FT Scout XL : Flite Fest 2022 Dawn Patrol Challenge

[wilmracer]

I believe they go by a case by case basis. If you showed up with that massive edge of yours they actually might let you fly it. Maybe as a sort of areobatics demonstration or something. I dunno. I think the main thing is that they just don evrbody buzzing around with heavy little nitros that do 80mph. With the size of ff it’s probably a good thing.

I don't want to sidetrack this thread but as someone who works the flight line and is trying to keep the event as safe as possible I'd ask folks to just stick with electric at FF and to NOT ask for exceptions to be made. On occasion there have been vendor demos and those are always coordinated and approved. What causes issues is when some individuals have either ignored the guidance or sought approval from one of the FT staff and then told the line crew "so-and-so said I could. Go ask them...". I've even had people tell me "so-and-so let me fly it last year so it must still be fine".

The volunteers on the line have been instructed that only electrics are permitted and that is what they are enforcing. This guidance came from the FT staff and is the official rule for the event. The volunteer doesn't have time to track down and confirm someone gave you special permission. It also creates a cascade of people complaining to the flight line crew that they should be allowed because you were. If FT changes the rules one day we'll happily adjust, but for now those are the rules we all fly by

 

[willsonman]

I believe they go by a case by case basis. If you showed up with that massive edge of yours they actually might let you fly it. Maybe as a sort of areobatics demonstration or something. I dunno. I think the main thing is that they just don evrbody buzzing around with heavy little nitros that do 80mph. With the size of ff it’s probably a good thing.

If you’ve seen Laine from Laine’s Planes fly… blink and you miss it. His ‘Cuda goes about a buck fifty. Then there’s the behemoth builds that are slow. Both have the same energy in a crash. Force equals mass times acceleration. In this context, the mode of propulsion becomes irrelevant. What IS relevant is the ground safety aspect. Running engines on the ground where maybe the throttle kill is not finely tuned or someone only uses their trim button to kill and engine. There’s just too many unknowns and variables for an event like this and as big as this. If individual pilot stations were strictly enforced then perhaps but that would prohibit everyone from flying. It’s just simpler and more fun for everyone to stick with electric.

 

[Flightspeed]

I don't want to sidetrack this thread but as someone who works the flight line and is trying to keep the event as safe as possible I'd ask folks to just stick with electric at FF and to NOT ask for exceptions to be made. On occasion there have been vendor demos and those are always coordinated and approved. What causes issues is when some individuals have either ignored the guidance or sought approval from one of the FT staff and then told the line crew "so-and-so said I could. Go ask them...". I've even had people tell me "so-and-so let me fly it last year so it must still be fine".

The volunteers on the line have been instructed that only electrics are permitted and that is what they are enforcing. This guidance came from the FT staff and is the official rule for the event. The volunteer doesn't have time to track down and confirm someone gave you special permission. It also creates a cascade of people complaining to the flight line crew that they should be allowed because you were. If FT changes the rules one day we'll happily adjust, but for now those are the rules we all fly by

If you’ve seen Laine from Laine’s Planes fly… blink and you miss it. His ‘Cuda goes about a buck fifty. Then there’s the behemoth builds that are slow. Both have the same energy in a crash. Force equals mass times acceleration. In this context, the mode of propulsion becomes irrelevant. What IS relevant is the ground safety aspect. Running engines on the ground where maybe the throttle kill is not finely tuned or someone only uses their trim button to kill and engine. There’s just too many unknowns and variables for an event like this and as big as this. If individual pilot stations were strictly enforced then perhaps but that would prohibit everyone from flying. It’s just simpler and more fun for everyone to stick with electric.

Yeah I know. I was just saying that it isn’t completely impossible.

 

[jfaleo1]

Well getting close to done with the build. That includes a removable wing. Still need to get wood doublers and block for the wing bolt. I really like this thing at this size.

 

[Baron VonHelton]

Well getting close to done with the build. That includes a removable wing. Still need to get wood doublers and block for the wing bolt. I really like this thing at this size.

"Super Size Me!"

 

[jfaleo1]

Maiden flight imminent. Two 2200 3s batteries all the way forward balanced right on the CG. Yes I added flaps and yes they can be useful for lift dump. I may need it in this wind.

 

[Aslansmonkey]

Made a very abbreviated maiden attempt but I don't have enough prop. That's an 11 inches in the photo. I'll have to order a bigger prop and try later.

For reference, the purple "mutt" next to it is a modified simple stick.

 

[jfaleo1]

Sorry about the double post. Maiden was great! 20mph winds made for very short takeoff and vertical landings.

 

[jfaleo1]

One of the guys I work with flew his this afternoon too he loves it. All in all a good day and a fantastic plane! Thanks @SP0NZ for a great idea and very well done plans.

 

[tomlogan1]

Ok, it’s been a busy weekend so I’ll cover things one at a time.
The servos are mounted externally compared to the original size. I used yard flags for push rods and had no issues with anything here. Plenty of good throw and little flex in the rods.
View attachment 217511 View attachment 217512
The front part of the fuselage had no major issues either other than not using a power pod. You can install your firewall AFTER the bottom is completed. I wanted to be extra careful with my firewall to make sure it was squared up with the fuselage. I also added a couple layers of foam board behind the firewall for the protruding screws to go into. No need for battery punctures here folks.
View attachment 217513
I wanted to be sure that the landing gear wire was sufficiently sized as we had had this discussion as a group on what to do. I confirmed that the 1/8” wire is perfect here for the weight. I did not glue the gear in for this picture but I didn’t later either. It stays put.
View attachment 217514
I rushed through the wing mounting and aileron control setup to get out to the field. There was a window in the weather that I thought I should take advantage of. That being said, the maiden was as uneventful as Ben’s with the exception of me putting it through the paces and doing “all the dumb stuff.” It does not knife-edge well but it also would not stall. Ever. I had what I’d call “stupid” rates and it just didn’t care. Video to come but thought I should report.
View attachment 217515

Thanks for the pictorial. A very good friend used his CNC system to cut out the plans for me but neglected to cut out the slots for the wings. With the plans, a ruler and perspective from your photo I've been able to continue the build, albeit slowly.

 

[Flightspeed]

Ima be at ff. And flying in the dawn patrol would be amazin! What electronics have y’all been stuffing in these monsters? Would a c pack cut it?

 

[Ligbaer]

Ima be at ff. And flying in the dawn patrol would be amazin! What electronics have y’all been stuffing in these monsters? Would a c pack cut it?

i know @Yankee2003 used a rimfire .32 on his d.viii, i think the budget b motor would also be a good size

 

[Flightspeed]

i know @Yankee2003 used a rimfire .32 on his d.viii, i think the budget b motor would also be a good size

Well a c should work fine! I believe i even have a 4s I could put it on too!

 

[jfaleo1]

Well a c should work fine! I believe i even have a 4s I could put it on too!

Mine is more than a C pack. I’m turning a 12x6 prop and I was thinking of putting a bigger motor. However if you are OK with scale like performance the C should do it. Frankly I would stick with 3s and turn the bigger prop with a relatively low pitch. I am going to strongly endorse the Master Airscrew Scimitar props, they lookgood, balanced dead on out of package and pulls very well. Your mileage may vary 🤞🏻

 

[willsonman]

Yeah, with the draggy style of airframes we are after, having the THRUST is the golden stuff. the rule of halves applies here. So if you have a 12" prop, no more than a 6" pitch.

 

[Aslansmonkey]

Yeah, with the draggy style of airframes we are after, having the THRUST is the golden stuff. the rule of halves applies here. So if you have a 12" prop, no more than a 6" pitch.

Damn, and I just ordered a 12x6.5 the other day. That's half of 12, right? For large values of "6".

But I ordered a 12x6 at the same time.

 

[Quinnyperks]

Yay!! The Thunder tiger.46 will be arriving on Friday, along with an engine mount.
Can't wait...
Then I'll build the xl scout.... And then maybe after that I'll build a 1/6 scale sopwith pup. For the .46 😀😀

what are you planning to do for fuel?

 

[jfaleo1]

Well I thought I would post pictures of the nearly final product. Since the maiden flight was so good I actually finished this one. I figure Snoopy would have been a volunteer for Hat in the Ring Squadron. Bottom of the wing is silver grey. It’s got an older Turnigy 3536 910kv motor, 12x6 prop and two 2200 3s batteries, flaps, and a bolt on removable wing. I added a bbq skewer to make sure the batteries can’t shift forward to the prop. First flight required power to not roll backwards on the runway, and landings were done at a hover.

 

[Matthewdupreez]

what are you planning to do for fuel?

I don't know.. maybe I'll squeeze some bugs to get some bug juice.... (Our Nitro fuel brand here is called bug juice) ..

Lol Na I'm going to get 5l of Nitro fuel

 

[willsonman]

Damn, and I just ordered a 12x6.5 the other day. That's half of 12, right? For large values of "6".

But I ordered a 12x6 at the same time.

A 12x6.5 will fly just fine but you may find that the 12x6 may be a bit better in terms of authority and efficiency. They are quite close but it really is just a general rule of thumb. I honestly do not have any hard and fast data to substantiate it other than I've followed it in the past and it just works.