I've spent last couple of days preparing my Bixler. I did some mods listed here like reinforcing wing spar and fuselage with additional carbon fiber rods and changing prop to 6x4. Even my tail was detachable using similar trick.
Today was a nice weather to go and check what have I've learned in the simulator...It didn't go well (see video).
Stock servos were cheapo. One of them were buzzing from start with no stick movement. After first crash one of them worked only in one direction. Probably one tooth of the gear broke.
Servo rod's endings that hold horns were one-time. After opening (for changing the rods for better) both broke a bit leaving horizontal bolt going through the horn too short.
I'll have to find a way to fix that wing. Maybe a few small carbon fiber rods going through the wing? Also, polymer glue that was suggested on many Polish forums doesn't look for me good - it's very flexible and does not create a strong bond.
If you have any suggestion on how to fix that wing (and fuselage) to be strong and survive my future landing let me know.
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Massive order from HK done (mostly misc CF rods). However, HXT900 just went backorder - yesterday they had them.
I also mailed to Polish retailer of Gorilla glue - they still have it in plans but I've found one (and only one) shop which had 60ml version - just ordered.
I've also used hot (almost boiling) water to restore a bit squeezed parts of the fuselage and wings.
Thanks for all your good hints. Now it's time to switch back to my quadrocopter and wait for the package :)
I'll post the details from repairing and next flights for sure.
Well done. I haven't been able to get the motor to go on mine!
Thanks for sharing your video! Watching it was like remembering a term-paper in school: I worked hard on it, learned a lot, and don't want to EVER have to do that again. :) Oh... but we all will. Maiden flights are always tricky. Your plane seemed to fly pretty well. You might think about turning up the expo on your ailerons and elevator as this might help smooth out your flight until you get it dialed in and more comfortable with the controls. I think someone mentioned earlier to get high quickly, but not far away. Once you get some altitude, you can really pull back on the throttle and slow down. The Bixler will glide well. Every flight, you'll get exponentially better at piloting. Looking forward to the next video.
Hey Marooned once you fix the wing don't forget to balance it from side to side the fixed wing will be heavier than the other one you might have to add some weight to the lighter wing to balance it it out my Radian pro was heavier
on one wing right out of the box I had to add 6 thumb tacks 3/4 the way out on the other wing to get it to balance also check the center of gravity in case it shifted from the repair good. I would say 3/4 to full power on take off make sure the wings are level before you throw climb straight away at a gentle angle until you get at least 100 ft chop the power and see how the plane glides try to avoid any sharp manovers and see if you have to add trim to keep it level once it is "tuned "it should pretty well fly itself . I started out with a 1 to 1 flight to crash ratio for a while I can feel you pain ! hey if you Haven't crashed you haven't flown Good luck ! (if there was only some way to get the force out of planes that attracts them to trees!)
Watching your videos reminded me of my first three flights as a newbie pilot. First throw, it nose bombed and broke the nose almost off. Glue/Tape fixed it. Second throw one of the servo's got locked up and it nose bombed into a curb stop which broke it into five pieces. Glue/Tape fixed it. Then I bought 4 extra's of the cheap servo's. Third throw it ended up in a tree. Climbed the tree to get it back. Minimal damage. I learned quickly to have the throttle higher on take-off and to give a little elevator as well. When I first started I also mixed the rudder in with the ailerons a little to make it turn easier.
Good luck and don't give up! There's not much that glue or tape can't fix on that plane!
Get some HXT900 servos from hobbyking. Very cheap but still strong and has surprisingly good centering. You even get a replacement gear set for them, but a new servo is so cheap that I usually just get 10 or more of them and replace the whole servo as needed. :)
Sounds like there is a hope for mine :)
Got it. :S better luck next time. Its hard at first. You'll get it soon enough. The good thing about those planes is that you can just keep gluing them back together. My current bixler has had the nose glued back on 3 times now.
My APM2 sits deep in the copter - I have to share one board to all my "toys" ;-)
Alan, this is not using APM or any other board. It's just plain receiver, esc and servos.
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