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Archive for the ‘Fun Stuff’ Category

Keychain Camera Date and Time Setting

May 26th, 2010 David Payne No comments

I know this has all been covered (somewhere in vastness of the internet) but I wrote a super simple application to write my Date and Time TAG.txt file for me. I thought I would share it for those that are interested.

I have had the Spy Gum camera since the early days and still use it. However a good friend of mine game me a brand new Keychain camera (green tinge to the lens) and I am thrilled — so much easier to place on the planes. Anyway, after dinking around with different Date Time files (none worked including the one in the instructions that came with it). I found one that worked:

TAG.txt

[date]
2010/05/26
23:07:10

You can download the app here: http://popularrc.com/KeyChainDateTime.zip

Source:

Imports System.Text
Imports System.IO

Public Class KCCDateTime

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
Dim text As StringBuilder
Dim dt As DateTime
Try
dt = DateTime.Now
text = New StringBuilder()
With text
.AppendLine("[date]")
.AppendLine(dt.ToString("yyyy/MM/dd"))
.AppendLine(dt.AddMinutes(1D).ToString("HH:mm:ss"))
End With

If File.Exists("TAG.txt") Then
File.Delete("TAG.txt")
End If

File.WriteAllText("TAG.txt", text.ToString().Trim())
MessageBox.Show("Created TAG.txt File" + Environment.NewLine + Environment.NewLine + text.ToString())

Catch ex As Exception
MessageBox.Show("Error: " + ex.ToString())
End Try
Me.Close()
End Sub
End Class

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The Troll – Revisited

October 28th, 2009 Jim Wagoner 1 comment

Troll

The Troll is a 3D plane that has been around for a few years. First flown in 2004, it is deserving of yet another look. By today’s standards with the rapid advancements in electric RC, the Troll is an old man. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Designed by J. C. Spillmann, the Troll has proven to be a very capable 3D flier.  It’s name “Troll” is derived from one of the maneuvers it excels at, the torque roll, or T-roll.

Constructed of Depron foam, the Troll differs from other “flat foamies” in it’s design by having a full fuselage. This gives a lot of strength yet keeps the airframe light. Either 3mm, 6mm or even a combination of the two can be used in it’s construction.  Depending on the equipment used the Troll can be kept very light for indoor flying. If flown outdoors, heavier gear can be installed. This gives the builder/pilot a lot of leeway as far as using whatever equipment is on hand and still end up with a respectable airframe.

To the best of my knowledge, the Troll has never been released as a kit so it’s up to the individual to construct their own. The plans are available from http://www.amjd.ch/ with construction notes to assist. As far as models go there is nothing difficult about building a Troll. The structure is plenty strong with reinforcements in the right places. The fuselage is a basic box structure with 1/16 balsa to reinforce the cabanes. Spars can be used in the wings but a good alternative is to use 6mm for the wings with Spectrex IV braided fishing line for flying and landing wires. This has shown to be very light and strong for any maneuver.

As straight forward as the construction is the real treat is in the flying. Slow flight, harriers, rolling 360s, hovering, you name it the Troll is a excellent all around plane.  You will find that the Troll is one of those planes that you always want to have around for flying at any time, ready at a moments notice. If your looking for your next project, take a look at the Troll.

Download plan —> Link to Troll PDF.

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Categories: Design, Fun Stuff, Plans Tags:

The Teeny Slow Stick

October 21st, 2009 David Payne 1 comment
Rus' Teeny Slow Stick

Rus' Teeny Slow Stick

One of the best things about going out to the local field is seeing all the new and unique planes that come out of the local creative minds.  Just when you think just about everything has been done with the GWS Slow Stick, something totally unique shows up.   Rus Carlson, of Mesa, recently brought out to the park one of the most modified Slow Sticks I have seen to date (if you can still call it a Slow Stick).   Rus was given a very small section of the center wing of a Slow Stick by one of the other locals (thanks Ev) and he was told, “let’s see if you can use that for something”.

Using Depron and thin plywood and a little carbon fiber, Rus has built a low-wing rudder elevator trickster park flyer.  It rolls like it has ailerons, spins like a tornado and floats in like a butterfly.  We even got to see him fly it through a hula hoop the other morning.

Wing Span:   16.5″, Average chord: 10.5″

Weight:   5-5/8 oz (w/o battery)

Motor:   Turnigy 2211 (1700kv)

Battery:  Flightmax  2 cell,   500mAh,  20C,  7 minute flights

Click on the Read More to see a couple more photos.

Read more…

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Categories: At The Field, Design, Fun Stuff Tags:

Unique Payload

October 17th, 2009 Tom Eastmond 1 comment

One thing that’s easy to see when out flying with the group is a fun-loving attitude. This week my 1st grade son brought home a monkey as part of a writing assignment. He was supposed to write about what this monkey did while he was with us over fall break. David immediately suggested that we should give him an airplane ride, so we strapped him on and off he went. Being a rookie flyer, I let David fly this round but the kids all thought it was great. We even snapped a few photos for posterity. Its great to see how much kids enjoy watching the planes – I’m sure we’ve got a few young RC pilots in the making.

When Monkeys Fly

When Monkeys Fly

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Categories: Fun Stuff, Learning the Ropes Tags: