activity sixteen

Electric RC Airplane (RTF): Calypso Motor Glider

Objectives students and cadets will – will assemble the calypso glider is is an intermediate level RC airplane and an entry level sailplane combined. e assembly of the aircraft is not difficult, but the RC pilot needs to remember it is a fully aerobatic 4-channel RC airplane. An RC pilot should be comfortable with an RC flight simulator first, such as the Real Flight Basic Flight Simulator that is being supplied to CAP unit AEOs in RC STEM kits. ere are several powered glider/sailplanes you can master on the simulator. RC flight can be used for an engaging and safe exploratory activity to excite students and deepen their understanding about science and the physics of flight. is activity reinforces the concepts about air pressure, drag, and how aircraft use control surfaces to climb, turn, and maintain stable flight. With added speed and full aerobatic capabilities, this activity will help RC pilots’ flying skills.

Activity Credit: Credit and Permission to Reprint – Hobbico Inc. has graciously given the Civil Air Patrol permission to reprint the photos and owner’s manual instructions here for one or more of their Ready to Fly (RTF) RC airplanes. More model aircraft, parts, and accessories can be found at http://www.flyzoneplanes.com and http://www.hobbico.com/. Hobbico also provides the Real Flight RC Simulators that have assisted RC student pilots gain a well grounded initial flying experience at home, in their schools, and CAP units nationwide.

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NATIONAL STANDARDS

Science Standards: Content Standard: Science as Inquiry • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry • Understanding about scientific inquiry Content Standard: Physical Science • Motions and forces Content Standard: Science and Technology • Abilities of technological design • Understandings about science and technology Content Standard: History and the Nature of Science • Science as a human endeavor • Historical perspectives • Unifying Concepts and Processes • Evidence, models, and explanation Technology Standards: Content Standard: The Designed World • Standard 20: Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use construction technologies.

BACKGROUND

MATERIALS

Before assembly, take an inventory of this kit to make sure it is complete, and inspect the parts to make sure they are of acceptable quality. If any parts are missing or are not of acceptable quality, or if you need assistance with assembly, contact Hobbico Product Support. Only one tool is really needed, a medium size Phillips head screwdriver. The CA glue and Activator are nice to have for when things need patching or mending.

• Phillips Head Screw Driver. • A small ruler (inches or metric) to measure rudder and elevator throws. • Great Planes Pro CA+ Medium (GPMR6007). • Great Planes CA Activator Foam Safe 2oz. Pump (GPMR6035). • Photos and sketches are placed before each step they refer to. Frequently you can study photos in following steps to get another view of the same parts. • Stabilizer and wing incidences and motor thrust angles have been factory-built into this model. However, some technically minded modelers may wish to check these measurements anyway. To view this information visit the website at: www.greatplanes.com and click on “Technical Data.” Due to manufacturing tolerances ,which will have little or no effect on the way your model will fly, please expect slight deviations between your model and the published values.

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A motor glider is a fixed-wing aircraft that can be flown with or without engine power. The FAI Gliding Commission Sporting Code definition is: A fixed-wing aerodyne equipped with a means of propulsion (MoP), capable of sustained soaring flight without thrust from the means of propulsion.[1] In the US, a powered glider may be certificated for up to two occupants, up to 850 kg maximum weight, and with a maximum ratio of weight to wing span squared of 3 kg/m2.[2] Similar requirements exist in European JAA/EASA regulations, at a maximum weight of 750 kg. Most motor gliders are equipped with a propeller, which may be fixed, feathering, or retractable. However jet engine-powered motor gliders are now available from some manufacturers, some of which are intended for use only as "sustainer" engines, i.e. for sustaining gliding flight rather than as self-launching aircraft. Self-launching retractable propeller motor gliders have sufficient thrust and initial climb rate to take off without assistance, or they may be launched as with a conventional glider. The engines also have a starter motor and a large battery to allow the engine to be started on the ground, and an alternator to recharge the battery. A two-blade propeller is typically coupled to the engine via a belt reduction drive. In older designs, the propeller alignment must be checked by the pilot using a mirror, before it is retracted into the fuselage; however in current production gliders, propeller alignment is fully automatic. Photos below of the ASH26E powered sailplane.

Photos courtesy of http://www.alexander-schleicher.de/

Schleicher ASH-26E Sailplane Specifications General characteristics: • Crew: 1 • Length: 23’ 2” (7.05 m) • Wingspan: 59’ 1” (18 m) • Height: 4’ 11” (1.51 m) • Wing area: 126 ft² (11.68 m²) • Empty weight: 792 lbs. (360 kg) • Loaded weight: 1155 lbs. (525 kg) • Powerplant: 1 × Diamond AE50R, 37 kW (50 hp) • Aspect ratio: 27.7 Performance: • Maximum speed: 170 mph (270 km/h) • Maximum Glide Ratio: 50 • Rate of Sink: 0.48 m/s (94 ft/min)

VOCABULARY

RTF: (Ready-To-Fly) Ready-To-Fly R/C Airplanes are model aircraft for first-time R/C pilots or experienced enthusiasts looking for a no-hassle box-to-sky experience. These airplanes require very little assembly, are great for beginners, and come complete with radio, receiver, motor, prop, speed control, servos, battery and charger — everything you need to start flying. You put the parts together and charge the flight battery using the charger that comes in the box with the plane. A clevis fastener is a three-piece fastener system consisting of a clevis, clevis pin, and tang. The clevis is a U-shaped piece that has holes at the end of the prongs to accept the clevis pin. Clevises are used in a wide variety of fasteners used in the farming equipment, sailboat rigging, and the aircraft industries. Elevator/Rudder Throws: This is how far the elevator/rudder moves up or down, left or right with the rudder/elevator stick on the transmitter.

• 4-Channel Tactic (TTX404) 2.4 GHz micro radio with four micro servos. • Battery Charger: 12V DC powered balancing charger with two LEDs to indicate charge status. • Throttle, rudder and elevator provide true 4channel flight and maneuverability. • Propeller: 9x5 folding design, black in color. Specifications Stock Number: FLZA3000 Wingspan: 73” (1855 mm) Wing Area: 526 in2 (33.9 dm2) RTF Weight: 29 oz (790-910 g) Wing Loading: 16.7-19.1 oz/ft² (51-58 g/dm2) Length: 47” (1195 mm) Center of Gravity (CG): ¼” (6.5 mm) ahead of spar

PROCEDURE

This lesson will refer you to the instruction manual for the Calypso RTF RC plane. It is a typical sample of what similar models’ instructions would be like. It would be impossible to present a lesson plan that covers all types of RC planes and construction methods available in the hobby. The following are given as general considerations: The Calypso fuselage/wing design is typical of today’s leading sailplanes and gliders. With foam construction, a brushless electric power system and 4 micro servos already in place, this RTF powered glider can be turning heads and drawing attention at the field within minutes after installing your battery! Flyzone Calypso RC Power Sailplane Features • Ready to fly in about 30-minutes. • Motor: Brushless 28 x 30 1300kVoutrunner, 18A ESC. • Rechargeable 11.1V 15C 1300mAh LiPo.

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Contents The 73” Flyzone Calypso has everything included you need to fly this powered glider right out of the box. No tools other than a Phillips screwdriver are required to get this RC plane in the air. All of the batteries go into locations that require only thumb pressure to insert. The canopy is held in position by Velcro.

The instructions are excellent and written very well. This is a project for the local AMA club to assist the CAP unit in. If this suggestion is put into action, everyone wins. The AMA club helps and shares knowledge, as well as gets to help the CAP unit learn to fly a really great RC aircraft. The CAP unit puts aerospace education into practical lessons of flight and RC pilot skills. This plane can be ordered at: http://www.flyzoneplanes.com/airplanes.html The following is from the Flyzone Calypso RC Aircraft Owner’s Instruction Manual. The Calypso RC Aircraft comes with all required materials and assemblies. You will need 30 minutes to an hour to assemble the plane. You need to take your time, and it is recommended you have someone assist you with assembling this type RC plane.

CAP meeting, followed up by flying it at an AMA flying field the next weekend using a buddy-box.

PROCEDURE

Assembly • Photos and sketches are placed before the step they refer to. Frequently you can study photos in following steps to get another view of the same parts. See below:

• You must assemble the model according to the instructions. Do not alter or modify the model, as doing so may result in an unsafe or unflyable model. In a few cases the instructions may differ slightly from the photos. In those instances the written instructions should be considered as correct.

You must take the time to build straight, true, and strong.

• You must correctly install all R/C and other components so that the model operates correctly on the ground and in the air. This AEX lesson will refer you to the instruction manual for this RC plane and for specific steps and materials needed to complete this RC RTF kit. It would be impossible to present a lesson plan that covers all types and construction available in the RC hobby. The instruction is well illustrated and by careful attention to detail, taking each step one at a time and not being in a hurry, you will produce a great flying RC plane. The following are given as general considerations. This RTF Airplane Kit: • Includes everything needed. • Flight-ready in only 30 minutes - 3 hours, depending on the skills the person(s) assembling it have. • It is ideal for a CAP/AMA joint AE project during a

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• Once assembly is complete, make sure the Center of Gravity (CG) is perfect. Reviews from many Calypso pilots state that the CG on this must be perfect for satisfactory flights.

for your first flights. If you’re not a member of a club, your local hobby shop has information about clubs in your area whose membership includes experienced pilots.

Safety Considerations The Calypso power glider should not be considered a toy, but rather a sophisticated, working model that functions very much like a full-size airplane. Because of its performance capabilities, the Calypso, if not assembled and operated correctly, could possibly cause injury to you or spectators and damage to property.

Pre-Flight Checks • You must check the operation of the model before every flight to insure that all equipment is operating and that the model has remained structurally sound. Be sure to check clevises or other connectors often and replace them if they show any signs of wear or fatigue.

Range Check • Most radio systems have a procedure for groundchecking the operational range. This usually involves something such as the pilot walking a distance away from the model while operating the controls, with an assistant holding the model and confirming that everything is operating correctly. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions that came with your radio to perform this check with the motor off and with the motor running at various speeds. If the radio does not pass the range check, do not fly! Find and correct the problem first. • If you are not an experienced pilot or have not flown this type of model before, we recommend that you get the assistance of an experienced pilot in your RC club

Flying the Calypso The Calypso is suitable for beginners because it can fly slowly and react predictably and gently, but it is still highly recommended that those who have no radio control flying experience seek the assistance of an experienced pilot— especially for the first couple of flights. Beginners should fly only in calm conditions, but experienced pilots will embrace the challenge of flying the Calypso in winds up to 20mph!

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HINTS & TIPS

Launch

Upgrade your Battery Charger

The RTF and Tx-R versions of the Calypso include a Great Planes 3S LiPo balancing Smart Charger. The Smart Charger is a safe way to charge your LiPo battery, but it’s very basic and just enough to get you started. The Smart Charger that comes with the plane charges at a rate of .8 Amps. It will take approximately one-and-a-half hours or more to charge your battery. Eventually, you’ll want to get more batteries and an advanced charger to charge faster and fly more!

The Calypso is simply hand-launched by advancing the throttle and giving it a gentle toss directly into any prevailing wind—it will basically fly out of your hand, so a gentle throw is all that is needed. You’ll probably want to launch it at full-throttle the first time, but once you get used to the Calypso and get it trimmed you could launch it at reduced power. Once airborne the first priority will be to get your Calypso trimmed for straight-andlevel flight using the flight trims on the transmitter. The elevator may trim out differently at full power than it does power off, so trim it for the type of flying you will be doing most—sport-flying or thermaling (if thermaling, you will want the Calypso to trim out with the power off). You can maneuver the Calypso around the sky rather like a sport model performing gentle aerobatics such as loops, rolls, Cuban 8s, stall turns and even inverted flight, or you can fly it like a glider using motor power to climb to altitude, then shut off the power to search for lifting air.

A Battery Checker from any hobby shop or from Hobbico (HCAP0275) cannot be recommended enough. A weak battery will fail in flight and much of the time results in a major crash. Checking your battery prior to installing it for each flight is cheap insurance. Heat from hot, sunny conditions may blister the foam beads under the black paint on the canopy. If your Calypso will be resting or lying in the sun, cover the canopy with a towel or remove the canopy and place it in the shade. LiPo batteries require special care and handling. Be certain to follow the instructions that came with your LiPo battery and charger to charge and handle them correctly.

EVALUATION

AEX for Senior Members Activity One: “Electric Radio Control Model Aircraft” is ideal for students/cadets to practice and expand their RC piloting skills

EXTENSION

Compare this ARF RC airplane with a MyRcDesigns.com aircraft that a student designs, builds and flies. Make a presentation or demonstration of the differences in the Night Vapor RTF indoor RC airplane and a similar foamie profile RC airplane and the Calypso.

RESOURCES When ready to land simply bring the Calypso around into the wind, cut the power and allow it to descend. You can extend the flaps to slow the Calypso’s descent, but this may also extend the glide path; so modulate the flaps as necessary. In breezy conditions the Calypso may descend almost vertically. However you fly you should calculate your fight time and use a timer so you don’t over discharge your battery or end up having the motor quit unexpectedly causing a dead-stick landing. Dead-stick landings are usually no problem unless you are flying on a windy day and cannot get your Calypso back to the landing area.

AEX, for Senior Members Activity Eight: “Remote Control Flight Simulator for Your Computer” is ideal for students/cadets to practice and get the “feel” of an RC powered glider like the Calypso. Great Planes: http://secure.hobbyzone.com/gp/?gclid=CMWZka7sqK8CF Q1jhwod8EOyYg

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