My very lightweight FT Mini Scout build for indoor flight
I was skeptical as to whether the Scout with the recommended equipment and normal build as in the build video would be light enough to fly in my club's winter indoor arena. So I took extra measures to make a very lightweight build. (Note: I did NOT reduce the scale of the plans)
The result: my FT Mini Scout's AUW is four and one-half ounces (127 grams). That's including landing gear, and a 2S 350 mAh LiPo. If I take off the landing gear (which I made removable) and go to a 180 mAh LiPo (which the plane will still balance with), the AUW is under four ounces!...to be specific, 3.8 oz (109 grams)
My power system is a
Hextronik 10-gram motor, paired with a Turnigy Plush 6-amp ESC, on 2S LiPo. I have used this power system with several other planes in this weight category, so I knew if I could keep the weight down on the Scout, that would be all the power it would need.
I did several things to save weight:
1) I removed lots (but not all) of the paper from the Dollartree foam. Some parts I removed the paper from one side (wing, main fuse and lower fuse); some parts I removed it from BOTH sides of the foam board (horizontal and vertical stab),
2) I used white Gorilla Glue almost exclusively for the build instead of hot-glue (which is heavier),
3) I moved the servos (HXT500's) forward, and extended the nose 1/2". This allowed me to use a smaller motor and battery up front and still achieve CG without dead weight. I actually went a little too far on this, because even the smaller of the two size batteries I use is not full forward to achieve recommended CG. And the larger battery has to be placed back almost to the servos. So if I did the build over, I would fine-tune this part some.
4) I used .055 music wire for the landing gear instead of .063 (since the model is lighter, the skinnier size is OK).
I maidened the plane today (outdoors), and flew it with the two different size LiPos. The power was a little weak with the 180 mAh, but with the 350 mAh, it was good and strong, as with other planes I have used this power system with. It climbs strongly, has decent speed, and will loop from level flight. Basically it's more power than needed for indoor flight. I look forward to giving it a try indoors later this month, when my club's indoor flying season starts.