TOP FLIGHT SCHOOL
MAIDEN VIDEO
BUILD VIDEO
To the Flite Test Community
Our top designer is at it again creating the revised MESA Fighter Jet called the Raptor V2. Our current style of planes have been working out so well we had to make sure that our older Raptor was given the proper treatment. This was Ashton's job, take the old Raptor design and convert over using our new building techniques. As you will see, he did a fantastic job, and it rivals our best yet, the 35 Lightning.
Here is our official spec sheet, created by our marketing director Daniel!
Download the FREE PLANS here!
Support and Purchase the kit @ Altitude Hobbies.com
Check out the rest of our FREE PLANS created by students on our new website: www.mesarc.club
Within the FT STEM curriculum Ashton is currently in the Enginneering and Design Strand, specifically creating a product within the market specifications. See the FT STEM Engineering Design Model for High School that he used to guide himself through the creation of this rc DIY aircraft.
Ashton used the previous Raptor and our latest 35 Lightning designs to develop his possible solution. Based on the EDM, he needed to make sure too that he was meeting the market's needs, so his solution needed to be user friendly, quick on the build, and easy in flight. After developing his final solution in CAD it was time to build it, and test it, this would be our prototype. Still within the Create stage, the prototype proved to be a great flyer, fast build, only changes were cosmetic. He then produced the final that you see here in this article, and proceeded to conduct more tests with it, using others to test his product to give feedback, passing all tests. Now its time to share his design to the community, and market it to be used a fundraiser for the program to sustain itself. Ashton did an amazing job, you heard he wants to get into multirotors, so lets hope he creates the next cool frame!
Ashton's first product creation called the Eagle, Bixler flew this one in our backyard and loved it!
The Typhoon was pretty cool with its High Alpha capabilities.
Pic of the 35 Lightning design he used.
Solving the problem of the sandwhich style wing design.
It wasn't bad though, prooved to be one of our most popular planes.
Converting it to a simple plug and chug build.
No more warping of the wings.
Easy access to all the electronics.
Showing his attempt to get as close to the Raptor design as possible.
Sevo and control surface layout.
On-board the Raptor
Serious as usual!
All smiles! Great job Ashton!
Log In to reply
I found that this plane goes together pretty easily off of the plans. Be sure to watch the MESA RC videos as they are a great help. The spec sheet has the CG back rather far back, almost to the motor, but we needed very little trim with that CG.
My son found that the plane can be a challenge to fly. This one is not for beginners. This is likely due to the anhedral of the wings, and the relatively large control surfaces. After reducing the throws to 25% and upping the expo to 30%, for all control surfaces, the plane became safely controllable, but still felt twitchy, especially on the elevators. Additionally, we found that it was susceptible to cross winds on take-off (getting flipped) and didn't do well at high attitude hand launches (the hold in front of you & drop method). Flatter launches did well, and low wind launches were fine. Once in the air, she flew great (excepting the twitchiness), even making good speed in a headwind. Landings have to be carefully managed as the wings and control surfaces need moving air to work, and the prop doesn't generate wind-flow over the control surfaces, So landings need to be gently powered in, rather than glide.
One really cool effect was the sound of the wings on a fly-by. It really sounded like the real thing whistling by us. My son is still mimicking the sounds of the wings...
My son's finally summary is that it is a fun flier, but best suited for calmer days and experienced pilots.
(If you are looking for something more entry-level, the MF-35 is, for us, a proven plane. It still moves fast in the air, but has a more controllable experience.)
Log In to reply