Fly on the Cheap

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:45:00 GMT

Like most newcomers to model aviation my priority was to get up into the air flying as easily and quickly as possible. I settled on purchasing an ARF trainer and the associated radio equipment to make it fly. Well after many aborted takeoffs and many more raised eyebrows from my fellow Sky Squires I did manage to leave the Earth and soar like an eagle, but, like everything, what goes up must come down. That trainer did come down, many times much harder than it liked. Probably disgusted with my creative aerobatic flying it decided enough was enough. Citing airplane abuse it decided on its own to end it all in the branches of a large oak. Picking up its remnants I decided this will not deter me from conquering the skies. All I need is an airplane capable of flying at my level without giving up.

Well, I was directed by my fellow Sky Squires to lookup Spadtothebone.com on the internet. There I found SPAD (simple plastic airplane design) building techniques from which a plane can be constructed in a couple of nights. These aircraft are inexpensive and easy to build, and they can take a lot of abuse. My airplane is a stick type with a 48 inch span weighing in at 5lb 4oz, constructed from corrugated plastic, square plastic gutter pipe and salvage from my trainer. Wing loading is 24.5 oz./sq.ft.making it a more stable flier than the old trainer.

Total investment is $18.50!! And can it take abuse? Just ask those who watch me fly.

Lots of building going on

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:24:01 GMT

I've noticed some nice trends going on. A lot of us are building new models and more activity at the field untill the weather started getting bad. I certainly hope the weather holds for us late into the year. I find it very satisfying to build a plane and get it flying whether it is an ARF, a kit or scratch built. Modifying a plane can be fun too. The first flight of a new or rebuilt plane for me is always a real nail biter! A couple of more flights and a little trimming and usually everything is going great. All are good as well with electric, glow or gas power. My personal favorite is kit building, but usually an ARF is more affordable and does save a lot of time. Lets all hope for a mild, short winter, so our down time won't be so long. I must confess that if it is above 30 degrees and calm, I do a little flying anyway every now and then. I remember years back warming the cylinder on my .60 RJL on my Super Chipmunk with the exhaust of my car to get it warm enough to start. It was bitter cold and I had a real hankering to fly that day. It was cold enough I cut the fingertips out of a pair of jersey gloves to help make it a little more bareable and still have a good feel of the sticks. Even though it was bitter cold that day and a little breezy, I had a great time. Well, enough of my rambling, I will see you at the field.

SkySquires.com - Building category

Fly on the Cheap

Lots of building going on