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
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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