Toronto Electric Model Aviation Club Forum

Toronto Electric Model Aviation Club (TEMAC) => General Discussion => Topic started by: davidk on January 05, 2020, 12:49:50 PM

Title: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 05, 2020, 12:49:50 PM
Not quite flying yet... but close, I think.  My UMX Timber came in as well as a power supply I'll use to charge it's batteries.  I brought a 12V field charger with me, so I'll use the power supply to power that which will, in turn, charge batteries.  I also brought 1 2200mAh battery to charge at the field if needed.

I needed a power supply for a couple of other 12V tools at home, so this Spektrum power supply will do the job.  I'm hoping I have a bit more luck than Richard did with some of his Spektrum stuff.  These types of power supplies are hard to find in Canada but available here in the US and not expensive.

I think I've found a flying club about 5 miles away.  I'll head out there later this week.

It was hot for the first couple of days and then an excellent storm rolled through.  https://youtu.be/U3ndsN_71Ss
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: Frank v B on January 05, 2020, 01:14:06 PM
Nice pool.  Nice water for an RC sailboat.

...but you can't skate on your pool....ever! ;D ;D

Frank
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: Oscar on January 05, 2020, 05:32:49 PM
So envy.  Enjoy your time in Florida.  :D
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: msatin on January 05, 2020, 09:45:13 PM
Just remember that 1mm of rain is the equivalent of approx 26cm of Snow.
I'll take the rain
Enjoy your time there Dave!
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: bweaver on January 05, 2020, 11:45:23 PM
Glad to see you are managing down there. 

We are up here too.  You are missing some new fresh snow that is falling now.  Maybe 10cm overnight. 

When it's calm I'll be out and provide you with a few pictures so that you can shiver with excitement from the experience...

Have fun!  ;)
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: Georgetsigaridis on January 10, 2020, 01:13:51 PM
Ah Florida, the pool, the weather.  Brings back great memories. My experience was the rain came at 4 pm daily. If you fly in the morning you should avoid the weather. Enjoy😎
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 10, 2020, 09:25:58 PM
Quote from: Georgetsigaridis on January 10, 2020, 01:13:51 PM
Ah Florida, the pool, the weather.  Brings back great memories. My experience was the rain came at 4 pm daily. If you fly in the morning you should avoid the weather. Enjoy😎

That must have been in the summer, George.  I've here about 15 times in August and, as you say, a storm blew in every afternoon and blew out again 30 minutes later.  It was always like the heat and clouds couldn't take it any more and just had to let go.  It's quite different in the winter and over many years I've never seen that happen.  Storms do roll in, but just like they do at home, and they stick for a while.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 10, 2020, 10:06:46 PM
I think I've found TEMAC's southern twin club at the Osceola Flying Club.  What a nice bunch of guys... inviting... helpful... friendly mocking... it's just like being home  :D

The club is about 5 miles away and a short drive.  Lyft got me there in no time.  No flying for me today with winds at about 15-20mph.  The little UMX Timber couldn't take it.  It's going to be nice on Sunday so I'll head out and fly.

1236 - Parking, a few structures... a tree for shade... not for planes!
1239 - Amir with his Viper (2 6S) and his BAE Hawk
1255 - Tim (the Club President) and his Ultimate Biplane (Nitro)
1274 - If I didn't know better, I'd say Tim was trained at TEMAC
1230 - A really big battery, housed and hooked up as a charging station
1226 - SpaceX launch from my backyard - 1st stage burn




Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: bweaver on January 11, 2020, 09:16:42 AM
Glad to see you are having fun and have met some good buddies. 

Hopefully the winds will subside so that you can get the Timber into the sky.

Have fun!
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 11, 2020, 07:05:51 PM
Good idea.  I've got SAFE working... so I'll give it a go... thanks.

Should be a nice day tomorrow.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 13, 2020, 02:58:00 PM
Winds ok today for the UMX Timber.  SAFE off for take-off but on for landing.

Today, Louis let me fly his Flex Cessna 170... just excellent.  He won this in a $5 raffle  :o
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: bweaver on January 13, 2020, 03:05:58 PM
Quote from: davidk on January 13, 2020, 02:58:00 PM
Winds ok today for the UMX Timber.  SAFE off for take-off but on for landing.

Today, Louis let me fly his Flex Cessna 170... just excellent.  He won this in a $5 raffle :o

But that's $5 American.  ::)
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 13, 2020, 04:31:15 PM
I'm not sure I really need another 3 inches... but I'll have to check around... see how others feel  ;)

I think I'll be ok with the 150.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 13, 2020, 04:56:03 PM
Right... understood... more to come about that  :D

The UMX Timber isn't going to cut it for 3 months... not sure why I thought it would.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 24, 2020, 11:17:03 PM
A Chipmunk, The Red Baron, an SE-5... and a cow.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 26, 2020, 05:35:23 PM
As Richard guessed, the UMX Timber just wasn't going to be enough.  This one is sure easy to keep sight of.  On 3S it's very nice.  On 4S... yikes.
E-flite Maule M-7.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: sihinch on January 26, 2020, 06:39:46 PM
Very nice!  :D
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 26, 2020, 09:30:03 PM
As requested...  :D

Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 26, 2020, 10:15:31 PM
There's only 1 alligator in this pond... and he's a scaredy-cat.  Maybe wack him with a float??  But then... the plane will sink.  Like you say... it's a problem.
This is from right behind the house...
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: Frank v B on January 26, 2020, 10:54:04 PM
David,

Please remember that all large and fierce alligators were once small scaredy-cats. ;D
How many more years are you going down there? ;)

Next year I will send you down with a sign for your back yard "David's swim-up restaurant"

Frank
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 26, 2020, 11:29:11 PM
This one's about 5 feet... and he's a ***** cat... or he eats ***** cats... I can't remember.
Every time I hear a cat screeching around here... and that happens a bit... I image the gator scored dinner. :P
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 26, 2020, 11:51:12 PM
I pass this guy on my walk to the grocery store...
https://youtu.be/RYOjj9mw2Wc
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: Oscar on January 27, 2020, 09:18:15 AM
Or train the alligator to retrieve your float plane...  ;D
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 27, 2020, 10:18:34 AM
I love how our society has changed... re: Post # 27.  Did the forum software change my post... or did a forum moderator change it?  I don't care, I just think it's an interesting comment. :-X
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 27, 2020, 10:20:24 AM
Quote from: Oscar on January 27, 2020, 09:18:15 AM
Or train the alligator to retrieve your float plane...  ;D

Go on boy... go get the plane... fetch... chomp... plane comes back in several more pieces than it started  :D
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: msatin on January 27, 2020, 10:21:00 AM
Sorry Couldn't resist:
Q: What was the nerd alligators favorite programming language?
A: Jaw-va
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on January 27, 2020, 04:36:54 PM
Bald Eagle fishing on the pond today... an awfully good flyer.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on February 01, 2020, 09:43:23 PM
A gray day on Friday, but 70 and no wind.  This P-51 and Corsair were tough to see against the clouds... not so with my red Maule.

Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on February 03, 2020, 04:41:50 PM
75 and not a breath of wind.  Louis and I had the field to ourselves... and all electric day.
https://youtu.be/mjlByoZnVkQ
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on February 04, 2020, 03:04:01 PM
Lucky with some warmth today.  A cross wind from behind me... but... if you don't fly in the wind... you can't fly in the wind.
One bumpy landing... so had to do it again.  The second one was...
https://youtu.be/LqU2F4QtFaw
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on February 13, 2020, 12:00:35 PM
A visitor at the field...
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on February 14, 2020, 03:56:49 PM
Valentines Alligator
https://youtu.be/qHVlYJkck2A
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: BJROB on February 15, 2020, 01:07:37 PM
Wow here is your chance to practice landings on a carrier
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: Frank v B on February 16, 2020, 11:11:46 PM
Sure sounds like those swimming logs are Florida's version of raccoons.
How's the swim-up restaurant doing???

Frank
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on February 18, 2020, 07:35:57 PM
Visitor at the field today... Pegasus?
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on February 22, 2020, 05:11:22 PM
All day I been watching 15 Vultures eat a soft shelled turtle.  I think the 'gator got him first.  Just thought I'd pass that along.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on February 22, 2020, 07:24:23 PM
Hey Richard.  Your suggestion of a flying hazard is actually bang on.  At the field down here, there are a lot of turkey vultures circling.  Perspective makes it really tough to figure out where they actually are so you really do have to make sure you're below or above them.  They're as big, or bigger, and an apprentice... so an encounter wouldn't be pretty... for either.  ;)
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: Frank v B on February 22, 2020, 09:20:28 PM
I know your name is DavidK... but your reports are like David Suzuki.. or David Attenborough.  Alligators, turtles, herons, horses, vultures, eagles, etc. :D :D :D

Frank
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on February 25, 2020, 05:24:12 PM
These little guys were outside my front door this afternoon.  They'll be pretty good flyers one day... if the Great Blue Heron leaves them alone!
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on March 08, 2020, 12:02:40 PM
Finally... some decent winds are in the forecast.  One flying day out of the last 14 is nuts.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on March 10, 2020, 09:32:23 PM
Nice day, 7mph winds, but overcast.  A bit better for the rest of the week.
All by my self  at the field today.  It's deserted during the week.  I'm very glad TEMAC is not.
A new brood about to hatch at my front door.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: GuyOReilly on March 11, 2020, 08:34:41 AM
Quote from: davidk on March 10, 2020, 09:32:23 PM
Nice day, 7mph winds, but overcast.  A bit better for the rest of the week.
All by my self  at the field today.  It's deserted during the week.  I'm very glad TEMAC is not.
A new brood about to hatch at my front door.
Are these aligator eggs?!?  :o ;)
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: bweaver on March 11, 2020, 08:54:16 AM
Quote from: GuyOReilly on March 11, 2020, 08:34:41 AM
Quote from: davidk on March 10, 2020, 09:32:23 PM
Nice day, 7mph winds, but overcast.  A bit better for the rest of the week.
All by my self  at the field today.  It's deserted during the week.  I'm very glad TEMAC is not.
A new brood about to hatch at my front door.
Are these aligator eggs?!?  :o ;)

Yes, and they make a yummy morning omelette.  ::)
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on March 11, 2020, 09:48:20 AM
It takes 20 minutes... and a toe... to get past mama.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on March 11, 2020, 04:21:05 PM
Sun and 85 and very little wind today.  But, very odd wind.  It was only a couple of mph, if at all... but from all directions.
This wind vane was just spinning today... and not just the prop.  It was a good day for the UMX Timber.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: bweaver on March 11, 2020, 10:30:48 PM
@davidk , does every flight station have a weather vein on top? 

If not, how does the person who is using this flight station determine the wind direction?

What do you think about the quality of shade you get at the individual flight stations with the roof over top?

With a corrugated metal roof over ones head, is it not hot under there and self-defeating?

Is this roof arrangement intended to discourage persons from flying over the pits?  Does this work?

Does the roof provide shade all day or only at noon?

Does this roof mean that you can fly in the rain?  Does it not attract lightning?

Do all the posts pi** off the guy that has to cut the lawn?

??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???



Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on March 11, 2020, 11:23:21 PM
@bweaver , no... just 2 stations.
There's a wind sock in the middle of the field along the stations.
The airplane vane was just something one of the guys made 'cause he though it was cool.  And it is... but that prop is too noisy with a bit of wind.

The station roofs are actually pretty good.  The field is arranged at an angle just off West to East.  The sun is always behind you... and so... shade.

The roofs are high enough and not that big so there's always good airflow.  I haven't been under one when it's 100 degrees and no breeze, however.

Flying airplanes in the pits does not happen.  Taxing does... or did... a lot... in front of the safety guy... when I first joined.  He scolds and goes back to chatting.  It rarely happens now.  Drones... one drone... is the problem.   There's one guy who flies through the parking lot, over the pits, never calls anything he's doing, and all with FPV and no spotter.  He's been talked to, but doesn't care and no one is going to boot him... so... he keeps doing it.  Everyone else follows the rules.  I showed up last week and he was already there.  I was setting up and he took off from the middle of the pits.  When I asked him if that was a good idea he grumbled and said that since I showed up he guessed he'd have to fly from the field.

Shade all day... you just scooch from left to right as the sun moves.

There are much bigger shelters behind the pit with picnic tables and a big tree next to that... the lightning is supposed to hit there first.

They weed wack around the posts.  The guy who cuts the grass seems happy.  The land is owned by a large equipment auction house.  Twice a year they hold a huge auction... big enough to need golf carts to get around.  Usually the flying field is used as parking... and so... the club must take down everything... EVERTHING... except the 3 big shelters.  That's each station, shade stations, posts, all picnic tables and the entire electric fence around the field.  It's all stored in a shipping container north of the field.  Then they put it back 3 days later.  This year, for the first time... the auction house said they made other parking arrangements.  I, of course, claimed it was because I just joined the club.  They were a bunch of happy guys... mainly because their field wouldn't get creamed by all the parking.

This field is empty during the week.  I'm always there by myself Mon-Thurs.  Sometimes on Friday another person or 2 shows up.

The charging station is a treat.  I took 4 batteries today and charged and flew for hours.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: bweaver on March 11, 2020, 11:37:10 PM
Quote from: davidk on March 11, 2020, 11:23:21 PM
@bweaver , no... just 2 stations.
There's a wind sock in the middle of the field along the stations.
The airplane vane was just something one of the guys made 'cause he though it was cool.  And it is... but that prop is too noisy with a bit of wind.

The station roofs are actually pretty good.  The field is arranged at an angle just off West to East.  The sun is always behind you... and so... shade.

The roofs are high enough and not that big so there's always good airflow.  I haven't been under one when it's 100 degrees and no breeze, however.

Flying airplanes in the pits does not happen.  Taxing does... or did... a lot... in front of the safety guy... when I first joined.  He scolds and goes back to chatting.  It rarely happens now.  Drones... one drone... is the problem.   There's one guy who flies through the parking lot, over the pits, never calls anything he's doing, and all with FPV and no spotter.  He's been talked to, but doesn't care and no one is going to boot him... so... he keeps doing it.  Everyone else follows the rules.  I showed up last week and he was already there.  I was setting up and he took off from the middle of the pits.  When I asked him if that was a good idea he grumbled and said that since I showed up he guessed he'd have to fly from the field.

Shade all day... you just scooch from left to right as the sun moves.

There are much bigger shelters behind the pit with picnic tables and a big tree next to that... the lightning is supposed to hit there first.

They weed wack around the posts.  The guy who cuts the grass seems happy.  The land is owned by a large equipment auction house.  Twice a year they hold a huge auction... big enough to need golf carts to get around.  Usually the flying field is used as parking... and so... the club must take down everything... EVERTHING... except the 3 big shelters.  That's each station, shade stations, posts, all picnic tables and the entire electric fence around the field.  It's all stored in a shipping container north of the field.  Then they put it back 3 days later.  This year, for the first time... the auction house said they made other parking arrangements.  I, of course, claimed it was because I just joined the club.  They were a bunch of happy guys... mainly because their field wouldn't get creamed by all the parking.

This field is empty during the week.  I'm always there by myself Mon-Thurs.  Sometimes on Friday another person or 2 shows up.

The charging station is a treat.  I took 4 batteries today and charged and flew for hours.

Only in America!
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on March 13, 2020, 10:53:21 PM
4th day of no wind.
Today saw a Pitts Special and an FreeWing F4 Phantom.  The Pitts did very well, the Phantom not so much.  It went through the top branches of a tree and I just kept remembering the words of every TEMAC Instructor... keep some sky between your plane and anything below it.
This Phantom was the 2nd for this pilot... the 1st meeting the same fate.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: Frank v B on March 13, 2020, 11:18:59 PM
David,

re: "This Phantom was the 2nd for this pilot... the 1st meeting the same fate."

An expert has made every mistake once and learned from it.  An idiot makes every mistake two or more times and doesn't learn from them.

Was the tree OK?   ;)


Frank

Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on March 14, 2020, 12:04:06 AM
Yes, the tree is fine.  Oddly enough, this is the same tree the Mud Duck landed in.  The section I've circled is the area the Phantom tried to navigate.  The Phantom is 90mm... this section of the tree is 80mm.  I know this because there's 10mm missing off the wing.  It's a case of... missed it by that much.

For a second... I thought he was going to make it through... but that tree is really tired of getting smacked.  The 6S was undamaged and sitting 50ft away.  The tree kept the nose cone as a souvenir.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on March 14, 2020, 11:33:03 AM
Quoteeliminating paper Roll Up The Rim cups

That's it!!!! I'm not coming home, Canada.  This, was the last drop >:(
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: Frank v B on March 14, 2020, 03:22:59 PM
DAVID,

re: "missed it by that much.."

For our younger audience:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox-NkyEFTmo

Frank
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on March 14, 2020, 03:52:16 PM
Excellent show... thanks for that. :D
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: Frank v B on March 15, 2020, 03:32:57 PM
David,

Rogo Field is ready for you.  We even located a clutch of eggs at the base of our control tower to make you feel at home.  Your romp through nature can continue. ;D  We are having a problem locating alligators though.  It will be an adjustment for you.

Safe home.

Frank
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: davidk on March 19, 2020, 09:09:35 PM
Glad to be home amid all the craziness, but I do miss those warms days.  My last post for this thread... me and my Florida Maule.

Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: sihinch on March 20, 2020, 10:14:19 AM
Welcome home David.
Title: Re: Florida Flying
Post by: BJROB on March 20, 2020, 10:20:55 AM
Ok yes  ;D
The Canadian....Floridians have returned  ;)
Spring has sprung  :o