Anyone fly RC Planes

Djstorm100

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So... I use to fly when I was a kid on the farm. Was a fuel trainer type, but that got destory (not not from a crash) when throttle got stuck on the lawnmower crushing the plane between the brick wall.

Anyhow I was letting youtube play and went down that rabbit hole. RC Warbird review came up and got my interest...started to do some research and I'm interested....
 
@htperry

I know he flys drones..I think he may have done rc planes before.....

DS

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
 
Electrics are the way to go now a days and foam planes are the new (and more forgiving) balsa. I was building "foamies" out of 1/4" blue "flat fold foam" from lowes with carbon rods for stiffening which were in the 2-3' wingspan size. Most of my electronics were Chinese from hobbyking. They would take some abuse. Recently, I found a good channel https://www.youtube.com/user/flitetest and I've been interested in trying out some of their kits as they are trying to build economically. RCgroups.com was a good forum site as well.

PS some mocking birds hate the sound of electric motors so I've been in some pretty good dogfights with them. :D Though I usually ended up crashing.
 
This is a foam VTOL I built recently out of an old foam pusher frame. I took the motors/ESCs/Pixhawk FC off one of my quads and tie-wrapped some 16mm carbon tube to the wings. It flew amazingly well from the first liftoff. It was more of a proof-of-concept plane. Flew it for a week, did some auto missions and tore it back apart. The foam planes crash-survive much better and are cheap to repair (filament tape repairs).

2018-09-28 12.29.01.jpg
 
Not RC plane, but these are some of the things we design, build, repair. I can usually post some pics, but can't always explain the use or say the customer - so the pics will usually be sans payload package. Just thought it'd be interesting to the RC guys here.

Stalker with RDS.jpg

Kermit.jpg

Viper+X4+v2+with+bodywork+Howard+no+face.jpg

Mirion SPIR hex.jpg

Lancer on table.jpg
I'll have to find a full size pic of the above, but the wingspan is about 6 feet and props 32".
 
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My grandfather flies. His basement is a hangar full of planes. It’s a very nerdy hobby. If you want to know where he flies I can ask him for more details about his club. He lives in Raleigh.
 
So... I use to fly when I was a kid on the farm. Was a fuel trainer type, but that got destory (not not from a crash) when throttle got stuck on the lawnmower crushing the plane between the brick wall.

Anyhow I was letting youtube play and went down that rabbit hole. RC Warbird review came up and got my interest...started to do some research and I'm interested....

I used to fly a lot up until last year.

sold off all my stuff and called it at that.

What are you wanting to do?

casual flyer?
Park flyer?
FPV?
Long distance FPV?
Electric (which is the way to go)
Nitro
gas
Kerosene (turbine engines)

Then how much you want to spend.

I have build, and flown stuff that has a wing span of 14" up to 2 meters.

Couple sites worth as poop

https://hobbyking.com/

https://www.readymaderc.com/

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/index.php

Warning, video dump inbound











https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvpAOx8iCTY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh3m27xGqm0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXYnebDCpCQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJrf_pUA5oA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t5eWe1DRZ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgVtkdKyRGc&t

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGRN13u1ztk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k7X8p1om2c&t

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLS7UPFczz8
 
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Wow!, Brandon - great post. Thanks

I used to fly a lot up until last year.

sold off all my stuff and called it at that.

What are you wanting to do?

casual flyer?
Park flyer?
FPV?
Long distance FPV?
Electric (which is the way to go)
Nitro
gas
Kerosene (turbine engines)

Then how much you want to spend.

I have build, and flown stuff that has a wing span of 14" up to 2 meters.

Couple sites worth as poop

https://hobbyking.com/

https://www.readymaderc.com/

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/index.php

Warning, video dump inbound











https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvpAOx8iCTY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh3m27xGqm0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXYnebDCpCQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJrf_pUA5oA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t5eWe1DRZ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgVtkdKyRGc&t

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGRN13u1ztk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k7X8p1om2c&t

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLS7UPFczz8
 
I fly a quad drone a bit, I’ve wanted one for many years but never made the time to get one so about 3-4 months ago I picked up an MJX Bugs 3 and learned to fly, this one has none of the flying assist features or GPS functions so you have to actually fly it rather than pushing a buttons and telling it what to do.

I’ve had a few nitro buggies and 4wd monster trucks over the years but never got into the aircraft until I got the quad, it’s a lot of fun but the learning curve was way steeper than I thought it would be.
 
Here's a couple videos of the beater VTOL we built a couple weeks ago for testing. This was a junk bin build from a mix-match of used and worn out parts. It's all under-powered, but served the purpose. Ultimately we flew autonomous missions via Mission Planner, where we vertical takeoff, then plane mode to a point, hover, then plane mode to another point and so on, finally vertical land.

This was at the old Knights Stadium site in Ft. Mill just off I-77.


The cows in Marshville didn't like the VTOL. ;)
 
Now get you a 5.8ghz FPV set up lol

Good choice on the plane
Actually looking in to that and getting a manikin for a spotter. FFA doesn't say it needs to be a living person..don't think it does at least.

Stumbled on building racer drones....def could get in to that...IF i had the time. May build one but all this is to fly around at the shop. There is a RC plane field right down the road
 
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Actually looking in to that and getting a manikin for a spotter. FFA doesn't say it needs to be a living person..don't think it does at least.

Stumbled on building racer drones....def could get in to that...IF i had the time. May build one but all this is to fly around at the shop. There is a RC plane field right down the road

I won’t post what I really think about the FAA bull.

The racers are something I looked at doing. But they’re a lot of tuning to do and yah.....
 
I won’t post what I really think about the FAA bull.

The racers are something I looked at doing. But they’re a lot of tuning to do and yah.....

Think that's what drives me to it, building and tuning. I use to tune the cars I built (EFI). I was 17 with a turbo RSX, Hondata K-Pro tuning my car. Took 4 months of constant research to feel ok in tuning it. Didn't have the money to replace the motor and no one around who could tune it that I trusted it. 140 wheel hp stock, 310 whp after tuning. Fun car and was dear to me.
 
Think that's what drives me to it, building and tuning. I use to tune the cars I built (EFI). I was 17 with a turbo RSX, Hondata K-Pro tuning my car. Took 4 months of constant research to feel ok in tuning it. Didn't have the money to replace the motor and no one around who could tune it that I trusted it. 140 wheel hp stock, 310 whp after tuning. Fun car and was dear to me.

Ah, I cut my teeth on crome and Neptune since like many others weren’t gonna drop the money in a Hondata for a D-series engine lol.

I think o would rather mess with those then the PIDs of a multi lol
 
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Ah, I cut my teeth on crome and Neptune since like many others weren’t gonna drop the money in a Hondata for a D-series engine lol.

I think o would rather mess with those then the PIDs of a multi lol

Remember when D-series only option was a Apex SAFC (believe that was it)
haha I have 05 civic as my DD...when it goes. K24 is going in. Already a done deal
 
Remember when D-series only option was a Apex SAFC (believe that was it)
haha I have 05 civic as my DD...when it goes. K24 is going in. Already a done deal

Sigh, what really surprised me is that they are still used by a few folks that are too cheap to get the stuff for Crome, ECTune, Neptune, etc.

But yes I remember those days lol. I have a 88 civic I thought about doing a D16a6 build on.

Either way, tuning a quad can be a PITA, but fun stuff lol. But once you nail them down, it’s great
 
Hobbyking.com is your friend :) although it looks like they just changed their site and now it's slow as piss. I was fairly heavy into it a couple of years ago, I built drones, etc. and had (and crashed) several planes. Right now I've got 3 or 4 planes I haven't even flown yet mostly because the weather sucked this summer, way hot then hurricanes and now it's cold :(. Or maybe I'm just a pussy. I haven't been back into it for a year so it's not like I can just grab a radio and plane and walk out the door, I've got to get reacquainted with everything and put the finishing touches on the things, you know install receivers, bind and calibrate everything, etc. I've got a big one or two that I must admit I'm a little afraid to launch by myself. Anyone want to get together and fly let me know, I need someone to drag me back into it, lol.
 
I'll drag you out and your planes...can't promise you'll planes will go back to you in one piece. The prespective of the plane in space is what I need to learn again. If I had camera (FPV) I would be golden.
 
A local flying club based out of Cary was out to the farm the week before last to discuss using a section of pasture next to the airstrip for their RC aircraft. I’m thinking strongly of doing a deal with them on an annual basis.

Seems like a good group to support.
 
I'll drag you out and your planes...can't promise you'll planes will go back to you in one piece. The prespective of the plane in space is what I need to learn again. If I had camera (FPV) I would be golden.
Haha well so be it. That's my Achilles' heel as well, can't say how many I've pulled "up" into the ground, lol.

I live on a 30 acre farm so I don't often go to flying fields, but that also means I can't fly many planes with gear, most of mine are hand launch/belly landers. Hence my hesitation to launch large models by myself. Most planes these days are foam and will withstand at least a few crashes thank God, usually even repairable in the field with CA (or hot glue if AC is available). Now you're getting me motivated. Maybe I'll see if I can get one or two airworthy this weekend. There is a park near the farmer's market people fly at in Raleigh, forgot the name. I usually prefer the privacy of my farm though, it makes the walk of shame less embarrassing.

Here's a quick flight I recorded with a Mobius camera when I was a member at BARKS field here in Snow Camp a couple of years ago. Note I had painted the whole top of the thing orange to help with orientation.




This one gives a good view of the farm and is the last time I flew, almost a year ago. Since then we've taken out the fence line from where I was to the barn so there's lots more open visibility from the ground now.

 
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I also think GetFPV and ReadyMadeRC are good, too.

Don't overlook Aliexpress.com, Banggood.com and XT-Xinte.com if not in a hurry.
Aren't the last three places just sell chinese knock off? I could be wrong and if I am, apologize advance.
 
Haha well so be it. That's my Achilles' heel as well, can't say how many I've pulled "up" into the ground, lol.

I live on a 30 acre farm so I don't often go to flying fields, but that also means I can't fly many planes with gear, most of mine are hand launch/belly landers. Hence my hesitation to launch large models by myself. Most planes these days are foam and will withstand at least a few crashes thank God, usually even repairable in the field with CA (or hot glue if AC is available). Now you're getting me motivated. Maybe I'll see if I can get one or two airworthy this weekend. There is a park near the farmer's market people fly at in Raleigh, forgot the name. I usually prefer the privacy of my farm though, it makes the walk of shame less embarrassing.

Here's a quick flight I recorded with a Mobius camera when I was a member at BARKS field here in Snow Camp a couple of years ago. Note I had painted the whole top of the thing orange to help with orientation.




This one gives a good view of the farm and is the last time I flew, almost a year ago. Since then we've taken out the fence line from where I was to the barn so there's lots more open visibility from the ground now.




I was lucky enough to grow up on part of a old old farm. 10 acres almost. That's where I was flying in the video above. The planes I'm wanting, A10 and B24 wouldn't be to friendly with bumpy grass. Good news is we got 22 loads of dirt from the new shop. Take the skid steer and level it out better, then use the box blade.

man...I'm already going down the rabbit hole..lol




Maybe we need to have a CFF fly day lol

Dorothy Dix is where some people fly but the fact have those entited people "why you flying in my part" attuide doesn't sit well with my personality. Started to look in to drones and theres a big group, apperently, that race out there.
 
Aren't the last three places just sell chinese knock off? I could be wrong and if I am, apologize advance.

They have the original goods also available from GetFPV and ReadyMadeRC. Aliexpress, Banggood and XT are good source for frames, hinges, and hardware that are the same as (the Chinese are the OEM) other higher price sellers. I bought these locking arm hinges for drones frames from XT for $5.00 each delivered. It would be the same exact hinge elsewhere for $15 each.

IMG_20181031_191838.jpg
 
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They have the original goods also available from GetFPV and ReadyMadeRC. Aliexpress, Banggood and XT are good source for frames, hinges, and hardware that are the same as (the Chinese are the OEM) other higher price sellers. I bought these locking arm hinges for drones frames from XT for $5.00 each delivered. It would be the same exact hinge elsewhere for $15 each.
95-99.9% of RC comes from China anyways


Right. Just have to be careful. Just because it's Chinese doesn't make it crap but then there is crap made in China




So took my go-pro session and tape it to the top of the plane. CG is off and make the plane jerky with the wind. But is pretty cool to views.


 
Right. Just have to be careful. Just because it's Chinese doesn't make it crap but then there is crap made in China




So took my go-pro session and tape it to the top of the plane. CG is off and make the plane jerky with the wind. But is pretty cool to views.




Right, I had 2 C1 Chasers come from Banggood and I had zero issues with the plane or assembly itself. Just those pesky trees, bad setting in the APM, or something else lol.

My 2m Skyhunter, it came from RMRC, but when I got it, it had a big ol MADE IN CHINA on the side lol.

Same as the Chaser. No issues on quality or QC. Just stuff I did.

Most, if not of the electronics are the same. Made in China . BUDDYRc.com is another good site. All my electronic speed controllers came from them. I’m a big fan of SunnySky motors

Great video BTW
 
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Would Andersons in Thomasville have FPV plane combos ?
I have a nice drone, but would like to be able to fly 2-3 miles.
 
Would Andersons in Thomasville have FPV plane combos ?
I have a nice drone, but would like to be able to fly 2-3 miles.
A long range fpv fixed wing setup is usually a DIY project. Usually starts with a large efficient plane with the capacity to carry a lot of equipment and batteries like backwoodsshooter's Skyhunter, then add the LR RC and FPV systems. I have a couple of platforms I bought with LR in mind, but I am leaning more toward autonomous flight than LR control systems.

Andersons is an awesome resource. I bet Matt & West will have everything you need but it won't be RTF. I'd call first and discuss it with one of them.

The Opterra wing from Horizon looks promising for LR, that thing could hold a puppy. :)
 
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I stopped by Andersons/ holy crap, it will smoke a $1000 to get anything close to do what I would like to do.
 
Anyone do any flying this weekend? Thanks to yall I got off of my RC ass and got this thing in the air for the first time. It's a 2 meter pusher/glider. I have plans to install GPS and an APM flight controller I have laying around in it and experiment with autonomous fixed wing flight. I'm hoping a 2m wingspan will make it efficient enough to stay up for a while. Right now it's just LOS flying although I did mount a camera for some of the flights. Flew her 4 times today, and out of 4 landings ripped the rudder off twice, thank God for hot glue. I've got a relatively smooth area of grass to set down in but the problem is it is currently a little too long so the lowest wing will grab it first and drag the nose in, spinning it around and tearing off the rudder from the bottom. Time to mow one more time for the winter.

The darn thing's not light, I've got two 2200 3Ss full forward and some washers taped ahead of those to get the CG right. With full flaps, full power, and a slight downward slope I can just barely get it off the ground launching with my left hand. Being not exactly light it's kinda fast too, not having flown in a while I flew it with flaps down for a couple of flights so I could fly slower until I get my air legs back.


20181104-183835.jpg



A couple of interesting things happened:

Lots of birds launched out of the neighboring woods to check it out. One frame of a vid I made from the ground has like 10 birds in it. You can see three more in this one off to the left if you look hard enough.

2015-0101-030643-695-MP4-snapshot-12-34.jpg


Also a Blackhawk decided to fly over at about 400ft while I'm flying at tree top level. Being white against the terrain, they probably saw it, I heard them coming and made sure I flew predictably and didn't get any higher.

2015-0101-030643-695-MP4-snapshot-11-06.jpg


Happy flying!
 
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