PWLT

Hi, Thanks for the encouragement! Sounds great 😊 I’ve just had the outer zone plans printed at the pdf’s default 607x299mm and the scale matches the part built model exactly, so I think I’m good to go! 👍 Cheers Pete

Many thanks for the reply Shaun, no worries, I've downloaded the outerzone version of the plan and sent it off to a local print shop 🙂 Fingers crossed I'll finish it this time! 😉 Best regards Peter

Hi I was very pleased to see the Wingamagig article in the November 2023 RCM&E as it allowed me to identify a part built model of mine that I've had in the attic since the early 80s. It's all the motivation I need to renovate/complete it but I was hoping the magazine would include the latest plans? The text does actually refer to "...this months free plan". I've found the original plan online (https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=12358) so I can obviously get them printed but I'm wondering if it's been updated for the latest article and it was accidentally omitted? There doesn't seem to be very much additional information online about other than one short YouTube video. Looks like a fun design to get flying. Thanks and regards to all Peter

Just to answer my own question here for completeness should others find the same problem.... OS actually make and sell a "Lock Nut Set for Spinner" part OS45910200. I bought one today from Leeds Model Shop and it works a treat, it's exactly what I was looking for. I didn't want to ignore the engine instructions and not use a locking nut, so for peace of mind, it was worth the money. Regards to all. Peter

I think you just gave me enough “justification” to buy a mini-lathe! Thank you Alan! ??

Hi Please can anyone recommend a good quality aluminium spinner (3" to 4") that doesn't require an adaptor nut and bolt to secure it? I have several OS IC glow engines of various sizes and they all require the use of a safety/lock nut in addition to the prop nut & prop washer. By the time you add the spinner backplate there is not enough thread left free on the prop-shaft/crankshaft to adequately attach the spinner's adaptor nut. Alternatively, if there is a better way to safely secure props and spinners that use this fixing method, please let me know ? ? Many thanks in advance. Regards to all Peter

All Just to close this thread off with an update from what I've discovered. Long story short, solar powered autonomous mowers are in development but not yet available at a price point that is affordable for very small clubs like ours. This is a photo of a prototype machine from Graze Mowers. If you have the luxury of mains electricity to your airfield, then there are many options available. https://www.mowermagic.co.uk/acatalog/All-Robot-Mowers.html However, cost is still an issue unless you are already paying commercial rates for areas above 10,000m^2. Machines like this one are already available ..... https://www.amsrobotics.co.uk/robotic-mowers-for-airport-mowing/ Whilst the "domestic" machines are available for smaller areas, they all currently rely on mains electricity being available. Solar panel, controller and battery kits are readily available and affordable. However, no one has yet worked through the problems of using them with the current domestic mowers that "assume" mains power is available. Unfortunately, our club us not currently in a position to take the risk of going down the "DIY" solar charging route, just in case we hit unforeseen problems. I have no doubt that one day we will take small affordable solar mowers for granted, we are just not yet there yet. Regards to all. Peter PS - I did quite like the look of this machine though as a possible compromise! ? Not autonomous, but RC and petrol powered!

Agreed, hence point 2 above. We use this solution for our electric fence, to keep the grazing cattle off the runway. I haven't done the maths to calculate how long it would be between "mows", but I will once I get power requirements data from some suppliers. Cheers Peter

Hi We are also a Yorkshire Club, so costs are very important to us too ? I think, compared to contract mowing, a robot mower could pay for itself within 2 years. Given that they are under warranty for up to five years, they should last longer, so that's not a bad return on the investment. Security is key of course. They can be programmed to disable themselves whenever they are moved away from their "patch", but thieves don't know that until it's too late. A physical "shelter" such as this would help hide it from view. Also, by programming it to only come out after dark would also help conceal it's presence. The more secure the shelter, the lower the risk of opportunistic theft etc. From what I've read, no shape is too complex. If you want total accuracy, you simply bury a boundary wire around your perimeter. If accuracy is not so critical, then they can follow a virtual GPS map. They are also able to navigate obstacles left out on the grass and in their way. Great question re the clippings, again, from what I've read, due to the fact that they can operate daily/nightly, the clippings are so fine they don't need collecting. In fact, they apparently enhance the quality of the turf significantly. This is the main reason why sports grounds, including golf courses, are adopting them, where the quality of the "pitch/turf/runway" is really important. As you say, intriguing. I think this option will be financially viable sooner rather than later. I'll let you know how I get on. Regards Peter

Hi Mowing a large green space is a time consuming activity for all clubs, time that I assume most members would rather spend building and/or flying. It struck me that with the advance of robot mowers, is this technology now a viable alternative to contract mowers and/or members mowing rotas? May I ask if any clubs are successfully using such machines? I'd guess the biggest inhibitors of their adoption are :- Security of the mower if used where the public have access. Charging the mower where a dedicated mains supply isn't available. Cost The first needs to be mitigated by the manufacturers, but the second could be as simple as a solar panel trickle charging a leisure battery, which intern, charges the mower via some suitable converter. Just how long it would take to charge is of course a function of serval variables, but I don't think it's beyond the bounds of the possible? Mass market autonomous mowers are certainly available for residential gardens and specialised mowers are available for full sized airfields, so hopefully the technology will soon "meet in the middle" and be available to clubs like ours. Thoughts? Thanks in advance Regards to all Peter

Well, as much as I’d love to put a twin in, I know it’s too powerful and too heavy. My other engines are OS so will probably stick with what I know and within the recommended spec.

You know me too well! It’s already purchased ?

The instructions state: 0.60 - 0.90 2-stroke or 0.91 - 1.2 4-stroke. I think this model would suit a 4-Stroke.

Hi I’m just about to start my first scale kit build. It’s a BUSA Citabria Pro which is very much a traditional build and is supplied as the proverbial “box of sticks”! The company and kits have a great reputation but whilst they do supply detailed plans and illustrated instructions, they don’t include an inventory of materials and/or parts. So before I reinvent the wheel I was wondering if there is a best practice way to complete an inventory/audit of what has been supplied and cross referencing that to the plans and instructions? My simplistic approach at the moment is to layout and group all stock, give each resulting bundle an ID tag and annotate this in the instructions. Unfortunately, the kit arrived with the box slightly damaged with the lid partly open, which is why I’m concerned about potentially missing pieces. I have no doubt the company would re supply anything that is missing, but since I imported/purchased it directly from them, anything missing may take weeks to arrive. Hence my motivation to find out sooner rather than later and have to stall the build at some point in the future. Many thanks in advance for any insight into what works for others, especially if you have experience of BUSA kits. Regards to all… Peter

Yep! I’ve been trying to perfect the technique for my next build, plus, if it’s good enough for Bellanca, it’s good enough for me! ?