Monday 26 November 2018

A 3D-printed case for the RX6R

FrSky's latest RX6R receiver is a great little unit - except for one thing: the 'case' is just a flimsy cardboard wrapper. Okay for a foamie perhaps, but not much good for anything else.

Tuesday 16 October 2018

Ahi 1.0: an OpenTx template for aerobatic slopers

I've just added a new setup to my library of soaring templates. It's for 4-channel aerobatic slope soarers like the Ahi, Phase 6, Voltij etc.

Monday 1 October 2018

Frsky RX6R - a tiny full range 6CH receiver

The FrSky RX6R sounds like the answer to a lot of pilots' prayers - a receiver small enough to fit in a Pitbull or Stribog without looking as if it's been jammed in with a hammer! What's more, the RX6R is claimed to offer 40% more range than X-series receivers. Sounds too good to be true? Let's find out... [note: updated 18 Oct 2018]

Saturday 15 September 2018

Adaptable ballast spreadsheets, using array formulae

As airframes get stronger and skinnier, the ballast arrangements get ever more complex. Many F3F models carry wing ballast, joiner ballast, and optional steel joiners. Generating a ballast chart to stick on your trannie box can be a bit of a challenge!

This post describes how to construct a ballast spreadsheet using a generic structure which is easy to adapt for specific models.

Photo magic at the Welsh Open

Here's a publicity shot by MKS, using two of my images. It shows Joel West winning the recent Welsh Open. I think their graphic designer has done a rather nice job!

Friday 17 August 2018

A One Minute Guide to F3F

F3F is the Formula 1 of slope soaring! Or perhaps it's better described as a hill-climb event, since only one person is out at a time (and it does involve climbing hills!). Either way... it's a timed speed event which will test your trimming and flying skills to the max. 

Fortunately you don't need a Ferrari to compete - just a glider, a transmitter... and a desire to join in and improve your piloting skills through friendly competition. 

In this post, I'll describe briefly what you need to get going, safety checks, and how to enter.

Saturday 7 July 2018

RTGmodel Stribog review

At the end of 2017 I decided to look around for a new F3F machine for the 2018 competition season. After hearing good things about the Stribog I placed an order, and nine weeks later a box arrived at the door - a very large one containing some rather lovely plastic...

Fast forward... the Stribog has been assembled, tested, and flown [and won] in competition. Has it replaced the Needle 115 as my number one model? Read on!

Tuesday 17 April 2018

FrSky Q-X7 - an F3F-ready transmitter for £100!

The FrSky Q-X7 may not have the looks - or price tag - of a premium radio, but don't let that fool you : it punches well above its weight. In this post I'll highlight key aspects of this transmitter, and explain why slope flyers should give it serious consideration.

Monday 12 February 2018

E-Soar Plus 3.0

E-Soar Plus, my template for sport and F5J, has been updated. Version 3.0 offers a choice of three arming methods, plus various other enhancements.