Tag: prototype

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Update shipping EPP foam, Spec Wing , and Citabria

UPDATE

I’ve been quite busy over the last month.  Thank you to everyone for your great support and words of encouragement.  My friends and family are wonderful to help me get through the first stages of starting up a new business selling EPP foam.  Special thank you to my wife for understanding and allowing me to store all our EPP foam in the…. dining room and spare room.  🙂  She is wonderful!  We are hoping in a few more years to build a new house on our 10 acre field we bought outside of town.  This will provide a better space for the foam business and a nice field for testing.

SHIPPING EPP sheets

I know one of the biggest difficulties for my customers is the cost of shipping for the EPP foam.  This is out of my control.  I wish I could provide a less expensive option.  I’m open to suggestions.  I looked into Greyhound, however I read a lot of really bad experiences.  If a customer really wanted me to use them, I would, however I am putting a huge disclaimer that I am not responsible for any damage or loss due to Greyhound’s terrible customer service and practices.

Another option I have is to cut the EPP foam 36×24 sheets down further to fit in a smaller box.

Do you have any other shipping suggestions?

SPEC WING

The first EPP Spec Wing prototype flew at the ReadyMadeRC FPVfest a few weeks ago.  I heard from my test pilots Donny and Bob at ThrustFPV that the wing did well overall on building experience and flying, except that the EPP foam live hinge was not strong enough to pull out of the turns.  I have balsa trailing edges on order and in transit for testing on prototype #2.  If this works out, then I hope to have the kits available soon.

A huge thank you to Donny and Bob for testing this out for me and giving me great feed back.  I hope to provide the best possible build and flying experience.

CITABRIA

The EPP foam Citabria flew again after an improved firewall was installed.  I learned how to better use my light duty mill on my CNC to accurately cut light plywood.  Using this technique I was able to accurately cut a new firewall that also better tied into the front of the fuselage.

On the initial launch I was dealing with some tail heavy issues, however after adjusting the battery I was able to get a lot of great data from the flight.  I flew it in about 15-20mph winds and it surprisingly did okay consider the EPP wing is a huge barn door and the entire plane is light.  It really likes to float in the air at lower speeds.

I am working out the details of prototype #2 along with building techniques that should speed up the build process for the end user.  I would like the entire plane to go together, if using a hot glue gun, in less than an hour.   The electronics would then need to be installed followed by optional paint/film covering.

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FPVWRA Spec Wing and Citabria update

FPVWRA Spec Wing Class
I was contacted recently if I could make a Spec wing for FPVWRA.  After looking into this a bit more I realized this is something I could do relatively quickly.  This might become my first production plane available.  I made an entire kit and sent it out for review to Bob over at Thrust FPV.  I am not satisfied with my current motor mount.  I might beef it up a little more.  I’ll wait to see what Bob says after he flies it.  I’m hoping he’ll have this plane built and flying in time for the ReadyMade RC FPV Fest in September.  I will wait for his feedback before I start making more to sell.  Keep an eye this website in the next few weeks for updates on the Spec Wing.

CITABRIA
Research and development of the Citabria was put on hold recently in order to work out the details for the Spec Wing.  I was able to fully assemble the Citabria and give it a toss about a week ago.  I’m using a PowerUp 480+ electric motor on a 3s-2200mah battery.  I think it is over powered, but I didn’t have enough time to really know for sure.  🙂

I knew the motor mount was weak, however I was in a hurry to get it out to the field for testing.  I didn’t realize just how weak until about 10s into the flight I gave it up elevator and hammered the throttle.  The plane didn’t go very far, but the motor sure did!  haha  The plane then flipped over inverted and amazingly floated gently to the ground.  There were only 2 small pieces of foam that came off the plane where the motor ripped out.  I already have a new plan in place to have my CNC cut out a proper firewall with reinforcements that go back into the fuselage like it should have been in the first place.   This will most likely happen sometime next week.  I might even get proper landing gear on the plane too.

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EPP Foam Citabria Prototype

The Citabria Prototype is now completely cut out with the CNC.  I have a few minor adjustments to do before I cut out the next few planes.  I will be giving some to friends for beta testing.  I am also documenting the process with both video and pictures.  This picture are all the foam parts ready to be assembled.  The total weight of the foam is 10.3 ounces.  The wingspan is over 52″.   I can’t wait to fly this later this week!!!

I’m still planning to use a 480 plus electric motor on a 3s-2200mah battery.

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10mm, Citabria, Wheels, and Custom Cases

This has been a busy week with launching the website and talking to various people from around the country.  Many great ideas are coming from great people.  Thank you to everyone who is helping me out and giving me suggestions.

SAWN CRAFT
First, please hop over to Sawn Craft and check out the planes they make.  Very cool!  Those micros look like they would be a blast indoors.  I might pick up a few for this winter.  I also plan to buy the Aura soon.
https://sawncraft.com/

10MM #1.3 EPP
I have limited quantities of 10mm, #1.3, EPP, available.  This was setup for sale a few minutes ago and should be ready for anyone who would like to purchase it.

CITABRIA
I have many different RC plane designs in various stages that I would like to eventually get into production and sell on this website.  The other day I saw for the first time and fell in love with the Citabria.  So, I am adding the Citabria to the collection and now in the design stage, however I love this plane so much that I think I will work on making it the first available in EPP.  This will be about a 4′ wingspan.  It should run on a 3s – 2200mah battery.  It will be an electric motor that is about 480 size give or take a size up or down.  I’ll know more once I cut out the EPP and get a better feel for the weight.  I hope to cut the first prototype out next week.

I found the American Champion Aircraft website to be very cool.  Check out the different color schemes and paint options for the full scale Citabria.
http://www.americanchampionaircraft.com/exterior-options.html

WHEELS
I will begin making custom wheels.  I might have a prototype by next week to show everyone, so come back and take a look at what will be available.  My wheels will be EPP and begin at 4″ inches in diameter and go up from there.

CUSTOM CASES
I am waiting on some samples of a different kind of foam that I will be cutting and customizing transmitter cases.  If you have a favorite transmitter that you would like a custom case for it, let me know and we can work out the details of color, size, and the different levels of customizing I can do for you.