UPDATE

1. Today I took the aircraft back for its second test flight. Corrected the CG by elongating the nose and shifting the wing further back. The first launch ended up in a crash in 2 seconds as I had not powered up the throttle to full. The second launch also ended up in a crash in 2 to 3 seconds as the propellers contacted the motor wiring and sheared it off. Finally did some patch work and got the aircraft up on the third attempt.

The Flight

2. The flight lasted about 2min and the airplane was extremely stable. Post launch and climb, I flew all the way at half throttle. Launch was against the wind and therefore flight in that direction was slower. The return runs were much faster and I was not very comfortable as I need a lot more practice. A few times I had provided aileron inputs in the wrong direction to correct a bank but the aircraft did not bank further and those few seconds we're crucial as I realized and changed stick input.

3. Overall I guess the aircraft is a little forgiving. I need to work a lot on the design and will do so. More than that I need to work on my pathetic flying and practice crashing a little closer next time and maybe some day land the airplane!!

4. Also had one more essential input. I installed an FPV system just for general orientation. The camera was installed approx 60 degrees below horizon which only gave a ground view in level flight. It would have been better to install with horizon for reference when the aircraft is level. Will be flying purely visual for a couple of months but glancing at the screen occasionally gives a great view.

The video 

5. Was taken by my 8 year old son. It has lots of kiddy commentary, please pardon. Also the aircraft view was lost a couple of times. Rest of the video shows the aircraft behavior quite clearly. towards the end I guess I stalled it. The aircraft has flaps and I did not deploy them as I was trying to get it closer. When it got too close to ground, I cut throttle and leveled out and hoped for best. The aircraft is ok. Scratched up a bit but will be ready to fly after an hour of work.



INPUTS at this stage will be valuable. Will keep posting on additions to this particular aircraft. Planning a flight controller after some flying practice.

Huge model!

Nice model, nice flight, nice video, nice commentator.

Here's a tip.
When she's flying towards you, move aileron stick towards the LOW wing.
That's all it takes.

Regards

Bravo. Congratulations. Wonderful kids cheering you up, very sweet.

Now just practice. You picked a good plane, large, pusher prop at the back that makes survival real good.

Enjoy your creation.

Very very stable. Congratulations. Which flight controller you are planning...?

Quote from: K K Iyer on September 13, 2020, 09:24:05 PM
Huge model!

Nice model, nice flight, nice video, nice commentator.

Here's a tip.
When she's flying towards you, move aileron stick towards the LOW wing.
That's all it takes.

Regards

Thank you very much sir.
Amazing tip for flying.
Will keep in mind from next flight and I'm sure its simple things like these that help.
thank you once again.

Quote from: Free Flight on September 13, 2020, 10:12:12 PM
Bravo. Congratulations. Wonderful kids cheering you up, very sweet.

Now just practice. You picked a good plane, large, pusher prop at the back that makes survival real good.

Enjoy your creation.

Thanks a ton @Free Flight

will practice and log in some more flying time.

Quote from: shirsa2001 on September 14, 2020, 08:44:25 AM
Very very stable. Congratulations. Which flight controller you are planning...?

Thank you very much @shirsa2001
I'm yet to identify which flight controller to install. Was looking for something simple like arkbird but its expensive(more than pixhawk).
I'm in two minds as I wanted to use this platform for learning so I'd rather install something like the APM 2.8 with GPS and OSD.

Hoping that I can build a stronger and more rugged model as phase 2. Will use lessons learnt from this one.
Would prefer installing permanent flight controller on that one. 

This flight is wonderful, brings back memories.

Quote from: pnkyjs on September 17, 2020, 12:39:43 PM
This flight is wonderful, brings back memories.

thank you!!!

UPDATE

its been a while and i thought I must update this post regarding my attempt to upgrade the aircraft.

1. After the first few flights, I wanted to install an autopilot and gps. I went ahead and purchased the APM and GPS. I also got myself the mini OSD. Thereafter, I upgraded the APM firmware via the mission planner and tried to get the mini OSD to overlay. But the OSD was not accepting the APM signals and the mavlink heartbeats message showed on screen. I was also unable to flash firmware via the ftdi adapter.

2. I went ahead and installed the whole unit in the airplane and decided to give it a go anyway. Two separate batteries were also installed for the video tx power and motor power to be separate. The whole setup however was a little too heavy for the 2216. After the hand launch, the aircraft would just refuse to gain altitude and ditch. I tried about 6 to 7 times and decided to bring back the aircraft in one piece.

3.    On getting back home, the APM and whole assembly was uninstalled and the next week I flew the aircraft with fpv and no autopilot and the aircraft flew just fine. Still during flight, I felt the power was sluggish but overall the aircraft flight characteristics were really forgiving for a rookie like me! I made so many mistakes but the aircraft gave me enough time to realize and correct.


I guess that will be all for this aircraft. Will keep flying and learning with this one. The construction is such that it can take a beating.

meanwhile i've also started another build which i'll post shortly. Here's a glimpse. Farji talon type... 

'Farji Talon type' looks very well made!

A caution - due to steep V tail, horizontal stab effect may be inadequate...

Regards

Quote from: K K Iyer on November 12, 2020, 02:10:49 AM
'Farji Talon type' looks very well made!

A caution - due to steep V tail, horizontal stab effect may be inadequate...

Regards

Thank you very much sir. Every day is a brand new day!! new challenges and so much to learn.

Will increase the V angle and post it under a new topic sir. Still have a very long way to go to complete the build.

Thank you for your valuable inputs for both the builds sir.