Airborne Aircraft Carrier - Testing the FB Limits.

[FoamyDM]

Going Big(er) for FF'24
I am building a ~1/3 "scale" Model of the Airborne Carrier as part of an FF'24 large model for the Aviation RC Noob Podcast. (Latest Episode is best as Video) community Project.

I should have spent some more time on the internals.... it would have sped up the construction. To-date, I am only this far.

I am now at attaching motors, and servos, so I can test the CG. This is a bit more complex. However, this is for community fun. and less for Combat.
I will post more on the project soon, Like project specs, Goals etc...

 

[FoamyDM]

Project intention
The intent of the project is to have a flying carrier craft that FF'24 Pilots can try to land on. I will also plan to have EZ powered flyers to build specifically for landing.
Here is aconcept Drawing:

but more likely:
Project Goals
This project has one major goal with a number of Stretch goals.
Main Goal: Build an Airborn Aircraft carrier big enough for park sized Flyers (~40" WS) can land on it. Can launch a ring glider. FPV pilot view. I plan to use the SpeedyBee FC to help stabalize.

• Stretch Goal 1:
  
  • Lights for night flying. This will progress as follows. (general aviation lights and craft visibility)
  • Landing assist catch - Velcro or Retractable weighted chords
  • Disc Launcher Motor powered
  • FPV on a rings
  • Add pivot to Pilots FPV on a switch - L-C-R
• Stretch Goal 2:
  
  • Landing strip lights with Papi Lights
  • Mount solar panels on the wings to power the motors
  • Powered Launch Stack (for multiple pilots)
  • Have a 3-view switched Vid Feed (Launch Bay, Bomb sight, Landing deck)
• Stretch Goal 3:
  
  • internal lights for Launching
  • Ring Retrieval system
  • Solar Panels for Powering extended Flight times.
  • Use Inav for Autonomous missions.
• Stretch Goal 4:
  • Set up a Paratrooper Bomb Bay
  • Use the ring stack as a recharging station
  • Inv for formation flying.

Project Specifications
Phase1
1/3-1/2 Scale model @ 70"L x 90" WS
2218 1000kv, 30A ESC with 10x4.5 SF Props, 4.2Ah 3S (2-600W solar Panels)

Ring Gliders:​

Rubber band launched 7" Ring penny gliders​

E010 core - 7" ring flyer​

Phase2
Full Scale - 20' WS - 24' Long, Landing Zone: 8' x 24'
2x 5010 750kv Motors with 40a Esc & 18x6 props, Batt - 8ah (21700 L-Ions) 6S. 2-600W solar Panels

Ring flyers:​

20" or 15" EZ Power system, or Twin 3" prop motored setup (1104 or 1106s)​

 

[JasonK]

is that the front near us with the 2 bits not quite level with each other?
also, looks like covering film, how does that do for strength - loosing the compression resistance from the foamboard that would be there instead?

 

[LitterBug]

Are you going to out BIG Sripol @ FF24??

 

[FoamyDM]

Are you going to out BIG Sripol @ FF24??

Dunno what he has in store... Don't know if I can
but it would be fun

 

[FoamyDM]

is that the front near us with the 2 bits not quite level with each other?
also, looks like covering film, how does that do for strength - loosing the compression resistance from the foamboard that would be there instead?

I am using 1.5mil Doculam, (cheap, abundant & accessible.) It attached well to foam. it has to be picked up smarter, but it's pretty sturdy when taught.

 

[FoamyDM]

Updated the mission and objectives.

 

[Foamforce]

Landing on it should be interesting! If you can get the carrier above the stall speed of the parasites, you can just bout vertically land on it huh? I wonder what the airflow over the wing will do to the landings. Since the airflow over the wing is roughly the same as the surrounding air, maybe it won’t do anything special? Will you try to position the carrier motors all the way out or below, to keep them from causing turbulence in the landing area?

I like the Velcro landing idea. You could land from the bottom up using Velcro too. Lots of options!

Very cool project, I’m looking forward to seeing it at FliteFest.

 

[FoamyDM]

I like the Velcro landing idea. You could land from the bottom up using Velcro too. Lots of options!

I never even thought about that!

Very cool project, I’m looking forward to seeing it at FliteFest.

I look forward to seeing you there too. Catch up on this past year in person.

Lots of Goals, considering I haven't flow it.
But that Does remind me - I do have a Glide test. In true FoamyDM Fashion, it is in the middle of the night.

FoamyDM - Balance test for the airborne carrier

 

[LitterBug]

be kinda cool to launch it with a bird on the deck and then take off from it too.....

 

[FoamyDM]

@Foamforce, I thought a long while on where to put the Motors, if they are in the rear wings seems ideal, but the approach is in the heaviest wake, and the props are next to the runway sides. You better be dead on your runway lineup, or it gets chopped up. If it was in the nose, the turbulence over the Landing wing would be turbulent and like landing in a sudden high-wind condition... I was thinking underneath the wing, but it makes taking off and landing the carrier a challenge. I need to do that. So that leaves outward front wings, so there is a chance to land, it should be in turbulence if you are lined up.

Weight - I suspect this full sized, will be a 20+ lbs. (less if possible) However, I am hopeful to have it be less.
Flight Time - I want the batteries on board to last 30min minimum. Each motor in cruise I estimate will pull 6-8A at cruise. I could be wrong as i still have to test the motors.

 

[FoamyDM]

"Scale" Build Log: 90" x 80" Tandem wing
CG
I took the 3d model dimension and used them and the Airfoil data to calculate where the CG should be. At least enough to not just crash it on launch beyond repair. Here are the results of that.

Landing Platform Wing:


The Build
Discussion on the overall design
The Spars:

The Wings

Adding 1.5mil Doculam Skins

Note on the Skins:

Landing Deck:

Assembly

Power system
2217 3S 1000kv motors, 30A Esc, 2200 mAh 3S

Parasite Planes:
Mini rings?
Guides for easy repeatable builds. (Middle, Front Dihedral, Rear anhedral):

Looking into ways to Motorize these:

Here's the 7" ring flyer video:

Here's the 20" Yellow one in the FT-EZ V1 pack:

 

[L Edge]

Are you going to out BIG Sripol @ FF24??

One that Josh should do to beat Sripol is to use a golf cart or car/van with landing deck on roof attempting to take off as it moves(easy) as well as land(also how about nighttime with leds on deck and plane) 5% success rate% at night, day higher. You could use netting in front for landing so pilot is safe.
Would be a show stopper!!!!

 

[FoamyDM]

You could use netting in front for landing so pilot is safe.
Would be a show stopper!!!!

It's a consideration - I have to craft that email this weekend I think.

 

[FoamyDM]

I am glad I didn't craft the email (above), It would have been embarrassing.

Time to get back too it. Flite Fest 2025 gave me a great number of Ideas, regarding structure, and build technique. Also understanding the Quickie Q2 design much better should help me find success.

The outlined areas from Post 1 are still relevant.
but finding a flying model is still paramount

 

[FoamyDM]

I could use some expertise here:
View attachment 252247
If anyone can help me set up these Micro Quad E010 et al. to build Scaled ring flyers.
The Quad stabilization seems to fight the typical flying characteristics.

Has anyone gotten something like this to work?

 

[LitterBug]

I could use some expertise here:
View attachment 252247
If anyone can help me set up these Micro Quad E010 et al. to build Scaled ring flyers.
The Quad stabilization seems to fight the typical flying characteristics.

Has anyone gotten something like this to work?

Your picture didn't come through on that post.

FYI, I have a few bushes ESCs that can be used with regular RXes. can build things with the nano linear servos and brushed motors.

 

[FoamyDM]

Maybe this comes through

 

[FoamyDM]

Your picture didn't come through on that post.

FYI, I have a few bushes ESCs that can be used with regular RXes. can build things with the nano linear servos and brushed motors.

Those Eachine E010 are essentially 4 brushed linear ESC with a gyro and some processing.
I was trying to figure out how to transform them to a version that creates an inexpensive parasite fighter. $15 vs $100

 

[JasonK]

Maybe this comes through
View attachment 252265

there is someone that did some work and you have to do various angling/etc of the motors and then the quad's stabilization stuff will work to fly a wing.
(I can't find it quickly... will see if I can find it in a bit)