Air Land Sea Hobbies

Discus Launching:

Discus Launched Gliders (DLGs) are a fairly new breed of RC glider, designed with a particular launch method in mind.

One wingtip is held by the pilot, who then spins around 360 degrees before flinging the glider up wards - in the same way a discus is thrown in the athletic field event. 
The centrifugal force produced by the pre-launch spin is enough to launch the glider to a surprising height, and the design characteristics of DLGs are such that the aircraft naturally goes into a steep climb immediately after launch. 
The good thing with this form of glider launching is that you don’t have to be strong, because the power comes from the technique.

DLGs are perfect for thermal soaring on a flat field

 Bungee launching:

Bungee launching Radio Controlled Gliders can either be done on a gentle hillside or level ground. The bungee system is a long length of elastic cord extended further by an even longer length of non-stretch cord (anything up to 10x the length of elastic). The bungee is pegged into the ground at one end and attached to a hook on the bottom of the glider at the other end. A small parachute is attached to the glider end of the bungee. To launch, the pilot walks backwards with the glider in one hand and the transmitter in the other, so stretching the bungee. When a suitable stretch has been reached, the glider is released and the bungee then pulls the glider up to a good height.
With a small pull back on the elevator stick at the top of its climb, the glider releases itself from the bungee and your flight commences. The bungee then falls back to earth, slowed by the parachute.

Like discus launching, bungee launches are perfect for thermal flying over a flat field, provided that you have the length to lay out, and stretch, the bungee.

The Radio Controlled Electric Powered Helicopter is one of the most popular RC helicopters in the Hobby today. Many manufacturers have found that the usage of carbon fiber has lightened up the weight of the EP helicopter. One of the best places to use carbon fiber in RC helicopters is the frame. I recently found a 450 size RC helicopter with carbon fiber frame to be much lighter and even stronger that the like helicopter with an aluminum frame. There are many composite materials being used in full size helicopters and there usage is a welcome addition to the electric powered radio controlled helicopters. 

One of the greatest advantages of the use of carbon fiber is the strength of the parts, they now resist bending better than aluminum parts. Not only is the strength a great feature but the addition strength also comes with a big weight savings. Lighter is always better with any helicopter.  Take a look at the new Carbon fiber framed helicopters and to see the difference.  I know you will be able to feel the difference when you fly them.

Every time you give a gift to a small child, you must keep in mind that the gift must be age-appropriate and safe. One of the most common problems with toys and small children is that small pieces break off and pose a serious choking hazard. But don’t think that choking hazards are only for toddlers. Even young children can experience this problem. So if you’re thinking about getting your niece or nephew any number of RC cars, just make sure to do your research.

Low quality remote control vehicles might break apart after heavy use, and this can also leave the car with jagged or sharp edges. This, of course, increases the risk that the child will cut themselves. Because these cars are going to be jumped on concrete and played with in a rough manner, make sure the model you’re purchasing is strong enough to withstand this kind of abuse. After all, you don’t want the toy breaking for two major reasons. First and foremost, the kids could hurt themselves. And two, they’ll be out a toy if it breaks right away.

How solder works is important to the Electric Powered Radio Controlled Hobby. A solder is a fusible metal alloy with a melting point or melting range of 90 to 450 °C (200 to 840 °F). Solder is used in a process called soldering where it is melted to join metallic surfaces. It is especially useful in electronics. Alloys that melt between 180 and 190 °C are the most commonly used.

Knowing the above is important when soldering wires from Lithium Polymer batteries or Electronic Speed Controllers to Ultra Plugs. A Ultra plug is one of the most commonly used connector in the EP Hobby. I have purchased many sets from AirLandSeaHobbies.com, they are of very good quality and reasonably priced.

To solder wires to the Ultra plugs i find it is best to first tin the wires with solder. After the tinned wires have cooled I then squeeze the wires ends to flatten them so that they will set nicely against the tabs of the ultra connectors. I find that it is also helpful to also tin the tabs.  By flattening the wires the matting surface of the to conductors have a wider surface to carry there electrical load.

While remote control cars are a favorite among any RC enthusiast, there is also a lot of interest in RC helicopters. Newcomers to the hobby should be aware, however, that helicopters tend to be a bit more complicated in terms of putting the product together as well as flying. To learn the history of electric RC helicopters, it is necessary to learn the more general history of helicopters. This began as far back as Leonardo da Vinci, who experimented with aircrafts bearing rotary wings.

But successful manned flight wasn’t until the 1930s, and it wasn’t until 1941 that the first helicopter was built. This was accomplished by Igor Sikorsky. And it wasn’t long before RC enthusiasts converted the real life product into a model version. Built in West Germany, the first RC helicopter was built in 1968. And ever since, the models have continued to improve. Becoming more and more advanced, RC helicopters are now common among toy stores and purveyors of electric remote control products.

The C ratting of Lithium Polymer Batteries  (Lipo Batteries)can be confusing at first. People often ask what is the difference of a 8C, 12C, 15C, 20C, 25C, 30C battery?  The “C” rating is the rate that power can be safely draw from a battery or used. The number before the C is the multiple that is used in figuring this rate.

Lets use a common battery from AirLandSeaHobbies.com as an example. The battery is their 11.1V 15C 2200mAh lithium polymer battery pack. According to there website this lipo battery pack has a 15C continuous rating with a burst rating of 25C. To calculate what the actual continual power drain the pack is designed for, you multiply the C rating times the batteries mAh rating. One example of this is 15 times 2200 mAh, being 2200 mAh equals 2.2 amps it is easiest to substitute the 2.2 for the 2200.  What this means is that the battery is designed to deliver 33 Amps (15 x .2.2 amps )of continuous power with bursts of up to 55 Amps. (25 x 2.2 amps). 

You can quickly figure the safe Amperage of any Lipo Battery pack knowing what the C rating and mAh rating is.