FTFC20 Biloute designed by HardWork

[cdfigueredo]

Last month I started the construction of this great model in this thread "A new attempt to start right.". I will try to keep the thread as clean as possible.

I've decided to build a real trainer model, specifically the Biloute, a model from this French page.

Initiation to the construction in wood, 2-axis and 3-axis steering, and the first figures of aerial acrobatics.
This Biloute is also equipped for the night flight, it can receive floats to evolve in hydroplane, skis in case of snow, or an embedded video camera, or even FPV equipment, and even occasionally a cable for improvised towing...
The Biloute is suitable for all, with no other pretension than to make you happy as often as possible.
Easy to build and fly, Discreet for storage or during transport, will follow you everywhere, always ready to accumulate flight hours.

 

[cdfigueredo]

Reserved for plans
These is the original plans posted in https://aerofred.com/details.php?image_id=97490

 

[cdfigueredo]

Reserved for flight videos
Sorry for bad quality

 

[cdfigueredo]

Although the model accepts up to 3100 mAh, I think my 2200mAh batteries would be heavy for a model of only 1m wingspan, so I've scaled it up to 120%.
As part of continuous learning, I have decided to test new construction techniques by taking ideas from FT and others from the method I use regularly.
For the construction use EPP sheets of 3,4,5 and 10 mm thickness obtained with the hot wire cutter.

 

[cdfigueredo]

My hot wire cutter table
I want to share with you some pictures of my hot wire cutter.
It is a simple piece of wood from an old table. The hot wire is fixed at one end and at the other end it has a bottle with water to tighten the cable. The thickness of the cut is regulated using shims at both ends.

For the 3mm cut I am using two identical metal rods.

3mm sheets

 

[rockyboy]

Awesome!! Welcome to the challenge!

 

[cdfigueredo]

The wings
The first thing I discovered was that to work with such thin sheets of foam, the surface must be completely straight and smooth. Otherwise unwanted twists will appear.


I glued the bottom reinforcement, and then used it as a guide to mark the position of the ribs.


Then glue a 5mm thick front to the leading edge.


I also added another piece for the trailing edge. and then glued the top reinforcement.


In the middle of the wing I decided to add a solid block of foam to improve strength.


To cover the wing I used a 3mm sheet, fixing the edges to the leading edge with paper tape. Use white glue and hot glue to fix the wing quickly.


Then, the other half


Details of the center of the wing against the light.


Using packing tape for decorations.

 

[cdfigueredo]

Tail group
I have used thin sheets of 3mm / 4mm EPP obtained with the hot wire cutter. I have also added some light wood reinforcements to improve the strength.


Better visibility of backlit reinforcements

 

[Winglet]

Can't believe you are now making your own foamboard. An amazing effort!

 

[cdfigueredo]

Can't believe you are now making your own foamboard. An amazing effort!

Oh yes, it's not as strong as foamboard, but it's still good enough. If we apply a layer of paper with glue and water to the final result, it will have the same rigidity as the foamboard, but with smoother curves. And I calculate that with an approximate weight.

I can only get EPP here, but I would like to offer a model and plans that are easy to replicate using foamboard for whoever wants to try.

 

[cdfigueredo]

Can't believe you are now making your own foamboard. An amazing effort!

I am immersed in a process to perfect my construction technique and realism in the models. However, first I prefer to stick to a plane that flies well. Then there will be others that look better.

 

[cdfigueredo]

Fuselaje
I've been checking the fuselage and as the foam I use is not high density, the 5mm sheet is too fragile, so I've decided to build the fuselage the way I usually do. From a solid EPP block using the technique described in this article https://www.flitetest.com/articles/i-made-my-own-efx-racer-and-i-ll-show-you-how.


Then I cuted it in half and disposed the electronics properly inside.


All the electronics are arranged in place and only remains to check the correct balance of the aircraft.

 

[cdfigueredo]

Landing gear
For the landing gear i used one of those many parts of my old umbrella and some bike spokes.

 

[cdfigueredo]

Everything's ready. The center of gravity is in place. All that remains is to fix the battery and then go see how it flies.


The only mayor mod i must make to the original plane is to open some big air intakes just at both sides of nose, like this model. And of course, some exit holes... to allow air flow.

 

[Fidget]

Looks great!
I like your CG stand too.
Thanks for showing how you made your solid fuselage. It what size pieces do you get your EPP?

 

[cdfigueredo]

Looks great!
I like your CG stand too.
Thanks for showing how you made your solid fuselage. It what size pieces do you get your EPP?

CG stand was a fast solution, just a hard wood block, two holes and two pencils . Not fancy but works well.
The piece I used for the fuselage I got from a large piece of 100cm x 30cm x 10cm wide. Where I live there are no big stores like Wallmart or HomeDepot, so the EPP I use is the one that is used as lightweight roofs in construction. It is a pain because it is low density and the balls come off easily when sanding. But it is the one I have at hand.

 

[cdfigueredo]

Hello everyone, after a while without updating the post, I think it's time to do it.
Yesterday we went to maiden the Biloute.
Excellent!
You can't ask for more for a model trainer. Excellent performance in the air, more than 40 minutes of flight with each battery.
Using dual rates you get a slow flight with very smooth responses and almost no vices. A few clicks of the aileron trims were necessary.

 

[cdfigueredo]

Some pictures

 

[cdfigueredo]

Will try to upload a video.

 

[cdfigueredo]