FT Sparrow Build

FTScratchBuild

The FT Sparrow is the perfect plane to learn together, build together and fly together. We designed the Sparrow so that it can be built in less than 45 minutes using all the skills needed to build FT planes.

The Sparrow makes a great chuck glider or 3 channel R/C aircraft, and it can even be outfitted for FPV!

The FT Sparrow wing has three pieces: the main piece and two small spars. Glue the spars down on the wing. 

Use a marker to make a double bevel cut, fold the wing over and glue it down.

Don’t forget to reinforce the seams with glue!

Use the dihedral gauge while you put glue in the center seam of the wing. Once that dries, reinforce the seam with tape to make the wing shape nice and strong.

If there is too much glue in the seams, remove it to keep excess weight off the plane.

Follow the score lines on the fuselage using a gift card. Use your fingernails to remove the excess foam.

Remove the paper from the foam board that will be curved around the nose, then use glue to secure the nose doublers.

Use a B fold on the sides of the fuselage and glue them down. Try to keep the sides as close to a 90 degree angle as possible.

Glue the tail portion of the fuselage together.

Wrap the foam around the bottom of the nose and secure it with glue. After that dries, crack the seam on the hatch and glue down the portion that meets the front of the nose.

Reinforce the nose and hatch using glue. Then pop out the tabs on the bottom side of the fuselage.

Use glue to attach the skid to the bottom of the fuselage.

Pop out the thrower hole, and use a marker to smooth the edges.

Tape the two tail pieces together on one side to make the V wing. Peel off the excess tape.

Use a marker to crush the center edge. Put glue down the center and use the triangle gauge to hold the shape as it dries.

Install the tail to the back of the fuselage. If the tail isn’t flesh against the reference lines, use your marker to increase the angle of the foam inside the fuselage. Glue the tail to the fuselage, making sure the tail matches the reference lines.

Use a barbecue skewer to open up the reference holes in the fuselage and tail, and slide the skewer through. Cut away the excess, leaving a centimeter on either side.

Insert the cut-down skewer into the tail. Loop two rubber bands on the skewer before pulling it through the other side.

Pass the skewer through the nose. Leave about a thumb’s length on both sides of the nose and cut off any excess skewer.

Place the wing on top of the fuselage, and secure the rubber bands to the skewer on the side of the nose.

Add clay to the front nose until the plane is balanced.

Lightly lift up both sides of the elevator to give it about a millimeter of deflection on both sides.

You've now completed the free flight glider version of the FT Mighty Mini Sparrow. From here you can continue to convert it into an R/C plane! 

Drag a gift card through the score cuts on the power pod, and use your fingernails to remove the excess foam.

Apply glue to the sides of the power pod. Make sure each side is perpendicular.

Glue the firewall to the top of the power pod. After the glue dries, reinforce the firewall and power pod with tape. Cut out the tape over the holes in the firewall.

Use the shortest screws to attach the motor. Leave the wire leads on the outside.

Remove the wings and loosely fit the prop to the power pod. Place the power pod on the tail and make indicator lines before mounting the power pod with glue.

Lightly cut the indicator lines out and remove that chunk of foam.

Fold the elevators over and cut a bevel to make a hinge. Reinforce the hinge line with glue.

Place the power pod and make sure it is spaced correctly. Secure the power pod with glue.

Make a score line on the fuselage for the push rods. Pass the push rod through to make sure it does not bind.

Snake the control horns through the push rod and glue the control horns to the tail.

Make a modified Z bend on the push rods, and cut off the excess wire.

Remove the sticker from the servo, and scratch the servo so the glue has something to stick to.

Lace the servo arm into the push rod and glue the servo into place. Repeat the process with the other servo.

Remove the prop and tape down the control wires at the back before installing the ESC. Tuck the ESC wires underneath the barbecue skewer before connecting them to the control wires.

Connect the ESC to the receiver, and bind the receiver to the transmitter.

Install the prop so the numbers are facing the nose. Make sure the prop is spinning clockwise. Attach the proper bushing and mount the prop.

Glue the receiver inside the fuselage with the antenna sticking out of the bottom.

Install the wing and check the balance of the plane. Once it is balanced, connect the electronics and adjust the throw.

The FT Sparrow balances optimally with a 1000mAh 3S battery. If you have FPV gear or a smaller battery, you may need to add more nose weight.

The FT Sparrow is ready for test flight!

FT SPARROW SPECS

Weight without battery: 6.5 oz (187 g)

Center of Gravity: 2.75 in (69 mm) from leading edge of wing

Control Surface Throws: 12° deflection (elevons) Expo 30%

Wingspan: 28.5 in (723 mm)

Recommended Motor: 2300 kv 1806 size motor

Recommended Prop: 5 x 3 - 6 x 3 prop

Recommended ESC: 12 amp minimum

Recommended battery: 800 mAh 3S minimum

Recommended Servos: (2) 5 gram servos

PICK UP A SPEED BUILD KIT HERE!

FT SPARROW PLANS

FT Mighty Mini Sparrow (FULL)

FT Mighty Mini Sparrow (TILED A-Size)

FT Mighty Mini Sparrow (TILED B-Size)

FT Mighy Mini Sparrow (ALL IN ONE)

STORE LINKS

https://store.flitetest.com/ft-mighty-mini-sparrow/

https://store.flitetest.com/power-pack-a-minis/

New to the R/C hobby?

Here are some resources to help get you up to speed!

Beginner Series: WATCH HERE!

Electronics Setup: WATCH HERE!

First Flight Quick Tips: WATCH HERE!

Scratch Building without Knives: WATCH HERE!

Got glue?? Get Some Here!