RC Aircraft flying on Winnipesaukee

[Fast Algae]

Hopefully I'll be out this weekend with a Polaris XL and camera, looking to get that special vacation footage!

[RLW]

Denis D, While browsing I noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

Thanks muchly for your input about the field.

[Rich]

If you see this flying over the water, it could be me!

For those that might wonder, it has about an 85 inch wingspan and weighs about 8 lbs or so. It's a little big to manage on my boat, but if there are not too many people on board, I'm able to assemble it and fly it by launching it from my swim platform.

This picture was taken from the end of the dock at the time I had the maiden flight from floats.

[ishoot308]

That is awesome Rich! is it battery powered or gas?

Dan

[Rich]

It uses a 22.6 V, 5000 mAh LiPo (Lithium Polymer) battery.

[SIKSUKR]

Then its real quiet also. Nice looking plane!

[Rich]

Yes, it's very quiet and "Green" too!

Thanks!

[camp guy]

I am totally illiterate in the ways of RC flying, so, please, somebody, enlighten me. What type of venue is needed to safely fly these planes ? Would something like Lily Pond be acceptable? Are there restrictions/clearances from houses, trees, power lines, surface water, roads? I think it would be fun to watch if such a venue could be found.

[Rich]

Lily pond would work in size, but not in the fact that it is right on the runway approach of the airport, so this means it should be considered a NO FLYING area!

Depending on the size of the aircraft, one needs about 1/2 to a full football field of flying space (as a minimum). Some aircraft could be flown from a little league sized baseball field. The maximum can be a lot larger, depending on the aircraft, flying style, pilots skills, wind, and conditions, etc.

Depending on the size of the aircraft, you need about 100 to 300 ft long, 30 to 50 ft wide runway (or more) to take off / land. Some aircraft can take off in 10 feet, but normally you want more space. For example, my RC helicopter only needs about 5 to 6 foot circle to take off and land, but I'd want much more space to fly.

Also, we don't want to fly directly over people, houses, etc. Normally we can fly from 'mowed' grass, or from hardtop/concrete, dirt, etc. Obviously (or not) if a plane has floats, it can fly from water.

I hope this helps a bit.

[Pine Island Guy]

Originally Posted by Rich

If you see this flying over the water, it could be me!

Wow Rich, that is very cool indeed! I'm not sure where you fly, but would love to come check it out sometime and watch

How much air-time do you get from a battery charge?

Is there enough payload capacity to attach a "GoPro" camera?

cheers! -PIG

[Rich]

Thanks!

The aircaft with floats could easily cary several go-pro camera.

Right now I'm not regularly flying anywhere. The original intent of this thread was to see if any other RC pilots wanted to get together and fly somewhere from our boats.

My guess is that there are not many RC pilots on the lake, or at least reading this thread as there seem to be more questions from others (which is fine!), than other RC pilots wanting to do this together.

I can understand this, as many RC pilots may not have aircraft equipped with floats. After RC flying for 30 years or so, this is the first time I have flown from water myself.