I'm back!

  First I would like to apologize for not posting much on this Blog.  To be honest with you all, I completely forgot that I had this Blog!  I got so wrapped up in my every day life, along with work, and my hobby that I forgot to post any updates.

  So I'm going to try and get everything caught up.  In the past few months I've purchased a couple of new models.  I purchased a Starmax P-51D Mustang, and she is a beauty!  I'm in the process of upgrading the motor and ESC for it though.  The stock motor just didn't seem to have enough power, I had to keep it at full throttle throughout the whole flight just to keep it in the air.  I purchased a
Motrolfly Brushless Motor 3625-430, from Subsonic Planes.  I was very happy of the craftsmanship of this motor, and I read a lot of good things about this motor on the RCgroups Starmax P-51 build thread.  Unfortunately I went with a cheaper ESC than what I would have liked to have bought, but hobby funds were getting low after buying the new motor.  So I went with a Turnigy 85amp ESC from hobby king.  I've had a few people tell me that it is a good ESC.  It should be better than the stock one any way.  I have no idea who made the stock ESC,or motor, there was no labels on either of them, and I had no documentation.  I had to modify the motor mount just a little in order to get the new motor to fit.  I had to drill new holes into the existing metal frame in order accommodate the holes on the new motor, and then I had to had a 1/3" spacer to the firewall side of the metal mounting frame in order to bring the new motor out to allow for clearance of the prop hub.  The new motor was about 1/3" shorter than the stock motor.  I'm still waiting for the ESC to arrive in the mail.  I did have a small problem with programming the stock ESC, I was not sure what setting I should pick for the timing of the ESC, the stock setting was at 'Low', and I later found out that it needed to be at 'High'.  I found this out the hard way, when right after takeoff of my 3rd flight, the motor made a terrible screeming sound and it came down hard on the landing gear, as seen in this video.

Wish I had more time to update you all with some of the other things that I have done, but I've run out of time.  I will try and post some more here soon.

I'm Back Home on Vacation

Hello all.

  I'm finally back home on vacation, it was a good tour, but it was a long one.  I spent the last 88 days out at sea, normally we do 75 days.  But that's over and it's time to do some more flying.  While I was out at sea I purchased a Blade 450 helicopter and I'm happy to say after 8 flights I haven't crashed it yet.  I've had no real training in the ways of flying RC helicopters.  I'm completely self taught.  I started by flying the Blade MSR, and practicing on the Real Flight, and Phoenix RC simulators.  While I'm out at sea I can't fly much, but I bring my laptop with me and practice on the RC simulators.  I usually spend an hour every night flying.  I've had some people tell me that the simulators really don't teach you how to properly fly RC planes or helicopters, but I say otherwise.  When I fly on the simulators I pretend that I'm flying a real plane or helicopter, and I do everything I possibly can to keep from crashing.  If I do crash I figure out what happened and I learn from that.  In the video I have posted below you will see that I am able to flip, roll, and fly inverted with my blade 450.  I learned this all from the simulators.  I also bought the first version of the Blade MCPX, and with that I learned a little, but not much.  I love the MCPX but for 3D flying it wasn't that good, I have seen videos of the MCPX version 2, and it looks a lot more stable.  Another little helicopter I picked up was the Blade MSRX, and that little bugger is a blast to fly!  If your looking at learning how to fly RC helicopters I would suggest getting the MSRX as your first RC helicopter, and most importantly, pick up an RC simulator.  With a simulator you can learn, and crash as much as you like and not have to worry about wasting money to replace parts.  The simulators are a little pricey, but they are well worth the investment.  I have saved $1,000's by not having to buy replacement parts for my RC habit.

I'm back out at Sea

Hello all

  I'm sorry that it's been a while since I posted anything, but weather hasn't been that great over the past couple of months her in Washington, so I really haven't had much of a chance to do any flying.  I'm still practicing on some 3D maneuvers and I'm very anxious to try them out on my Carbon-Z Yak.
  But now I'm back at work, and currently out in the Northern Pacific.  For those of you who don't know me, I'm a Merchant Mariner, and I work on oil tankers.  I normally work on ship for about 75 days, and then I get to come home for around 57 days.  And I just got on my current ship a week ago, so I wont be doing much flying until I get to come home on vacation again, which should be around the first part of March.  Now I did say that I wouldn't be doing 'MUCH' flying, which would indicate that I would be doing 'SOME' flying, and actually I will still be able to fly a little while I'm on the ship.  I brought my Blade MCPX helicopter with me, and I fly it around on the mess decks, and the other day I flew it around in the engine room.  It's still tight quarters for flying, so I'm not going to attempt any 3D maneuvers with it, just some hovering really.  And I did bring my RC flight sims as well, so I will still get the chance to practice even though I'm miles from shore.
  So, if you don't see any posts here on my Blog for long periods of time, it's mostly because I'm out at sea, but once I get home on vacation, and weather is nicer, I will most definitely be posting more YouTube videos, and updates to my Blog as well.

  Thanks for stopping by!

Finally added updated TM1000 hookup video

  After a few busy days preparing for my Grandson's first Birthday party, I finally had some time to upload my updated video on how to properly hook up the Spektrum TM1000 telemetry module.  I must say that I really like having that module, it will help prevent any problems related to the battery during a flight.  For example, if I install a battery that I think I have fully charged, the telemetry unit will let me know the actual battery voltage, and warn me when it drops down to 12.3 volts.  I was just using a countdown timer on my transmitter, I wouldn't know this, I would think that I have so many minutes of flight remaining, and could be in a bad spot for an emergency landing when the ESC starts to sputter indicating low battery voltage.  I eventually would like to get the sensores for the telemetry system that will also show air speed and altitude.  But those are just extra nice things to have, and not as important as the voltage and temperature readings.  So I will get them later as budget permits.
  Any how, if your interested in how to hook up the telemetry modules watch the videos, and thanks for visiting my Blog.

I fried my Spektrum TM1000 telemetry module today!

  I think I fried my Spektrum TM1000 telemetry unit today.  I was making a how to video for YouTube (video is listed below), and I hooked the voltage sensor into the RPM spot on the telemetry unit.  I should have used the 'Y' harness and plugged it into the Voltage/Temperature spot along with the temperature sensor.  Now I am unable to bind the telemetry module.  I have no problem binding the AR8000 receiver using the telemetry module, but when I try to put the RX/Telemetry combination into bind mode, the receiver is the only thing that will go into bind mode, the telemetry unit will not.  I have tried researching this problem online and have had no luck.  So I will be buying a new TM1000 telemetry unit tomorrow.  I was thinking about contacting Spektrum/HorizonHobby, and seeing if I could get them to replace the telemetry module, but that would not be very honorable, considering that it was myself that ruined the unit, and not because of manufacturing failure.  But I will be sending them a suggestion stating that they should make the plugs different, so that you can't stick the voltage sensor into the RPM slot by accident like I did.  I'm sure I'm not the first person to do this, at least I hope not!
  Any how, check out the video if you like, I will try making more 'How To' videos in the future.

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!