Welcome to this latest issue of the Plane Talk Newsletter.

Sorry to have neglected you all for the best part of a month.  I've had some other priorities to take care of but the best part of being back is telling Robert Remeny that he's the winner of the September Free RC trainer.  I hope it gives him hours of fun - which is what this hobby is all about.

And a big question for you.  I'm in the process of writing another book, this time on electric model airplanes - and I want to know what are the most important questions you've got.  What puzzles you most about electrics?  So very soon you'll be getting an email from me with a quick, short survey in which you can tell me your most important questions you've got about electric modelling. 

That way I can make sure that I cover all the things you want to know and answer all your questions.  So look out for the mail and make sure you've got this email address of info@modelairplanesecrets.com whitelisted with your ISP, listed in your Outlook or added to your Safe Senders List to make sure you get my mail.  Enough of this...

IN this issue you will find:

• Featured article: Understanding RC Airplane Propellers

• Offers in stock at the Discounts shop.

• A Review of the COX Brand Ultimate 40 Biplane .40 size glow ARF. 

• The Model Airplane News roundup

• ..and this issue's Pit Lane humour

Featured Article

Understanding RC Airplane Propellers

Most RC model airplanes, regardless of propulsion method (gas, electricity, rubber bands etc.), generate forward momentum through the use of a propeller. Propellers (props) come in many sizes and configurations. Most have 2 blades, but other can be found with 3 or 4.

Understanding how a prop can affect the flight of your model airplane is an important thing to know. Once you know how the length and pitch can change your airplanes flight characteristics, picking the best prop can be fairly easy. The two factors that differentiate model airplane props from one another are the length, and the pitch. These are usually displayed as Length x Pitch (i.e. 12x6, 11x7, 8x4) on the propeller.

Propeller Markings

 The first number, representing the length of the prop, is usually specified in inches unless otherwise noted. This means that a 12-inch prop will have 6-inches on one side of the center hole, and 6-inches on the other. A lengthy prop with a low pitch will give your engine more power to pull your airplane forward. This power is referred to as “thrust”. The more thrust your RC model airplane engine puts out, the more responsive your model will be. Thrust can be described as a measure of weight. Matching the thrust output of your engine/propeller combination to the weight of your model can help you determine just how responsive it will be.

 

 A model airplane with a 1:1 thrust to weight ratio will fly just fine. This means that your model airplane engine has just enough forward thrust to support the weight of the plane – so in a vertical climb it would come to a halt in mid air.  This is not a good position to be in because the only way out is downwards and backwards and airplanes are pretty difficult to control like that! 

This is why aerobatic airplanes demand thrust to weight ratios higher than 1:1 so that they can continue to climb their way out of that situation. Choosing a longer prop will give it more thrust and allow you to fly it vertically for longer distances. Give it enough thrust and you can do 3D maneuvers (3D = highly aerobatic, not the sort of thing you would see a full size airplane do) such as bring your RC airplane to a complete stop in mid air – as described above - and have it stay there, hanging from the prop.  The difference, of course, is that the aerobatic airplane has enough thrust to climb and fly out of that situation under control.

The second number that describes the propellers characteristics is called the pitch. The pitch refers to the angle and width of the prop. Similar to the way a longer prop will change the amount of thrust that your model will generate, a higher pitch will give you more speed. For example, a 10x6 prop, under perfect conditions, will pull your aircraft forward 6 inches for every revolution of the prop. Choosing a prop from your manufacturers suggested prop list that has a shorter length and a higher pitch will allow your airplane to go faster. Reversing this theory will give you more thrust.

 

 

Assorted propellers         

 

 Using this information to calculate the thrust and speed your model airplane will have before you fly can be very rewarding, and is often necessary when building a 3D aircraft. After you’ve worked with the numbers for awhile, and seen the results in the field, you’ll be able to look at the numbers and know right away how your model will respond in the field.

Model Airplane Discounts

In my last newsletter I featured a starter foamie that could be either a great starter for a little one or just downright fun for anyone.  This month some more serious trainers.  A couple of the best sellers from the store, one electric and one nitro, both thoroughly proven and reliable.

Bear in mind my advice from the Model Airplane Secrets ebook, you always get what you pay for and the more expensive NexStar comes almost fully assembled with a 4 channel radio, automatic recovery features and assembly instructions and simulator software on disk. 

The less expensive Freedom Flyer also comes with a 4 channel setup that you can re-use with later models and is ready to go out of the box.

Hobbico NexSTAR Select RTF Nitro .46 Radio-Controlled Airplane SPECIFICATIONS

Wingspan: 69 in (1745 mm) Wing Area: 722 sq in (46 dm2) Weight: 6.5 lb (2930 g) Wing Loading: 21 oz/sq ft (62 g/dm2) Length: 56 in (1420 mm) Includes: O.S. .46 FXi engine and Futaba 4YBF 4-channel radio w/4 servos

There's a great website that Hobbico put up dedicated to this airplane at http://www.hobbiconexstar.com/.   They've put a lot of effort into this package.  It comes pretty well fully assembled including the engine and radio installation and complete with a mini version of Great Planes Flight Simulator package on CD so you can learn to fly on the simulator (they recommend minimum 20 take-offs and landings before you try to fly the real thing). 

So you're getting flight simulator software, a completely assembled airplane and a full 4 channel radio setup for the one price. 

I can't tell you any more than they can - read the reviews...then if you want to buy then go to Model Airplane Discounts for the special price.

Sugg. Retail: $499.95

reduced by a $100 saving to just $399.95

 

Megatech Freedom Flyer 4 ch Electric Ready-to-Fly Park Flyer S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
	Length :		22.5"
	Wingspan:		34"
	Weight:		18oz
	Motor run time:		7-15 min
	Requires:		8 AA Alkalines (for transmitter)
	Charge Time:		1-2 hours

Sugg. Retail: $199.95

reduced by $50 at Model Airplane Discounts to just $149.95

Right click here to download a review.

 

Don't forget that if these prices are still a bit high for you despite the saving there's still lots more choice in the Discounts store at more affordable prices.  So use any of the links above to go browse around the store and find something that suits you better.

 

Review - from RCGroups

 

Read the full Review by clicking here

News roundup....

Army Puts Out APB For UAV  Whoops! So we're not the only one's who can lose our big boy's toys!
Aero-News Network - FL,USA
... Vernon Parish. It is described as looking like a model airplane, white in color, and weighing about four and half pounds. Fuselage ...

digg - Incredible Indoor Model Airplane Contest [Video] If you want to be enthused about how you can entertain not only yourself but others too then watch this video.  It's 2 mins 55 sec and I don't think I could concentrate like that for 25 seconds...
Carvin 2005 Indoor Model airplane contest. Great video of the winner of 2005
indoor fly contest. Pilot is Armin Mangelmann (DE). Some great technique. ...

Napa has own squadron of 'control line' airplane aces  An informative piece on control line flying - well worth a read.
Napa Valley Register - Napa,CA,USA
... Rocha has raced many a model airplane in Anaheim and other locales, crediting the dry, warm air for helping his small planes reach high speeds. ...

Teenager Daniel really sky high!  Here's a young 16 year old with a big future. 
Mansfield Chad - Mansfield,England,UK
... t ... more ». A GIFTED Rainworth model plane designer is flying high after he was crowned model aircraft world champion. Sky-high ...
 

Model plane's flight over stadium lands man in trouble  Not surprisingly, this bit of enterprise backfired badly.  Just goes to show - just keep it simple and ask permission.  If they say 'No' you will simply be wiser - but you'll also stay out of jail.
Ann Arbor News - Ann Arbor,MI,USA
It was a strange sight for a University of Michigan football game - a red, remote-controlled model airplane with a four-foot wingspan that came from the north ...

Pit Lane Humour...

The Top Twenty Flight Advertising Slogans

1. BadAir: When you just can't wait for the world to come to you.

2. BadAir: We're Amtrak with wings.

3. Join our frequent near-miss program.

4. On our flights, every section is a smoking section. Not necessarily cigarette smoke.

5. Ask about our out-of-court settlements.

6. Our staff has had lots of experience counselling next-of-kin.

7. Are our jet engines too noisy? Don't worry. We'll turn them off.

8. Complimentary champagne during free-fall.

9. Enjoy the in-flight movie in the plane next to you.

10. The kids will love our inflatable slides.

11. If you think it's so easy, get your own plane!

12. Which will fall faster, our stock price or our planes?

13. Our pilots are all terminally ill and have nothing to lose.

14. BadAir: We may be landing on your street.

15. BadAir: Terrorists are afraid to fly with us.

16. Bring a bathing suit.

17. Some airlines are content to fly thousands of feet over landmarks. We try to get as close as possible for the best view.

18. That guy who crashed into the White House was one of our best pilots.

19. Fly BadAir and enjoy a free two-week hospital stay on us.

20. BadAir: A real man lands where he wants to.

 

  

Bruce Bird