FT Podcast 015 - Designing Your Own Plane

by FliteTest | February 24, 2014 | (38) Posted in Podcasts

Audio Link

Designing your own RC airplane can be one of the most satisfying experiences in this hobby. Today we talk about some things such as:
Why design scratch builds? 
Why bother with your own creation? 
Where does the idea for a design start? 
What programs are best? 
What are some common problems you find once you take the airplane out for the first time?

What's new at FliteTest? 
Well... Flite Fest 14! We talk about our upcoming event in July 2014.
The whole purpose of this event is to spend time with you and fly with you!
Thank you everyone for helping to make this possible.

More details and a Kickstarter page to come!!

What do you think about Flite Fest 2014? 
Have any ideas? Share them below! 

COMMENTS

carsonpauli on February 24, 2014
I was wanting to design a rc plane and didn't know how to start. Thanks!!!
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uberjay on February 24, 2014
Looking forward to FF14!
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NoUsername on February 24, 2014
Wow, impressive

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foamalone on February 24, 2014
YES. Very interested in this event, and how I might be of service to you.
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lysjones on February 24, 2014
Can we use the full scale runway for...full scale? Would love to fly in to FF14!
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Paulshort on February 24, 2014
release the kraken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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hele559 on February 25, 2014
well, i think there will be enough room for a few hundred people. hopefully.
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hele559 on February 25, 2014
what is the 3D printer?
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godonholiday on February 25, 2014
I'd like to know too, couldn't quite pick it up in the answer.
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civil on February 27, 2014
pretty sure it was the "Afinia H series"
https://store.afinia.com/
which, from what I can tell, is a pp3dp printer? called a "UP! plus" elsewhere
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Fabberdan on February 25, 2014
David, I think the book you where talking about is "Model aircraft aerodynamics" by Martin Simons. Indeed a very good book on the subject that is also easy enough to understand if you do not have a degree in aerodynamics.
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Flynn on February 25, 2014
Just put in for the time off! Does anyone know that city/town this event would be near? My wife is good to me but she's not the camping type. Thanks!
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austinfurey on February 25, 2014
Hi Flynn, the event will be held in Malvern, OH. Towns with hotels nearby would be Canton, OH and North Canton OH (about 25-30 min away)
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civil on February 25, 2014
Only just found your podcast recently, but I'm now up to date and they're all great!

I'm thinking about buying a 3d-printer so I liked that as a possible pod-cast topic (for either the 'main' podcast or the after hours). Maybe some recommendations for what a first-time buyer should be considering, how hard they are to set up, etc?

Wish I was closer to you guys, cause I don't think I can afford the airfares to get to America. (I live in Western Australia) But I'm looking forward to hearing all about it!
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jordster1998 on February 25, 2014
WHY DOES FF14 HAVE TO BE SOOOOOO FAR AWAY !!!!!!!!!!!!! :(
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hele559 on March 1, 2014
I hear you bro,
I want FT to come on holiday to NZ!!
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thomasyingling on February 25, 2014
Speaking of mini/micro planes (indoors) I printed the tile plans of FT-22 and The Spit "2 pages per sheet" set up option in the "Print" window. Since it prints out smaller I got copies of my bigger FliteTest builds that are 1/2 scale in comparison. Turned out looking pretty cool; let me know how they fly.
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Flying Penguin RC on February 25, 2014
See you all at Flite Fest 2014!
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Keenan smith on March 18, 2014
when is it?, i may fly in for it To represent GB! :P
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ReformedControlLiner on February 25, 2014
I'm not sure if anyone else is experiencing this - but I listen through stitcher and episode 15 is the same as episode 14. I tried refreshing and deleting cache in my phone etc. But still same result. Austin - can you double check on this? It is tough to listen thru the website while commuting and I don't do "i" anything. I use stitcher because you recommended it - are there other android recs?
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austinfurey on February 26, 2014
That's interesting, I will investigate that.
I strongly suggest Pocket Casts by Shifty Jelly which has an Android version and an iOS version. It's by far the best app I have found.


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ReformedControlLiner on February 26, 2014
Not sure if you were the reason - but it worked properly today. Thanks if you were able to help.
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Leg0er on February 27, 2014
I just use Google Music and download and then put them on there.
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Willsonman on February 25, 2014
ot sure if you are referencing the book I have or not but I love it! RC Advisor's Model Airplane Design Made easy by Carlos Reyes.
http://www.amazon.com/RCadvisors-Model-Airplane-Design-Made/dp/0982261322/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393376283&sr=8-1&keywords=model+airplane+design+made+easy
I've used it extensively while learning how to do my scratch builds. I also happen to have a friend who designs aircraft for a living... so that helps too. Great Podcast. Need to get going on my scratch builds again.
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witespy on February 26, 2014
We listen ! thanks for all the kind words,

I will try you again David in the morning. I called a couple times but it says your mailbox is not setup :)

Paul B.

we have some awesome stuff coming up soon
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Leo82 on February 26, 2014
http://www.horizonfuelcellshop.com/americas/product/h-cell-2-0/

Found something about that fuel cell stuff. That was Tamiya TT-01 with 30w fuel cell kit. Version 1 looked like hydrogen only. Maybe acceleration wasn't nice enough and they made a hybrid version.
Interesting product... how many batteries you can buy with that money?

I think it's pretty easy to put that in some glider and maybe it might even climb.
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ikem on February 26, 2014
CHALLENGE! FPV with a VHS Camera! It is possible.
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Ultimate_Red on February 26, 2014
Which motor and prop did Alex mention at the beginning? I can't find the exact moment again.. :(
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liveyourdreamsRC on February 28, 2014
Can you do 3D printing episode maybe? Or incorporate it into the designing one?
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Leg0er on February 28, 2014
Heh, I have a great idea for my first design...
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Trimax on March 1, 2014
Flitetest this is great news!! See you there
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Mohanned on March 11, 2014
Can i use Autodesk 3ds max to design planes?
please help!
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andre on March 25, 2014
Flite Fest question. Will there be power onsite to charge batteries?


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srconner@yahoo.com on March 31, 2014
Will you require an AMA membership to fly?
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Splatwillicrash on April 23, 2014
I am Soooo looking forward to this. Just trying to figure out how best to make it happen. Fly out and rent an RV? Drive out and drag my Fifth wheel.... Gonna have to decide soon....
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FT Podcast 015 - Designing Your Own Plane