News
New: Ask the RCadvisor over at The Crash Cast
Submitted by carlos on Fri, 02/05/2010 - 5:36pmI have a new regular segment over at The Crash Cast called “Ask the RCadvisor”. Most weeks I will spend about ten minutes answering an RC-related question that I’ve been asked. I promise they will all be interesting questions and hopefully you will learn something from my response.
The first segment is in this week’s episode (#54). So have a listen and let me know how you like it!
Do you have a question of your own that you’ve been puzzling over? Then ask away!
Interview with Crash Cast about UAVs
Submitted by carlos on Sun, 01/17/2010 - 9:42pmMike “Crash” Hancock from the The Crash Cast just interviewed me again. I had a great time! We chatted about my recent military UAV design work and the UAV industry in general. I got an opportunity to drop some hints about other projects I’m working on. It was a good interview - have a listen!
Designed robotic model airplane (UAV) for American armed forces
Submitted by admin on Wed, 12/23/2009 - 9:29amI just returned to Albuquerque from a three month consulting project in New England. My job was to design a high performance robotic model airplane for the American armed forces. The prototype meets all of the mission requirements and the client is extremely happy. Yay!
The military UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) industry is a far cry from the hobbyist radio control model airplane industry. It was a fascinating experience, and I’ve come back full of new ideas.
Spread Spectrum article in January 2009 Model Aviation
Submitted by carlos on Tue, 12/22/2009 - 10:26amThe January 2009 issue of Model Aviation, on page 39, features an article I wrote about spread spectrum radio systems. Despite the easy reading, it’s surprisingly technical in nature:
“One trick that our DSS radio systems use is to stretch the signal transmitted so that it works within the entire band, or spectrum of radio frequencies.”
ModiFly book mentions in October Model Aviation
Submitted by carlos on Mon, 09/21/2009 - 10:28amThe October 2009 issue of Model Aviation magazine mentions my latest book twice. Page 14, Worth a Closer Look, says:
“If you’re like many of us, you need to read RCadvisor.com’s new book about designing and building RC models.”
On page 90, Small-Field Flying column, Paul Bradley had some more nice words:
“Even experienced designers and builders are likely to learn something from this book; I did.”
Kaboom! We just blew past 5,000 registered members
Submitted by carlos on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 12:57pm
After only 21 months since we launched the website, the number of registered website users just blew right past 5,000. Thank you, and welcome!
Price drop! ModiFly book now just $14.95
Submitted by carlos on Mon, 08/31/2009 - 9:21amWriting my second book, RCadvisor’s ModiFly, was at least as much work as writing my first book. Based on that, I priced both books the same.
But it is clear to me now that the ModiFly model airplane design was just the first of what I hope will be many new designs. I’m close to finalizing the designs of a motorglider and a pylon racer, for example. These new designs will be published as smaller books of about 100 pages, selling for $9.95 each. The books will form a “Designer Series”. Each one will cover the motivations, design tradeoffs, detailed building instructions, and ideas for modifying the design.
In light of that, a price adjustment on the ModiFly book was in order. Effective immediately, the price for that book has dropped to just $14.95. It is longer than the books that will follow, and it will continue to be a great starting point for new scratch builders.
ModiFly in wind - no problem!
Submitted by carlos on Tue, 07/28/2009 - 9:51amI just got an email from Ken Myers, editor of the Ampeer. He reports on the ModiFly’s ability to handle high winds:
“Hi Carlos,
Just a quick note. I went out flying on Sunday, not unusual, but the winds were 16 mph gusting to 21 the whole time we were at the field. Guess what the only plane I flew was? Ah, too easy. Yep, the ModiFly. Lots of fun! Actually, Keith Shaw was the only one to “risk” one of his better aircraft to the wind gods. He flew his big, beautiful Bearcat. It flew great, as he is an excellent pilot and knows that the left hand is for, but the landing was interesting with quite a pucker factor, even for Keith. 
Thanks for a fun little plane that can handle the wind,
Ken”
Book mention in August 2009 issue of Model Aviation
Submitted by carlos on Mon, 07/27/2009 - 3:11pmBob Aberle mentioned my first book, RCadvisor’s Model Airplane Design Made Easy, in his Frequenty Asked Questions column in the August 2009 issue of Model Aviation magazine. He said:
“Carlos has a nice, easy-to-read style that is often humorous, to keep your attention. I give it top marks and I’m glad to have it on my shelf for ready reference.”
By my count, this is the fourth mention of my book in Model Aviation magazine. Wow! That must be some sort of record!
ModiFly book review and flight report at the Ampeer
Submitted by carlos on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 1:07pmKen Myers, one of the reviewers for the ModiFly book, just published the August 2009 issue of his Ampeer newsletter. He liked the model airplane design described in the book so much, he went ahead and built one! The newsletter discusses his impressions of the book, the modifications he made to the design, and the result of his flight testing. His conclusion?
“All in all this little plane has been a very pleasant experience and well worth the build.”
