Hobby Newbie Learning Diary; Family Included!

[Hai-Lee]

As for your wing slamming into the ground often you should be aware that the pitch control pressure centres are extremely close and therefore the plane will be extremely twitchy in pitch. Normally we either reduce the elevator portion of the elevon mix or reduce the elevon throws. regardless of the setup used to reduce pitch sensitivity it must be done with a rather large portion of Expo especially if the pilot has limited piloting experience.

As for servo failures they are just a fact of life especially if the servo has survived a number of crashes. I have even had servos fail in planes that had never crashed or been mishandled. If you are worried about it there is the option of paying a little more and buying metal geared servos. They can still fail but they are more rugged and generally last quite a long time as long as you do not crash them too badly.

have fun!

 

[Arcfyre]

I missed the part where you said the wing didn't fly well. I assumed you meant the wing on your TT.

Check the basics first. Make sure your controls are going the right way and aren't reversed.

As always on a pusher wing, balance is critical. Make sure it's a little nose heavy.

Also check that the prop is on correctly and that it's spinning in the right direction. With a pusher build it's easy to mix this stuff up.

Finally, launching a pusher is difficult when you're new to it. There are a few good videos on how to do it without losing a finger. I prefer to grab it by the nose and heave it almost straight up, with the natural curve of my throw giving it forward momentum.

 

[cranialrectosis]

So I guess I am just doing something wrong with these big models also the wing was an epic fail and slammed the ground more than air. Will post a video of it later today or tomorrow.

Any suggestions about this?

Keep posting video. These are growing pains and are common. You are not alone in this.

Servos stripping internal gears is common. That is what i would look for. Metal gear servos cost and weigh more but tend to not strip out. I went through 2 servos in a single day on a BatBone tricopter. Frustrating, but I learned to order and stock commonly used spare parts.

Just remember, if flying RC models was easy, it wouldn't be nearly as cool.

 

[mayan]

Does it move when not connected to the control surface? If so, your control surface is the problem and is causing binding somewhere.'

Could be but then none of them should move or am I wrong?

 

[cranialrectosis]

If your rudder is rubbing on the tail so that the servo that moves the rudder cannot overcome the friction and move the rudder, the issue is with the rudder, not the servo. In such a case, the elevators and ailerons should work just fine.

If the servo won't move even when not connected to the rudder, the rudder can't be the problem, the servo is.

 

[Arcfyre]

Just had my wife take this quick video of me launching my wing. It's an overhead launch and my back is to the wind. I start with the wing low, and throw it almost straight up, at the last second a little bit back, or into the wind. Hope this helps.

 

[mayan]

Frustrating, but I learned to order and stock commonly used spare parts.

That’s what I did. Only problem is that I left the small store where I buy my electronics at with no more 3.7g servos, took the last 4 today.

 

[Arcfyre]

Could be but then none of them should move or am I wrong?

What I meant was disconnect the pushrod from the troubled servo. Then plug in your battery and give the appropriate signal on your radio to make that servo move. If it moves while not connected to the control surface of the airplane, you have a binding issue somewhere. Check to make sure any linkage stoppers you have are able to spin freely and also check that the actual surface moves without issue as well. If the surface moves easily by hand, your issue is with the servo.

 

[mayan]

The servo moves when not connected to anything but makes a weird noise. A noise that I can't explain expect by saying it doesn't sound right.
After reading all your feedback I come to think at it's all connected to surface not the servo. Unless the wierd noise that I am hearing is the servos giving it's last breath and is not as effective as it should be. I'll try to post a video of the servo in action for you all to see.

 

[mayan]

Love it

 

[cranialrectosis]

The servo moves when not connected to anything but makes a weird noise. A noise that I can't explain expect by saying it doesn't sound right.
After reading all your feedback I come to think at it's all connected to surface not the servo. Unless the wierd noise that I am hearing is the servos giving it's last breath and is not as effective as it should be. I'll try to post a video of the servo in action for you all to see.

You can always swap servos. Switch the pushrods and if the problem moves to another servo, the problem is the plane. If the swap moves the problem to another control surface powered by the questionable servo, the issue is with the servo.

 

[mayan]

You can always swap servos. Switch the pushrods and if the problem moves to another servo, the problem is the plane. If the swap moves the problem to another control surface powered by the questionable servo, the issue is with the servo.

True but since I wasn't happy with the fuselage anyway I might as well build a new one.

 

[mayan]

It's 5 am here in Israel and my shift is nearly over. I didn't finish the fuselage yet rather finish off my dinner/breakfast and try and get a bit of rest before I start another day. Decided to finish off the new fuselage tomorrow or is it actually today?! I better get some rest.

 

[mayan]

It’s been a long time since my last post and I still owe you all a few videos of my practicing sessions. Which includes the attempt of flying the Versa Wing which failed. And a video of me flying at a BBQ that the guys and I organized for all times sake. Which I must mention was something I really missed considering we haven’t met up in such a relaxing atmosphere in a very long time. I hope to find some time to edit the all the footage I have waiting tomorrow, right after I go practice early in the morning. Going alone this time. Need some time alone with my new TT .

 

[cranialrectosis]

Beautifully done.

Spare wing in the background?

Yeah, when I build one I build 3. May as well. It's not like I'm not gonna need 'em.

 

[Arcfyre]

Ailerons! Heck yeah man, go for it!

 

[mayan]

Went flying today.

Didn’t have to much luck though. The plane glided ok but seemed to be under powered. Will post videos of the practice session later today with the rest of the videos I promised.

 

[mayan]

Spare wing in the background?

Glider wing

 

[Arcfyre]

This is a replacement motor, right? Does it have the same kV rating as the old one? Lower kV means less RPM per volt, and assuming you're using the same battery, that means less power.

Also check that your prop wasn't on backwards. I've done that a few times.

 

[mayan]

This is a replacement motor, right? Does it have the same kV rating as the old one? Lower kV means less RPM per volt, and assuming you're using the same battery, that means less power.

Also check that your prop wasn't on backwards. I've done that a few times.

Yeah it’s a new motor but exact same type EMax MT1806. Only difference is that I soldered this one and not the guy from the store I usually go to. So it should be same power.

Checked the prop twice and it was right way on the motor.

But it really sounds like an under power issue.