What do I need to reach the clouds

[chanyote66]

I dont like that site... It said my cloud base is 12000ft all week :/

[MASHTON1138]

LOL Mine ranged from 500 to 18000 in one day. I put together a calculator in Excel to use as well. It is still just a way to guesstimate the base but it takes in real time conditions. I could post it if anyone is interested.

[AaronHartwell]

Here in the Seattle area it looks like we average around 2,000 - 3,000 feet according to that site. Not bad if one is into cloud surfing. Especially if you consider that's it's cloudy 9 months out of the year.

[MASHTON1138]

Yeah its a neat site IMO. But remember it is a forecast not real time, I am still working on finding that one.

[Reverand Blue Chip]

The Swift II is tough to beat - like said earlier at 250 to 300 watts per pound - you're just pointing the plane. With an average pack - I am getting 13 minutes of mixed flying and only using 1400mah out of my 2200. On my cloud videos - it was a straight climb for 90 seconds and a fair amount of WOT - I ran 6 packs at 12 to 15 minutes that way.

As far as the cloud base goes - I am decent at looking at them and saying yes or no. There are the calculators that you can use as well with the dew point and the temp... not so accurate in my opinion. Then there is the local METAR sites - they give actual reports from pilots in nearly real time. You just need to learn how to read it.

[MASHTON1138]

Wow thanks Blue Chip I just googled METAR and got this site. Put in the local airport ICAO and bam got a full report. This site will even translate the METAR for you just click the translated box.

http://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/metars/

[chanyote66]

I almost made it :?


View this video on YouTube

and didnt try for the clouds in this one but it was the same plane before my newest generation... built for the Clouds!


View this video on YouTube

[GreenAce92]

Just to get this straight, is pitch speed and thrust different as far as application for altitude climbing?

I mean if you have a fast model that can "climb fast" versus a over powered thrust to weight model that can "go vertically fast" then which one is better?

I mean is it better to spin a 12" prop that produces 36oz of thrust on a 16 oz model with a pitch speed of 46mph.

Or a 6" prop that produces a pitch speed of 117mph but only static thrust of say 24 oz?

Although both props could have the same pitch... so nvm... I guess?

[MatCat]

This is why real airplanes use variable pitch props

[gauravag]

Guys,

After years of buildign and waiting, I am now ready to make a trip up to the clouds.
Before I take the plunge, I would like to have some tips, so I can avoid mistakes and learn from others' experiences.

I ready through Sentry's thread and have watched the videos.

My setup is ZII with TSLRS, EZOSD, RV800mW 1.3 with Vee and a 8dbi RMRC Patch + Lawmate Rx on ground.

Question : I am using a SecurityCamera 600TVL Board Camera. Does moisture affect open cameras, and should i consider switching to a cased one ?

Thanks to all . Hope this will amke it a good resource as well for anyone else needing this information.