Fairly new to the hobby. First Scratch Build and Maiden flight - FT Mustang

[vtelikicherla]

Hi Guys,

I'm fairly new, got my RC Flying wings with the Aeroscout and then the Apprentice and then discovered this amazing site (FliteTest). So tried my hand at a scratch build of the FT Mustang. Must say quite happy and proud of the end result. I live in Dubai, UAE and ordered a box of the new white makerfoam for my scratch build.

For my maiden flight I am using a 2212/13T 1000KV motor with a 30amp ESC, 9X6 Gemfan prop and a 3s 2200mah LiPo. Seemed a bit underpowered flying into the wind, so any suggestions / advice on how to address this would be much appreciated.

Thinking of trying out a Master Series Build next. Leaning towards the P47...thoughts / advice??

Maiden Flight Video

Cheers

 

[flamingo]

flew great

 

[vtelikicherla]

Thank you. Really did enjoy the build and the flying.

 

[Indy durtdigger]

Good looking plane. On your question about more power. If the motor you have can handle a 4s battery the extra voltage with give it a boost. Other wise a motor with a higher kV rating or a bigger motor in the 2215 or 2218 size range will give you a boost.

 

[tesseract]

How did you make it fly? I made one and it never flew... spent a few MONTHS making it precisely as it was supposed to be made.

 

[vtelikicherla]

Good looking plane. On your question about more power. If the motor you have can handle a 4s battery the extra voltage with give it a boost. Other wise a motor with a higher kV rating or a bigger motor in the 2215 or 2218 size range will give you a boost.

The current motor does not support 4s. So guess I need to upgrade the motor.

While flying into the wind (around 10 MPH wind speed) the plane was tending to gain height rather than move forward, could this also be because of a lack of sufficient down thrust?

 

[Timmy]

How did you make it fly? I made one and it never flew... spent a few MONTHS making it precisely as it was supposed to be made.

What was happening when you launched it? Lack of control? Did it do a back flip? Lack of thrust?

 

[vtelikicherla]

How did you make it fly? I made one and it never flew... spent a few MONTHS making it precisely as it was supposed to be made.

What foam board did you use and what was the total weight of the plane. I originally tried building the FT Simple Cub with a locally sourced foam board. Due to the excess weight (nearly 80% more than spec) it was a challenge to fly. Very twitchy and a tendency to tip stall.

 

[tesseract]

I used Ross foam board.

 

[tesseract]

What was happening when you launched it? Lack of control? Did it do a back flip? Lack of thrust?

It went to (not in) the ground then went into ground effect, then the prop hit the grass. I was going full speed with full up elevator with full battery but it still did that.

 

[Timmy]

It went to (not in) the ground then went into ground effect, then the prop hit the grass. I was going full speed with full up elevator with full battery but it still did that.

How much did it weigh?

 

[tesseract]

um........ I didn't have a scale at the time. I only had a kg/lb scale. It weighed about as much as 2-3 chapter books.

 

[whackflyer]

It went to (not in) the ground then went into ground effect, then the prop hit the grass. I was going full speed with full up elevator with full battery but it still did that.

Sounds like it's underpowered or your prop was on backwards.

 

[tesseract]

Sounds like it's underpowered or your prop was on backwards.

how??

 

[tesseract]

how??

My prop is not backwards

 

[Timmy]

If it was the mini mustang it should have weighed about 5.5oz If it was the big mustang then it should have weighed 1lb.

 

[Timmy]

Sounds like it's underpowered or your prop was on backwards.

Oh yes that could have been the issue.

 

[Timmy]

My prop is not backwards

were the numbers facing forwards?

 

[tesseract]

Oh yes that could have been the issue.

There is maybe a problem with the motor

 

[tesseract]

were the numbers facing forwards?

idk