ratbastid

Here's me with my new toy, a <a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/387142103_77f8fb5321.jpg">Begin Air</a> RC airplane.



Today I took her out for her third day of flying.

See the nick in the back of the right wing? That was from the first day. Her first flight lasted four seconds and ended with damage to the wing and tail. I had it all patched up in time to fly it yesterday, and was MUCH more successful. Flew it in more wind than was really appropriate for a total beginner, and landed successfully.

Today I went out with a buddy of mine. Winds were relatively calm, at least compared to yesterday. Here are some more pictures he took while I flew.











So, any other RC pilots on Tilted?

On yesterday's flight, I velcroed one of those CVS camcorders that I hacked to allow multiple uses onto my plane. The added weight in the nose made it fly like a rock with wings, but I did capture video from one brief flight.

Then I experimented with Windows Movie Maker, and built a fun little video out of it. The full-size one is VGA and beautiful; YouTube sort of hammered it. But you can still see what's happening, mostly.

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MuS3vvIp4KI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MuS3vvIp4KI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

HamiC

Great story. Great video. It is amazing to think that in a relatively short period of time, we have gotten to the point where you can put a disposable video camera on an RC plane. Couldn't do that with Betamax...

MageB420666

Great Video. I would be an RC pilot, if I ever finished the plane that's sitting in my parents house. I've got the body completed, all I need is to finish installing the servos and put the skin coating on the plane.... unfortunatly I don't think I'll ever get around to finishing it.

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ozahs

Cool plane. Love the video! It is amazing!

Two years ago I built a .40 size trainer - SIG Kadet LT-40. I don't knock ARFs or RTFs, but I prefer building kits myself instead. I get a lot of enjoyment from the building process. It's not for everyone, I know. So anyway, I was asking a guy at the hobby shop where I could fly it, and another customer chimed in and invited me to his flying club. They have an asphalt landing runway on a few acres of river bottom land. Brought the plane out and flew it with him, he did the takeoffs and landings, it flew really well. Had several flights that day. Even did a few loops. Haven't flown since. Got too busy with house projects - built a deck, put in wood floors, etc. (Flying season is April to October in MN, the rest of the year is building season)

Last winter I decided I wanted a park flyer instead of the big glow fuel machine, so I built a SIG 1909 Antoinette. I decided pretty quickly that I did not want to learn how to fly with it, as it is pretty fragile. So now I am looking for an electric park flyer (trainer) to build. Thinking about a Great Planes Tutor.

The budget director hates this hobby, she says it is too expensive. If I did not have so many other interests it wouldn't be a problem. Anyway, if you are interested, I can take a couple photos of my two planes and post them.

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Glory's Sun

I used to work for this guy who had a garage that was about 800 sq. ft. loaded with RC planes.. I think he only flew like 3 of them. What a waste.. maybe I can get his number and you can offload or try a few of them.

New obsessions are fun

ngdawg

OK, that....was fuckin cool
Of course, I got a little airsick on that take-off...

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Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

Jinn

Have a Honey Bee King (http://www.hobby-lobby.com/images/ek008.jpg) that I wrecked just a few months back. Haven't gotten around to re-assembling it yet. Broke the main rotor, belt the tail rotor, snapped a few rods for the gear assembly.. thrashed itself to pieces.

If you're up for some really expensive RC, try one of the minis or micros. As for me, I might go to planes :-D

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BadNick

my head is still spinning ...but I loved that. Very cool that you could do that.

I have to look into that model since my 10yo boy really really wants an RC plane ...very beginner level, he's never played with these before.

Ch'i

ratbastid, great video. After you become adept at manuvering the plane (specifically doing fly-by's) you should video your friend being chased by the plane, North by Northwest style.

fhqwhgads

That video was great... it almost reminded me of the beginning of Men In Black.

Plus... I have to give you credit for flying your new plane during an eclipse.

Cynthetiq

I used to build models when I was a kid, they never got completed cuz Godzilla stomped all over them.

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Orange

Wow cool stuff. Makes me miss the old RC cars from when I was little.

alvinsate

I watched the video It feels like I'm inside the plane I'm afraid to ride again hehehe lol.. just kidding.

Anyway your obsession is very nice, Why don't we combine our obsession?
I'm obsess with candy crib models why don't you make them as your RC paints..

ratbastid

I'm flying again this afternoon. Gonna be a gorgeous day for it.

bloody_rose20

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"The only way to enjoy life, is to try different things, and take risks. Sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet and hope for the best "

ratbastid

I bought a teeny video camera--picture a USB flash drive with a lens on it--and mounted it with velcro on my camera. Then I took it out and launched it.

This is actually the fourth or fifth video I've made from that little camera. YouTube doesn't really do justice to the quality of this little cam.

Watch me nearly hit myself in the head with my plane!

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pkSpn9JoyTw"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pkSpn9JoyTw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

deportes

I see another 007 in the making, hope you won't sell your Tech to Iranians, we'll be in trouble then. Great video. 2nd video shows your piloting improvement. How much does a toy like that go for now a days. Fun stuff.

I spend my time fixing cars that need to be taken apart two or three times before I get them back on the road. Great post.

gal

Way cool! This reminds of this video I saw a while ago:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2JIwYeeTcRw
A bit more to it of course, but I'm surprised by the quality of your flying cam