I decided to get back into R.C. flying, not the gps style, but straight up sticks. I’ve been flying for probably 25 years. I put it away after the wife died, and whatya gonna do? I really wanna get back into it again so here we go.
I still have a few planes left over from the before time that I will still use, an Edge 540 in 30 inch wing
span and a 40 inch flying wing, which is always a fun plane style to fly.
This time is different.
First thing I did was buy the modern version of the RC simulator so that I could actually practice on the computer while I was building my new planes. A nice part is the radio for the simulator is identical in shape and form to the Spektrum radio that I use to run my planes, same company. I learned long ago to practice on a simulator with your own sticks until you get it down.
Then you can have fun and not crash,
I prefer the Zivko Edge 540 aerobatic plane, by design, based on the P51, with a midwing and a lot of other aerodynamic advantages.
When flying 3D aircraft advantage number one is to have a thrust ratio of at least 1.5 to 1, as far as power to weight, it makes for awesome work. Modern three phase electronics and lithium batteries make it very simple to make that work, well.
Programming
This is where things get tricky. You have to program every single control that you use and modify it for dual rates.
Dual rates? That’s the simple take off rates, and then you switch over when you hit altitude to the high-end return rates and away you go, then you switch back for a nice controlled landing.
I have flown many types of aircraft in my RC journey: twin-engine B25 bombers, a 6 foot wingspan U 2 with cameras and lots of different variations of things, ufos, what have you.
Out of all the types and styles of flying, I love to fly 3D/aerobatic, its high intensity, high maneuvering high-speed, don’t screw up. But it looks so beautiful when it’s done, right.
My first build in my latest projects was, of course, an Edge 540 in 40 inch wingspan. And this time I was going to do it in Zivko colors, kind of Ukrainian looking, but has nothing to do with Ukraine. I don’t think. It turns out it was a paper over foam box used with a just shit fuse and wing and just not suitable for flying. However, the fuse was very intact and well-balanced, so I built a nice symmetrical wing.
Next is the Volticeur, another version of the Edge, this time in 48” wingspan.
This particular plane is what you call an ARF, almost ready to fly. It’s got pretty much everything it needs maybe lacking servos if you want good servos, but the only thing necessary is a receiver and a transmitter and you should have those things on hand.
Anyway, they still require building and a lot of attention to detail, because you must build straight and true if you’re going to fly aircraft, but otherwise it’s sort of a very satisfying way to continue on the hobby.
I should be ready to put up some planes in the next week or so and will report back, until then check out the baby Extra 160,16″ wingspan, 3 oz. All up, until then, Fly!
The last model plane I flew was made of balsa wood and powered by a rubber band. Definately couldn’t steer that thing.
Guillows still makes them, dont know how they fly nowadays
One of my favorite videos is the 2012 James May’s “Toy Stories” Christmas Special “Flight Club” where James and large cast of extras “fly” an autonomous glider 22 miles across the Bristol Channel to the island of Lundy.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2706542/
That was a great show. I remember the train one (unsurprising for me) and I think a sort-of Rube Goldberg one.
It’s one of my comfort videos. If I’m not happy I always feel better at the end of a rewatch.
Clarkson’s my favorite writer and overall person and presenter, but my character lines up more with May. Hammond’s really good at not dying, so I’ll give him that and *fist bump* to him. Clarkson’s Farm is legitimately important, phenomenally done and fantastic entertainment. I believe the new season’s out in May.
May’s Toy Stories are quite entertaining. I’m sure I watched his Japan show, but I’m not sure I remember.
Two things I remember from “Our Man in Japan” are James’ bemusement at the Penis Festival and the samurai sword maker’s alarm when James tried to touch the edge.
Never seen Clarkson’s Farm; I have only watched that car show they did once or twice so not very familiar with that guy.
“that car show”? Do you mean “Top Gear”? Arguably, during the CHM era, the most popular TV show (Clarkson)In The World(/Clarkson)? It wasn’t well known in the U.S., available only on BBC America, but it was major everywhere else. The chemistry between Clarkson, Hammond, and May was magnificent. I have an archive of every episode.
“that car show”. Sheesh.
“Clarkson’s Farm” is a delight. Highly recommended.
His legitimate love of farming shines through and gave me a real appreciation of that insane career.
Gotta agree. Top Gear is one of my favorites. Completely different worlds, but it and QI (only with Stephen Fry) are my two favorite non-fiction shows. The ‘interviewees all race the same car’ legit opens up guests and puts their skin in the game. The race across London with a car v boat v bike v public transport is a fantastic introduction. Their big races like that, Bugatti Veyron through Europe v a train, or a car across all of England v the British post, are also fun examples.
Grand Tour is more of the same after getting kicked off BBC, kinda cuz Clarkson is vehemently anti-woke. And an asshole.
Clarkson’s Farm does show folk how difficult farming is, but more importantly skewers how the govt and townsfolk all (quite literally) conspired against Clarkson. His getting around their regs is a very Glib demonstration of that reality.
Not a car person. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I’d watch the farming show though.
Evan: As a Fry-era QI fan I assume you’ve seen the hysterical Parthenon clip. It didn’t make it into the broadcast show. It starts about 1:50 in this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58rbknKBJvc
I’ve only seen a couple episodes of the car show too.
Seemed too reality TV/writers trying to be funny who weren’t funny.
*giddy for Rhy* To be fair, though Top Gear is obviously about cars, the interactions of the three hosts is the selling point. Speaking of, Clarkson teams up with Kaleb in Farm, a young farmer who’s both exceptional at his job and can keep Jeremy on track, Such perfect casting. He had never left England and never been to London. (Or just sat on the school bus, nervous.)
I wonder how many Brits they went through to find someone who’s good at farming, can tolerate Clarkson, can manage to be on camera, and be inherently interesting completely despite himself… no small task. And *SWISH* Nailed it.
I get that – the eps I did see, they were just fun as hell to watch.
I remember I wanted to be a farmer for about half an hour after watching a farmer lady giving a presentation in my (kind of ghetto) junior high library.
NB: I am a life-long city boy. Maybe a little suggestible at times.
Caleb’s fill-in in season 4, Harriet, was similarly a great bit of casting.
They must have gone through legions of applicants to find her.
@Threedoor: Some of the bits, especially in Grand Tour, get like that, especially early on in both shows. That and the interviews can largely be skipped and you won’t miss anything. (Or much. Jay Kay wanting to reclaim the crown by beating Simon Codpiece Cowell is hella worth it. Those into-it guests are very Rogan-esque. They’re competitive and actually themselves. It really is refreshing. Some pols, Boris Johnson included, guested, but not at all the point of the show.)
@Richard: Oh, hell yes. It’s hard to find places to watch the Fry eps. As in, I can’t find any and I’ve got Prime and Netflix. I can really only get YouTube clips. (I’m fairly sure I can buy them, but I’m worried about only getting the Sandi Toksvig ones.) I even think she’s funny. Quite smart and a good guest, but damn. Following up Fry in that is like Dolph Lundgren following Wilder’s Wonka.
Evan: I’ve got a complete archive of QI. Contact me (see the pin plug article link) and I’ll send you a copy.
For a bit I dated a woman that worked for British Airways. She claimed numerous encounters with Clarkson and said he was a colossal, entitled, asshole.
/n=1, YMMV
Carolla had a minor Clarkson anecdote from when he (Adam) as in the loop for American Top Gear – “disinterested chain-smoker” was how I remember it.
@Richard: That seems an awfully big ‘favor…’ I don’t like causing others to lose time. I am curious, tho, if there’s an easy way to transfer files ya got in mind.
@All: Oh, his ‘character’ is assholery, IRL I imagine it’s far worse. I assume he’s many naughty things, especially when travelling:
“In March 2015, the BBC fired Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson after a “fracas” in which he physically assaulted and verbally abused producer Oisin Tymon. The attack, involving a 30-second punch that left Tymon bleeding, was triggered by a lack of hot food after filming, resulting in the non-renewal of Clarkson’s contract.”
I’m not sure what a 30-second punch means. Punching someone FOR 30 seconds would I think be quite criminal and leave quite a blood trail far worse than a non-renewal of contract. *shrug* But asshole. No way he’s in a monogamous relationship in any manner. (NTTAWWT)
👍 James May Lego wall
👍 Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell recently (I’m betting)
The only thing I’ve ever flown is a quad-copter drone I bought before all the nice stuff like stabilization and auto-homeing was invented. No camera, no GPS, just you and your analog controls. I got to the point where I could do very large rough orbits. I was flying it at a neighbor’s camp way up the valley when a gust of wind took it over the valley and out of controller range. It fell about 100 feet and got pretty banged up. I bought a rebuild kit and installed the new propellers but never took it out flying again.
I still have 2 of those old school quads, been dragging them around in their hard case for 15 years.
I’d been waiting for my neighbor’s grandsons to get old enough to give them my drone. They’re now old enough but already have modern toy easy-to-fly drones and I don’t know if they’d appreciate an old classic.
They should be old enough for your drone now: “and then i went into the bank to cash a check, and, no, wait, I went in to get change for a nickel but all they had were quarters, which was unusual for that branch on a Monday as that is the day all the farmers come in to drop off the pennies that they made at the farm stands by people going for Sunday drives in the country after church which is the big draw around here seeing as their ain’t any other way to meet folks that like to talk to you…”
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
I didn’t even think of ’em having computer simulators for ’em, particularly with similar controllers, I suppose cuz I’m not in that scene. (And not thinking 4th dimensionally.) That adds a lot to this hobby, I imagine.
Can you kinda fly ’em anywhere? I’m quite certain airspace won’t allow it, but I wonder about cities. Ever fly anywhere you weren’t supposed to? Or what’d happen if ya did?
Folks here have so many hobbies. Building something or other. *doffs cap*
Where I fly is in the next episode, it not like the olden times.
Ah, the olden times. Reminds me of a dude whose name I had to look up. Back when, uh, shit was done by the seat of their pants:
“[Franz Reichelt] is remembered for jumping to his death from the Eiffel Tower while testing a wearable parachute of his own design, a device that today might be called a wingsuit.”
Ballsy. Stupid, but ballsy! Apparently, they tested with dummies and they all worked!
Flying RC airplanes would not have been an advisable activity today. This has been one of the windiest days I can recall. It was also laundry day. Precipitation wasn’t in the forecast so I hung up the laundry outside. My clothesline is strung up as tree-tree-pole-tree-tree. The “pole” is a pressure treated 2×4 in a column of cinder blocks. It fell over. Many times. It’s never done that before.
The sea was windy that day, my friends!!
Thats when you fly control line kits, hehe
Heh. We went from zero MPH to 30 with gusts. My 9 foot and seven foot kites are staying grounded.
I wont fly mine or about 15, and they are the same size as yours, big enough to launch my skinny ass into the sky
Bobbo: A long time ago I read flying wings are the most efficient airplane shape, because they’re all lifting surface, but so unstable that (back then) they couldn’t be flown. Is there a difference flying an RC flying wing and and RC regular airplane?
They are very sensitive to CoG, and elevons only, no rudder, acrobatic maybe but no 3d flying.
The B-2 says hello.
Ho229
My brother flew an RC plane my dad built. We called it Big Red. I guess it was about 3 feet long with a similar wingspan. We also had an indoor RC blimp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0UKmwJR7l8
nano blimp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7dV2B1M1dU
I was more into model rockets and experimented with a rocket-propelled Pinewood Derby car.
We did that with an old real metal Tonka dump truck, 2 D motors, it was Atomic,
Wow. This article is reactivating a whole bunch of long-idle neurons.
Estes D class rocket engines:
https://estesrockets.com/collections/d-engines
I remember those.
I was never able to properly control RC anything.
Perspective, put yourself in the plane, forget what you see and put yourself in the plane.
Monocle people:
v4.11.1 has been released – it’s an attempt at fixing the issue of the buttons obscuring the post (by just shrinking the width of the buttons) as well as the buttons sometime being obscured by the site banner on iPads and the like.
Apple folks probably have to manually refresh: https://gitlab.com/glibertarians/forumProject/-/tree/master#iphone-ipad–mac-safari
Others should auto-update at some point.
Ah, yes I see that. On desktop now where it’s not needed but next time I am on mobile I bet it will help.
Thanks as always!
I’m going to have to fool with this further, I think – on Android w/ Firefox, it doesn’t pick up “button” presses reliably now.
Some right-padding is missing on the Next Comments button but that might be my fault cuz I have played around with their appearance.
Rhywun with his tech privilege. I can’t even.
Schools were virtual today for fear of the storm that just passed through knocking out power in the area.
Thats cause electricity comes from the walls, dont even? Ghaa
My walls aren’t working.
Whatever happened to snow days?
Near-universal personal computers and broadband.
My god I remember snow days… wonderful surprise holidays.
There you go again, Bobbo, always working on something.
Reminds self: Don’t take Bobbo fishing, he can’t sit still.
Only when I’m reading a book
Unfrocked people:
There is no update to the Glibertarian Pin. It remains v1.0 but is still supremely desirable, a classic in all respects. Join the legion[1] of proud pin-bearers and request your free pin today!
Details:
https://www.glibertarians.com/2025/09/free-as-in-beer/
Footnotes:
[1] For a small value of “legion”.
I was rockin’ mine the other day when it got warm enough to wear my newsboy cap instead of a winter hat.
Thanks!
Your (former) Majesty: see black cap in semi-penultimate photo.
Mine is more jaunty.
Any Glib that shows up for Honey Harvest without the official Glib pin will have to buy one at the door. They won’t be cheap
Stage whisper to Richard: I still have 3-4 left, probably enough.
I have mine on my winter cap but looks like I’ll be switching in a few days.
(song)The hills are alive with traffic of sugaring!(/song)
Around here the big maple syrup producers have stainless steel tank trucks to transport sap to the sugarhouse while the smaller producers have 4’x4’x4′ metal framed plastic tanks in the back of their pickup trucks. The traffic on my dead end road is like Hunting Season but with sap tanks instead of rifles.
This year’s shipment of hot-off-the-boiler maple syrup to Honey Harvest will include a replenishment of the pin supply.
I rock mine at the course and ToG on her black hat, all hail!
Some of us my be host to legion.
Maybe you can send a few to the idiots who attend the Oscars.
And you still haven’t found what you’re looking for?
I found it, living in San Diego. This place has everything I need and quite a few things I want, all close by.
He’s out of control.
Redhedz 4 Yusef.
https://d9mmy4rwwl0s89.archive.is/5I1oE/ef03540987d0c5fc5706e6ad7e0d7c5d64ab7462.jpg
NSFW.
https://d24fs4hma3gv8s.archive.is/AzERt/0e1734cc916a7a6ea18e921ae7cd3131a0effcd3.jpg
NSFW.
https://d7hjhv9xkbi549.archive.is/UGW80/c56969ebfe5aa2284ba38161744ecbe153715e98.jpg
NSFW.
https://dgxrsy689pj0a3.archive.is/qAfCw/fc54e2ee604217ed244cb6e8c3468793c19d7634.webp
NSFW.
aHa! My quotient quadrant quandary incantation worked as expected…
*zips* Well, my bunk needs company.
*zips* Patience, pet. Second period’s coming up. Patience, pet.
(Three’s face wins. Otherwise, everyone’s a winner!)
Everyone’s a winner.
All right, schmoopies…
I want to buy a sequoia seed and plant it somewhere. In a few hundred years, people will wonder why there’s some giant tree growing in a random field. I won’t live to see it, and it will be tricky to find a place where it can grow safely. For a similar reason, I want to plant a bristlecone pine somewhere. For $11 each, I could plant many trees.
***
Despite its limited natural range, the Giant Sequoia is a highly adaptable species. It is both cold and heat hardy, and can grow almost anywhere in the United States. The two primary keys to success with the Giant Sequoia are: [1] a nice, sunny growing location; and [2] a watering cycle which allows the Giant Sequoia’s roots to dry out in between waterings.
***
https://sequoiatrees.com/collections/parks-collection/products/giant-sequoia-seed-grow-kit
If you want to try something a little higher, yet less ambitious, consider gathering seeds or cones of moon trees.
They’re mostly southern and western species, and four are in Tennessee — though the one on the Air Force base might be tough to source for you.
Stage trees
There are plenty of sequoias in my home town.
A guy did that in northern Michigan, it worked, I wrote an article about from Gunslingers recce, its around here somewhere.
https://www.mlive.com/life/2025/03/2-types-of-sequoia-trees-have-grown-big-in-michigan-where-to-see-these-ancient-species.html
***
The Michigan Champion giant sequoia is about 77 years old (planted in 1948) – compare that to General Sherman at around 2,200 years old – and stands about 116 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter. The largest known giant sequoia tree east of the Rocky Mountains, it’s one of two listed on the Big Tree Register.
***
So it can be done. Cool. And I’ll probably live long enough to see it get taller than most other trees.
Very nice selection Q, very Rounded you might say
There’s a college engineering conpetition called Design-build-fly that (shockingly) requires each team to build an RC plane from scratch and then there are various challenges that the plane has to handle. Each year the challenges are different – last years was launching an autonomous drone, timed flight w obstacles, carrying weight, etc. My kid at UW has done it for all 4 years now, loves it.
That’s super cool.
My young friend Evan is in that challenge now, fun to watch his progress
I think drugs are falling outta my ass, but damn. That’s a story.
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — A Utah woman was convicted Monday of aggravated murder after poisoning her husband with fentanyl and self-publishing a children’s book about coping with grief.
Prosecutors said Kouri Richins slipped five times the lethal dose of the synthetic opioid into a cocktail that her husband Eric Richins drank in March 2022 at their home outside the affluent ski town of Park City. They said she was $4.5 million in debt and falsely believed that when her husband died, she would inherit his estate worth more than $4 million.
The book was the coup de grace of chutzpah.
At least Utah convicted her of self-publishing a damn *children’s* book. That’s a relief.
I imagine she started writing that while she was still planning hubbie’s murder. That’s nice and twisted. Those three sentences deserve movie treatment. I’m too knackered to think of casting, at the momo. Go back a few decades and I want Laura Linney as Kouri. Steve Coogan can be the investigator or whatever dude’s on the side.
I’ll play me.
Obviously she needed the extra income from the book sales because she was still gonna be a half a buck in the hole after killing him.
A rare and interesting flavor of derp:
My net worth is $4M but I choose to live in my car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYC8KlT4yNE
other video titles:
I quit my $435k/yr quant job to be homeless
Why I’ll never get married
Yeah, those two ideas make sense together.
I see some of myself in him, but being a miser or a workaholic was never my thing. My motto these days is live simply and travel light. The best things in life are free and most of the rest are dirt cheap.