jeff hartley

Hi all,

I've lurked for a while and a few of my questions seem to have been
answered but I have a few I'd like expert advice on.

The last time I was actively building RC aircraft models was over 20
years ago and I left because of the hassle of living in a big city and
travelling long distances (without a car) to fly. Finally I am in a
position that I have acres of land of my own to fly in and I want to
get back into the hobby again. The problem is that the technology has
changed so much in the time I have been away, I am a little lost.

After reading a few mags, googling to find some reviews etc I have
settled on the following kit

ARC Cessna 177 ARTF
OS .70 four stroke
JR 378 radio kit

I will want to try Heli's later on and I have been told that the JR378
is a decent beginners radio that will also allow me to transition on
to a heli later.

Now, the questions

Would you recommend the above kit to someone like me, returning to the
hobby ( I have flown RC before but only the old balsa and doped tissue
type)
What type of fuel is recommended for the OS .70, the variety is
bewildering, when I was in the hobby, you bought a can of glowfuel and
that was that.
Is there a FAQ for this newsgroup or a site you would recommed to
someone like me where I can get "up to speed" on all this new stuff
(things like PCM and the differences between it and PPM etc)

Many thanks for the help, I can't wait to be up and away again,
espescially as I have the blessing of "er-indoors"
Regards, Jeff.

satman

I was in your possition 5 years ago and I would say your choice is good . I
would use a fuel which has mainly sythetic oil like formula Irvine 5% from
Model Technics and fix the steerable nose wheel as they tend to damage
rudder sevos . PPM is just simple FM and perfectly good , PCM is still FM
but the signal is encoded with failsafe data and many including myself have
mixed emotions regarding the use of PCM . Buy or download a free simulator
to get back into the swing of things it is always cheaper than a crash and
on unflyable days you can still get your fix . Get Insurance even if you are
flying over private land as £23 a year is well worth it , here are some
usefull links http://www.bmfa.org/ ,
http://www.flyingsites.co.uk/index.html ,
http://www.bumpygreen.co.uk/frames.htm ,
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html ,
http://www.modeltechnics.com/ , http://www.osengines.com/index.html , the
list is endless but i find these quite usefull .

Welcome back

Trevor

robert spilleboudt

Hi,
For a 4 stroke you need roughly 10% nitro : do not forget it !
Please steer your front weel, but use a "servo-saver":
- a simple one is a CAP with a "Z"
- much better : I use always a Dubro saver.
Look at http://www.dubro.com/DU-BRO/DUB_CAT/Dub_cat_Frameset.htm
The name is Control over-ride servo saver No 120

If you can join a club, do it to learn flying.

Robert

jeff hartley

Hi Trevor,

You can be assured that I will be fully insured before I take to the
skies again. I remember back in the old days, planes can easily become
"runaways" and fly off to do damage all on their own. I suppose with
the radios of today it is less of a problem but best to take no
chances.

I am and avid Microsoft Flight Sim'er and have been for many years
now. I use the tower view to sort of simulate R/C but if you know of a
freeware or cheapo R/C simulator, please do tell.
Regards, Jeff.

jeff hartley

Hi Robert, thanks for the advice re: the servo saver, it never entered
my head although I have used them in the past. I'll get one on order
straight away.

There are no clubs here on Arran I'm afraid so I will have to re-learn
by trial and error. This is why I chose the ARC kit, they are reputed
to be above average in robustness. I think this newsgroup will have to
be my "club" as far as help and advice goes :-)

Many thanks for your time.
Regards, Jeff.

satman

There is a link for a free sim in my original post .

Trevor

robert spilleboudt

Hi,
A nice simulation freeware is FMS :
- download the software from site
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html
- the second problem is the interface
I use my own radio (Graupner mc24) with smartpropo and a little cable,
easy to make. The signal from the radio goes to the audio input of the
pc
this soft comes from Smartpopo
http://www.sekiriki.jp/smartpropo/index.html
I use it with windows xp
For all the interconnections , look at
http://users.belgacom.net/TX2TX/tx2tx/french/tx2txfr1.htm
(there is an english text too)

Robert

xntrick

That cessna is a lovely plane and engine choice fine......and the radio but
i like most go for the Futaba stuff as you can "Buddy lead" from one to
another. Go for it !!!..You could talk till the cows come home about pcm and
ppm and who ever uses which one will sell you the idea to have that.

technical

Ahh!!

See now why you have lots of land.. heh..heh!!

Does it not get quite windy out there!!

Wha you have suggested seems a good start.

Regards

Declan

Good luck.On Sun, 16 May 2004 13:50:03 +0100, Jeff Hartley

sailor

Jeff,

Just read the series of posts started by you on the uk models newsgroup.

Mostly good advice given to you.

I have flown models since I was 10 - I am now 45 - you name it I have flown
it - but I have taken breaks like you - when the kids needed lots of
attention - when I was ill etc and the sport changes beyond belief in a few
years - usually for the better - reliable radio etc and the prices have
tumbled. ( I remember reed non proportional radio sets made by Galloping
ghost and wind up rubber powered escapements in single channel
sets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

If you want to email me to chat please do so(I have tried to email you off
group but couldn't beat your antispam system!) - even better I get up to
Arran
fairly regularly on business so if you wanted to meet for a pint and a
natter I would be delighted to help you - even better lets get something in
the air. I usually stay at Auchrannie is that near you??

I fly helis reasonably well and fixed wing very well (he says immodestly!)

Good Luck

Skip.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Hartley" <jeffh@blairvoyach-farm.co.uk>
Newsgroups: uk.rec.models.radio-control.air
Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2004 10:27 AM
Subject: Returning to the hobby, help needed.