This, long awaited, release brings updated functionality and ease of use to dfco.com’s online interface. This version showcases some of the new technologies that DFCO has in their arsenal along with a client area and blog.

“We like to demonstrate our technology and prove that it works by using it on our own website,” says Lance Albanese, IT Manager of DFCO, LLC.

Dana Freeman, CEO could not be reached for comment. DFCO, LLC will be celebrating it’s 4th year in business in April 2011.

I researched many gliders before purchasing the Aure EP by The World Models / AirBorne Models.  I bought this model mainly because of the the tail configuration and fiberglass fuselage.

When I began assembly of the Aure EP, the first thing that I noticed was the limited deflection on UP elevator.  I called The World Models / AirBorne Models and talked to them about this.  Their solution was to try to modify the bellcrank to allow for more up elevator and it will be fine.

I tried but there is just not enough control horn to file away to make this possible.  I assembled it per the instructions and went on my way with construction.

Click on the image above for a higher resolution look at what I’m talking about.

The second, and really annoying, issue with the Aure EP was getting the servo extensions through the wings.  The holes are too small to allow for the extension with a safety clip to go through.  Even by gently trying to get it through with just tape and the pull string I broke several pieces.  I carefully glued them back together and enlarged the first hole.  This was fine but there were still 3 or 4 more holes to get through to get to the wings root.  It took over 2 hours to shake, wiggle and finesse the extensions through.  What a complete nightmare!  Why can’t manufacturers just put some sort of tube through the wing for this specific purpose?  The string just doesn’t cut it!

The third issue with the Aure EP was with the wing servos pushing against the monokote on the top side.  I used the required mini servos and they still were too thick and made their impression on the top side of the wings.  I had to iron on additional layers for fear of them poking through.

It took me about a week to put the Aure EP together with all of the hassles, but I did it.

After balancing the Aure EP, I was setting the required control throws.  I could not get the required amount of up elevator as per the manual (20mm).  I barely got 15mm.  I was very concerned here.  I would not have minded as much if there was not enough down elevator as I didn’t really intend to fly this glider inverted.  I had 45mm of down elevator available.  WTF?

At the air field I range tested the receiver and all was good to go.  I use a Futaba 12FGA transmitter and had a Futaba Fasst 7-channel receiver (617FS) in the Aure EP.

I hand launched the Aure EP into the wind and the aircraft shot straight up in level attitude without any elevator.  I turned left across the wind and this is where it all went bad.  As the aircraft crossed the wind the nose went down. I was not worried at this point as I have flown much in worse winds.  I started to turn left using left aileron, rudder and 100% up elevator.  The plane’s attitude never changed and as the aircraft circled around it went nose in at about a 45 degree angle.

I called The World Models / AirBorne Models to report that my fears had become a reality.  I shipped them the wreckage as per their request, on my dime, and they emailed me back several times trying to come up with something that they could blame it on which they finally did.  They basically blamed it on me because I didn’t use enough throttle in the turn.

So after sending them the Aure EP back for inspection and all of the emailing back-and-forth I have nothing to show for my almost $200 investment.

My final decision about the quality of this company’s products and customer service is a D-.

Buyer Be Ware!

The Rocky Mountain Modeleers is one of several R/C flying clubs in North-Eastern Colorado.

Established in 1954 with the primary purpose of promoting the hobby of building and flying model aircraft, the Modeleers continues to be an organization for enthusiasts to fly, learn, and share information. We are a charted club of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), and membership is open to any AMA member.

Members enjoy use of the club’s two flying sites, monthly meetings, informative newsletters, and occasional flying events. In addition, flight instruction is offered to members by our volunteer instructors. We maintain two flying fields – one in Fort Collins and one in Wellington, CO.

If you ever find yourself in the area, please stop by.

A self-supporting, non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote development of model aviation as a recognized sport and worthwhile recreation activity.

Organization open to anyone interested in model aviation.

Official national body for model aviation in the United States. AMA sanctions more than 2,000 model competitions throughout the country each year, and certifies official model flying records on a national and international level.

Organizer of the annual National Aeromodeling Championships, the world’s largest model airplane competition.

Chartering organization for more than 2,500 model airplane clubs across the country. AMA offers its chartered clubs official contest sanction, insurance, and assistance in getting and keeping flying sites.

The voice of its membership, providing liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and other government agencies through our national headquarters in Muncie, Indiana. AMA also works with local governments, zoning boards, and parks departments to promote the interests of local chartered clubs.

An associate member of the National Aeronautic Association. Through NAA, AMA is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world governing body of all aviation activity, as the only organization which may direct U.S. participation in international aeromodeling activities.

For more information:
Academy of Model Aeronautics
Marketing Department
5161 E. Memorial Drive
Muncie IN 47302

Telephone 1-765-287-1256

The Number Resource Organization (NRO), and industry group made up of five regional Internet provider registries, held an event in Montevideo, Uruguay, today where members announced that it had today handed out the last of the available addresses on the old system.

“This is truly a major turning point in the on-going development of the Internet,” said Rod Beckstrom, President and CEO of ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the organization responsible for assigning IP addresses. “Nobody was caught off guard by this, the Internet technical community has been planning for… depletion for quite some time.”

Two years ago the organization proposed that when the pool of unused addresses had been depleted to five “blocks,” as they recently had, each registry would get one of the blocks. The agreement was ratified by ICANN, and those blocks were assigned today. Each block comprises 16.8 million addresses, according to NRO.

The old system, called IPv4, uses a system of numbers, typically separated by decimals, that even casual users of the Internet would probably recognize (if your unsure, check your computer or phone’s network settings for numbers like “192.162.2.235″). IPv4 had about 4.3 billion addresses, which ran out more rapidly once mobile devices with Internet connections became commonplace.

Now all new Internet addresses will use IPv6, a system that has more numbers and characters, and is said to have enough spots for 340 trillion, trillion, trillion unique IP addresses. Equipment that uses IPv6 has been in use since 1999.

The two systems aren’t automatically compatible with each other, however, so service providers and network operators need to upgrade systems to ensure the transition is smooth, which is why there has been so much recent attention focused on the subject.

“This is an historic day in the history of the Internet, and one we have been anticipating for quite some time,” NRO Chairman Raúl Echeberría said. “The future of the Internet is in IPv6. All Internet stakeholders must now take definitive action to deploy IPv6.”

Despite the magnitude of the issue, most users should not even notice the change from IPv4 to IPv6, the experts said. If you own a business with an online presence or host your own Internet services, you should check out PCMag’s summary of what you should know.

I LOVE anything that can fly: Planes, jets, rockets, kites, birds, Travis Pastrana, UFO’s, the cat, my little brother out of the tree that one time and especially RC Planes! Ever since I was little I remember dreaming about controlling some kind of flying machine from the safety of my earth bound control station. Unfortunately at the time, RC anything was expensive so I had to continue to dream.  I never gave up on the dream and in 2002 it all started to come true.

Now I pilot electric and nitro powered rc planes that are as big as me and I cannot get enough!  I plan to get into powered gliders next and of course some day a nice 30-50cc gas powered giant!  Pattern planes are my favorite!  You know…  Just like the Red Bull Air Race…  Ahh, there we go.  Yeah, that kind!

So bear with me as I figure out what exactly it is that I am doing here.  In the mean time…

Clear Prop!

If you fly anything, this is a great resource to hone your skills, help others and yes maybe even show off a little.  Believe it or not, your worst crash picture might win you a new aircraft in one of the many sponsored monthly contests.  It makes that crash seem not so bad now doesn’t it?

The site is a growing wealth of knowledge and members.  Garret seems to always be on the cutting edge of what is going on in the world of RC.  With monthly contests/giveaways that just keep getting better, it’s no wonder XtremeFlyer.com is the most popular new RC Forum!

Register for your free account today!