Model Airplane News #6
Welcome to this latest issue of the Plane Talk Newsletter.
There's still a few weeks of the flying season to go before it's back to anoraks and a constant eye on the weather forecasts. So make the most of it while you can.
Congratulations to Spencer Blevins of North Carolina who won the FREE RC Trainer for August which is on it's way to him right now.
IN this issue you will find:
-
Featured article: RC Model Airplane 2-Stroke Engine Tuning
- New Products in stock at the Discounts shop.
-
A Review of World Model's Piper J-3 Cub. A big beast at 1/4 scale and not for the beginner (unless you've got deep pockets) but a good reminder that there's lots of pleasure to be had from the golden oldies.
-
The News roundup
-
..and this issue's Pit Lane humour
Featured Article
RC Model Airplane 2-Stroke Engine Tuning
The most common way to power an RC model airplane is with a 2-Stroke engine. These engines are easy to maintain, have relatively few parts, and can be tuned in just a few minutes. A RC model airplane engine that is not correctly tuned can turn your favorite RC aircraft into a pile of toothpicks very quickly. Knowing how to adjust the needle valves on your engine is an easy task that gets easier with experience.
Standard 2-stroke RC model airplane engine carburettors have two valves on them. These valves regulate the mixture of fuel and air that flow into the engine. If the valves are set correctly, the mixture will have just enough fuel and air to allow the engine to run at peak performance. If incorrectly set, with either too much or too little fuel so that it is said to run either 'rich' or 'lean' the engine might sputter and/or overheat and die. You are ten left with recovering and landing your plane "deadstick" without power and run the chance of crashing. So you can see how important it is to tune your engine properly.
High speed needle valve
The first valve that is usually located on the outside of the carb with a long adjustable handle is called the High Speed Needle Valve (HSNV). This needle valve regulates the fuel mixture when the throttle is completely open and the engine is running at peak RPM.
High speed needle valve
The second valve, usually located inside the throttle arm assembly, is called the Low Speed Needle Valve (LSNV). This needle valve regulates the fuel/air mixture that is present when your engine is idling or progressing from a low speed to a high speed.
Low speed needle valve
To tune your RC model airplane engine, start with the engine off, and turn the HSNV clockwise till it stops, then turn it counter clockwise 2.5 turns. Grab a hold of your RC model airplane and start the engine. Let it run for about 60 seconds, then bring it to full throttle.
Quickly pinch the fuel tube attached to the carb. If the engine RPM increases, it means your engine is running rich, if it sags, or decreases, it means you are running lean.
If the engine is rich, turn the HSNV clockwise 1/8 of a turn and pinch again. Do this until the engine shows signs of being too lean, then back the needle off about 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn and leave it there. If you find that the engine is already too lean from the start, turn the HSNV counter clockwise 1/8 at a time till the RPM increases when pinched, then continue counter clockwise 1/8 again and leave it.
Low speed needle valve
Only tune the LSNV after you are sure that your RC model airplane engine is broken in. Never try this on a brand new engine. Making sure that your RC model airplane is secured and will not go anywhere, start the engine and let it idle for 60 seconds. Quickly advance the throttle from idle to full. If the engine sputters and coughs but does not die it means that your LSNV is too rich. Turn the LSNV clockwise 1/8 and try again till the transition is smooth.
If, on the other hand, your engine suddenly stops when you advance to full throttle, it means that your LSNV is set too lean. Turn the needle counter clockwise 1/8 at a time till you find the sweet spot.
Get your RC model airplane in the air now. It should be tuned and ready to fly. Small adjustments may be necessary to your HSNV if you let the engine sit for extended periods, but a well tuned engine should require no adjustment for a full day of flying once you have it set.
Model Airplane Discounts
Two items worth your attention at the Model Airplane Discounts store this week. First is a low cost model just made either as a starter or to give away to first time R/C young flyers since the power comes from a ducted fan jet and is less likely to hurt any small fingers. The Elite Flite - ShadowCaster by Kid Galaxy is made of EPP foam which is very light, spongy, and best of all, very durable. Dads, you can start your youngest on this one with no damaged little fingers.
Just click the link to go straight there:
Kid Galaxy Elite Flight Shadowcaster - $56
Kid Galaxy makes a variety of products specifically targeted to children ages 2-9 including licensed Zambonis, cars, trucks, etc.
Check their products out in the search by RC company category on the top left of your store homepage.
Secondly, there are a whole raft of new RC helicopters in stock.
This is the Blade CP RTF Electric Micro Helicopter at $219 - that's $80 or 26% off the normal price.
Or something simpler/cheaper: the Sky Shadow Helicopter at only $46.19 - that's $43.80 or more than 50% off normal price. Sorry for the small photo but at that price..!
Maybe RC airplanes are too easy for the younger generation brought up with the Xbox and Playstation. A rotorhead friend of mine recently described trying to fly an RC helicopter as like trying to keep a ball bearing stationery in the middle of a plate glass tray. But make your own mind up and if helicopters are your thing then there are a bunch of them right here.
Learning to Fly…can you do it yourself?
Andrew Rosz's book, "Basic Flight Instruction" is going to be a permanent feature of this website. I haven't found anything better for the beginner learning to fly either with an instructor or on your own - so click on "Basic Flight Instruction" right now and learn from the Master!
Review - from RCGroups
|
Review by: Greg Covey
|
|
|
Flying Photos: Papa Jeff Ring
|
Video Pilot: Lynn Bowerman
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
There are plenty of parts in the box to replicate all the scale features of the popular Cub design. Although the fuselage comes with decals already applied, the wing and tail sections are left for the builder to customize.
 |
 |
The kit includes all the hardware and linkage pieces as well as a pre-painted pilot. Each plastic bag is labeled with a number that matches the step in the instruction manual. The stabilizer sections are pre-stripped for immediate gluing.
 |
 |
A closer look at the fuselage reveals quality construction and a big side door hatch for easy access inside.
Read the full Review by clicking here
Did you know… - I can't find anything extraordinary to put in here this time!
Pit lane humour…
Heard on Southwest Airlines just after a very hard landing in Salt Lake City: The flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump and I know what ya'll are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendants' fault…..it was the asphalt!"
That fits with lots of modellers too! Gravity is remorseless.
News roundup….
MicroPilot unveils own agricultural UAV to help shape civil market … Now here's a business opportunity for a model airplane enthusiast if ever there was one. These guys have got hold of the wrong end of the stick and are talking about farmers owning their own system. What's needed is a contractor service with the 'air vehicle' operated by a specialist. Go on - pick up the phone, talk to these guys and tell them! Then volunteer to do it for them.
Flight International - USA
… Winnipeg, Canada-based MicroPilot has unveiled its own hand launched crop monitoring system based on a series production remote control model aircraft. …
Man accused of assault with rifle A good reason for staying on good terms with your neighbours!
Marquette Mining Journal - Marquette,MI,USA
IRON MOUNTAIN — A Merriman man accused of making threats with a rifle against a group of model airplane enthusiasts Wednesday night has been arraigned in …
He gave her life and now Alison has precious gift in return This probably won't go down too well with our younger readers (more 'ole fogey' stuff) but I put it in just to remind any young fathers out there that there's no reason to leave your daughter at home when you head for the flying field.
MyTown Bay of Plenty - Bay of Plenty,New Zealand
… always been a time when she and her father reflect on their many father-daughter adventures together including trips spent fishing or out flying model aircraft …
Last year's model: Airfix goes bust Oh dear, another model maker bites the dust. We can only hope that there is some business guru out there with the foresight to see the potential of a rescue. In the meantime, if you are still short in your Airfix collection - go buy them now before they are all gone.
Guardian Unlimited - UK
… It had planned to tour the country through to October, showing a wide selection of its second world war model aircraft and warships, as well as spacecraft and …
Elite camp lets cadets focus on technology
St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg,FL,USA
… The afternoon was model airplane building in teams, followed by dinner, more building, and lights out at 10:45 that night. Not a moment wasted. …
A hobby for all ages And another old timer with more than enough stories to tell. We are coming to the end of a great generation of modelers who were introduced to aeroplanes during WWII and continued to apply their skills and knowledge in the field of modelling for the rest of their lives. I suspect there will be a marked reduction in scratch building and building from plans in the coming years.
Kingman Daily Miner - Kingman,AZ,USA
… very simple operation, he said. There is both relaxation and challenge in building model aircraft. Models today come with gasoline …
For The Pilot Who Has Everything Here's someone getting in early with their Christmas offer.
PR.com (press release) - Levittown,NY,USA
… has the answer to gift-giving challenges for the aviator who has everything, offering the finest in civilian model airplanes and other scale model aircraft. …
The first flight to Rathlin…by a model plane This looks like a serious bit of organised flying - 5 miles over open water and then back again.
Belfast Telegraph - United Kingdom
… Members of the Ballymoney Model Flying Club flew a Precident T240 model aircraft from Ballycastle to East Lighthouse at Rue Point on Rathlin Island and back …
Visit my blog
Don't forget to visit my blog from time to time. I've just moved it from Blogger onto my own website here. You can even take an RSS feed from there.
And click on the book graphic below to get an all encompassing round-up of model airplanes.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.