Scratch build: FPV Platform from DTFB Based on the FT-SS

[spencertrejo]

Widened the fuse and the tail in the process. Made it a little easier to duplicate and put the new ProMini from readytoflyquads.com in it with PatrikE's airplane RTH firmware. Off to do some more testing... if only the snow would melt... again...

 

[rcflyer729]

nice looks really good

 

[spencertrejo]

Thanks, its coming along and I'm making changes as I need. I think I've almost got it dialed though.

 

[spencertrejo]

Update, working on the multiwii RTH setup. Had success today with PatrikE's fw. Came right back to me and did a figure 8 above my head. Even with throttle off, it did the same thing and just came down slowly. This plane flies so well. I will post a video soon.

 

[spencertrejo]

A little video for those interested.

 

[Flying Fish Fin]

Sorry, this is a bit off topic: Was the MultiWii board set up, and would you recommend it? Your build looks great; I would LOVE to see some plans!
-Fin

 

[spencertrejo]

The multiwii board is not preconfigured for airplanes no. If you are willing to put in some time and effort, it is a great board. I'm only into mine about $65, which is great compared to what else it out there. But its not ready to go. You have to put in some time learning arduino, and multiwii. I started about 6 months ago on multiwii and can do quite a bit with it now. If you'd rather have an rtf setup, look at the skylark or similar autopilots. You'll pay for it though. I would imagine that paul over at rtfq will eventually have an option for airplanes preconfigured once this becomes a stable tested platform.

 

[spencertrejo]

This thing has been through three pretty gnarly crashes and had only minor repairs to get it back together. Quite impressed with it. Did some more adjusting to the cg and elevator. It seems to need a little more elevator to keep level flight. I still can't believe just how smooth this thing flies. Look forward to an article soon. I will be building a third on now, this one will include a two piece removable wing and a little more robust nose.

 

[ofiesens2]

That is the coolest looking scratch build glider I have seen! Great job.

I saw you mentioned in an earlier post that the ailerons didn't have the authority you wanted. Could this be because of the polyhedral? I may be wrong, but I thought the Simple Soarer wing had under cambered tips at the end. I know that polyhedral and undercambered tips, produce the same general effect: to avoid tip stalls, while polyhedral has the added benefit of some self-righting principals. Could you simply remove the polyhedral but keep the under camber, but move the ailerons all the way to the edge of the wing?

Most of what I just said is probably wrong, sorry if it is.

-Ethan (the noobiest of them all)

 

[spencertrejo]

That isn't a half bad idea. I may have to mess with that a little. But to be honest, it really just flies quite well. I'm happy with how it is doing so far, so may not mess with it. The SS has dihedral, polyhedral and undercamber. All I've done is moved the poly out, deleted the dihedral and added ailerons. It's extremely forgiving and very easy to fly as is, so who knows... Your suggestion still intrigues me,

 

[nerdnic]

Will you be posting plans or specs on the motor mount and thrust angle?

 

[spencertrejo]

Will you be posting plans or specs on the motor mount and thrust angle?

I will get you some measurement on the motor mount tonight. I haven't posted anything, mostly because I haven't finalized the design yet. I'm using sheet abs plastic and using a heat gun to form it. I think the thrust angle is roughly 25 degrees and is high enough to give just enough clearance to a 10" prop if I needed it. I'm currently using and 8" prop, so it's nice and quiet.

 

[KulryQ]

This is beautiful...I would kill for some plans! I'm looking forward to seeing where this build goes.

(I made an account on this forum just to keep updated on this build log)

 

[spencertrejo]

There are still a few things I don't love about the design, so you'll have to wait till revision 3. I have most of the fuse in a paper plan form, but I'll be switching to a 2 piece wing for ease of portability. This thing doesn't fit in my car all that well as is.

 

[spencertrejo]

New 2 piece wing

Updated wing. I'm using a 40" carbon spar so that I can separate the wing halves. I've added a step up on the trailing edge of the wing as well similar to the spitfire. I've also moved the polyhedral out another 1.5" putting it out to 5.5" from standard (from the simple soarer). I've covered all exposed paper with tape as well. The ailerons will be 2" longer (12") and will be 1.75" wide (previously 1.5"). I will also be revamping the fuse, as I'm realizing I need even more room up there for various components. The tail will stay relatively unchanged, but will move the servos back on the tail and as well as moving the rx back a little further as well. A lot of changes to come, need to get this done this week, I'm hoping.

 

[spencertrejo]

A few more photos of V3. Got it out and test flew it, but was way underpowered. Still flew great, just needs more power. I threw a motor I had laying around on it till my new motor comes in, but its taking forever so i'll have to find something else. Will do more testing this week. So far, i'm loving this design.

 

[nlit3n]

I love the look of your V3. How did you build your motor mount? Can you post a picture of the fuselage with the wing off?

 

[spencertrejo]

I'll snap some pics for you. May have time tonight, not sure yet. The fuse tapers to the back where it meets the wing, so its a little different then the last one.

 

[spencertrejo]

Here are some close ups of the motor mount. It's pretty simple, but still haven't strength tested it yet. I used a bunch of hot glue, so it should work, but i will be keeping a close eye on it for the first few flights. Still not sure how to do it any differently though.

 

[nlit3n]

You did a great job on this plane. I hope when your done you share the plans. I want to build one.