Ductlings a migration from conventional to unusual aircraft

Some time we have to take a step back to see the bigger picture

2009-07-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

In my last posting I was moving on, that was the intension, but…life has done it to me again. Threw me a curve ball sot of speak, shortly after Jan 13 I was laid off with a severance after 22 years with the company. You could imagine my response, at first anger and blaming economy did not work. I also seriously though a conspiracy was the notion with my counter part in the U.S. “take care of their own” before the talented Canadians. With that all aside now I have weathered the storm and matured with little remorse, in fact I am looking at this as an opportunity to investigate my potential in living my hobby instead of living someone else’s lifestyle. What I mean by that is to possibly make a living in doing the thing I love to do. Since my lay off I have done little and have been exploring my inner self. This had gone several stages of denial and attempting to change the course of my present dilemma. Believe it; I am still working at it. I had six months now of not working for someone else, what a treat, not to have the hustle and bustle of getting to someone else office and work for them, but there is a down side of this. The end of my settlements money will be running out soon and I will have to make a commitment with finding a way to satisfy paying my bills once more.

I am still seeking for the field of dreams. I have entertained the idea to start a business for myself in designing RC and selling the product. This proves to be a challenging and not very lucrative lifestyle, but it would be fun. I am working on a business plan to pursuit this, it is slow going. My other choice is to go back as a free lance design draftsman and hope I encounter the people in my future paths and discover new interests that may promote in participating in my endeavours with my dreams.

Well what have I done since last… not much… “You reap what you sow” this worries me now. Since I have not done much it is time to change all that. I feel I have wasted all that time. The truth is not far from that, but what I have done is of substantial advancement that will play a large part in future development, matter of fact I learned new things and will begin to implement them.

Some time we have to take a step back to see the bigger picture to continue the journey ahead. I look forward to the journey ahead with all the new challenges it offers.

First action I will take the time to update the BetterFly.ca site with what was done last year in the development of the experimental planes I have been working on. Then investigate new technologies with WEB development to improve the process of promoting my findings and networking with others out there in the same interest. I have a knack of wondering around and dabbling into too many things at once and this will have to narrow down to focus on the current projects to satisfactory conclusions. That is the first order of the plan for now.

One more round

2009-01-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2009 to all

With each year we learn more for the next to apply what we have learned.

2008 was a slow year, again was not a productive on my web site. Development has been put aside with the lack of flying in 2008 due to work taking over my private life. Some development on the Ductling was done in attempt to include VTOL to it. This will be further explored in the attempt to simplify the maintenance approach. New development has begun on the Buck Rogers AERTH ALLIANCE FIGHTER as the BR-X series. This BR-X series has good potential for an exciting fun and attractive flying craft. I can’t call it a plane because there are no wings; it is more a lifting body with winglets. Here is a preview for those interested.

I have found pleasure in micro helicopters especially the E-flite Blade MCX. This kept me satisfied with the challenge of flite, lots of fun in the living room or office. The best $150 spent for a toy. Also I have been exploring micro flying with PLANTRACO the Micro Butterfly cool stuff. This allowed me to experiment with my designs at a smaller scale hopping to fly them in the underground parking. Was a good plan but frustrating to deal with columns and low ceilings.

This year I have committed myself to move and find the field of dreams. I plant to be settled in by March 2009 with workshop and field all at my convenience. No more excuses and hold back the dreams are about to be materialize and realize into action.

Time has served me well, some complaint where there but in all I am grateful for how thing have turned out. With the new prospect of finding the field of dreams I am looking forward to having more fun.

P2

New Outlook

2008-01-01T16:30:00.000-08:00

It is a new year with a positive outlook. Last year, the flying time was not in abundance due to my laziness and lack of motivation. I hope this year this will be remedied by my plans to move out of the city, perhaps a retired farm where the field of dreams will be.

Recently I have been working on my eXperimental concepts with the new tail fins for The X-DLB series. Looking good…. So far, the prototypes are working out fine. I have not done much on the WEB site and so and update or two was needed. I plan to document all my new findings on LiPo, Brushless motors and new designs for the Ductlings.

Moving forward with a positive outlook

All the best to all of you Happy New Year

What if....

2007-08-18T07:57:00.001-07:00

Today I feel sad. Realizing not all is happening with a smile. Summer was nice, but did not really enjoy it as intended. A lot has happened with my design development, had little time to write about it because lack of passion.

I noticed joi de vivre is fading because my dream is fading. Day to day I see another day passing by and lost. I need to find that field of dreams a farm land any farm land will due, but only one requirement it is not too far from work place since work is the only true survivor here that can fuel my other passion to by the things I need to build with, but even this is fading because I find my time indoors when the sun is out. I need to spend more time out in the early rays of light and less time in the cavern I call home. A mild depression is setting in when I give a though of moving as the insecurities of acting out to make a move to the north for the field of dreams.

I look at my pass achievements and find them amazing, though they are stagnant in time because the joi de vivre is fading and so is the dream. It seems little positive is recorded here and make me sound like a depress individual. The truth is probably I am just like many who ride the roller coaster of life.

I find it hard to go outside with no one to share event with, maybe this is where the joy of living has faded away.

I need to be freed from this sadness in my heart. What if…

FOCUS on the LOCUS

2007-05-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

Well it has been some time since my last post, and a lot has happened.
1. I joined some forums and learned a lot
2. Have switched to new brushless an Li-Po technologies
3. Have put on hold the D-WAVE and picked up the LOCUS still tying to find a name for the new development. So far out of a contest it is referred as the TooCan since it resembles the bird

The plan is still the same, but now concentrating on the single seat sport version lifting bobby. I have had some difficulties in identifying my configuration. It looks promising with the first prototype, so far three maiden launch attempts were made and modifications where made. It doe fly, I had one successful controlled flight, but the plane might have been under powered or the alignment of engine and wing to body are out. All of these will require some attention till the formula is worked out. As I mentioned I have joined forums a great place to exchange and learn. Some of my postings on the TooCan venture are here.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=655255#post7073815

As the DragonSleigh one of the names it was given based on a sketch that can be seen on my site under the SnowHawk.

http://betterfly.ca/BetterFly/RC_cncpt_SNOWHAWK.htm

Pitfall

2006-07-12T18:55:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since last, and all in on hold. I am still looking for a new field with runway for the test flight. My determination is dwindling, so it seems, I am depressed with the though that destiny is taking away the ownership of my quest and dream. I am struggling with myself to muster the energy to get the job done. I think, the fear is that it may not work and not knowing the reason why, is cause for procrastinating the quest to succeed, maybe… I’m just not ready….
The other day a letter with pictures arrived in my E-mailbox. The sender sent me a concept he has worked out, an improvement in stabling the flight of a rubber powered aircraft. This concept seems to concur with literature I read on insect wing characteristics and behavior. Basically, insect wings have a rough surface that causes the air to tabulate on top there by creating lift. My assumption with this concept on the rubber powered aircraft is similar. I had considered something similar by rippling the wing surface of the Ductling when I first conceived the VeeBee configuration. It was inspired by the fossils sea shells my mother in-law had given me.
The question now is… when will I begin? This rut I’m in is not fading. Like a roller coaster ride and I’m heading downhill. I know this will not last forever, but I sure could use some relief or some positive support and inspiration. I guess I should look back to the rubber powered aircraft, it was uplifting, and I should work with that.
What is really bringing me down is the lack of money. We are planning for a vacation, a short one because that is all we can afford, but, out comes the shadow of surprise attacks. I get into accidence and total my front end of my vehicle. No one was hurt, thank God for that, but now I have inherited an unplanned expense that conflicts with procuring the vacation we had so desperately needed. It is my wife’s determination to continue our goal to take this vacation even if it put us in the poor house, not that we are already there, living beyond our means.
I probably have the same posture as the majority of the populous, the dept we are all trying desperately to get out of. Now I am beginning to understand my pitfall.

I need that break…

Is there a better way?

2006-04-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

I have been a busy bee. My WEB my plane all got some TLC.
The past couple of weeks I have been revamping my WEB site, because it was not working. There are some problem still hidden, but this will have to wait till I find them. The plane is under going structural and control changes. This is the third time I made changes to the structure of this prototype. I feared the worst when I begun to prepare for flight. The controls where not working with accuracy, there was too much flex in the control rods. This needed to be fixed before I fly. There is too much invested in the model to simply ignore the possibility to bad design in control surfaces. So… redesign and improve. My feelings are conflicting with my knowledge on the subject. Being a self taught designer/inventor this does cause for dowt, but the internet is my salvation in finding the solution. The problem is, there is little in the specifics of my design. Back in the time, trial and error will cover the questions and answers.
I took time off from work to address these issues, but the weather was not planed, and is contributing to my fear of not achieving my goals. Part of the problem was the control surfaces needed to be redesigned to ensure safe flight. Now I’m left with 4 day to complete and test, prevailing the weather permits. This weather is the deterrent of the project making it hard for the dream to prosper. Is there a better way?

Counting my blessings

2005-12-24T14:24:00.000-08:00

A reflection in time
Time is passing by, like a freight train going to its determined destination.
Little can slow it down, there is no derailing it.
Looking back the trail is clear, and done.
Many encounters have new discoveries to comprehend
Time does not wait for decisions, but accompanies them to the end.
The trail is long.
Patients will endeavor to conclude a passage.
With each passing moment, a new accomplishment is realized.
The challenge was met and forged on.
The progression proceeds to a new experience, and wisdom matures to the next level.
Is the present existence final or will it reveal a new birth?

Happiness is what you make of it, but what do you do when anger surrounds you?

Love, and be loved, but what do you do when hate surrounds you?

Slow down and smell the roses, but what do you do when they keep pushing you?

The answer is move away from all that keep pushing hate and anger.

Time does not stop

I have been dreaming of the fight to freedom from my window sill, staring at the model plane, swaying about from the gentle breeze coming though the opened window. Wondering what it would be like to pilot though the sky and exploring new ventures.
With each day passing me by, a small piece is yearning to convert the dream into reality, as my soul existence is not complete until this is done. For each day, with no contributions the dream is converted to depression. I learned, life is not consistent, new twist or challenges occurs and need to be met. Not all are met but set aside, because, I am only human with feeling changing with each climate. The climate I fear most is hate and anger, so much is invested around, and affecting the good energy needed to promote a positive climate for the dream to blossom.

Counting my blessings

I have good health
Family and friend who love me
A roof over my head and warm bed
Food and drink
A job I like that pays the bills
A wealth of knowledge in understanding my surroundings

Working on the positive

Just a thought!

2005-10-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

Last week I rebuilt the WAV static model to improve the wing and tail configuration. In the process I decided to build a plug to assist in building the “DUCT-VANE” a concept I have been working on for some time. This proved to be beneficial in building the Duct-Vane. I was able to reinforce the trailing edge; thereby ridding the inner ring, this will improve the trust flow. Now the control surfaces need detailing. The concept is there, but the mechanics need to operate smoothly.

This week I started building the flying test model, with a 29” wingspan. The choice of material is hard for me, because, I would like it to be resilient to hard landing for the test flights, and yet ultra light as possible. The earlier version of the DUCTLING’s are made from foam. The most successful was the VeeBee at 22oz. with hardware, it sustained damage well. Now I’m looking at a composite process, a mixture of foam, wood, and papier-mâché. The weight factor is questionable, and do is the resilience to sustain damage. I’m hoping it will maintain a glide this time, if so; the hard landings won’t be a factor. The goal is able to glide and sustain that, and to fly it self.
To do is to find out…. Trial by error…. Spoken like a true explorer.
One step at a time… I need to build it, and make it fly. I am getting closer I know…

Just a thought!
I finally went to the se the movie Stealth. The FA-37 Talon was an eye catching spectacle. The possibilities sparked my inspirations to investigate this craft. One blog touched on the subject nicely. In Dean’s Weblog, he point out the concept it’s origins and similarities to the X-29. Based on the Northrop Grumman Switchblade the FA-37 Talon was fabricated.
The Switchblade has something I would like to borrow from. The WAV may have a bigger brother. Some time back I dreamed of a flying camper, called the LOON.
Have you watched TV series called “Connection”? It was a clever display of how one invention influenced another or how one could not have come to exist without the other. The connection that came to be the innovative machine of today, like the computer. Did you know it started with the loom? A textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile. Wat is the connection?
Back to the Loon….
The thought was there but not clear, and now the birth of a new inspiration may grow into something tangible. Thank you stealth….

Some things are meant to be…

The dream goes on… BetterFly…. ~v~

A new perspective

2005-09-13T16:19:00.000-07:00

Summer is over officially.
Back to work in the dungeon.
Some ideas have been flying around and I made some changes. The latest addition to the Ductlings, the WAV (winged “A” frame vehicle). Why this?... You may ask…. Well, after reviewing all my designs I came to a conclusion I kept a wedge like frame in all the planes that lead to the Ductlings.
An “A” frame structure is simple and strong. I built several 1/40th scale models to work out the desired conclusion.
In this process I discover what may have prevented a steady glide path in my test flights.

The VeeBee has two type of airfoils built in.

• The body (lifting body)
• The winglets

The thicker line represents the outer sides of the WAV body where the duct-vane is located. You can get a better view at my site.

In this diagram represent the correction used with the WAV. The new corrected version, will compensate for the different foils. The main (center) foil trailing edge is complimentary to that of the winglets.

At different speeds the foils react differently. With the VeeBee the two body foils share the same trailing edge, and created a different angle of attack with the winglets, this contributed to an unstable glide path.

So goes the theory.

Well I need to test this. I will keep you posted.

Later…. BetterFly ~V~

Times Chage

2005-07-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

Don’t you feel, there are times, things are going too slow? Well…. This is one of those for me. Last time my interpretation of controlled flight was not successful and cause for concern. Will this ever take off the ground?..... It took me several days to gain courage to re-examine the problem. I started with a scaled down version to determine a proper body to wing configuration. It turn out that the body profile trailing edge was to low in relationship to the wings. The new profile proves to be stable with this scaled down version. I am able to launch a steady glide path. The light at the end of the tunnel is beginning to spark up. I am also working on a frame structure using bamboo B.Q. skews with a glue gun assembly method. This is a good process to determine structural integrity. This keeps me busy, toward the goals of succeeding, in keeping an optimistic perspective. The flight must go on….

I am still avoiding the test flight of the last VeeBee modification. I am having trouble identifying with the reluctance. May be I’m getting lazy, things are not convenient enough. This is not inspiring…...
Speaking of inspiration… I received an eMail asking, if the Ductling could be built with foam, this was inspiring... A newbie in the hobby, he mentioned how he enjoyed my site and how well of a job I did with my presentation. Well…. I decided I will be working on a new splinter site dedicated to the Ductlings some time soon. First,….I want to enjoy my summer,…. of course…

Until next time….. Betterfly……~v~

New wings

2005-06-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

Today I went to my chosen test grounds. On the way there my brother was working on his present project, so I visited him. We went to the park together, since it was lunch time. Some people where there walking their dogs. I had to wait for them to get out of the way. While waiting my brother and I talked about thing. I guess I could have picked a better time other than noon a busy time for public parks. Well it was not so bad, I manage to get four launches.
The first launch I thought I may put some left aileron and see if there would be some response. Sure enough it worked a bit too well. It veered into the ground and survived the fall. The flight seemed to be low once more. I made another attempt, this time the flight was better but short, not gaining altitude like it should. I decided the next flight I would introduce up elevator. The flight went straight but little up was acquired. It seemed as when the speed dropped so did the plane. Some damage occurred, the aileron control horns detached. It is time to stop. When I got home I began the repair, and reviewed in my mind what had happened. I forgot trough the excitement the weight shift done by the battery placement.

I need to take note,
• The 5 paces for the bungee is working fine.
• The enlarged ailerons with a 3 degree up on each on the new wing configuration are doing the job, but a bit sensitive.
• The CG needs to be established and this was ignored.

Today, I invited Cathy and Anthony to see “Batman the beginning”. The show was well done a good story well executed the effect where also equally well executed. I am looking forward to seeing a sequel. At the previews an upcoming show “Stealth” about fighter planes, my kind of show, displayed preview of the battles. The planes caught my imagination. They looked something familiar to a stealth design done some time ago, but these had a canard configuration that might fit for the Ductling. I will incorporate this in one of my designs next. Wait and see.

Trying something different

2005-06-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

Last Monday I made the attempt once more.

The changes made to the model seemed to have promising results. The ailerons are made from balsa and the leading and trailing edge where from bamboo. The controls operated smoothly. The total weight was slightly heavier 22oz. with a ten cell battery pack.

This exercise was to determine launch procedures. I decided to begin by measuring the distance of stretching the bungee cord by 3 yards. My first launch took a beating. The launch was not enough of a pull. The left wing took some damage. The attempt of stiffening the wings was good enough because I also carved holes on the wings in the attempt to lighten them. This proved to weekend the wings also.

As in the past I decided not to stop there and made some repairs to continue my endeavors. I increased the distance to 5 yards. The sub sequential launch went better, but did not hold altitude long enough. The next I decided to add some up on the controls to see it would gain altitude. The attempt seem to be working, however the damaged wing had some influence in veering to the left where it collide with a tree near by. I tried once more, this time the plane went up and begun to turn into the damage wing’s direction once more. I tried to correct this, but the flight momentum decreased and the plane started to drop, not a glide, this gave me the impression that there was no stability or it was stalling. A design flaw….

I spent the last week rebuilding the wings, this time with a 5 degree forward sweep. Like the original concept from the SEAHAWK. Except the Seahawk had a grater angle of attack and it is a Canard design. This is still a possible retreat if these modifications do not work.

Well this weekend I will make another attempt.

Determination

2005-06-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

This morning I had planned to launch the rebuilt VeeBee. For the last two weeks new improved structural details where made. The wing tips where weak, because the foam was too thin, so a leading and trailing edge made of bamboo where added. Both the strength and stiffness needed at the tips was achieved. Also wing spars where added to improve the connection to the main body and correcting the angle of attack for the wing. I hope the improvement is going to do what it needed.

All in all, my attempt to get myself to the test field was not successful this morning. I did not feel motivated. Maybe, the feeling is, that all the work done is in vein. IÂm feeling a little depressed. Some days the energy is there and others, no quiet right. Maybe it has to do with the heat. It is hot today, and so was last night. I did not have a good rest.

I decided, tomorrow early in the morning I will make the next attempt in obtaining a controlled flight. Tomorrow I have taken the day off from work. And so Ishalll put it to good use.

Surviving my fall

2005-05-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

The launch did not go as planed. It turns out that the design is working but the material used is not. The wing need to be stiffer and yet resilient to damage. Being a test model I have achieved flight but the flights where to short to register a controlled flight. All but one. After several launches and ajustment to the CG (center gravity) by shifting the battery weight I identified what I think it to be the CG. This particular launch the plane flew straight and was demonstrating a need to drop... So full up on the elevators and the control seemed to adjust the altitude before touching ground. This was my first sign or controlled flight. After patching and field repair where made I would make an other attempt to fly the plane. This design is presenting some difficulties in identifying the problems due to the unusual configuration of the tail and body. I am certain this will fly once I rebuild the wings by using more rigid materials to prevent bending the wing tips. The ailerons need to be made of a more rigid material other than DEPRON. I'm thinking of balsa as the replacement, Maybe .... If I insert a solid leading edge to the wings this may correct the bending problem on the wing tips.

VeeBee maiden launch

2005-05-29T06:11:00.000-07:00

Today a dream has a hiccup. I got up at 6:30 am and gathered all necessary items for the maiden launch. I found a near by a park with a long and gradual decent. In the winter it is used for tobogganing. I though this would be a good place to launce the plane. (VeeBee)