Carbon Falcon Quick-Build Kit: Observations from New User

[PeteCress]

Got the Carbon Falcon yesterday.

Here are a few observations from the OCD-inclined:

* Holes in the control arms had to be reamed out for the thick part of the clevis' to fit.

* The Li Po battery arrived carrying a charge of only 12% which AFIK, is substantially below the recommended storage charge of 3.8 volts/cell.

* Hot knife work on sail could be better. On each side's trailing edge just outboard of the first batten from the middle there is a bit of ragged ripstop. It's like the change in direction degrades the fabric-melting part of the cutting action.

* Instructions refer to the orange thingie for testing COG, but said orange thingie slides back-and-forth freely about a half inch. I am guessing it should have been glued at the factory. Going by the photo on page 10 of the manual, I am further guessing that it's proper position is fully aft between the two servo mounts - but would like that confirmed before I put a drop of CA in there.

* Like the orange thingie, the battery tray also slides fore and aft. Hopefully this is a feature and not a bug because it makes it easy to set the CG for different battery sizes just by sliding the battery fore or aft.

* I got the LEDs with mine, but can find nothing in the manual about their proper installation. Going by their length, it seems obvious that they go atop the wing, but I have to wonder about optimal fore-aft position.

 

[Wayne]

* Holes in the control arms had to be reamed out for the thick part of the clevis' to fit.

We like a snug fit! No slop.

The Li Po battery arrived carrying a charge of only 12% which AFIK

What voltage does the battery show? 12% is just a figure your charger has picked. I have no idea what that means.

Hot knife work on sail could be better. On each side's trailing edge just outboard of the first batten from the middle there is a bit of ragged ripstop. It's like the change in direction degrades the fabric-melting part of the cutting action.

This should be much better on future kits as we now have a new cutting process.

Instructions refer to the orange thingie for testing COG, but said orange thingie slides back-and-forth freely about a half inch. I am guessing it should have been glued at the factory. Going by the photo on page 10 of the manual, I am further guessing that it's proper position is fully aft between the two servo mounts - but would like that confirmed before I put a drop of CA in there.

Yes, the orange thingie should be glued in the forward position:

Like the orange thingie, the battery tray also slides fore and aft. Hopefully this is a feature and not a bug because it makes it easy to set the CG for different battery sizes just by sliding the battery fore or aft.

This is a feature allowing you to set the CG easily.

I got the LEDs with mine, but can find nothing in the manual about their proper installation. Going by their length, it seems obvious that they go atop the wing, but I have to wonder about optimal fore-aft position.

Ahh, yes, we will have to add this to the manual. They simply slide into the leading edge pockets. Easy to install for evening flights or remove fr daytime flights.

Hope this helps.

p.s. I updated the instructions to help the next folks out. Thanks!

 

[Tobias]

Hi, I just assembled my Carbon Falcon quick build kit, and the CG was off. On further inspection, the orange CG tabs were mounted at the rear – not the front, as recommended above. I can't budge them at all, and I see some residue on the carbon rods, so I assume they must have been glued into place. Any suggestions for how to resolve this? Is there any hope of breaking the tabs free from the glue, or am I better off jury-rigging something else in front of the existing ones?

A few other points of feedback for the quick build kit:

• The included ESC did not have a JST connector, so I had to buy one separately and solder it on.
• The included ESC and motor used different bullet connectors (3.5mm on the ESC, 2mm on the motor), so I had to buy a few of those too, and do some more soldering work.
• The website states that the quick build kit comes with a propeller, but mine didn't. (I ordered an extra one, and that did arrive – so I was still able to complete the build.)

All of those are fine, but would appreciate any suggestions for how to break the CG tabs free so I can move them to the correct location.

Thank you!
Tobias

 

[Wayne]

Tobias - Very sorry for the issues. Not sure how long ago you bought, but to make it up for you. we can send you replacement center parts that use the newer design, no charge. Just send us an email at contact@alofthobbies.com and we will get them out to you ASAP. We adressed some of these issues with the redesign.