Derek's Hobbyzone Delta Ray Discussion

[Derek]

I won't be posting any flight videos in this thread (unless specifically asked) because there is something that I'd like to share.

Many of you know that I have a Spektrum DX8 and a Spektrum DX6i (actually, I have two DX6i's but I use the broken one for the sim, lol). Also, many of you know that I bought a Hobbyzone Delta Ray BNF so that my Dad could learn to fly and hopefully fly with me. Currently, I have the Delta Ray bound to my DX8. Now, that makes it kinda difficult for us to fly at the same time because all my models are on my DX8. Only one plane, my Dad's scratch built bomber, is bound to my DX6i because the "end goal" is to have him fly that plane on his own.

Now, the Delta Ray has 3 flight modes (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). It also has what's known as the "Panic Switch". The problem is that the DX6i only has two position switches and no "found" way to easily access the "Panic Feature". I did a bit of searching today and I found a guy that flies the DX6i and has a mix of combinations to access all 3 flight modes and have functionality of the "Panic Feature". I have created a new profile on my DX6i for the Delta Ray and I've entered the mixes. I'll bind the Delta Ray to my DX6i and I'll test out the mixing this weekend when I'm off work. I'd do it now but it's 2:20am and it's dark, lol.

Here is the brief description that I was given:

Model type: Acro
Travel adjust: Gear (0) = Up 100%, Gear (1) / F Mode (on gear switch label) = Down 40%
Flaps: Norm = Up 100%, Land = Down 100%
Mix 1: Gear -> Gear ACTivate, Rate D 0%, U +100%, SWitch Mix, Trim INHibit

This is suppose to enable the Panic Feature by using the "FLAP" switch and it's also suppose to allow POS 0 of the GEAR switch as "Advanced Mode", POS 1 of the GEAR switch as "Intermediate Mode", and a combination of using POS 1 of the GEAR and POS 1 of the MIX (Throttle Hold) switch for "Beginner Mode".

Because my Dad is still learning (lol, aren't we all, lol), we aren't concerned with the "Advanced Mode" but it would be nice to have known access to "Beginner Mode" and "Intermediate Mode". I like the idea of my Dad taking off in Beginner Mode and then switching into Intermediate Mode for the flight, then back to Beginner Mode for the landing.

So...like I said...I'll test this out this weekend and hopefully it works. If it does, then I can have Dad fly the Delta Ray with the DX6i and I can fly with him on my DX8. Cool! I'll report back.

[DOG]

Hey Derek. Glad to here that I'm not the only one up and working on helis or anything else that time of the morning. I saw that video and I think you and your day will have no problems flying together besides watching out for each other in the air this weekend. That will save you guys a couple of $$$ for a TX. Good luck to you and your dad for your first tamdum flying.

[pvolcko]

Sounds like a plan. May want to play around with the gear travel, reverse, and the mix settings to make the beginner and intermediate settings positions 0 and 1 and then make the advanced mode the combo switch (gear 1 and mix 1). Less hassle to switch between the modes you care about that way. By the time you're wanting to fly advanced mode often with him you'll probably want to be eliminating the intermediate mode, so you can then promote advanced to position 1 gear and do away with the mix entirely.

[Derek]

Hey Derek. Glad to here that I'm not the only one up and working on helis or anything else that time of the morning. I saw that video and I think you and your day will have no problems flying together besides watching out for each other in the air this weekend. That will save you guys a couple of $$$ for a TX. Good luck to you and your dad for your first tamdum flying.

Thanks DOG! We're working on it!

Sounds like a plan. May want to play around with the gear travel, reverse, and the mix settings to make the beginner and intermediate settings positions 0 and 1 and then make the advanced mode the combo switch (gear 1 and mix 1). Less hassle to switch between the modes you care about that way. By the time you're wanting to fly advanced mode often with him you'll probably want to be eliminating the intermediate mode, so you can then promote advanced to position 1 gear and do away with the mix entirely.

I have to agree with you, Paul! I was thinking it over last night. Having the flight modes the other way around would be most beneficial. I'll work on it.

[Derek]

I took the Delta Ray out today with the DX6i and the above settings and mix. Preflight check and everything is working properly. Feeling confident that this is going to work, I take off. It's a smooth take off, as usual. I take it straight out about 40 yards and the excitement begins. The three flight modes aren't responding the plane won't turn. I can do a loop, so obviously I'm in Expert Mode. No aileron response. No rudder (differential thrust) response. This is really getting to be an issue here, lol. I shut the throttle off. Thankfully the Panic feature does work and the elevator is working. I flip the FLAP switch to activate the Panic and the plane does level out. All I can think to do is keep the Pain feature on and raise the nose up. Doing that was allowing the wind to push the plane backwards, back to my direction, and the Panic feature was keeping the plane level. The plane begins to lose altitude but it's holding level and drops pretty softly into the grass. I'm relieved. I unplug the battery and power down the transmitter. I dunno about this idea now. I might mess around with the settings some more but if the Delta Ray is going to see any airtime in the near future, it's going to be on my DX8, lol.

[pvolcko]

Wow. That's odd. Worked on the bench. Range check was good?

[Derek]

Yes, the range check was good. No problem there. Yes, the control surfaces all worked properly at home and during the preflight check at the field. I'm gonna put it back on the DX8 for a few flights, just to be sure that all is well. I may mess around with the Delta Ray on the DX6i some more but I'm also looking into getting a used DX7 with the 3 position flight mode switch.

[Derek]

Good News/Bad News

Isn't it terrible when you start a thread that way? lol

Ok, the good news is that my Dad has liked my Hobbyzone Delta Ray so much that he has gone and bought a Hobbyzone Delta Ray BNF for himself. With the issue of a needed transmitter, I sold him my spare DX6i. So, it would seem that I've transformed my Dad into an RC Pilot, lol. How cool is that??? Mega Cool!!!

And, just as I said above....the bad news. I crashed my Delta Ray. Here's how it happened and I'd like the opinions of the Hangout. As some of you may know, the Delta Ray as the AS3X stabilization. When you plug in the battery, you have to immediately set the plane on the ground and let the system initialize. Then you can pick it up and secure the battery cover. I have found this to be a bit of a hassle. I told my Dad that I'd like to add an on/off switch to the top of the plane so that I could plug in the battery, secure the battery cover, place the plane on the ground, turn on the tx, then flip the switch that allows the plane to power up, and the plane would then initialize. Sounds simple and convenient, right? So, I got my hands on a switch. I spliced the switch into the negative battery lead on the plane and secured the switch to the top of the plane. I'm quite happy with it.

We took off to the flying field, yesterday, to fly my plane with the new addition of the switch and we were going to maiden Dad's new Delta Ray. Now, the wind was blowing a constant 8ish mph and gusting 12-15mph. Perhaps we shouldn't have tried to fly in those winds but I felt confident. I told Dad that I'd fly mine first to see how it handled in the winds. Normally, it handles very well....even in winds. The take off was a bit sketchy but the Delta Ray gained altitude. I turned around and was flying down wind. As I went to turn back into the wind, from about 40-50 feet high, the plane goes into a dive and I could not pull it out......SMACK! The plane met the ground VERY hard. I was in absolute disbelief. I was flying in beginner mode and it just seemed that the AS3X failed. My first thought was that the added switch had failed at my solder joints. I pick the plane up and, with the battery still connected, I see that the AS3X board has a solid orange light. All the control surfaces are still working properly. hmmmmm!?!?!?!?!?

We decided to not fly Dad's Delta Ray and just go home, lol. I get home and inspect my Delta Ray. The breaks were relatively clean. I get the hot glue gun out and begin repairs. I have to say that I'm quite happy with the repairs and the Delta Ray is ready for more airtime.

My question is this: Did I mess up by adding the switch to the system? Could this be a point of failure due to excessive resistance? Or, did the uncontrollable death fall occur because I was flying in higher winds, in beginner mode....beginner mode having limited control surface throw.....limited control surface throw giving the plane the incapability of recovery?

What do you guys think?

[pvolcko]

I doubt the switch is at fault, assuming it itself is not defective in some way. There shouldn't be any resistance to speak of. If under power, throw a volt meter across it to check, while the switch is on, of course. If no battery connected, turn the switch on and put meter into ohm mode. Should see a voltage of 0 or very near it and very low ohm reading.

I'd suspect low throw mode did you in, in those winds (perhaps considerably higher velocity up high, if you were flying anywhere near trees, knols/hills, etc.), with that plane's large wing surface. Do a range check an make sure no issues there.

[Derek]

One nice thing about this plane is that there is built in telemetry that me DX8 picks up. I can see the signal strength on the display. That always checks out.

I want flying near any buildings nor trees. I was at my club field...very wide open.

I also can't imagine the switch causing an issue but, because its a new feature to the plane, it was worth mentioning.

Just as you said, Paul, I pretty much imagine the "beginner mode" throws were the culprit to this crash. If I fly it again in significant winds, I'll try a different mode. Otherwise, its calmer days for that plane.

[CPDalpiaz]

Hi Derek. Just signed in for some Delta Ray on DX8 advice. My DX4e has gone away to radio heaven, and I'm trying to put the Delta Ray on my DX8G2. Used elevon setup, but not getting correct response. It did bind, but Elevator only moves one elevon, and Aileron only the other. Is there a mix I'm missing? And your setup for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced flight modes would also be welcome. Thanks Mucho!