hey Robert, some of us could not make the last float fly, maybe there is some interest in doing a "private" one later on?
What exactly does a "private" float fly with Robert entail?
I hear you need to sign some sort of waiver first...
:o
eeeee.....
:-X
You guys are talkin' my language! Nothing kinky. Just a get together by some water with some float planes.
A bunch of us did some float flying a few years ago at Frenchman's Bay in Pickering (On Google Maps you can see the sandbar on the south end of the bay that separates the lake from the bay. We fly on the bay side), and we had a great time. People are still talking about it and requesting that we do it again.
I would just tell everyone that I'd be there at a certain time (Saturday or Sunday evening starting around 5:00 works best for me) with my trailer lid boat ready for some float flying. We'd fly as the winds died and the water smoothed out, until the sun was completely set, then usually went for Tim's. It's even a cool opportunity for lights on the plane (not required) as they reflect beautifully off the calm water.
We haven't done it in many years because I haven't had my new trailer built, but now it's ready to go, and I'd like to do more float flying. Float flying in the evening on calm water is really very nice, and not difficult at all. Same as flying a trail dragger on grass, but with an extra "cool" factor (and offers a nice change of scenary). Another bonus is that if you DO crash, or simply dunk, the damage is usually minimal to non existant.
I could probably do an evening this weekend if anyone wanted to go out and "test the waters" with me. Just say the word!
One catch though. As this is not an official flying site or event, It's safe to assume we are not covered by MAAC. Doesn't mean we can't fly... just something to be aware of.
I am interested:
I have the Dynam Catalina in rescue colours. On a 3S, 3000 I can go for 18 mins.
What planes are out there members?
This video is pretty cool. It gives you an idea of what it's like to fly from calm water, at a beach.
It's also cool because the water bomber has scale retracts and the ability to scoop and drop water.
Check it out!
CANADAIR CL-215 rc-1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NALaqzDVeVs#)
Robert
Wow, I never thought a model would be able to carry water, but of course with lipo power and regular electric lightening it's possible now! Not when your CL-215 used to carry Nicads.
It looks like Beeton is hosting another Float Fly in a couple of weeks.
http://www.maac.ca/events/event_details.php?eid=3279 (http://www.maac.ca/events/event_details.php?eid=3279)
Not electric only but might be a good opportunity to get some float experience before heading to Frenchman's Bay with Rob.
Hey Guys,
I can't make tonight as I had originally intended, so I'm planning for tomorrow (Monday August 6) evening at Frenchman's Bay in Pickering for some float flying. I'll be there at 5:00pm with my planes and my trailer / boat.
If you have a seaplane or two and would like to "test the waters" in a casual environment, please come out and join me. The place that we fly from is a separate little area of the shore, so we don't get any traffic. Just the occasional interested spectator.
Of course this depends on weather, so I'll post a message here later tomorrow to confirm that I'm going so it's worth the drive for you guys. In fact, I can text anyone who wishes the conditions as I get there. Just send me a text at 416-828-8722 to let me know that you'd like the feedback (let me know your name in your text as it my show on my phone). Keep in mind that it's dark by 8:30pm these days... Ugh!
Here's a link to the site. When you get there, look for my truck and trailer. You can't miss it.
Whites Rd/Regional Road 38 to Beachpoint Promenade - Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Whites+Rd%2FRegional+Road+38&daddr=Beachpoint+Promenade&hl=en&ll=43.814897,-79.100533&spn=0.02115,0.039568&sll=43.817467,-79.098043&sspn=0.021149,0.039568&geocode=FWuWnAIdKM5I-w%3BFayFnAIdOyZJ-w&mra=me&mrsp=0,1&sz=15&t=m&z=15)
Robert
Thanks so much for organising this Robert. I'd love to come, but Don't think I'll be able to, this weekend. But certainly in the future, I'd love to "test the water" as you say, and watch. Maybe find insipration for my 1st float plane?
Good luck with it on Monday!
I'm ready to go!
Ben, is that a build or ARF? it looks both large and beautiful.
Ken
No chance to fly tonight but I'm happy to hear there is enthusiasm for float flying out there.
K
That's the eflight Supercub 25e on grey floats that I painted to match. Here's a shot of it on the water today.
A great time was had by all (except me--the last one is a close-up of the scorch marks caused by "the fire" when my ESC and lipos caught after a dunk).
Wow! That is all that I can say!
Any member or friend that could not make it, you missed a great night! I grabbed Carmen and we headed down in the shaggen waggen. Although my world consists of Oakville to Stouffville and I entered the grey zone as I got lost heading east. I made it there around 6:30 ish. We unpacked to see a bunch of smiling faces! Carmen was tired and feel asleep in the bus with the door open and the breeze from the lake.
Wow it was very organized and there was some great models all over the place. The great RP collection was there. I had a chance to see Bens S Cub take off, but missed it flipping over and burning the ESC and batt (that sucked!). Glen had a vintage boat that also peaked my interest. It was fun to watch! Some of the other float planes were present. They all looked great! loved the vintage float race planes! Glen what was the yellow and white thing?
I tried my Dynam Catalina and for a first time I think I did Ok, my last landing dunked a bit, but she was fine. I did have one crazy flight when my rudder had some weeds attached to it and dragged me all over the place. None the less, I wish we all did this sooner! So much fun! I can see why he was so excitied at the workshop last year!
The highlight of the night was seeing Roberts 4 engine machine take off and land. .He did some beautiful flying. People were running off the beach to see it! Very Very cool!
I'm really happy that it worked out O.K. last night. Thanks to everyone who made it out with very short notice and less than ideal conditions.
As I was saying to a couple of the guys, the conditions were not the best, with some boat traffic (not really a problem), The winds from behind that never really died down, and the beautiful but blinding setting sun to our left, but we made the best of it and enjoyed some really great float flying.
Normaly (I hope) the winds would die down as the sun starts to set and we can enjoy some beautiful, calm water float flying. That is really the best as the planes fly smoothly and predictably, and touch and goes are the order of the day. If it's a little overcast, it's actually better as the sun would also not be an obstacle.
I was realy impressed with how many of you showed up and flew with enthusiasm. A great time for sure.
So my plan is to make this a weekly thing (I simply don't get enough opportunity to fly from water), say every Saturday evening with Sunday evening as an alternative (based on scheduling or weather). I'll just let everyone know that I'll be there at a certain time and anyone who can join me is welcome to do so. I'll have the rescue boat with me.
At this point, I'm planning for next Saturday evening starting at 5:00pm. We need to get the flying in while we can as the evenings are getting shorter. Hopefully we'll get ideal conditions next week!
Thanks for coming out guys!
Robert
Any chance of maybe the odd weekday? Weekend evenings are difficult in the Hinchcliffe household! :)
I agree with Simon, can we do one during the week? It was lots of fun! Simon, it's closer for you than TEMAC. We could meet there afterwork...
I'd love to, but I work til 10:00 most weekday evenings. That's why you don't see me at TEMAC very often :(
Even if I take the evening off, I work til 6:00 at my day job with a 30 minute drive home. The earliest I could get to the Bay would be 7:00ish.
I also feel weekends are best because we then don't have to deal with rush hour traffic.
BUT, with that said, I WOULD like to accomodate. I'll see about taking off a couple of hours early sometime soon (to aim for 5:00pm at the beach). What weekday evening is best for you guys?
Robert
Robert,
I don't care what anyone says you did a great job organizing it.
I know it's a lot of effort with the trailer and all.
The sun and the wind you got wrong but everything else was just fun!
Thank you.
Jack.
I bought the new E-Flite Micro Cub today (the one with the digital 3-axis gyro system) and the matching micro floats!
Is that going to work? It's so small! At least it will float! :-X
Hey guys,
The weather's not looking great for this weekend, but I'm still planing for float flying at 5:00pm on Saturday (Aug 11) with Sunday at 5:00pm as a plan B. If you're interested in coming out, let me know and I'll be sure to keep you posted on our plans based on the weather. There's a chance that the rain will pass and we end up with a nice, calm evening of flying.
BTW, I've straightened the float struts on my Decathalon (after a rough landing last week), and mounted a new motor in the Cub. I'm also planning to get my Great Plane Widgeon out for it's first successful flight (have had two attempts that failed due to "technical issues") :)
Robert
Robert - don't want to cause issues for you at work, for a weekday evening.
I'll make a weekend. Fingers crossed for Sunday (got collect Mother-in-Law on Saturday! She's staying for 2.5 weeks!)
I will still focus on weekend evenings only because it's the time I have free most weeks, but I don't mind... actually invite, a good excuse to make a weekday evening work by leaving work a couple of hours early. It certainly wouldn't cause a problem, but rather get me motivated ;D
I'm happy to go to extra lengths when float flying is involved ;D
After next weekend, the weekends are getting very busy with a fun fly event every weekend in Sptember. Because of that, a weekday or two would fit the bill.
Hey! Can't you come out on Saturday after collecting Mum-in-Law? I have to pick up my daughter from the airport on Sunday, but will still try to get out afterward, if Saturday doesn't work.
Thanks for your interest. As much fun as float flying is, it's even more fun with friends.
Robert
I guess I need to find/buy a float plane now! ;)
The mentor was sorted at the field Wednesday thanks to Ron from Pinnacle and Frank van Beurden.
Floats are being added as I type. Looking forward to a water maiden soon.
Let's know what day works for you.
Thank you. Jack.
I'll be out today, but hopefully back around 4:00. I'll post here then whether I'm going today or not. It completely depends on the rain and wind. Or if you'd like to discuss, my cell number is 416-828-8722 (call or text).
Robert
Does not look good! Rain on and off till past 8:30pm.
Jack.
Thank goodness for the rain. My shipment of conformal coating isn't arriving until Monday and I would be tempted to fly without it and fry yet another ESC.
Happily Grounded,
Ben
Guys,
I'm still at a job and won't make the Bay tonight. But that doesn't matter 'cause the weather still sucks (as expected). I'll plan for tomorrow evening. Closer to 6:00pm start. I'll post here tomorrow around 4:00 to confirm.
Oh, and Ben. I have conformal coating you can use :-)... seriously...
Robert
What's "conformal coating"????
Some kind of regulation outer-wear garment??? :D
It's the little bottle of stuff sitting right on Rob's workbench, that I didn't use when I had the chance, that will stop your ESC from exploding when it makes contact with water.
Ya. Never used it. So far so good.
It's Sunday morning, and the weather looks very nice today. I won't be able to make it to TEMAC this afternoon, as usual, but I'm still hoping to get some float flying in at Frenchman's Bay this evening.
I have to pick my daughter up at the airport (at 2:30), so I can't be positive about timing, but I still plan to be at the bay for 5:00pm.
Please join me if you can. Call me at 416-828-8722 if you can any questions or want to confirm that it's on. I'll keep an eye on the weather.
Scroll back through this thread for directions.
Hope to see you at the beach!
Robert
Great time at the Bay last night again!
Again, the wind refused to die, but the water was clear of boaters, there was lots of room for parking, the weeds were submerged 'cause of the rain we've had, and the sun was even dimmed by the clouds a few times. But the best part was that the wind was steady and smooth and from a pretty good direction (north north west) and quite manageable (as long as you were careful while taxiiing).
The turnout was modest compared to last week, but those who brought planes flew them and had a great time. Nestor was active with his two planes (a GWS Cub (I think) and an Aqua Star), I had the same three planes as last week (my Sandringham, Cub, and Decathalon), and Jack had his awesome Mentor on floats which took off beautifully but was pushed off course by the wind and dunked. The plane was fine but the float mounting requires more reinforcement. For a change of pace, Ken Raulins brought out his old CL-215 water bomber with two four stoke somthings (I forgot to take note... .46's I think). He ran the engines up , but since the plane hadn't been flown in 20 years! He wanted to spend a bit more time to get them cleared out this week. For those of us who are surrounded by electric planes all the time, having a glow plane (a four stroke, scale, twin at that) join the action was fresh and exciting. But I must admit that our conversation was put on hold while Ken ran up the engines ;D
So I am planning to be back at the Bay again next Saturday at 5:00pm assuming that the weather is good. I feel confident that we'll get a beautiful, calm evening of flying this time around. We're due ;D
Robert
I went to watch, and research ideas for my first float plane. I just took myself, a drink and a chair.
I had a lovely evening, watching the sun set and some great float flying! I met some new friends and just chilled. Great evening, thanks for organising Robert, and thanks for coming everyone else.
Greg C is going to lend me his Catalina for a flight or 2, to see if I like it. So far, the Catalina is my #1 choice as a first float plane, but of course I will have to do an RAF version!
Cheers,
Simon
Well, the Catalina was the first float plane that I got, but not the first that I flew!
Les & I just went on vacation to Lake Buck, near Huntsville. So, the night before we went, I rushed to add floats to an old Formosa. And then, after 3 hrs of work I decided that I needed a rudder, too! This is the result (plus a photo of the dock)
I managed to get about 6 flights - it was great fun! On the second flight, on the take-off, I hit the floating dock and knocked the motor off! So next day we went to Wal-Mart to buy an emergency, vacation glue gun! Then on the 4th day, the float came loose on take-off and the plane flipped upside down. I dried it out for a day, but it onbviously wasn't long enough because when I tried to fly again on the 5th day, my ESC went up in smoke! :'(
Anyway, the plane is home and has undergone surgery today - it's got a new ESC and full lights! :)
When's the next float fly? ;D
The first time I ever flew a plane off water was in Huntsville.
I never heard of an "emergency vacation glue gun" before, but it sounds like a great idea, in this case. ;D
Looks great, Simon.
I'm dyin' to get out float flying (TEMAC flying too) again soon, but I'm just too busy, and this weekend I have another riding event with work so I can't do this weekend (I'm not even going to the EMFSO Float Fly).
I'll know better after this weekend, but I'm planning for a Frenchman's Bay get together for next Saturday evening (Sept. 22). Who would be available for that?
Robert
I can do it, but I burned my ESC also in the seawind and sold the Catalina... so I am a bit plane less right now. If my HK order makes it by then, I should be fine!
I PM'd a person on RC Canada. He has a 100+" Anderson Kingfisher... What do you think? It is a 7 hr drive to get this thing... lol! I am hoping he is available this weekend because I am NOT driving tonight to see it! lol!
But looks cool and the price is right... But would be a great conversion...
I got it and he is giving me another float plane? Anyone feel like a road trip!
Wayne's R/C Kingfisher at Lily Pond (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkiMR2TAVG0#)
Looks like a great plane, Greg. Very agile for 100"
Robert - shame about next weekend; I can't make the Saturday evening. Any takers for a Sunday meeting, on 23rd?
Yes Greg, that looks like a very nice plane. If you change your mind about the purchase... let me know ;D
I could entertain a Sunday next weekend instead if that works better for everyone. Perhaps we can keep an eye on the weather and go with the best bet.
So the crash of my Decathalon meant the loss of one of my float planes, but it freed up a power system and radio gear that I could put into my back-up plane that I had retired several years ago. That being my old Astro Hog. A plane that I've been hanging onto with the thought that it would make a great float plane one day. Well, the Decathalon crash also freed up a set of floats. So, there ya go. The plane is ready to go from land, and I just need to get some 1/8" ply to build a float mount for. I should be able to get it ready for next weekend. Should be fun!
Robert
Robert, what are you doing for a power system for the hog? I have a Astro Hog Bipe... I wanted to get that ready for next season.,...
Photos, we need photos!
Good idea to follow the weather next weekend.
I'll try to take a picture tonight.
I'm just going with my E-Flite 60 on 6 cells that I had in the Decathalon. I believe the Astro Hog is lighter than the Decathalon so the 60 should be fine for gentle aerobatics. The Hog used to have an old Astro 60 (direct drive) on 24 Nimh cells so the new version of the plane will be quite a bit lighter than before.
I would probably go with more power for the biplane version. Maybe 8 cells.
I'm kinda excited to try this plane out as I know it flew so well before. I only retired it because I burned out the motor :)
Robert
Quote from: piker on September 13, 2012, 10:20:52 AM
I'll try to take a picture tonight.
I'm just going with my E-Flite 60 on 6 cells that I had in the Decathalon. I believe the Astro Hog is lighter than the Decathalon so the 60 should be fine for gentle aerobatics. The Hog used to have an old Astro 60 (direct drive) on 24 Nimh cells so the new version of the plane will be quite a bit lighter than before.
I would probably go with more power for the biplane version. Maybe 8 cells.
I'm kinda excited to try this plane out as I know it flew so well before. I only retired it because I burned out the motor :)
Robert
You burned out an Astro Motor? You must of really abused it. You could get those motors really hot without damaging them. I remember your AstroHog from the York Flyins. It was an impressive flyer on the Astro motor and nimhs. I remember looking inside after your flight and every square inch was taken up with battery placement. The good old days. I remember the first lipos were coming out and they were expensive. Someone recently brought out an old Thunderpower to the field and showed me the bill for it. It was a 8c 3s 2100mah. Close to $125 brand new.
Chris
Help, please!
Both Greg and I have burnt out escape despite drying them for 24hrs after dunking them. So what's this conformal coating?
Where do you get it from? And how do you apply it - brush, spray?
Do you need to remove the plastic heat shrink from the esc first, before you add the coating?
Thanks in advance.
Simon
I would just go into a place like Sayal or Electrosonic (both at Vic Park, south of steeles) and ask for a spray can of whatever they have. I bought a can year ago that I've never used.
What speed controls are you guys using? I've never fried an ESC from water damage, and I've dunked a few.
Removing the heat shrink is probably a good idea to let the thing dry out. Maybe even take a hair dryer to it too. Perhaps you both just had moisture trapped in there that couldn't dry out in 48 hours.
Robert
I was told to show a picture, so here it is... Ye ol' Astro Hog complete with Frenchman's Bay sea weed still on the floats.
Robert
There is an old trick for drying out electronics that get immersed in water.
You buy some Methyl Hydrate. It is hydroscopic which means it absorbs water.
You dunk the ESC in a jar of the Methyl Hydrate and leave it for a while.
Use a sealable jar and be very careful. Methyl Hydrate is extremely flammable.
You then leave it to evaporate on a paper towel and all the water is evaporated also.
This was an old trick used by watch repair people.
Jack.