Before the setup mode can be entered, both of the buttons on the front of the programmer need to be depressed simultaneously. Then, when this screen appears (above left), you must enter the setup by depressing the right (SEL) button. Double security to avoid accidental reprogramming—got to love it! To set the altitude for engine/motor cut, you must enter the Throttle-to-Idle screen (above center) and then select your desired altitude (above right). Redundancy in screens ensures you are setting the parameter you desire ... the first time. Once the altitude is set (below left), the option (in the next screen, which is not shown) would be to set a timer as well. The same process as setting the altitude is followed, or passed over and we then reach the end of the “Basic
Menu”. Should you need/desire some of the more advanced functions like down elevator input, or complete motor shutdown, but allowing a safety restart below 50 feet you would proceed with pressing the “More” button. Greg finished with his simple altitude-throttle setup by exiting with “Done” (below center) at this point. Two weeks after its last use, the Sky Limit memory (below right) tells us that Greg zoomed significantly higher than the 500 feet he had the unit programmed for. The memory is useful as a record of just how high the plane really was and can readily assist in contest monitoring. There is no bias, just a recorded altitude. The additional capabilities that are in this small unit, almost make it a “must have” tool for any R/C Pilot.
ed, essentially the altitude limiter is negat- ed, but in the next screen (press SEL again) you have the option to turn on the timer, which makes this very desirable for limited motor run type competitions. If you press the SEL button again, the screen will ask you if you want “More”—which means ad- vanced functions. In my case, I only select- ed an altitude limit of 500 feet, so I chose the “Done” option ... and was done!
So, what functions, other than cutting your engine, do we get in the advanced func- tions menus? If you are in a limited motor run kind of contest (gliders or fun-fly) the engine/motor needs to remain off, unlike the “basic” function I set up, above. The pro- grammer allows you to set a “Safety Restart” feature, which only takes effect be- low 50 feet, so if you are not going to make it back to the field, you can restart your motor/engine and lose some points ... but save an airplane.
Additionally, if you have an LMR event and additional height would give you an ad- vantage; a zoom climb will take you well
over the programmed height. The Sky Lim- it can anticipate this overshoot, and cut the motor/engine sooner. If you do many of these types of competitions, the anti-zoom feature can be fine tuned for a specific air- plane.
When I tested the Sky Limit, I was at a Warbirds event at the next town down the road, and found that gentle climbs generat- ed a very noticeable engine to idle (and so did everyone else!). I also found that a dive into a climbing maneuver (Stall Turn) pro- duced a large overshoot. When I landed, I had three CDs and two hobby shop owners looking at the measurements and discussing the size of the unit; so, yes, the wing came off in order to play “Show-and-Tell”. Appar- ently, there has been discussion on how to level the field and ensure that all planes have the same cut-off altitudes/time. The consensus was all that was needed from the competitor was the installation of a Sky Limit unit in their plane, and the CD then sets each unit with the same programmer ... sounds level to me!
Best in the West Jet Rally Sin City Jets Pensacola Jets 2012 Arizona Jet Rally FLYING MODELS Oct. 17–21
Nov. 1–3 Nov. 9–12
Nov. 16–18
Upcoming Events Buttonwillow Elk-Hills Airport
Bakersfield, CA Las Vegas, NV
NOLF Holley Field (Naval training) Navarre, FL
Superstition Airpark; Mesa, AZ
As you noticed from my “zoom altitude” height photo, taken two weeks after the event, the Sky Limit will store the highest altitude reached until the receiver is turned off, then on again, and more than 50 feet in elevation are obtained; so it acts like a How High altimeter as well.
Since the topic of this column revolves around jets in their various forms, what does this review have to do with our normal “topic”? As I mentioned near the beginning, some areas are reporting vigorous enforce- ment of a 400-foot ceiling, and over the last few years there have been several jet events that resulted in the loss of the field due to jets exceeding a 400-foot ceiling, beneath the 500-foot full scale pattern. My feeling is that anything that can assist us in staying out of harms way is nice to know about, and the additional capabilities of this unit make it almost a “must have”. Well, I’m out of space, so until next time: keep cool with the heat by keeping busy with your building projects, fly safe, and trust in thrust!
www.bestinthewestjetrally.com
www.sincityjets.com www.alvinrc.com/jet
www.azmodelaviators.com 25
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