FT Cruiser Thread?

[mrjdstewart]

i assume there is one but i can't seem to find it so i am going to start a new one.

my Cruiser...







contrary to what the pics may show, that was the most intense, nerve wracking flight, and i'm very glad i wasn't flying! had i been flying this would be a eulogy and nothing more. :black_eyed: thankfully i had our most skilled pilot and safety officer of the club maiden it for me. it immediatly went tail heavy and was having issues with diff thrust even though both motors were tied together. one was spinning up faster than the other. thankfully when he did put it into the ground it wasn't that bad. it will fly again with little work.

my questions for you out there that have build one of these is;

1- where is your CG?

2- how did you set your throttle limit and timing for the 2 motors? with one of the signal wires removed, i can't set each one individually, did you just do both at the same time?

right now i have it set up with a Y-harness on the 2 ESC's, and flaperons for programming. i have not installed the split flaps and can't seem to figure out the differential thrust programming. i have a DX6e and it just doesn't seem to want to let it work.

i will post more pics of the build process later but really want to nail down these issue so i can fly it next weekend.

last night i made the rookie mistake of working on the plane with the props still on. messing with throttle programing and realized my throttle cut switch is engaged. flip it and .... you know how this story ends. thankfully i just need to rebuild the nose pod and have all the parts needed already. nothing like twin 10" props coming at you and your leg to remind you to be careful.

thanks,

jason

 

[mrjdstewart]

63 views and no one has any info to add? someone has to have built one of these.

laters,

jason

 

[SP0NZ]

For #2 - I think if you want differential thrust you need to have the 2 ESC's on separate channels on your Rx. Don't quote me on that, but that is the only way I have setup my twin engine aircraft. Also, I calibrated both ESC's at the same time (but again on separate channels).

 

[CrashRecovery]

Two escs, two channels on your rx. then you have to make a mix to control rudder with throttle into each channel. I think there is a video on it somewhere.

 

[mrjdstewart]

ya, not so worried about diff thrust right now, i need it to just fly within control.

what i need is info on CG. and set-up.

they say CG should be " 2.75 in from leading edge. is that measured on bottom? top? rolling over top?

i am using a zippy 3S-2200mah for power. any input would be greatly appreciated. as much as i say the build is all the fun, i really hate it when they crash. especially when they look this good, and apparently are this uncommon.

thanks,

jason

 

[CrashRecovery]

It's simply from the front of the wing 2.75 inches back. So if you measure using the bottom of the wing since it's flat, making it easier to hold the ruler, just measure the distance back.

 

[33joe]

Hello, today I found some old footage from 2016. Maiden flight of my scrachbuild FT Cruiser, initially it looked very good but eventually it did not work as planed. That's why I decided to convert it to single-motor, but the result I will show you in the next video.

 

[33joe]

So today' I present you promised video of how my cruiser looks and flies in present time. After conversion to single motor it did not looked very good with it, I thought I'd break it down and drop it, but I decied to kive it another try and in the end it turned out to be a very calm and cool airplane. I did not worry about the final finish, but I think it looks very good in the air.

 

[FlyAllTheThings]

ya, not so worried about diff thrust right now, i need it to just fly within control.

what i need is info on CG. and set-up.

they say CG should be " 2.75 in from leading edge. is that measured on bottom? top? rolling over top?

i am using a zippy 3S-2200mah for power. any input would be greatly appreciated. as much as i say the build is all the fun, i really hate it when they crash. especially when they look this good, and apparently are this uncommon.

thanks,

jason

Very old thread, but I found at 2.75" back, the plane is way tail heavy. Since the wing spar is about 2", I tried moving it forward to there and it flies much better. Also differential thrust is a very good thing to get working. With an EdgeTX transmitter it's pretty easy to set up, but make sure at zero throttle, you still have one motor turning - otherwise, landing may be tricky.