Simpit update

Due to requests, here are some new pics from the simpit v2:

Overview pic. I've got glareshield now!

Pilot's view

Testing the new projector. Projector is in front of pedals, just far enough to fill the rear projection screen. Brightness is much more better than with old DIY projector.

Pilot's view, with projector on.

Fine-tuning the projector setup. I'll build some kind of holder for the projector later, for now it sits on the ground.

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.

Installing Ubuntu Hardy on compaq 6910p

For the common Internet knowledge (we just spent 2 hours hunting for this information):

You must add debian-installer/framebuffer=false kernel boot option to install Ubuntu Hardy on compaq 6910p. Otherwise you get black screen on boot.

For more info:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootOptions

I hope this is fixed in Interpid. At least after installing and upgrading packages no tricks are needed.

Update 31.3.2010: This issue STILL exists in Ubuntu Karmic. Looks like i'll have to make a bug report when Launchpad is online again.

IL2 1946 on Wine

I just installed IL2 1946 on Ubuntu Hardy with Wine. No problems - it installs and runs just fine.

EDIT: I heard that network multiplayer works also perfectly. I haven't had time yet to test it.

New toy AGAIN

Today was a RC show by local rc dealer. We went to see it and after it went to the shop just to see what they have.
I won't explain this too long as we have to leave to a burlesque party soon, but i bought a new RC plane which was on sale. It's a Thunder Tiger Velocity EP, a flying wing much like Zagi but with a small fuselage. I paid 39€ for it, not bad. It's smaller than the aging Zagi 400 i have, and looks nice.
I've been looking for a replacement for my Z400 for long as it's "worn out". It NEVER got damaged beyond repair and i loved to fly it.

Here's a link with specs and picture:

http://www.modelflight.com.au/thunder_tiger/thunder_tiger_velocity.htm

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