Canadair CL-415 1390mm. Flypasts

...cruising past

A pair of paragliders were heading back to the far field, so I headed the Canadair there with onboard camera, hoping to get some nice footage. Unfortunately I didn't judge the closing distance too well and turned the Canadair back when it was still well off, the paragliders unresolved dots in the distance.

For the rest of the time I just cruised the Canadair around doing flypasts, enjoying the lovely afternoon. After returning from its initial sortie, I took off the camera and then hand launched it to conserve the battery for a bit more cruising around.

The resulting video was then a little unexciting, so I decided to play around with it a little, adding in some flash-forwards and colour-to-mono fades. Completing this slightly experimental video was a backing track with a little attitude, dramatic hip-hop according to YouTube.

Anyway, I had enjoyed creating the video...

Canadair CL-415 1390mm. Scenic Outing at the Little Lake

...a bit more successful

Following on from my rather unsuccessful previous expedition to the lake, I returned a week later with the Canadair again for another attempt.
I find flying off water to be rather stressful, due mainly to the inconvenience of failure, namely having to the boat out to rescue the plane and then pack it all up again. As a consequence I am much more nervous and therefore tend to fly much worse than otherwise.

The Canadair is easy to fly and I can generally fly it off the grass, not dissimilar in nature to taking off from water, with little issue. The takeoffs on this occasion were, happily, more successful although most were still a little nervy and one, which didn't make it into the video, was absolutely awful.

One contributing factor is that you don't always get to stand near the plane like you do at the field, and as a result you are literally distanced. I probably should've just gone to the large lake where I could have launched from right next to the jetty. However the little lake looked so scenic with the clouds in the afternoon sun..

747-4 Trainstar Shaft Adapter

...so I got a new motor instead

I ended up terminally bending the shaft adapter on my Trainstar some while a go as the result of colliding with a light pole. While, in the past, I have managed to straighten the adapter by hook or by crook, this time my efforts were in vain.

Now, it must be said, the Volantex (nee Lanyu) prop adapters are rubbish, a conclusion based on my experience of both the Trainstar and Phoenix planes, and I've heard this sentiment echoed by others as well; the adapter material is very soft and prone to both stripping and bending.

I've previously looked at the Volantex store but, despite having the items on display, it seemed impossible to actually buy anything. And I couldn't find anything on the web either. However reading through a thread about Volantex spares yesterday,  the website had apparently become functional.

My optimism at this news was unfortunately was short-lived as, while the prop adapter is there (and on sale!) an error came up when I tried to finalise Paypal payment and, despite repeating the checkout exercise, I still had no success. So I again abandoned Volantex for spares (why is it so hard?) and headed to Hobbyking.

The Volantex motor for the Trainstar is a 4023/850KV and fortunately Hobbyking have an exact equivalent, the D4023-850 Out Runner Motor. This, however, comes fitted with a steel prop shaft instead of the aluminium of the Volantex, and is also only about half the price.

So, while I really didn't want to buy another motor when all I needed was a prop adapter, it all got too hard...

Touch and Go

...in a plane with no wheels

The forecast was for a breezy day however the early morning was calm and inviting for a bit of flying. Barely a breath of wind on the ground, the occasional wobbles of the Phoenix 2000's wings indicated the breeze was starting to develop.

I flew the glider in big lazy circuits around the field and over the surrounding farmland, bringing it back in for a few sweeping fly-bys and low-altitude passes.

During one of these low passes I made a late decision to bring the plane in for a landing, but it was going way too fast to stay on the deck. I also misjudged the landing flair, with the combined effect that the Phoenix bumped down then floated back into the air.

With insufficient field left to put it down in, I applied power and took it round again. So a perfect touch and go, nevertheless I don't think I'll be adding that to the standard repertoire...

Phoenix Repair Stage II

...getting close

The wings have been patched, control surfaces reattached and I connected up the servos and receiver yesterday, hoping to give the electrics a workout.

Unfortunately, despite a successful earlier check of the receiver, when I connected everything up there was no response at all. It was only after a few minutes of attempting to get the receiver working that I picked up the Phoenix 2000 and discovered the likely issue - the ESC was burning hot.

Which explains why the receiver wasn't working, as presumably the BEC got fried when the ESC melted down. So now I need to swap ESC'S - I'll have to borrow the one off the Floater Jet, which I am now certain I'm not going to get repaired, so I don't think it'll mind.

That is a bit unfortunate as I've already reinstalled the motor, and the power cables are so hard to push in within the confines of the fuselage. Anyhow, I'll just need to remove the battery tray I think...

Drizzly Flight

...a quick flight before the rain moved in

I managed to get in a quick flight this morning before the showers reached the field in earnest. The odd speckle of rain was about as I prepared the Walrus for its morning run, but the heavy black clouds with tendrils of rain nearby portended the onset of heavy showers was imminent.

For the first time the kangaroos stayed on the field while I was flying, the lack of wind allowing me to launch from the near-side of the field without disturbing them too much. Sadly, turning off the road into the field I saw a dead kangaroo lying in the gutter - one of them had ventured to a reserve on the other side of the road but hadn't made it back...

First Flight with 2200mAh Battery

...and the carbon prop

The weather this morning had calmed sufficiently to venture out with the Walrus for a flight. Not just any flight, the first flight with the 2200mAh battery installed in the nose.

The Walrus assembly instructions do not provide any particular clues regarding location of the battery. In an attempt to resolve the packaging issues, I had fabricated a battery tray directly behind the motor. This layout is similar to the Phoenix 2000 and worked well with the 1800mAh battery I'd been using.

Lifting the Walrus out of the car I could really feel the extra thirty grams of the larger battery, located well in front of the wings. However I held my resolve not to change-out the new battery for the smaller unit sitting in the car, and headed out. There was a moderate breeze blowing which would help the Walrus to get flying quicker, which was good.

All connected, I set the throttle generously and heaved the Walrus up. I was prepared for various scenarios, being prepared to hit the flaps if necessary to get a bit of emergency height, and perhaps having to nurse the gravid Walrus onto a high-power approach to prevent it from nose-diving.

My concerns, however, proved groundless as the Walrus soared into the air without a hint of imbalance or labouring under the heavier load. If anything, the heavier battery gives the plane a more planted feel in the air, and the higher output combined with the larger carbon prop transform the Walrus from an intermediate trainer to a sports tourer. It's performance is now much more three-dimensional capable of higher speeds and sustaining steep climbs.

With the good news of power and speed one would expect a nasty compromise on approach. However I am relieved to report that the Walrus floated into the breeze for landing absolutely happily, for a landing as easy as any...

A Break in the Weather?

...I'm dreaming of a calm morning

Following a week of placid weather we're in the midst of a week of gusty change. There may be an opportunity, however, to sneak in an early fly here and there.

This evening the winds have moderated to the occasional slight breeze, portending well for prospects tomorrow morning.

The Walrus is all prepped and ready to go, with pre-installed 2200mAh battery with a reserve option of the proven 1800mAh unit if previously said battery proves excessively monolithic.

Aspirational Location

...but maybe not just yet

I have been doing some searching for places to fly on the weekends. The problems is trying to find a field which is large and open enough yet which is not overrun with people.

On the weekend we visited a park in a nearby suburb. It's an intriguing location to fly - quite hilly being almost an amphitheatre in shape, and with a lake in the centre, the lowest point in the park. There are also ranges of trees in various locations.

What makes it intriguing for flying is that. at a few points, you have a panoramic view over the whole park, which is pretty expansive. Also, whilst hills, some of the open areas are of a sufficiently small gradient as to make them land-able...

Power Up

...a battery of changes

My spare battery, having thus far survived several crashes in the Floater Jet, finally succumbed to serial abuse when I forgot to disconnect it after a flight. As usual with depleted batteries, I bumped up the voltage by charging it on the Accucell charger as a NiMH, then switching over to LiPO-charge. However, this time, the charger only recognised two cells.

I'm not sure what has happened, but checking the voltage on the balance lead of my good battery in comparison confirmed that one cell was giving no voltage. I have checked to see if perhaps there was a short or something with the leads on the individual cells but have had no luck.

So I've ordered two new batteries, opting for 2200mAh Turnigy units. This is the same rating but a larger capacity than my current 1800mAh battery. The main reason for the upgrade is not the capacity but the curious fact that the 2200mAh battery is shorter than my the 1800mAh, which only just clears the servos arms at full travel, even when pushed right up against the motor.

One concern, though, is that it weighs about thirty grams more than the 1800mAh battery, and it's located right up front. This is also the reason I didn't go for a higher C-rating, as these each weigh progressively more.

What may offer compensation for the increased mass is that I've noticed that the Walrus seems to generate more lift with the carbon propellor, perhaps because the larger spread of prop-wash from the bigger diameter generates more lift from the wings? Anyway, the batteries are still a few days away so we have time for some subconscious deliberation before then.

However, I'm generally thinking that the first launch will be with a good throw and plenty of power, just to make sure it doesn't plough in...

Carbon Fibre Propellor on the Walrus

...and it looks groovy

With the parcel safely retrieved from the post office, I fitted the 10x6 carbon fibre prop to the Walrus last night. It was really easy to change the blades, just two screws to be removed and taking only a couple of minutes.

The blades fit perfectly and look brilliant. They are quite a bit bigger than the standard Walrus blades but I tried running the motor and it handles the extra load quite happily.

The finish of the blade is much better than the plastic original which, to be quite honest, is quite crappy. And, of course, the carbon weave looks good...

Serenity at High Altitude

...an extraordinary flight


I had a completely serene flying experience this morning.

The weather was heavily overcast with a multitude of textures and colours of heavy rain clouds covering the sky. It was almost completely still with just the slightest suggestion of a breeze on the ground with a feel of the moisture in the air.

I threw the Walrus up and did a bit of aerobatics to warm up the servos and them did a run over the kangaroo ground to see how they were doing. Having completed these missions I was wondering what was next, so set the Walrus with a hint of up-elevator with moderate throttle and let it go.

With the cool morning air the Walrus climbed quickly and steadily until it was just a snippet of a plane high in the air, communing with the clouds.

A wing of Sacred Ibis flew over in a perfect V-formation heading north, their pale colouring contrasting with the dark clouds above them.

I took this restful opportunity to take the first ever photo of the Walrus flying as up till now I haven't wanted to take the risk...

Propellor Held Hostage

...noooooo!


Came home this afternoon to find a delivery card for a parcel - my carbon propellor, excellent! It was ten past five, and the post office closes at five. Gnashing of teeth, kicking of things...

Very annoying as I would get good use out of the propellor on the Walrus, while it would be of absolutely no use to the post office, so really I should be allowed to go and get it based on these grounds.

Seems a reasonable-enough argument I think...

Warping Walrus

...wing warping of the unexpected kind

The sudden onset of warm weather has had an unexpected outcome - the Walrus has gone soft!

I've had the plane in the back of my car virtually since I've had it with little ill effect. However, with the last couple of days been moderately warm (only in the low twenties) the right wing tip has warped where it was pushed against the car. This caused the Walrus to have a right turn yesterday, and this afternoon again although worse.

I have taken to putting in a few cushions to, well, cushion and support the plane so there is less stress on it. I wonder if this is a common issue, and if there is some solution to the problem? The obvious remedy is to not have it in the car, although this would also mean forgoing the best opportunities to fly. 

So I'll have to give this some thought. Perhaps some sort of aeroplane bed?

Ridge Flying

...but not terribly successfully

I tried out a bit of ridge flying this afternoon, hoping to get some lift from the gentle southerly blowing up the bank to the sports fields. It's not hugely elevated - perhaps fifteen metres or so, but I was hoping it might be sufficient to generate at least model-sized wave lift.

It was the first afternoon that I've flown the Walrus, in fact I think it's the first time I've flown anything in the afternoon, so I was a little nervous. Warm, breezy...

I launched the Walrus directly onto the ridge and it was immediately apparent that this wasn't going to be an afternoon in the park. Despite the breeze fairly smooth and gentle it still make flying conditions fairly challenging. It also didn't help that there was a large tree just at the edge of the field, in the middle of what would be the optimum ridge flying route.

So I flew the Walrus for a while trying to get some lift but eventually gave it up, any lift that might have been there certainly not compensating for the effort and risk. So I turned back over to the field to end the afternoon's flying in more gentle conditions...

Maybe Tomorrow?

...looking good for calmer weather

Today was breezy from start to finish, so flying wasn't even in the picture. However the wind has now died down and tomorrow morning is forecast to be calm, so we should be good to get into the air again.

I'm wondering whether to fly at the paddocks or go to the sports fields, where I had that really good flight. That makes me want to return there, but on the other hand there's the possibility that if I fly there again it might not be so nice again. I might just see how I feel tomorrow...

One thing I want to try is flying inverted. I've done a few barrel rolls, which the Walrus really well, so I might see if I can do half a roll and see how it goes staying upside down. I could even try a negative-G pull-up...

Grounded

...by the windy weather

Been a few days now on the ground with the windy weather putting flying out of the question. So I am settling for enjoying happy snaps on my desktop picture, this is the one I'm enjoying at the moment

I have also enjoyed not having to fix gliders I've smashed and hope things stay this peaceful. I have been giving the Walrus free reign when possible, but have also been very sure I'm not pushing my capabilities without ample scope for recovery, in case anything should go wrong. I also haven't dared take a photo of the Walrus in the air lest that should be tempting providence just a little too much.

So, it looks like suburban flying will be on the menu, it's just a matter of coordinating weather and time. Tomorrow morning looks like it may have potential. If it's calm we might meet the hot air balloons again, and I'll make sure to switch the camera on this time...

Walrus Magpie & Retriever

...not the most peaceful flight ever

I had a quick fly at the local field just down the road this morning, but it turned out to be not as good as I had hoped. Being between two busy roads made it quite noisy, also there are a couple of lamp posts to be careful of as well as some trees and cars parked at the end of the field. Not very relaxing.

Moreover there were a pair of territorial magpies nesting in one of the trees bordering the field who flew into attack me as I walked onto the field. I ended up having to defend myself from their repeated attacks with the Walrus. I'm not sure whether it was me or the fact that the Walrus looked like a large white bird, perhaps the latter as I had an angry magpie following inches behind the glider for the whole flight.

The video actually looks a lot more relaxing than the flight actually was - you don't get to see the magpie trailing about two inches behind the wing with its feet down and beak snapping, although you can hear it calling during the much of the early part of the flight. In fact I was half expecting the magpie to physically attack the plane and cause it to spiral out of the air. However the "attack" remained just a scare tactic - it didn't bother the Walrus but I must say that I found it a bit off-putting!

And finally, after a nice smooth landing, the Walrus nearly got retrieved by a friendly dog out on his morning walk at the field. He couldn't resist coming in to have a sniff at the just-landed aircraft, despite the strident yells of his owner calling him back. He probably thought it was just a high-tech version of a stick being thrown. Fortunately he didn't actually take the plane - whilst it would have made a lovely video I'm happy just to have the Walrus in flying condition.

Wicked Wing Cam

...comes in small packages

Having watched this morning's flight video I am again hugely impressed at the quality that the tiny RD32 wing camera manages. I must admit that watching gives me the feeling of actually being in the plane and experiencing the flight, anticipating moves and generally really getting the feel for it.

It was also nice to see some new scenery - there's little better for gaining perspective than an aerial view. So, as usual, if the weather's benevolent I might try the field down the road. It's two fields adjoining of different levels which might make for interesting flying experience. 

And of course we'll  have the camera on so we can enjoy the flying again after we get home!

Lovely Flying Morning

...had a lovely fly today.

It was an absolutely beautiful morning, crisp and clear with some high cloud and just a hint of breeze. I ended up going to my back-up field a few kilometres away so it will be interesting to see the video of it.

It's a nice open space, and of course the blue sky and bright morning sunlight made it a visual treat. Virtually no wind meant that the Walrus could fly straight and true so that, after a while, I was confident enough to fly a few big, slow loops and some barrel rolls. The agility of the craft is quite surprising and, giving it a bit of a run-up, will climb vertically for a surprisingly long time.

The only obstacles are some trees at the perimeter and some tall nets, fortunately I managed to avoid all of them and, after a generous flight, came in for a nice slow approach over the fence and settled in for what must be the best landing I've managed in the Walrus so far...