Bill Wheeler pic Flying Futaba - RCM NewsFlying Futaba rcmnews.com May 2019 F3a World Cup in Queensland current F3A World Champion Tetsuo Onda with Futaba Australia ‘s Brian Simpson

Flying Futaba

rcmnews.com

May 2019

F3a World Cup in Queensland current F3A World Champion Tetsuo Onda with Futaba Australia ‘s Brian Simpson and FAI Pylon guru Bruce deChastel with

AeroFlight Models Australia soon to be released Gemini MK111 balsa kit

Bill Wheeler pic

RCM News

RCM News Flying Futaba Digital Edition May 2019�

Leading Edge 3 Vale Phil McGrane 6 Gemini Mk111 8 Flying With Dan10 Giant Model Certificate 14 GPS Triangle Racing�0 The Build�� Talking Trailers�3 F1 Air Racing�6 Flight of the Phoenix�7 100 Hourly34 Old Fokkers35 Super EZ V3 39 I had a Dream40 Futaba V Spektrum45 RCM News Trader46 Trailing Edge

Ace Hobby Distributors ...................36Ace RC Models .................................21AeroFlight Model Australia ................7Airborne Plans Service .....................21FPV Australia ....................................37Futaba Australia ................................48

Mongrel Gear ..................................37RC World ........................................19RCGF Engines ................................29RCM News Disclaimer ...................20Wolf Models ....................................29

Advertisers Index

NSW has come up with a novel way to promote building. Soon to be released AeroFlight Gemini Mk111 Australian manufactured balsawood kit makes its public debut with Bruce de-Chastel on the sticks. John Copeland’s article on GPS Triangle Racing shows a very interesting competition stacked full of technology. Great to see the Trans Tasman re-invigourated, Austral-ian Masters and F3a and World Cup a week later. World Pylon Champs loom-ing too. Tin Can Bay Warbirds gets a good roll up. The GMAA ANZAC Day event looked a great success. Twin Cit-ies Autumn Scale Flyin had a great turn out where kit and scratched models out-numbered ARFs. Not so at the Monty Tyrrell scale day in Victoria. Only two new balsa models to be photographed. Plenty of ARFs at Wangarratta jets.

The first round of F1 was a cracker. It bought a bit of a tear to my eye. Finally, 22 years after the 1997 Yarra Valley Air Races, introducing Red Bull ARFs at Cobram 2011, four Seagull Nemesis ARFs boomed around the course in close proximity at 250 kph plus. You should have been there. It

was great. Not for me. Byron Simp-son’s pink and green machine showed a total lack of respect by lapping my Cassutt three times in every race. I got some video though.

Putting this magazine together each issue invariably ends up with a theme. Although I have enjoyed most aspects of the hobby it is competition flying that’s remains number 1 for me. Trying to do better and see how you compare against others is what made me a better RC flier. Coming up with a better mousetrap is fun. Win some lose some. I always take my box of spares full of widgets accumulated over the years in case it might help someone. Most competitors in most disciplines in this country do the same. So I view products on a cost per flight basis. For example my F1 Racer has a $100 Smart Fly Opto Ignition cut off. Why? Seen plenty of competitors borrowing less expensive units because they failed at race meetings. I’ve had two units DOA for review in sport models. Importer replaced not a problem but a Did not Start or Did not Finish cost money at a competition. John Copeland’s article gives an insight how events end up improving technology for the sport flier. F3a competitor Steve Corham did the test flying on the Gemini Mk111 to fine tune the rigging.

The photo up top sets the scene as the radio business in Australia becomes a two horse race. Top FAI competition aeromodellers fly Futaba. In the RC car world the top drivers use Futaba or Sanwa. Spektrum’s 11 millisecond DSM protocol does not cut the mustard. It just doesn’t work as well. Futaba owners may have to wait a little longer but when it releases a product it just works. Who will be the first one to use all 32 channels in the eagerly awaited MZ replacement in a model aeroplane? Perth’s Andrew Herzfeld who built and flew his scratchbuilt 1-12th scale four turbine engine 747 with the 18MZ might be the man. In-flight catering

Monaro Models gone. No hobby shop in Canberra. Melbourne is next. Andrew’s Scale Models no longer bricks n mortar! RC Trader

up for salewould have to chew up some channels.

MAAA should be congratulated on its handling of the proposed changes by CASA. Excellent outcome for mem-bers of model clubs. Forcing people to registered flying fields is unlikely however further shrinking of the market is. Positive promotion is vital but the el-ephant in the room remains? Preventing old guys resisting change from blowing beginners off remains a problem. The bottom two lines on the demographic below highlights that making money at club level will become vital when fees increase. It is now.

RCM News TRadeR

I was banned from RC Trader. So was my Dad. RCM News Trader on page 45 has a few items for sale. To fund a new dream there are 75 in total on the rcmnews website.

I had a dReaM

Hopefully this article and this edition goes some way to explaining some of the editorials the past few years and what it is like to be part of the RC industry. As product for review, advertising dwindled and did the ability to pay for modellers to contribute content one has to fill these pages with something. Good luck to Steve Thomas in Qld. Keep going. I had a dream about big events once.

Age Group Percent18 or under 4.0519-�9 7.9530-39 6.3840-49 13.6750- 59 �0.3460-69 ��.5370-79 �3.6880 or over 6.38

RCM News Flying Futaba Digital Edition May 20193

Vale Phil McGranePhil was my lifelong friend who I have known since I was eight. We met at a flying field somewhere. I’m on pretty safe ground to say his father Johnno, my dad Brian and Tom Prosser were the gun aerobatic fliers in the country back then. They all flew pylon too. Dad, Johhno and Tom, all fierce competitors although one was not known for his sense of humour. Without doubt Tom would have to be the greatest competitive aeromodeller ever in this country. With so many free flight, control line and RC accomplishments quite possibly that would extend to being the world’s greatest. Phil and I grew up with quite possibly the greatest shit stirrers, both on and off the field. At a State Champs once Dad dropped Johhno’s pants whilst he was flying in front of the judges. He didn’t bat an eyelid. I think we all know how would that go down today? MAAA has policy for it.

My first memories were the Queens Birthday Swan Hill fly ins organised by Johhno. Gliding on the claypan Saturday float plane flying at Lake Boga on Sunday. I had a forty minute thermal flight with my Graupner Foka. Landed because I got bored. With hindsight I should have gone for the hour. Ian Watts took his speed boat and spent much time waterskiing, interrupted

occasionally with a sea rescue. Macca and Dad used to buzz Wattsie with their floatplanes. No amount of fist shaking would deter them. Our family car was the HR Holden wagon. Three on the tree with a 161 cubic inch red engine. McGranes had the HD wagon with the 179 cube donk. Competitive? Our car would do 83MPH. I know because I used to sit behind Dad to watch the speedo. The HD topped out at 90. Flat out, no seat belts, wife and kids on board waving as they slowly cruise past the difference in horsepower displayed every time we did the run to Echuca Show.

When the McGranes moved to Geelong to startup the Northerner F3a kit building business at Kraft Systems Phil and I used to go slope soaring at Point Impossible Torquay. Mum would drive us or we would do the 20km ride on our pushbikes. Phil had a Graupner Foka. A Graupner Cirrus too. Which was much better in light air. When the lift was patchy he’d throw that off and buzz me

every time I retrieved the Foka. Milking the mouse with that Foka, the nasty tip stall taught me how to repair the outward section of the wing panels. Repeatedly. Later I took my brown and white Vulture. Seagulls would form up behind the white Foka and scattered when my Vulture dived out of the sun.

Must be some truth to the thing that kids often mimmick their parents actions. Mum used to drop us off near Breakwater in Geelong with our seaplanes and we spent many times hiding in the bull rushes and flying along side water skiers. We had enough nouse not to buzz them but quite often one would fall off as a floatplane cruised slowly past, off to one side just above head height. When the boat driver started searching for us we would send the plane down river as far as we dare and pretend to land. Boat followed. We did a one eighty and flew back flat chat to leave the boat for dead and land. We hid as they cruised slowly up and down looking for us.

Memories of Barwon River

A lifetime of stirring never let up, a stickler about OH&S I had to distract his pre-flight to see how he would handle my hot glue crumpet modification


Like his Dad Phil was a gifted builder. His chuck gliders were always better than mine. I can still remember one hooking a thermal and flying away. I thought that was great but then again it wasn’t me who put in the blood sweat and tears to build it to that level of perfection. We spent many hours flying the Mattel Vertibird in the garage. After a brief stint at slot car racing we built small electric round the pole models to fly in the garage when it was raining. Adjusting the down thrust the rigging was set so we could do spot landing competitions using throttle to control descent. We could only dream of what’s in my hanger right now. A cool three channel WL Toys Cessna 182 that retails for a hundred bucks. And it’s good too!

Flying at the GAGS field on Belmont Common the club used to have climb into the clouds and spin competitions. So often there was

a lot more wind upstairs than the windsock let on. Down low a long way often a model was spotted out of the corner of an eye out just in time to recover. Yet another thing one would not do today. Checking out the old flying field on Belmont Common on the day of his funeral reminded me of the fuss created when it was proposed to buy a ride on mower and build a bunker to store it.

Calling for Johnno at a Nationals once Phil told his Dad he was flying the aerobatic pattern the wrong way. Downwind instead of upwind. Told to shut up it was John’s way of sticking it up whoever put in the protest. Which was upheld. Yep, life can be too short to put up with the armchair flyers who sit back and criticise, never get better at flying and never really do anything. They lower you to their level and beat you with experience every time. A lesson I’ve taken a lifetime to learn.

Fabulous Mattel VertibirdPhil was a gun with machinery too. PM Excavations was started with a Bobcat. He could spin that thing around on two wheels and put that thing anywhere. He could run a grader blade once or twice and get it right. Preferred contractor at Shell Refinery, after the GFC his business took a real hit competing against bigger firms running deals at cost just to keep their workers employed. Closed it down, paid out all the staff and took up another of his lifelong passion. Painting. Not the three rooms in one day style, he had some talent as an artist. His other passion was gold prospecting. A commercial RC flying project that has been in the back of our minds since we were kids we had almost finalised plans to get it off the ground.

Three hundred and fifty people at his funeral. Phil was a fantastic bloke and I will dearly miss our friendship. Stephen Green.

Vale Phil McGrane

Down thrust spot in the equally fabulous $100 56g three channel WL Toys C18�

Phil did the original sketches for the F3a Northerner kitted by Kraft Sys-tems Australia before these were professionally drawn by ADB


Dawn Patrol

Getting back in and pulling up in time is a lot harder

Carrier Deck landings are a great way to hone your skills

Standing beside the limbo pole often ends in tears. Stand here

It took years to change the culture of not going on the strip to stand behind the model for take off. Electric power and small wheels has seen that trend reversing for some years now. Out of the three Melbourne I was a member of there isn’t one that comes to mind where I could practice this and probably not get told off. Even if no one is around there are cameras and someone just waiting to bring something up at a club meeting. So I use this place just around the corner from home.

If the new CASA regulations make it through both houses of Parliament I might have to pay $20 a year for the privilege of flying my sub 2kg foamy at a non registered location. I was hoping MAAA membership might also afford an additional exemption but so what. What price does one put on the value of keeping current and improving your flying skills? Hats off to MAAA for getting slope soaring sites included. Another fun way to improve flying skill is Limbo. Reports from a recent Limbo competition prompted me to offer the adjacent photograph to avoid what often end up in tears. Of laughter.

https://youtu.be/DOQrnSE6Jis


Prototype Gemini Mk111 at the Australian Masters F3a World Cup at Coolum (Pics by Bill Wheeler)

Brian Simpson prepares for the first flight

Bruce DeChastel does the honours

Followed by Tetsuo Onda

In 1975 age 16 Bruce deChastel test flew the Gemini Mk 1 for the Aeroflyte company. The model was designed by his Dad (Ron deChastel ). Bruce just flew the Mk111 at Ron deChastel field in Coolum Qld, 44 years later.

Built by the new Mr AeroFlight Brian Simpson the kit is being manufactured in Perth. In the final stages of production and will be on the market soon. It’s odds on that the first run of kits will sell out just like the AeroFlight Kittyhawk control line model did so get onto your local hobby shop and order yours today. Word is it flies as good as

Gemini Mk111

it looks too !! A couple of years ago Brian started competing in Classic Pattern. Proving you don’t need the latest and greatest to get started in aerobatics and enjoy yourself he flew the Gemini in the Queensland competition. (Judges might like to note: many years ago Steve Coram knocked off all the fancy full on designs and advanced into Expert at the WA State Champs flying a Middle Stick. It can be done. Worth encouraging that point, constantly. SG.


http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/aeroflight-models-australia-pacific-balsa/


Flying with DanPics by Bill Wheeler

Dan Wheeler with Tasmania’s Scott Kay about to fly in Expert at the re-juvinated Trans Tasman international event at Tin Can Bay

TRaNs TasMaN 2019I recently had the honour of being selected to represent Australia in the Trans-Tasman against New Zealand at Tin Can Bay in Queensland. The Trans-Tasman has two classes, Expert and F3A. There were four pilots from both countries in each class. I got to the field on practice day about 8.00 expecting not to be flying before 9am. How wrong I was. People had been practicing since 5.30am when the sun came up.

The flying site was different to anything I had experienced before, we were flying on an angle to the runaway so we didn’t fly over the road, so we had a reference point to ensure we were flying straight and then the trees below fell away at one end.

During practice I found myself following the falling away tree line throughout my manoeuvres as well as I would creep around to become horizontal to the runaway. Another thing I found the end of the runway where we stood dropped away on an

angle and in a cross wind I felt the plane was getting dumped on the runway so I decided to land further up the runway. This proved to be a good idea as others throughout the comp got dumped there with one breaking both the props (contra) and motor mount. It took a while for me to get my head around these things, but I guess this is why we have a practice day.

One thing I really enjoy about these events is I get to catch up with the other members of the F3A community from around Australia and the NZ. They are all a great bunch of people and I’ve always found them to be so helpful and supportive.

The competition for myself went pretty good, I felt like I was flying

F3A Aust NZ Peter Pennisi (QLD) Andrew Palmer Russell Edwards (VIC) Frazer BriggsScott Kay (TAS) Hamish GallowayJason Arnold (NSW) Brian Dooley

Expert Aust NZ Daniel Wheeler (VIC) John KnoxGavin Fitz-Henry (NSW) Andrew StiverMichael Haines (QLD) Paul TomlinsonArtur Uzieblo (VIC) Ewan Galloway

Aerobatic models don’t all look the sameBeer used to come in tin cans


the best I ever had and my scores showed that, however I just wasn’t good enough to beat John Knox from NZ he was untouchable in my class. The expert guys had 5 flights for the competition, we were meant to have 6 however due to time the CD for the event decided it would be best if we dropped a round.

The F3A guys had 4 rounds of the P schedule and then the top 10 had another 2 rounds of the F schedule. Personally, I love watching the F schedule, it’s such a demanding schedule and it really gives you a great appreciation for the guys that fly it so well, but unfortunately NZ

was too strong for the Aussie F3A pilots.

Overall Australian lost the Trans-Tasman and this is the first time since 1967 that New Zealand have won on Australian soil.

One of the interesting stories that came from the Trans-Tasman, Ewan Galloway was saying back when the competition started the New Zealand squad had to expend a lot of energy convincing the custom guys over there to get their gear over to Australia and back. The amount it cost them was equal to a

month’s wage. (Import duty was a huge impost in those days. Ed)

The next Trans-Tasman is in New Zealand in 2021, I am hopeful to make the team and make the trip across to hopefully win back the trophy. So, until next time – keep your wings level & your manoeuvres on centre. Dan.

Team Kiwi takes the �019 Trans Tasman Trophy back across the ditch

Winners are grinners

Expert Class John Knox NZ 1st Dan Wheeler Oz �nd - Gary 3rd (sorry we ran out of space for his

surname. Ed)

Flying with Dan

(Think this was in Dapto NSW. Not Dad but someone stuck the pylon racer into the blackberry bushes. Ed)


Giant Model Jet

Certification

Yep they keep getting bigger

Range check through each ninety degrees of the compass with engine off and engine running

I witnessed Damien Mould do the test flight of a 30kg size ViperJet. Watched Damien’s handwork a dozen times in recent years and this time was no different. A range check moving the model through four points of the compass, repeated with the engine running. All good. Failsafe checked by turning the transmitter off. Setting Futaba failsafe is easy. Factory default is throttle to low, all controls to hold so you don’t have worry what happens with the undercarriage. If the gear switch is selected down you don’t need to pick the model up just in case. TX off engine shuts down almost immediately and ECU commences the cool down cycle. By the way, should you hear not do that with a Kingtech turbine because it interferes with the cool down cycle, that story has been doing the rounds since 2015. It is rubbish. That was the


Giant Model Jet Certification

A few taxi runs to bed in the electric wheel brakes

Another in an ongoing series of faultless test flights by Damien Mould

Certification flight, Mark rotates the big beast

A couple of flights with what used to be known as a large sport jet be-fore the going on to the big one Very nice thank you!

Futaba 18MZ


Certification flight, Gary’s turn to rotate the big beast

Nice work too

Puff of diesel indicates engine shut down. Stinking up the pits a bonus

Giant Model Jet Certificationreason given by the Australian Agent to avoid the failsafe check at Sandown 2015. I didn’t find out until the next day. Still upsets me that.

The right main wheel brake was grabbing during taxi. Soon sorted after a few runs up and down the strip. Waiting for the crosswind to abate Mark Tatti had a couple of flights with his Avanti. It has a great smoke system. Weather remained unkind it

was decided to come back another day. Two days later the big one was in the air. A minor alteration to aileron trim with full flap otherwise all good. Copy book touchdown ended another perfect test flight. Later than morning Gary and Mark Tatti achieved certification. All set for Wangaratta. The lovely smell of burnt kero was missing because Garry runs this 30kg thrust engine on diesel. The manufacturer quotes longer survive intervals compared to that of

kerosine. Another advantage is in the event of a crash diesel fuel is more inert. There is a penalty though. Stinks up the pits bad. One thing that really struck me was the tailplane of this big Viperjet had more lifting area than the wing on the GT 2000 homebuilt turbine powered Bolly Scorpion Dad built years ago when turbine engines were in their infancy.

Nice work too

waNgaRaTTa JeTs

Been a while, think I last flew there in 2011, driving into the airport the I wondered if the MAAA shower block ever gets used. I put that idea into the idea way ahead of its time category. Camping overnight at events is a thing now and its growing. The event was blown away by weather on Saturday. A bit of nostalgia crept in at the pub that night. Talk of engine bearings oiled up and starter wands greased a few ducted fan jets may appear next year. Sunday the skies cleared.

Word filtered through that if an apology to the club was forthcoming one would be allowed Airside.

MAAA’s toilet - shower block


This is one I could see

View of Wang Jets from my special vantage point

Giant Model Jet Certification

Spending the day in the public viewing area one gets a different perspective. A never ending series of flybys for the camera, half Immleman Turns and Split S with the very occasional roll. Jeff Sparkes (NSW) was one exception. Still shooting low four pointers with, if memory serves, a Comp ARF Flash. Greg Leigh (SA) had an absolutely schtonkin sport jet. Don’t know what it was, too far away to see. Flown very capably of course. Damien Mould put on a lovely display with his big Hawk. Mark Tatti put the big Viperjet up. That model has great presence. Club President Russell Eastaway flew his F15. Which must be the oldest jet still flying at that event by far. I’m thinking twenty years old. Booma RCs Rick Gell and JR and Comp ARF dealer Steve Richardson made the trip from Queensland with a range of products on display. I should have packed the binoculars.

Leaving Wangaratta it occurred to me that the last time I flew a turbine model was on 36MHz. A seven, ten and thirteen kg thrust engine lying idle in the drawer, maybe I will get around to it one day.

Gliders in the circuit

For a bit of a laugh I organised a mate to dress up as a Star Wars Storm Trooper to wander through the pits and hand out free copies of the magazine. Which seemed appropriate seeing the magazine was launched at the Wangaratta World Champs. The force was not with him that day and he bailed. My mistake was giving him a copy beforehand. He must have read the Trailing Edge article. Thought about dressing up myself. Nah! A letter to the Mayor or Council CEO citing Freedom of the Press and lost PR opportunity for the town would give that committee something more important to consider


What is GPS Triangle racing? This is when you have thirty mins to fly a set course with a scale or non-scale sailplane and see how many laps can be done. It is a very challenging task as you need to judge many factors while flying. Whether to thermal or to fly around the course and make some laps. It is a race against the clock. Other rules are, you must fly through the start gate at < 500m (lower than. Ed) and slower than 120kph. The equipment required is an airborne set of a logger and transmitter to record the aspects of the flight and a compensated vario. Then there is a ground based receiver that gives the pilot all the necessary information (including a visual map and audio positioning including height and distance from the course) required for racing and this also logs the flight info and creates a scoring code. This unique code allows the competitor to upload the flight to an online competition web page. These flights are collated each month for an eventual winner at the end of each year. Also if you live in Europe you can compete in the Euro cup over the summer. Then every two years is the GPS Masters. This year it was held in Grubinger Germany.

I have been flying GPS Triangle now for about four years. Competing online for this time. 2016 I won the online competition with 17 laps. After that I made plans to go to the World

Masters to see how it was to compete with other pilots face to face. For this to happen I would need to get a seven metre span sailplane to Europe in one piece. The only way I thought I could do this reliably was to build my own that breaks down into an easily cartable size. This could then be taken as check baggage giving me cheap shipping and a reasonable reliable service. I was going to purchase an AN66 as this meets the criteria but at the time the company had stopped production. So I decided to build my own. I had done this type of building for years using carbon composites to build several sailplanes and UAVs. So I went ahead and with help of some mates and about a year’s work the ASH 31 GPS was born. Fortunately it flew better than expected and I was on for the Worlds……with my own designed aircraft.

We arrived in Zurich to meet up with Joe Rufenacht. We picked up a camper van and drove it to Grubinger where the World Masters were being held at the local gliding club. This was a beautiful setting for any model event. The field was set on a plateau with the runway being on top and surrounded by trees. We arrived on the Wednesday. The pre-worlds started Friday. So this gave us a bit of time to get the sailplanes together and get used to the conditions. The conditions were a lot different than I was used to in Australia. The thermals were quite a bit weaker and with the geographic position of the runway they were susceptible to wave and curl over from one side of the field to the

GPS Triangle Racing by John Copeland

Towing the box through the airport

On for the Worlds with my own designed aircraft


other depending on the wind direction. I had a bit of bad luck with the pre worlds as I was going well in a flight and suddenly my GPS gear stopped working. This can happen from time to time and usually it comes back on but this time didn’t. I had to land. The beauty of these type of comps is usually the manufacturer of the equipment was on hand.

In the case of the RC electronics gear, Andrej was flying in the event. I asked for his help and he said it looked like someone had changed my channel while I was flying. The T3000 has about 60+ channels available and when you start the comp you nominate one and this is written on a sheet for all to see. To find out if someone had changed my channel, I had to connect a laptop to the airborne gear and see if

the channel had been changed and what too and find the person who did it. I did all this. The channel had been changed. The pilot very apologetic. I then went to the CD and pleaded my case for a re-flight which he allowed (he was a nice guy). Of course this all took its time and took its toll on my preparation for the flight. Had the re-flight in poorer conditions. Didn’t finish too well in the pre-worlds but did learn a lot.

On Sunday we had the opening ceremony for the World Masters. It was good to see the Australian and New Zealand flags were hanging behind the stage with the other countries. 10 am the Comp. would start. After flying in the SLS (self launching. Ed) class only in the pre worlds I decided to enter in both classes in the worlds. Scale and SLS. This meant more flying as the SLS some days only had one flight. First up was SLS, I was feeling good! I took off for my first round flight …got off the ground and about 20m up the prop decided to part ways with the hub. This caused massive vibration and canopy fell off. I managed to land safely to the cheer of the crowd. This did extensive damage to the drive train of the electric FES system and cracked the canopy. Another competitor kindly found the canopy. Rob Johnston (one of my team mates) taped that up while I assessed the rest of the damage.

I had bought a whole range of spares with me but not a motor. This was a Hacker unit and the shaft was bent. Where are they made? Near Munich in Germany. Joe very kindly drove five hours to the factory and back in which they fixed and tuned the motor and also sold us two more spares. In the mean time I was able to ballast and repair the damage enough to allow me to fly Scale class without losing any rounds. SLS however I was out for two rounds. I flew one round of scale and all was OK but the second round the GPS stopped working with considerable height with 8mins to go and I was ready to start racing for my final laps. The GPS cut out completely! Not Happy!!!.

I had to land again. I did manage to get four laps as that was all that registered before the GPS unit died. Others did have GPS problems that flight but theirs cut back in. They thought is it may have been atmospheric. Mine never worked again. Diagnostics found it was the actual GPS unit died (maybe from vibration of the prop break). I purchased a new unit and also fitted a backup system. In the comp you are allowed two independent GPS systems in the sailplane. Also we used 3xT3000 as redundancy. For back up this worked well but it did create some scoring issues. When I was doing a fast start or speed run the refresh rate of the three

Joe drove five hours to the Hacker factory where they repaired and re-

tuned my motor

Scale sailplane heaven

GPS Triangle Racing

Charging for the first flight


of us where at the same height. It was scary and exhilarating at the same time. We had a “No Fly zone” on our GPS maps. This area couldn’t be entered at less than 100m. So after the high rate of losses of models the organisers stopped the comp for about two hours while Christophe Machler re-wrote the “no fly zone” not being flown in at all. We all uploaded the new program and continued. This however started another minor issue.

To get our scores put into the scoring system we had to save the flight to the T3000 micro card and remove it and place it in a android tablet that had Skynavigator software on it. The flight was then “Run” through this program to generate a six digit score from the original four digit one in the T3000. The problem I had with one flight was that on the T3000 my flight was clear of the penalty zone but when I ran it through Skynavigator it said I hit the penalty zone. The penalty zone on the Skynav looked like it had been drawn in paint and the lines were slightly thicker than the T3000. I had to show this to Christophe and get him to work his magic which he kindly fixed the problem. Once these issues were worked out everything for myself seemed to work a lot smoother and I settled in to the competition.

I was happy with the performance of my sailplane. There were about four or five other (out of about ninety) homemade sailplanes. If I was flying in a round first up in the morning it

John’s ASH 31 coming for a landing

devises were different. For example, I seen a start that I did 119kph @485m. Rob (as my caller) would see 124KPh on one and 75kph on the other?

Also there was a high attrition rate of sailplanes for the first six days of the comp with mid-air’s and radio

issues. When flying in a round just to get through the start gate was difficult if you were flying with up to fifteen other sailplanes of varying scales and heights. Pilots and callers would always need to call out heights (in English). One time I was in a thermal with at least ten sailplanes and three

Some of the pilots

GPS Triangle Racing


would be a pure glide off around the course. I was happy that the ASH 31 kept up with the majority of sailplanes. The temptation, of course this time of the day it to turn if you have a small thermal but quickly you were on the ground and many (including myself) learnt. I had to say “no matter what we are not turning” in these early morning flights. This worked well for me towards the end of the comp finishing usually sixth out of say thirteen.

We flew for ten days straight! If you weren’t flying you were charging batteries or most of the time calling for someone else. The flight windows for the start were ten minutes for the SLS

and twenty for the Scale. Aerotows took about forty seconds to 550m. You had to be watching what the others are doing and the weather of the previous round to know when to take off but not to get stuck and miss the windows. The key was as the day went on, get in the air as quick as possible. In SLS most would do a quick fly of the course and restart. I did this three times in one round to get a better start and weather. There were two runways one for taking off and one for landing. They were both used for landing if the circuit was congested but you had to nominate which one you were going to use. The pilot’s box was between the runways. There were landing judges that judge

John Copeland and Rob Johnston (New Zealand) after the last flight

your landing into the box 30m x 70m. The max points were 300 or 100 if you had a wingtip out or zero for a miss. 300 points is equivalent to one lap. So landing was very important! At the end of a task were everyone finished at the same time there were sailplanes landing every which way. People running everywhere. It was great fun!!

Philip Kolb won both classes and the event overall. This was a much deserved win as his skills certainly were the best. The event organisors did a fantastic job with all the problems they had to deal with hour by hour, they remained level headed and dealt with issues in a very professional manner.All in all this was a great experience for myself. I enjoyed the flying, meeting guys that I had talked to online for several years and of course the aeromodelling comradery stretches worldwide.

I couldn’t have done this without the local support of friends and family. Most of all I would like to say thank you for the support from the MAAA, MASA, and the Barossa Model Aero club. We need to promote GPS Triangle racing in Australia. Australia has perfect weather to do some great flights. It is a lot of fun and exhilarating and adds another dimension to scale sailplane flying .If anyone or clubs are interested please feel free to contact myself and I will be more than happy to help out in any way I can. John Copeland.

Well-deserved win for Philip Kolb!

GPS Triangle Racing

Helping out the South Africans


The Build

Single cylinder two stroke petrol engine. Simplicity!

Dragon Rapide by Mark Collins made it’s first public appearance

whaT’s New aT The MoNTy TyRRell?Here they are. Both of them. The event started out with lots of promise. It was a good idea. First event was a two day affair. Crap weather but participants thankful to be there to see what others were doing. Club members whinged about losing the field for a


The Build

Caribou by Dave Chivers

EP Ramtec fan in David Hobbie’s Blackhorse Hawk continues to impress

Next prize draw is the EP Yak 54 from RC World

https://www.rcworld.com.au/

RCM News Flying Futaba Digital Edition May 2019�0

The Build

Seagull Models P-47 balsa kit

www.wolfmodels.netQld 07 5465 7897

With over 800 plans to choose from we’re sure to have a plan that suits you AIRBORNE PLANS SERVICE

Construction like a Guillows or Sterling offering Less fiddly though

ARFs now in a do it yourself kit

Plan and instructions?

Radio Control Model News is published by: Stephen Green

www.rcmnews.com

Recommended and maximum cover price $9.95. All material and advertisements published in Radio Control Model News is copy-right reserved and cannot be reproduced in any media without the written permission of the publisher.

The information and comments contained in this magazine are given in good faith as honest opinion and the comment by the publishing editor does not refer to any specific individual or organization. It is not intended to give offence and should not be relied upon by any person without first seeking further information from a professional source. Any comment deemed offensive should be brought immediately to the attention of the publisher at RCM News so that the offending material may be satisfactorily explained or appropriately amended. Advertising: It is the responsibility for all advertisers to ensure their advertisements comply with the Trade Practices Act and the terms and conditions of the publisher. The publishers can not be held liable for any errors or omissions in advertisements. Sub-mission of any advertising material for publication in this magazine does not guarantee publication of that material. The Publisher reserves the right to say, determine, accept, and/or require modifications to any submission advertising material prior to any publication being allowed.

weekend. One day fly-ins don’t attract many country or interstate entries. Most of the complainers are retired so perhaps a Pensioner or Seniors discount to fly midweek might be the answer to go back to two days.

seagulll Models KITs

Following with some interest as the trend towards building gathers strength around the world with more small manufacturers popping up. I spotted this on Facebook last year. Kits are yet to materialise, the post came up as a memory early May.

http://www.wolfmodels.net/AirbornePlans.html


Super soft sheeting Apply the glue yourselfThis will be interesting marketing exercise indeed to see how they are received by the experienced builder. I’m a big fan of the brand as it it one of the few companies that has improved its product over the yeas after taking advice from its resellers. Standard of the plan and instructions but how the instructions will be crucial to how it is accepted in the American

market. Anyone who has built a Great Planes, Goldberg or Midwest kit will understand that.

At any rate the other point of interest to me is the balsawood sheeting. If the same soft material in the ARF product is supplied for the kit I wonder if an experienced model builder would use it. It does

not compare well to the balsa produced in Australia. Sure it has done the job in all the ARF’s I have reviewed. No problem there however my two racers, which are years old, I stopped accepting peoples’ offers to help because if you don’t know the best place to pick the models up it is easy to punch a hole in the sheeting. Using a flat hand is the go.

SOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

http://ace-radio-controlled-models.shoplightspeed.com/

RCM News Flying Futaba Digital Edition May 2019��

Talking Trailers with Optic Nerve

Lovely lightweight handbuilt retro style trailer by Mark Collins

Sliding tray

Not quite as streamlined

Slight radius under leading edge just like a genuine Clark Y aerofoil

Tare 600kg Max load 300kg

The Nerve spots plenty of pretty fancy model aircraft trailers in car park at events. Haven’t seen anything that requires a B Double endorsement but solar panels for battery charging, fantastic LED lighting systems, tea and coffee making facilities all add weight. What if you don’t have or a large 4WD to get you to the field? Here are a couple of lightweight designs.

Wheel chocks and octo strapsNice job but for long trips the fuel bill might prove the choice of aerofoil

section more suited behind a small SUV than a sedan


F1 Air Racing with Byron Simpson

Eleven Formula One ARFs

F1 produced seven heats of close high speed racing. You should have been there Formula �s on the startline

With round 1 at NFG now behind us, all I can say is what a great kick off to the 2019 racing season. As I’m sure everyone can understand the one thing we can’t control is the weather, however for NFG this year it could not have been any better. Arriving Friday not long after lunch I set my gear up and got a few much-needed flights in as well as the usual greetings and banter, then put everything away for the evening and headed towards one of the other racers place for a BBQ dinner and drinks.

I really must put a public apology to Tony Curzon here, as on the way to the field Saturday I was behind him on the road so flashed my lights and signalled him to pull over (which he

promptly did) only to watch me drive past flipping him the bird for good luck as I saw a very confused look on his face while his caller who was in my car with me was fearing the wrath that was headed our way later.

With the weather at its absolute best and everything set up the pilots briefing was sorted the racing began, and it was a weekend full of some fantastically close races. A great field of competitors saw decent numbers across the board with F1 having 11 planes being the most entries I can remember for a long time. Plenty of old faces but also some new ones which is also good to see and new pilots coming in are always welcomed, and helped in any way possible to improve their

chance of scoring well. Speaking of scoring, hats go off to Mark Sills who did a great job of CD for the weekend and keeping the races flowing to be able to get 4 rounds in on Saturday and another 3 on Sunday.

As for the actual racing, after juggling the heats around Friday afternoon we managed to get them into what we considered the best line up for keeping the fast racers together and the not as fast racers together, and for the most part it was close and clean with some of the best racing there has been for a long time, with the majority being not too far away from each other. One exception to this Neil Addicott and Steve Davis swapping paint in an F1 heat, but in all fairness if you paint


F1 Air Racing

What happens at the field stays at the field? J Randle and S Green with a couple of the more unu-sual awards. (Can’t quite make out what the T Shirt is about. That’s a shame. Ed) Pic by Tony Jones

Using a non competition brand sport engine Paul Hewitson’s beautifully turned out new F1 proved to be the one to beat. Again!

sharks teeth on your cowl as Neil did it is kind of sending a message. At the end of the weekend the biggest time difference at the top end of any class was in F2 with 80 seconds separating 1st and 2nd, all the other classes showed that with the recent rules refinements something has been done right. F1 had only 20 seconds from 1st to 2nd after 7 rounds, Texan had just 5 seconds separating the top 2 and Red Bull came in with just half a second splitting the difference between 1st and 2nd. It’s great knowing that F1, Texan

and Red Bull all came down to the last heat to decide the winners.

The NFG Club did a good job keeping everyone fed at the field for the weekend and there was also a big turn out for Saturday night dinner at one of the local pubs in Wallan, a very family friendly pub which happened to have a face painter there for the early part of the evening who’s talents may or may not have been called upon to paint a certain racer’s face in their colour scheme. All I can say about it is there

are definitely some clowns amongst us. So if you’re not having good laughs and fun when you go to events you may want to come along to one of the race meetings to see the fun first hand.

The presentations rounded off the weekend nicely and with a great prize pool from Desert Aircraft, DL Engines, Model Sports, RC Depot, Booma RC, Albury RC Models and Hobbies, Modelflight, Aviation Hobbies, and Futaba Australia it made attending the event well worth it. As we lead into Round 2 at Cootamundra on the June

Les Davis with the Sundowner

Mack the Knife!

Thinking about having a go? Click these videos which have

commentary during a race

F1TexaN

https://youtu.be/Q3AzTG8m_dI

https://youtu.be/lLS_167dsdA


F1 F2

TexaN Red Bull

1st P Hewitson �nd B Simpson 3rd J Randle 1st L Davis �nd L Sawyer 3rd R Sills

1st J Randle �nd B Simpson 3rd Peter Vaughan 1st J Randle �nd S Davis 3rd R Hewitson

F1 Air Racing

There you go. Proving that to dish it out you have to cop it too

long weekend (8th and 9th) I can only hope for some similarly exciting racing another good turn up, along with the same kind of weather that graced this round of the championship. Anyone

interested in coming along to compete or watch feel free to contact me for more information or head to the racing website www.f1nar.com

Prize pool at Cobram �01� (Public Display)


Flight of the Phoenix

Remember that movie? Perhaps the mythical bird rising from the ashes strikes a chord. Got a few bit’s and pieces surplus to requirements because the last landing was more vertical than horizontal? Resurrect your old pile of bent balsa, ply, fibreglass, plastic or foam and components and you are welcome to participate. Sounds a fun way to promote building.

I have one and a half potential projects. My dream of glider towing all weekend somewhere took a step back with the demise of my Flybaby glider tug but it left me with the aft section. The shortening of one of my Cassutts left me with another aft section. Two spare Cassutt cowls and a canopy a few lengths of AeroFlite Models spruce and knock up a simple forward fuselage section married to a pair of Cassutt wings is one contender.

I have a lovely set of stainless steel exhaust manifolds and a large 80cc canister for the RCGF 60 twin that I would love to use. Never got around to trialling the Kavan electric wheel brakes with differential braking either. Or the swivelling pilot’s head with two rudder mixes. Bolt on bolt off the pair of Captain Eddy ABS floats and some helicopter rotor blades could see me also get to fly with the Sydney ROW

fraternity on the Parramatta River. Rotor blades make a nice aerodynamic strut between the floats.

Rules or more to the point guidelines will be available soon but the general idea is recycling. What a fun way to promote a different set of skills. Puts a new splice on life for building. Keep an eye on the Aeromodellers NSW website. SG.

Tailplane and fin looking for a new home


RCM News Racing’s 100 Hourly

Clean up the benches is a good place to start

Seagull Cassutt first flown in 2014

Seagull Texan first flown in 2007

After years of campaigning, setbacks with events and hoo hah from the old guard racing the Seagull ARFs they have stood the test of time, nevertheless, in need of some maintenance. Cleaned up the work area and got started.

I have been sport flying the Cassutt of late and recently installed a smoke system to do what’s left of the Melbourne RC airshow circuit. Actually, sport flying isn’t quite correct. I’ve been punting it through much of the old 1970s Classic Pattern. Diving flat chat into a centre manoeuvre, just like my Dragon Fli, the only real niggles over time were the aileron servo mounts letting go. Adding a small section of ply for each corner screw that hasn’t been a problem since. Been doing the same with the Texan but that halted when something fell on the fuselage and broke a tailplane half off. Looked a bit of a job. Which was put off.

Entries for F1 in Round 1 at the Northern Flying Group field looking good should have inspired me to put the Cassutt back into race mode. Removing the smoke pump and battery pack, replacing the wing tube with a light weight carbon job from Model Sports would bring the weight back to just over 7kg. Putting the Sandown special exhaust would gain more RPM and knock off another 300g. Ditching the contracted race pilot for a smaller jockey would save another 560g. (Sorry WG. Ed)


Additional ply plate glued underneath was loose

Slimline smoke pump moved forward

All three battery packs secured in Dubro foam Spare APC �0x15 on the balancer

Sealed a few loose edges

Keyboard stand is risky. Nearly knocked model off a few times

RCM News Racing 100 HourlyCassutt was first as it just had to have the spanners run over it. The ply plate which I glued under the soft balsa skins in the forward fuselage section to mount the ignition switch harness and fuel dot had worked loose on one corner. Ran the sealing iron over a few edges of the covering. Which had all been sealed years ago with clear lacquer. Engine bolts all good. Control linkages too. Those linkages are all standard with the kit. Not my favourite mind you but as long as you don’t have to remove the kwiklinks more than a couple of times they have proved up to it. Slop slowly increasing in the fibreglass horns, but within my limits of what has proven acceptable.


Oh the joys of simply plugging in a wall charger. No programming

required

We test and tune every engine up to 60cc we sell, to set tuning and for quality assurance. That way there is no mucking around when you receive your new engine, just mount and fly. All engines come with a

firewall mounting template to ensure accurate fitting

DLE 55RA $575EME 60 $476 www.wolfmodels.net Qld 07 5465 7897

Odd looking angle on choke lever works so it can be simply grabbed with fingers and crank the engine with

choke on and not foul the spinner backplate

Great fun to race and sport fly too

RCM News Racing 100 Hourly

Texan needed two repairs. Before working through the list I had to decide what to do about the tailplane. Removing the whole assembly would be a major job and to do so

I would have recovered the entire model. Time and inclination both questionable. One can only keep adding a certain amount of black and white check to cover dings. What to

http://www.rcgfenginesaust.com

http://www.wolfmodels.net/EME60.html

http://www.wolfmodels.net/DLE55RA.html

http://wolfmodels.net/


This structure was loose but the ballast still secure. Best way I have found to secure lead is with epoxy glue. Cable ties are for redundancy

Transporting the fuselage on the trailer floor works the cowl mounts loose

Handy set picked up at Bendigo Great Texan race

Dropped something on top


do? The bottom skin had not been broken only the top so I just applied alaphatic and butt glued it back together and left if for a few days. This is where a value judgement comes in. Seeing I had been flying ARFs in some way shape or form

since 1971 I have long concluded that these modern balsa ply offerings are built pretty much like full size aircraft. I will grant you they won’t take a cartwheel like a model put together using old fashioned model building standards with foam wings,

actual aircraft or marine grade ply and sheet tail surfaces. But what full size will? One of the biggest problems ARFs have had is pilots not admitting to the quality of their last landing. After a few structural tests I was happy with the result and proceeded. The gaping hole aft the canopy took three days to fix. Glued a bit then left it overnight. Using slow glue is more enjoyable. If you


First stage with white glue

Wish I had the big one too

Mount for FlyCam One� no longer required

Ad hoc chequered trim placement might give the game away

Fold flap underneath reduces risk of air getting un-derneath a jettison


Lovely covering job on the clean electric powered Hustler but after just a few flight the pressure from rubber bands caused fine edges on the trailing edges

to lift

have time. Next item was to fill in the mount for an old video camera. Now I just velcro a RunCam HD to the stab or canopy.

Filled in the hole in the stab, sanded and applied some trim. One thing I have learnt from years of competition flying that can help sport fliers is covering. Unfortunately ARF manufacturers still go for tiny neat

joins on leading and trailing edges where as I like a good size overlap. Depending on the accommodation, drink bill and number of rounds a competition flight at a race meet varies. If the organisers are running the show correctly, a piece of covering blowing off is a jettison and you are required to land. Which results a DNF. (Did Not Finish) A zero score. Another thing I always


Dave Brown or a True Turn spinner, prop can be re-tightened in a few seconds

Digitaire for Speed was raced with Command Air Control radio gear

do is with ARFs is junk the spinner. With a set amount of time to get into the air it is imperative to be able to tighten the prop should the engine spit it loose on startline. A DNS (Did Not Start) increases the cost per flight too. Not to mention blood pressure.

dIgITIaRe FoR speed

Is an ARF lookalike of Dad’s 1960’s Goodyear pylon racer. Spotted the model on the Col Taylor Models stand ever at Shepparton Mammoth Scale. Can’t recall if it is a World Models or Phoenix offering.

After two flights the two piece undercarriage split the soft ply plate in half so like the Cassutt this was beefed up with marine ply.

There are two things I often overhear in conversation that always remind me of this model that cause a wry grin. Dad’s Miles HawkSpeed 6 Golden Era racer blew an aileron off at Yarra Valley Air Races. Landed okay, to much applause. The original Digitaire for Speed held the MAAA

Sullivan Prod-ucts make

starter cones for various

shape spinners


Recently solo pilots should

avoid bargains like this. Dont

find out the hard way. Un-dercarriage so

far forward is poor design


pylon record. It was built with only one aileron to reduce drag. The other urban myth is thin wings have a nastier stall that thicker. The wing tip is less than 6mm thick at the wingtip. This ARF is three times thicker than that and it has a very vicious stall.

How would you like to push this 1970s tachometer on to an engine screaming at 18000 RPM?

Constellation Club banned telemetry in scale racing. Why? To bring the Texan up to 6.35kg minimum weight and for a bit of a laugh redundant a 1990s Robbe

inflight data storage system for F5b was fitted TeleMeTRy

When Constellation Club banned telemetry I was a bit disappointed no one ever questioned what was under the canopy of the Texan. Why I don’t know, it offers no racing advantage. No I just flick the switch one way on my 16SZ for engine RPM and back the other way for airspeed and altitude. Looking back the first instrument I recall that was useful for racing was the Shinwa tachometer. Followed by the Prather propeller pitch gauge. So when I hear someone saying that certain brand of prop gives higher RPM the first thought is “has the manufacturer reduced the pitch”.

One good thing about having this information in the Cassutt’s last race was even though it seemed really slow being lapped three times the

Stopped using these Great Planes and Dubro Fillers when one

jammed. Cost me a DNS

engine was putting out at 8000 rpm in the air for an airspeed off 200 kph. Speed slightly down but the course was shorter. The Texan had the GPS sensor which I was keen to trial the distance system with a view to if it might help with turning on the vibration alert. I also had an Aeronaut 15x10 prop to trial as there is talk about mixing the category with 35cc powered warbirds. My model wasn’t competitive anyway the engine was due for a new piston ring and bearings. After a long innings both models have been retired from racing. I am interested in scratch building an open class F1 but I am taking a break from flying and look forward to seeing see how Byron Simpson’s efforts with F1NAR pan out. Good luck mate. Don’t let the old Fokkers shoot you down. SG. (And WG. Ed)


Prather Little Toni was a competi-tive design in its day. With a sport .40 in the nose its flying charac-teristics and undercarriage in the correct spot it is easier to land than

the ARF


Don’t let old Fokkers Shoot you down

What’s happening at VRF? The lunatics are no longer in charge of the asylum. What started as a dispute to upgrade the runways for Giant Models escalated into a Coup D’etat at the AGM. Not sure that line of thinking created

the best outcome at Cobram. Fixing the runways at P&DARCS should be a priority too. Dad and I have both had a go at getting two events going to raise the funds for that. Great facilities but the runways are just not up to scratch

for giant models. When someone starts up an airpark that might cause a rethink but what’s hap-pening at a club in the national capital is breathtaking. Tight ares mentality has taken over. The lunatics are in charge in Canberra.


Flight Training

V3 with Futaba 6L radio and Futaba PA 0� Pilot link auto stability system

Version 3 out now

FMs supeR eZ V3What’s the difference? We haven’t heard from EP flier Stuart Claire for quite some time but as he would say ”Oh it’s really good there is hardly any”. As you can see on the boxlid floats are included. In a nutshell there is a one piece tailplane and a different spinner. Tailplane is nether here nor there, spinner is not as nifty as what was supplied with V2. Rather more conventional.

auTopIloTs

Whether you are starting out with a basic trainer, adding a comfort zone to fly in the wind shooting circuits and bumps or learn how to operate crosswind, using them before install-

Conventional prop nut. Cone clips in placeOne piece tailplane is still removable

FMS Super EZ V3 with Futaba 10J radio, Futaba GYA 460 three axi gyro and Futaba SBS -GPS01

telemetry sensor

ing in a large complicated model or just interested in having the technolo-gy there is certainly a place for these modern systems.

FuTaBa pa02 pIloT lINK

This basic optical stability system balances light from the horizon. In addition to returning to hands off

level flight it smooths out the bumps when the wind increases. Variable gain through the rotary dial on the basic six channel set means you can adjust the sensitivity for wing gusts when learning to land. After you become comfortable with it, taking off with a little aileron or elevator trim because the light is unbalanced sitting on the


A great Plug n Play flight experience awaits you with FMS

A-10 WARTHOGTwin 70mm EDF

1500mm wingspan 4.1kgRetracts - flaps

WW11 F7F TIGERCATScale three blade props1700mm wingspan 5.�kg

Retracts - flaps

FOX GLIDERGreat flight performance3000mm wingspan 4.7kg Flaps - carbon wing tube

Available through ACE Hobby Distributors FMS Hobby Dealers

Slight trim to mount the receiver

SBS-01G now replaced by SBS-0�G with more responsive vario

Mix 1 for flat competition climb after takeoff with 1300 mAh LiPo

Extra up elevator trim needed to produce the same climb with heavier ��00 mAh LiPo on board

Flyboys Flight Training

ground will become your new normal. I used this system two decades ago and it’s good.

pRogRaMMaBle MIxeRs

Gyros do make it easier to fly but there is still a place for flight trim. With or without electronic stability on board, rather than roar down the runway and lurch into the sky the free mix screen settings on the Futaba 10J combination make it much easier to achieve flat competition style climb outs after take off. The idea is to get off the elevator once the wheels leave

http://www.acehobbyaustralia.com.au/product/221636-f7-f-tiger-cat-1700mm-silver-pnp

http://www.acehobbyaustralia.com.au/product/226157-fox-3m-electric-glider-pnp

http://www.acehobbyaustralia.com.au/product/219066-a10-thunderboltii-70mm-df1500mm


Flaps not required for Airbrake function to hold nose up attitude for landing

Distance from TX used to reference the base turn point resulted in consistent approach profiles

Sam Addicott cleans up at the Monty Tyrrell Scale day

Oops. Didn’t clear the drain. Not part of our usual rigorous testing regime but it happened and was reported. Spinner cone stayed on

Flyboys Flight Training

the ground. Climbing out gently is a way to impress. FuTaBa gya 460 On the ground the rudder axis makes dead straight take off and landing rolls

Remember this is groundspeed not airspeed

easier. In the air this system transforms the Super EZ into something bigger. At the risk of being labelled ageist, unless eyesight problems result in your having trouble seeing a small plane this combination has much going for it.

CoMMeRCIal FlyINg

If you are considering getting into commercial I know a number of people operating in various sectors of RPAS. Twenty five years ago I took an order to build two of my own design .40 powered UAVs for five grand to a grower for bird scaring. The company spent 35G a year buzzing the trees with full size aircraft. Returned home to start building then we received the news my wife was expecting triplets. Called the farmer and cancelled the deal. I am about to have another go with a different idea operating in the sub 2kg excluded category. John Flemings FPV Australia offers a comprehensive course. John’s RC and full size experience plus being in it from the start he has a lot of practical information to offer. SG.

http://www.fpvaustralia.com.au

http://www.mongrelgear.com.au


Glossary of Terms11x8 Diameter-pitch of Apprentice prop13x4 Diameter-pitch of Fun Cub prop�.4 GHz Frequency of modern RC systems�S Two cell LiPo battery pack3S Three cell LiPo 4S Four cell ACMA Aust Communications Media AuthorityAerobatic Acrobatics performed by aircraftAerofoil Curved shape of wing profile section to create liftAft Fuselage section behind CofGAileron Control surface on wingAirfoil American AerofoilAirspeed Speed of wing relative to the airAGL Above Ground LevelApproach Final flight path to landArrival LandingAUW All up weightBank Angle of Bank (refer roll)Bloopers https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=WfqZ5CtDcuQ Buddy Box Dual control systemBump Landing then taking off againCamber Curve of a AerofoilCA Cyanoacrylate (Superglue)CASA Civil Aviation Safety AuthorityCH Channels in a Radio SystemCircuit Organised flight patternClevis Pushrod attachment (kwkilink)Club Occasionally a four letter word for beginnersCofG Centre of Gravity (longitudinal balance point of aeroplane)Crash Aeroplane not capable of flight after last landingDeparture Take OffDrag Aerodynamic force opposite to thrustDoh! Bad LandingElevator Control surface on tailplaneESC Electronic Speed ControlFin Vertical FinFlaps Control surface on inboard part of wingFlare Nose raised to soften landingFore Fuselage section in front of CoG Gear Retractable UndercarriageGeorge Traditional name for autopilotGlide Slope Angle of descent to land on runway. (Airliners use 3 degrees)

Gilderslag Surname of famous Stung PilotHigh Alpha High angle of attackHorn Control linkage component on control surfaceKicker Sets off CA glue fasterKV Revolutions per VoltLiPo Lithium Polymer batteryLoop Aerobatic manoeuvremAh Milliamps (capacity of battery pack)Mode Stick configuration of TXNiCad Nickle Cadmium batteryNiMh Nickel Metal Hydride battery Nitro Nitromethane (hijacked to describe glo engines)Ops OperationOrbit 360 degree turnPearshaped Botched manouevrePitch Angle of propeller blades Longitudinal axis of aeroplanePlanform Shape of wing looking from topProp PropellerRC Radio ControlRF Radio FrequencyRPV Revolutions per VoltRoll Lateral axis of Aeroplane Aerobatic manoeuvreRudder Control surface on FinRX ReceiverSection AerofoilSolo First flight unaided by instructorSpan Wingspan measured tip to tipSOP Standard Operating ProcedureSpinner Nose cone on centre of propellerStall Wing ceases to create liftStab Emmpannage (tail surfaces)Tail Tailplane Tail Dragger Conventional UndercarriageTailwheel Steering for above Taxi Ground movement of aeroplaneTrees Natural predator of model aircraftThrow Angle of control surface deflectionThrust Force created by propellerTorque Twisting force from propellerTravel See throwTrike Tricycle Undercarriage (nose gear)TX TransmitterYaw Sideway axis of AeroplaneYawn Grumpy old men at club meetingsWG Gilderslag RCM News Stunt Pilot

MODEL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATIONS AMAS Australian Miniature Aerosports SocietyMAAA Model Aeronautical Association of Australia


at Building 85 Essendon Airport when I sat in the cockpit of airliners waiting for Dad to finish afternoon or night shift. Models came later. My interest in getting my PPL came doing aerial photography. If the pilot became incapacitated I should learn to land. Passenger in the L-188, landed a C182RG myself. In that mix is fifty years both competing and promoting the hobby through RC airshows.

Between Dad and myself this magazine, with support from the Australian hobby trade, has thrown the best part of a hundred grand, in large chunks, behind events. It has all come to naught. Should have spent it finishing PPL and gaining fifty hours on type needed to hire the C182RG instead.

I had plans to see a lifelong idea to fruition but a couple of recent personal events turned everything upside down. Hobby business is really a struggle right now and I’ve run out of cash. If you need to contact me re the print magazine subscription or a product purchased from Futaba Pro Shop, for the time being, the best way is email. I apologise for the inconvenience. I have not had a holiday since the 2006 F4C World Champs and need to figure out my future.

Yours Sincerely,

Stephen Green

I had a dreamModel clubs, Special Interest Groups and advertisers are content that a few posts on Facebook will generate enough new people to sustain their numbers. Photographs of events the past five years tell a different story. Choosing shots that don’t show a mere handful of aircraft in the pits the norm. That trend has been increasing the past decade. Another problem for the trade is the level playing field. This 56 gram Cessna sold by toy shop and RC car shops to beginners sums up a big part of the problem. Retailing for $100 a shop makes a healthy toy shop margin and keeps the customer away from Hobby King Reps lurking at model clubs. Anyone can land it from Bangood for $60. Chinese government pays the postage. Second guessing continuing change within the rapidly declining radio control hobby market has been a constant. Part of the idea behind Sandown 2015 that was once the event was self funding, income from publishing the program would prop up the declining print magazine. A year back I decided to start refunding print subscribers but changed my mind. This was a mistake. Trialling the 350 clubs in USA on my email list the past 12 months changing to a Futaba oriented publication offers opportunities to attract content and advertising from small niche firms around the world. Which would be a more interesting read for experienced modellers.

Trying to do the right thing only to keep getting knocked over by petty egos is taxing. I’ve had it. A dream interrupted two decades ago when I left the commercial side of RC Flying to earn my living doing this. As the hobby scene reverts back to cottage industry, when decisions

made at the MAAA Conference later this month emerge I will decide whether a worthwhile place remains for me to continue in the Australian hobby industry. If it is just going to be more of the same there is not uch point. Watching Victoria slowly decline the past forty years from being the most dominate state has been hard. If VMAA threw its weight and a miniscule portion of the 300G it has in the bank to fill out the top floor, over time we would have the biggest event in the country. Lack of vision in this state now catching up. It’s an attitude problem. “Above All” on the VMAA logo says it all. I was not prepared to sign off on the FPV Quad Racing at Sandown because most of that gear does not meet the MAAA Insurance MOP so VMAA took on the risk. Not one TX with a CTick. I checked. Low risk but nevertheless a small prop cutting the eye of an established professional inside the netting could be a problem. Assuming legal opinion was sought for the MOP “it is the pilot responsibility” how will that stack up in court. Short of physically checking every transmitter myself I won’t sign another Display Directors form until that is clarified. I resigned over this issue. Instead of complaining to CASA about me it’s high time VMAA conducted a few spot checks at public events to check the level of CTick (RCM) compliance. Not good enough. Again!

My fascination with aeroplanes didn’t start with models. It started

Ansett ANA Lockheed Electra and Cessna 18�


OS GT 60 with OS Muffler and Bisson Muffler $500

RCM News Trader

Smart Fly Opto Ignition cut off $50

Box of servo extension leads $50

eNgINes - MuFFleR - BITs N pIeCes

RadIo - seRVo - BITs N pIeCes

Multiplex SX radio with two RX $75

Zenoah G6� Greg Cairns Engineering inline carby manifold and backplate mount $50

OS 61VF rear exhaust cranckase - cylinder head piston - liner gudgeon pin - conrod $50

woRKshop CleaR ouT

Bits and piece I’ve collected over the years and items no longer needed, 75 separate items that may find a home.

I don’t sell anything that does not work nor do I mis-represent anything to sell it. Don’t need the aggro.Click the photograph to go to the RCM News Store. Prices include postage within Australia

https://rcmnews.com/store#!/OS-GT-60-engine/p/138158920/category=0

https://rcmnews.com/store#!/After-market-servo-leads-job-lot/p/114772075/category=30987087

https://rcmnews.com/store#!/Multiplex-SX-6-ch-radio-with-two-receivers/p/114772086/category=0

https://rcmnews.com/store#!/Zenoah-G-62-parts/p/114758496/category=30987087


Futaba V Spektrum by Stephen Green

When I started flying it was Kraft versus Futaba. Manufacturing RC for fifty five years the brand grew into world leader for quality and performance

Digitaire Services in Hampton Victoria

Nicad battery cycler/analyser designed by Brian Green. Manufactured in Geelong by Kraft Systems Australa

Back in the late 1960s radio systems were expensive. Not for me. I’ve pret ty much f lown company equipment and planes helis and gliders most of my life. Kraft was the world leading brand and my father was in partnership as the factory Authorised Australian Agent. We had Phil Kraft in our house for 1972 Nationals so for me my RC life has been predominantly competition oriented. Before we moved to Geelong Dad ran Digitaire Services from a bungalow selling his own Command Air Control proportional RC gear. Silvertone Australia was another brand in Australia. Another participant in a garage in a rapidly growing cottage industry. One difference between the two brands was Kraft Australia grew. It branched out as a kit manufacturer and later imported accessories. It also employed three apprentices as radio service technicians.

When I started flying it was on the 27 MHz Citizens Band Frequency. 40 MHz was too. When CB radio became popular the MAAA lobbied the government for our own piece of the spectrum and aeromodellers were granted 29 MHz. Not long after Tamiya released the Frog RC car, the rapid gain in popularity this became a problem a gain. More lobbying from MAAA saw 36MHz granted for RC flying. Of course that didn’t prevent shops selling 36 MHz systems for boats or car users but by and large that frequency serves us very well. As Display Director at Sandown 2000 I physically inspected every set on trade stands to remove the crystals. I didn’t remove any. Traders had understood the briefing. With 2.4GHz we are once again back on the Citizens Band. It’s anyone’s guess if MAAA will ever have to lobby for another frequency again.

My last decal


Futaba versus Spektrum

Three thousand square feet exclusively radio control advertised on late night TV. The glider circled in the advert is a Graupner Cumulus. Dad knocked off O’Reilly’s fancy gliders at the Loxton Nats with this plastic fuselage, balsa skinned foam wing, foam all flying stab and fin, tips shaped and sanded, ready to cover. two channel.

no spoilers. I hand towed him into a thermal every flight. Six minute max and made the circle each time

Whenever I hear of an unexplained radio failure the first thing that comes to mind is if the brand of receiver is the same as the transmitter. Not a cheap aftermarket job. Quality and standard of installation is next. Take battery packs as an example. It’s common practice

today to hard mount them with no isolation from vibration. I cannot do that. Next is cheap servo leads. Followed by aftermarket servos.

I digress, one stop over the counter RC aeroplane shopping has all but been consigned to the dustbin in this country. The ad at the bottom of this page shows Dad’s second business after we left Kraft. That was in 1975. We sold Sankyo, Kraft, Futaba, OS and Micro although I quickly learnt to talk people up from that last one. Not very good. Okay for a free flight model because they fly on their own anyway. On that score history may be repeating itself.

Shops like Fliteline are non existent today. Melbourne hasn’t had one since ABC Models and the vast range of product today makes it next to impossible anyway. The Melbourne scene changed to a series of small shops. Even those are dropping like flies now! Sydney’s last big one was Kelletts. Still going but slim pickings for aeroplane people. I haven’t been to Brisbane for yonks but Hobbyrama was an impressive store indeed. Perth is lucky enough to have ACE RC Models and Perth RC. The hobby in Australia has been reverting back to cottage

Typical 1980s beginners RC package. I soon learnt not to sell Micro radio if I could help it


Futaba versus Spektrum

Late 1970s Fliteline Models advert in Airborne Magazine. Fliteline imported wholesaled and retailed. Dad taught me not to compete against our dealer network! It’s full price. Get it from a dealer for less, go for it

industry for a few years now. Ten years ago magazine sales began slipping in hobby shops. Proprietors saw that as RCM News magazine not working but sales in newsagents continued to hold up for quite a few more years. More a reflection of on foot traffic and their relationship with customers. New importers/retailers keep popping up and today. Business model mostly part time selling gear to subsidise their hobby. Importers competing against the retail dealer network isn’t new here but it’s gaining momentum. Chinese manufacturers not batting an eyelid selling against their agents has never been new but now this is aided by the Chinese Government subsidising postage .

Graupner and Sanwa have no meaningful distribution left here. Hitec has finished with radios. JR is back in production and represented here by Steve Richardson. No dealer network, JR is sold direct to the customer. What’s left in this country

is Futaba, distributed through a conventional retail dealer network by Brian Simpson’s RC Wholesale. Brian also operates Perth RC Model and Hobbies. Spektrum, Multiplex, Hitec and new kid on the block JETI are distributed by Mike O’Reilly’s OMP. Mike has had an online store called Model Flight for decades. According to the recent article published in Flat Out RC, Leo and Mike O’Reilly saw retail direct as the future. That was back in the 1970s. Until May this year I was a Futaba Dealer but I am unable to continue. It will be interesting to see how the radio market pans out. Will JETI end up a boutique brand like Multiplex?

The way the previous agent dealt with the “Air” side of the business gave O’ Reillys with JR years of free kicks. That was the dominant TX in transmitter pounds at many events. Totally different story two years later after Futaba released the 14MZ. Mike’s prediction to me that

Futaba wouldn’t make any money out of it because it was too expensive had the same outcome as Tony Roesin’s thinking on Ramtec Fans versus gas turbines. The American XPS 2.4 system proved to be a dud. Spektrum was pretty quick out of the blocks with DSM too. That protocol has been changed three times now. I can’t help wondering if history is going to repeat itself.

April last year I set up a 40 square

That’s nice work Richo!


VIdeos oN you TuBe - FaasT VeRsus speCK

Episode 1 ANTENNA INNOVATIONS

Episode � BROWN OUT

Episode 3 JOE NALL

Episode 4FEATURES

Episode 5 PCSD

Episode 6Futaba v JR*

*JR no longer uses DSM, DSM� or DSMx

Published in Leading Edge RCM News issue #150

MIsleadINg adVeRTIsINgStephen Green owns the business name Futaba Pro Shop. My website is futabaproshop.com

To fill a space in the first free digital edition of RCM News I placed a 1/4 page advertisment in the magazine for www.futabproshop.com.au

Uploaded the magazine file, had a few scotches and went to bed. Next morning I went to register the domain name

At 6.00 am it was taken by Jamie Nancarrow, General Manager of OMP. (O’Reilly Model Products)

I am not a malicious person but is this the new standard of behaviour? No. Not new. Not to me! Yes, March 14 was certainly the wrong day not to give up drinking.

Futaba versus Spektrummetre showroom inside a powered self storage unit at Kennards in Preston. The idea being to carry the range of Futaba products. Brian Simpson was right. I’ve sold a quite number of 16SZ and 18SZ sets to owners who either experienced or witnessed unexplained fly aways with Spektrum. Futaba really hit the mark with those two sets.

Hobbico went bust and Horizon Hobbies cherry picked what was on offer. Now that the dust has settled with Hobbico in USA, Futaba USA is now advertising online direct. You can buy it off them but they prefer you buy it from one of their dealers. Just like here in Australia. Programming advice online is overrated. As far as reviewing products goes I

can categorically states that after 27 years of reviewing products in RCM News magazine, and five decades of model flying, there is a fundamental difference between those who understand what competing in F3a and competition power flying is about and those that don’t. Having flown everyone’s RC gear over a long period of time my prediction is “Some time down the track that Spekrum will change its protocol”. Again! If you are thinking about going into the hobby business here, some deal work some don’t. Things change. If you dish it out you have to take it and I would dearly love to know what Horizon Hobbies did or said to piss off Hobbico USA a few years back. Feel like a chuckle? Click each YouTubelink in turn. SG.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnRefjqPuf8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R8fSf4pa_c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrJxV_q6qPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FazZH42mJPg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_nULRUPF_o&t=21s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8gQgea0jAE

Radio Control Model News Digital Edition # 155 May 2019 RH

http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/16sz-nicad-2.4ghz-inc.-r7008sb-mode-2.html

http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/t6k-8-ch-t-fhss-inc-r3006sb-mode2-inc-battery.html

http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/10j-10ch-thss-inc-r3008sb-rx-mode-2-en-2.html

http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/14sg-nicad-2.4ghz-inc.-r7008sb-mode-2-en.html

http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/18mz-wc-2.4g-inc-r7008sb-rec-mode-2.html

http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/18mz-wc-2.4g-inc-r7008sb-rec-mode-2.html

http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/16sz-nicad-2.4ghz-inc.-r7008sb-mode-2.html

http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/dealers.html


Trailing EdgeDear Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. I wish you both well in the forthcoming Federal Election.

I am writing to you from the Federal Seat of Batman. I am 60 years old. This is my last opportunity to avoid ending up on the Aged Pension. I am worried about my future which is in the publishing, model aircraft, aerial photography, drone industry. To increase circulation for my advertisers a copy of this magazine has been sent to every MP and Senators office and ABC 7.30.

I am not a religious person but married one who subscribes to the same team as the Member for Warringah. My wife and I are no longer together but we have been able to put aside our differences and modify to suit as circumstances changed to successfully raise our four children. Two boys 27 and 25 two girls aged 25. (Triplets) The eldest boy is a Paramedic. Eldest daughter passed the Law Degree now embarking on her career. Her sister completed her degree in Speech Pathology and has resumed her studies to become a medical doctor. Our youngest boy has recently settled on a career path and is about to complete his studies. Since taking on the successful family publishing business five years ago, competing against the Internet has proven to be far more perplexing than I imagined. To keep going I started an online shop retailing the world leading brand of radio control equipment.

The Member for Marybinong, who chaired the report into the GST threshold, its recommendations continue to shoot down genuine Aussie small businesses. Prime Minister Howard’s level playing

field has turned out to be a gradual descent into enemy territory.

Prime Minister Turbull’s agility in this internet world can only get me so far. Taking a leaf out of Prime Minister Keating’s book and backing my own self interest, Goverment Department policies/regulations which are not being enforced are making it impossible for me to earn a living. Recreating Winston Churchill’s WW11 letter to the Admiralty, “Pray on one sheet of paper explain why we are losing the war in the Atlantic”, please answer the following....

1. Recently I lodged a complaint through the CASA Portal on a commercial Drone flight that flouted aviation regulations. The operator specialises in the real estate open to view sector. The photograph on the real estate board proves the only

way to shoot that aerial photograph legally and safely was from a full size aircraft. Essendon airport is 8NM away yet the Real Estate Agent chose the cheaper method. Illegal drone flying is happening every day all around the country. The DJI Inspire multicopter (drone) that took this photograph does not meet ACMA regulations yet thousands continue to retailed. Why was Qld Senator Hanson not fined for her televised drone flight that contravened Civil Aviation Regulations?

2. How many prosecutions has the Australian Communications and Media Authority launched against local businesses selling radio control equipment that do not comply with the current RCM or previous CTick Australian standard? I have a list of a number of hobbyists reselling gear that does

Aerial photograph taking from DJI Inspire Quadcopter on Real Estate board at 104 Collins Street Thornbury. Click logo hyperlink

https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-thornbury-130345730


not comply yet ACMA officers are only checking responsible radio control hobby dealers and importers who pay the impost. How does a consumer verify if the product is actually registered. This has Public Liability Insurance implications for consumers. I have enquired through the ACMA website a number of times. Yet to receive a reply.

3. Where in the Trade Practices Act does the Federal Goverment’s $1000 GST free Import Policy protect it from being held liable to be prosecuted by favouring unfair practices from overseas companies. Goods continue to come in. This free ride continues to decimate legitimate Aussie retailers and importers. One has accused the Government of Treason.

Years ago I had the good fortune

Specialist Real Estate Photography firm. Drone Operator wore shirt with company logo

to sit on the same table as the late Sir Peter Issaccson and the Honourble Gerry Hand MP. Gerry was the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the bride to be’s brother. Sir Peter published Melbourne’s Sunday Observer Newspaper and a Trustee of Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. Of course I knew of his distinguished WW11 military service. When asked what possessed him to fly Lancaster Q for Queenie under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. he replied “it was a bright sunny day, the flying was a piece of piss. After what I had experienced to survive as a Pathfinder Pilot, what could they possibly do to me that would upset me”.

In keeping with the WW11 theme, I would like to ask whose side the Government, Opposition and Cross Benches are actually on?

Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance 1988. Photo-graphed legally from Victoria Police buildingEssendon Airport to Thornbury in a few minutes

Yours Sincerely

Stephen Green. PublisherARN 576621 MAAA 5932 ps The irony this letter is longer than a single A4 page has not escaped me.

Trailing Edge

Documents

Bill Wheeler pic Flying Futaba - RCM NewsFlying Futaba rcmnews.com May 2019 F3a World Cup in Queensland current F3A World Champion Tetsuo Onda with Futaba Australia ‘s Brian Simpson