Cal's Shop Blog

November 14, 2007:  Tom Sheets came over.   We went through his Duck.  It was nose heavy by an oz.  The wings were 1/2 degree off.  Lateral balance was ok.  stab incidence was 1 1/2 degree too positive.  So we corrected balance and he will retrim stab.  He will use a little down trim in launch mode.  Dennis dropped by and we compared tow hook location and Tom was further forward than we were.

Dennis then helped mount two servos in my Eraser Xtreme.  We used the shrink wrap technique.  Seemed to work very well.

Cliff Cole also stopped by and shot the bull.

October Club Contest

John Winstanley Dennis Hoyle Dan Waybrandt Larry Jeffery Cliff Browneye

Artemis, Agea X tail, Sapphire, Laser, Artemis

WMSS Club Field -- Photo by Jean Hoyle

November 21, 2007:  Dennis and Jean Hoyle arrived early.  Dennis finished my Eraser servo installation.  Tom arrived later and we worked on  Duck programming.  I found an errant EPA setting that caused too much left flap in launch mode.  Then Deb came in and was helping getting Tom's fairings back on when she spotted a loose servo on right flap servo. We fixed that and installed fairings.  We also check wing weights and they were equal.  This may solve his launch veering to the right.

November 28, 2007: Jeff Woollett came over,  We worked on a helicopter.  We then put a rx in Jeff's two meter and programmed it.  Then we set the balance so now it is ready for the Spring.

Samir showed and brought me a new book.  He is in a new house which has room for a shop.

Jeff helped me test a new clevis which I will install next week.

Cliff Cole stopped by an worked on a 3D electric.  He also checked out the Spektrum radio.

Tom Sheets Duck 7036 X tail

Jeff Woollett showed up and we jumped in to mount servos in his Monarch Two Meter wing.  We are using two Volz metal gears on Flaps and two Hitec 5125's on Ailerons.  They look good flush with lower surface on a very thin wing.  Since Jeff is using an older 8 ch Airtronics Rx,  we had no plugs.  I put out a call on RCSE for old plugs and got a great response from guys sending Jeff some for free.  Jeff was real busy wiring all the plugs in wing and servos for fuse.  He has two Hitec 85 MG for the fuse and maybe Hitec 422 if he needs weight in nose.

Jeff's Monarch wing ready for servos

December 8, 2007: Club Party Tonight  We had a great time with all our guests at the annual WMSS Christmas Holidays party.  Helicopters abound with daring attempts to get them through the hula hoopes.  Thanks to tom Sheets we had mounts to hold them up.  Dennis had his Mosquito and the rest were versions of the Picco Helicopters. We crashed a lot and terrorized Marna but that was the fun of it.  Marc Kuklis' son Jonathon (a 7 yr old) could not wait until they recharged.  Cliff Browneye, Cliff Cole, Dan Abma, Dan Way Brant, Cal, Deb, John Winstanley, Kathy, Dennis, Jean, Samir, Sabena, Tom, Kitty, Jeff, Tammy, Marc, Jonathan, Larry, Marna were there.  I thank them al for a great evening.  We had great food as well.  Thanks to all who provided it. I am still eating Jean's Brownies thanks Jean smack smack...

WMSS Christmas Party

December 19, 2007:  Jeff helped me get my new tx module on 07 working for the Nats.  He then finished installing servos in Monarch wing.  Dan Waybrant was there and showed his new Christmas presents.  A Spectrum two meter, Stylus tx w/ cards, and a neat two meter storage box.  He also picked up an Emerald as well.  Dennis was over too and was working on an Emerald for Larry Jeffery.  Doug Adams was also over and was pondering spoiler servo installation on his Big Bird.  We had a busy night.

Jeff working on wiring his two meter Monarch

Dennis and Jean were over to check wing alignment on Larry's  Emerald.

 Jeff helped me reinforce stabs so monokote would not bend balsa.

Tom was over helping.

Terry Riessen was over from Minnesota to pick up a Duck from Dan Abma and help me on Sailaire Project for Nats.

Dan took home some parts for Sailaire project.  He is going to rebuild fin and rudder on my Sailaire.  Dennis and Jeff will be over next week.  Dennis used his new I phone for the picture in shop.

Dennis showing Spektrum Radio Horizon Hobbies donation to MSL

January 9, 2008:  Dan Abma stopped by Monday evening to bring my Sailaire Fuse and reconstructed Fin and Rudder back.  They look great.  Large group tonight.  Doug Adams was there and finished sanding on my Sailaire leading edge.  Jeff set up some DVD from AMA.  Jeff and Tom helped me calibrate servos for my Sailaire spoilers, Jeff made up linkages.  Dan Waybrant worked on his spectrum 2m aileron throw and asked about power supply for his charger. Dennis completed one wing on Larry's Emerald.  Cliff Cole stopped by to see what was going on.  So we had 6 in the shop.  Didn't have turn heat up this time.

Terry Riessen            Cal                   Jeff Woollett

January 16, 2008:  Dennis, Jeff, Tom, Doug, and Cliff Cole showed up.  Dennis finished his Emerald work.  ( I phone picture to the right)  Jeff worked on his soldering and his new rx.  Cliff Cole helped me get my Sailaire tips on and glue in spoiler servos.  Tom checked instructions on his EPP glider.  Doug worked on his spoilers for his big bird.  Cliff brought his laptop with flight simulator and Jeff, Dennis, Doug and Cal played with BOT on the slope.  The Tower hobbies simulator will not launch a glider except hand launch.

Cal and Cliff Cole and flight Simulator

Doug Adams and Jeff Woollett pictures by Dennis Hoyle

January 23, 2008: Dan Waybrant and Jeff Woollett showed up.  Dan wanted help figuring out his new fast charger and cycler.  He also had questions on Stylus programming.  Jeff got his 5 channel Hitec rx to work with his Vision.  All worked well once the modulation was set to ppm 5.  Dan and I helped Jeff with his horns for his V on the Monarch.  Next week we will install his V servos.  Looking good so far.  Jeff also helped me fix wire tunnel and good ply root rib on my Sailaire wing.  Next week I need get wires for spoilers extended.  Then wing will be ready for final sanding and filling.

Club Meeting is at Big Boy in Cedar Springs Saturday Jan 26 at 4 pm.

John Winstanley's New Duck

Jeff and Tammy showed next and Tammy finished a rocket.  Jeff and I worked on his V tail servos for his Monarch.  We now have them mounted and the V is ready to fly.  Next week we will finish wing servo programming and install.  Jeff also checked his HiTec 5 channel conversion to 6 channels.  He will use it in his third sailplane as all worked fine with his Vision.

February 6, 2008: Canceled Due to Weather

See you next week

Dennis brought his new Duck to shop. NICE!

February 13, 2008: Dennis, Dan, and Tom showed up.  Dennis repaired delams in Emerald wing,  Tom Sheets shot the bull.  Dan and I worked on two meter programming.  His servos acted up so he is going to replace them.

February 20, 2008: Jeff,  Dennis, Jean, and Dan Waybrant showed.  Dennis hurt his knee again so just left some brownies and checked his delam fixes. Thanks to Jean for great brownies.  They did not last long.  Deb brought in a great cake for the birthdays.  Tom did not make it so Jeff blew his candle out.

Day Waybrant worked on his two meter replacing control horns as old ones had too much slop.  Jeff helped me prepare the Sailaire wings for covering.  He also sanded and fit spoiler blades.

We also worked on switch install on Jeff's monarch.Dan Waybrant had questions on Stylus programming.

March 5, 2008: Computer Down

March 12, 2008: Computer Down

March 19, 2008: Computer Down

March 26, 2008: Dan Waybrant was over and did the rest of the wing sanding.  Dennis sanded his Emerald wing repairs, they should be ready for paint.  Cliff Cole stopped by and fixed Deb's projector and talked with the guys.  Jeff did a lot f work on the Sailaire fuse beefing it up with formers and put in servo supports.  We need fit the wings next and then glue fin on.

March 28, 2008: Cliff Browneye came over in the afternoon and we monokoted the bottom of the Sailaire wings.  We hope to finish the wings next week.

April 2, 2008:  Jeff Woollett came over and we fit the fin and rudder on my Sailaire.  The reinforcement went well.  Dan Waybrant was working installing a wing rod on an Aspire I picked up on Ebay.  I want to set it up as a beginners plane.  Tom Sheets came over and got his paint for his Sapphire.

April 9, 2008:  Glenn Wilson from port City club came over for a visit.  Dan Waybrant showed and finished rejoining Aspire wings.  Dennis is on vacation and Jeff got sick.  Tom Sheets was over and brought me some electric stuff from Toledo show.  We shot the bull mostly.  Cliff Browneye came  over in the afternoon and we finished monokoteing the Sailaire wings.

April 16, 2008:  Cliff Browneye came over at 3 pm and we did a setup on his new Two Meter using old Super V wings with a new Ed Whyte fuselage.  Then Cliff helped me iron Monokote onto ribs of Sailaire wing to set the alignment.  We then cut out the spoiler areas and shaped balsa spoilers to fit the openings allowing room for Monokote on spoilers.  Just need to cover spoilers yet and hinge with hinge tape.

Club Meeting started at 7 pm.  Margo and Jessica were there and we will be doing STEPS.  Jeff showed the Electric Power components for STEP plane.  Awesome Li Phosfate batteries.  We then all went out to local field and Harry did a test flight.  It bounced on the ground but took off anyway.

We then had a business meeting and watched the OLD Buzzard DVD by Dave Thornburg. 

Margo    Jessica     Harry

Did fly at the field with Dennis, Larry, John and Dan Waybrant.

April 23, 2008:  Jeff Woollett came over and we started in on the Sailaire.  We blocked up a new stinger since I lost the old one.  The fin rudder post needed to be glued before we could attach stinger so we put in a front former.  Then a simple fitting of stab wires turned into a big job.  It turns out the Dream Catcher bell crank had different wire spacing than the original Sailaire.  Now we need to replace back tube to align it with Dream Catcher spacing.  So I need cut into newly monokoted stabs to put in a new tube which is a two hour setback. It should be done by next Wednesday. All for about 1/16".

April 30, 2008:  Deb helped me get Eraser X ready.  I set servo neutrals after reinstalling wing servos.  Deb put servos covers on.

Harry Pilot  Jeff Mechanic  Cal Consultant

Maiden Flight of Electric STEPS Plane

May 4, 2008:  Sunday pm Deb and her friend Kim helped me put servos in my Sailaire.  This moves up to fitting canopy and then final sand and paint.

We also flew some small electrics in the yard.  Both Deb and Kim soloed.  Deb flew Benson.

May 7, 2008: Dan Waybrant showed first and we talked about cg article he read in Quiet Flyer.  He then helped me get tail on my electric plane.  It was a challenge because the mount area was twisted to the wing and had to be trued first.

Jeff and Dennis arrived.  Dennis had his new McCann winch and was working on the wiring. Jeff went to finishing the Sailaire stinger.  We the worked on the canopy frame to get it to fit.  We need to put in a spring hold down assembly in it yet and the glue canopy to it.

Sailaire is close to painting.  We need tape off monokote areas and seal stinger.

May 8, 2008:  Jeff stopped by and we flew another STEPS test plane.  It needed CG moved forward and a better wing but had plenty of power from brushless motor,  a123 9.9 v battery.  Jeff is going to extend motor pods so larger prop can be used. It tested to 1 lb trust exceeding Norvel motors.

Jeff also sealed my Sailaire stinger with alcohol thinned epoxy.  We also tapped plane for painting and fit canopy frame.

Cal contemplating freezing butt flying STEPS plane

May 9, 2008:  Jeff stopped by and put a coat of primer on the Sailaire.

May 11, 2008:  Sailaire fell from hook and dinged the nose on concrete floor.  Ouch, another setback.

May 14, 2008:  Jeff was only one to show.  We fixed nose of the Sailaire and filled all other dings.  Then sanded, sanded and sander more. 

May 15, 2008:  Jeff sanded primer and checked for places we need fix yet.  Most looked good.  He then put on third coat of primer. 

May 21, 2008: Jeff had a conflict so could not make it.  I worked on my canopy until Dennis showed up. Dennis and I wired his winch for LED kit.  We used black CA to hold LED in its holder and soldered wires to lugs and did the hookup.

Jeff taking turn at controls...Jacob (grandson) collecting rocks

March 28, 2008:  Jeff and Cliff Cole showed up.  We spent a couple of hours flying and diagnosing STEPS plane problems.  Then we cut out Sailaire canopy and painted the frame work for it.

March 30, 2008:  Jeff stopped over in evening.  He wet sanded Sailaire fuse and put on another coat of primer.  We also glued canopy on frame with RC56. 

June 2, 2008:  Jeff painted color to Sailaire. We then went to Warped wings. Jeff had a STEPS light plane which really flew well.  It had no radio box, no wing covering, aeroshaft carbon spar, a carbon rod on te, straping tape instead of duct tape, holes in tips. Will need to incorporate some features for next year.

Dennis' McCann winch with LED's, Volt meter, Silver Solenoids

June 4, 2008: Jeff built a spray booth and painted two coats of Yellow on fuselage. 

June 6, 2008:  With Deb's help today, I got paper off plane and Jeff's paint job looks great.  I installed tow hook, refit the canopy, and installed switch. 

June 9, 2008:  Deb taped wings and fuse, put reflective tape on tips and rounded locator dowels.

June 10, 2008:  UPS brought my new extensions today so Deb and i installed them.  They ar glued in fuse so only wing plugs need to be plugged in.

June 11, 2008:  Last shop night.  Finishing touches on Sailaire:  Install rx and battery. Need to put in a pushrod support at mid fuse Route rx antenna and balance.  

Thanks to all who helped me with projects this Winter:

Terry Riesen basic structure, Jeff Woollett paint, sanding, stinger, attached wing and fin and everything too much to type, Deb Posthuma canopy and whatever I needed, Dennis Hoyle sanding got kit and monokoted fin, Dan Abma fin reconstruction, Dan Waybrant rudder hinges and elevator tube redo and assembly, Cliff Cole wing tips, Cliff Browneye monokote wings and rudder, elevator, Doug Adams leading edge, Tom Sheets sanding spoiler assembly, Johnny Berlin parts. Ed Whyte parts.

Now, It is up to me to keep it together.