Hobbies and Interests
RC Model Aircraft
One of my most challenging and rewarding hobbies is building and flying radio-controlled helicopters. Below are a few pictures of an RC-helicopter model that I’ve built – the T-Rex 500 ESP. I try to get out and fly it as much as I can. Recently I completed some modifications on it, including the installation of new, more accurate, JR cyclic servos; metal servo-horns for added rigidity during torque-transfer; and a revision to the cable-management scheme for a cleaner look inside the fuselage.
A closer look at the T-Rex 500 ESP with the canopy removed.
Me with my “heli” out in the field.
In the future, I plan to build and fly the larger, “90-size” RC helicopters, which are powered by 0.90 cu.-in. internal combustion engines that run on “nitro” fuel. I will also be branching into building fixed-wing RC airplanes as well as quad-rotors.
Another shot of the fuselage showing the Bell-Hiller cyclic system.
Motorcycling
I got into motorcycling when I did a brief work-term in British Columbia, Canada. The weather there was great, and indeed very conducive to pastimes like motorcycle-riding where you’re exposed to the elements a lot more. There were so many people on bikes when I first got there, and seeing them all riding I thought to myself, “Hey, I can do that!”
I enrolled in a motorcycling course within a week of arriving.
Yamaha V-Star
Suzuki GW250
Suzuki GZ250
Suzuki DR650SE
Bikes I’ve ridden so far.
I have my full license now but I don’t have a motorcycle at the moment. I decided not to keep one during my time abroad due to the added expense, but I’m getting right back into it as soon as I can.
Being a novice rider, to date I have ridden small, 250cc, standard/cruiser bikes, including the Yamaha V-Star, the Suzuki GZ250, and the Suzuki GW250, but I also got the chance to ride a larger dual-sport bike – the Suzuki DR650SE. I really enjoy the comfortable, upright riding position that dual-sports offer and would probably have continued on with the Kawasaki Versys® 650. Nevertheless, curiosity has gotten the best of me and I now plan on venturing into sport bikes. I’ll also be trying out the larger, more powerful ones as I gradually build my experience and confidence on these machines.
My next bike (one day)!