Working on a remake of the Pun Jet
- Thread starter Lob0426
- Start date
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- build lightburn mini pun jet
Houndpup Rc
Legendary member
Watch out for the BEC getting overloaded...My brother was using two 9G servos in his one plane and when he would move the sticks quickly it would restart the system. ( he has the exact same ESC)
Thanks for the warning. I am using the recommended 5G servos from Flite test. The BEC should, fingers crossed, be able to handle them. I will keep an eye on them.
Really hoping the Kfm2 will make the plane gentler and slower to fly. Most complained it needed to fly fast to fly well.
Houndpup Rc
Legendary member
Yeah you can tell just by moving the sticks around fast and if it doesn't reset you should be all good!
Houndpup Rc
Legendary member
Yeah that's what I am hoping for with my Pup lightening when I get a 1504 or 1807 or something. (The 2306 didn't work out so well being that it has a 13.5" wing span!
Mr Man
Mr SPEED!
I too have some of those esc’s and mine overloaded with 2.5g servos!!!!
A 2306 on a 13.5" Wingspan. So, do you have it doing a bullet roll right from hand launch! LOL. My Aeroscout has a 2306 2400kv and that plane can hardly fight the torque on takeoff when using a 4S. That is a 44" wingspan.Yeah that's what I am hoping for with my Pup lightening when I get a 1504 or 1807 or something. (The 2306 didn't work out so well being that it has a 13.5" wing span!
I hope mine is a bit better than that. I rapped it around hard to see if it would reset. Didn't have a problem on the ground. We will see in the air when there is a load on the elevons.
Houndpup Rc
Legendary member
It should be fine!
Flight Report:
It Flew! Had motor problems. I was only seeing about 60% of the RPM it should have been reaching. I think that ESC is just not performing. I put a 5 x 5E and flew it anyway. I only really flew it on the FC. Every time I put it in expert mode it was all over the place. For whatever reason the Global Dual/Expo settings did not seem to be working in Expert mode. I have now tied it into the Mode switch. I, for the first time ever, flew an untuned FC for a maiden. It was rocking pretty good but flying straight. The rocking made the turning circle very large. Took several adjustments, about 5 hand launches, to get it flying stable. Max speed was only about 50 to 60mph. I flew it at 60% throttle, and it was flying at about 40MPH. It was just fine under the FC, duh. More importantly it had a pretty decent glide and was not twitchy at all dead stick. I made some adjustments and stopped all the wing wagging. Landings were dead stick with a really decent glide. The question is how much of that was due to the FC. Itt lost altitude when flying at about 25mph. In glide it was just a bit nose down.
The overall take is it can fly relatively slow with the KFm2 setup. A Flight Controller like the AR630/AR631 or the Aura Lite can tame this plane right down. Hand launches were dead Straight out.
Now I need to get it adjusted to fly in expert mode without any FC input. That will come with the right Expo and Dual rate settings. You really cannot tell what it is flying like under the Flight Controller.
Need to diagnose the rpm problem. I think it is the ESC, will have to cut the Fuse open to test.
Forgot to harden the nose and vertical stabs for landing at our field. Two choices; DG or Concrete. Pretty rough on the foamboard.
Balance was neutral. The battery needs to be a bit farther forward.
The reflex is about 2mm right now. I reduced it. And the FC basically ignores the reflex anyway. It also can ignore a balance issue. It corrects to level flight.
Still a way to go to get it flying without assistance.
Let me know if you want my settings for AS3X and SAFE. They still need work if you want a really responsive flights. They are a good stable starting point.
It Flew! Had motor problems. I was only seeing about 60% of the RPM it should have been reaching. I think that ESC is just not performing. I put a 5 x 5E and flew it anyway. I only really flew it on the FC. Every time I put it in expert mode it was all over the place. For whatever reason the Global Dual/Expo settings did not seem to be working in Expert mode. I have now tied it into the Mode switch. I, for the first time ever, flew an untuned FC for a maiden. It was rocking pretty good but flying straight. The rocking made the turning circle very large. Took several adjustments, about 5 hand launches, to get it flying stable. Max speed was only about 50 to 60mph. I flew it at 60% throttle, and it was flying at about 40MPH. It was just fine under the FC, duh. More importantly it had a pretty decent glide and was not twitchy at all dead stick. I made some adjustments and stopped all the wing wagging. Landings were dead stick with a really decent glide. The question is how much of that was due to the FC. Itt lost altitude when flying at about 25mph. In glide it was just a bit nose down.
The overall take is it can fly relatively slow with the KFm2 setup. A Flight Controller like the AR630/AR631 or the Aura Lite can tame this plane right down. Hand launches were dead Straight out.
Now I need to get it adjusted to fly in expert mode without any FC input. That will come with the right Expo and Dual rate settings. You really cannot tell what it is flying like under the Flight Controller.
Need to diagnose the rpm problem. I think it is the ESC, will have to cut the Fuse open to test.
Forgot to harden the nose and vertical stabs for landing at our field. Two choices; DG or Concrete. Pretty rough on the foamboard.
Balance was neutral. The battery needs to be a bit farther forward.
The reflex is about 2mm right now. I reduced it. And the FC basically ignores the reflex anyway. It also can ignore a balance issue. It corrects to level flight.
Still a way to go to get it flying without assistance.
Let me know if you want my settings for AS3X and SAFE. They still need work if you want a really responsive flights. They are a good stable starting point.
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Houndpup Rc
Legendary member
You might need to calibrate your ESC by plugging in the battery when the stick at 100% throttle, wait for the beep and then slowly lower it and it will then calibrate it!
I tried several times. I got some minor improvement the first time. That got it to an apparent 60%.
Swapped to another same brand/rating ESC. That appears to have been the problem with the motor RPM. That ESC just has issues.
Put some skewer pieces on the bottom and vertical stabs as skids. Adjusted some of the AS3X and SAFE settings. Reduced the pitch gain settings and reduced the Priority in the controlled modes. More stick authority. More pitch control. The roll and pitch gains need some more reduction for more responsiveness.
Ready for another flight test
Latest drawing changes:
Changed the nose doublers to allow the battery more forward.
Moved the wing slot up 5mm and added 1 deg of Incidence
Corrected some errors
Attachments
Last edited:
These are the current settings in my Spektrum AR631+. These settings are common to the AR630, AR631, AR637T, AR637TA, AR8360T (others). There are additional settings available on the AR630+/AR631+/AR637TA+ (some other new +) like Stop lock features and Hand Launch assist.
These settings are very early. Example: the turning radius was really large. Roll is good but pitch was fighting me for a tight turn. I have reduced these pitch settings for the next flights. Pitch gain was at 35%. I had to rethink Stick priorities.
Current Pun Jet Settings, 18" KFm2 Foam Board Pusher (Mode 1) (Beginners mode setup)
Expo 30%
Dual rate 100
AS3X Roll Gain 22%
AS3X Pitch Gain 30%
SAFE Gains
Pitch 30%
Roll 27%
SAFE Roll Angle 75°
SAFE Pitch Angle 50°
Stick priority 140%
Heading roll 15%
Heading pitch 15%
Panic mode set
(Mode 2)
Expo 60%
Dual rate 80
AS3X Roll Gain 22%
AS3X Pitch Gain 30%
SAFE Gains
Pitch 30%
Roll 27%
SAFE Roll Angle 85°
SAFE Pitch Angle 75°
Stick priority 160%
Heading roll 15%
Heading pitch 15%
Panic mode 1
(Mode 3) TOTALLY MANUAL FLIGHT MODE
Expo 70%
Dual rate 60%
No AS3X, No SAFE
Panic available set Mode 1
"Plus" RX specific settings
Stop Lock 30
Stop Release 30
Hand Launch Assist
HLA Flight mode (set to Mode 1) Must be in Flight mode 1 for HLA to activate!
Threshold G's 1.5
Threshold Throttle 40%
Duration 2s
Pitch Offset 15deg
These settings are initial after Maiden flights. Still needs adjustments for way better responsiveness. It is overly stable with these current settings. A novice could launch and fly this thing right now in Mode 1 and Mode 2! LOL
These settings are very early. Example: the turning radius was really large. Roll is good but pitch was fighting me for a tight turn. I have reduced these pitch settings for the next flights. Pitch gain was at 35%. I had to rethink Stick priorities.
Current Pun Jet Settings, 18" KFm2 Foam Board Pusher (Mode 1) (Beginners mode setup)
Expo 30%
Dual rate 100
AS3X Roll Gain 22%
AS3X Pitch Gain 30%
SAFE Gains
Pitch 30%
Roll 27%
SAFE Roll Angle 75°
SAFE Pitch Angle 50°
Stick priority 140%
Heading roll 15%
Heading pitch 15%
Panic mode set
(Mode 2)
Expo 60%
Dual rate 80
AS3X Roll Gain 22%
AS3X Pitch Gain 30%
SAFE Gains
Pitch 30%
Roll 27%
SAFE Roll Angle 85°
SAFE Pitch Angle 75°
Stick priority 160%
Heading roll 15%
Heading pitch 15%
Panic mode 1
(Mode 3) TOTALLY MANUAL FLIGHT MODE
Expo 70%
Dual rate 60%
No AS3X, No SAFE
Panic available set Mode 1
"Plus" RX specific settings
Stop Lock 30
Stop Release 30
Hand Launch Assist
HLA Flight mode (set to Mode 1) Must be in Flight mode 1 for HLA to activate!
Threshold G's 1.5
Threshold Throttle 40%
Duration 2s
Pitch Offset 15deg
These settings are initial after Maiden flights. Still needs adjustments for way better responsiveness. It is overly stable with these current settings. A novice could launch and fly this thing right now in Mode 1 and Mode 2! LOL
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Dealt with another part of the throttle problem last night. I bought this DX8e radio used. It has had a bounce at the top and bottom of the throttle since I received it. That was starting to get worse. I disassembled the radio and found it had been opened before and not reassembled properly. There is a bar in the back that adjusts Flight mode settings. that bar connects to bars at each set of gimbals. The right side was right the throttle side was not engaged. So, the spring lever was not lifted completely out of engagement. I fixed that issue and found the two fingered spring was not bent correctly for the throttle.
Reassembled it correctly and then adjusted the throttle detent and throttle drag. Now I get full throttle every time without holding it all up.
Reassembled it correctly and then adjusted the throttle detent and throttle drag. Now I get full throttle every time without holding it all up.
Cut out two pun jets today. One Black, one White. Mix and match for better visibility. Debating on digging out an E-flite Smart ESC to see what the draw is on plane in flight. I would have to switch out the battery connector. Need to get some more flight time on the completed one. More adjustments. The main difference, between the flying one and these, is in the wing, added 1 deg of incidence and shortened vertical stabs.
I got in a few more flight on the Pun Jet Saturday.
3S 1100mah
5x3R
AR631+ Spektrum RX
Flight weight approx. 8.1oz
plane version 2.4
3mm reflex
116 sq in, wing loading 10.06oz sq ft, Cubic loading 11.2oz Sq Ft.
I had reduced the pitch gains to 30 and raised the roll gain to 27 The plane was wagging its wings and twitchy in pitch. I landed and reduced roll rate to 24. The second flight the plane was stable in roll and pitch was still twitchy. I end up in the trees. After some hot glue I increased the pitch to 35. The plane now flew in stable flight. I also changed the SAFE gains as I changed the AS3X gains. The plane flew in level flight at about 45% throttle. Dead stick created decent of about 15deg. 10% throttle changed the slope to about 5 to 8deg. landings were at about 20 to 25mph, though I know it can be a bit slower.
It needs a relatively fast flight speed to maintain level flight. with the 5x3 I have to fly around half throttle or above for any decent maneuvers. The KFm2 helps but this plane still needs speed to fly decently. I am going to move up to a 5x4. With the 1806 2280kv this plane has long flight times even with the higher throttle needed. with an 100mah I flew for at least 10 minutes in 3 flights, the first two were pretty short. I just checked the battery, and it was at 64%
Still no luck at getting into "expert mode". On shutting off the flight control the plane immediately goes into a climb and right roll, even at dead stick. There is no time to trim as it heads for the ground. Roll rate is phenomenal even though it is at 7 0% expo and 60% rates. I will have to lower the rates to about 40% in expert. Full deflection is only about 20deg full up to full down.
The plane is really twitchy in pitch. I believe this is due to it being very evenly balanced. It is dead level with the battery all the way forward. Adding the KFm2 to it has probably moved the balance point forward some. I need to add some nose weight and see how it flies then. Maybe stick the FPV camera on it!
OR, better yet, move it to the newest airframe (V2.5.1) and continue with that. I have one almost done (Fuse, Canopy, wing, wingtips, KFM panels) and the other has a completed Fuse and canopy. Mixed and matched Black and white parts. I went with a modified KFm2 and beveled the trailing edge of the panel for lower drag.
If you want a short and easy landing with the Spektrum FC rx's , cut the throttle, then just pull full up after you line up on the runway (if you have a SAFE mode). With the right altitude it will dead stick into a decent landing. The Receiver will not let your plane stall! Landing a Pun Jet normally this plane slides about 10 to 15 feet. If you pull full up and come in on the FC it slides like 3 feet. That is how I know it will land slower then I can land it.
When I help a new pilot, I show them they cannot stall the plane (Aeroscout S2 modded) in beginner or intermediate modes. I also use this to get them their first successful landing. It isn't the proper way to land a plane! But it builds their confidence that they can land the plane safely. My motto, take offs are optional, Landings are mandatory! Of course, I recommend you try this first at a safe altitude for your plane before trying it in landing. And it is best if it is a sport plane.
Summary:
I really think the Niche for this plane is as a small FPV. It has a good flight time, easy to fly with a FC and is really small. Can be very fast. It still needs a bit of fine tuning in gains, and the balance issue needs to be addressed. The balance issue will probably be solved as a FPV with the added weight forward.
3S 1100mah
5x3R
AR631+ Spektrum RX
Flight weight approx. 8.1oz
plane version 2.4
3mm reflex
116 sq in, wing loading 10.06oz sq ft, Cubic loading 11.2oz Sq Ft.
I had reduced the pitch gains to 30 and raised the roll gain to 27 The plane was wagging its wings and twitchy in pitch. I landed and reduced roll rate to 24. The second flight the plane was stable in roll and pitch was still twitchy. I end up in the trees. After some hot glue I increased the pitch to 35. The plane now flew in stable flight. I also changed the SAFE gains as I changed the AS3X gains. The plane flew in level flight at about 45% throttle. Dead stick created decent of about 15deg. 10% throttle changed the slope to about 5 to 8deg. landings were at about 20 to 25mph, though I know it can be a bit slower.
It needs a relatively fast flight speed to maintain level flight. with the 5x3 I have to fly around half throttle or above for any decent maneuvers. The KFm2 helps but this plane still needs speed to fly decently. I am going to move up to a 5x4. With the 1806 2280kv this plane has long flight times even with the higher throttle needed. with an 100mah I flew for at least 10 minutes in 3 flights, the first two were pretty short. I just checked the battery, and it was at 64%
Still no luck at getting into "expert mode". On shutting off the flight control the plane immediately goes into a climb and right roll, even at dead stick. There is no time to trim as it heads for the ground. Roll rate is phenomenal even though it is at 7 0% expo and 60% rates. I will have to lower the rates to about 40% in expert. Full deflection is only about 20deg full up to full down.
The plane is really twitchy in pitch. I believe this is due to it being very evenly balanced. It is dead level with the battery all the way forward. Adding the KFm2 to it has probably moved the balance point forward some. I need to add some nose weight and see how it flies then. Maybe stick the FPV camera on it!
OR, better yet, move it to the newest airframe (V2.5.1) and continue with that. I have one almost done (Fuse, Canopy, wing, wingtips, KFM panels) and the other has a completed Fuse and canopy. Mixed and matched Black and white parts. I went with a modified KFm2 and beveled the trailing edge of the panel for lower drag.
If you want a short and easy landing with the Spektrum FC rx's , cut the throttle, then just pull full up after you line up on the runway (if you have a SAFE mode). With the right altitude it will dead stick into a decent landing. The Receiver will not let your plane stall! Landing a Pun Jet normally this plane slides about 10 to 15 feet. If you pull full up and come in on the FC it slides like 3 feet. That is how I know it will land slower then I can land it.
When I help a new pilot, I show them they cannot stall the plane (Aeroscout S2 modded) in beginner or intermediate modes. I also use this to get them their first successful landing. It isn't the proper way to land a plane! But it builds their confidence that they can land the plane safely. My motto, take offs are optional, Landings are mandatory! Of course, I recommend you try this first at a safe altitude for your plane before trying it in landing. And it is best if it is a sport plane.
Summary:
I really think the Niche for this plane is as a small FPV. It has a good flight time, easy to fly with a FC and is really small. Can be very fast. It still needs a bit of fine tuning in gains, and the balance issue needs to be addressed. The balance issue will probably be solved as a FPV with the added weight forward.
Attachments
Last edited:
Zoom Master
Elite member
Looks pretty good ngl !
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