Beware of Fake Spektrum Recievers

  I would like to tell you all to beware of fake Spektrum recievers.  Or better yet, watch out for ANY counterfit RC electronics.  I have seen some places on the web selling Spektrum recievers for around $10 each.  At first glance one would think that is an AWSUME deal!  But then take a moment and think about how much of a deal it realy is.  That $10 reciever just might cost you your $300 or more plane!  When I was at the 'Mini-Fly-In' that I blogged about yesterday, there was one flyer that had 2 of his planes go out of control, and he said that he had lost all control of his plane.  The loss of control may have been contributed to the $10 Spektrum recievers that he bought on line.  I am not completly sure at this point if that was truly the cause.  But it did make me think about posting this warning.
  China does not fall under the same copyright laws that companies do here in the U.S.  As you may know, China has no problems making infirier products, and putting some other companies name on the product.  Now there are some great cheap RC web sites out there, some sites have great deals on planes, and batteries and such, but when it comes to the electronics, I would only buy those from trusted web sites.  If your looking for a particular brand, what I would do is go to that brands web site, then click on the 'Where to Buy' link, and then buy the product from those sites.  That way you should be buying from an authorized dealer of that product.  And as the saying goes.... 'If it looks to good to be true, it probrably is!'.

 I'm not saying don't pass up on a good deal, I'm just saying be carful.

Found this video on YouTube a few minutes ago, it really shows the what one can do with the little GoPro camera.  These little cameras take such stunning video.  They range in price from around $199 to $299.  They are small and light weight, and can go virtually everywhere.  The come with a strong plastic case that makes them water proof and resilient.
  Another thing I liked about this video was the scale realism of the C-ARF CT-114 RC Jet cockpit!  At first glance you would think it was filmed on a real plane!

More AS3X information

Just found this video that realy explains the new AS3X technology that HorizonHobby just released.

Here is something interesting and new at HorizonHobby

  HorizonHobby has just released some new RC technology, and it is very exciting!  AS3X technology!  I'm not sure what the AS3X stands for at the moment, but when I find out I will let you all know.  But from what I can tell at this point, it will allow for more precise control, and make it much easier to do 3D maneuvers.  I see that they will also be coming out with 3 new micro planes, the UMX Beast 3D (I will have to get this one for sure!), The UMX Hyper Taxi, and the UMX Gee Bee R2 (might have to get this one as well!).  I currently have the UMX Beast and I LOVE IT!  I was told that they had stopped producing the UMX Beast, and I was thinking that it was because Bryan Jenson (the pilot of the real BEAST) was killed at an airshow in Kansas City when he crashed the BEAST.  But now I think it was because they have re-released it as a 3D capable plane.
  Here is the link to the HorizonHobby page that has all the information about the new planes, and the new AS3X technology... http://www.horizonhobby.com/content/secret/.  What are you waiting for, go check it out!

My latest video posted to YouTube

  This is the latest video that I posted to YouTube.  I have been experimenting with a key chain video camera (Yes, the camera is the size of a key chain, you can get them at www.hobbyking.com for about $10).  I have been using Velcro to mount to various spots on the plane in order to get different angles.  So far the angle I like best is in this video.  I had the camera mounted in such a way that it was facing the cockpit.  Now if I can find a way to get the pilots head to move with the motion of the plane that would really add to the realism.
  I then edit the video so that the in flight footage matches the video footage that is filmed from on the ground.  This way you can see what the in flight camera sees through out the maneuvers.

Mini-Fly-In at Marlo Anderson RC Field

  I had a great day flying at the Marlo Anderson RC field today.  Marlo Anderson RC field is the RC flying field that is maintained by the Lake Sawyer Hawks RC flying club here in Washington State.
  I'm still fairly new to the club, I just joined about two weeks ago.  So I had the opportunity to meet some of the club members today.  Here are a few photos of some of the planes that were there..

  I did make some videos as well, but I'm still editing them for posting.

  All in all, it was a great day for flying, there were a few crashes, but everyone left the field smiling!

  I was really lucky myself, I flew my Carbon-Z Yak54 3 times today, then when I started taking the plane apart for transporting home, I discovered that I had forgotten to put the securing screws into the main wings!  How I was able to fly the plane (doing all sorts of acrobatic maneuvers) without having the wings fly off is a mystery to me!  Just more proof that the Yak (made by E-flite) is a great plane!