My Bixler 2

I'm a novice flyer with some time on an old Firebird Commander. After a few successful flights I got tired of the throttle "elevator" setup. The inability to accelerate, let alone fly in any sort of breeze, without the plane starting to lift up got irritating. So I decided to look into something for four channel training.

After some time online I found the Bixler 2. I looked at some of the online reviews, and about a week later I one arrived in the mail. While I was waiting I looked over some more reviews, so by the time it arrived I knew what changes I wanted to make.

First was the air cooling on the bottom front. Where the hole is located I knew that grass, and who knows what else, would be getting inside with the electronics. So I was going to cover it with packing tape. My wife saw what I was doing and suggested I try Tegaderm. She's a nurse, and they use it to cover wounds. It's flexible, durable, and very sticky.

I'll let you know how well it works. It isn't cheap, but it's a lot lighter than packing tape. Plus it's almost invisible.

I also installed the flaps. Instead of fooling with mixing, I used a 'Y' servo with a reverser. You can see the servos that I installed.

Next came putting in another hole that allows the air in to cool the electonics. One of my coworkers suggest a NACA duct.

I found a calculator online (here), and took a few dimensions from the plane. I used some graph paper to sketch out the profile, and then cut it out of the graph paper. I laid that over the spot on the plane as a template, and the used a marker to outline the edge on the foam. Using an Exacto Knife, I very carefully cut it out in the foam. I slowly cut from back to front, gradually reducing the depth of the blade as I did. Until I pulled it completely out at the very front. Then, I cut some line across, going from all of the way through at the back to almost no depth at all in the front. From there, I started removing the foam to "ramp" the air inside. I've done a crude test by blowing over the front with my finger inside and could feel the air. After I actually fly it, I'll let you know how it works.

But there's my Bixler 2. My very first 4-Channel plane. I'm very proud of it, but wanted some pictures of it untouched before I take it on its maiden flight.