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Another fine day for flying in Southern Tas.
We have now relocated to the old MAAA flying field (at the request of the farmer) as it is no longer (or at least very rarely) used and they are re seeding both the paddocks we normally fly from.
Everyone today was more than happy with the relocation and all enjoyed some very spirited flying with the occasional mishap.
I started the day with the iNAV equipped BumbleBee and while it still needs some very minor tweaking I am very happy with the way its flying. The telemetry available on my Jumper T16 is a real bonus and the main reason I changed to iNAV, and of course the obligatory RTH function.
Next it was time to maiden the 3 metre FMS Fox glider. First flight was only using 2x 3000mAh 3S 30C connected in series as the larger batteries had only arrived this morning and I needed to charge them first. The 3ooo’s were fine and used around 1/3 of their capacity for the first flight of about 12 minutes.
The next 2 flights were off the 4500mAh batteries (without recharging) and once again both flights together used around 1/3 of their capacity. This plane glides magnificently and even without thermals I reckon you could stay up for around an hour on full charge if mainly gliding & just using power to get height.
Full Flaps are needed to slow the beast down for super gentle landings. Overall very impressed but I expected to be after flying the Fox 2.32 metre glider for around 12 months.
Flight 1
Flight 2
Flight 3
Around the Field today
Thanks Kermit, your video definitely showed the essence of the day.
Geoff #80 is definitely in the running for the “White Cane” award today, two (or was it three) collisions in one race & not a penalty to be seen.
The 3m Fox is ready for her Maiden Flight, just need a decent day now to try it out.
Got the RunCam 2 installed temporarily inside the canopy in place of the pilot for (hopefully) a true pilots eye view.
There is a bit of distortion from the canopy moulding so I’ll try it for one flight before stuffing round with a Pan/Tilt mount & remote control for it.
If the video is too distorted I’ll just go back to a wing mount camera.
The wingspan is about the same as Andrew’s big glider, it’s just that the fuselage is so much bigger.
Another quality production from the Frog Pond Mr Kermit.
I think you managed to catch every mishap of the day, well done.
I had a little bit of time to spare today so started sorting out the new FMS MDM-1 Fox 3metre glider.
Just enough room to get around it in the Rumpus RoomIt does all pack very nicely back in the supplied box but requires breaking down into its 5 parts to do so. I really don’t like pulling things apart for no good reason so I don’t like that option if there is any other way.
This is the difference in size of the canopies between the 2.32m Fox & the 3m FoxBefore too much assembly (there are only 5 parts anyway, fuselage, tail/rudder assembly, tailplane & two wings) I needed to work out the best way to transport it.
It will fit in bits and if I make some sort of cradle to support it all that needs to be removed are the main wings, the complete tail assembly can be left in place as there is enough length & height in the Outback to fit it (just).
Anyway the Rx & ZOHD Kopilot have been programmed along with the radio & now just waiting for the 3D printer to spit out a small stand for mounting the electronics on. Down in the bottom of the fuselage is too hard to work on.
