Update:
I was able to get all my electronic parts ordered, the list changed because I found and decided to follow
this man's youtube serie on the FT flyer (amazingly detailed, great to watch on top of FT's videos). I got both 9x4.7SF and 10x4.7SF props because I figured I could use either or depending on weight, I could go lower now to think of it since the AUW is so low).
I used an Emax CF2205 1300kv with 10A Sky Power esc from Heads Up RC. A 850mah 2S nano tech battery + 9x4.7SF prop from Hobby King and the GoodRC GC6 (clone of Flysky FS-I6 I believe).
However! Once I had everything installed in the ft flyer (except for prop), I still had to add 50-60gr of dead weight to balance it... Since I was planning on making a nutball, I decided to make it during the weekend (done in a couple hours).
Shown here after 1 and half battery flown on it (few battle scars from trees and other little crash, but nothing bad).
I was still waiting on a few things (props mainly at that time) to do my maiden so I made 25% nutball chuck gliders (about 10" wing span and octagon since I didn't want to cut rounds lol) for/with my daughters and flew those over the weekend awaiting my props on monday.
One with and one without KFm2 step, didn't change anything except add weight, both flew pretty well and my daughters love them (they have a small version of daddy's plane).
I got my controller earlier so I spent about an hour on the simulator and Monday finally was here. As soon as I got my props, I installed everything on the nutball, charged my batteries (charger came in same time) and went out. Perfect day, 2 to 5 mph wind, I could barely feel it. I first did a small chuck in the back of the house downhill with a little bit of throttle to test it and it went ok so we went to the side of our house, a space about 150 ft x 60 ft with trees all around and did my maiden.
First toss, about 50% throttle, my Nutball went left and down, I adjusted for it manually (can't do trims while flying yet lol)...I kept it in the air for about 20 seconds and then had a little crash but since I was flying low and slow, nothing bad, just the prop saver doing its job.
About 15 mins later and a dozen small flight, getting better and better slowly and finally getting the trimming done (about 3/4 trim to the right and some up trim), I was able keep it in the air a few minutes at a time and even did a loop (was nice and straight and felt courageous). The only time I ever went close to full power was for the loops (did 2 but one was a bit low and ended with a slide onto the grass), other than that I never went full power, most time I could stay easily at half throttle and fly well. I didn't have the best of space to fly but had fun none less, having to turn so often in a small space is good practice I guess. After all that, all that was broken was 1 prop saver o-ring, and lost one of the motor mount screws (the one holding the shalf to the mount) but had spares that kept me flying.
All in all, it was amazing, I was getting eaten up by mosquitoes but just couldn't stop, I did check the battery here and there and stopped at around 3.7v on each cell (should I stop earlier?). I can't wait to fly in a bigger space and contacted my local flyer club to see about joining them so I can use the field and actually meet others flying.
AUW: 238gr (8.4oz) (including battery and about 18gr of clay against the nose inside the power pod).
I also used 3D printed firewall and control horns (modified from versions I found on thingiverse)
THANK YOU ALL!
When I was young, my father used to fly big gas planes, which I was never able to touch but loved so much, at 14, my parents died in a car accident and I went to live with aunt/uncle.. I always loved everything about flying and RC so a few years later, I put together a balsa glider which I proceeded to crash within 10 second of its maiden and never touched again. I had no help, no internet (25 years ago in france) and no support or resources like we have nowadays.
In my adult life, I played around with toy quads, always wanting to fly till a few weeks ago when I discovered Flite Test while looking at a youtube video of a 3D printed motor.
So I want to thank FLITE TEST and everybody on this forum.. over the last 3-4 weeks I have watch around 100-200 videos from flite tests and others, read dozens and dozens of posts both here and rcgroups, learned about everything I needed to get ready and all the information about getting started. I plan on trying to buddy box my daughters one day and possibly fly together...
