FT Tiny Trainer - BUILD
- Thread starter fliteadmin
- Start date
insomaniac45
Member
Some great planes here 
I would like to show you mine, but my daughter has both my phone and my camera atm.....
So, I stretched the sport wing by 10" and made it polyhedral. I am running a 6x3 folding prop.
weight is 300g , or just over 10oz.
Building material - Depron covered in clear packing tape.
So firstly i wanted to make her into a sport type glider, hence the stretched wing, but i do think my components are the reason for my slight obesity. (Going to be seeing what i can do tonight to shave off as much weight as possible)
So, the maiden happened toady, and Wow. She almost glides, but my folding prop is not folding, whaich we know acts like a brake in the air.... So i will investigate that asap. and i think the 1300mad 2s is a little porky.
So if i sort the folding prop, drop down to an 850 2s, or 500 2s, i think she will be a perfect little trainer glider. (i have only ever flown a real glider before, never an rc one )
I did however have a slight mishap. Last battery of the day, (number 5) and 1/4 way into the flight, i had already done 2 circuits, i power up to gain some more altitude, and she banked hard right, and up slightly.
I managed to re-gain control for a second, then lost it again, then gained control again....... then she went into a thorny bush........
Damage is as follows. a slight scratch on the horizontal stab........ lol. that's it.....
But further inspection found the cause of the unplanned landing... The receiver antenna had come off... So loss of signal was the cause at least i know it was not my fault, and my fail safes kicked in with very very very little damage to the plane, she will be back up in the air soon.
I will post some pics asap,
tony.
I would like to show you mine, but my daughter has both my phone and my camera atm.....
So, I stretched the sport wing by 10" and made it polyhedral. I am running a 6x3 folding prop.
weight is 300g , or just over 10oz.
Building material - Depron covered in clear packing tape.
So firstly i wanted to make her into a sport type glider, hence the stretched wing, but i do think my components are the reason for my slight obesity. (Going to be seeing what i can do tonight to shave off as much weight as possible)
So, the maiden happened toady, and Wow. She almost glides, but my folding prop is not folding, whaich we know acts like a brake in the air.... So i will investigate that asap. and i think the 1300mad 2s is a little porky.
So if i sort the folding prop, drop down to an 850 2s, or 500 2s, i think she will be a perfect little trainer glider. (i have only ever flown a real glider before, never an rc one
) I did however have a slight mishap. Last battery of the day, (number 5) and 1/4 way into the flight, i had already done 2 circuits, i power up to gain some more altitude, and she banked hard right, and up slightly.
I managed to re-gain control for a second, then lost it again, then gained control again....... then she went into a thorny bush........
Damage is as follows. a slight scratch on the horizontal stab........ lol. that's it.....
But further inspection found the cause of the unplanned landing... The receiver antenna had come off... So loss of signal was the cause
at least i know it was not my fault, and my fail safes kicked in with very very very little damage to the plane, she will be back up in the air soon. I will post some pics asap,
tony.
PaperPlane
Junior Member
Nice looking FT-Tiny Trainer; how did you color it? Happy flying, PaperPlane
FT Tiny Trainer
I had a successful maiden flight today on a scratch built FT Tiny Trainer.
Features of interest :
It flew hands off from the first toss, nice and smooth. I did fine the servo throw rates quite a bit higher than I would like. Second flight I dialed them down quite a bit and added expo. I find with the elevator centered it flys almost level with full power, but requires quite a bit of up held when gliding. I might look into some throttle / elevator mixing to balance that out a bit. The one thing I would change if building another wing would be to shrink the ailerons about a 1/2 inch and extend the center section. It's too easy to have the rubber bands slip off and go into the aileron slots.
I had a successful maiden flight today on a scratch built FT Tiny Trainer.
Features of interest :
- Built out of Ross foam board
- Sealed with brush on shelac (not recommended as it's water resistant, not water proof)
- Airbrushed color with Apple craft paint mixed with Future shine floor acrylic
- Bone stock FT A power pack equipment setup for engine & servos using a 6x3 prop
- Moved the elevator and rudder servos to the outside of the fuselage
- Balanced perfectly with a 3C 800mah pack
It flew hands off from the first toss, nice and smooth. I did fine the servo throw rates quite a bit higher than I would like. Second flight I dialed them down quite a bit and added expo. I find with the elevator centered it flys almost level with full power, but requires quite a bit of up held when gliding. I might look into some throttle / elevator mixing to balance that out a bit. The one thing I would change if building another wing would be to shrink the ailerons about a 1/2 inch and extend the center section. It's too easy to have the rubber bands slip off and go into the aileron slots.
FT Tiny Trainer foam board thickness and plot size.
Hi
I am total new in scratch building and have a few questions:
1. Foam board thickness. I have been looking on the plans for specs on the foam, thickness and quality, where do I find the foam specs ?
2. I have access to an plotter up to AO. Which size shalll i plot the plot version of the drawings ?
BR
Hi
I am total new in scratch building and have a few questions:
1. Foam board thickness. I have been looking on the plans for specs on the foam, thickness and quality, where do I find the foam specs ?
2. I have access to an plotter up to AO. Which size shalll i plot the plot version of the drawings ?
BR
Here's a short video clip I shot today of my Tiny Trainer in flight. I had a friend over and he was trying it out. We both like the way it flys!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzFd2lT9Dqk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzFd2lT9Dqk
PaperAirplane
Junior Member
Looking good, wish you luck!
Hi akarmy,
Nice looking plane. I see that your servo's are mounted close to the tail on the outside of the plane. Has this caused you any problems with cg ? Did it make the building of the plane easier ? I am asking these questions because there is a plane that I would like to build and I think it would be better to have the servo's like the way that you did on your trainer.
Thanks for any help,
Al
This is a known mod with the 4channel wing. Mounting the servos further back helps with cg otherwise its too nose heavy. So it the opposite, it helps with CG not causing problems.
Yep it's a CG mod. With the straight wing and using 3 cell 800mah batteries it is too nose heavy with the servos inside. A nice side benefit is it makes the installation easy and nice short pushrods. In this config it balances perfectly with no added weights.
mikeporterinmd
Still Learning
First Successful Landing?
I define a successful landing as one in which the prop, nor anything else gets broken during the landing. I had my first one the other day and generally some nice flying on a slightly windy day. First time with a plane - any plane. Yay!
So, does my landing count...
Details... I kinda flew into myself... the wing hit my legs right below the crotch. Now, I think since nothing got broken, and I wasn't hurt, it counts.
Mike
P.S.
I ordered something like 30 pairs of props. I can't seem to find them at a good price in proper rotation, so I just buy them for quad copters and don't use the 'R' props. I bought the "Gemfan 6x3 Nylon Glass Fiber Propeller" from getfpv.com. Is there a stronger prop that won't break quite so easily on landing or should I just practice landing more?
I define a successful landing as one in which the prop, nor anything else gets broken during the landing. I had my first one the other day and generally some nice flying on a slightly windy day. First time with a plane - any plane. Yay!
So, does my landing count...
Details... I kinda flew into myself... the wing hit my legs right below the crotch. Now, I think since nothing got broken, and I wasn't hurt, it counts.
Mike
P.S.
I ordered something like 30 pairs of props. I can't seem to find them at a good price in proper rotation, so I just buy them for quad copters and don't use the 'R' props. I bought the "Gemfan 6x3 Nylon Glass Fiber Propeller" from getfpv.com. Is there a stronger prop that won't break quite so easily on landing or should I just practice landing more?
TooJung2Die
Master member
If you can still fly the airplane after landing it was a great landing. :applause:
I think the gemfan props you bought are very fragile and always snap off right at the hub after the slightest contact. I've switched to these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-APC-6x4...ane-Composite-Propeller-Props-DG/172055996432
They're more durable, cheap (74 cents), but should be balanced before using.
Jon
I think the gemfan props you bought are very fragile and always snap off right at the hub after the slightest contact. I've switched to these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-APC-6x4...ane-Composite-Propeller-Props-DG/172055996432
They're more durable, cheap (74 cents), but should be balanced before using.
Jon
Here: http://www.banggood.com/10X-Gemfan-6030-Direct-Drive-Propeller-For-RC-Models-p-982379.html
They're currently $3.78 for 10 of them.
As you've noticed, they break fairly easily. They're REALLY cheap, though.
mikeporterinmd
Still Learning
There were only five left of those, but I ordered 20 for $21.50 from a similar seller. Maybe I'll learn to catch the plane by the time they get here and I'll offer someone new a deal
Thanks for the advice,
Mike
mikeporterinmd
Still Learning
I get to make V2 of the Tiny Trainer. A new kit arrived today. Mostly I want to remake the fuselage and see if I can get it balanced a little better. And there is some damage around the holes from a straight dive under power when I first launched.
I think I will:
Both wings are fine, so the build shouldn't take too long.
Mike
I think I will:
- Move the servos as far back as I can get them and try to use a little less glue. I have a Z-bend tool now, so it should be easier to bend the control rods further in.
- Leave the skewers for the wing mount a little longer.
- Move the receiver to at least COG as well, and mount the antennas behind the wing.
Both wings are fine, so the build shouldn't take too long.
Mike
Beerbatter
Junior Member
My Brothers First RC Airplane
My brother recently became interested in RC and discovered Flight Test. Being the brother that he is (techy type like me), he started reading everything he could get his hand on. After some discussions, he decided to give the Tiny Trainer a go. He did an awesome job building and here is a picture of my brother (holding the Tiny) and me after the maiden flight. The Tiny Flew right out of our hands, a touch of trim, and my brother was flying. My brother has been hooked ever since. He has also recently built two FT Flyers, which he is now successfully flying on his own.
You have come a long way in a very short time Bro. Keep it up. Can't wait to fly together again.
My brother recently became interested in RC and discovered Flight Test. Being the brother that he is (techy type like me), he started reading everything he could get his hand on. After some discussions, he decided to give the Tiny Trainer a go. He did an awesome job building and here is a picture of my brother (holding the Tiny) and me after the maiden flight. The Tiny Flew right out of our hands, a touch of trim, and my brother was flying. My brother has been hooked ever since. He has also recently built two FT Flyers, which he is now successfully flying on his own.
You have come a long way in a very short time Bro. Keep it up. Can't wait to fly together again.
TooJung2Die
Master member
Very nice looking Tiny Trainer guys and congratulations on it's successful flights. Welcome to Flite Test! The Tiny Trainer was my first ever RC airplane too. It's the perfect airplane to learn and grow with. Build the 4 channel version soon. It's a whole 'nother airplane with ailerons and a 3s battery.
Jon
Jon
Thanks for all the help bro (beerbatter). You have been a wonderful teacher and a great big brother. Thanks for taking time out to help me with this scratch build Tiny Trainer. It was a great experience and has me totally hooked on the RC hobby.
Thanks for the kind words Jon. I am building the 4 channel wing now as you suggest. I cant wait to get back together with my brother and give it a try.
Thanks for the kind words Jon. I am building the 4 channel wing now as you suggest. I cant wait to get back together with my brother and give it a try.
Last edited:
