Inspiration Behind the Project
Two years ago I decided that I wanted a plane for the sole purpose of taking aerial videos. At the time the camcorder I had available was a three quarter pound beast. I had been carrying this camera on my e-flite apprentice, but was only getting side shots because I didn't want the prop in my shot. After a lot of time spent thinking about it and a few sketches, I came up with this:
The plane flies well but it is massive. The plane has a 64 inch wingspan and is not very easy to transport. Overall, the plane is great for large areas and it has the camera view that I wanted, but it just wasn't practical.
A while after building this plane I got a GoPro, which is much lighter than my three quarter pound beast of a camcorder. So, I went back to the drawing board to come up with a design for a plane that was smaller, easy to transport and still had a obstacle free foreword facing camera view.
Features of the New Design
Using Google Sketchup to put my ideas into something tangible I came up with a plane that had a three foot wingspan and a fuselage that had a "arm" that reached under the prop and gave a location to mount the GoPro. Bellow are a few pictures of the finished product.
To mount the camera to the plane I used one of the GoPro's flat bottom sticky attachments. I also added two countersunk screws to secure the camera to the plane.
The landing gear is made out of a 1/8" diameter steel rod that I got from Lowes. To make the landing gear I bent two pieces of rod and then fastened them together using fishing line and CA glue.
The plane also incorporates a light weight carbon fiber tail boom. The tube's inner diameter is large enough to allow the servo lines to be fed though the tail boom to the fuselage.
Another unique feature about this plane is its flex fit hatch. It is made out of a 1/16" thick piece of balsa ply that flexes to hold itself in place.
Specs
The plane uses: a e-flite 30 amp ESC, a Hacker A30-22s V2 motor with a 7 x 5 prop, 4 hextronic 9g servos, a Hyperion 2100 MAH 3 cell LiPo, and a Spectrum AR6115e.
Conclusions
The plane flies extremely well, better than I could have ever hoped for. I have also been experimenting with some gyro stabilization for windy days. Overall I am very pleased with how it turned out.
Want to Build One Like It?
If you are interested in building one for yourself, I have a structurally accurate sketchup model of the plane that I can send you. Just send me a PM.
Do you have an other video seeing it flying, from the outside :P?
Thanks for all
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Thanks
Robert
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I do still have the file. If you give me your email I can send you the file.
Ryan
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I may want to build one as well :D
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Thanks for your modell, I'm preparing the drawings of mine. Building will start in a couple weeks probably :P
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So what about the flaps and flaperons experimentation? I'm going on with my design. I finish a glider laying in my workshop and second part of the winter will be building your designed plane :)
Cheers!
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Whats the noise level compared to easy star and tractor airplane?
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Thanks
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Ryan
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First of all, congrats for the innovative design!
Let me introduce myself as a new "pilot" and aircraft "builder". However, so far I have not taken off the ground for several reasons, such as wheather and location. The airplanes I built were not good trainers either.
Currently I'm looking for the ultimate application for that purpose - a slow flyer with protected props that allows me to learn. It seems that your design is suitable and extendable for fpv, although I would be required to adjust the plans to adapt lighter dihedral wings.
Would you comment on the flight characteristics of your application as a trainer? Would you be willing to share your SketchUp plans?
Thanks for your contribution.
Pascual
San Francisco, CA
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Thanks for liking the design! Here are some answers to your questions.
Fully loaded with a GoPro, this plane has a high wing-loading and would not be very suitable as a trainer. However, the plane is also designed so that the battery can sit in the nose and balance the aircraft without the GoPro. Without the GoPro the wing-loading comes down a bit but I still wouldn't classify its flight characteristics as a trainer. In its current configuration it would be a great second plane.
I can still send you the SketchUp file if you would like. With some modifications of your own (mainly a larger wing to reduce wing loading), I am sure you could make it into a decent trainer.
Ryan
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All your comments will be taken into account. Tonight I will take some pics and post them, so you can have an idea of the project I'm trying to come up with: a hybrid which features different application to become a trainer. Talk soon!
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Here I'm trying to upload some pics to give you the sense of what I'm building. It's a hybrid between "The Fish" and you project. Your input will be appreciated.
Pascual
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Looking forward to seeing your designs! Can you give me a link to where you post the pics?
Ryan
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p_cipri@yahoo.com
thanks
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Ryan
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Thanks you
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Cheers
Tom
E: tomtheyeti123@gmail.com
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I am Krishna from India.
I searched a lot for an rc plane to mount a gopro.
There are very few good models and needs to be imported.
Your design is simply amazing.
Please send me the plan / design to krisnatr@gmail.com
Thanks.
Regards.
Krishna.
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I sent you an e-mail. Thanks for you interest.
Ryan
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this model looks like mine that I did in 2009, you could find videos, drawings, pictures
http://dd806-modelisme.weebly.com/quenlal.html
br
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Love your project. If you still have the file could you send it to me.
richarddickin@yahoo.co.nz
Thank
Richard
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Miro
mirec.urda@gmail.com
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Thanks!
Matt
matt.bark87@gmail.com
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Can you send me your project file? This is my mail: muharrem_karakas@msn.com
Thank you
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Thank you very much.
paulogapi@bol.com.br
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zikiryangbanyak@gmail.com
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I love the design. Is it still possible to get a copy of the Sketchup files please?
My email is tony@nettc.uk
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i couldnt find your email ID
i wish to get the detailed design.!!
kindly send me the details to selvavindhan4@gmail.com
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Can you sand me plana please.
cemertas1@hotmail.com
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Can you send me plans please.
cemertas1@hotmail.com
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