Focus Control Throws

[RC Steve Sterling]

Ouch-- got to confess, I looked at those recommended throws and imagined
just what happened to you. I set mine up for 1 inch -- double the
recommended -- for full servo travel. I then set up dual rates, so high
gives me 1 inch, low gives about 5/8 inch. Takeoffs and landings are done on
high rates, and I have flown it in gusts to 20. But the better flyers in the
last contest were telling me I need to slow my roll rates down even more
while flying the schedule.

My Focus will land remarkably slow, with no tendency to tip stall. On high
rates at least, I have aileron control through the stall. I land it slightly
nose high, at least when the wind is calmer. I have landed it very nose
high, with a little power, and it really comes in slow (wouldn't do that
with wind though). With wind, I land pretty flat.

I'm not the expert here, since mine has only about 30 flights on it.

>From your description I'd guess some of that wind got under a wing and
overcame the aileron rates.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On
Behalf Of jed241 at msn.com
  Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2003 5:05 PM
  To: NSRCA
  Subject: Focus Control Throws


  Good news is that I flew my Focus for the first time today and it was
awesome. I didn't realize I could fly that smooth.

  Bad news...After take off I immediately realized that my ailerons were not
as responsive as I like. Roll rate was about 1 roll per second. Flying my
Aresti in the 12 to 15 mph winds probably gave me too much confidence that
it wasn't too windy (Aresti roll rate is about 3 per second). Flying was not
a problem...Landing proved to be more than a challenge and I cart wheeled
the Focus in.

  No major damage other than the cowl looks rough and I need to build a new
engine mount box. No other damage and should be 3 to 5 hours for all
repairs.

  Question---> Did I stall? -or- Did I not have enough Aileron to counter
the crosswind gust? My flying buddy said it look like a gust of wind rolled
me over.

  Right as my wheels were getting ready to touch it started rolling to the
left, I had full deflection of right aileron and could not prevent the left
wing from catching the runway for a nice tumble. It wasn't hard, but the
spinner caught the ground and the engine mount box gave. Came to rest on the
mains.

  I thought my approach was hot, but compared to the Aresti I was flying it
could have been deceiving. RPM should have been about 2,500 with a 15x12W
prop. CG is right on. The control surfaces were not sealed (will be now).
Attitude was level and not flared, I was in a crab approach for my landing
and fighting wings level.

  Control throws per plans at 1/2 inch up/down. I thought that was a bit
light so I used 5/8 up/down. I was not using spoilers or flaps. The guy I
bought the plane from said he flew it per the plans throws and was great...

  Don't want to make the same mistake again, as I am very luck to have minor
damage.

  What is everyone else using for throws on Elevator and Aileron?

  Larry Diamond
  NSRCA 3083
  AMA 5024
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