Simple scout build nose dives immediately

[ipoh]

My first scratch build (have spent 100s of hours watching YT videos).

The plane has a 2212 1000kv motor with 1045 props. 2200 mAH 3s battery. 3 Channel.

Day1: Used CCW prop as recommended in the build video. First chuck - nose dove and broke both fans of the prop. I thought it was due to the wind (~10 mph). No video though.

Day2: Used the only other prop - CW - I had after reversing the motor. As you can see in the vids below, first chuck veered to right and cart rolled. Prop was luckily intact. Second chuck, nose dove (stalled??), and broke the prop again.

• Chuck1
• Chuck2

Any help in identifying the issue would be really appreciated!!

 

[bisco]

are you full throttle and some up elevator?

have you tried throwing it power off to see if it glides?

is the cg correct? surfaces flat and aligned? proper thrust angle?

rudder and elevator moving in the correct directions?

 

[ipoh]

are you full throttle and some up elevator?

have you tried throwing it power off to see if it glides?

is the cg correct? surfaces flat and aligned? proper thrust angle?

rudder and elevator moving in the correct directions?

Thanks! I started at ~50% throttle when chucking, and went up to ~90 -100% before it dove down. Did try to give it some elevator after chucking it, but was probably too late and too abrupt.

Just tried throwing it power off from my deck into the backyard with the motor and battery, it was like throwing a stone - I guess too nose heavy. Took out the motor and battery, it was tail heavy (because of the servos that were still in) - so went straight up and then dove down - did not glide.

CG at 2 1/12 inches (5.5cm).. rechecked all the surfaces and realigned them... fuselage and wing joints needed some hot glue after all the crashes. Thrust angle - this could have been the issue, it was a bit too down i think. Will try to make it more level before i try flying it again.

Rudder and Elevator are moving correctly.

Do you think it will help to make the landing gear and have it fly from the ground up? This could probably show where the issue is as it slowly gains speed and if it ever takes leaves the ground?

 

[bisco]

the recommended cg might be off without landing gear. make sure it balances now, or after you add gear.
trying ground takeoff could help to understand the prolem, idk. but it should fly fine just tossing it.

 

[bisco]

on the first toss, it looks like you didn't throw it with the wings level as you let go.

second one looks like you threw it up a little. try underhand and let the motor almost pull it out of your hand with a very gentle toss.

is the all up weight within spec?

 

[ipoh]

all up weight is 527g

 

[ipoh]

on the first toss, it looks like you didn't throw it with the wings level as you let go.

second one looks like you threw it up a little. try underhand and let the motor almost pull it out of your hand with a very gentle toss.

is the all up weight within spec?

k.. good idea. will try underhand 🤞..
Waiting for the new props now.

Also will see if it possible to push the CG back a bit - recommended is 63mm.. i'm at 55.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

proper thrust angle?

The Simple Scout doesn't have a thrust angle

 

[Houndpup Rc]

k.. good idea. will try underhand 🤞..
Waiting for the new props now.

Also will see if it possible to push the CG back a bit - recommended is 63mm.. i'm at 55.

Tip: Don't buy the super cheap props of amazon....They break sooo easy...Go for some APC or Gemfan props as they are MUCH harder to break!

 

[alan0043]

Here is a little info that I found from the FT store about your Scout not to be confused with the Scout XL.
* 2212 B size motor
* ESC 25amp
* prop 9 x 4.5 ccw
* battery 1300mAh
* CG 2.25" from leading edge of wing

I hope this can help.

 

[Merv]

Thanks! I started at ~50% throttle when chucking, and went up to ~90 -100% before it dove down.... Thrust angle - this could have been the issue, it was a bit too down i think....Rudder and Elevator are moving correctly.

I agree the thrust angle looks like too much down OR the controls are backward.

Also check the prop, make sure the numbers on the prop are facing the direction of travel. If the prop is on backwards, that is, numbers NOT facing the direction of travel, you will only get maybe 40% of the expected thrust.

Just looking at the video, it looks like controls are backward. Make sure they are correct. When you pull back on the stick, the elevator should go up. When you input left stick, the rudder should move to the left.

Do you think it will help to make the landing gear and have it fly from the ground up?

Maybe, but before I added gear, I would have someone else throw the plane. Go full throttle. Then have them throw about 20 degree upward angle, with enough force to throw a baseball about 10 yards or so. That way you can keep your hands on the sticks, ready to react to what the plane is doing.

 

[Mr NCT]

One modification I've done on the scout is to change the landing gear to the FT Sportster style. It allows for much more adjustment on the battery placement. (video starts at the landing gear portion of the build)

 

[ipoh]

Just looking at the video, it looks like controls are backward. Make sure they are correct. When you pull back on the stick, the elevator should go up. When you input left stick, the rudder should move to the left.

This ^^ !
I had it backwards in my mind.. Used to think elevator bending down would make the plane go up!!

Thanks a lot! Will need to cut open the fuse now to flip the servo.

 

[Merv]

...Will need to cut open the fuse now to flip the servo.

Maybe, but it would be much easier to just reverse the servo in the Tx.

 

[ipoh]

Maybe, but it would be much easier to just reverse the servo in the Tx.

ah.. i was wondering if there's a way to do that. let me try to figure it out.

 

[Mr Man]

What Transmitter do you use?

 

[dberg97]

Looking at a frame by frame view of you two videos, your rudder and elevator are definitely reversed. You should just need to invert your rudder and elevator channels in your transmitter.

 

[ipoh]

What Transmitter do you use?

FlySky i6x - Found this video and have reversed channel 2.
Will post an update once i'm able to try flying it again.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

I agree the thrust angle looks like too much down OR the controls are backward.

Yeah, the simple scout isn't supposed to have any thrust angle.

 

[ipoh]

Finally got the chance to try again after reversing the elevator.

Still pretty nose heavy.. Flew for a bit, then broke the prop again.

Next challenge is to bring it back home in one piece .

Thank you everyone for all the tips and advice!