Free Flight Trimming Basics #1 - Series Premiere - 'First Model' Flying Session

Ғылым және технология

This is the premiere episode of a new flying model series, inspired by the many flying & trimming questions I've received from viewers on my channel in recent years. This is all for you, so share your suggestions and thoughts. I'll run with the questions about flying outdoor free-flight rubber-powered models that feel most universal.
There are many, many ways to trim a model, but the approach seen here is what has worked best for me, so that's what I will share. I try my best to take a grass roots approach, as I was taught by my many mentors early on within the Flying Aces Club. Hopefully this methodical step by step will be universally understood and successfully received by newcomers to the hobby.
You can build the same model twice, yet they may need totally different trimming solutions. Therein lies the challenge & fun of rubber-powered free-flight.
The first trimming episode focuses on flying a model that could easily be the choice for a modeler's first experience with a rubber-powered free-flight model airplane. I've chosen a classic contest model, the 24" Flying Aces Moth from 1941. Filmed and flown by Tom Hallman on 12.16.23 in Wawayanda, NY, using a Canon PowerShot SX20, iPhone 11Pro & 14Pro. Music via the talented musicians at artist.io, who breathe life into my films. Additional thanks to Pete Kaiteris and Clive Gamble for their photos of my scale models in flight.
Future episodes will show trim sessions with problematic models that need help in becoming stabile flyers again, including scale hi-wingers, low-wingers, and biplanes. My hope is that these films will become foundation tutorials for newbies in the hobby, answering many of the generic questions that all modelers with limited experience will surely have about rubber-powered free-flight modeling.
Complete kit available here: www.wind-it-up.com/collection...
24" Flying Aces Moth plan & article: outerzone.co.uk/plan_details....
Note the various supplement downloads including the revised plan, which resolves an issue with the stab seat angle. Also note, the correct prop diameter for this model is 8.5", not 9".
The full-sized plan of the Babcock with documentation packet is available for digital download, print ready at 34.5” x 48”.
Order your plan here: thegeebee.com/product/1931-ba...
Free-Flight Basics #1 about braiding motors: • Free Flight Basics #1 ...
Free-Flight Basics #4 about thrust plates and nose blocks: • Free Flight Basics #1 ...
*** 10 steps to trimming a rubber model, by John Koptonak: www.flyingacesclub.com/PFFT/Tr...
Also, these tutorials from Easy Built Models: easybuiltmodels.com/tips.htm#...
Here's a source for rubber: www.faimodelsupply.com/produc...
Rubber turns calculator: hallmanstudio.com/rubber_turns...
Article on the use of dethermalizers: www.hallmanstudio.com/DT.pdf
Badge Classic DT & spring (at the bottom of the page): www.starlink-flitetech.com/tim...
Looking for a Flying Aces Club near you? Check out this link: flyingacesclub.com/wp/about-th... If you click on the map at the area closest to you, it will automatically bring up an information request link. That request goes to FAC GHQ and also to the Squadron Commander of record for that squadron.
For more info on free-flight rubber-powered models, check these websites:
brooklyn-balsa.square.site
www.easybuiltmodels.com/
www.volareproducts.com/BUY/
www.flyingacesclub.com
National Free Flight Society - freeflight.org/
Mike Stuart's Flying Scale Models - www.ffscale.co.uk/
www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk
Flying Aces Club merchandise: www.cafepress.com/flyingacesclub
All profits support Flying Aces Club activities.
Center of Gravity merchandise: www.cafepress.com/centergravity

Пікірлер: 97

  • @sblack48
    @sblack484 ай бұрын

    There’s 19k people interested in FF rubber? That’s kind of amazing! Great content. I just never imagined that people were still interested in this. RC is all BARFs now. Nobody builds. So this is a revelation.

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    4 ай бұрын

    Thx for the awareness & comments. FF rubber hasn't changed all that much since my dad did it in the 1930s. So if u want to challenge urself, go old-school and give it a shot. The buzz that comes from the simplicity of it all is real.

  • @TuomasKuosmanen

    @TuomasKuosmanen

    2 ай бұрын

    @@maxfliart this brings me back to my childhood when I did free flying models as a kid, and the feeling of awe and simultaneous horror when my plane caught a thermal and we jumped on bikes to chase it... With all flight sims and FPV planes and drones these days, there is something so raw and simple in this, it's like all the technology and fancy gear, while great too, feels like it is trying to catch the same thing, but with a lot less efficiency :-)

  • @krjet2947
    @krjet29477 ай бұрын

    Absolutely wonderful information, I may be 65 but I’m just getting started in FF Rubber and this was exactly what I needed to see. Thank you again for the hard work and effort put into creating this video. I’m so looking forward to the next one. Happy New Year 😊

  • @mitchilito99
    @mitchilito994 ай бұрын

    There's just nothing like seeing a well balanced model on a perfect glide. Great videos!

  • @williamrobinson7435
    @williamrobinson74357 ай бұрын

    My thoughts are echoed in the comments here. I'm 63 now and I wish I'd had this comprehensive tutorial to draw on when I was flying my Kiel Kraft efforts way back in the 1970s. Proper guidance on downthrust (I well remember the excellent tutorial on thrust plates) and adjusting wash in/out especially would've helped a lot! This is one to study, and I'm definitely going to get building ASAP now. A lovely plane this Tom, but I can see how these principles can be applied to other airframes. A real inspiration! Happy New Year to you and all your family and associates at Flying Aces, and all supporters of your wonderful channel. ⭐👍

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx for the kind words, William. Cheers.

  • @ac2fv
    @ac2fv7 ай бұрын

    This is akin to get a painting lesson from Michelangelo. Bravo! This will certainly aid those of us who never was able to get a FF model to fly...

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx for the kind words.

  • @user-tv8bf5xd6u
    @user-tv8bf5xd6u6 ай бұрын

    Thanks brother. I am a brand new 58 yr old free flight rubber power want to be. Love your videos, very helpful and no smugness in your voice or actions. Love the music and your soul. I’ll probably be buying this model as my first kit. P.S. Heard you on a podcast the other that i stumbled upon. Thats what lead me here. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

  • @TheMendipman
    @TheMendipman7 ай бұрын

    Looking forward to this series Tom. Gonna be a definitive masterclass. Still learning at 77! Noel

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx, Noel. Cheers to 2024.

  • @lamaha564
    @lamaha5645 ай бұрын

    Brilliant series of films, thankyou. So close to the ditch 😲

  • @michaelshimshak1173
    @michaelshimshak11737 ай бұрын

    Great instructions. I can't wait to take my planes to this level. 1)Adjustable thrust plate. 2) braided motor 3) cg without prop & motor. Great channel!

  • @henrycow203
    @henrycow2037 ай бұрын

    I am Building the Moth right now, from a Outerzone plan! Thanks for the trimming tips!

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Great. Have fun with it. A terrific flyer that's rather forgiving.

  • @willgraves5288
    @willgraves52887 ай бұрын

    Just what was needed, Tom, to get my two stalled models back into production. So close!

  • @Colin399
    @Colin3997 ай бұрын

    A lot of good tips there, thanks.

  • @marcolyott
    @marcolyott7 ай бұрын

    Hi Tom, many many thanks for passing on your expert knowledge and experience in this video. It will help me in my fledgling endeavours to meet the challenges of rubber powered free flight and to learn more. Best Wishes, Cheers, Marc

  • @donaldmackenzie9936
    @donaldmackenzie99367 ай бұрын

    Thank you! No one has ever explained all this in all the fancy videos I watched.

  • @sandfac3427
    @sandfac34277 ай бұрын

    Wonderful video Tom, well produced and huge contribution to people getting started. Feels like we're out there on the flying field with the narration!

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx, OS.

  • @fabiohaddad2531
    @fabiohaddad25317 ай бұрын

    Thank you very much for the tutorial.

  • @florabee9283
    @florabee92834 ай бұрын

    That is the first and only time I've witnessed a DT save! Granted none of the Comet models I poorly assembled back in the 70s survived long enough to outlive the rubber that came in the kit- trees, ponds and crashes saw to that.

  • @user-vt9mh9ln1e
    @user-vt9mh9ln1e7 ай бұрын

    Terrific Tutorial. Thank you for dispelling the "secrets" by following a step-by-step trimming process. "Patience" is the key as you clearly show.

  • @flemminglundh7424
    @flemminglundh74242 ай бұрын

    A completely develope t you learn so much of. Thank you! Looking for the next session with DT, maybe a version which dont use

  • @tonywright8294
    @tonywright82945 ай бұрын

    My golden rules . True airframe CG in the right spot down thrust and fly in left hand circle. Works for me .

  • @patmiller7045
    @patmiller70456 ай бұрын

    This was what I needed today. Thank you so much.

  • @flemminglundh7424
    @flemminglundh74247 ай бұрын

    So fine. Showing little of the secret of trimming and saving carefull home made models!

  • @836dmar
    @836dmar6 ай бұрын

    Wow, Tom, you really have a relationship with those canals! Many close calls! Excellent info and a great review to those of us who aren’t as “active” as we should be. The standard ideal photography as well. Thank you.

  • @darrellsellers1853
    @darrellsellers18536 ай бұрын

    Thank you for this video and talking us through your thoughts. It's one thing to read tips on trimming, but actually watching the progress REALLY helps! I've just got my Moth kit and hoping the winds die down soon so I can get some others trimmed finally. Looking forward to my first OOS! Then, I'll be ready for a DT. In your next video on the DT, if you would please tell us how you determine max winds. Thank you for all the "Basics" videos. They have all helped me improve. 😊

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    6 ай бұрын

    Thx, Darrell. I've just updated this rubber turns calculator. It'll safely put u in the game. hallmanstudio.com/rubber_turns_calculator.pdf

  • @MrStoney61
    @MrStoney616 ай бұрын

    Beautifully done! Thank you!

  • @wurlitzer1100
    @wurlitzer11006 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much for these wonderful tutorials!

  • @EC5ABG
    @EC5ABG7 ай бұрын

    Espectacular!!👍👏

  • @davidquerry8869
    @davidquerry88697 ай бұрын

    Fantastic video

  • @nilim9606
    @nilim96067 ай бұрын

    🇲🇫thank you for all these videos over the year. Happy New Year 2024

  • @NemoVir
    @NemoVir7 ай бұрын

    Trimming is the true art of the hobby, I bet most of these planes are sitting on a shelf.

  • @whhsfordian
    @whhsfordian7 ай бұрын

    I have 3 planes that will now be following this trimming process. Thanks!

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Great!!

  • @user-rz9zx9fk1e
    @user-rz9zx9fk1e7 ай бұрын

    This channel is very relaxing for me

  • @ignatzpepchuk
    @ignatzpepchuk6 ай бұрын

    Great video as always. One of the best tutorials on KZread. Congratulations and keep up the great work 👍👍👍👍

  • @paulnelson5314
    @paulnelson53147 ай бұрын

    Therapeutic as always Tom 😊. Thank you for posting

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx, Paul.

  • @ilyafaden1789
    @ilyafaden17897 ай бұрын

    Nice information on the rubber braiding. Thanks.

  • @XXfea
    @XXfea7 ай бұрын

    Beautiful start to 2024 Thank You!!!

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx. Cheers to 2024.

  • @picknikbasket
    @picknikbasket6 ай бұрын

    That last landing!

  • @grn2806
    @grn28067 ай бұрын

    Since I started watching your videos I have built a few FF models. I have not flown them yet and this video is exactly what I needed! I really appreciate you taking the time to share all your knowledge! I will be anxiously waiting to see your DT video.

  • @user-rz9zx9fk1e
    @user-rz9zx9fk1e7 ай бұрын

    Reminds me of my old Lancer kit from when I was a kid

  • @bokusimondesu
    @bokusimondesu7 ай бұрын

    That was one risky landing that last one 😅 Just as your video had helped getting my anxiety, from the not so great beginning of the year, thinking of Japan, down - it skipped a beat or two. 😊 This is a very good tutorial. Thorough, beautiful and calming. Thank you for this! 😊

  • @MarkCroucherRC4fun
    @MarkCroucherRC4fun7 ай бұрын

    Such an enjoyable video thank you for sharing and the obvious effort in producing this video.

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx, Mark.

  • @nuxboxen
    @nuxboxen7 ай бұрын

    Tremendous video, your work is securing the future of the hobby. Love to hear that voice in there !!!!

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx.

  • @johnharen9921
    @johnharen99217 ай бұрын

    Thanks for your efforts here Tom.Your videos are educational and relaxing with beautiful photography. Happy New Year.

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx, John.

  • @richardwilliams3431
    @richardwilliams34317 ай бұрын

    A superb film which explains the trimming process in a logical, precise sequence, teaching me a great deal. I love your tutorials /films. They are works of art, beautifully shot and the music adds a perfect accompaniment, particularly with the final " Golden Hour " flight. Thank you so much from a fan in Suffolk, England.

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx, Richard. I can't resist a golden hour flight, but never expected the drama. Lucky with that one.

  • @daviddavids2884
    @daviddavids28847 ай бұрын

    information for you and subs 6:30 in general, the optimal location of the cg of an aircraft is at Thirty percent of chord (or mac). or, a bit forward-of thirty percent if there is tail-heaviness in the model's distribution of mass (dom). the elongated mass of a rubber motor unavoidably contributes to wonkiness in the dom of a very light model. after cg is located consistent with these rules, trim the horiz-stab for a good glide; with no stalling/galloping. this amount of nose-up trim will tend to cause a model to climb, when it is flying under power. it can be useful to understand that only aircraft have a cg. and, cg is --- the optimal span-wise line of balance, when the mass of the aircraft is being supported by the main wing; eg., when flying. d

  • @carlb5451
    @carlb54517 ай бұрын

    I noticed several folks here quoting their age so ill state I'm 63 also. I was starved for models and resources in the 70s but I was able to get a few flying back then. I have several flying right now and I'm learning a lot from your videos, especially this one. I always launched with the wind, and I wanted to know if you do the same or launched into the wind.

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    It's always best to launch into the wind or whatever breeze is happening, so that the model gains lift immediately. Launching with the wind makes it far more difficult for a model to achieve lift. Notice on a few flights here, as she comes around back into the mild breeze, she slows a bit, almost holding her position in the air. It's the same effect when you launch.

  • @JefferyHall-ct2tr
    @JefferyHall-ct2tr7 ай бұрын

    Hi Tom! What a wonderful video! TONS of great information! I really liked the motor braiding demonstration! ALWAYS liked the FA Moth, but have not yet built one. Bought the original Flying Aces magazine, so I could scan the original plans for the plane! Might have a couple of prop blanks lying around for the Moth also. SUPER Stuff in this video!!

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx. Good luck with your Moth. It's a classic and very forgiving.

  • @phabdian
    @phabdian3 ай бұрын

    Thankyou for these videos. They're terrific and inspiring. I made some ff rubber models when younger, but didn't understand the flight trimming, so results not so good. Starting again to build some simple models to learn. A Keilkraft 'Competitor'. Could you do a vid on right and down thrust?

  • @jonr6680
    @jonr66807 ай бұрын

    The calm response to destruction - Clearly explains the patience and resilience necessary to enjoy this activity! Given the historical prototypes may have had marginal stability and a narrow flight envelope - making them docile as a scale model must be a razor thin balancing act?? Seeing the effort to create washout in a wing structure... Back to point one!

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    I've found that models that appear to be on the edge of stability will benefit from increased decalage and moving the CG forward. Sometimes that awareness lightbulb comes too late, as with my Caudron C-714, that folded in half in the film. A closer look showed that she needed more positive incidence in the tail. That cleaned her up quickly.

  • @michaelwhinnery164
    @michaelwhinnery1645 ай бұрын

    Nothing wrong with that. 😊

  • @aeromodeller1
    @aeromodeller17 ай бұрын

    Model designs in the period before plastic props had long noses because they used lighter balsa props. They also used larger fins because the prop has the effect of a forward fin. Changing to a plastic prop will likely require tail ballast or a shorter nose and maybe a smaller fin. Glide testing is a good way to get in a stable CG range for glide. For glide duration, you want the CG that gives minimum sink. Glide test trim is different from power trim. Under power, the thrust introduces a pitching moment that must be balanced by a change in pitch, so you are not flying at the same attack angle. In addition, the prop slipstream over the center of the wing increases the velocity and thus the lift. I found that the lift coefficient in glide was significantly different from the lift coefficient under power. The criteria for trim under power is torque to fly level. Trim CG so the torque to make a level circuit is minimum. Level flight is the condition at apogee. This also allows a thinner motor for more turns per inch. The optimum duration motor is the one that starts with a quarter turn less than breaking and lands just as the last turn comes out of the motor. There should be no glide; the motor must turn all the way to the ground. This condition is equivalent to the motor with average torque equal to level flight torque. If the motor runs out in the air, it means too much power was used in the climb. Power is the rate of use of energy. You have a given quantity of energy stored in the motor. Duration requires that energy to be used as slowly as possible, in other words, at the least power to keep the airplane in the air. The torque of our rubber motors is not uniform, so we must find the best balance between climb and descent. That occurs when the motor's average torque is equal to level flight torque.

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx for sharing your knowledge & experience.

  • @slimz2258
    @slimz22587 ай бұрын

    Great info and beautiful flights, as always, Tom. Now, if you could just find a way to send everyone the Wawayanda flying field as an e-mail attachment, along with one for dead calm flying conditions, the world would be full of happy free flighters! Happy New Year!

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    😄 Cheers.

  • @tyronemarcucci8395
    @tyronemarcucci839519 күн бұрын

    I get a kick out of the full size aircraft noise in the background. I have not built stick and tissue models since the 70's..Hot and heavy into Peanut Scale.

  • @manuelarg1981
    @manuelarg19817 ай бұрын

    Great video, it’s nice to see all the work and love you put in…I’d like to have your "problems" with a plane flying too high 😊

  • @maxfliart
    @maxfliart6 ай бұрын

    I've updated the Rubber Turns Calculator for any newcomers to FF rubber. With the way rubber can change throughout the years, this chart will give you a good place to start. Use it only as a general guide. hallmanstudio.com/rubber_turns_calculator.pdf

  • @user-cq4nq8ci9o

    @user-cq4nq8ci9o

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank's Max.

  • @leandrovieirafelismino143
    @leandrovieirafelismino1437 ай бұрын

    What a spectacle, perfect. Could you make a tutorial showing how to make a wooden propeller? Hugs from Brazil!

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx. I've only just begun carving props, so there are other tutorials out there that show the methods quite well. If I find them, I'll add to my description above. But yes, I've really enjoyed carving them, so everyone should give it a try.

  • @leandrovieirafelismino143

    @leandrovieirafelismino143

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the feedback my friend, success!

  • @RamiroF1a
    @RamiroF1a7 ай бұрын

    Hi Tom, thanks for the video, I learn many with all of them... About the motor, the length it will depend on the fuselage length? I remember with my peanut indoor models I always made the motors two times the length of the fuselage, is important this or not? how long do you use? ...thanks and happy new year!!

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    Thx. Yes, the motor length is generally determined by the fuselage length. I shoot for 3 times the hook to peg length, sometimes less, sometimes more. The FA Moth is 14", but I only went with 38". Felt like it would be plenty. Since this model needed tail weight, I could probably push it to 40". But it also feels a bit underpowered, so I might just go with more cross section. Anyway, it's always fun trying these different approaches to the motor. Happy New Year.

  • @RamiroF1a

    @RamiroF1a

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks@@maxfliart!!!!!

  • @davidpoll1042
    @davidpoll10422 ай бұрын

    I’m a bit confused. In this video you use braiding to get the unwound motor to hang at just the right length between the nose block and the rear peg. So the nose block is just held in by the braid tension. However, in previous videos, images of the unwound braided motor seem to show braided motors that are much longer that the length of the fuselage. Have I missed something? David

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    2 ай бұрын

    Thx for the comment. The braided motor, prior to winding, is still quite a bit longer than the prop hook to the rear peg length, and could easily hang a foot outside of the nose. It's only after you wind the motor, then allow it to fully unwind inside the fuselage, that it rests slightly suspended between to the two ends. This is the true impact of braiding. The nose plug is not held in by this tension, but is a snug fit that allows it to stay in place regardless of tension.

  • @davidpoll1042

    @davidpoll1042

    2 ай бұрын

    Ok I see -all clear now. Thanks for the quick reply. Your videos are great. David

  • @chris2f4u
    @chris2f4u4 ай бұрын

    Hey there, very nice to watch. Would you pls tell me the name of the model at 1:10?

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    4 ай бұрын

    Thx. That's the Babcock. Here's a film showing the building of the model, with a flight at the end. Plans are available in the film description. kzread.info/dash/bejne/aXalxcOhprHcmbA.html

  • @chris2f4u

    @chris2f4u

    4 ай бұрын

    @@maxfliartfound the vid already :) unfortunatelly the buy of the plan does not work

  • @chris2f4u

    @chris2f4u

    4 ай бұрын

    ok, worked with another browser :) what a beautiful plane, and you are an artist. it looks soo good, and watching it flying is like meditation :) Thank you

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    4 ай бұрын

    @@chris2f4u Thx. It's one of my favorites. If you search my channel, there are many films of it, including the Anatomy of a Trim Session, which shows the first flights with the model.

  • @chris2f4u

    @chris2f4u

    4 ай бұрын

    @@maxfliartalready watched the first flights ;) Then i will see the other ones. Maybe i build one in RC version with electric motor. Very nice size for that i think. Best regards from germany :)

  • @edwinzea
    @edwinzea7 ай бұрын

    @maxfliart fantastic video, thank you for sharing this wealth of knowledge with the world

  • @glennreach6930
    @glennreach69307 ай бұрын

    Thanks for posting the video. I watch all of them as often as I can. I have a question. How do you know the plane needs wash-out or wash-in? And I am really looking forward to the dethermalizer video.🥸

  • @maxfliart

    @maxfliart

    7 ай бұрын

    There's a lot of debate about the use of wash-out vs wash-in...but in the Moth's case, it was severe, with unintended opposing warps from the start. I was hoping to have flat wing surfaces...but I used a stronger shrinking tissue (than my usual tissue) so the warps surfaces. Bottomline, I think of wash-in or wash-out as one would imagine the impact of ailerons. Lift up one wingtip TE, and the model will tilt in that direction. Drop the TE, and it will tilt toward the opposite side. It doesn't take much to have an effect, so I shoot for identical wingtips, then adjust with either minor bits of wingtip weight (clay beads) or very thin balsa Gurney flaps....which I expect to demo the use of in future episodes.

  • @robinboucherwonderfulflight

    @robinboucherwonderfulflight

    2 ай бұрын

    Hi Tom, How much " wash", would you have on the Moth's wing? Is it the full length of the wing or just at the wing tip? Thank you, Michael

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