Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

[Thosmosis]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

The maiden was quick. I thought the prop had to be on backwards with needing almost full power to get up any altitude...

http://youtu.be/FOSS_a7iaDI
[hr]
Second flight wasn't as good. With a prop strike after hitting a tiny pebble before lift off, then the resulting "endo", then a flip over with busted prop. Plastic horn attached to metal gear servo that controls the front gear direction, slipped and turned the wheel. Then the front gear plate where the screws fasten, cracked in one corner... With the limited clearance of the 9" prop, I installed a three blade 8.5".

Though I doubt that will help with the lack of power that it seemed to have. I think the pitch is 7.

[retiredflyer]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

The maiden was quick. I thought the prop had to be on backwards with needing almost full power to get up any altitude...

http://youtu.be/FOSS_a7iaDI

[hr]
Second flight wasn't as good. With a prop strike after hitting a tiny pebble before lift off, then the resulting "endo", then a flip over with busted prop. Plastic horn attached to metal gear servo that controls the front gear direction, slipped and turned the wheel. Then the front gear plate where the screws fasten, cracked in one corner... With the limited clearance of the 9" prop, I installed a three blade 8.5".

Though I doubt that will help with the lack of power that it seemed to have. I think the pitch is 7.

Sorry to hear about all the bad luck.  I just replaced my motor today, and I put a new prop on so I will be able to try her out as soon as it quits raining.  I did notice for the only 2 times I actually got it up in the air that is was rather slow and needed a lot of throttle.  We'll see this time.....if I can keep it from nosing over.

[Thosmosis]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

Hey RF, what prop are you using? I kind of dread trying to lift off with a smaller prop. But the ground clearance and the bumpy air strip is going to break props at every lift off. Though, I did roll out okay on the maiden. Maybe that was an anomaly?
[hr]
Why did you have to replace the motor?

[retiredflyer]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

Hey RF, what prop are you using? I kind of dread trying to lift off with a smaller prop. But the ground clearance and the bumpy air strip is going to break props at every lift off. Though, I did roll out okay on the maiden. Maybe that was an anomaly?

[hr]
Why did you have to replace the motor?

I'm using the stock prop. I take off from a school parking lot so it is smooth. The battery cover fell off on my second takeoff just as I reached liftoff and the rear wheels hit it and it flipped on its nose. The motor mounting ears broke off completely so I had to replace it. 
  I'll be trying again soon!

[Thosmosis]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

I realize what happened on my last flight (second flight). The long plastic control horn on the front gear servo cracked where attached. So, not tight. It stipped and slipped. Turning the wheel and causing the nose over and prop strike. I have super glued it on. I think I should be good. But ordered some 24T hitech aluminum control arms. Which should eliminate what happened.

[retiredflyer]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

Went out this morning to try the new motor and prop after having not flown the CTLS since June and my flip over crash. It was PERFECT, seriously. I powered up and it lifted off at a bit above half throttle. I was able to cruise the pattern at half throttle with no issues. The tail didn't drag on turns as I have some mixing in with the ailerons.
I need to tweek down the gains on my gyro but other than that it flew great. I didn't try the flaps on landing, just cut back on the power, she does seem to float nicely. Came in nice and let it roll out on its own....hands off the rudder, and she tracked straight down the parking lot. I was very happy.
I made three flights, each for 6 minutes and I just checked my batteries. I pumped in about 550mA into each of the 2200's. I will increase my timer to 8 minutes next time.

[Flygirl]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

I wish there was a like button on here.... :)

[OV10]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

Sorry Lauren, am glad there isn't. Don't need another variant of facekook here.

[StormyDog1962]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

8 minutes on 3 batteries = Lots of Fun!

[retiredflyer]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

Well, I just found out why the CTLS seemed twitchy today. I got it home and opened the tail compartment where I had the gyro attached and low and behold, it had come unattached and was floating around by the wires only! It had ripped a piece of the foam off and was just hanging. I didn't even look in that area after my upside crash this summer, but it must have come unattached on the flip over. No wonder it was acting funny this morning.....wow, I'm glad it didn't go completely nuts. I did turn it off on the second battery because I didn't like the way it was responding. You never know with this hobby....always something to look at and inspect....all the time.

[Thosmosis]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

Hey RF,

That sounds like a hairy situation. With the Rx loose. Good thing you had turned it off on the later flights.

You're right... Always something! And something overlooked. For me too!

Like my testing last night... Though it was a good story!

After realizing that the problem with the front landing gear was the servo horn slipping.

Super glue.

Then it flew!

http://youtu.be/5AsBHSpgBC0

(Though this was after the prop broke, and I replaced the 9" with a 7"!! Not too recommended. Though it did pretty good. Took everything to keep it going!)

[retiredflyer]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

You do well to keep in all in one piece on that rough landing strip. I did that once and paid the price with flip overs and broken props. Even now taking off and landing on a paved parking lot, it's still a bit rough in places.
After I re-glued the gyro back in place, took her out for 3 flights yesterday morning. 8 minutes each. Seemed pretty good at this point. I'm getting the hang of how it handles. I have not tried the flaps yet. I bring it in rather fast and just let it roll.......and it does.....a long way! I don't want to jerk the rudder/front steering too much until it almost comes to a stop.

[Thosmosis]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

Was able to cut an access hatch for my camera. On this one, I ran off the dirt track, and hit the grass. So, the stop almost nosed over. But the glued horn held fine. I got an aluminum horn recently, to replace the plastic one on the front gear. But so far. No need to use it...

https://youtu.be/EGY-MhTK9v0
[hr]

You do well to keep in all in one piece on that rough landing strip.  I did that once and paid the price with flip overs and broken props.  Even now taking off and landing on a paved parking lot, it's still a bit rough in places.  
After I re-glued the gyro back in place, took her out for 3 flights yesterday morning.  8 minutes each.  Seemed pretty good at this point.  I'm getting the hang of how it handles.  I have not tried the flaps yet.  I bring it in rather fast and just let it roll.......and it does.....a long way!  I don't want to jerk the rudder/front steering too much until it almost comes to a stop.

Hey RF. I know what you mean by roll out! It seems to be flying slow in the air. But getting it on the ground, rolls forever... And hopefully you can stay on track!

:)
[hr]
Access hatch for cam. Magnets...

[Flygirl]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

Sorry Lauren, am glad there isn't. Don't need another variant of facekook here.

LIKE! (LOL! Running for my life from Charlie... :D )

[Thosmosis]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

This one did nose over at the last second!

https://youtu.be/xTOzs_v6oQM

[Lon]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

This one did nose over at the last second!

https://youtu.be/xTOzs_v6oQM

Oh yes, nose over..... Seatbelts did their job well....:)

[Thosmosis]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

This one didn't nose over, but did hit one rear wheel on touchdown, and came in kind of rough... I slowed down the landing part...

http://youtu.be/sPEbojkN8uE

[Flygirl]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

Ya know, for two people who had a hair raising landing they remained remarkably calm.... Hehehe!

[Thosmosis]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

Ha! Hey Lauren, I think they were frozen with fear!!

[Thosmosis]

RE: Freewing CTLS Fligt Design

I removed the front windshield and added magnets to take on and off. Installed some of my own dashboard detail.

https://youtu.be/1ocU_5vPB1k