Model aeroplane sequence

[verytalldave]

The most unbelievable indoor model aeroplane flying I have ever seen.
Even if you are not into this kind of thing its well worth watching.........
I guarantee you will watch this more than twice.............

Hotlink.....................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRX_EJZwrRQ

 

[ringway]

The most unbelievable indoor model aeroplane flying I have ever seen.
Even if you are not into this kind of thing its well worth watching.........
I guarantee you will watch this more than twice.............

Hotlink.....................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRX_EJZwrRQ

Very Impressive.

One for BTB and (I think) Gordon Tarling.

 

[oldcro]

That's skill with a capital S.

 

[BTB 500]

Youtube is blocked here at work, but I guess it's some indoor aerobatics?

Got lots of links at home if people are interested

 

[GordonTarling]

Oh, you found a video of me, doing some flying! I wish!

 

[jonnyboy]

that is unbelievable! great find

 

[robert.saunders]

impressive

 

[corned]

That's good - v. impressive.

I haven't seen a reversible motor before on a RC 'plane, although I suppose it's perfectly possible.

I have seen reverse propeller pitch before, but only to slow down after landing, never to actually hold the nose off the ground!

 

[BTB 500]

Excellent flying ... as you have probably guessed, variable pitch props. are often used in freestyle nowadays.

I do fly indoor 3D aerobatics, but strictly at a 'fun' level. Nowhere near that amount of talent (or time to practice!).

Some pics of a VPP setup retro-fitted to one of my old planes for testing

 

[BTB 500]

How about this vectored-thrust ducted fan, with retracts, being flown in a really confined space

Indoor Jet with Thrust Vector Control - Video

Or a flying F1 car

Flying RC-Car - Video

 

[corned]

Thanks, BTB.

Looks like a helo collective-style of control then for the variable pitch.

Clever!


And the thrust vectoring - genuinely awesome!

 

[A210AMG]

Superb to watch,

How many channel remotes are they? I'm only use to RC cars with 3 or 4 channel.

Serious skill in their flying.

 

[BTB 500]

Looks like a helo collective-style of control then for the variable pitch.

Clever!

Yup.

Typically you'd use a helicopter pitch/throttle mixer, so with the throttle stick in the centre the motor would be stopped with the prop. blades at zero degrees. Stick forward increases power and positive pitch, stick back increases power and negative pitch (with the pitch curves tuned to give as linear an increase in thrust as possible).

But ... flying that setup takes an awful lot of practice before it feels even vaguely natural! It's extremely hard to over-ride the instinct to pull the throttle stick back in an emergency (learned over many years)!

I set up an alternative configuration with just two pitch positions - default positive, with a 'momentary' button on the TX that flicked it into negative (reverse) while held down. Normal throttle, not linked. That's the one I used most.

I had some practical problems due to the retro-fit ... basically the rapid changes in torque kept breaking the motor mount plate free

The prop. isn't as efficient as a normal one, so thrust and flight times were reduced. Plus of course the extra weight of the servo and pitch mechanism.

So my latest indoor aerobat is conventional fixed pitch. But as I said, I only fly for fun - no competitions any more.

Showing the control throws

 

[BTB 500]

How many channel remotes are they? I'm only use to RC cars with 3 or 4 channel.

For that type of model, 6 channels at most:

Rudder
Elevator
Throttle
Left aileron
Right aileron
Pitch

A few freestyle models have streamers or smoke that can be deployed in flight, which would be another channel.

Often only a single channel is used for ailerons as that's the lightest option (one servo). But using two channels allows you to use the ailerons as flaps or spoilers (moving up and down together, as well as differentially for roll) to enhance the pitch response or improve stability at very high angles of attack.

 

[verytalldave]

How about this vectored-thrust ducted fan, with retracts, being flown in a really confined space

Indoor Jet with Thrust Vector Control - Video

Or a flying F1 car

Flying RC-Car - Video

The video on both those links doesnt play for me....................

Edit.............OK now..............good videos......