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. 91 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 BACKGROUND • Historical perspectives A motor glider is a fixed-wing aircraft that can be • Unifying Concepts and Processes flown with or without engine power. The FAI Gliding • Evidence, models, and explanation Commission Sporting Code definition is: A fixed-wing Technology Standards: aerodyne equipped with a means of propulsion (MoP), Content Standard: The Designed World capable of sustained soaring flight without thrust from • Standard 20: Students will develop an the means of propulsion.[1] In the US, a powered glider understanding of and be able to select and use may be certificated for up to two occupants, up to 850 construction technologies. 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. MATERIALS Most motor gliders are equipped with a propeller, Before assembly, take an inventory of this kit to make which may be fixed, feathering, or retractable. However sure it is complete, and inspect the parts to make sure they jet engine-powered motor gliders are now available are of acceptable quality. If any parts are missing or are not from some manufacturers, some of which are intended for use only as "sustainer" engines, i.e. for sustaining of acceptable quality, or if you need assistance with gliding flight rather than as self-launching aircraft. assembly, contact Hobbico Product Support. Self-launching retractable propeller motor gliders have sufficient thrust and initial climb rate to take off Only one tool is really needed, a medium size Phillips without assistance, or they may be launched as with a head screwdriver. The CA glue and Activator are nice to conventional glider. The engines also have a starter have for when things need patching or mending. 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 • Phillips Head Screw Driver. the engine via a belt reduction drive. In older designs, • A small ruler (inches or metric) to measure rudder and the propeller alignment must be checked by the pilot elevator throws. using a mirror, before it is retracted into the fuselage; • Great Planes Pro CA+ Medium (GPMR6007). however in current production gliders, propeller • Great Planes CA Activator Foam Safe 2oz. Pump alignment is fully automatic. Photos below of the ASH- 26E powered sailplane. (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. Photos courtesy of http://www.alexander-schleicher.de/ 92 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 • 4-Channel Tactic (TTX404) 2.4 GHz micro radio RTF: (Ready-To-Fly) Ready-To-Fly R/C Airplanes are with four micro servos. model aircraft for first-time R/C pilots or experienced • Battery Charger: 12V DC powered balancing enthusiasts looking for a no-hassle box-to-sky experience. charger with two LEDs to indicate charge status. These airplanes require very little assembly, are great for • Throttle, rudder and elevator provide true 4- beginners, and come complete with radio, receiver, motor, channel flight and maneuverability. prop, speed control, servos, battery and charger — everything • Propeller: 9x5 folding design, black in color. you need to start flying. You put the parts together and charge Specifications the flight battery using the charger that comes in the box with Stock Number: FLZA3000 Wingspan: 73” (1855 mm) the plane. 2 2 A clevis fastener is a three-piece fastener Wing Area: 526 in (33.9 dm ) RTF Weight: 29 oz (790-910 g) system consisting of a clevis, clevis pin, and 2 tang. The clevis is a U-shaped piece that has Wing Loading: 16.7-19.1 oz/ft² (51-58 g/dm ) holes at the end of the prongs to accept the Length: 47” (1195 mm) clevis pin. Clevises are used in a wide variety of Center of Gravity (CG): ¼” (6.5 mm) ahead of spar 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. 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! Contents The 73” Flyzone Calypso has everything included Flyzone Calypso RC Power Sailplane you need to fly this powered glider right out of the box. Features No tools other than a Phillips screwdriver are required • Ready to fly in about 30-minutes. to get this RC plane in the air. All of the batteries go into • Motor: Brushless 28 x 30 1300kVoutrunner, 18A ESC. locations that require only thumb pressure to insert. The • Rechargeable 11.1V 15C 1300mAh LiPo. canopy is held in position by Velcro. 93 The instructions are excellent and written very well. This CAP meeting, followed up by flying it at an AMA flying is a project for the local AMA club to assist the CAP unit in. field the next weekend using a buddy-box. 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. PROCEDURE Assembly • Photos and sketches are placed before the step they • You must assemble the model according to the refer to. Frequently you can study photos in following instructions. Do not alter or modify the model, as steps to get another view of the same parts. See doing so may result in an unsafe or unflyable model. below: 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.