Bixler Weight and Balance

I finally got my Bixler in the mail and started testing the parts out and putting it together.  It looks like there's a fairly large nose weight in it.  Does it make sense to remove it sine I'm going to be adding a fair bit of weight in the cockpit?   I'd rather figure that out before gluing the two halves together.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Pursifull on May 20, 2012 at 7:49pm

Yes, remove the washer ballast. Then rebalance the plane at 60-70mm from the leading edge of the wing.

Permalink Reply by Petroni on May 20, 2012 at 7:51pm

I would remove the washers.  Use a cup of boiling water to soften the glue so you don't tear the foam

Permalink Reply by Brian Perkins on May 21, 2012 at 6:44am

Thanks!  I wouldn't have thought of that.

Permalink Reply by Michael Pursifull on May 20, 2012 at 7:58pm

A few other ideas:

* Use a solid wingspar, or fill the wingspar with gorilla glue, or a wooden rod. Anything to stiffen it, otherwise you are likely to shread it.

* Reglue and tape over all the control horns, especially the elevator and aileron horns, or they will come loose

* Use 3M reinforced packing tape and cover the bottom and nose, and reinforce the cabin sides where they join the body

* Increase the surface of the rudder by 1-2 inches with some business cards

* Upgrade the prop to an APC 6x4E

* Use some velcro tape to place internal components, easy to reposition for balance as needed, especially your batteries

* Use some 3m command strip hooks (flat, clear are best) on the wings, facing hook outward on the underside of each wing, just behind the wingspan. Then pass a rubber band through the hole, and hook the rubber band to each hook, holds the wings together. Use a bit of packing tape between the rubber band and the body so it does not dig in.

More ideas?

Permalink Reply by Brian Perkins on May 21, 2012 at 6:43am

These are all great ideas. I'm going to try them all and maybe even document them.

I notice that one of the control horns is already loose.

I hope you don't mind if I ask a couple of questions.

On your final idea I assume you mean wing spar, but I can't figure out what "hole" you're threading though.

I also don't quite understand "and reinforce the cabin sides where they join the body"  can you clarify? 

Permalink Reply by Adam Conway on May 21, 2012 at 9:12pm

there are control horns that screw through the control surface, however enough crashes (yes I crash a lot) and it will rip off the whole control surface :)  enjoy.

Permalink Reply by Robert Sinclair on May 20, 2012 at 8:28pm

This: "Reglue and tape over all the control horns, especially the elevator and aileron horns, or they will come loose" x 100

I'm lucky i caught this between flights and not in the air.

Also with the out of the box hook ups the bixler handles very softly, at least compared to the sims/trainers.  I found myself moving the hook-ups for the ailerons to closest hole to wings and the elevator at the third.  I'm going to try that business card trick next

Permalink Reply by Eagle on May 21, 2012 at 7:57pm

Brian be carefull if you intend to use Thread Locker on Linkage stopper on the "stock" control horns... thread locker eat plastic... (well... the one I bought from HK do). The control horns will snap!  I replaced the control horns with nylon one and now looks ok.  Many thanks Mike for your ideas.  For sure I will try to fit a wood dowel rods in the wing spare.  I already shread one spare by making a abrupt landing on tip of wing.  I did not notice that the spare was shreaded and the second flight attempt result in a Bixler looking a lot like a butterfly... ;)

I had to cancel my new Bixler maiden this weekend.  To windy.

Good luck for your maiden flight, please keep us posted. 

-Eric

 

Permalink Reply by Adam Conway on May 21, 2012 at 9:09pm

I removed the washers and stuck the 2200 mAh battery up there and it flies very nicely.  This also has the added benefit that if you nose dive repeatedly into the ground less of the front crushes because the weight is already there.

Permalink Reply by Brian Perkins on May 22, 2012 at 1:08pm

Are folks using the electronics chassis?  I bought one, but it seems like it's a bit heavy.

Permalink Reply by Zachary Eldridge on May 22, 2012 at 2:00pm

Yes I fly with the 3d Robotic one. It protects the main electronics from a crash. The weight will help you out with CG.

Permalink Reply by Eagle on May 24, 2012 at 6:30pm

I'm also using it.  The Rx is located in the basement. ;)

 

 

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