EasyStar II Build Help

That looks fantastic Bill

...Tiger

Some trees bare strange fruit! This looks a lot like Tyson's plane, but I know it couldn't be.

...Tiger

Thanks Tiger.
That does look like that new plane, heck of a place to land.

It was just resting up there, it likes the view from up high.

Is that the same plane as Pelagic Pilot?

No, mine is a Multiplex EasyGlider PRO.
They do look a little alike, except mine is a tractor and PP's is a pusher is the biggest difference.
I have a folding prop too but it doesn't automatically fold when the motor stops like the one on Pelagic's plane.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/products/easy-glider-pro-arf-MPU214226

So tonight I finished getting my Bixler together. Now I can go play with that Easy Star guy. I wonder if he'll let me land in his tree?

The plane went together really easy and I really don't have any complaints about anything. The quality was much better than what I expected from some YouTube videos so maybe HK is listening to the feedback. If I was building it again, the only thing I would do different is I wouldn't use that snot they call glue to attach the tail feathers. I'd just use medium CA like Tyson did. I'm totally confident that the stuff will hold, but it's just horrible to work with and takes forever to dry (if it ever actually dries). I did reinforce a few things with tape like some guys suggested and I put some tubing over the servo horn clips so they can't come off. All minor stuff and common sense things I always do anyway. The motor seems really small, but seems to make a lot of power. I see they have a warning about giving it full throttle for more than 20-30 seconds. I'm sure they're pushing it pretty hard. The CG with a 2200mah battery is just about perfect. That means if you pile in a bunch of FPV gear, it might be difficult to balance. I don't plan to do that, but it could be a consideration for some guys.

So... Here's a picture. Hopefully it will still look this good after I throw it into the air tomorrow.

...Tiger

It looks good Tiger.
I think I've seen some where a lite plywood replacement for the canopy that holds much of the fpv gear for this plane. Do you have one or going to build your own?

Not sure what you're referring to when you say "Do you have one or going to build your own?"

I've seen a lot of these with a plywood platform replacing the canopy. The only problem I see with that is it makes it a little difficult to get inside to install the battery. Since the only thing that really needs to be outside is the camera, I think if I was doing that, I'd just remove and trim away the canopy piece and mount the camera on it. That way you preserve the nice closed opening and the magnetically latched feature.

Actually... I have no intention of making the Bixler into an FPV platform. I just got it to fly around and have fun. Tyson (PP) and I went out and flew this afternoon. It was my first flight on the Bixler and I'm really pleased with it. I am in the process of modifying my Phantom for FPV. Have all the radio gear and the OSD arrived in the mail today. I got my vibration problem with the camera handled so now I can start working on the radio gear.

...Tiger

Yep, that's what I was talking about.

Okay, I took as this was to be the fpv platform to fly around with PP.
It was a good day to fly and have fun, no tree landings today?
Looks like the dry sunny days are coming to an end. Up here any way.

GP - Yes it was absolutely beautiful today. Bright sun and no wind. We've been doing a lot of flying all week and it's been wonderful. Looks like it all ends for a while starting tomorrow. Fall sure doesn't last long around here. I'd have been tempted to make the plane FPV, but I'm in the middle of doing it with the Phantom and I think that will be a much better platform for a first time FPV encounter. If anything goes wrong, you can let go of the sticks and it just hangs in the air until you get your act together. I'm really looking forward to giving it a try.

...Tiger

I'm about to jump into FPV too and I like that idea. In fact I'm going to mount the camera temporarily to my SCX10 for a while before it all goes on to the quad.

On your truck? I hope you post some of the video you get from that. Surface FPV is cool.

On my truck.. there's little worry of crashing that new gear on it.
I'll start a new thread (with pix) when I get all the stuff together.

OK, I look forward to seeing it.

My stuff showed up, Ardupilot with GPS and OSD, Frysky DHT with LRS Rx unit, and Wing Cam HD.

The OSD should show RSSI (My biggest priority) and should say things about the battery amps.

Cool, you got some sweet stuff too.

Very cool! Are you going to have a antenna tracker on your ground station?

Eventually, just getting one thing done at a time for now, looking for a better telemetry radio first, but no luck so far.