RunRyder - Anyone using the K&S F3C Practise flags?

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Aerobatic FAI F3C Contest > Anyone using the K&S F3C Practise flags?

RCHelicopterGuy
Veteran
Location: Michigan

This may be overly simplistic, but I was wondering something...

Why not just take a 6 ft. (2m) length of string, tie it to your frames directly underneath the main shaft, and hang a bolt from it? It would help you with your eye-level hovering stuff, at least, and wouldn't cost a lot of money.

I was thinking about trying this next season (weather's getting too cold to do any significant practice now.)

11-11-2007 08:53 PM

ErichF
Key Veteran
Location: Odessa, FL 33556 (Tampa Area)

A string would pendulate too much, cause a distraction, and be a crutch. You would spend more time chasing the swinging string, rather than watching your heli and gaining the proper sight picture of what it looks like to be over the flag.

Erich

11-11-2007 09:51 PM

Bond007
Senior Heliman
Location: Leicestershire UK

What about a laser pointer onto a ground marker? Not sure how well you'll be able to see it, but I think it's worth a try.

Once me heli is rebuilt (after a recent pilot induced error

) I'm gonna try this.

Have been looking up some information on infrared tx/rx systems as well. Not too sure about this yet. Gonna do some more research.

I'm more mechanical than electronic

though.

11-13-2007 08:15 PM

Bond007
Senior Heliman
Location: Leicestershire UK

Ea434

Quote
Well to update you on this topic I can now inform you that me and my flying buddy have bought the K&S flags. They're really working well and boy they help a lot. Didn't know we were so far off the flags. They are not cheap but they've improved our hovering.

Where did you get them from

11-13-2007 08:37 PM

pchristy
Senior Heliman
Location: Nr London, England

When I was teaching my lad to fly (many years ago now!), we were on holiday by the seaside. I bought some of those plastic windmill things that the kids put on sandcastles, and used them as FAI flags.

If you got the heli over them, they would spin like crazy! And they were CHEAP!

;-)

--
Pete

11-14-2007 10:55 AM

MattJen
Elite Veteran
Location: UK,Gravesend, Kent

pete

thats good a idea i would never have thought of that, and to think it must have helped mark to see what he has achieved since being a wee young lad!!!

can someone post a link as to where these K and S flags be obtained from

Many thanks

Matt

I bought my Mother-in-law a chair for xmas, but she wouldn't plug it in

11-14-2007 03:21 PM

Bond007
Senior Heliman
Location: Leicestershire UK

Mattjen

I have been searching around for these, but had no joy yet

11-15-2007 08:40 PM

fergus
Veteran
Location: Ireland

I have only ever seen them on the K&S website so I would say they would have to be special order from any hobbyshop which stocks K&S parts.

Regards

Fergus

11-16-2007 07:56 PM

Bond007
Senior Heliman
Location: Leicestershire UK

Worth a try ?

For the UK guys......

this might be worth a try

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx...=3194&doy=21m11

I've just ordered one to try it out.

Will let you know if it's any good.

The specs for the Tx/Rx sensors state the range is good for up to 20ft, although the specs on the above link are less

For the rest of the world try....

http://www.velleman.be/country.php

Keep you informed when it's built and tested

EDIT..I have contacted RC Japan as well to get a price for the K&S set. Will let you know when I get a response

11-21-2007 08:43 PM

Bond007
Senior Heliman
Location: Leicestershire UK

EeeeeeeeeeK

The K&S F3C practise flag set is made to special order and cost 62700 Yen, which is £280 or $580 incl shipping

Anybody wanting to order a set, let me know and I'll pass on the details. There is a 1 to 2 month lead in time (from order to delivery).

11-28-2007 07:08 PM

johnb
Key Veteran
Location: Guildford, Surrey UK

wouldn't the parking sensor just tell you how high off the ground you are?

12-01-2007 09:11 PM

Bond007
Senior Heliman
Location: Leicestershire UK

johnb

Only the sophisticated parking sensors give you an indication of distance from an object.

This will not measure your distance. It will detect an obstacle up to 20ft away, as that's the max range of the sensors. So, if an obstacle, in this case my heli, passes over the sensors (mounted on the unit), and within the max range (20ft), then a buzzer will sound.

My plan is to mount it in a box, with the sensors pointing vertically up, and positioned where the flag would be, so when you hover over the flag position, the buzzer sounds, indicating your in the correct position. If it works well, then I'll make another unit up for the other flag position, so then I can practise the hovering manouvers on my own, and increase my accuracy.

I am in the process of putting one together at the moment. hopefully get to test it when I get another flying opportunity

If it doesn't work well for this, then it's going on my daughters car

12-02-2007 11:21 AM

pgrbff
Senior Heliman
Location: Louth, Ireland

The detection range is 5cm to 1.5m. How will you increase it?

Proficient at turning cash and credit into noise!

12-02-2007 11:44 AM

Bond007
Senior Heliman
Location: Leicestershire UK

pgrbff

The specs for the completed unit states the range is adjustable, by a pot, to between 60cm's and 1.5m, but I have the specs for the transmitter and receivers, which states the range is up to 20ft.

I'm assuming there is something on the board that limits the range. I don't know if the pot adjustment would go up to the max range of the sensors. When the unit is up and running I'm gonna do some test on range and spread to see how effective and sensitive it is. If the range is limited by a component on the board then I'm gonna give the completed unit to a friend, who's an electronics wizz, and hopefully he'll work his magic to give the maximum range of the sensors ie 20ft.

I'll post on here with results

It may not be suitable for what I want, but as I stated above, it's only £20 for the unit, and if doesn't work out then I'll fit it to my daughters car. Nothing to lose by trying it.

12-02-2007 12:36 PM

pgrbff
Senior Heliman
Location: Louth, Ireland

I think you will have to change the value of the Pot.
You may be better off talking to your friend first or soldering some leads to where the pot goes first and experimenting with different resistance values. I would hazard a guess that it is the resistance value of the pot that sets the distance.
I'm no expert , just guessing, but would be interested in your results.

Proficient at turning cash and credit into noise!

12-02-2007 01:35 PM

Bond007
Senior Heliman
Location: Leicestershire UK

Thanks for that. I'm thinking the same myself.

Unit is built, and tested it this afternoon

Works real good but the range is only to 1.5m, as the specs state.
So, I'm gonna pass it on to my mate this week and see what he can do.

12-02-2007 07:01 PM

pgrbff
Senior Heliman
Location: Louth, Ireland

let me know the outcome, might have a go myself

Proficient at turning cash and credit into noise!

12-02-2007 07:09 PM

Bond007
Senior Heliman
Location: Leicestershire UK

I have just ordered some differing value resistors to try out,

but.........there on backorder

12-11-2007 09:17 PM

pgrbff
Senior Heliman
Location: Louth, Ireland

keep us informed

Proficient at turning cash and credit into noise!

12-11-2007 09:23 PM

joco
Heliman
Location: 22701

Ok folks... what about using something like this... you would need two and to develop a mount. But they are cheap

http://www.smarthome.com/7188r.html

http://www.topoftheline.com/park-zo...age-sensor.html

12-11-2007 10:23 PM

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Aerobatic FAI F3C Contest > Anyone using the K&S F3C Practise flags?

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