Model Expo

Today i was at Model Expo in Helsinki.

Suomen Urheiluilmailuopisto had a glider simulator at the expo. It was really popular as you can see. Built into a real fuselage of some glider.

Software was condor. Unfortunately the panel display didn't work so they had cockpit visible on visual screen.

They had (at least) working stick, pedals and brake lever, from original glider. I'm not sure about flaps. There was a commercial joysticks handle attached in the place of stick and it looked a bit weird and plasticky. If i had a real glider fuselage available, i'd use as much original controls as possible.

Here's an internal shot. The mechanics were well done, but for some reason they use TWO USB GAMEPADS linked with complex mechanical links to controls. Yes, it's a USB gamepad in the photo. There's another one not visible here which is moved in 2 directions according to control movements. What's wrong with using potentiometers and a simple USB HID board?

There were also some jets. I'll spare you from the generic expo shots, as i only had my cellphone as camera and you can find better quality ones somewhere else.

This was really interesting one. It's a PULSEJET model made in Finland in 60's. It's a control line model, not RC. Jets are lame, real men use pulsejet propulsion (this is a challenge for all model builders out there)

I also bought a new toy, but as it doesn't fly it's not anything of interest.

Velocity EP first flight

I flew the Velocity EP first time on the weekend. Weather was good but windy.

Before:

After:

Velocity EP finished, but with glitches

Yesterday i finished the electrical work on Velocity EP. I installed a 2S2P 1.2Ah LiPo battery in it. It won't be too powerful but should suit the motor that came with the model. I'll upgrade to brushless later. COG was perfect at first try, although i worried it would be too far back.

But there seems to be a problem: with low throttle all servos and motor are glitching. With zero and full power this disappears. Here's a video about it:



My best guess is a faulty ESC.. but if anyone has any better ideas, please post comments.

I'm not sure if i want to fly the model in this state.. The elevons make quite large movements so it might be risky.

RC Update

Long time no post.. So here's a update on my RC stuff:

Belt CP:

Just came from flying. Results:

Blades broken, some plastic stuff broken in rotor hub. I already ordered new parts for 15€ or so.
I have ONCE flown it so that battery runs out. 2 times it has broken by itself (main gear strips gears VERY easily) and two times i've crashed. Previously i bent tail rotor axis as it hit a rock.

My flying skills have been advancing.. Instead of just hovering, i managed to do two 360 degree turns. After the second one i crashed.

Velocity EP:
It's not very fast to build for a RTF so i haven't finished yet. Currently it's missing only electronics.

First "flight"

I went to local football field to test-fly the helicopter. Yes, i broke it, although it never took off.

I should have spent more time with googling how to use the controls. This one is has 6 channel radio. It has 2 extra trim knobs and some kind of toggle switch. I didn't know what they do. More about them when i have done my googling. My previous "non-toy" helicopter was fixed-blade with 4ch radio. I was able to fly it without problem.

First i noticed that the rotor spins up VERY fast when giving any throttle. It's so strong that it turns the nose 45° when starting. After the initial jerk the throttle works like expected. Except - it won't take off even with 75% throttle. I know that real choppers have constant RPM and adjust lift with blade AOA. I have no clue how to do that with my RC chopper.

I also noticed, that switching the mystery switch on left spun up the rotor slowly - maybe it is some kind of startup switch? I'll find out later.

Ok damage pic:
The main gear was stripped, probably by the violent motor starts. I already ordered new one from dealextreme for $6. This (and 2-5 days of waiting) is the cost not reading the google first (the fine manual had nothing about the mystery controls).

Oh, it's a Belt CP: http://www.rchelicoptershop.com/catalog/ek1he014a-esky-beltcp-yellow-rtf-version-p-300.html?gclid=CJax48Dw0ZUCFQsZQgodkUrihw

I bought it from ebay, final cost after shipping and taxes was around 200€.

EDIT: here's (mostly) answers for my issues: http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=68558

New toy

I has new toy! Waiting for battery to charge and wind to settle down. More later..