Blackberry Curve

[compyelc4]

Hello,

I am new to forum. I have about 60 goof-free flights in in my SC. Just lucky I guess, but I do MS flight sims almost every day. I am brand new to R/C'ing. I've made strengthening mods to battery box, tundra tires/wheels, metal gear skirts, velcro'd and repositioned and strenghtened wing strut-to-fuselage mounts.

I am determined to attempt first video attempt with my Blackberry Curve. I believe it weights about 4 oz. I've made a snap in, and velcro'd mount for right side, in line with CG. Will be mounted flat and vertically against fuselage with slight downward tilt to avoid most of wing. Do any of you think the little SC can handle the weight and slight off-center mount of this camera? I've got a 4gb card in camera and should be able to shoot for a full-flight time. The curve takes very sharp video. I have not flown with it yet, but I expect she may just handle this task with more up elevator, slight right rudder, and slightly more speed required for a soft touchdown on asphalt. I'm thinking the SC will lift off just fine.... maybe! If you guys think the SC won't handle this, then I'll get a keychain camera instead.

Thanks for any advice you can give me. I'm determined, but cautious. There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots. :-)

[flydiver]

That's a lotta weight and an expensive camera. I think I'd test fly 1 oz > 4 oz successive payloads at your mount location before you risk it. Better to nibble and be disappointed than go for it and lose the lot.

You can get small accurate scales on line to check things (or go to the post office). A good scale is a decent tool to have in this sport.

[compyelc4]

Thanks for the input flydiver. You know, I think I'll try your substitute weight suggestion. As to the cost of the BBerry, well yes, but I've had it at work for a couple of years and when I retired this past June they gave it to me as a token going away present. I only use it for music now. But, the girls in the office did pitch in a buy me the Super Cub RTF. Now that present was nicer!

[compyelc4]

Followup Report: Well, I took the SC up yesterday (stock motor, battery and prop). I took and chance and inserted the Blackberry Curve (only worth about $59 used currently) in its open-frame, plastic belt holster and then velcro'd the back of the holster vertically on the C/G point. It was quite gusty at maybe 12 mph but the little SC left the ground in about 10 ft. and climbed to altitude with no problems. I did have to give her a little more rudder on opposite-side turns, and more up at landing flare, but it really was not a significant problem. Also needed 2/3rds throttle instead of 1/2 throttle at cruise, but then again I was fighting some nice headwinds. The 5 min. video turned out great. I brought her down on 3" grass just fine (tundra wheels helped here), but it did do a little "upend" on the spinner as she came to a stop, but then she dropped the tail back down so she ended up in take-off position again. Great fun, but I won't be doing video every flight. Next time, however, I'm planning to stay up longer and fly higher. My 5 yr old granddaughter viewed the video, and she was clutching my arm like she was actually in the plane. :-) The wide-angle video was that good. Sure enjoy the SC!! She's a gutsy little plane.

[flydiver]

Extra weight actually helps stabilize it in some wind. There are limits to that though.
Glad it turned out well.