[NSRCA-discussion] Black Magic website updated

Wed Jun 7 13:44:17 AKDT 2006

Well, on a plane like this, it all starts with the wood selection and the lay up of the composite parts. I use all hand picked balsa, and weigh every piece. I get a lot more than I need then use the lighter stuff. These I'm flying are what I would consider "medium" grade, or about 14-15 grams per sheet for the 1/16x4x36 sheeting. The composite parts, well...let's say I have gone through a few gallons of epoxy 1/2 oz at a time and I'm still playing with it. But they are pretty good. Not European kind of good, but better than average, and light.

I'm not sure there's anything strategic about it, except experience. lots of trial and error. I did my best to pass along what I know in the plans and in the thread on RCU. In time I'll have a lot of stuff on my web site too, so hopefully that'll help everyone, not just Black Magic builders. I certainly don't have the market cornered on building light, but I seem to have reached a point where I know enough tricks to share. Especially with this type of construction. Somewhere Terry Brox has some GOOD info on sheeting foam wings, and although I do it slightly different, therein lies a VERY good guide on how to sheet everything, not just wings. And this plane is about 65% sheeted foam.

Also a good quality epoxy helps a lot. MGS is my first choice, but West systems is fine and can be bought in quart sizes. I HATE that hobby shop goo for anything except some structural areas. It's just too thick and heavy. There's no real strength in extra glue. 

Also always take into account what type of power you'll be using. if you're using a banging 4 stroke, it's a good idea to beef some thing up slightly. 1/4" balsa triangle stock in corners, things like that. With an electric, there's practically no vibration, so you can really back off on a lot of things. Just make sure you don't take out too much in the wrong places =)

Anyway, without having to make this a 3 part post, it's not that hard, but experience and technique (BOTH of which are easily learned) always help.

-Mike
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: White, Chris 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:55 PM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Black Magic website updated

  Mike that is very impressive ... Do you gain most of your weight advantage by careful balsa selection or use of strategic composite interface?  Maybe that is an inappropriate question since there's no one place to "Save" weight, but I'd still like to hear your thoughts.  You obviously "Know" how to build light.

  Thanks, Chris

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  From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Mike Hester
  Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 3:27 PM
  To: NSRCA Mailing List
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Black Magic website updated

  I'll let you know LOL First YS versions are just nearing completion.

  But mine are both right at 9lbs 8 ozs with the OS140. My guess would be 9lbs 12-14 ozs. or, "about 10 lbs". Less if you're picky, more if you're not.

  -Mike

    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: White, Chris 

    To: NSRCA Mailing List 

    Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:05 PM

    Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Black Magic website updated

    Hi Mike,

    What are you seeing as a typical weight for the Black Magic using a YS setup?

    Thanks, Chris

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    From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Mike Hester
    Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 1:37 PM
    To: NSRCA Mailing List
    Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Black Magic website updated

    Yes, Emory Schroeter has.

    He used a Plett 30-10 and Tanic packs (3 lb packs). Final weight was 10 lbs 10 ozs. Would have been very close to 10 lbs with a Hacker/TP setup. I'll say it flew fantastic, ridiculous even, I'd let anyone else who saw it comment further.

    It met an untimely demise in the Ocala contest. RIP. But...there is another.....

    -Mike

      ----- Original Message ----- 

      From: mike mueller 

      To: NSRCA Mailing List 

      Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 2:23 PM

      Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Black Magic website updated

      34" is just right. I think the Temptation is around 29" and the Smaragd is close to 33". That's how I guage how wide the fuse is. Has anyone done the plane Electric yet? Thanks, Mike

      Mike Hester <kerlock at comcast.net> wrote: 

      6 3/4" wide, Almost 13" tall at the canopy, and if you wrap a tape measure around the canopy, the circumference is 34". It's not so large as to be a kite, but it rolls, point rolls and KEs EXTREMELY well. But due to the shape, it also penetrates the wind very well. Everyone who's flown it seems to like it a lot. I know I do =)

      -Mike

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