TopModel Grafas 3.1 meter e-sailplane

[gordonbw]

It was a package. I took Etienne's recommendations and he gave me a discount on the purchase.

[sihinch]

I love the service from Icare. Nice power plant - I'm becoming a big fan of Mega motors.

[electroflyer]

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!!?

[Papa]

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.

[gordonbw]

Touché Jack.  Next time I'll use Pilsner Urquell. It's my fave anyway.

[bfeist]

Touché Jack.  Next time I'll use Pilsner Urquell. It's my fave anyway.

Me too!

[gordonbw]

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.

[gordonbw]

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?

[bfeist]

I think @piker has one

[piker]

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.

[bfeist]

Actually, an iphone or android phone can be used in the same way--as an inclinometer.

[Papa]

iPhone .... How?


Jack.

[bfeist]

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.

[Papa]

I just tied that and it's so neat.


Thank you, thank you.


Jack.

[gordonbw]

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?