Carbon Falcon

[Wayne]

OK - quick update. I stand corrected, we do have down thrust built into our motor mounts. My bad memory. Originally we did not.

OK, we just did a hand full of flights each with a different motor spacer to try differing amounts of down thrust. We started with a very course adjustment (lots of down on throttle) and kept reducing the spacer until we got to a very thin washer, and this gave us a very neutral pitching. Here is the washer on the top of the motor mount:

We then removed the washer and went back to the stock angle and in our opinion this is the best. It has a very slight pitch upward with throttle.

With all of this said, I just found out that our customer commenting on the up pitch is running a 3S battery. According to ecalc a 2S battery can produce about 65 watts, but the 3S battery will produce 166 watts (192 watts with a full charge). That is far more than this airframe can handle. If you want to use a 3S battery I think you will want to run something like a 4x2 or 3.5x3 prop. And still be mindful of how much throttle you give it.

 

[Jetz7]

Thanks for the update Wayne. Though I do want to clarify that I am not flying it at full throttle, flying mostly at 30-40% when climbing or performing steep back turns. While I am cruising, or with minimal throttle, it does want to pitch up pretty dramatically. I am going to do some more test flights in a short bit and see how it performs. I'll also try and grab a few videos of it to see if it is pitching up more than nominal.

 

[Wayne]

Sounds good.

Also, in the photo you shared for your CG test, you need to have the nose going down a little for correct CG. Level as you showed in the photo would be tail heavy, and that will make it more pitchy. If flying in the wind we do find it beneficial to increase the nose weight.

 

[abobotek]

Pics of my "packaging" of electronics. Stripped the ESC heat-shrink to solder the motor leads directly, keeping wires short. Big wrap of heat shrink holds the ESC to the frame. Note insulating heat-shrink around carbon tubes to prevent stray conductivity risk. View attachment 14790
Antenna whiskers are simple zip ties and heat-shrink - heard of the technique from quads.
View attachment 14789

Attaching antennas to carbon rods is not recommended. Carbon fiber is very conductive and will attenuate signals.

 

[Jarron]

Attaching antennas to carbon rods is not recommended. Carbon fiber is very conductive and will attenuate signals.

He's got them attached to the zip tie tails pointing away from the carbon.

 

[TrevorZ]

Hello,
I got myself a quick build and I really like the design of the carbon falcon. I recently got all my electronics installed and radio setup no problem. I also like the included wall mount as it made it really easy to hang next to my other models. Unfortunately after hanging on the wall for a couple days I noticed the fabric around the batons was separating, please see my pics. The fabric can be pressed back together, but as long as the batons are inserted the fabric will separate after a short time. Has anyone else experienced this and is there a way to fix it?

 

[Wayne]

We had a few go out that should not have passed our QC checks. Please send us an email: contact@alofthobbies.com and just share the same details and we will get you a replacement sail ASAP.

Very sorry for the trouble!

The issue is with the fabric, there are actually 2 different sides, and we have to be careful to avoid this issue.

 

[JMP 13]

I have the Carbon Falcon prebuilt kit and with a nice level power off glide when I add even 1/3rd power it noses up severely and even full down elevator it doesn't level off. I'm nose heavy as the manual shows but having no luck under power. I am waiting for a shipment of 6 x 3 props from you guys as now I'm using a 5.3 x 4 replacement as I broke the original. I'm guessing the replacement isn't helping but please offer some suggestions. Thanks,

JP

 

[Wayne]

I'm wondering if you do not have the rubber band at the motor holding the sail down?

We have carefully tuned the thrust angle to avoid pitching moment. Would it be possible to get a picture of your motor area? Curious if something is in the wrong orientation there.

 

[Mazeppa]

I also get a dramatic pitch up with small throttle inputs.
Quick build kit, 2S 1100mah battery, 6x3 Super S prop. Washout is 65mm, control throws are 30mm. All rubber bands are in place.
Power off glide angle is good, but just to be sure - CG is checked with the orange bits all the way forward, correct?

I installed a downthrust washer as pictured above, but haven't tried it yet.

 

[RafaelAvila]

I also get a dramatic pitch up with small throttle inputs.
Quick build kit, 2S 1100mah battery, 6x3 Super S prop. Washout is 65mm, control throws are 30mm. All rubber bands are in place.
Power off glide angle is good, but just to be sure - CG is checked with the orange bits all the way forward, correct?

I installed a downthrust washer as pictured above, but haven't tried it yet.

Yes orange bits forward have you adjusted your reflex? Should me 65mm from a flat surface when you lay down the wing in the table

 

[Mazeppa]

Yes, I called it washout, reflex is the more correct term.
Actually, it was at 65mm on both sides right out of the box. Laid a finger lightly on the LE of each side when I checked it.

Uncommonly windy here these days, waiting for some calm to test it again.

 

[cricket]

Finally got a maiden flight with my Carbon Falcon two days ago. The place I visited in Idaho just didn’t have enough clear space and the nearest AMA field was nearly an hour and a half drive, so flying waited until I got home. At least my PVC quiver protected the aircraft for 3200 miles.

Even though initial glide tests went well, I think my CG is too far back since I had to hold down elevator even after maxing the down trim. I plan to add some weight and see how that goes. A smaller prop might help, too.

Squirrely handling resulted in a couple rough landings. Now I’ve got a short tear in the sail and a cracked center baton.

I’m pretty sure the battery contributed to the baton damage since it mounts directly under the crack. I’ve used CA to glue it back together, but it will be replaced someday. One alternate I’ll try is a 4mm bamboo skewer steamed and shaped to match the plywood original. I’ll place far more confidence in continuous grain over the full length rather than layers of alternating grain direction.

The ripped sail will be mended with a piece of nylon patch tape. If I ever replace the sail, the new one will first get a section of tape as reinforcement.

I’ll be making a new quiver from four inch tubing. Three inch tubing is just a little too tight to easily put the frame and sail inside.

 

[Wayne]

Send us an email and we will get you a new baton. It is pretty rare to break one of them, but it can happen.

The Falcon really does not lick gusty winds. The super light wing loading and nature of the fabric works against us here.

The new props work more efficiently than the older props. They convert a lot more of the power to thrust. The props we originally included were always in a partially stalled state on the Carbon Falcons. We have fully tested the new props and all has been working fine, but sort of wonder if this is causing some of the extra climb nature some are reporting.

 

[cricket]

I chose the day to maiden by the forecast for low wind. It was almost dead calm, overcast, and 90 degrees, topped with typical Kansas City humidity. That's what I call "FM weather". "M" is for miserable and you can probably guess the "F".

I'll take you up on the baton offer. CA alone didn't hold it. My last ditch attempt is wrapping the broken area with kevlar thread then CA and a dusting of baking soda.

Smaller diameter prop, lower pitch, or both? I'm open to recommendations.

Thanks,
Jon

 

[RafaelAvila]

I chose the day to maiden by the forecast for low wind. It was almost dead calm, overcast, and 90 degrees, topped with typical Kansas City humidity. That's what I call "FM weather". "M" is for miserable and you can probably guess the "F".

I'll take you up on the baton offer. CA alone didn't hold it. My last ditch attempt is wrapping the broken area with kevlar thread then CA and a dusting of baking soda.

Smaller diameter prop, lower pitch, or both? I'm open to recommendations.

Thanks,
Jon

We're currently out of stock on batons, need a couple days to put some inventory up since we're on middle of a move to a new location but I believe we'll have some in 10 days or less

 

[RafaelAvila]

Blue/white/RED Is Being Manufactured, PRE ORDER NOW! and it will ship before 11/08/2024!!

 

[Wayne]

Recently we have made a few upgrades to the Carbon Falcon. It may seem silly, but I love this new assembly that Rafael drew up:

The is the servo tray and CG location pins.

We also have the slick new folding prop setup:

This new prop setup is really nice. It is perfectly matched to the Falcon and is going to be much harder to hurt it when landing.

We will be updating the kits and the manual soon.

 

[RafaelAvila]

Had the servo whole mount updated.

 

[Drako]

when will that prop be available? i like the idea of the folding prop. i was going to maiden my falcon today. finally got around to building it. then last night i had it sitting in a corner of the room. wife walked in and stepped on the nose with her toe. broke the center wood rib..... she was looking in my closet for a Christmas decoration and didnt even see it. i heard the crack......my heart sank. going to try to make one. i have some 1/8 ply from my boat builds. edit. found the folding prop. what blades are recommended for the falcon?