Thermal Circle Text - Thermal Circle 22
Welcome to this edition of the Thermal Circle, in this edition we take a look at the all new JR 11x zero radio and three new competition models that really are world class F3B sailplanes with excellent performance. The Tracer was demonstrated at the L.S.F tournament Jerilderie 2010, by David Pratley from Airstrike Australia during the Friday trials. The all new Aero Tec, Crossfire 2, F3B model was in the Jerilderie pits for inspection on Saturday and Sunday. Also in this edition is the all new European, Ober winches as provided by Airstrike Australia.
For those that attended the L.S.F Jerilderie 2010 event , it was an excellent contest with some fantastic thermal competition flights. Joe Wurts, in particular, flew to a higher skill level and deserved to win. Australian F3J team members also flew well with David Hobby in second, and Carl Strautins was third in Australia’s premier thermal soaring event.
The JR 11x zero radio has been given to Australian team members by sponsorship from O’reilly Model Products, for this years F3J world championships in France. Many thanks to Michael O’reilly for supporting Australian competitive soaring and providing the 11X Zero for our world championship F3J team.
JR 11X 2.4 Hayden Daley 2010
The JR 11X 2.4 is an all new radio brought to Australia by O’reilly Model Products. This radio features an all new design, unlike any other radio previously offered by the JR radio company and has many interesting and unique features in the programming. The radio is an 11 channel system with all channels having equal performance. The 11X 2.4 has a backlit screen to allow for better visibility in poorly lit workshops, it has 3+1 trims, 3 are digital and the throttle trim is analogue allowing quick trim control on the motor trim. The gimbals are a dual ball bearing type providing smooth precise operation of the gimbals on this radio.
The 11X 2.4 utilizes fully integrated 2.4 Ghz technology and is compatible with all receivers using Spektrum/JR 2.4 Ghz, DSM 2 technology. This radio features sophisticated programming for three model types; aircraft, helicopters and sailplanes. The 11X 2.4s uses a rolling selector input for programming and the flight modes can be named allowing a more accurate description of the flight mode purpose when used. The radio also has an inbuilt thirty model memory that can be expanded infinitely with SD cards and the radio can also be software updated. The resolution of the radio is 2048 providing a nice quick link to the model.
In airplane mode the radio has three flight modes, all switches and levers are assignable, and triple rates are provided for the elevator, aileron and rudder that can be combined with the flight mode programming. This unit cover all possible tail type and can also be used for ailevator control as used in many modern jets. The aircraft mode covers all different options for mixing and provides for four different wing types, such as flapperon and delta type wings set ups. Balance mixing also allows precise mixing of channels when needed on larger aircraft running several aileron servos for example. The radio has three timers in aircraft mode; stopwatch, count down and an integrated timer.
In helicopter mode the radio has 6 swash plate types making it compatible with all types of CCPM control. The 11X 2.4 provides switch assignment for channels and functions, up to six different flight modes and full custom naming of the flight modes and a warning system for various switches can assigned protecting your helicopter from a wrongly placed switch. You can program the servos speed in this unit and it features triple rate allowing three different settings on all main helicopter controls and it also has software to prevent over traveling on CCPM servos. The helicopter programming has six free mixers and built in cyclic to throttle mixing for aileron, elevator and rudder, and there is also a governor mix. Three programmable timers can be triggered by the throttle or switches. The radio has a mix monitor that displays all mixers as used.
In sailplane mode this radio is optimized for multi function sailplane set ups offering a very high level of versatility and sophistication. The radio features switch assignment for channels and functions, up to five fully programmable flight modes with name assignment for the mode. It has dual control functions for elevator, rudder, flap and spoilers and also has V-tail mixing. The system also has a fully programmable motor function for electric assist sailplanes and has camber programming for each flight phase. A warning system allow for programming of alarms for different switch and stick positions and six programmable free mixers. There are three programmable timers that can be triggered by switch or throttle position and the mix monitor displays all mixers.
This radio has an awesome amount of functions for the cost, the use of flight modes in this radio is probably the best feature on this unit, it allows complicated models to be set up properly for all phases of flight. You can adjust trim, rates and mixers by the flick of a switch and even name the phase on the radio when switched. This flight mode programming is a necessity for sailplanes as it allows for launch and other settings to be activated in flight. If you do not have flight modes on your radio, when you begin to use this setting you can have a pattern, 3D and sport setting on your engine power model adjustable by switch and you can change all parameters on the model to tune/ trim the model perfectly for the flight scenario. These flight modes are more useful in F3B/F3J type competition soaring allowing many adjustments to optimize the sailplane during flight, however they are also very useful for engine powered 3D type models. Another excellent feature is the number of useful timer options provided by the 11X 2.4, countdown, count up and stopwatch function are provided. The radio also offers an SD card setup allowing the saving, and expanding of model memories and also a software update capability.
The design of this radio is all new, and looks like no other transmitter designed previously and this all new design feels really comfortable in the hands. This radio is also bigger than the DSX9 and it has a larger screen, the programming is all new, and the radios screens are different. The logic and versatility is best described as fantastic, and will allow for all model types to have these adjustments at an affordable price. This radio is 2.4 Ghz only and if you wanted to change to the proven Spektrum/JR system of control then this radio will be useful for a long time and with an affordable cost this radio will be hard to beat. It must be stated that this radio is provided in Australia as 2.4 Ghz only, the radio is hardwired it does not have modules, you must use 2.4Ghz.
The 11X 2.4 is covered by a three year limited warranty providing peace of mind and trust that the radio is reliable and free from defects in workmanship or operation. The 11X 2.4 also has a control stick tension adjustment, you can adjust the sticks to suit your flying style and the dual bearings are very smooth in operation.
I pre-paid for my radio four months ago and have been waiting with much anxiety for the unit to arrive, and this long wait has been worth it! This radio is cheap for the amount of functions and channels, it has all the programming you will ever need for competitive soaring and looks modern and unique. Am I happy with my purchase? Definitely yes!
Hayden Daley 2010.
Ceres F3B.
The Ceres F3B model is one of the new models with a low camber, narrow wing section optimized for the F3B speed task. It has a wingspan of 3050 mm, wing area of 59,4dm2 and an aspect ratio of 15,66. This model uses the DP wing section for the V-Tail and wing, V-tail span is 586mm, a V-tail area of 5,64dm2 and the V-tail aspect ratio is 6,1. The sailplanes weight is 2100gm without ballast complete, maximum weight with ballast is 3600gm. The wings spar uses a Kevlar, honeycomb/ carbon sandwich. The fuselage tow hook is installed. This competition sailplane is 2.4 Ghz ready, and is provided with a 2.4 Ghz fuselage. Legendary US soaring champion Joe Wurts flew this model in the Friday F3B trials at Jerilderie 2008, and flew a low 15 second speed run. Watching this model fly with soaring champion Joe Wurts at the controls proved this model to be world class and look forward to supurb F3B action with this new style sailplane. Joe Wurts is still using this model for F3B, his Ceres was sighted in the pits at Jerilderie 2010.
Tracer F3B.
The Nan Models, Tracer F3B, has a 2,4 GHz friendly fuselage that is made of carbon/ Kevlar/epoxy and has a fully molded 2 piece carbon composite wing. 2 part molded detachable V-tail, linkage for V-tail comes already installed in the fuselage, ballast tubes in the wing. This model is suitable for experienced modelers and competitors. The kit is supplied with a fully molded carbon fiber composite wing panels and a fully molded Carbon Fiber composite V- tail. Tracer F3b RC functions are, V-tail , Ailerons, Flaps. The Tracer is a high performance F3B glider with a wing span of 3000 mm, the Fuselage length is1500 mm and the wing area: 60 dm² . This model features the NAN F3B Special airfoil and in full carbon the flying weight is from 2200 g. This model is extremely well priced, another excellent model from David Pratley at Airstrike Australia.
Crossfire 2 F3B.
The new F3B Crossfire 2 has a wing span of 2970 mm, a wing area of 58.22dm2, an Aspect Ratio of 15.15 and a V-Tail Area of 5.58dm2, the fuselage length is 1515mm. In regards to the design our experience came from our previous designs such as Tool (Stratair) and Target (Airsports Products), and a new feature on Aer-O-Tec gliders is a slip-off nose cone and proven details such as 2-piece wing and v-tail or carbon joiner and ballast-system were still evident on this new high performance F3B-competition glider. F3B versions come with complete hardware package (small parts, ballast, wing bags) and RDS - preparation. Wings are double carbon up to aileron servo box and single carbon for wing tips. Fuselage comes with ready installed v-tail linkage and tow-hook with 2.4 ready nose and carbon tail boom. Based on the experience from our successful Crossfire Evo and world Championship winning Crossfire F3B, we at Airstrike Australia proudly present the all new Crossfire 2, F3B competition sailplane.
F3B Ober Competition Sailplane Winch.
The high quality European Ober Winches where campaigned by members of the Australian F3J team at the L.S.F Tournament, Jerilderie 2010 .Having watched the team in action has proved these winches to be world class, they are strong, powerful winches for competition soaring. During the rounds that I watched these winches provided excellent performance, where within the rules for competition soaring and where smooth in use; transferring all available power to the winch line. The turnarounds provided with the winch where excellent in performance and did not fail or damage winch lines during the many rounds flown in the Jerilderie Tournament. Australian F3J team member’s Jim Houdalakis and Carl Strautins used Ober winches at Jerilderie, as did Australian F3J team manager Theodore Aravantakis. If you are interested in purchasing one of these winches, you will not be disappointed; they are of excellent quality. To purchase an Ober Winch contact David Pratley at Airstrike Australia, they are in stock and available now.
That’s it from the Thermal Circle, may the Australian team do well at the 2010 F3J world soaring championships in France and may the best man/team win! Happy, safe and successful soaring!
Hayden Daley July 2010
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