I've been flying heli's for several years, but thought I'd see what these "planks" are like, so I bought an EasyStar.
Having finally built the thing; checked it's CoG, and got the radio set-up, I took it to the field. I'd say the breeze was fairly steady, and only about 5mph, so I threw it into the air on full throttle.
Boy, what a handful! Are these things normally so uncontrollable? It was all over the place!
Needless to say, it's now about 5mm shorter than when it took off, but it survived :-)
I tried several times more, but with similar flight style - what am I missing? (Cue the humour!)
Cheers,
Simon
You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!
Replies
Thanks for all your replies folks.
@Brian: I _think_ I've got the prop the correct way round - I'll check again.
@Jason: Ouch! I've already put a longer carbon spar in the wings, as I want to add ailerons - just seems more intuitive, maybe coz of my heli background.
@John: Thanks for the xls; I'll probably follow some of that - esp. the motor & ESC.
From what I remember it was a bit of both (porpoising _and_ uncontrollable). I think I'll check the prop orientation - I'd not paid that much attention to it as I'd not realised how much difference it would make!
@Chris: Looks like I'll be upgrading then :-)
Thanks again folks.
Cheers,
Simon
Does it porpoise, or is it just slow and uncontrollable? (backwards prop)
A little brushless motor is pretty nice on these. Here's a build list that I still use successfully in the air.
JC
easystar_ardupilot_parts_list.xls
@John: Being my first foray into planes, I believe I've set it up as per the instructions - GoG as required and all surfaces straight & true. As for "does it glide level" - dunno, it's never glided; just climbed / descended / generally been a handful! It could be the loose nut on the sticks, but I'd hoped my years with heli's would've tamed that LOL.
@Jason: I've not upgraded to brushless yet, and haven't put any AP in yet either - I was hoping to build it and prove it as a "stock flyer" before entrusting it with any more hard-earned cash! I guess some extra weight should help - I'll give that a try when the wind dies down again (I hate living in the UK!).
Jason
Well, like our helis, how's the trim? Does it glide level? Do your control rates need taming a bit?