Trainstar Tough Trainer EPO 1400. D4023 850kv Replacement Motor.

...fitting the Trainstar replacement motor

Having struggled to get a replacement prop adapter for the Trainstar, I finally decided to get a whole new motor, the D4023 850v from Hobbyking.

This seemed rather wasteful as I only really needed the adapter, but anyway. The D4023 comes with a steel prop adapter, hopefully more durable than the Volantex aluminium item but is otherwise pretty much a direct equivalent replacement.

The D4023 does actually have a different mounting pattern on the bell  mount, three holes instead of four, but fortunately the Volantex saddle mount has a multi-hole configuration which accepts the three-hole pitch with no rework required, which is great.

So the installation is a pretty simple switch-out; even the wire length is just right. The only extra work required is that the D4023 doesn’t come with any connectors, but a few minutes soldering got some 3.5mm bullet connectors fitted just fine…

How to Fold a Paper Plane for Electric Paper Plane Kit

...step-by-step guide 


The Electric Paper Plane Kit comes with one pre-folded sheet to get you started. Once you've used that up, here's a handy step-by-step guide to make as many planes as you'll ever need.

The design is called the Eagle, and it's a stable floating type, the kind commonly launched from the back of large lecture theaters and perfectly suited to the cool rechargeable kit...

Spektrum DX6i. Rates & Expo.

...how to set up rates & expo

The DX6i has programmable Dual Rates as well as Expo, features not found on the DX5e and other basic transmitters.

D/R Expo is on the Adjust List, just under model select. Clicking on this takes you to the D/R Rxpo setup page, where the middle column is the Rates i.e. the servo travel percentage, and the right hand column is the Expo, which is set to INH (inhibit) by default. 

Clicking on one of the INH values and then scrolling will change this to a percentage value; the higher the more damping around the centre of the stick.

Dual rates allows you to set the travel of each control individually, and there is a switch for each as well to enable you to selectively change control travel e.g. setting elevator to "high" while leaving aileron and rudder on "low".

Clicking on a percentage in the first column will allow you to adjust the Rates, or servo travel, individually for each control. The actual amount will depend of how much response you require or how sensitive you plane is.

It's worth researching this before your first flight, as super-sensitive controls (aileron especially and also elevator) can be disastrous...

How to Launch a Radjet Part II

...celebrating a dozen happy launches

I have, on several occasions in the past, sworn I wouldn't fly the  Radjet again after suffering another abject failure. Yet, a few days later, I'd glued and taped the tough jet back into flying shape and was trying again. And again. And again.



So, having finally mastered the art of getting this flighty craft into the air, this is an opportunity to share the experiences I've had in the hope that I save other aspirant Radjet pilots some of the anguish I've experienced.

So I've done another video on launching a Radjet so you could see the launch trajectory a bit better. This was something of a masterclass, a celebration of long-overdue success with the often-exasperating little plane...

How to Launch a Radjet!

...I think I've finally got it

The last half-dozen launches I've had with the  Radjet have been virtually flawless, so I think I've finally succeeded in developing a robust technique that will get the touchy buzz-jet launched consistently.

Tip 1 - Opposite Aileron
I've been launching at about two-thirds throttle and about the same right aileron. This keeps the  Radjet almost perfectly straight on the launch and with sufficient power to maintain its trajectory. Don't worry about putting in a little too much right aileron as, if this is the case, all you need to do is back off a little and the plane will follow, as it wants to roll to the left.

Tip 2 - Trajectory
You need to launch it upwards at about thirty to forty degrees, so that you'll be well clear of the ground - no more snapped props or crumpled nose cones. In conjunction with power as above, this will have the  Radjet climbing smoothly.

Tip 3 - Power Transition
Once the  Radjet is stable and flying, perhaps a second or so after launch, all you need to do is ease up to full power and back off the aileron correction. If this transition is a little ugly is doesn't matter, as the plane will be high enough off the ground to give you plenty of space to correct orientation or direction...

Hobbyking Warranty Claim

...it works but

I recently lodged my first warranty claim against Hobbyking and, seeing as the correct way of doing it is not obvious (no, it's not through the "Contact Us" link, even if you check the "Warranty" box), I thought I'd share this "how-to" guide from Hobbyking with anyone who needs this info.

Access to RMA 2 Other Returns.

1. Once logged in, click the username
2. Then click Check;
3. Once the Check is clicked, the page will be directed to the customer's order list, then click Apply/View;
**Apply/View option only appears for posted orders or orders that have been shipped.
4. Once Apply/View has been clicked, the page will be directed to RMA List for Order Page for No Fuss Returns and Other Returns options.

Other Returns: Wrong Items Received and Faulty/Broken Items

1. Select the reason or type of return;
2. Then fill in the required field, click the box if the statement is related and appropriate with the claim;
3. Continue to select the required information: 2 confirmations must be checked, the item related to the warranty claim, quantity and reason for return must be selected or specified;
4. Select the Action Requested. Repacking Fee may only be applied once the parcel is not in a good condition when received;
5. Also indicate the Action In Case Invalid or in case the claim is valid;

While the process does work, don't expect a quick turnaround. I submitted a claim over a month ago and Hobbyking's still waiting for a replacement part to be sent to them...