105 flights and the FT Sportster still lives!

[nhk750]

I keep track of all my flying with a spreadsheet and my FT Sportster (born 2-25-2017), that I modified with a better motor and reinforcements here and there, is still flying after 105 flights! At around 7-9 minutes per flight that's around 12+ hours of flight time. I have broken this plane in half, ripped the power pod out several times crashing it into the ground, bent the wings rolling into the ground and pretty much crashed and smashed it to death and it is hard to believe it still flies. I have actually destroyed two 2200 3s batteries in crashes with it. It is my park flying plane that I practice all kinds of flying with so when I fly my balsa planes I don't crash them...as much...All I have done to repair is tape it up and hot glue the crap out of it and fly some more.

In the picture you can see the motor has a lot of down thrust after many repairs and it is a bit challenging to hand launch, but once in the air it flies great!

Hats off to the FT Sportster as one of the toughest Flight Test planes ever designed!

 

[SquirrelTail]

I keep track of all my flying with a spreadsheet and my FT Sportster (born 2-25-2017), that I modified with a better motor and reinforcements here and there, is still flying after 105 flights! At around 7-9 minutes per flight that's around 12+ hours of flight time. I have broken this plane in half, ripped the power pod out several times crashing it into the ground, bent the wings rolling into the ground and pretty much crashed and smashed it to death and it is hard to believe it still flies. I have actually destroyed two 2200 3s batteries in crashes with it. It is my park flying plane that I practice all kinds of flying with so when I fly my balsa planes I don't crash them...as much...All I have done to repair is tape it up and hot glue the crap out of it and fly some more.

In the picture you can see the motor has a lot of down thrust after many repairs and it is a bit challenging to hand launch, but once in the air it flies great!

Hats off to the FT Sportster as one of the toughest Flight Test planes ever designed!

View attachment 130654

Sure looks like a fun plane! Looking at building one soon. Just got 2 power pack C equivalent motors.

 

[nhk750]

Well, after 108 flights, and around 14 hours of flight time, the Sportster is officially dead. I have gutted the gear from it and installed the radio in a Great Planes 2 meter powered Glider, the Tori ARF... On the Sportster's final flight I was pulling some high g maneuvers and the wing ripped off the plane then it crashed and destroyed the nose and power pod, but all the electronics survived ok. Anyway it's heading to the landfill, long live the Sportster!

 

[The Hangar]

Nice! That’s a lot longer than any of my planes I think! Has @BATTLEAXE seen this? He just built the sportster as his workhorse plane...

 

[nhk750]

It’s a good trainer/daily low wing flyer and nice to carry when walking to the nearest field as it’s portable even though the wing doesn't come off...normally.

 

[BATTLEAXE]

Nice! That’s a lot longer than any of my planes I think! Has @BATTLEAXE seen this? He just built the sportster as his workhorse plane...

I have seen this, love the paint scheme. And it looks like lots of experience under it's belt given all the packing tape wrapped on it.

Here is mine, this is just after the maiden. Now it is collecting some packing tape of its own lol. Maybe there will be over 100 flights, maybe there will be 10 flights... who knows

 

[nhk750]

The pic didn't come through? I have built a few FT planes and this one can certainly take a beating.

 

[BATTLEAXE]

I am seeing it here, I'll try again

 

[nhk750]

Looks good!

 

[The Hangar]

I am seeing it here, I'll try again View attachment 146096

I was able to see it too...

 

[BATTLEAXE]

I got some snow this morning briefly but it should warm up by later afternoon. I just want to fly today.

 

[nhk750]

That was weird, I couldn't see it on my phone, but can now that I'm at a computer. Anyway I saw the second pic on the phone no prob. I flew mine in the snow once and when I landed the whole nose got packed with snow and the motor was packed too, so probably not a good idea...

 

[BATTLEAXE]

I built floats for mine just for the snow, plus I waterproofed the plane as well, just not the electronics yet. Wasn't much snow, it's almost gone now.

 

[The Hangar]

I built floats for mine just for the snow, plus I waterproofed the plane as well, just not the electronics yet. Wasn't much snow, it's almost gone now.

Oh, forget about the electronics, I’ve only ruined 2 esc’s flying off the water... 😂 actually you’d probably be fine flying off the snow a little with unwaterproofed electronics, but do it when you get a chance.

 

[basslord1124]

My idea of waterproofing electronics...

-hot glue
-epoxy
-sandwich bag
-tape

Did it on my snow cruiser. It never really got in any danger but I felt pretty confident about the protection of the electronics.

 

[BATTLEAXE]

I am not to worried about the electronics in snow, I only live 3 mind away from where I fly so drying things out shouldn't be an issue.

 

[BATTLEAXE]

My idea of waterproofing electronics...

-hot glue
-epoxy
-sandwich bag
-tape

Did it on my snow cruiser. It never really got in any danger but I felt pretty confident about the protection of the electronics.

Would covering the Rx in epoxy work as waterproofing, it doesn't heat up right?

 

[basslord1124]

I used epoxy on the ends of the ESC. Don't think I tried it on the receiver. All the electronics will get warm with use but I'd say as long as you have decent airflow or cool outside temps it should be fine.

 

[Javiester]

I have seen this, love the paint scheme. And it looks like lots of experience under it's belt given all the packing tape wrapped on it. View attachment 146087
Here is mine, this is just after the maiden. Now it is collecting some packing tape of its own lol. Maybe there will be over 100 flights, maybe there will be 10 flights... who knows

beautiful

 

[BATTLEAXE]

I used epoxy on the ends of the ESC. Don't think I tried it on the receiver. All the electronics will get warm with use but I'd say as long as you have decent airflow or cool outside temps it should be fine.

I have seen other electronics covered in epoxy for other reasons but I can't see why a receiver wouldn't be a good candidate for the same treatment.

beautiful

Thanks. I have some building tips on my YouTube channel with this plane if you want to check it out. Link is in my sig, all build tips are in the playlist section.