Glow Adventures Pt3

(Originally Published Aug 11, 2022) 

Yesterday was a lovely day of low wind and a great day to get out. As seems to be the norm at the club, that means crosswinds, but very mild ones.

As I had some maintenance to perform in the evening, I was able to duck out of work early and head to the field. Surprisingly nobody was there despite the delightful weather. 

This meant that for the first time I'd be flying the LT-40 with nobody around to help sort the engine if I ran into any issues. Luckily I didn't encounter any except the engine not wanting to restart when warm, but that proved to be nothing more than my Kwik-Start needing a charge. Put the backup wired glow igniter on and it started right up after a couple flips. 

Got 3 good flights in, and starting to try some mild aerobatics on the LT-40. I moved the CG back a touch which has helped a bit, more to come there. I may also shim the wing to get some of the incidence out, right now it's flying with visible down elevator trim. 

The first couple flights were 5-6 minutes long, I came back with plenty of fuel. The last one I decided to see if I could run out the 9 minute timer on a tank. Turns out I couldn't quite get there, the engine quit on the far end of the downwind leg and I didn't quite get back on the field deadstick, put it down gently in long grass about 30' from the runway. No damage, but I probably could have got it back if I'd realized I was gliding and not just puttering along at 1/3 throttle sooner. 

The deadstick was also due to running rich, I'm pretty sure if I'd peaked out the engine properly on start that I would have had enough fuel to fly the full 9 minutes. I've only run about 5-6 full tanks though the 46AXII and I'm still leaving it rich for a few more tanks to make sure it's well broken in. For now I just reset my timer to 8 minutes. The builder of my LT-40 put a smallish tank in, I might end up putting a larger tank in over the winter. 

It's interesting how starting to fly glow and moving up seriously in aircraft size has really put me back into a sort of 'new pilot' mindset. I'm a reasonably solid and confident pilot on the smaller electric stuff I regularly fly (mostly 40-50" span), but I noticed when I maidened my Valiant 10cc earlier this year that I did not feel nearly as confident flying a much larger (~70") aircraft. They do fly differently than the small stuff. Adding glow to the mix as well, with the new pre-flight skill set, different failure modes and different throttle response has just added to that. 

The LT-40 also flies very differently from what I'm used to, when I came back to the hobby in 2015/2016 and did my flight training I used the 1.3m Valiant, which while docile at mid-throttle is a very much more precise flying aircraft than a traditional trainer is. I hadn't flown something like the LT-40 since 1989 and it feels really different. The big Valiant does fly more like the small one in terms of precision, but speed and power is more like the LT-40 (I'd say the stock Power 46/4S power system on the Valiant 10cc is nearly identical in power to the LT-40/46AXII given the two aircraft have similar size/weight and span, my prop change on the Valiant makes it more sporty for sure). 

The last piece is just how much familiarity with the field leads to confidence. With my main club activity switching to the new club due to location (it's closer to my home) and allowing fuel planes, I've had to get used to a new field with very different challenges. A lot more serious crosswind flying and trees in the approach path instead of short finals to avoid overflying a highway and whatever crops are in the current farmer's field (corn this year at the old club). I'm getting more comfortable with the new field though, although I still don't have the final turn point nailed for flying a left-hand approach as that side has no trees to use as turn point indicators.

The result of this is twofold, I've been really leaning on the CFI at the club for guidance on the glow side of things (he's a pretty dedicated glow guy) and he's been a great help there. The other part is I just need to fly more to build confidence. The more I fly the LT-40, the more comfortable I get with it and I expect the same from the Valiant once I start flying it regularly. I've been somewhat hesitant to fly it because of those confidence issues and the overall investment I have in it. The irony of course being I need to fly it more to get that confidence that is preventing me from flying it more.

Glow Adventures pt 2

(Originally Published Aug 6, 2022) 

Well, it turns out the 46AXII on my LT-40 doesn't like a 10x6, or at least doesn't like it at the moment. It runs fine on the setup table, but dies at idle the moment I put it out to taxi. Looks like it doesn't quite load the engine enough, the moment it unloads at all, it dies at idle. Note the APC Scimitar prop that was on it before was actually an 11x6 (I checked afterwards, was wrong on what size it was)

Note I only have 4-5 tanks through the engine right now (from new), it will probably loosen up some more as I get more fuel through it. 

Put a Master Airscrew 11x6 on for now and it's quite happy again. I'll keep flying it as is, wouldn't be surprised if the bigger prop helps haul this larger aircraft around, the LT-40 is a lot of airframe for a 40-45, even if the weight is reasonable.

Right now I just need to get used to flying a 70" span aircraft, flying glow and the new field as well. I'm so used to the field at the other club that I'm nervous landing at the new club, especially since there seems to always be a serious crosswind every time I go out. Need to get used to crosswind landings for sure, and cross controlling/crabbing on landing. 

In all, I just need some hours on the sticks (and in tuning engines), and well probably moving the CG back a bit slowly, the LT-40 is currently in the forward half of the range and I suspect I'll like it a bit better more aft. 

I am really enjoying flying glow so far. There's something of a ritual to it that just isn't present when flying electric, and I like that ritual (the same way I enjoy winch and histart launch over electric launch for sailplanes). Plus the smell is nostalgic. 

Glow Adventures pt 1

(Originally published July 24, 2022)

I got out to the club on Friday and broke in the 46AXII on the LT-40. Yesterday I got out again and the CFI assisted me in maidening the LT-40, which was successful apart from some gripes about the offset trim locations on the X20 (they are a pain if you are not used to them. The X18 does not have this issue)

In short, the LT-40 flew well, the prop isn't ideal (The CFI recommended switching from the APC Scimitar 10x6 prop to a Master Airscrew 10x6, which I will do). I got another flight on it, but there were a lot of folks out and the wind kinda sucked later on in the day so I didn't fly any more than that, aside from 2 flights on my Ugly Stik, the second of which resulted in hitting a tree with a Stik. 

Mild damage to the Stik, with the wing forward of the spar ripped up on the outer 4 bays. A couple days of work to fix & recover and it will fly again. Reason for the hit? I'm not familiar with the field and have been having issues judging distance of my aircraft because I've been flying 60"+ aircraft lately after years of 50" and smaller stuff. I thought I was closer in and turned onto final too soon, putting me behind a tree with not enough power to get out of the way. 

Pure pilot error, but it does make me glad I've not tried to fly that 40-sized pattern ship at this field yet. I want some more time on the LT-40 and the Valiant 10cc at the field before getting anything much higher performance in the air there. It's a really different layout than what I'm used to and I just need to get comfortable with it. Plus I'm flying stuff now that likes grass a lot more than the smaller aircraft.

For the Stik, I'll probably move that over to the TANDEM radios from the 9ZAP, so I can set up spoilerons easily. It's WAY too floaty on final and I think 1/8-1/4" of reflex will solve that nicely. It's electric right now as well, but I'm not happy with the power on 4S and while the setup is 5S capable I'm not buying new batteries just for that. As this was a glow aircraft converted to electric by a previous owner, I'm strongly considering converting it back to glow with a ~60-sized engine.

The Glow Fleet Grows and a New to Me Radio

(Originally Published on July 18th, 2022) 

I've been looking for a more relaxed glow aircraft to get up while I sort out the 40-sized pattern ship. I've been building a Live Wire Champion, but that's going slowly as I'm too busy with work.

I was in one of my LHS's on Friday looking for glow plugs, and I ended up getting offered a kit-built Kadet LT-40 on consignment for a superb price, very little more than the cost of the brand new and never run 46AXII installed in it. It just needs a battery, receiver and break-in. 

I broke down and bought it. Turns out it also came with plans, paperwork, a Kwik-Start XL and a radio, namely a Futaba 9ZAP WC2 on Ch50 with receiver and a bunch of spare servos, a fresh NiMH pack for the radio was installed. Oddly the receiver was not installed in the aircraft, although the radio had been programmed.

Coincidentally I have an FrSky DFT module that was in my T6FG/K and fits the 9ZAP. 

So I picked up the package, a fresh 5-cell RX pack as well as the #6 glow plug I was actually after (I'd burned out the plug on the Rossi 45). Got home, installed the FrSky TD R10 I'd picked up a while back for my Valiant 10cc (ended up putting an SR8 in there instead) and I just need to balance it out now.

I'm running the LT-40 on my X20 for now. I hope to maiden it Friday or Saturday.

The 9ZAP? Well I pulled the DFT from the T6FG/K and installed it, grabbed an electric Das Ugly Stik I acquired a while back but had not setup yet, installed a D4R-II in it, bound it up and got the install sorted. Maidened the combo yesterday. The 9ZAP is a great feeling radio, but man that's some odd programming. Everything is working except Throttle Cut for now. I'll sort that out later. The Ugly Stik? Well it flies like a Stik, so I'm quite happy with it. 

More Glow Musings

(Originally Published June 25th, 2022) 

Got out Thursday and cleared to fly at my new club.

I had to join another club because none of the clubs I was a member at allowed glow/gas stuff (two soaring clubs and one dedicated electric club). That said, the Humber Valley Flyers are good folks, the field is great and it's closer to my place than any other local club. 

While I was there I got the CFI to help me get my Rossi 45 up and running in the pattern ship it's in, and check that out. CG looks OK for a maiden, but probably will end up getting tweaked. The Rossi needed some more cleanup, the needle was all gummed up, but it did start right up and ran OK once some fuel got through it. It did loosen up every engine mount screw pretty badly (one was visibly backed out about 5mm after a few minutes running) so I had to pull the engine out, check that the mounts did indeed have blind nuts (and not just tapped hardwood rails), then re-installed with blue loctite. Hopefully it will get a maiden next time.

I'll probably need to get some Omega 15% to really wake the motor up, but I'll get used to the ship on 5% for now.

Oh yeah, I keep acquiring more engines.

Went to the Orillia Swap/Fun fly (great event) and picked up an OS 46FX (perfect for that DL-107 One Design 40), an Enya .19 and a 20-sized Kaos variant on floats with a Magnum 25/Pro in it, plus another flight box that's better suited for my needs than the first one I got. Was even gifted a starter and a NiCD Glow Igniter. Pretty good haul and a fun event. 

Dipping My Toes Back Into Glow Power

 (This article was originally published on June 2nd, 2022)

When I got back into the hobby in 2015 after a 25-ish year absence, I started with sailplanes. Seeing DLG's on youtube had got me interested in the hobby again. I fairly quickly added electrics to the mix, initially electric-launch gliders then moving into power aircraft. And that's really where I stayed for the last 6-ish years.

I'd acquired a few glow engines in that period, either given to me or bought for a few dollars. But I'd just stuck them in a box in storage. I did start building a Sig Wonder last year intending on powering it with an OS 15LA, but that project also got shelved. I also picked up a flight box with basic gear at that time.

However over the last few weeks I seem to have gone glow mad. I've acquired a number of new engines and kits for those engines and am well on the way to completion of one of those kits.

What have I acquired

1. OS Max 10 FP - pretty much ready to bolt on & fly (bought)
2. OS Max 10 FSR - needs some cleanup, poor compression (given by the guy who sold me the 10FP)
3. K&B Sportster 20 - A little sticky, but looks ready to run otherwise (bought)
4. OS Max-S 35 RC - NIB, even has the prop nut spacer. (given to me by a kit seller, the one I got the HoB kits from)
5. YS FZ53 - Good shape but definitely used. (bought for a low, low price)
6. Saito FA-180 - I wanted the engine test stand that it was on, came with the engine. Good shape, good price, what the bloody hell am I going to do with a 180?
7. Rossi 45? - Definitely a Rossi, definitely either a 40 or 45, likely a 45. Came installed in a 40-sized pattern ship and the price was right for the engine alone, let alone a PNP Pattern ship of my favourite style (late 70's classic pattern, pre-ballistic)

What I had before:

1. 2 random Cox 049's in unknown condition
2. OS Max 15 LA - bought new for the Sig Wonder
3. OS Max 25 SF - swap meet buy a while back
4. OS Max 40 FP - cheap swap meet buy a while back - always wanted to stick this in a trainer (when I was a kid I had one in a trainer, it was the only RC plane I ever owned then that actually flew)

In terms of kits:

GP Ultimate 40 - NIB kit, all complete. (bought) - Will get the YS53
HoB P-51D Mustang 40-sized (49") - bought half completed - was given the 35RC for this
HoB Pete'n'Paul - half completed, needs some fixing (given by the same guy I bought the P-51 from) will likely get the OS 25SF I bought years ago
Midwest Live Wire Champion MkIII - NIB, currently building. Will get the 15LA I bought last year for the Sig Wonder (I'll just get another 15LA for the Wonder)
Hobby Hangar DL-107 One Design 40 - NIB kit, 40 sized scale model of the One Design homebuilt. Not sure what engine I'll go with here, as I have no suitable engine. The YS is already spoken for and the 40FP is too mild.

I do have one other kit lying around, a Sig Kadet Senior I bought last winter. That will probably get the 40FP, which is a perfect match for it.