Aerial Jenga

by FliteTest | March 17, 2016 | (6) Posted in Just Fun

If you've never played the game Jenga before, here is a synopsis. There is a stack of intersecting blocks that make up a tower roughly one foot (30.5 cm) tall. You and your friends carefully remove pieces of the tower and stack them back on top. You keep removing blocks until one unlucky fool knocks the whole thing down. It's an intersting game because the goal isn't to win, but to not lose. 

Peter had the brillant idea of translating this game into the hobby. The idea is you take an old plane (one you're planning on decommissioning anyway) and you keep removing pieces until it is impossible to fly. The pilot who drilled the last hole before they crash is the loser. 

The only additional rules are to section off parts of the plane where you shouldn't be sticking power tools! Mainly, electronics and anywhere there might be wires or push rods. 

We started the game by only drilling one hole each but quickly found out that these thing can fly even looking like swiss cheese. It was taking far too long so we ended up with these house rules. 

  • A pilot must drill 4 holes into the aircraft anywere they are able that's outside the 'safe zone'
  • They must then complete one lap and a loop
  • If they are able to successfully land the plane, the next pilot repeats the process until the plane is toast. 

Unfortunately for Mr. Bixler, he decided to take a little to much out of the tail section and saw his demise. 

Here is our victor with the carcass of the FT Guinea Pig.

What other kids of board games do you think could be translated into RC? 

COMMENTS

Rhudson1960 on March 17, 2016
During WWII B-17s would come back from raids with shocking amounts of damage to the airframe and make a landing the crew could walk away from. This games kinda proves the point that its hard to take a good plane down!

Log In to reply
themajik1 on March 17, 2016
I really liked this episode guys! Shows how durable the new foam is and just having some fun! Educating and entertaining! Just what was needed!!!
Log In to reply
12th Monkey on March 20, 2016
Fantastic way to say goodbye to an old plane!
Log In to reply
HilldaFlyer on March 18, 2016
Holy plane Batman!

or would that be...

Holey plane Batman!
Log In to reply
jackweed on April 1, 2016
LOL
Log In to reply
earthsciteach on March 17, 2016
So, what you're telling me is that you've been making me build planes with FAR more foam than necessary!

Great episode! LOVED IT!
Log In to reply
jrsydvl000 on November 3, 2016
"Congratulations Josh and Peter" - I saw this Game made it on Outrageous Acts of Science that aired on 11/2/16 as #18 in the Countdown
Log In to reply
jrsydvl000 on November 3, 2016
I want to Correct my comment, it was as # 19 on the list but still Congratulations
Log In to reply
BigSexy on March 17, 2016
Only Bixler can make a plane destroying crash look that graceful!
Log In to reply
joshuaparker on March 21, 2016
Hey you guys should find a way to incorporate Peter's Nerf-nihilator from ft extra into an airplane
Log In to reply
flyingsquirrelrc on March 17, 2016
lol

cant wait for the ft vector. looks cool. like the canards.

btw, u guys are hilarious.

@rhudson1960 yeah it reminded me of a warbird that had seen better days too.
Log In to reply
Morbius on March 21, 2016
CHALLENGE CHALLENGE CHALLENGE CHALLENGE
FIX IT * FIX IT * FIX IT * FIX IT
Hey a paint stick, some some skewers, a little heat shrink covering
FLY IT FOR AN ARTICLE - - - AUCTION IT AT FLITE FEST
Log In to reply
Digital Wolf on March 17, 2016
Is there a video of peter flying in a thunderstorm?
Log In to reply
Missionboots on July 10, 2016
There is a vid of David flying in one on FT Gremlin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8NA3Kx4QxE
Log In to reply
Kurt0326 on March 18, 2016
Finally a challenge video again! Boy, my family have missed those.
Log In to reply
Morbius on March 21, 2016
Oh, and some tape !
Log In to reply
Spacemonkeykj on July 10, 2016
So funny this episode was the best BTW How did you guys make the drill thing?
Log In to reply
PropSpinner on March 17, 2016
Swiss cheese plane!
Log In to reply
cesarskydiver on March 19, 2016
FLITE TEST IS BY FAR THE BEST EVER RC CHANNEL ! PURE FUN !! THIS IS THE REAL RC SPIRIT !!!!!!!
Log In to reply
AERODROME on March 17, 2016
NEXT TIME JUST SOAK IT WITH CHARCOAL FLUID. ADD A LONG FUSE AND TAKE OFF.

Log In to reply
Neskair on March 17, 2016
Awesome video! Just like the old FT!

Log In to reply

You need to log-in to comment on articles.


Aerial Jenga