Bird of Time Balsa Kit Build Thread

Konrad

Posting Elsewhere
Glad to hear nothing was damaged.

So my radio set up didn't work?

On the down thrust it looks to me that you have a nice tight fitting low drag nose. So I don't think you have enough room to get any significant down thrust by shimming.

I too feel Sherman's pain moving from a 6 servo ship to these RES type models.
As to control throws, was Sherman able to find the CofG trim (dive test)? I suspect that with the CofG and the thrust line adjustment your elevator throws will be OK. The further back the CofG is the less elevator throw is needed or desired!

As you have found a known glider driver he will be an invaluable resource in trimming and flying.
Let us know what he says, as you and this glider become friends.

All the best,
Konrad
 

TexMechsRobot

Posted a thousand or more times
I didn't attempt your radio setup yet because I haven't had time. I didn't see it until yesterday morning and went straight from work to the flying field. I might attempt it this weekend but you made a critical assumption at the beginning that doesn't fit with my setup: each spoiler is plugged into the receiver separately in order to allow individual trimming as necessary.
 

nhk750

Aviation Enthusiast
Looks great flying! Successful maiden! Looks like a little dial in and it will be good flyer.
 

Konrad

Posting Elsewhere
I think I also offered a dual Rx port Spoiler(gear) set up (post 132), should the single "Y" set up not work.

Please keep me abreast of your findings with my set up. Like I said I'm not very well versed with the slave master mixing. So your feedback will help me help others.

All the best,
Konrad
 
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TexMechsRobot

Posted a thousand or more times
I'll look at it again this weekend and let you know if I use it and any trouble I have implementing it.
 

TexMechsRobot

Posted a thousand or more times
I got the radio figured out. All it took was this setup and 3 hours of experimenting.

IMG_2713.JPG

I'm hiking tomorrow morning and then going to give flying this thing another attempt in the evening. I'll be on the sticks this time so we'll see how it goes.
 

Konrad

Posting Elsewhere
So what was the AH HA moment?

I know I seem to get these with every set up!

All the best,
Konrad
 

TexMechsRobot

Posted a thousand or more times
I honestly have no idea.... I just went into the Camber System at some point and fiddled until something clicked. Then it started to make sense lol. I wound up not using your instructions but taking your advice on several things. Thanks for the moral support.

Hopefully there is more video tomorrow or Sunday of successful flying.
 

Konrad

Posting Elsewhere
As the old saying goes there more than one way to skin a cat.
Double check your throws and mix directions.

Best of luck flying tomorrow.

Konrad
 

TexMechsRobot

Posted a thousand or more times
And here's my maiden. I did a few glide tests first by throwing it. I had trouble when I was slow and low at first but I got some throws and trim adjusted. My CG is still a little too far forward so I'm going to adjust that a little today by shifting the battery back. All in all, this thing is a dream to fly. I have about 8-10 full climbs on the battery I'm running. I could literally fly this thing all day on one charge.


This will probably be my last post in this build thread since it is basically done. Thanks everyone for all of your help along the way!
 

Konrad

Posting Elsewhere
FANTASTIC!

Before you sign off I'd like to ask for your final engineering spec's, like thrust line, mixes used and direction(?) I ask as I too have BOT in kit and one as an ARF.

All the best,
Konrad
 
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nhk750

Aviation Enthusiast
Very nice! Perfect landing! Impressive maiden and great work on the sticks, what a beauty. Nice build and this will help others that want to build this impressive bird (BOT).
 

TexMechsRobot

Posted a thousand or more times
OK.
What are the, thrust lines used (right and down)? What mixes did you use, the amount and direction(?)

Thanks,

The thrust lines are lined up with the fuselage. No angle for right or down thrust.

I mixed the elevator into the throttle switch so that it deflected down when climbing. 30 clicks out of 100.

All other mixes are just so that I have the radio setup like I want it: canceling out rudder on the left stick, putting the spoilers on the throttle stick, etc.
 

Konrad

Posting Elsewhere
Great. Thanks,
So you have a 30% down elevator (the usual RESm mix is around 6% to 12% when coupled with down thrust).

The (Etc) there is no need for elevator compensation when the spoilers are deployed? Do the spoiler/flap package cancel each other so that there is little change in pitch attitude?

All the best,
Konrad
 

TexMechsRobot

Posted a thousand or more times
Great. Thanks,
So you have a 30% down elevator.

That is correct.

The (Etc) there is no need for elevator compensation when the spoilers are deployed? Do the spoiler/flap package cancel each other so that there is little change in pitch attitude?

I haven't yet tested the spoilers in flight so there is no mixing yet. There are no flaps on this model.
 

Konrad

Posting Elsewhere
Ok, good to know. I thought you had the http://rcairmods.com/mod-kits.html Spoiler/Flap kit (spoilers on the bottom).

Please don't abandon this thread just yet. Keep us abreast of all the trim changes you need to make as you and this fine model become one in the skies.

All the best,
Konrad

P.S.
Looks like the wife is a keeper (good camera work).