BayDesigns
Active member
If it's any consolation, the real F-117 would enter a tumble without flight computers!
Doesn't look like a write-off to me.
What did you crash today
- Thread starter Damig
- Start date
Doesn't look like a write-off to me.
Matagami Designs
Master member
I replaced the nose and re-evaluated the CG and got it flying again. What is it about the full scale plane that makes it so unstable?
BayDesigns
Active member
That’s great! IIRC the reason for the instability is the combination of weird angles and the wing configuration- the tail surfaces aren’t all that large, and the wing is swept at such a severe angle. It has no dihedral or really anything except for its control surfaces to keep it stable- the way I see it, if it had none of the funky facets, it would not be inherently stable, but not would it be inherently unstable- but the angles and facets add to the instability. This is just my take on it, though, and I could very easily be wrong.
Crawford Bros. Aeroplanes
Legendary member
They build them slightly tail heavy too, not just the Nighthawk but most fighters. The computer adds input to make it manageable for the pilot and the instability translates into lightning fast turns.
PlaneFlyer36
New member
Mini f22 with big motor not enough reflex and way to fast into the grass it went.
BayDesigns
Active member
Didn't know that, but it makes sense. The Nighthawk doesn't strike me as particularly maneuverable, it's not even A/A capable.
Stress Test
Well-known member
!!!! Nerd alert !!!!
Around 1964 A Soviet mathematician figured out that you could calculate radar return based on edges. Short version, a planes radar cross section could be reduced drastically but the design would be aerodynamically unstable.
Look at the real thing, all those sharp edges and angled planes to reflect / absorb radar can't be conductive to stability.
Computer flight assist was years in the future. This unstable design would fly, but not with out help.
I am really impressed that you can fly that one. Does it have a flight assist in it?
If you wonder why this catches my eye its because I live near Whiteman AFB where the B-2 are stationed, so I see stealth aircraft quite a bit. Also we had A-10's over the plant the other day. An Army unit was moved in a few years ago too, so sometimes I see Apache AH 64D's but not as often.
The other day I was wondering about the gliders they built here in WW2, I think I need to look for plans.
Matagami Designs
Master member
No flight assist. It really isnt all that bad to fly. Id say it's not very maneuverable though it does sound the best of all my planes and has a good presence in the air.
I see what you mean about the hard edges, that cant be good for preventing boundary layer separation. And as others have said I do think they made it slightly tail heavy.
I was watching a history channel special on them and found out the reason they were designated F for fighter is to get the top fighter pilots interested in flying them... As if calling it an A-117 would make them less worthy of a top gun skilled pilot. 😂
chris398mx
Master member
yes, like giving me an update on the fiberglassing project! LOL
Mr_Stripes
Elite member
Well I only crash my whoop 1-3 times per flight because I am really reckless and pushing it when I fly it. But then what else is turtle mode for?
bwarz
Master member
This evening I joined the club of the post-hitters. From the far end of the football field.... full throttle recovering from buddy boxing my 9 year old...
hit a 2" pole with the prop nut 😆🤣😂
We laughed all the way across the field... and while searching for pieces (took a bit to locate what was left of the motor)... and all the way back.
...not a scratch anywhere else on the plane 😆🤣😂
I'm so glad we could laugh about it! The battery is damaged beyond safe use and the motor is just as toasted
but oh well! She looks easy enough to repair.
So he grabbed his mini scout and flew it pretty well. He even landed it! So some tragedy, a ton of laughter and smiles, and ended on a good flight!
hit a 2" pole with the prop nut 😆🤣😂
We laughed all the way across the field... and while searching for pieces (took a bit to locate what was left of the motor)... and all the way back.
...not a scratch anywhere else on the plane 😆🤣😂
I'm so glad we could laugh about it! The battery is damaged beyond safe use and the motor is just as toasted
but oh well! She looks easy enough to repair. So he grabbed his mini scout and flew it pretty well. He even landed it! So some tragedy, a ton of laughter and smiles, and ended on a good flight!
Hondo76251
Legendary member
bwarz
Master member
nice vids! I do feel just like I joined an elite club 😆 I just took a look at the motor thinking maybe I just buried the bearing. Nope! Shattered 4 magnets and dislodged all but one! At least now I've got magnets to hold on my canopies 😆🤣
Hondo76251
Legendary member
Oh Dang, got 'er good then!! I've bent a few but I've never killed one that bad, that is an elite club!
Glad it was all in good fun, your plane is a lot prettier than what I fly! lolCrashed the tiny trainer yesterday....
High speed low pass with trees blocking view a bit, plus it was flying towards me, so I had to turn backwards to make it go where I want. A bit ambitious for my second flight, I know. Add a sudden gust that caused sideslip and the ingredients are all there. I corrected in the wrong direction (facepalm) and hit the ground, wing first.
Damage: Snapped wing (rebuild), destroyed powerpod (rebuild), and power nose holders damaged too.
High speed low pass with trees blocking view a bit, plus it was flying towards me, so I had to turn backwards to make it go where I want. A bit ambitious for my second flight, I know. Add a sudden gust that caused sideslip and the ingredients are all there. I corrected in the wrong direction (facepalm) and hit the ground, wing first.
Damage: Snapped wing (rebuild), destroyed powerpod (rebuild), and power nose holders damaged too.
Attachments
good videos Hondo
Hondo76251
Legendary member
Thanks! Should come with a disclaimer, *not for instructional purposes* 🤪 Dont do the dumb things i do! 😂
quorneng
Master member
My crash was entirely my own fault.
I was flying the Endurance in cold, calm conditions, with bright low sunlight and the wind behind me. Nice for visibility but to land into wind meant I would have to fly up sun or do the circuit and approach all in front of me and face a long walk to retrieve. They were a bank of tree behind me so I wondered if there was room to sneak in low in the shadow of the trees, a low final turn and land into wind close by me.
The answer was no! I misjudged the distance on the cross wind leg and just hit a substantial branch in a bush. No leaves to cushion the impact at tis time of year so it broke off the right wing retained only by the aileron servo wire!
Repairs under way but this shows the impact point.
It actually broke the spar as well hence the complete wing break.
It will all mend.
The annoying bit is I had masses of room to make a perfectly normal landing but I was lazy and didn't want to walk!
I was flying the Endurance in cold, calm conditions, with bright low sunlight and the wind behind me. Nice for visibility but to land into wind meant I would have to fly up sun or do the circuit and approach all in front of me and face a long walk to retrieve. They were a bank of tree behind me so I wondered if there was room to sneak in low in the shadow of the trees, a low final turn and land into wind close by me.
The answer was no! I misjudged the distance on the cross wind leg and just hit a substantial branch in a bush. No leaves to cushion the impact at tis time of year so it broke off the right wing retained only by the aileron servo wire!
Repairs under way but this shows the impact point.
It actually broke the spar as well hence the complete wing break.
It will all mend.
The annoying bit is I had masses of room to make a perfectly normal landing but I was lazy and didn't want to walk!
