My new TARANISmitter!

Just before I took a break from gliding, I was in the process of getting a new Transmitter and had organised to buy a secondhand Futaba 8FG. 

I cancelled the purchase when my break started and now that I am back gliding again I picked up where I left off and started the search for a secondhand 8FG.

My search led me to find out about the Taranis Plus by FrSky. I already used FrSky gear as modules and receivers with my Futaba radio and had 100% confidence in the 2.4 system used and the more I read about the capabilities of the Taranis, the more I new it was the radio for me. The Fact that the cost of a new one was going to be around the same as a 2nd hand radio or less was the clincher for me and I purchased one from Rich at T9 Hobbysports.

I knew the programming was a 'bit' more in-depth than what I was used to with the Futaba gear I had used so I downloaded the companion software to have a play with while I waited for my Taranis to arrive.

I found some exceptionally helpful individuals while learning how to use the Taranis. 

Mike Shellim has embraced the Taranis and coming from a Multiplex background, has developed an EEPROM (information packet or data file) and user guide aimed at glider guiders especially those interested in F3F. He has lots of very useful info on his website and it's links. 

R.Scott-Page has a heap of youtube vids that I found very helpful especially his newer ones that focus on Companion 2.0 and the Taranis plus.

I have only recently discovered the OpenTX University. it's where you can learn all about your TX from the very helpful 'open source' community. For those that don't know, the Taranis runs an Open Source firmware called OpenTX for incredible diversity, adjustability and the distinct possibility to bamboozle yourself!

I have used Mikes EEPROM and setup information as the basis for my racing glider setups with my Taranis and have modified the setup for my Wasabi too. All that is now stored safely as a back up on my laptop!!

Anyway, the initial comprehension of the system takes a bit to get used to but if you just remember...
Sources (Switches, potentiometers, sticks gyros, gps, logical switches......) place an input (rudder, Elevator, Aileron{ the control, not the surface}), via mixers (elevator with aileron when flight mode 2 active, etc) into the servos (Control surfaces assigned to whichever receiver slot you like) via the receiver.

You can set up a basic model quite easily once you understand the pathway. More complicated setups like the one Mike designed, would take some thinking, tinkering and experience (that's why I am more than happy to use Mike's!!!)


I am testing out the Taranis on Saturday in my first F3F comp for ages. I'm flying in the Midlands Winter League as I am going to miss the Welsh one the following week due to work getting in the way again. A bit of a baptism of fire, but the fact that the setup allows me to change some key functions in flight and easily should help me to get the plane screaming pretty easily. The main issue for me is going to be nervous thumbs!!

Wish me luck! Looking forward to seeing some glider guider mates again!!

First Flight since last time!

Well.......... It was a bit blowy today  

It was awesome to catch up with Andrzej for a few hours.

I flew! It was fun.

The wind was strong enough that I was able to land on the top of the slope just a few feet back from the lip (we were flying on the mill pond slope to the north of Mickeys proper). It really was a nice landing with possibly a little too much downward momentum. That pressure reminded me that I had performed a temporary, slopeside repair to the fuz in front of the wings last time I flew. The solitary piece of sticky tape was no match for the ground and the skorp's nose was a perfect replica of Mike Tindall's. 

Andrzej had a couple of really nice flights with his Ascot but the conditions were a bit hairy for practicing effective use of the compression, especially after a bit of a lay-off. So it was just a bit of a play around.

A bloke from Guildford (I've got a memory like a sieve!!) rocked up about lunchtime and flew his Willow and Dorado. The Dorado is NOT a DODO! Seemed to fly really nicely.

So this afternoon and evening I've been doing some cutting, grinding and fibreglassing  . Sanding, filling and painting to come later in the week!

I also had forgotten how cold it can get on the slopes. Now that I am minus nearly 30kgs of insulation, a couple of layers, no beany and no thermals were woefully inadequate! Need to harden up!

I didn't use my new Taranis today. I am still setting it up with the Wasabi at the moment. Looking forward to using it though. Especially for setting up the Skorp. I was going to do some adjustments  today, hence the landing, but didn't get to launch again to test them. Adjusting in the air will be awesome!

It's great to be back on the Slopes! I've missed it quite a bit (would have been nicer to have returned at the start of Summer though!!!!).

See you soon!

I'm Back!!

I got a bit tooooo addicted to golf over the last couple of years and was recently resenting time spent with my beautiful family as I felt I needed to spend every available spare minute trying to get better at golf.

That realisation (brought around by a doozie of a barny) led me to stopping golf instantly. 


Now I am free to get totally addicted to slopesoaring again!!!!



Hopefully I can get out for my first session on Saturday or Sunday ....... weather permitting!


I've got so much to catch up on!

Great vid from Poland last year (Spring Cup)

Just saw this today and had to share it! Adam Bury does some great F3F vids!

I'm getting itchy thumbs!!

The welsh open is on this weekend and it is reminding me how much fun I had flying gliders, especially F3F. I'm really hankering to get back into flying. I might have to dust off the skorpian and get to a couple of events soon. 
You can keep up with the results and some photos and videos from Andrzej and Knewt on their pages. The links are to the right ==>>

Rest Peacefully Cliffhanger

I will miss your company and your passion for slopesoaring mate. Happy Soaring in your next life Rog.

Slope Soaring Aerobatics at Mickeys Slope, The Bwlch from Chris Studley on Vimeo.

I will always remember the times we shared on the beautiful slopes in South Wales, especially Rhossili.

Welsh Open F3F 2013

Good luck to everyone competing in the 2013 Welsh Open this weekend! Hope the weather is awesome and the conditions are EPIC!
Hopefully see you up there over the course of the competition for a chat.