Official Freewing 80mm Avanti S Sport Jet Thread

[Hugh Wiedman]

Talk about getting bored locked up in the house not being able to fly. I don't mind avoiding people, cause basically I don't really like people, except of course if they share some of my passions which includes everyone here on the Squawk. So starting to run out of little fixes and modifications to my fleet, only left with finishing out the cockpit mods and repainting of the F-18 to the Canadian (which should get me through April). I finally got around to changing my canopy on my Red Avanti from a shaded canopy to a clear one. I know most like the shaded, but I did spend some time when I first got it building out the cockpit with pilots and instruments from Iflytally. After I put the shaded canopy on, you couldn't really see any of the work on the inside, so 3 months ago I ordered a clear canopy in the event I had absolutely nothing else to do. Well, it happened. So here's my cockpit with the old shaded glass, and the new clear glass. Not sure which I like best, but at least I can see the work done on the inside (not that anyone at the field would ever notice-but I do).

This is the old, shaded canopy:



This is the new clear canopy:

[Hugh Wiedman]

I also cannot understand what is causing the strange flight characteristics, but would be money that the gyro is the cause and is not actually turning off. Either that or check that you do not have something unintended in a mix.

The Avanti S is definitely the smoothest and easiest EDF to fly. I do have the AR 636 3 axis gyro in but honestly, it really doesn't need it. If it banks left correctly, but not right, I think it can only be a gyro error giving the problems, otherwise it would do it in both directions. Put a standard receiver in and give it a shot. Alpha gives the best advice on how to determine what the issue is.

[mr.frankenjet]

Hello, Anyone ever see an Avanti that has an un-commanded roll issue after initiating a right turn? Mine is new, and after right turn is initiated, then stopped, it will continue a descending right turn into terrain unless corrected, with the stick centered. It flys normally to the left. Flies great otherwise. All surfaces are neutral, flaps and gear up. With the gyro on it goes crazy trying to correct for level flight.

Thanks

VR

+1, Avanti is crazy stable, never had an issue, no correction or gyro here.

[Alpha]

1) Disable and remove the gyro completely, so you can evaluate the aircraft itself with the absolute minimum standing between your finger inputs and the control surfaces.

2) Disable any slowing you might have on flaps

3) Triple-check that your expo is appropriate for the model and your flying preferences.

4) Triple-check the linkages

5) Triple-check that the throws are symmetrical. Consider applying a very gentle static load (a.k.a. 1lb beanbag) onto the ailerons to see if one of them skips or stutters.



Mach9's approach is correct --start methodically ruling out each element in the equation.

That the model fights itself to stay level sounds like a gain setting being too high. Too high of an aileron gain will typically exhibit itself in an oscillating, over-correcting back-and-forth movement. However, that this behavior seems to be happening in only one bank direction seems to imply an issue with the servo disadvantaged in that position to correct the model to level flight.


The Avanti is one of our most widely distributed and consistently popular flyers, so something is awry.

[Mach9]

Just throwing ideas out: Remove gyro completely? Transmitter? Lateral balance? Thrust angle? Something twisting? Hinge line tearing? Did you do the ground tests with the motor running at different speeds? Lets not forget the dreaded flap issue.

[Vintage Racer]

First, just to help clarify, most of the flights have been flown by a far better RC Pilot than myself. I flew it once today, and it was obvious. A complete pain to fly. All servos seem to work perfectly on the ground. Gyro on, or off. It is a complete mystery to me. I have been working on real airplanes for over 35 years, I paid particular attention to elevator servo positions, all servo centering, and reactions with the gyro system active, and deactivated. It will fly straight and level with the gyro on, but the aileron servos are going crazy, with the gains turned almost off.

It will fly straight and level, gyro off, then just a movement of right aileron will begin this un-commanded descending turn. I always here how great the airplane is, so this is very surprising to me. Maybe the wing has some molding issue, the turn is very subtle, but equally annoying.

VR

[T-CAT]

Hello, Anyone ever see an Avanti that has an un-commanded roll issue after initiating a right turn? Mine is new, and after right turn is initiated, then stopped, it will continue a descending right turn into terrain unless corrected, with the stick centered. It flys normally to the left. Flies great otherwise. All surfaces are neutral, flaps and gear up. With the gyro on it goes crazy trying to correct for level flight.

Thanks

VR

Does it do this without the gyro activated?

Is the gyro properly calibrated for center stick position after the plane has been properly trimmed for straight and level flight?

Have you tried simulating this on the ground to see if an aileron servos sticks and holds in one position for too long after the sticks are center? For example, maybe a right aileron servo remains deflected upwards even after centering the TX gimbal stick. Maybe one servo simply isn't centering properly.

Any other servos acting unusual? Take a look at the centering of the elevator servos as well, and ensure the right servos doesn't hold/stick in an upward deflected motion, while the left elevator servo remains centered after moving the gimbal stick to center position.

[Vintage Racer]

Hello, Anyone ever see an Avanti that has an un-commanded roll issue after initiating a right turn? Mine is new, and after right turn is initiated, then stopped, it will continue a descending right turn into terrain unless corrected, with the stick centered. It flys normally to the left. Flies great otherwise. All surfaces are neutral, flaps and gear up. With the gyro on it goes crazy trying to correct for level flight.

Thanks

VR

[Hugh Wiedman]

With everything shut down, have some time to complete some minor repairs on a lot of planes. The nose gear doors on the Avanti have been an issue for some time, caving in to the point of ridiculousness. (forgot to take a photo first, but you get it) Doubt everyone has this problem, but I know a few do from some earlier posts. I gather that this is caused by continuous pressure applied by the spring holding them closed. I was going to replace the doors with new, straight ones, but thought that in a few months it would be same problem, so I reinforced the old "bent" ones with 4mm carbon fiber tubes, first affixed with small zip ties, then epoxied it and painted. Others have just epoxied them on, but I felt that eventually the epoxy would pull loose from the painted doors. Besides, who looks underneath the jet anyway. At least, for the moment, they are reasonably straight.

[Hugh Wiedman]

So I’m getting closer to balancing time. Do I do this upright or inverted, and gear up or down?

Different theories on this, but I always balance it inverted with the gear down. I want my planes balanced correctly during take-off and landing, when it is traveling at slower speeds, so I always balance it with the gear down. Some do it with gear up. However, while flying, it is under greater speed with more power and I feel the balance isn't as critical during those times. A good example is my F-16. If it is too tail heavy during landing, it will go into high alpha (without using any elevator) at slow speeds just prior to wing stall and make it almost impossible to land. But during flight under power, even tail heavy or nose heavy, it flies fine. Just my thoughts.

[mr.frankenjet]

mr.frankenjet That is how I mount my Castle Berg 7P receivers with velcro.

the bergs are great receivers, still have some on 72, I run a cc10 BEC on all my larger 6cell planes to keep the power flowing to everything. I use foam-tac to mount most stuff on epu, removable if needed but holds snug.

[STRlKER]

So I’m getting closer to balancing time. Do I do this upright or inverted, and gear up or down?

[Mach9]

mr.frankenjet That is how I mount my Castle Berg 7P receivers with velcro.

[mr.frankenjet]

here is what I did with the receiver

[STRlKER]

Awesome thanks.
From all I’m hearing can’t wait to get her in the air. Just need to finish her up get rid of snow on field and get it dried out. Hopefully within the next month 😃

[rpellicciotti]

Like Hugh said, you will end up with the battery all the way back more than likely. I have my receiver mounted just like Hugh's as well. I put my receiver battery in the small space behind the flight battery and it flies great. The extension running to the nose of the airplane is for convenience. That's where the programming cable plugs in. I am also running a temperature probe on the flight battery. You will love this plane.

[STRlKER]

Sounds like a plan. Thank you for the info Hugh

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hey folks
Just putting together my first Avanti S and I’m looking for suggestions as to where most of you are mounting the receiver? I’m thinking just ahead of the battery but I’m concerned if I need to move the battery forward in order to get proper CG, there might not be enough room if the receiver is in front of it.
Any input welcome 🤔
Thanks

May depend on the battery you plan on using. I'm using the Admiral 6000mah 50C Pro battery which is a little heavy at 825g. Therefor, I have the battery all the way back in the battery compartment. If you plan on using a 5000mah, it will be about the same, slightly more forward. Have the CG by the book (sorry, can't remember what that is though) and if flies outstanding. I put my AR636 AS3X receiver in the front, on it's side. I also put an RC Geek afterburner in and the controller and 450mah battery for that is just behind the receiver. The AB added a little extra tail weight and I'm still flying with the battery as aft as possible. The picture shows the battery actually farther forward than I usually fly it, as we had a 20mph headwind today and I wanted it a little nose heavy. Usually, it's actually slid under the foam sticking out (which I had to cut out so I could move it farther back).

Best way is before mounting the receiver down for good, install the battery you plan on using, put gear down and then balance it. Even so, I would almost bet the farm that you end up with the receiver as far forward as you can fit it. Good luck, you got yourself THE BEST flying EDF out there.

[STRlKER]

Hey folks
Just putting together my first Avanti S and I’m looking for suggestions as to where most of you are mounting the receiver? I’m thinking just ahead of the battery but I’m concerned if I need to move the battery forward in order to get proper CG, there might not be enough room if the receiver is in front of it.
Any input welcome 🤔
Thanks

[AFTERBURNER]

Thanks Hugh.