swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
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Post by swimmer on Jun 2, 2008 14:29:36 GMT 1
Finally happened on my 8th flight, 6th and 7th flights/landings were beautiful. Too much up elevator on take off and the SC veered to the right impacting the motor cowling causing the motor mount to break away from the fuse. When I got it home I realized how simple the repair would be. The motor mount and attached foam fit right back into the fuse like a puzzle piece. I used 15 minute epoxy, taped it to hold it in place and it is good as new and ready to fly.
One thing, another guy showed up to fly. We spoke regarding transmitter channels to be sure we would not affect each others plane. He said there would be no problem, but there was. While speaking with him he taxied his plane to position it for take off. When I got back to mine my wife asked me if I had throttled the SC up as she said it acted like it wanted to take off on it's own. I told her no then I was surprised when the motor started rotating and the servos started chattering. I shut my transmitter off and the SC kept doing wierd things. By this time he was flyng. All I could do to stop it was pull out the battery. Anyone had this experience?
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swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
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Post by swimmer on Jun 2, 2008 17:13:58 GMT 1
Question,
Will the motor mount repair create any flying problems? I used minimal epoxy.
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Post by flydiver on Jun 2, 2008 18:25:59 GMT 1
Several things come to mind.
Yes, people find 'cross talk' on channels sometimes. These are not high end units. It can even happen in 72mHz units if the TX is real close to someone else's plugged in unit. See below.
Everybody who flies ends up crashing, even if they don't write about it.
If your cub was plugged in while you weren't attending it be aware this can be a problem. This is a step towards having an incident that is a bit more unpleasant than you just had. When you aren't using the plane the battery should be unplugged. When not using the TX the power should be off and the antenna down. The antenna down itself doesn't make a big difference but is a statement that the TX is off and makes it less likely someone will accidentally pick it up and turn it on by mistake. If they do with the antenna down it is less likely to take over someone else's plane.
If you did a good gluing job it should be fine. My concern would be an impact of that magnitude could have done other bad things to the power train-bent shaft, stripped gears, junk pushed into the motor, other things not noticed knocked loose or broken, etc. Check everything out thoroughly before flying. To not do so risks another immediate crash. That should start to be a standard procedure.
fly
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swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
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Post by swimmer on Jun 3, 2008 2:54:01 GMT 1
fly,
Checked the SC over as you suggested and everything is in great shape. Gave it battery power and the shaft is perfect. The cowling sustained absolutely no damage so I am at a loss to determine what knocked the mount off the fuse. There is no dirt or FOD in the motor or gearing. I did find the ESC dislodged and returned it back to its place.
After being in model rocketry for many years, LPR/MPR/HPR and hold a Level II Tripoli Rocketry Association Cert, I have become somewhat proficient with epoxy. The repair looks better than original and appears very strong. I got rid of those cheap cowling screws and got replacements at Lowes, #2x3/8".
Thanks, fly, for all your advice and pointers. Unplugging the battery is a good, very good, idea.
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Post by flydiver on Jun 3, 2008 5:24:32 GMT 1
Yeah, I should listen to my own advice! Left my slow stick plugged in last week. Kept carrying the TX around armed and bumped the throttle. Tried to take off and chewed up my buddies' plane. I was very embarrassed.
Do you have ACT off? Suggest you do.
fly
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swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
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Post by swimmer on Jun 3, 2008 15:08:15 GMT 1
fly,
Disconnecting the ACT was the "1ST" thing I did. Reading all the threads on what can happen with it armed convinced me not to even attempt to fly with it.
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Post by pballentine on Jun 11, 2008 19:42:02 GMT 1
Threads about ACT? What's so bad about it? could you post the links to the threads.
Thanks, im new to the hobby and about to take the cub out tomorrow, love the idea of ACT but have only flown once before so i dont know if it did anything.
Thanks again
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Post by flydiver on Jun 11, 2008 20:46:31 GMT 1
Here's one of my tireless tirades against ACT:
[ACT works by using sensors looking at the ground and horizon. It differentiates shade (dark ground/light sky) and tries to keep them that way. If the plane goes up or down too fast and the shade isn't right it 'takes control' AWAY from you and essentially neutralizes the controls. You can achieve the SAME result just by letting go of the sticks. Of course new pilots don't they just over correct some more. The high wing Cub will self correct in time but not immediately.
If ACT kicks in up high, no problem, but then letting go of the sticks would work also. If it happens down low you have NO ABILITY TO CORRECT SINCE CONTROL IS REMOVED! Just like letting go of the sticks once you pointed it straight at the ground from 20 feet up it's going in! Its not useful down low and wrecks more planes than it saves, but it sure sounds good to new fliers. Since they can't fly anyway and they wreck anyway they figure it would only have been worse without it. They can't differentiate between their short comings and ACT's problems.
So it works up high where you don't really benefit from it and screws you up down low when it doesn't help. It also gets totally confused when you fly over water, snow or very light ground surfaces (light concrete, sand) since it doesn't know what to do with that. It's NOT SMART, it's just a shade sensor.]
If you do a serach on "ACT" you'll pretty much get everyone saying to turn it off (minimum) to rip it out, stomp on the parts, and send a nasty gram to HobbyZone.
It's marketing BS. Sounds good, works poorly. I wanted to believe it too when I was brand new and crashing planes-something, anything to help. ACT does not help. Sorry.
fly
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swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
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Post by swimmer on Jun 11, 2008 21:33:13 GMT 1
Can't speak to the subject of "ACT." Never used it.
Be informed how the ACT system can affect your flight, good and bad, before attempting flight. There are many posts here and other forums regarding the ACT system.
Good luck and let us know how you do.
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Post by pballentine on Jun 12, 2008 16:57:13 GMT 1
ah yes. This is why i joined this board, and i love it. Thanks for the quick response.
I guess i could turn it on when i have good hieght, and off when im coming down? Or just forget about it and leave it off....
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Post by flydiver on Jun 13, 2008 1:21:06 GMT 1
Play with it up high-then decide yourself. It only kicks in with radical up and down movements. Personally mine is unplugged so I can't forget and flip the switch or bump it.
fly
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