Hi all! This is my first forum post and I am pretty new to RC planes, so I figured I should see what advice.
I built a Mini Sportster from a speed build kit recently. I am having trouble with it's performance and cannot figure out why - so I am looking for some help. It has an Emax MT2204 - 2300kV motor with a 20A ESC (F pack with a bigger ESC). I set it up with the FT recommended throws for all control surfaces and programed in flaperons. The CG seems to be correct per the recommended setup. I don't have a scale, so no clue on weight. But the only difference between my plane and the FT build video is spray paint and the bigger ESC so I assume it's reasonably close to the specs.
2S - 850mAh with 6x3 prop: I had to keep 100% throttle and trim/use a lot of up elevator to keep it in the air. Very poor climbing ability. It flew more stable when I deployed ~40 to 60% flaperons (I had experimented a little with how much); but still would lose altitude easily.
3S -850mAh with a 6x3 prop: I was able to come off the throttle a little bit but was still a bit of a struggle to maintain elevation. Again, I deployed flaperons to 30% which improved stability and maintaining elevation; 60% flaperons performed better.
3S -850mAh with a 6x4.5 prop: Similar experience as the 6x3 prop in terms of stability and maintaining altitude, but obviously a little faster airspeed. It still required flaperons and high throttle. the downside of this combo was that it drew significant power bc my battery was dead in <5 mins and came out much warmer than I expected.
My best guess based on the above is that either the CG is not right or I built the wing incorrectly - or both!?
I had hoped this plane would fly well on both a 2S and 3S. I need some advice on this bc I don't have enough experience to work this issue out without a fatal crash. Any and all advice is welcome!!!!
I built a Mini Sportster from a speed build kit recently. I am having trouble with it's performance and cannot figure out why - so I am looking for some help. It has an Emax MT2204 - 2300kV motor with a 20A ESC (F pack with a bigger ESC). I set it up with the FT recommended throws for all control surfaces and programed in flaperons. The CG seems to be correct per the recommended setup. I don't have a scale, so no clue on weight. But the only difference between my plane and the FT build video is spray paint and the bigger ESC so I assume it's reasonably close to the specs.
2S - 850mAh with 6x3 prop: I had to keep 100% throttle and trim/use a lot of up elevator to keep it in the air. Very poor climbing ability. It flew more stable when I deployed ~40 to 60% flaperons (I had experimented a little with how much); but still would lose altitude easily.
3S -850mAh with a 6x3 prop: I was able to come off the throttle a little bit but was still a bit of a struggle to maintain elevation. Again, I deployed flaperons to 30% which improved stability and maintaining elevation; 60% flaperons performed better.
3S -850mAh with a 6x4.5 prop: Similar experience as the 6x3 prop in terms of stability and maintaining altitude, but obviously a little faster airspeed. It still required flaperons and high throttle. the downside of this combo was that it drew significant power bc my battery was dead in <5 mins and came out much warmer than I expected.
My best guess based on the above is that either the CG is not right or I built the wing incorrectly - or both!?
I had hoped this plane would fly well on both a 2S and 3S. I need some advice on this bc I don't have enough experience to work this issue out without a fatal crash. Any and all advice is welcome!!!!