TheRightStick.com

Finally micro RC disrupts a silly sporting event...

2009-09-03T00:27:00Z

We've been talking about doing something silly like taking a Vapor to a basketball game. However, it seems someone improved on our idea with the new ParkZone Sukhoi by taking it to a baseball game. Having it make the news and be noteworthy is the goal, so if you know who flew the sukhoi, let us know and we'll send them a hearty "thanks!" from the Right Stick!

This is awesome, watch and enjoy...

Toy plane takes off at Dodger Stadium - Remote-control flier stops play briefly in sixth inning

103" Aerobatic Night Flying

2009-07-29T18:55:00Z

This definitely fits into the "cool stuff"... night flying large planes. And not just "flying" but really throwing the things around. Plane in question is the 103" Extra 330SC from 3DHobbyShop, it's running a DL111, lit up with Xero Gear lights, and flown by Jared Clark (There's also an 89" Extra SHP occasionally flying in and out of frame being flown by Ben Fisher). The event was the "Heatwave in the Heartland", and although word on the ground is that this wasn't Ben's most awesome flight, I think all will agree that this video is certainly very cool...

A Facebookin' we have gone!

2009-07-08T16:54:00Z

Nothing too terribly exciting..

For those of our listeners who may be also wrapped up in the FaceBook craze, we went ahead and spread our Facebook wings..

We can be found at Fans of TheRightStick.

Episode 15 - Interview with Andrew "the Animal" Jesky

2009-07-06T15:27:00Z

In This Show...

We get right to the chase and interview one of the best RC pilots around, Andrew Jesky. He's one of those guys that enjoys it all so we do end up talking about a whole bunch of stuff, though Andrew has really carved his place in the world of precision and 3D aerobatics. At the end of the interview we also let people off the hook about the 3DHobbyShop 40" Edge contest by announcing the winner (and many thanks to all that joined in the fun and 3DHobbyShop for making the contest possible). Throw in that Andrew's willing to field your questions (details provided in the episode, naturally) and we have ourselves the makings for an interesting show and for some fun follow-ups.

Episode 14 - Is it SEFF already!?

2009-07-05T22:52:00Z

In This Show...

This is a long overdue show that is finally up and live. SEFF was a very busy event to attend and has kept things busy ever since. The event itself does invigorate ones interest in various projects; for Jeff it was Heli's, for Arron it was a 47" Edge from 3DHobbyShop. Anyways, this show is just the pre-banter for episode 15 where we interview Andrew Jesky... as such we spiel the fun experiences we had at SEFF (well, simply getting there was interesting enough) and the fun flying times we've had since. Hope you enjoy, it's a little someth'n to tide you over the few hours until Andrew's interview arrives.

(links and references will be posted shortly)

Kudos to K2 Model for Kracking Packs

2009-05-12T05:14:00Z

SEFF is a time for flying, and the only thing stopping more fun is the number of packs you can walk to the flight line with. I was walking to the 3D area with 6-8 packs at a time (cargo pants are indeed handy!) and this was in part made possible by K2 Model. Attendees may have seen the banners on the field or simply stopped by their table in the vendor area. They're new into the market, and they're certainly bringing the goods. Plus, these swell guys lent us a couple of 2200 3S packs to try out, and try out we did.

Jeff took one and headed to the speedy area and I went right to the 3D area. Jeff got his speed freak on with his Ritewings, and I was tearing holes in the sky with a couple of aerobats. I'll let Jeff spiel his results on the show, but for myself they turned out to be great packs indeed. Of all the packs I was flying, these packs were keeping the volts high and came down the coldest. Actively testing the packs I flew some flights with more throttle through the flight, and alternative pushing the flight times... they took it all in stride. They quickly became the "fly the fun packs last".

There's more spiel to come from us about these packs but if you check out their site, they're priced pretty dang well. Great performance and spiffy packaging. In fact, the "nutritional info" on the packs caused some concern to airport security on the way home.

K2 X35's... for your consideration.

Episode 13 - Scott Stoops and 3DHobbyShop Giveaway

2009-05-06T17:16:00Z

In This Show...

We interview Scott Stoops! ...and if that's not enough, we interview Scott Stoops! ...and we give away a 40" Edge from 3DHobbyShop. Listen for the details about what we're after and how to participate. A link to a participating thread on RCGroups will be added to this post, and will most likely play out in the "3D Aerobatics" section on RCGroups (and maybe FlyingGiants), so check back real soon to join in the fun!

Post your contest entries and join in the fun on the RCGroups thread found here!

If you want some theRightStick graphics for the contest (or whatever, go nuts):
Outlined Logo: 3000px wide, 1500px wide, 750px wide
Arrow Device: 3000px wide, 1500px wide, 750px wide
Both Together: 3000px wide, 1500px wide, 750px wide

Talked about on this episode:

The NTSB report from the "incident": http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20061115X01674&key=1
(thanks to Mark for sending that link in to us)

NTSB animated recreation of the same "incident" (includes actual audio):
http://www.ntsb.gov/events/2006/MostWantedFed/AnimationDescription.htm

Episode 12 - Banter Context for Ep13

2009-05-06T16:38:00Z

In This Show...

This episode and episode 13 (the interview with Scott) is a little late due to the craziness that is going to SEFF. But here it is. This episode is all banter that would have normally been on the front of episode 13, but there was so much goodness that we decided to split it out so people can consume them separately (the interview is 1.5 hours after all). This episode goes first mainly to provide context to some of the wise-cracking going on in the next episode.

So if you like banter, this episode is for you, but make sure you catch the next one as it was a great interview, AND, we're giving away an Edge from 3DHobbyShop! (contest details are in the podcast itself, naturally ).

Win the bleep!!!

2009-04-17T23:17:00Z

HobbyLobby is starting a new contest where you can win the *bleep* that we were talking about in episode 11!

Trust us, it will be an awesome prize indeed, as the *bleep* comes with *bleep* *bleep* and can *bleeeeeeeep*! Very exciting stuff. Everyone going to SEFF will see it, naturally, but who wouldn't want one for free? Just keep on filling in those reviews for HobbyLobby items you've used and you're in the running.

Get it done people!

Blig Slick flies!

2009-04-13T03:40:00Z

Everyone who attended the Weak Signals 55th Toledo Show noticed at least two large models; the rocket, and the big Slick from our friends at 3DHobbyShop. Well, the "coolstuff" news is that BigSlick has flown, all 126" of it! According to Andrew, it flies well indeed and if you watch the vids he seems to have no issues hitting the lines from snaps along with all the rest of the aerobatic maiden fun. The video is pretty much the full story as to why this DA-170cc beastie is pretty dang cool indeed!

3D Hobby Shop 126" AJ Slick from tim tworek on Vimeo.

Some FlightPass "wow" from ETOC2009

2009-04-09T18:27:00Z

The FlightPass service by Higher Plane Productions may be familiar to a lot of people, it's a great product. That said, something that really makes it "cool suff" post worthy is a video of Kyle Stacy flying a Furion 450 as a demo at the ETOC 2009.

Not only does YouTube not have this routine yet, but if it did you would really miss some of the magic. You may be thinking "Arron, you're just peeing in Fred's pocket", but the HD really does shine; part way through the routine Kyle gets ridiculously close to the floor where there is glitter confetti scattered around. The HD picks up the resulting effect like no other camera or vantage-point can (I didn't see the same effect and I was in the room). Throw in that the sound has been re-dubbed from the original tracks (it's not just a camera mic), that Kyle flies inverted up into the central scoreboard and all the other flights and fun at ETOC, and it's viewing awesomeness, it really is.

Also, the final freestyle routines are now posted, and they're spectacular!

FlightPass... it's just 13 clams people!

Episode 11 - bleeping Hobby Lobby

2009-04-01T05:24:00Z

In this show...

Gas or Electric? Lambo or Porsche? Join us as babble about the recent events, current projects, HET Snipers and giant scale Edge 540's.. After perhaps a longer than normal session of the fat chew, we bring on Jason Cole from Hobby Lobby. We talk about new and "in-the-works" projects, old projects and the *BLEEP*!?!

The.. chit.. we talk about in the.. chat..

ICanHazChihuahua's?...

2009-03-27T19:16:00Z

2DogRC is continuing the tiny theme with a new product release: Micro Plane "Snap and Fly" Kit, 3 Planes . It's a system where you get to fly different airframes by the use of a power pod section that makes up the bottom of the fuselage. Power pods aren't new (AirCore came out with their .40 nitro pods back in the 80's) but this seems practical and easy. By watching the youTube video, there doesn't even appear to be any hassle in connecting control surfaces (nice!). Plug-N-Play as they say!

The video also shows a perfectly happy flying aeroplane too... seems able to look from level, so it appears to be some pretty cool 3 channel fun. Unsure if it's 900mhz, 2.4Ghz or infrared, but it does seem happy to fly outdoors. All three airframes are provided in the kit!

YouTube movie can be found here!

There is the %10 discount code for theRightStick listeners (if you haven't already used it up) , so if you use "THERIGHTSTICK" when checking out you'll get a tidy $20 off this order. Woof!!

update: I just had a chat with Mark Grohe, and he confirmed my 900mhz guess and also threw in that it's not compatible with plantraco gear. I asked about mixing, and indeed it has all kinds of fun mixing (elevons, v-tails), so you can easily make yourself up a flying wing with elevon control! Now that's most cool indeed.

Take off rolls that make you say.. Wow...

2009-03-24T04:51:00Z

Nothing toooo crazy.. Well.. maybe..

Cruzin' the net and came across this video..

Jeffrey (at RCG) is using a Neu 1521/1.5 in a 6.7:1 gearbox on 12S...

Vrooom!

Jeffreys BlueNue 300SHP 87 08.01.08 @ 114th/3DHS Fly Low-In from Liv2Fly on Vimeo.

Successful maiden for a new flying car!

2009-03-18T23:58:00Z

Flying cars (or "roadable aircraft") are not a new idea, and there are actually some successful designs through history. The Aerocar is probably the most successful, and Waldo Waterman made his Whatsit and the Aerobile. It's a fantastical idea of being able to use the same machine to fly a distance and then drive somewhere once you arrive. The Aerocar worked well, though you had to trailer the wings and tail plane behind the car in car mode (there was also an Aerocar recently for sale on eBay).

More recently Terrafugia has taken on the challenge of a roadable aircraft, and is the reason for this post. It seems they've had a successful test flight! ...so a hearty congrats to their team for crossing the big hurdle in this challenge. It needs to be said that the intent for these projects is to give pilots something they can drive rather than something for the unskilled masses to fly, but for aviation nuts it's a very cool thing indeed!

New "Buddy Box" Alternative

2009-03-18T17:45:00Z

Musing through some of the back rooms of RCGroups, I found the details of an interesting new product that is being developed called the "XPO". The short description is that it's a replacement for the old "buddy box" system of linking two transmitters with the difference that it does it in the plane! ...now the advantages may not seem immediately obvious but what this allows is for two completely disparate Tx/Rx systems to be used to control the plane. Instructor can be on 2.4Ghz Futaba, and the student on a Spektrum system.

It manages all this by allowing two receivers to plug into this box. A switch on one channel operates the unit and allows switching between the receivers. Pretty interesting stuff!

Scratch the surface a little bit and other interesting uses become possible as you can, for instance, switch just one or two channels over to the trainee... so you could allow someone to learn how to hover and torque roll one channel at a time like some flight sims allow. If you're flying a high priced model, you could use it as insurance against link issues if you're using different channels/systems. The pilots are also naturally not bound by the cable. Many clubs also have public access days where you can have the general public get on a buddy-box and have a go. With this you could buddy box the student system and rotate the students on two Tx's and leave the instructor alone with his system.

An idea that I had was that this would be groovy to set up an actual scale process of dropping bombs from a bomber model. As the plane was flying over a target, the pilot would relinquish control of the plane to the bombardier, who'd fly the plane over the target and drop the bombs, and then hand the control back to the pilot. What could be done is to set up an FPV system as if it was a bomb sight, and literally give control to the bombardier RC pilot to drop the bombs, and then back to the main guy. For extra points, the TV screen for the bombardier's FPV can be in a box that one has to crouch over and look down just like the real thing. Sounds fun to me!

Check out the details of the XPO at the website! http://www.2icrc.com

Episode 10 - Precision Aerobatics

2009-03-14T04:56:00Z

In this show...
After just a few minutes of banter about the latest happenings, we jump into the interview with Steve Evans from the North American arm of Precision Aerobatics. We get into why PA set up the local operation, what their new toys are, try and get out of him what their new toys are going to be, and chat about the meet-up-to-be at SEFF '09 (why does everyone keep talking about SEFF?). Their expansion brings the Ultimate AMR to local shores and we certainly cover that puppy!

(the PA links below will want you to select a country, which will set the browser session. Once you've chosen it once, the other links wont bother you with a country selection)

Scorpion Power Train & Schwag! Free!

2009-03-10T00:32:00Z

Scorpion is getting together with CrackRoll (new community for the heli-kind) to give away some stuff. Includes motor and ESC for either a plane or Heli, your choice! ...AND, it comes with a hat, AND stickers!!!... yes, stickers!!!

Anyways, it's super simple, just have a user account on CrackRoll.com and post into the contest thread (as linked from here). That's all.

Nothing wrong with free stuff for doing a simple and completely free thing. Have at it!

Episode 9 - Millennium RC

2009-03-06T17:31:00Z

In this show...
We wander aimlessly through the recent interesting happenings that is the start of '09, the usual go-over of projects past and intended, and cap it all off with an interview. Joining us in the ring this time is James Karpy from Millennium RC, he talks of his latest developments, exciting projects, what he'll be doing for SEFF and a generally fun breeze shooting.

Keep up with the high paced babble:

Episode 8 - Woof Woof!

2008-12-30T03:24:00Z

In this show...
For this episode we have Mark Grohe of 2DogRC to shoot the breeze with. It's an easy going chat that does cross a few of some recent offerings from Dualsky and 2DogRC. At some point during the show Mark graciously divulges a nice discount code that listeners can take advantage on their next order! ...have a listen, get the code, and save 10% on your order!