P-Shooter, designed by Hal Debolt

P-Shooter progress.  Entering the final construction phase.  Need to add trim to the wings, setup radio and CG.

Here's the finished plane after its successful test flight on 9/20/20.

Reflections

2007 was a good year. The ZN Line Twister served me well.  The first 2m plane I built and flight trimmed entirely myself.

CA Models Epic Evo

Epic Evo has been updated with a D3 controller and is ready to maiden. The RTF weight is 4746g.

Equipment List:

• Futaba 32MZ 
• Futaba HV digital servos
• Futaba R7008SB Rx
• Futaba SBS-01RB Brushless RPM Sensor (temporary, setup D3)
• Hacker C54 comp 
• Adam Debowski's D3 Esc 
• Falcon 82mm spinner 
• APC 21 X 13.5 Carbon prop 
• Falcon landing gear/pants 
• MPI wheels 
• Central Hobbies NMP axles 
• Thunder Power 5000mAh motor battery 
• Thunder power 910 mAh Rx battery Tech-Aero regulator

D3 Controller

D3 ESC first impressions

The recent buzz on the NSRCA's email chat list regarding the D3 ESC produced by Adam Debowski out of  Poland influenced me to try one.  Like most new products introduced to the F3A community, there were pros and cons encountered and mentioned by users. Since this product had been in use for some time by many European and some US competitors I felt I would not be taking a large risk trying this ESC from a small producer.

For my first venture, I elected to try the D3 in my BJ Craft G2 Invitation outfitted with  Hacker C50 14XL comp motor.  The prop I like on this combo is the APC 21.5x13 carbon.  As recommended by the D3 designer, I set the RPMs for on the ground, normal, spin, and landing flight conditions.  In addition, I set a high idle setting in the snap and stall turn flight conditions plus the recommended mid-stick RPMs for all throttle curves configured for these conditions. On the first flight, I was a bit apprehensive about how the plane would perform in downlines with a 3100 rpm or high idle.  The first couple of downlines I moved the Tx throttle stick to full low as I would flying a more traditional ESC like the Spin 99.  The plane decelerated very nicely, however, I quickly realized by moving the stick to a position just a few clicks below mid-stick but not to full low positions the braking effect was variable.  After logging a few more flights I made several adjustments to the throttle curves of raising RPMs at the mid-stick position and adjusted the in/out channel speed response.  Doing so greatly reduced the overall stick movement used for level flight cruise RPMs to RPMs required for downlines and uplines.

In summary, the value of the device has been quickly realized.  I am looking forward to logging more flights and fine-tuning rpm settings for each flight condition to my liking.  In the near term, I plan to order a second D3 for my recently completed CA Models Epic Evo with a Hacker C54 motor.  Contact Adam Debowski the designer/producer of the D3 at adam.debowski@d3motors.com  for more details and questions.

To measure RPM's realtime I used Futaba's brushless sensor.  To properly measure RPM's for the geared Hacker C50 a formula must be used to determine the gear ratio value for the sensor...(# of poles/2) x 6.7 = 6.7. The result is rounded to the nearest whole # and entered into the gear ratio field in the 32MZ's sensor setup.  Be sure to change the sensor type to Magnet as the instructions indicate.

Futuba SBS-01RB Brushless Sensor

https://futabausa.com/product/sbs-01rb/

Invitation G2

Evening practice at Bomberfield with EPIC+

Social Distancing May 13,2020, at the field all by my lonesome...uploaded the original model program from my 14MZ to an 18MZ then my 32MZ,  even though the values transferred the 32MZ feel was crisper (more responsive). after a few tweaks to the throttle curve, ail, elev AFR/Expo settings,  by flight #4 the response felt right.

P-Shooter

Covid19 Quarantine 2020

AMA Masters sequence 20-21

AMA Masters Sequence 20-21

CA Models Cuantic

Cuantic – F3A Two Meter Pattern Plane

After flying the Zonda for a few years we placed the capabilities of a monoplane to a higher level, the Cuantic project was born.
Several months of testing the Cuantic in all conditions the result is a very powerful and neutral aircraft, it's a state-of-the-art monoplane designed and developed with the latest construction techniques achieving a low weight with a quality finish.

Designed to fly the most demanding sequences; P21 &F 21 as well as the unknown sequences incorporating a very simple set-up. The Cuantic capabilities include; excellent knife-edge , rolling circles, and the most complex maneuvers in FAI.

You may be curious how it performs in lateral and crosswind conditions due to its large side area, this is a common question we receive. The Cuantica's outstanding performance under these conditions of strong winds in Argentina (where it's born) makes a for a very predictable, and stable flying F3A airplane.

Avanti EDF

Merry Christmas to me...a Serbart AvantiS EDF is on its way

 

 

 

F3A Bipe

"ARCTIC", attractive lines and color scheme.  Would like to find out more about this model.