F117 Take -2

It can fly :)

F117 Take -1

With the great success of the MIG 29 we decided to build the F117 from RCpowers. Even though our past experience with delta designs was limited and not our own we never liked them. But Dave’s reassurance and claims how easy it is to fly made us feel pretty sure everything will be OK.

We did the final touchups on Friday afternoon ready to be at the field on Saturday morning bright and early, knowing that we had to do some final radio setup onsite.

F117 - Final Radio Setup issues –

We got the elevons to work but everything was working backwards, when you moved the stick to pitch up and down the ailerons moved and when you moved the stick for ailerons the elevators moved. This was quickly solved by my father the 50 year RC veteran by reversing the elevator on the transmitter.
This made everything work in the correct way but the elevator was still working in reverse.
I slept on it and remembered this could be changed in the radio by setting the +50% to -50% and vice versa on the other servo (email if you need more help)

So now we were ready to fly but neither of us wanted to test fly it. So we decided to give the opportunity to one of the veterans (BIG MISTAKE).

He gave too much power on takeoff and torque rolled it with full engine into the ground.

Angry at ourselves for letting someone else test fly our plan I decided to take out the T&T (Tape and Toothpicks) and do some moding.   

On the third attempt I was able to fly it but lost control and it rolled into the ground, I did turn the motor off and pulled up which didnt help.

One comment about fomies – in case of trouble TURN MOTOR OFF AND PULL UP while trying to land on the belly of the plane.

At the after flying coffee we decided to go home and build a new one NOW.

Three hours later we were at the field behind our house with a new F117.

Comment - the black parts are from the original.

Changes from first flight –

1. Put dual rates on the ailerons (60%) and elevator (60%). Fly with both on

First flight F117 – straight and level

With shaky fingers and adrenaline pumping through my veins we decided to go easy and just fly straight and level cut the engine and make a controlled landing.
Eureka - It worked; no crazy torque-roll but the flight was too short really to understand what was going on.
                Radio changes – turn elevator dual rate off 

Second – go around

Nice hand launch, nice right turn the plane was rolling right but controllable. Second right turn and lost it to a nose dive from 50 ft.
Action - Cut the engine and pull up the plane slowed down leveled its wings and landed gently.
No major damage.
           

     Radio changes – reduce ailerons dual rate to 30%.

Third flight – trim it out.

This flight was about trimming and making 5 full circuits. Now I was flying in full control.

I let my brother do a couple rounds and we called it a day to fly next week in the flying field to show the old timers that it can fly…

Conclusion – I never liked Delta wings and I still don’t!!! Going back to my MIG-29.

Optional projects –

1. Do some KF airfoil testing to make it more floaty and easier to fly.

2. Make a larger model??!!