Solved turbo tutor landing gear

[jbeckwit]

Just finished my first FT plane (Turbo Tutor) and have flown it a few times. Nice plane.

One problem/complaint - the landing gear is pretty flimsy - I'm a relatively new pilot and, if I don't really have the nose up on landing and land very smoothly (still a rarity for me) - it bends the gear backwards as well as pushing them outward - eventually striking (and damaging/breaking) the prop. I came up with a support (like "pants") that keeps them from bending back and a spring between the two sides.

One other point - in the video he shows taping the connectors to the tail servos. That connection gets buried in the fuselage. Unfortunately I didn't tape them well enough and one came apart. That meant cutting a hole in the bottom to reconnect them. Ultimately, I did what I've seen elsewhere - tied them in an overhand knot - and zip-tied the knot. Just a suggestion - recommend the knot method instead of just tape - given the hassle if they come loose (like when pulling the tray out.)
Good luck in 2025
John

 

[Mr NCT]

Just finished my first FT plane (Turbo Tutor) and have flown it a few times. Nice plane.

One problem/complaint - the landing gear is pretty flimsy - I'm a relatively new pilot and, if I don't really have the nose up on landing and land very smoothly (still a rarity for me) - it bends the gear backwards as well as pushing them outward - eventually striking (and damaging/breaking) the prop. I came up with a support (like "pants") that keeps them from bending back and a spring between the two sides.

One other point - in the video he shows taping the connectors to the tail servos. That connection gets buried in the fuselage. Unfortunately I didn't tape them well enough and one came apart. That meant cutting a hole in the bottom to reconnect them. Ultimately, I did what I've seen elsewhere - tied them in an overhand knot - and zip-tied the knot. Just a suggestion - recommend the knot method instead of just tape - given the hassle if they come loose (like when pulling the tray out.)
Good luck in 2025
John

Servo extensions coming loose is a common problem. If you have access to a 3D printer there are LOTS of extension locks available on thingiverse. There is also one here in the resources section.

Part - Servo Wire Extension Lock

A simple, yet perfect way to keep your servo wire extensions locked together. Easy to 3D print.

forum.flitetest.com

 

[Mr Man]

I like to do the knot method, never has failed me.

 

[Nward4887]

I have an idea folks, not sure if it fits in this thread but I'm at the completion of the FT Tutor (modified with flaps and scale navigation lighting) minus the servos and the landing gear. I have been reading how the gear can be a bit flimsy...I have a thought to buy the replacement gear set up to the HobbyZone Carbon Cub S2 or similar and or possibly the Timber Gear with tundra tires to use in place of the generic bent wire set up. I like the idea of the Turbo Timber or Timber X gear set up also with spring suspension but the added cost is just as much as the Tutor Kit it's self. On the other hand, the CC S2 gear has all the wheels and gear with strut covers, and even the tail wheel etc. Has anyone ever attempted this? The Cub gear seems to almost exactly mimic the tutor gear or vice versa.

My stronger idea is to swap out the Tutor gear wire for the Carbon Cub gear wire and add a way to screw down the two holding straps at the bottom of the fuselage in the same manner as on the Carbon Cub. Thinking about mounting some popsicle sticks along the bottom of the fuselage at the gear mounting location on the Tutor so that the two hold down straps can be fastened to something stronger than just the foamboard. The tailwheel mount would glue onto the bottom of the rudder which should hold up well without requiring much if any reinforcement. Never liked the idea of a tail skid for rc aircraft unless it's an indoor flier that never touches anything else but gymnasium floors on landing.

This "Turbo Tutor" or "Carbon Tutor" of mine I feel would be one of the few modded FT Tutors that will hopefully inspire some improvements from Flite Test or give fellow modelers some inspiration to go beyond the mold. Besides, isn't that what Flite Test was built on? Challenging the mundane and having fun doing so???

Anyways... I would love to see some input or second eyes on my ideas?!

 

[Mr Man]

I have an idea folks, not sure if it fits in this thread but I'm at the completion of the FT Tutor (modified with flaps and scale navigation lighting) minus the servos and the landing gear. I have been reading how the gear can be a bit flimsy...I have a thought to buy the replacement gear set up to the HobbyZone Carbon Cub S2 or similar and or possibly the Timber Gear with tundra tires to use in place of the generic bent wire set up. I like the idea of the Turbo Timber or Timber X gear set up also with spring suspension but the added cost is just as much as the Tutor Kit it's self. On the other hand, the CC S2 gear has all the wheels and gear with strut covers, and even the tail wheel etc. Has anyone ever attempted this? The Cub gear seems to almost exactly mimic the tutor gear or vice versa.

My stronger idea is to swap out the Tutor gear wire for the Carbon Cub gear wire and add a way to screw down the two holding straps at the bottom of the fuselage in the same manner as on the Carbon Cub. Thinking about mounting some popsicle sticks along the bottom of the fuselage at the gear mounting location on the Tutor so that the two hold down straps can be fastened to something stronger than just the foamboard. The tailwheel mount would glue onto the bottom of the rudder which should hold up well without requiring much if any reinforcement. Never liked the idea of a tail skid for rc aircraft unless it's an indoor flier that never touches anything else but gymnasium floors on landing.

This "Turbo Tutor" or "Carbon Tutor" of mine I feel would be one of the few modded FT Tutors that will hopefully inspire some improvements from Flite Test or give fellow modelers some inspiration to go beyond the mold. Besides, isn't that what Flite Test was built on? Challenging the mundane and having fun doing so???

Anyways... I would love to see some input or second eyes on my ideas?!

You can never go wrong with timber gear. Especially for a bush plane.👍

 

[Nward4887]

You can never go wrong with timber gear. Especially for a bush plane.👍

I ordered the Carbon Cub gear set last night from Amazon. I figured $20 was worth it in the wheels alone but getting the rest of the gear parts is definitely a bonus! I will definitely add here how it works out. I plan on making a small thread about the mods I've done so far to this airframe. The flaps and nav lights are gonna be another major part of the post! Should have taken more pictures during wing assembly for wire routing of the nav lights 🤷‍♂️. The flaps are gonna turn out great I hope, I have some zip style control horns and 9g metal gear servos coming with that Amazon order as well to upgrade all around the entire airframe. Should give better control and longevity, especially with the added stress of flaps etc.

 

[Mr Man]

I ordered the Carbon Cub gear set last night from Amazon. I figured $20 was worth it in the wheels alone but getting the rest of the gear parts is definitely a bonus! I will definitely add here how it works out. I plan on making a small thread about the mods I've done so far to this airframe. The flaps and nav lights are gonna be another major part of the post! Should have taken more pictures during wing assembly for wire routing of the nav lights 🤷‍♂️. The flaps are gonna turn out great I hope, I have some zip style control horns and 9g metal gear servos coming with that Amazon order as well to upgrade all around the entire airframe. Should give better control and longevity, especially with the added stress of flaps etc.

Nice!