The Tao of Walking Ridge

Sometimes the simplest things can be the most baffling. I had an iPod and picked up an iPad. I wanted to see my calender on the iPad. Simple, right? But no. Coming from the Windows dark side and Linux I figured there would be a file to copy or an option to share button. Nope. All I read on discussion groups was use a “sharing service”. That didn’t sound like what I wanted.

Amazingly enough I never have found how to share old calender entries between the devices (what is the issue here Apple? You MUST know many of us want to do it.). But I finally discovered if you go into your Gmail account (others must be similar) and create a new calender you can then go to the settings menu on both the iPod and iPad and get them to see that new calender. But unlike the notes application, where you could do it all in device settings, you must enable the calender and add one via the internet to Gmail.

So, technically, “just use a calender sharing service like Gmail” is a correct answer. But until I learned that you have to go into the Gmail account to set it up it seemed unnecessarily difficult. Actually, it still seems that way. But at least I now have the same calender on both devices.

Biplanes are cool. As a first year pilot, this plane was something for me to work toward. I found its construction to be excellent and it does fly well, but I learned a bit along the way.

There were two options for power, a low power and a high power. The low power option was an EFlite Power 25 motor with a 3S 3300 battery pack. The high power was an EFlite Power 32 motor with a 4S battery pack. After watching videos of how fast it flew with the 32 motor, I opted for the 25 sized motor. While there was plenty of power, it came out a bit tail heavy. After some time trying to get the CG right, I still missed and the first flight was a bit more challenging as I realized that I had the CG too far back. Also, the stock prop recommendation of 12 x 8 resulted in some torque roll during take off and when throttling up after a slow pass.

So, rather than add an ounce and a half of lead to balance the plane out, I put in a 4S battery pack and tried a couple of different props with the Power 25 motor still installed. It flew well with an 11 x 5.5 APC prop, but really seemed happier with an 11 x 7 APC prop. Flight times are now 7 minutes without working hard to conserve power. Plenty of power for loops and good ground handling for a biplane. With a little heavier wing loading than other planes I fly (around 19 oz/sq ft) it likes to have just a bit of power still on during landing. Most other planes I fly land well dead stick, which helps prevent flying off the end of the runway. However, with the Rhapsody a bit of throttle, perhaps 20% or 25% throttle really allowed me to grease the landing.

The kit is well engineered, and the spare parts availability came in handy (I replaced the lower wings after a poor power off landing in a cross wind). I now find it a pleasure to fly and brings some style to the flying field. I highly recommend the 4S battery option, as the CG of the kit is expecting it. The motor and prop choice is personal preference. I prefer a little less pitch than their 12 x 8, and found the 11 x 7 worked well with their Power 25 motor for great flight times and good handling.