Molded pockets for servo horn screw access

[T-CAT]

Since MotionRC has a direct design relationship with Freewing, I'd like to request an idea that has great functionality to be added to all Freewing airplanes. On many FMS airplanes now a days, they have made getting to a servo much easier to either remove the servo horn via the screw and readjust it on the spline to your liking (like centering a servo, setting up your flaps to neutral point and equal on both sides, etc.), or just simply to ensure that servo horn screw is tight (on initial set-up, as well as for routine preflight checks). It's a molded pocket in the foam lined up with the servo horn screw. This pocket allows a person to do what's stated above and NOT have to remove the servo from the pocket and deal with gluing it back in, tearing part of the foam surrounding it, cutting a pocket for access, etc.

Now, I know some of the Freewing planes come with servo pocket covers that screw on and off and therefore no glue is needed for the servo, so it can be taken out and checked. Other Freewing planes just simply have the servo glued in with no screw on pocket cover. Now, it shouldn't matter whether there is a servo cover or not, it would be a great feature to have the molded pocket in any Freewing plane to allow easy access to each servo horn screw.

Freewing and FMS have incredible designs and many times I see one design feature of one company that I would love to have incorporated into the designs of the other company. I could say many various designs of Freewing that would be fantastic to see in FMS designs as well.

[Alpha]

Hey T-Cat, good suggestion, thanks for posting. We've looked at that angled slot design for possible inclusion on future aircraft. More than just Freewing, I'd like to see that feature on all manufacturer's planes. Horizon, Dynam, Durafly, etc. It's convenient to access the servo horn screw without needing to remove the servo, yes, although in a pinch if needed I've just "eyeballed it" and poked a small screwdriver through the foam at an angle and reached the screw that way.

The molded plastic servo enclosures (pocket and cover) are a different matter --they are reserved for the larger aircraft like the 90mm planes, primarily due to cost. The weight is a factor, but it's really the plastic mold cost that makes it a tough decision to incorporate into smaller planes in the lower price ranges. you guys wouldn't believe the cost of plastic molds.

Another simple but effective feature I'd like to see implemented universally across all manufacturers is the loop or two wound at the top of steel wire struts. Eflite does this on some of their models, but it hasn't quite caught on with most other manufacturers. The loops help dissipate landing forces without taking too much away from the scale look on most aircraft.

[T-CAT]

Thanks Alpha. I agree, if it could be included in all manufacturers aircraft, even better. Since I purchase primarily Freewing and FMS, I tend to want it most on those brands. I'd love to see little design features like that incorporated as a standard in the mold regardless of company. Thats great to know your looking into it. In the planes that don't have them, I do what you already wrote and eyeball the angle to poke a screwdriver through to get to the horn screw, or I stake a sliver of foam out at an angle to make my own "pocket".

I agree about the molded plastic servo pockets and covers on the larger aircraft. It seems like the only way to somewhat offset the cost of the molding is to include them on larger and more expensive aircraft. I do like those molded pockets and screw on covers. However, even the slightest design flaw and the servo has unwanted movement, so I still add a dab of FoamTac glue on each side of the servo where it meets the pocket to ensure security if the cover falls off in flight. I also add a mini drop of FoamTac on the tip of a screwdriver or toothpick to dab on to each cover screw where the screw head meets the plastic cover so the screw can't back out easily.

The metal strut loops are definitely a great idea on the wire strut landing gear. That should help keep a majority of the load being dispersed to the retract housing and trunion.

I also like seeing the control rod "keepers" have a sliver of fuel tubing over them for added security. I know Freewing uses keepers on their control rods too, and they are very secure, but fuel tube adds that extra bit of safety, and although easy for hobbyist to add, it would be nice to have added from the factory.

I noticed Freewing made the nose cone of the Stinger 90 in plastic molded in. That's excellent and much better for durability than the all foam design found on the earlier version Stingers. I've also been loving the nice smooth transition of the tailcones on the jets with afterburners, as the thrust tube keeps the turbulence down all while providing a great lighting effect.

[corsair167]

A REALLY GREAT IDEA TO HELP PILOTS SET UP A NEW AIRCRAFT