hvguy
Machinist
After having problems with the mini sparrow, a friend suggested I try something with a larger wingspan for better control. So, thinking simple, I went to hobby lobby and spent $10 on a styrofoam glider, glued it together, laminated everything with packing tape and threw it just to make sure it still flies with all the glue and tape; sure enough, all is well.
Long story short, after I added all the servos/motors/batteries/homemade flap hinges, it was a complete disaster, torque roll and improper motor pitch rolled it and put it in the ground every time and it had NO control what soever.
After consulting a local hobby shop owner, he came to the conclusion that A: the motor was straight, it should be pitched to the left and angled up to counter-act the motor torque and keep the nose up. B: my flaps/control surfaces were too short on the elevator and my hinge idea was garbage; which is when he showed me how to make some better ones. C: needed a little more nose weight, however since I marked the CG before hacking it up, I matched it perfectly when placing the battery.
Now onto Rev 2.
After seeing how he mounts his servos (flush in the wing) I figured it couldnt hurt, why not. I redesigned my rear elevator connector to using just a single tongue depressor (large) glued in place, angled the prop up and to the left and BAM! it flew better, not great... I still managed to wreck it about 15 or so times today. Lots of hot glue was used. It still seems like its hard to control, it barely rolls and the elevator seems to work sometimes. A buddy suggested I was probably flying it stalled the whole time which explained the lack of control. Other times it flew perfectly for 1 or 2 seconds then spiral down and snap the nose off. Maybe im pulling the sticks a little too far? not sure, I plan on checking with the local hobby shop on tuesday.
Now onto my question: Since I dont want to mount the motor in the front in fear of breaking props every few minutes, I have seen motors mounted at the center and above the CG. Would this work better in terms of being easier to fly?
REV 1
REV 2
Long story short, after I added all the servos/motors/batteries/homemade flap hinges, it was a complete disaster, torque roll and improper motor pitch rolled it and put it in the ground every time and it had NO control what soever.
After consulting a local hobby shop owner, he came to the conclusion that A: the motor was straight, it should be pitched to the left and angled up to counter-act the motor torque and keep the nose up. B: my flaps/control surfaces were too short on the elevator and my hinge idea was garbage; which is when he showed me how to make some better ones. C: needed a little more nose weight, however since I marked the CG before hacking it up, I matched it perfectly when placing the battery.
Now onto Rev 2.
After seeing how he mounts his servos (flush in the wing) I figured it couldnt hurt, why not. I redesigned my rear elevator connector to using just a single tongue depressor (large) glued in place, angled the prop up and to the left and BAM! it flew better, not great... I still managed to wreck it about 15 or so times today. Lots of hot glue was used. It still seems like its hard to control, it barely rolls and the elevator seems to work sometimes. A buddy suggested I was probably flying it stalled the whole time which explained the lack of control. Other times it flew perfectly for 1 or 2 seconds then spiral down and snap the nose off. Maybe im pulling the sticks a little too far? not sure, I plan on checking with the local hobby shop on tuesday.
Now onto my question: Since I dont want to mount the motor in the front in fear of breaking props every few minutes, I have seen motors mounted at the center and above the CG. Would this work better in terms of being easier to fly?
REV 1
REV 2
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