No time for a full build this winter, but I just ordered this from Icare to replace the Cularis...
(http://www.icare-rc.com/photos/gracia2.jpg)
Excited!
:)
Very pretty Gordon! Congrats.
Very nice! 121" beauty. Love the transparent covering. Flaps and ailerons should be a huge step up from the Cularis.
Cularis was full house, but I did not have it set up with full camber changing TE. Now I have a DX8 with sailplane programming so I will set this one up properly!
Wow!
Grafas arrives tomorrow! I'll do some unboxing photos. I've also ordered a new soldering station, as there will be a snakes' nest of wires to deal with.
I am also working my way through this very comprehensive guide to the DX8's programming features for a 6-servo sailplane:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25110930&postcount=426 (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25110930&postcount=426)
Good luck Gordon. I started using radio programs more at the end of last year and it's amazing what you can do.
It looks really nice, Gordon.
I look forward to seeing it soar this season!
I have assembled and radio programed a couple of these types of planes if you come with any questions just ask. Using some of the radios power can really affect the performance of these.
Thanks Ed -- I will definitely call you for help if (when) I run into trouble.
The Grafas has arrived from Icare -- well packed, no injuries. Phenomenal quality parts and hardware. (I didn't have the regulation TEMAC beer can as a size benchmark, so used a bottle of Tsingtao.)
Very nice!
Agreed good looking plane Gordon!
Beautiful !!!
Very nice Gordon. Was it a package deal or did you select all the components?
Glenn
It was a package. I took Etienne's recommendations and he gave me a discount on the purchase.
I love the service from Icare. Nice power plant - I'm becoming a big fan of Mega motors.
Hey Gord,
After looking at the photos, I'm thinking that fuselage just won't do. By my estimation it only holds two beer's!!? :P
Very nice Gordon but you messed up on the beer choice. This is not an Asian ARF!
Here are some of the beers you will have to dis[play.
LOL
Jack.
Touché Jack. Next time I'll use Pilsner Urquell. It's my fave anyway.
Quote from: gordonbw on March 20, 2014, 09:17:40 PM
Touché Jack. Next time I'll use Pilsner Urquell. It's my fave anyway.
Me too!
The Grafas build is moving slowly because I have been working on my least favorite part -- wiring harnesses. As of tonight they are pretty much done. Just need to test them and add strain relief and heat shrink. A good day's work. It should start moving faster now.
The Grafas is finally finished. Man I am slow! Two issues are keeping me out of the air.
1) The controller shuts down after 5 seconds of operation, whether the motor is propped or not. I'm talking to the vendor about this.
2) I'd really like to be sure the incidence is right before committing aviation. Does anyone have an incidence meter they would care to share?
Sorry. I don't have one. I only have that digital level I borrowed from work, but it doesn't clamp onto the wing, to average out the LE/TE to find the camber line, like a proper incident meter does.
Gordon, if you want to borrow the level, to compare, say the stab to the bottom surface of the wind, we could arrange something. At least the digital level is very accurate.
Actually, an iphone or android phone can be used in the same way--as an inclinometer.
iPhone .... How?
Jack.
Use the Compass app that comes with the phone. Switch to the 2nd page, which is a level. Place the phone on the first surface, touch the screen to set that angle to zero. Place on second surface, and you can see the difference in angle between the two surfaces.
I just tied that and it's so neat.
Thank you, thank you.
Jack.
Thought about that, but... Curved surfaces top and bottom, wing and stab. How do you find the camber line on which to place the phone?
Whoa, I think I just found the answer. Should be able to build this for unde 20 bucks...
http://allrcflight.com/smart-phone-incidence-meter/
That is SO cool. I may need to try that out, too.
Yes! Good idea using the feature in the I-phone and a bar clamp. Cool!
Just make sure the V cuts are symmetrical and the center line of the V cuts are the same distance, and parallel to the clamp rail. Should work well!
BTW,
@gordonbw , why are you concerned about the incidence? Does the sailplane have a full flying stab? If so, I understand why.
Yes, full flying stab, and I don't really trust my eyes...
Finally got this thing flying today, after a crash in June that I feared was terminal. Fortunately only one wingtip was damaged beyond repair...Icare was able to replace it within three weeks. Glenn was, as usual, really helpful in getting the sailplane trimmed out. It is a truly gorgeous bird... and big enough to see clearly at great height. It's great having so much power and fine control available. The flaps are extremely effective -- when they are fully extended I can dive quite steeply without gaining any speed. I have set it up with acro programming (throttle on the stick) rather than sailplane (flaps on the stick). Tried the sailplane program; couldn't get used to it -- I kept lowering flaps when I wanted to cut throttle.
Very happy!
Way to go Gordon. Great of you to persevere and have such a happy ending to the journey.
Inspiring.
Jack.
Congrats Gordon. Great to hear its in the air again. :)
Glad to hear it flew well.
Hopefully, I can see it next time.
Nice work, Gordon. I'm glad it has worked out well. I look forward to seeing it fly!