Ron Kramer's Flight Page:
All photos: copyright Rojoy Inc. 2002 and can not be used without written permission



Mark and I flying to Pontiac Michigan. 

I love anything that flies. Which is why I'm into sport kites.
 I'm also into Flight Simulators and Radio Controlled flight (planes and Helicopters)





FLIGHT SIMULATION

After being a long time fan of Flight Unlimited III  (exclusively) and not caring much for MS Flight Sim, they released FS2002 and it's been totally redone. It's by far the best out there are present.  I also have Fly 2k which is good, but has slower frame rates than FS2002 which is unbelievably fast and smooth in the frame rate department considering all the graphics. I'm presently working on improving my sim setup. (shopping for a yoke and peddles) but I do have my controls and radio stack pretty well setup. I just need to add the Flaps/Landing Gear/Trim module. The rest works great though.  Including, Nav radios, com1 and 2, Auto pilot, DME, VOR, and much much more.
In addition, I have 8 toggle switches for lights, battery, alt, etc. As well as 16 push button switches to work the auto pilot and radios, flaps, mags, trim etc. Have a look at my present setup. It consists of five units of the GO-FLIGHT cockpit control system.  Go-Flight website



R/C Flight... the Tiger Moth

I use to be into RC planes back in the mid 70's. I lost interest because the planes then needed much time to build. They then required that I drive 20+ miles to a special field away from radio interference. And the planes at the time used messy glow fuel. Well today that's all changed. The recent advances in electronics and motors allow for RC flight using batteries and electronic equipment rather than gas. These smaller models can also be flown in the backyard, nearby baseball field... or even in the house!


I've re-introduced myself into RC planes with the electric "Tiger Moth" from GWS models. The cost is only about 55.00. Plus another 85.00 for radio innerds. Then the Transmitter... I picked up a Hitec, Flash-5 computer 5 channel radio. It's a good bit more than is needed for backyard flying. But I wanted to be able to expand.  And within 10 days of getting this radio I'm already expanding. I sold my 10 day old Flash 5 radio and picked up a  Futaba... see below. 

Get one here:  Horizon Hobby

Update: with the cold winter weather, I've moved into the Pico Helicopter and the Tiger Moth has been on the shelf waiting for it's first flight. Well I got my chance yesterday and HAD A BLAST!  I believe planes have taken the front seat for a while.  They're so much more fun to watch! and very relaxing to fly.  


R/C Flight... The Piccolo Helicopter


I've always wanted to get into RC helicopters and this was recommended to start with. Best part... I can fly it indoors!
I got the Piccolo and a 6 channel Futaba TX6H 6 channel helicopter radio. (does planes too)
The copter has my home made training gear on the bottom. I used 2 carbon fiber kite sticks and 4 ping pong balls. The gear is attached with tiny rubber bands I got from my sons Orthodontist. (tiny ones)


A picture of the stock rotor head, I have ordered several custom mods that will be added to the Pico's rotor system...  I will picture these and review each as I add them. They should arrive any day. Watch for them in a update soon.


Piccolo Modifications !
My Mods Page 
click!

A shot of my Quick Charger. Shopping for them can be really confusing, but this is the one... it does it all! NiCad, NiMH - both types. The one draw back is that it operates on 12V only. It has two clips that you can clip to a field battery or more likely your car battery so you can charge your RC batteries at the field.  But I want to charge them at home. So I found a AC/DC adapter laying around the house (one that powered my old computer MODEM, remember those things?) Since I have a cable modem now, I cut the wires on the old power supply and I plug it into the wall, then connect the two clips that came with the Super Nova charger to the wires.

It works great, but you need to make sure your AC/DC power supply puts out between 10 - 15V  (so the manual with the charger says, but 15V supply caused an over power error. So I found a 12V supply.  I think 10-12.5 V should do fine. You can find an extensive review here:  Super Nova 250S review



- VIDEOS - 

Me, learning to fly VIDEO canopy on
5.6 mb - REMOVED due to space limitations


I think I'm a "intermediate" flyer now check this one out.
 8 mb REMOVED due to space limiations





  Hover practice in the living room.
  I had several decent hover sessions
  before busting up the landing gear.





A pic of my Pico with Canopy installed.
NEED HELP learning to fly your Piccolo?

CLICK HERE FOR 10 EASY STEPS

 I traded my old RC-10 setup for a ECO 8 helicopter. This is it here next to my little pico.  I don't
 have the blades installed on the Eco 8 yet. What you see is only the flybar. There is a good size difference.

 

 


Elektro 2 Meter

I've taken a little break from the heli's for a while. Though I still fly the piccolo...  I gave planes a try again and had a lot more fun.  The Tiger Moth is a blast. A friend got a TIPSY and it was also a riot!  So I'm now looking to add a new more planes to my hanger to fly...  This one just arrived today. Purchased used from John in NJ - this Elektro glider setup looks awesome!

Came with AM TX,  two servos, nicad pack and charger. And is powered by a Speed 600 and has a folding prop. 
I can't wait to give it a try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update: flew it yesterday for the first time 5-27-02
It's flies great. Climbs easily... a little slow in responding but I expected that from a large heavy glider.  Large, slow and graceful in flight. (video clip will come soon)
Picture in flight from the video...











Below - is my ASW-24. A smaller Glider than the Elektro to the right. This one is faster, has Ailerons and "T" elevator tail. See more detailed pics below.



Above is my friends, "Tipsy" from Hobby-Lobby.
Looking a lot like a Pterodactyl, it's a riot to fly and is
easy on the pocket book.  After I looped it several times
my friend tried to loop as well and ended up nose down
into a hard crash. The plane exploded into about
a dozen pieces. With a little Elmer's glue and about an
hours time it was ready to fly again.

It's a really fun plane and I may add one to my hanger soon
but I'll put a larger motor on it. The recommended stock motor
is a direct drive "Speed 280".
I'd like a little more climbing power


I haven't flown this one yet. I have a receiver on order for it. Will try it soon and will post a review

 More views of my ASW-24 with Speed 480 motor



Mini
Laser 3D


Built by Bob Cowgill and after shipping repaired by me. (simply flattened the control surfaces and re-attached them after shipping damage.
This Mini Laser 3D is one of my favorite planes

 


05-27-02

Update: I've now got about 10 flights on the Laser (as of 5-27-02) and it's awesome. I can do multiple loops, multiple barrel rolls, inverted loops, Split-s maneuvers and more. It's symmetrical wing and shape can get disorienting in the sky, but if you're careful - it's a BLAST. My favorite so far. (just plain  fun to fly) Only problem is it's not a ARF plane, so to get another I'd need to find one built or build one myself. (maybe a winter project). Great fun. (video clip to appear when I get time to move it from tape to computer) - Picture on the left is from the video clip.


And another picture of the laser on final approach. The wheels are a bit small for grass landings = (    So they tend to dig in and the gear gets bent back on almost all landings. I'll have to try it on the baseball diamond across the field. 



MY VIDEO IS NOW (offline)


photo to the right is from this video


Update - Memorial day was the best weather we've had here in a LONG time. Low winds and comfortable temps. We headed to the local high school for some flight time. I flew my 2 meter glider (above) for the first time... 2 flights. (lots of fun)

I also flew my Laser again for 4-5 flights. (above) and to the Left is a picture of my buddy Tim Blanch launching his "TERRY" on it's maiden flight. All went well and Tim had to doing multiple loops and power off glides and speed passes in no time flat.  Looked to be a Great plane and a nice update to the Ryan's tipsy. 


Of course my son Kole pulled out his Sky Surfer for some impressive sky writing. This thing always brings people over asking about it. 

 

 

 

 

 



They don't care about the planes... they always want to know about the Sky Surfer.  Left: Kolby at the transmitter... and a picture of his Sky Surfer in action.

 


FVK - Aquila

I wanted one high end new plane that I could really pamper... I decided to get a  FVK Aquila - It's just arrived but the box came with NO INSTRUCTIONS!  So I've guessed on much of the work so far....
6/24/02 - updated pic  - almost done... just needs servos installed
Scale photo to show size of Aquila. Model completed, just need to tint the canopy... and
waiting for the servos to arrive so I can install them. Here's another shot of my new Weed Whacker..


Tinted canopy - radio installed, CP-1700 8 cell packs installed - it's ready to fly here...



Pilot corner...

My wife didn't mind me putting this critter in for the picture, but when I actually left him in during flight - a few hammerheads, some snap rolls, and loops later  accused me of being crewel?
Aquila




It's in for repair - will shoot more video when I find a larger landing strip!