Information Exchange

[GHMBO]

There seems to be a big demand for the MicroFlight monthly plan to be in DXF files. That means that there are a number of CADers amoung us that are designing and scratch building stuff. Some have submited plans and articles in hopes that they be published, but were not. Some of the most meaningful testing of micro-aeronautics, motors, batteries and the other specialized equipment that we use are done by the members of this community. I for one would like to see downloadable and zipped files that contain plans and articles. It seems to me that this BB would be the place to do this. It would be almost like a rolling newsletter written by us and more meaningful than evaluations of ARFs. What does everyone think?

[gjohnson]

Sounds good. Some time back I suggested that it would be great if there were a place on this site where members could upload plans they had developed. If that's not possible, we could start a forum where members post the info and links to their plans. Comments and questions would be made in the thread for each model and plan.

I think the suggestion made by Ralph about some sort of posting about how to go about submitting an article to RCMicroflight would be good. Of course, the editors need to be responsive as well.

Writing our own articles here is of course a possibility. One problem is that this BB is somewhat limiting for much other than text and pictures. That's why I created my own crude web site so I could display Excel graphs and tables. I suppose if any one of us had a technique they wanted to share it could be typed into a thread and pictures displayed as appropriate. Even a thread on constructing a model from DXF plans should be possible, just not particularly pretty.

I'd like to say that Allan Wright and others who have had web sites for a while now and post links here to what are essentially construction articles are to be commended. That's how this community shares information beyond what is reasonably possible with a BB.

Ralph, if you get no response from the editors, how about starting a thread on your mite and write us an on-line article? Or, put the article on your web site.Unfortunately, we can't pay you a nominal fee like the editors would.

For my part, I'll try to write up what is essentially an article on what I've been learning so far from my static tests of the smaller indoor motors/props/batteries.

There is nothing stopping us. Lets get to it.

Gordon

[Ralph B]

Guys:
I think the idea has potential. I'm not looking to sell my work to the magazines, but rather just share my experiences with other modelers in an effort to promote development and participation in the micro models that I enjoy so much. While the magazine editors seem to be a little less than interested in what I'm doing, I'm more discouraged by the aparent lack of interest on this bulitin board. It's very unusual for me to get a response to any of my posts. For example, yesterday I wrote a reply to a question about how well magnetic actuators perform. My response was basicly a condensation of a year of experience with this equipment. Nobody had any comments or questions. right now I don't feel very motivated to put the time and effort into a construction article, in any venue, when I see so little interest. I would rather spend the time building.

Ralph B

[GHMBO]

I agree that it would take a lot of effort on the contributors part. However, There are a lot of new guys finding small R/C flyers and now they are in the fast and dirty ARF's and sticks. Slowly they will come up to speed and by then our BB threads will have disappeared. I am into scale park flyers since I live in a rural area and we don't seem to have buildings large enough to fly in. I am interested in the actuators to add functions that many servos would add too much weight. My posts don't seem to draw much interest either. Once they get over the newness, they will want to scratch build and experiment. I would love to read an in depth article on actuators rather than a few threads on several BBs and hints on several sites. The same goes for batteries, motors, props, ect.

I am not a webmaster but some of the guys out there are. Maybe some of them could have an upload/download section on their site. Maybe we will hear from one of them.

Cheers

[Dave Robelen]

Hi Folks,
GHMBO, your concept of posting some more detailed "how-to-do-it" material sounds like a neat idea. Just please think in terms of a little condensation. FWIW as a contributor who has had material published in several mags, I would point out that it is not uncommon for the staff to hold article material for long periods of silence and then use it. Typically, if there is no interest the material will be returned. If you have a question about specific material that has been sent to AirAge, I would contact either Debra Sharp at debs@airage.com, or Tom Atwood at toma@airage.com . These folks have struck me as pretty accessible (and heavily overworked) but normally can give a status on a project.
Ralph, I read your post regarding the actuator experience and picked up some useful thoughts that I thank you for. The fact that I did not respond in that case was not a lack of interest, but a lack of something to contribute at the time. You are picking up a leading position in a pretty specialized field, and it may be that fewer folks feel they can contribute. Check the number of views on a post to get a sense of the interest.
As I talk with the staff, I will get a better feel for whether to try and post a tutorial on article presentation here, or in a more widely read publication. I guess that is the issue sometimes. More people see a publication including those back issues I keep (don't you?) and a lot of good stuff comes out on rainy days.
Thanks to all for contributing. Dave Robelen :)

[gjohnson]

Ralph,
For me at least, don't think that because I don't respond that I haven't read very carefully what you wrote. In my case I made a decision to head into micro indoor via small traditional equipment. I figured at some point I would probably venture into actuators. But I just haven't done that yet. Last night I was flying with Abbot Lahti and I'm now wondering about getting into actuators sooner than I had expected. Your experiences will be invaluable to me at that time. Right now I can't comment because they are still somewhat mysterious to me.

Regards,

Gordon

[genebond]

I agree with all said so far. I have heard the rumors that the publishers are uncaring and un responsive, but I take it with a grain of salt.

I routinely follow the links to plans, pictures and construction articles from this bbs as well as the 'big one'. I have learned an incredible amount in the past few months, since I started playing with my first ARF. Since then, based on the info here and there, I have:

- Built a LiteStik, my way from the beginning, not modified the stock-built kit.
- Scratch built a funny looking BiPlane.
- Stick built a whole plane from downloaded plans and balsa sheets.
- Designed and made numerous 'alternative' parts and wings for my 2 ARF's.
- Worked on a new design of my own, which is almost ready for 'crash testing'.

While I'm up here on my soapbox, I'd like to thank everyone who has published pictures, plans, and advise. Especially Ralph, who excited me to design a 'packable' plane, AZ Chuck for some great plans and ideas, Todd Long, Doug Bender, and all the other designer/manufacturers, since I stole some of there ideas... etc.

Like Ralph says, I'm not looking to go into any business selling these products, I like playing with the stuff and making it work. I have a job, and it's work. This is my HOBBY!

Gene

http://photos.*****.com/genebond

(edit) What's going on here? the system changed y.a.h.o.o. to all asterisks! Is this a terrorist thing? (every time I try to fix it!)

[Ralph B]

Gene:
Thanks for your comments. I'm glad to hear you were inspired to try some of the small stuff. It's nice to know that the "hot air" I have been generating here may have helped someone.

Ralph