*Unofficial* FT Tutor

[Winglet]

Yep, that line is on purpose. You need the gap to get the dihedral correct.

 

[Taildragger]

MO POWA!

 

[Spitfire76]

Just noticed that there is no hinge line marked on the plan for the fuselage's A doublers. Josh shows it at about 4 mins into the FT Tutor's body build video.

Watched the rest of the video and can't see the purpose of that hinge line on the A doublers - is it on the SBK anyone ?

 

[SSgt Duramax]

Is anyone gonna put on edfs for a turbo toot?

 

[AIRFORGE]

Just noticed that there is no hinge line marked on the plan for the fuselage's A doublers. Josh shows it at about 4 mins into the FT Tutor's body build video.

Watched the rest of the video and can't see the purpose of that hinge line on the A doublers - is it on the SBK anyone ?

The "hinge line" is only on the SBK. It is there because the foam board is folded at that point simply to make the SBK more compact for shipping. In other builds with "hinge lines", the hinge is glued.

 

[Spitfire76]

In the build video for the FT Tutor wings Josh says that the aileron servo arms should be set one notch off center toward the leading edge. In the live community build he explains a bit more why this should be done but I didn't really understand it fully. I believe it has something todo with the yaw when the plane rolls. He mentioned that mixing some rudder with the ailerons would have the same effect and that could be configured in the TX or the Aura. If I do that can the servo arms be centered ?.

He also mentioned that the Aura's level assist mode does not like the self leveling effect of the dihedral so should I build wings without dihedral if using the Aura ?. Maybe that's why my FT Bronco flies so well with the Aura as its wings are straight.

 

[AIRFORGE]

In the build video for the FT Tutor wings Josh says that the aileron servo arms should be set one notch off center toward the leading edge. In the live community build he explains a bit more why this should be done but I didn't really understand it fully. I believe it has something todo with the yaw when the plane rolls. He mentioned that mixing some rudder with the ailerons would have the same effect and that could be configured in the TX or the Aura. If I do that can the servo arms be centered ?.

He also mentioned that the Aura's level assist mode does not like the self leveling effect of the dihedral so should I build wings without dihedral if using the Aura ?. Maybe that's why my FT Bronco flies so well with the Aura as its wings are straight.

The way Josh did it in the build video, with the horns centered slightly forward, the "up" aileron has more travel, creates more drag than the "down" ail, and assists in yawing/turning the plane in a similar way to mixing rudder, which reduces adverse yaw.

If you mix rudder, you can align the servo horns to center. That's my preference, but sometimes I like to setup a flight mode to turn off the mix, too.

You can try lowering the gains on the Aura to reduce any "arguments" between it, and wing dihedral.

 

[Winglet]

You can also accomplish the same thing without an Aura if you are using a six channel computer radio. Just set more UP aileron then down. I did it. Really makes it fly nicer.

 

[HGCLOBO]

Thanks for the info, what about build time? is this also a simpler/faster model to build?

Comparisons are being made to the FT Simple Cub. I have the Cub. The darn thing ends up on it's nose on most landings. Made dozens of landings with my Tutor today on grass and not one nose over. The airplane flys MUCH better than the Cub. I will probably never fly my Cub again. FT has a winner here!

 

[Intashu]

Got out to the field for our tutor maidens. First flight for mine (blue/white and my sisters black/orange. And third flight for my father's American themed.

Went with the new flight test motor intended for the master series warbirds.. And gotta say, that beast has POWAH. on 4s it's a monster for these plans.

Overall they flew great, sisters needed physically bent in alieron throw to fly straight, father's plane did a weird knifes edge twist with ailerons if not flying full throttle... And mine... Well... I'll get there in a moment.

 

[Intashu]

So even with a paint stick spar.. 4s at full throttle, pulling UP was a bad idea.. It snapped the stick and clapped so hard I heard it cross field... and then fell about 150 feet out of the air.

Buried the motor Completly. Stabbed the lipo on the back of the motor shaft (surprised it didnt burst into flames but I'm retiring that lipo) and ran the entire motor into the ground.

I uh.... I need a new wing I imagine! Going with a carbon fiber spar this time.. But the body held up great, a real testament to how durable the thick fuselage is. Easily repaired!

 

[Aslansmonkey]

Another couple shots of the Tutor Trio. My American themed one weirdly slides in left turns but turns right fine. I think there's something wrong with the wing.

I'm a air crew member with the FTCA so I have the plans and will remake the wing. This time with longer ailerons and no flaps (I plan to try flaperons).

Watching my son's fly on 4s was amazing. I remember thinking "he's gonna fold a wing" and was about to tell him that...when he folded a wing.

Real amazing how little damage it took though.

 

[Matthewdupreez]

Another couple shots of the Tutor Trio. My American themed one weirdly slides in left turns but turns right fine. I think there's something wrong with the wing.

I'm a air crew member with the FTCA so I have the plans and will remake the wing. This time with longer ailerons and no flaps (I plan to try flaperons).

Watching my son's fly on 4s was amazing. I remember thinking "he's gonna fold a wing" and was about to tell him that...when he folded a wing.

Real amazing how little damage it took though.

@Aslansmonkey you're @Intashu 's dad right???

 

[Aslansmonkey]

@Aslansmonkey you're @Intashu 's dad right???

Yes, though either side retains the right to deny the relationship.

 

[Matthewdupreez]

Yes, though either side retains the right to deny the relationship.

Lol😂😂😂... Good to see a family enjoying flight together.
That's what ft is all about, making memories with people we love, and making new friends.

 

[Aslansmonkey]

Lol😂😂😂... Good to see a family enjoying flight together.
That's what ft is all about, making memories with people we love, and making new friends.

I agree, my son (my eldest of three) and I started flying some time ago and decided these foamboard planes were the way to go since the inevitable "accidents" were cheap to repair and the airframes cheap to replace. We had many such accidents before we got the hang of it. My son's first successful "learning" plane was the Bushwacker. Mine was the cub. The longest in my hanger, however, was/is the scout (I'm on my second now).

We recently dragged my other son and daughter into the fold (all my kids are adults...at least biologically, mentally I'm less sure about). The other son started with a Hobby Zone mini AeroScout (foam pusher plane RFT) though he's yet to get any real flying time in it due to battery issues (I used most of his first battery trimming it and proving to him it WOULD fly).

My daughter built a few test airframes and finally built an Old Fogey as her first with actual gear in it. My eldest and I built Old Fogey's with her to make it a family affair. Her's didn't actually fly well (she was still learning the build techniques). My eldest and I engaged ours in glorious air combat! Yes, it was truly glorious, until the mid air collision, then it was SPECTACTULAR!!! The radio gear from my Fogey is what's in the Tutor now.

My daughter was able to fly her tutor (the black and orange one) yesterday. We built it 3 channel and it suffers a lot of left turn. So much so that we maxed out the right trim and she still had to keep on the right stick. We're going to add ailerons on it just to use them to counter the turn and have her stick with the 3 channel flying for a bit. Then we'll swap the wires on the ailerons and rudder and she can experience true flying.

@Intashu's son, my only grandchild, has the Stem Micro Transport and has flown it a few times. At 10, it doesn't hold the fascination for him that the Nintendo Switch does, however, so he generally doesn't fly with us much.

 

[Matthewdupreez]

I agree, my son (my eldest of three) and I started flying some time ago and decided these foamboard planes were the way to go since the inevitable "accidents" were cheap to repair and the airframes cheap to replace. We had many such accidents before we got the hang of it. My son's first successful "learning" plane was the Bushwacker. Mine was the cub. The longest in my hanger, however, was/is the scout (I'm on my second now).

We recently dragged my other son and daughter into the fold (all my kids are adults...at least biologically, mentally I'm less sure about). The other son started with a Hobby Zone mini AeroScout (foam pusher plane RFT) though he's yet to get any real flying time in it due to battery issues (I used most of his first battery trimming it and proving to him it WOULD fly).

My daughter built a few test airframes and finally built an Old Fogey as her first with actual gear in it. My eldest and I built Old Fogey's with her to make it a family affair. Her's didn't actually fly well (she was still learning the build techniques). My eldest and I engaged ours in glorious air combat! Yes, it was truly glorious, until the mid air collision, then it was SPECTACTULAR!!! The radio gear from my Fogey is what's in the Tutor now.

My daughter was able to fly her tutor (the black and orange one) yesterday. We built it 3 channel and it suffers a lot of left turn. So much so that we maxed out the right trim and she still had to keep on the right stick. We're going to add ailerons on it just to use them to counter the turn and have her stick with the 3 channel flying for a bit. Then we'll swap the wires on the ailerons and rudder and she can experience true flying.

@Intashu's son, my only grandchild, has the Stem Micro Transport and has flown it a few times. At 10, it doesn't hold the fascination for him that the Nintendo Switch does, however, so he generally doesn't fly with us much.

Just a thought for the tutor... Your daughter's one...
Try adding a couple of washers between the motor and the firewall ... To angle the motor to the right and a little down...
That should help tremendously.
I would leave it as a 3ch... But add the thrust angle

 

[Matthewdupreez]

I agree, my son (my eldest of three) and I started flying some time ago and decided these foamboard planes were the way to go since the inevitable "accidents" were cheap to repair and the airframes cheap to replace. We had many such accidents before we got the hang of it. My son's first successful "learning" plane was the Bushwacker. Mine was the cub. The longest in my hanger, however, was/is the scout (I'm on my second now).

We recently dragged my other son and daughter into the fold (all my kids are adults...at least biologically, mentally I'm less sure about). The other son started with a Hobby Zone mini AeroScout (foam pusher plane RFT) though he's yet to get any real flying time in it due to battery issues (I used most of his first battery trimming it and proving to him it WOULD fly).

My daughter built a few test airframes and finally built an Old Fogey as her first with actual gear in it. My eldest and I built Old Fogey's with her to make it a family affair. Her's didn't actually fly well (she was still learning the build techniques). My eldest and I engaged ours in glorious air combat! Yes, it was truly glorious, until the mid air collision, then it was SPECTACTULAR!!! The radio gear from my Fogey is what's in the Tutor now.

My daughter was able to fly her tutor (the black and orange one) yesterday. We built it 3 channel and it suffers a lot of left turn. So much so that we maxed out the right trim and she still had to keep on the right stick. We're going to add ailerons on it just to use them to counter the turn and have her stick with the 3 channel flying for a bit. Then we'll swap the wires on the ailerons and rudder and she can experience true flying.

@Intashu's son, my only grandchild, has the Stem Micro Transport and has flown it a few times. At 10, it doesn't hold the fascination for him that the Nintendo Switch does, however, so he generally doesn't fly with us much.

Amazing 👍... I am hoping to get my parents into the hobby... 😏...... First I've got to start flying and not crashing....
Ok rains stopped... Got to go fly now.
Ciao

 

[Aslansmonkey]

Just a thought for the tutor... Your daughter's one...
Try adding a couple of washers between the motor and the firewall ... To angle the motor to the right and a little down...
That should help tremendously.
I would leave it as a 3ch... But add the thrust angle

Not a bad idea. I had to add a washer to my tutor, for the same reason come to think of it. My son didn't, but then he put a more powerful motor in (which led to his wing folding).

 

[skipdg]

Would it maybe be possible to purchase the plans from flitetest