, 2014, 02:08:22 PM
Mike reported by telecon that Howard's new Impact flew last night, May 30. He took pictures and will post them soon.  I suspect there may be some trimming sessions in the near future at WSR. Rumor has it that there will be some flying done this afternoon. The wind was low this AM, and I was at the field, but nobody else could get loose. The wind came up a bit, but at 1pm, it looks flyable. I may even be able to attend, but also need to pack for a 3 day fishing trip to the Okanogan.  ;D Steve 
Steve,, where in the Okanogan are you going? if you go through Okanogan, you need to have lunch at Wallwebers,, they make great food,, casual atmosphere, and a good friend of mine.. tell him I sent ya
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Randy Powell on May 31, 2014, 04:48:58 PM
I was on the phone with Howard a couple of weeks ago to talk paint. It sounded as if Howard was getting a bit wild.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: wwwarbird on May 31, 2014, 07:54:12 PM
I was on the phone with Howard a couple of weeks ago to talk paint. It sounded as if Howard was getting a bit wild.
LL~ LL~ LL~
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Mike Haverly on May 31, 2014, 09:49:05 PM
Indeed, there was a Howard sighting at the airport last evening.  The wind was a little tough until after eight o'clock, even then the old dog was up first to shake the rust from Howard's trusty right arm.  The new one got in the air a little after nine o'clock and only flew level to calibrate the Igor timing.  My instructions were to check for level wings.  Right!  The airplane was barely visible, but from what I could see was pretty close, a little OB tip down.  That was that, we packed up and went home.  I planned on being there this afternoon but got burned out at a little league double header.  Time didn't allow for nice fully assembled pictures, instead a rush (pun intended) to get the new dog in the air.  Typical JCT quality and humor.  Very nice plane.  He is to be congratulated for a record PA model build.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Mike Haverly on May 31, 2014, 09:49:59 PM
Two more pictures.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: afml on May 31, 2014, 10:00:24 PM
Hmmm.....
Where are the little 'Thingies' on the 'Wingies'????  n~
Good luck to all the flyers!
Have a safe trip & "Tight Lines!" H^^
Wes
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: RC Storick on May 31, 2014, 10:05:05 PM
No droppings needed. With him tinkering on the nose makes me wonder if he's adding nose weight?
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Mark Scarborough on May 31, 2014, 10:59:58 PM
It looks pretty shiny
Thanks for the picts and update Mike
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Steve Helmick on May 31, 2014, 11:24:32 PM
The (mostly white) model shown with Howard working on the nose (changing propeller from old dog to new dog) certainly wasn't to fuss with the CG. I'd guess it was to start with a prop with a known rpm setting.

When I left the field tonight, Howard had made just one 2 minute flight, all upright, and was still adjusting for neutral, and wings level. I left about 8:30pm. The wings are adjusted for level the old fashioned way, flap tweeking. I said that I thought he'd use the PW micro-screw adjustment method, but Howard said he'd designed such a device, but it needed much more engineering. If I understand that phrase correctly, that's about 6 months worth of engineering, 2 months of mold making, a month of making test parts, and maybe as much as 32 minutes of actual layup of the production part.  y1 Steve

 
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Randy Powell on June 01, 2014, 05:50:37 PM
Is it my imagination or is there something up with the rudder of the plane?
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Matt Colan on June 01, 2014, 06:18:19 PM
Is it my imagination or is there something up with the rudder of the plane?

I saw it too and wanted to know if I was the only one...looks like I'm not.

Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: wwwarbird on June 01, 2014, 06:20:41 PM
Is it my imagination or is there something up with the rudder of the plane?

 I noticed that too, I think it's just a "step" in the profile outline. Does the 5 on the fin mean that this is "Dog" number five? I'm curious about the logo on the fuse sides too, a JCT coat of arms?

 Thanks for the update and pics! y1
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Robby Hunt on June 01, 2014, 06:37:48 PM
Is it my imagination or is there something up with the rudder of the plane?

Good things come to those who wait...

;)
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Steve Fitton on June 01, 2014, 08:52:17 PM
I like the yellow.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Howard Rush on June 02, 2014, 02:11:56 AM
Thanks for your interest, folks.  The airplane is a longer-than-usual PW Impact with Igor's flap mechanism and autothrottle.  Thus it is pretty similar to the Predator Flaming Dog Head Airplane.  The notch at the back is for the rudder.  It's potentially coupled to the elevator and is one of four things that get addressed after the airplane gets completely trimmed.   Wing thingies are another.   Nose tinkering was to line up the prop on the spinner backplate.  This shaft doesn't yet have flats milled on it per Dean Pappas's suggestion, which saves about an hour each spinner installation.  The insignia is from the Kosciuszko Squadron, a long and wonderful story involving West Point, Thomas Jefferson, King Kong, and the Battle of Britain.  Yes, this is the fifth real stunt plane I've built. 




I said that I thought he'd use the PW micro-screw adjustment method, but Howard said he'd designed such a device, but it needed much more engineering. If I understand that phrase correctly, that's about 6 months worth of engineering, 2 months of mold making, a month of making test parts, and maybe as much as 32 minutes of actual layup of the production part.  y1 Steve

Not exactly.  I said that my design was stupid.  I spent a week trying to get the binds out before I discovered that they were designed in.  I reverted to lovely components made by Tony Huber and Derek Moran.  Even with the "logarithmic" flaps, the controls are the freest of any stunt plane I've built.

Today's flying was mostly worrying about whether I'd done anything else fatally stupid and whether the electrical stuff is getting adequate cooling.  I felt some transients that could either have been leadout strands breaking or bugs hitting the lines.  I summoned Pete Ferguson, who came to the field to do a pull test.  He pulled it 48 lb., so I guess it was bugs.  I also heard a snazzz sound which sounded like the motor coming loose.  This turned out to be a label coming off the motor.  I wonder if the motor got too hot for the adhesive.  So far today I've taped and untaped the flaps twice.  I went to see a movie about Lech Walesa this evening, but couldn't sit through the whole thing because Pete brought me a 20-oz. cup of coffee from Starbucks when he came to help me pull test. 
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Derek Barry on June 02, 2014, 05:42:32 AM
Good luck to all three of you this summer! The new dog looks good Howard.

Team USA!!!!!


Derek
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: john e. holliday on June 02, 2014, 08:01:41 AM
The new plane looks great.  I hope it doesn't let you down at the Worlds and that you do your best.  Most of all remember to have fun.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: wwwarbird on June 02, 2014, 08:22:58 AM

 Welcome "back" Howard, hope this new Super Dog works out beyond all expectation! y1
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Will Hinton on June 02, 2014, 08:26:21 AM
Lookin' good, Howard!!  Do the debug thing and then fly, fly, fly!  We're counting on you and cheering for ya!
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Eric Viglione on June 02, 2014, 10:39:41 AM
Hey, Howard stuck his head out of the shop, saw his new dog shadowed his old dog, and he went back into the shop, does than mean 6 more weeks of no StuntHangar for Howard?  LL~
(Nice bird Howard, hope it kicks booty)  8)
EricV
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Tim Wescott on June 02, 2014, 11:23:28 AM
Lookin' good, Howard!!  Do the debug thing and then fly, fly, fly!  We're counting on you and cheering for ya!

And I have a prior commitment for this coming Sunday, so if Howard flies it, I won't see.  :(
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Mike Ferguson on June 02, 2014, 01:33:52 PM
I went to see a movie about Lech Walesa this evening, but couldn't sit through the whole thing because Pete brought me a 20-oz. cup of coffee from Starbucks when he came to help me pull test. 

He only brought one 20-oz. cup?

He's slipping.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Randy Powell on June 02, 2014, 04:26:43 PM
yea, no Stunt-A-Thon this weekend for me either. As Tim notes, I have a prior commitment. But soon I will actually fly again. Soon.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Tim Wescott on June 02, 2014, 04:56:29 PM
yea, no Stunt-A-Thon this weekend for me either. As Tim notes, I have a prior commitment. But soon I will actually fly again. Soon.

I'll be there Saturday, holding down last place in Expert Profile and maybe even Classic, if I bring my Ringmaster.  But I can't make it Sunday.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Randy Powell on June 02, 2014, 05:02:14 PM
I'll be supervising junior criminals at the local juvenile lockup. Joy!
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Tim Wescott on June 02, 2014, 05:29:24 PM
I'll be supervising junior criminals at the local juvenile lockup. Joy!

Oh fun.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Randy Powell on June 02, 2014, 08:02:15 PM
It can be, Tim, it can be. But I suspect I'll be grumpy this weekend. Only one more month of this then I'm done.
Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: PJ Rowland on June 02, 2014, 11:30:17 PM
Aww No Rush Boost tabs  !

The droppings come on after trim is established to improve all other area's

Is this your first plane with the Igor system ? ( Timer )


Title: Re: Where-O-Where is Howard?
Post by: Dennis Moritz on June 03, 2014, 05:54:52 AM
Monsanto chemicals wasted the bugs.