G-man
Very Strong User
I'm here to tell you that if you dig laid back, lazy-day thermal flying, you're going to like having a lot of wing area.
// Dave
// Dave
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ALOFT: AH-100 Build (new title)
- Thread starter G-man
- Start date
I forgot to add that we appear to have plenty of torsional stiffness. She feels nice and strong.
Started working on the fuselage. Didn't take many pictures. Just using the stock Prelude parts. Elevator drive installed and test fitting the rudder and setting up to cut for the pushrod.
Gluing in the rudder post, I ended up with some waves, it would be a good idea to clamp with a chunk of wood to avoid the waves in the fiberglass.
The wing bolt plate is also installed. So just need a servo tray and install the motor mount and electronics. Of course we are waiting for the motor of choice to arrive in a restocking shipment. Going with a low KV Emax outrunner to turn a big slow prop.
Started working on the fuselage. Didn't take many pictures. Just using the stock Prelude parts. Elevator drive installed and test fitting the rudder and setting up to cut for the pushrod.
Gluing in the rudder post, I ended up with some waves, it would be a good idea to clamp with a chunk of wood to avoid the waves in the fiberglass.
The wing bolt plate is also installed. So just need a servo tray and install the motor mount and electronics. Of course we are waiting for the motor of choice to arrive in a restocking shipment. Going with a low KV Emax outrunner to turn a big slow prop.
Thanks to @G-man for sending me a canopy, I forgot I had given this kit's to someone in need.
Spinner is a very old and abused one Jarron had in his stash. (Yes, we have more spinners on the way, they can take months for those orders to be filled.) It started off looking like this, not shown is the 5mm motor shaft snapped off inside the spinner, yeah it has had a hard life.
Still nice and straight.
Spinner is a very old and abused one Jarron had in his stash. (Yes, we have more spinners on the way, they can take months for those orders to be filled.) It started off looking like this, not shown is the 5mm motor shaft snapped off inside the spinner, yeah it has had a hard life.
Still nice and straight.
Basically done. Had to get a 1/4-20 tap to finish the wing mount. (Kept forgetting) I might be biased, but damn, it looks good!
Dave tipped me off that the Prelude horizontal tail halfs can be a bear to push on. Yep, the rubber really likes to grab the steel joiner. I reduced this to a sane level by chucking the steel up in my drill and ground it with some 200 grit paper and then a polish with 600. Took some time and several test fits, but I now have a perfect friction level that allows the tail to be installed and removed without fear of breaking the parts, but plenty tight that it can't go anywhere in flight. I actually like their design, just needs some fine tuning during the build.
I love how the sun plays on the ribs and angles.
RafaelAvila
Very Strong User
G-man
Very Strong User
> I reduced this to a sane level by chucking the steel up in my drill and ground it with some 200 grit paper and then a polish with 600.
Good solution and I'm glad to hear you like the Topmodel design.
In the east we use SPIT to achieve some slipperiness.
You can order it from Amazon, but
I have some Made in New York.
Jaws Spit Anti-Fog Gel Solution Defogger
for Snorkel Mask, Scuba Divers, Paintball,
Eye Wear, Sport Goggles, Made in The USA
Good solution and I'm glad to hear you like the Topmodel design.
In the east we use SPIT to achieve some slipperiness.
You can order it from Amazon, but
I have some Made in New York.
Jaws Spit Anti-Fog Gel Solution Defogger
for Snorkel Mask, Scuba Divers, Paintball,
Eye Wear, Sport Goggles, Made in The USA
Attachments
G-man
Very Strong User
> I actually like their design, just needs some fine tuning during the build.
The OEM design has been working fine for me on two builds.
It's not a surprise that we do some fine tuning on our favorite planes.
1. What method did you use for canopy hold down?
That is something I have not worked out satisfactorily.
2. What R&E control hardware did you use?
CF tube rods? Plastic snakes? Something else?
The OEM design has been working fine for me on two builds.
It's not a surprise that we do some fine tuning on our favorite planes.
1. What method did you use for canopy hold down?
That is something I have not worked out satisfactorily.
2. What R&E control hardware did you use?
CF tube rods? Plastic snakes? Something else?
Attachments
RafaelAvila
Very Strong User
I used the supplied pushrods for the tail, but used Z-bends on the metal pushrod. What can I say, I like z-bends. I put the servo tray as far forward as I could, it is under the wings leading edge. I'll share some pictures a bit later.
Using an old geared Multiplex brushless inrunner I've had for a few decades. Think it has been in 2 or three planes in the past. I figured it would need the nose weight. It makes a wonderful noise when running. That is powered by a 30 amp Hobbywing ESC, one of their new Skywalkers as I wanted to play with one of those. Forget what I used for servos, think they are Orbit Eras.
The epoxy for the wing mount cured all weekend. Should be solid now.
Using an old geared Multiplex brushless inrunner I've had for a few decades. Think it has been in 2 or three planes in the past. I figured it would need the nose weight. It makes a wonderful noise when running. That is powered by a 30 amp Hobbywing ESC, one of their new Skywalkers as I wanted to play with one of those. Forget what I used for servos, think they are Orbit Eras.
The epoxy for the wing mount cured all weekend.
Should be solid now.
G-man
Very Strong User
I've been wanting to fly the OLY-2 wing an the RISER-100 wing on the same day, and this week we got to try it.
Both wings work just fine, giving the wonderful Topmodel fuselage slower flight and longer hang time than the OEM wing.
Two experienced e-glider pilots favored the Sig RISER-100 wing for smooth turns and flat glide.
I have one more wing to try before the AH-100 ships, the WANDERER-99.
It may be that the turbulator spars contribute to the sweet flying characteristics of the RISER-100 wing.
I figure if two are good, three will be better.
I already have the drawings printed from PDFs downloaded from Outerzone.com,
and I ordered the sticks and sheets from BalsaUSA yesterday.
I do like building with balsa. I'll report on the flight characteristics.
Both wings work just fine, giving the wonderful Topmodel fuselage slower flight and longer hang time than the OEM wing.
Two experienced e-glider pilots favored the Sig RISER-100 wing for smooth turns and flat glide.
I have one more wing to try before the AH-100 ships, the WANDERER-99.
It may be that the turbulator spars contribute to the sweet flying characteristics of the RISER-100 wing.
I figure if two are good, three will be better.
I already have the drawings printed from PDFs downloaded from Outerzone.com,
and I ordered the sticks and sheets from BalsaUSA yesterday.
I do like building with balsa. I'll report on the flight characteristics.
Attachments
Even though our move has officially started, we snuck out for a maiden flight of the AH-100.
Conditions were pretty nice, not hot, and a little breeze. We went over to Liberty Field for the added safety in the big space and nice runway.
First up a photo of the interior with starting CG set. Yes, we can just move the battery for CG adjustment. This is a 3S 1300, using an old Multiplex inrunner with gear box. I do love the sounds this motor makes. Plenty of room to play with. A much lighter motor could be used.
Initial flight was great, perhaps a little tail heavy. We launched with about 50% power. She climbed out very nicely, and this power setup had tons of power for this airframe, 50% would be fine for sporty climb outs. Full throttle was a vertical climb. Cut the power and she floats really nicely. Our first launch took us right into a thermal. That's a good sign. Wasn't sure we had much thermal activity as there were no birds in the sky.
After a few passes to feel her out we started picking up the speed. One of the goals of this plane was to have a wing that will not flutter when speeding from one area to another. Very happy to report that I saw no signs of flutter despite some aggressive speed passes and full throttle assaults.
While on the subject of abusive testing, let's do some loops. We did really big and really tight loops and again saw no signs of issues. She has a nice strong spar. (Here is the interesting thing, the entire wing is glued with CA.)
When I covered her, I didn't attach the covering to the ribs. This makes a prettier wing, but turns out the wing took a good warp when sitting in the sun. So I'll need to heat up the film and straighten her out, then stick it down to each rib. In flight she responded well to right rudder, but not as well to left rudder, this was a result of that wing twist.
The only other issue was an easy one, I think she is too light. LOL We had some minor gusting and it could upset the model a bit.
Stall was very mild, but will need to be retested once the wing is straightened out. She comes in super slow for landing, you could easily hand catch her if you wanted.
Second flight will have to wait till after we move into the new location. I may add some tweaks for improved rudder response before the next build.
I am very pleased with the wing performance. The challenge on the design was a wing that is easy to build (no b-box) and will not flutter. I think we achieved those goals very nicely. A few tweaks and I think we will have a really great performing plane that is enjoyable to build.
Conditions were pretty nice, not hot, and a little breeze. We went over to Liberty Field for the added safety in the big space and nice runway.
First up a photo of the interior with starting CG set. Yes, we can just move the battery for CG adjustment. This is a 3S 1300, using an old Multiplex inrunner with gear box. I do love the sounds this motor makes. Plenty of room to play with. A much lighter motor could be used.
Initial flight was great, perhaps a little tail heavy. We launched with about 50% power. She climbed out very nicely, and this power setup had tons of power for this airframe, 50% would be fine for sporty climb outs. Full throttle was a vertical climb. Cut the power and she floats really nicely. Our first launch took us right into a thermal. That's a good sign. Wasn't sure we had much thermal activity as there were no birds in the sky.
After a few passes to feel her out we started picking up the speed. One of the goals of this plane was to have a wing that will not flutter when speeding from one area to another. Very happy to report that I saw no signs of flutter despite some aggressive speed passes and full throttle assaults.
While on the subject of abusive testing, let's do some loops. We did really big and really tight loops and again saw no signs of issues. She has a nice strong spar. (Here is the interesting thing, the entire wing is glued with CA.)
When I covered her, I didn't attach the covering to the ribs. This makes a prettier wing, but turns out the wing took a good warp when sitting in the sun. So I'll need to heat up the film and straighten her out, then stick it down to each rib. In flight she responded well to right rudder, but not as well to left rudder, this was a result of that wing twist.
The only other issue was an easy one, I think she is too light. LOL We had some minor gusting and it could upset the model a bit.
Stall was very mild, but will need to be retested once the wing is straightened out. She comes in super slow for landing, you could easily hand catch her if you wanted.
Second flight will have to wait till after we move into the new location. I may add some tweaks for improved rudder response before the next build.
I am very pleased with the wing performance. The challenge on the design was a wing that is easy to build (no b-box) and will not flutter. I think we achieved those goals very nicely. A few tweaks and I think we will have a really great performing plane that is enjoyable to build.
G-man
Very Strong User
WF> I am very pleased with the wing performance.
This is some very welcome news. Yay-o-yay.
WF> The challenge on the design was a wing that is easy to build (no b-box) and will not flutter.
I just lost mt OLY-II wing mounted on Topmodel fuselage to flutter during a power off dive.
Partially (mostly?) my fault because previous landing tore some covering and I did not tape the tear.
Glad to say my Topmodel PRELUDE fuselage survived being strained thru a tree, and is ready for a new wing.
I am truly looking forward to a floater wing that has incorporated anti-flutter design and components.
This is some very welcome news. Yay-o-yay.
WF> The challenge on the design was a wing that is easy to build (no b-box) and will not flutter.
I just lost mt OLY-II wing mounted on Topmodel fuselage to flutter during a power off dive.
Partially (mostly?) my fault because previous landing tore some covering and I did not tape the tear.
Glad to say my Topmodel PRELUDE fuselage survived being strained thru a tree, and is ready for a new wing.
I am truly looking forward to a floater wing that has incorporated anti-flutter design and components.
Attachments
Well, during the move of Aloft we only had one plane damaged.. guess which one. It's my fault. I was packing the truck and saw how the guys had secured it, and I thought of a better method.. I should have left it alone. It fell between racks in the moving truck and the fuselage got a little smushed and cracked the tail boom. All else is fine. Pretty sure it would fly fine, but will slap on a little repair before another flight.
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