Now that I have built a quadcopter, I am considering trying a plane. I have shortlisted the Flite Test scratch build series. I would like to start off with a smaller plane since I have limited flying space (24 inch span). I have decided to build one of these planes using Laminated Depron:
1. The FT Flyer (or Nutball)
2. The FT Mini Scout (Or Speedster).
I need some advice as to which of these I should go for. I would appreciate any other suggestions as well. I am not sure whether to go for the Swappables or Mighty Minis. I am completely new to scratch building and planes in general. I have some knowledge of RC electronics/ power and control systems etc. and I have been watching the FT Beginners Series. I would like to choose a model based on ease of building and flying and also it should be able to fly in relatively limited space.
Don't use laminated foam it's heavy.
As for the plane go for the blubaby 24 scaled or not scaled your wish.
I thought the foam used in FT builds was laminated with paper? What sort of foam would I need for the Blu Baby and where do I get it?
double side Laminated foam is better
Actually, you can even look at the Old Fogey or the Speedster.
Check out the video of the FT-Speedster
Thank you for the suggestions sir. The only problem is that these planes have a larger wingspan and for me, space is somewhat limited. I am now seriously considering the FT flyer since it is supposed to be easier to fly than the Nutball though not as easy to build. i am going to get some Depron ASAP and build the plane before I get the electronics. Does anybody know where I can get ply for making the firewall? Are there any other materials I can use. Also, what do I use to make the control horns and where do I get the push rods?
As for what foam you should use, nitesh is right. Laminated foam is heavy.
Flite Test uses Dollar tree Foam which is pretty good quality. In India, the laminated foam we get is pretty heavy compared to Dollar tree foam and thus FliteTest planes made with laminated foam do not fly well (Look at Sanjay Rai sir's @sanjayrai55 FT-Spitfire and FT-Racer builds)
If you are building a FliteTest model, I would suggest using unlaminated Depron and covering the outer side (Only one side) with clear packing tape. It's pretty strong and light as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpIdJX5Jagw#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpIdJX5Jagw#ws)
Thanks for the tips sir. The only place I have found with Depron in stock is Edall Hobby and they have Depron either laminated in paper or PVC. WOuld this work? http://www.edallhobby.com/en/building-materials/587-high-density-thermocol25-mm-.html?search_query=depron&results=2 (http://www.edallhobby.com/en/building-materials/587-high-density-thermocol25-mm-.html?search_query=depron&results=2) I have also sent a PM to foamybuilder. I hope to get some unlaminated Depron from him.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1351237 (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1351237)
Cycle wheel spokes make very good push rods. They are available at any cycle shop near you. Not very expensive and are pretty stiff. They are 2mm in dia.
http://www.rcindia.org/tools-materials-and-building-techniques/material-sources-in-bangalore/msg205278/#msg205278 (http://www.rcindia.org/tools-materials-and-building-techniques/material-sources-in-bangalore/msg205278/#msg205278)
Quote from: maahinberi on December 04, 2014, 06:35:59 PM
........ FliteTest planes made with laminated foam do not fly well (Look at Sanjay Rai sir's @sanjayrai55 FT-Spitfire and
The Spitfire flew and still flies very well! The Racer did not ;D
The Baby Blender was built with 70% Paper Laminated foamboard - it flies well still.
Sir, but Spitfire was heavier than expected. Slow fly models will not fly well if they turn out to be heavy
That was because of the Landing gear and the LG mount. The original did not have it
I had seen the thread of material sources already, the dealer mentioned has a minimum order quantity of 5 sheets. How does 32 kg/ m3 compare with the foam being used by the experienced builders here?
Ah, I'm sorry
There is nothing to be sorry about sir, any help is always appreciated :hatsoff:
I was under the impression that it was the laminated foam board that caused Sanjay Sir's Spitfire to be heavy and hence was apologizing for my mistake. :-\
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
It would have been lighter with plain biofoam.
But then it would not have survived a single landing on our field :giggle:
Hahahaha yeah. We have a very bumpy and rocky runway.
@SK1701,
I would suggest the FT Flyer. From what I've seen, it is more stable than the nutball.
Do you have the electronics for it?
If yes, then posting the electronics you have will help people in suggesting a model which would fly with those electronics.
If you don't have electronics, then you should go with parts that will be of use to you in future as well. If you go with tthe Mighty Mini Series, and buy electronics for those, later you may not be able to upgrade to bigger planes without buying new parts.
Thanks. Its time to watch the build video and get an idea of how the build goes.
Ok. I have decided on the FT Flyer. I am going to get some Depron from foamybuilder here in Bangalore and these are the parts I am planning to buy:
HexTronix 24 gram 1300 kv outrunner
Red Brick 20 Amp ESC
Avionic AV9A servos
WolfPack White 900 mAh 25C 11.1V
8x3.8 prop and 3mm prop saver
2.1 mm linkage stoppers (will they fit the servo?)
Is this setup OK? I would like a confirmation before ordering.
Well I built this plane and am using 2s 1300mah lipo with avionics motors and emax servos don't ue the redbrick 20amp it's costly at 750 get a better one for 680 from rcdhamaka.
Yes use the linkage stoppers.
You will have to melt the servo horn for fitting anything into it.
if want any help building pm me.
You would need a bigger ground for flying this thing.
Yeah, setup seems fine.
Where are you buying the parts from?
I have a pretty large space to fly, just not enough for something like the Skysurfer. Thanks for the help. The Red Brick is lighter than the Flightline ESC. I also prefer ordering from RCMumbai since I am anyway ordering a lot of heat shrink tubing from them (amazing prices on heat shrink). How much did your LiPo weigh? Did your plane fly? I chose the 900 mAh since 3S is recommended for this motor and this is closest to the weight recommended by Flite Test.
I am going to buy the ESC and misc. heat shrink from RCMumbai.
I got 2mm bullet connectors and 30 mm heat shrink (for ESC customisation) from Indian.Hobby.Shop on Ebay
The servos, props, LiPo and a servo tester from RCBazaar.
Linkage stoppers, prop savers and maybe an X-Acto foam board cutter from Vibrant Hobbies.
Depron from RCIndia user foamybuilder (have to go pick some up from him)
Finally, I am planning to get the motor either from Vibrant Hobbies or a user on this forum.
I plan to use a piece of copper clad board (after etching away the copper) for the firewall. I will get the push rods from a cycle store as advised.
Just one suggestion.
Rather than the HexTronik 24g motor, I would suggest buying an Emax CF2822 motor.
It is a MUCH more versatile motor. You'll be able to use this motor on bigger builds as well (If you plan to build something else in the future). It's always best to look at future options as well. Getting a versatile motor will mean that you won't have to buy a new motor for every plane you plan to build.
The cf2822 will only be about 10-15g heavier than the HexTronic one. It's cheaper, and with the 8x3.8 prop, it will give you about the same power (maybe slightly more) as the Hextronic one.
Not to mention, it's available with RcMumbai, VibrantHobbies and RcDhamaka
This motor is cheap and can provide a lot of thrust. I was just concerned about the weight and also whether it will fit in the Swappable Power Pod. Plus, since it is my first build, I was picky about following the directions. If you think it will work with the setup I described, I will definitely go for this motor.
I don't think 15g extra would matter much. And yeah, there's no problem in it fitting the power pod. I've used 28mm motors with the FT powerpod without any problem
Thanks. So I am now going to go with the EMAX CF2822. I already have an Avionic RCB6i Tx. I also wanted to ask if I can use 2mm bullet connectors for my motor to ESC connections since they can handle upto 20 Amps and this motor draws up to 17 amps.
2mm is fine, to be used with this motor.
So I have ordered the EMAX CF2822 1200 kv motor with a Red Brick 20 Amp ESC. Is this power setup OK? I had ordered 8x3.8 props but I saw on this website http://www.headsuphobby.com/Emax-CF2822-1300kv-Outrunner-Brushless-Motor-E-510.htm (http://www.headsuphobby.com/Emax-CF2822-1300kv-Outrunner-Brushless-Motor-E-510.htm) that with this prop, it generates 25 oz (710 grams) thrust. This seems way too much for this plane so should I pick up a smaller prop like a 7x3 or 7x4 (420 grams thrust)? Otherwise, should I build the plane and check the weight before getting another prop. I read that a thrust:weight ratio of 1:1 is recommended for a trainer type plane.
710g with an 8x3.8 seems too much.
http://www.ecalc.ch/motorcalc.php?ecalc&lang=en (http://www.ecalc.ch/motorcalc.php?ecalc&lang=en)
This site says it'll be 550g with the 8x3.8.
You don't need 1:1 ratio on a trainer. Even 0.75 would fly perfect.
Get a 7x4 in case you're still doubtful.
Hey sk,
Good choice,
Best luck.
Quote from: maahinberi on December 08, 2014, 07:26:01 PM
710g with an 8x3.8 seems too much.
http://www.ecalc.ch/motorcalc.php?ecalc&lang=en (http://www.ecalc.ch/motorcalc.php?ecalc&lang=en)
This site says it'll be 550g with the 8x3.8.
You don't need 1:1 ratio on a trainer. Even 0.75 would fly perfect.
Get a 7x4 in case you're still doubtful.
Thanks for checking sir. I don't see this motor on eCalc, can you please include a screenshot.
Since ecalc is a demo version, they give only a subset of their motors at a time. Refresh the page and try to see if the motor you are looking for shows up. Keep refreshing till you find the motor. I refresh about 10 times before concluding that the motor is not there in their database.
P.S. Online calculators are purely theoretical and can only give you a very rough estimate. Actual observed values may vary.
Oh yes! After refreshing a couple of times I found the same motor on eCalc. I won't close this page anytime soon ;D
Best of luck for your build :thumbsup:
Do post a build log if possible. It will allow people to guide you through problems you may face during the build and will help other newcomers in the future.