More Bixler Mods

A couple of technical and personal delays are going to push out my Bixler's first flight, but I thought I'd share a couple of pictures.

Mike Pursifull suggested increasing rudder area, which seems like a reasonable thing to do. I used a cardboard photo mailer and glued the edge together with white glue, and used silicone calk to glue it to the rudder. The result is light and super stiff and about doubles the rudder area. I used calk hoping it'd be easier to undo if I want to try something else.

Here are the two halves with a notch for the control horn:

Here's the extension while it's installed:

I also implemented the rubber band and Command hook idea:

I'm not very satisfied with this solution. It was too fiddly to install and I'm not sure I have enough tension.

Feedback is welcome.

I also had a minor disaster; one of the crummy aileron clevises broke when I was adjusting it. I'd like to replace it with something better. Does anyone have a good option to replace these? My local hobby store only has larger ones.

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Comments

Drone Nerd October 26, 2012 at 5:38pm

Marroned and Brian,

Copying both ideas, my solution:

Thanks!
Brian Perkins October 23, 2012 at 5:22pm

I switched to a similar solution, though I may need to add some shims to keep the wings from wiggling in bumpy weather.
Drone Nerd October 23, 2012 at 7:19am

Thanks for sharing, Nice solution.

This weekend, I decided and put hooks in wings. I so escared about wigs flaw away in air...

Latter I will up some pics.

I also use 8mm fixed with epoxy ins wing trench. So, 6mm inside it.

Here some pics: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=22796390&postcoun...

Thanks a lot!

RC Groups - View Single Post - Sky Surfer - aka Bixler See Post #2 & #3 for parts & mods B4 asking

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Marooned October 22, 2012 at 12:45pm

Plus after the crash I used 8mm (instead of original 6mm) carbon fiber rod. Also the inner diameter is much smaller making the whole rod MUCH tougher (and a bit heavier). I used CF rod from tent found on the field after Woodstock Festival ;-) I had to drill a bit the wings but now it's hard to detach them so this velcro is something extra, not the main thing to keep them together.
Drone Nerd October 21, 2012 at 4:08pm

Nice to hear, Marooned.

Have you pics of the your building?

Thanks!
Marooned October 21, 2012 at 3:08pm

Hi Marcelo. In my Bixler I'm using velcro straps to join both wings. So far so good. I'm satisfied with this solution.
Drone Nerd October 21, 2012 at 1:12pm

Hello!

Brian, nice your post.

I'm right now build/finishing my Bixler (first model!) and this soluttion to join halves wings, is very interesting. I think in little magneto, but I thik these isn't sufficiente strong.

Could you please let me know if your solutions works, are you fllying good??

Thanks in adavance!
David M Eno June 22, 2012 at 1:09pm

One of the problems I can see with your rudder mod is your going to be putting a great deal of stress on the rudder during a sharp turn and that protrusion can get messed up in a bad landing. It will also put more stress on the servos, so if you hear clicking .....

Also, a good number of people have done this before.I would recommend you use plastic mini hinges covered with blendo surgical tape instead of using the normal foam connection.
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Mark Harrison June 22, 2012 at 12:39pm

+1 on the HK control horns... that's what I use on my HawkSky clone.

I've seen lot's of pictures on RCGroups where people run the rubber band under or over the plane, it seems to work well.

Here's how I extended my EZStar rudder. There's a card on each side of the rudder. The cards are thin plastic, much lighter than a credit card. As you can see it's made with extra care!
Mark Bolton June 22, 2012 at 3:01am

Hi Brian, a couple of quick comments:

a) the elastic band does not need a hole. You can pull it through the wing slot. It is a little annoying but far less than when your plane falls out of the sky! Eventually after the plane has seen better days, you will just end up gluing the wing halves together anyway.

b) Rudder addition is good for slow speeds and strong winds. I am not sure that you have fixed it enough though? Might be better to make it a little smaller to provide some surface area to attach more firmly.

c) The controls are *$%£!. These from HK are great. Use an M2x8mm self tap screw.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8419__Control_Horns_16x2...

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