21 January 2016

A beginner's tale of getting started in F5J #4

I have been rather busy getting my planes ready for the 2016 F5J season.

During the Christmas holidays, while on a break from work, I managed to complete conversions from F3J to F5J on two planes that have been in the workshop for a month or so.

The first plane to be completed was a Xplorer. I specifically wanted this Xplorer to be my windy weather plane. It is the double carbon version, not exactly light but very strong and it really flies well when it gets windy. I am sure I won't need any ballast to at least 20 kts wind!

The conversion was not that easy. Other that chopping off the nose, installing a firewall and motor, I had to remove servos and install them as far back as possible, changing push-rod lengths after they have been installed is not fun! This way I managed to make space for the ESC and battery and also ensure that the CoG is not too far forward, something that is often a problem with a F3J to F5J conversion.

The power comes from a 3S 1300mah 45-90C battery, the motor is a PowerLine 1025 swinging a RFM 16x8.5 prop.

Here she is before conversion.

I managed to get out early one morning to the GEMS flying field to test her. She needed no ballast to balance at my preferred (at least starting point) CoG. I am happy to report that she flew perfectly from the first flight needing no trim and it seems the CoG is perfect, or at least the way I prefer it.

Ready for the first flight!

Back on the ground after a perfect test flight!

I am really happy with the conversion, now my fleet contains a decent windy weather plane! 

This success has encouraged me to do more F3J to F5J conversions. Next project is a Vladimir Supra conversion!


3 January 2016

A beginner's tale of getting started in F5J #3

Time to make a few updates to this blog, I have been so busy building and flying I have not posted for a while!

The last time I posted I had just completed, and flown, my 2 Mystique electric launch gliders, this was a step in my quest to become a proficient F5J pilot after over 32 years of not flying RC gliders.

Well, the story continues. I decided it was time to step up to a molded plane, not being sure if this rusty pilot could handle it I decided on a plane that was not the most expensive but from reports it seemed like it would be competitive and a quite light.

I ordered an Osprey F5J from Soaring USA, it arrived in less than a week but sadly it was damaged in transit....

The fin was broken, you could clearly see that the container was bumped badly on the one side.

Fortunately Soaring USA offered to send a replacement tail and boom. After looking carefully at the rest of the plane I decided that I really liked the plane so I ordered a second one as a backup!

The second plane, and the replacement boom and tail again arrived in under a week, this time no damage but a missing stab mounting nut on the second plane! This was quite frustrating as these are custom nuts and cannot be found locally.

This is what it looks like.

Soaring USA offered to replace it. It took more than a month but finally arrived via our VERY slow postal service, thanks Soaring USA!

I did manage to find a replacement nut in the UK as well, at huge cost but there was no alternative, at least I now have a spare....

Anyway, I managed to complete the first plane quickly!

The first test flight was a real pleasure, this plane is really a step up from anything I have ever flown! I am glad I purchased the second plane, they will be my primary and backup planes for the 2016 F5J contest season, if all goes well....


Osprey #1 ready for a test flight

And after the fight, one happy pilot!

The Osprey and the now totally outclassed Mystique.

Now the practice starts! I am trying to fly as often as possible, at least twice a week and sometimes more often, I can already see the results, slowly I am starting to "see" the thermals again and my landings have vastly improved!

Till next time,
Rudi