RMRC Nano Skyhunter - Part 2

The RMRC Nano Skyhunter is basically the same bird as the Eachines Micro Skyhunter, and I've had a couple of those. Neither of the Eachine planes flew well and this was largely due to the plane's inherit nose heaviness, this was an issue when using a 1300 or 1400mah 3s battery. I reviewed the weight of smaller 1000mah 3s batteries and they are only about 10g lighter so I don't suppose using one of those will help much and I'd give up a significant amount of battery capacity.

The stock motor on the Eachine Micro Skyhunter is a 2204 2300kv unit that weighs in at 25g. I have a Cobra 2208 2000kv motor available ( 9 dollars on sale ) that weighs in at nearly twice the 2204's weight, at 47g. I had used a roll of several nickles as weight to balance my previous Micro Skyhunter so the extra 23g weight of the 2208 2000kv motor should be ok.

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I had some concern about the lower kv rating of the 2208 and how that would impact thrust. I don't have test charts for the stock 2204 2300kv available but reviewing the Cobra test charts for their 2204 2300kv, and the 2208 2000kv is insightful.

http://www.innov8tivedesigns.com/images/specs//Cobra_CM-2204-28_Specs.htm

http://www.innov8tivedesigns.com/images/specs/Cobra_CM-2208-20_Specs.htm

The APC 6x4 prop in the chart draws more than the rated 17A for the little 2204, not good. However the same APC 6x4 prop on the 2208 is very usable, produces nearly as much thrust, and draws approximately 3A less of current while doing so. Given this, I'll likely use the Cobra 2208 2000kv with the APC 6x4EP, or perhaps a APC 6x4.2x3 prop on the Nano Skyhunter build with a 30A ESC.

RMRC Nano Skyhunter - Part 1

A few weeks ago I received a Nano Skyhunter from Ready Made RC. One of the ailerons was misshapen, I believe it was manufactured incorrectly, and I couldn't get it to lay flat. I contacted Ready Made to ask about a new wing, and they sent out an entirely new bird. That is customer service to be excited about! I'm so pleased with them that I've already made another purchase for some props and adapters, and I'll pick out their new Recruit wing when it's released.

I know this isn't earth shattering news but in the days of continued shipping fails and terrible customer service from Banggood and their ilk, it's good to spend your greenbacks with a reputable US based firm.

Volantex Xpilot stabilization system - calibration and setup

A few months ago I picked up a couple of the Volantex Xpilot from Banggood with the intention of using them in my now defunct Micro Skyhunter. The units took about a month to arrive and as a result the Xpilot never got to meet the little foam Skyhunter.

Yesterday, I attempted to configure one of the units for the Volantex Ranger 1600 but the unit doesn't handle the rudder correctly. When you let go of the stick the rudder stays in almost the same position and doesn't return to center unless you give the control opposite stick input. ArxangelRC doesn't run into that issue in his video as the Micro Skyhunter uses only ailerons and elevator for control surfaces.

Dealing with Banggood customer service is less fun than a root canal so I suppose the Xpilots are mine to keep. Fortunately I'm working on a Ready Made RC Nano Skyhunter build and the Xpilot will do just fine there.

How Not To Fly Fixed Wing - Part 5

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A post shared by Fixed Wing RC (@flyingfixedwingrc) on Jan 2, 2019 at 1:32pm PST

I'm aware it's odd to start a series of posts at part 5, but that's just how I am. Anyone that really knows me won't be surprised by my lack of linearity as I often back into stories. This morning I lost my FOURTH PLANE in half as many months. I live near the Harpeth River in a small neighborhood of about 300 or so homes. There is a nice walking trail with a very handy parking lot in the development. I've been flying planes out of the lot and I realized today the very handy parking lot has quite a few plane eating trees and I should not attempt to land near them.

This time of year the lack of leaves combined with the flat overcast light makes depth perception a real issue. The depth perception challenge was a contributing factor but the crash was avoidable. I was trying to land my favorite plane, an E-flite UMX Timber, and I had to go around due to a wind gust. The little UMX Timber makes you feel like a rock star pilot, when you're not, and I should have never attempted to land on the pavement beside the trees to begin with. When I had to abort the landing and go around I climbed up right into the top of a tree.

There are a few lessons here.

1.  I should walk away from the comfort of the parking lot and the tailgate of my truck when flying. If I'm not going to keep the plane in front of me at all times then I need the area behind me to be clear of obstacles.

2.  I should have maintained at least a thumbs height above the trees until landing in an area clear of trees.

3. If the wind is blowing the wrong way for a safe approach in the desired landing area then don't fly.

4. And last but not least, I shouldn't fly or land the plane behind me, if I do, I really should keep the plane in front of me at all times.

The situation stinks. The UMX Timber has been my go to plane for a few weeks because it's so easy to fly and I find the super short take offs to be a stress free alternative to the throw and pray method of launching. The resulting loss leaves me 120 dollars lighter and I don't have another working fixed wing aircraft to fly at the moment. :( Oh well, time to get cracking on sorting out the CC3D controller I have and get my Bixler 1.1 flying.

Banggood - Gambling With Your Money

I received my Volantex Phoenix 2400 today and the box was smashed very similarly to the box my Nano Talon shipped in. Unlike the Nano Talon, the Phoenix 2400 received no damage due to the box being damaged on the side where the plastic fuselage rested. This was total luck, had the damage occurred to the other side of the box the wings would have been smashed.

Which brings up my Nano Talon, I received that plane as a gift and the giver had no idea the plane was damaged as they didn't know what to look for on the outside of the box. The wings were BADLY  warped and no matter how much hot water and bending was applied, one of the wings won't return to the original shape. As a result my Nano Talon won't fly. I've tried to get it into the air a number of times and all I have to show for it is a 100 dollar hunk of worthless damaged foam. Banggood as been mostly useless and unwilling to sort out the issue either financially or by replacing the damaged product. At this point I can't recommend dealing with Bangood when purchasing RC planes. The shipping methods are insufficient for protecting EPO and EPP foam planes and the customer service is abysmal.