Once upon a time, not so long ago (literally just a few weeks)...
... I decided to (once again) look into building a little quadcopter to fool around when I stumbled upon videos by some crazy guys not only having fun with simple multirotors, but also with DIY planes built from stuff called foamboard. I remembered that material, since I've used it to hang pictures on the wall now and then and how impressed I was with it's strength. And damn these guys were having fun, especially when crashing their planes straight into the ground.
Slowly their enthusiasm crept into my brain and started changing everything I always thought I knew about RC flying in general - like how expensive the planes are and that they are usually done once you lose control. But even more about the square people that call themselves RC pilots on their prestigious flying fields where only members are allowed. This was different from what I expected - a lot.
I always loved planes and flying, playing with the wind (and being played with) or at least with a simulator. I decided that it was time to start (and invest) in a new hobby.
For my multirotor plans I already went out of budget and got myself a Tim Taylor style Transmitter. I decided that I needed something with at least 6 channels, better more and ended with 16 plus telemetry (I love numbers...)
Working at the IT department of a university I had no problems with plotting the FT Flyer Swappable full size plans and found a lab where people allowed me to laser cut the firewall.
So I used my Saturday evening and started this:
Of course there were afew a lot of small problems like:
And finally I managed to glue my power pod under the inverted(!) wings while trying to give the fuselage some extra stability. This needed some chirurgical precision to "unglue"...
But problems aside - with a lot of virtual help from Josh, I managed to get to this state:
Also some questions came into my mind while building:
Next step: Fixing the above problems and getting it into the air.
... I decided to (once again) look into building a little quadcopter to fool around when I stumbled upon videos by some crazy guys not only having fun with simple multirotors, but also with DIY planes built from stuff called foamboard. I remembered that material, since I've used it to hang pictures on the wall now and then and how impressed I was with it's strength. And damn these guys were having fun, especially when crashing their planes straight into the ground.
Slowly their enthusiasm crept into my brain and started changing everything I always thought I knew about RC flying in general - like how expensive the planes are and that they are usually done once you lose control. But even more about the square people that call themselves RC pilots on their prestigious flying fields where only members are allowed. This was different from what I expected - a lot.
I always loved planes and flying, playing with the wind (and being played with) or at least with a simulator. I decided that it was time to start (and invest) in a new hobby.
For my multirotor plans I already went out of budget and got myself a Tim Taylor style Transmitter. I decided that I needed something with at least 6 channels, better more and ended with 16 plus telemetry (I love numbers...)
- Transmitter FrSky Taranis X9D Rev. b
- Receiver FrSky X8R 8/16Ch with Telemetry
- FrSky Lipo Voltage Sensor w/ S.Port
- FrSky S.Port GPS Sensor (v2)
- 2 x Multiplex Servo Nano-S (UNI) - 8g
- 1 x SimProp Electronic APC Slow Fly Prop 8x4.7
- 1 x LRP 600 mAh, 2 S, 30 C Expert Line LiPo
- 1 x HiTEC Multiplex multi charger X1mf plus
- 1 x Robbe Roxxy BL Control Micro 10A ESC
- 1 x Robbe Roxxy brushless motor 2824-26, 1380 kv
- 1 x 120 cm spring steel, 1.2 mm diameter
- 2 x Mini pushrod connector (too small for steel diameter...)
- 1 x Aircraft plywood, beech, 1.5 mm
Working at the IT department of a university I had no problems with plotting the FT Flyer Swappable full size plans and found a lab where people allowed me to laser cut the firewall.
So I used my Saturday evening and started this:
Of course there were a
- skewed cuts (looks like my free hand cuts are better than trying to push the blade along a ruler?),
- a broken BBQ skewer just after gluing it into the front,
- missing packing tape,
- missing control horns,
- soldering station in different city does not allow to solder bullet connectors
- angled motor holder
- mini pushrod connectors are too small for the steel rod
- servos too big for the hole - easily fixed, of course.
- no throw gauge
And finally I managed to glue my power pod under the inverted(!) wings while trying to give the fuselage some extra stability. This needed some chirurgical precision to "unglue"...
But problems aside - with a lot of virtual help from Josh, I managed to get to this state:
Also some questions came into my mind while building:
- What diameter are the FT BBQ skewers? Mine seem to be a lot thinner...
- Are plans for the control horns available?
- Does it make a difference on what side the control horns go (paper hinge / cut side)?
- What diameter is the gear rod?
- Josh mentions a throw gauge, but it is not on the plan. Where do I get it?
- Where is the CG on the FT Flyer?
Next step: Fixing the above problems and getting it into the air.
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