E-flite Draco X 2.0m

[Cfreuen20]

I'm a bit surprised that many people are suddenly having buyers remorse or blame it on the hype. Keeping a critical attitude towards your purchases is your sole responsibility, not that of the company selling the product.

In real life Draco is/was a STOL aircraft, so why would you expect the 'sort of scale' model to be anything else but that? It sort of comes with the quirks of the original plane. That was no aerobat/3D machine either.
And yes, the model is heavy, so was the original, especially compared to the other STOL aircraft. For the model that means you should be getting a aircraft that handles windy conditions quite alright. Which is one of the reasons I'm getting one, besides everything the original represents and its presence.
It's almost like complaining that the Spitfire is prone to nose overs. It's a Spitfire, what else did you expect? 😂 Adjust your flying skills accordingly en enjoy it! 😎

as much as I appreciate the lecture, I am fully aware of the purpose and characteristics of the original, as well as the concept of scale models. because of that, I had moderate expectations for the flight characteristics and it still seemed somewhat disappointing. I was not expecting to have to fly extremely cautiously, ready to react to some kind of unexpected wing drop. I expected it to feel lighter, that's for sure - especially considering it's supposed to be able to fly slowly. I guess I've been spoiled by my flex rv8.

Like I said, it's still a nice plane and I don't regret the purchase. I just have to adjust my expectations for how to fly it.

[xviper]

Like I said, it's still a nice plane and I don't regret the purchase. I just have to adjust my expectations for how to fly it.

Well said. I totally agree. I've never said it wasn't a nice plane nor have I ever said I regret the purchase. Not my fault that's the way certain people interpret it.

[Cfreuen20]

I think I may just mow and till a dirt strip on the backside of my property and make it a proper bush plane, rather than fly it at the local club. my boys will probably enjoy that more, anyways.

[xviper]

I think I may just mow and till a dirt strip on the backside of my property and make it a proper bush plane, rather than fly it at the local club. my boys will probably enjoy that more, anyways.

Neat idea. But don't deprive the guys at the local club. The guys at my clubs just love to watch this thing float by and do "hippo" rolls and they marvel at it as it sits on the ground. Remember that's how Mike Patey crashed his, doing short take offs and landings. That's what he built the thing for. It's fun but doing that flight after flight gets mind numbing. There's so much time between the take off and landing to do other stuff, even if that other stuff isn't what the real plane was designed for.

[Cfreuen20]

Neat idea. But don't deprive the guys at the local club. The guys at my clubs just love to watch this thing float by and do "hippo" rolls and they marvel at it as it sits on the ground. Remember that's how Mike Patey crashed his, doing short take offs and landings. That's what he built the thing for. It's fun but doing that flight after flight gets mind numbing. There's so much time between the take off and landing to do other stuff, even if that other stuff isn't what the real plane was designed for.

I think the big reason I'm surprised by it's performance is because I've never had a foamy (scale or otherwise, even including foamboard stuff) that I couldn't rip around and do some serious acrobatics with. not that they're designed for it, but they all have seemed capable. why do I do it? because flying is fun.

this plane might have the lowest level flight envelope of any plane I've ever owned, but I hope that's not the case after I get more comfortable with it. It's probably all the drag - this plane has a lot of features that create drag.

[bartje]

Apologies guys!

It was not my intention to issue lectures to anybody, to be a wiseacre or to offend anybody.
Screens, lack of body language and facial expressions sometimes convey another message than intended.

@ CFreuen20,

The specs of the Flex RV8 and the Draco are almost equal in terms of weight so it's quite odd that yours is behaving so badly.
Unexpected wing drops make it sound like you're stalling but with the Draco concept that should be almost a non-event.
I've seen some reports that the elevator can develop longitudinal play, maybe that's whats disrupting things?

[Cfreuen20]

Apologies guys!

It was not my intention to issue lectures to anybody, to be a wiseacre or to offend anybody.
Screens, lack of body language and facial expressions sometimes convey another message than intended.

@ CFreuen20,

The specs of the Flex RV8 and the Draco are almost equal in terms of weight so it's quite odd that yours is behaving so badly.
Unexpected wing drops make it sound like you're stalling but with the Draco concept that should be almost a non-event.
I've seen some reports that the elevator can develop longitudinal play, maybe that's whats disrupting things?

no worries regarding the lecture - it just seems like any time a person mentions a concern there always has to be someone who points out the same thing. at this point, even novice pilots are aware that different styles of planes will have different flight characteristics, it seems a little presumptuous to be reminded of it as frequently as I have seen it pointed out. moving on.

the flex RV8 may have similar specs, but it's a 100% different experience, it flies like it is filled with helium and I can 3 point land it with only a few feet of roll. it's a really incredible plane.

I went into flying the draco with expectations of a similar feeling of weight in the air, and with similar stability at really slow speeds, and so far that isn't the case. I know they are completely different styles of planes, in this case I am only referring to the weightiness and slow speed stability.

[Cfreuen20]

also, I figured out the esc telemetry issue - it was simply me being stupid.

I improved the tuning of my gyro and will fly again when weather permits. maybe the flight characteristics will improve with improved assistance.

[Bill_The_RC_Reviewer]

Reached out to HH customer service. They are still working on fulfilling pre-orders. No ETA when it will be available.

[Hoosll]

Reached out to HH customer service. They are still working on fulfilling pre-orders. No ETA when it will be available.

I had an electronic "chat" with HH customer service on Draco backorders this morning (6/19). I ordered my Draco March 29th and it went immediately to Back Order, as did most orders afterwards I assume. The last check before today was "shipment expected June 2021". That order explained by the chat today has been pushed back now expected early or mid July. I have no idea if I am in the next in line for back orders to be filled in July. I could still be 500 or more in line for the available plane. Wish HH would be more detailed where one was actually in line or how many planes were expected in a shipment. I realize they are at the mercy of the manufacturing process. Still wondering when to really expect the Draco arrival.

[xviper]

I had an electronic "chat" with HH customer service on Draco backorders this morning (6/19). I ordered my Draco March 29th and it went immediately to Back Order, as did most orders afterwards I assume. The last check before today was "shipment expected June 2021". That order explained by the chat today has been pushed back now expected early or mid July. I have no idea if I am in the next in line for back orders to be filled in July. I could still be 500 or more in line for the available plane. Wish HH would be more detailed where one was actually in line or how many planes were expected in a shipment. I realize they are at the mercy of the manufacturing process. Still wondering when to really expect the Draco arrival.

I asked my LHS to order one for me on Mar. 18. That's when Horizon opened up their pre-orders. The LHS didn't put the order in till 2 days later and they didn't get any in the first lot. They were put on the second lot and I received mine about 5 weeks later. If you didn't order till Mar. 29, you likely missed the second lot as well and you're waiting for the next shipment, which should be on the same boat as their latest release, the new F-16 and possibly the new Viper. The Horizon rep said something about the ship has reached the port but due to several extenuating circumstances, they can't unload stuff won't come off that ship for another couple of weeks.
On the other hand, you should check with some of the hobby shops around you. Some may actually still have stock that they received in the first and second shipment. If you can find one, you can cancel your order from Horizon (if that's where you ordered from) but I've been told that cancellations are a hit and miss. Their online system for both private and hobby shop sales is currently in turmoil. My LHS was told that their F-16's were "shipped" last 2 Fridays ago. When I asked them to check the following Thursday, they said Horizon never shipped anything. It's hard to believe anything Horizon says anymore as far as availability information. It seems their left hand doesn't know what their right hand is doing and neither is talking to the other.
From this point on, I will no longer pre-order anything from Horizon. I've already cancelled the F-16 and I'm still on the fence about the Viper pre-order. Logistics these days has become a nightmare.

[Hoosll]

I asked my LHS to order one for me on Mar. 18. That's when Horizon opened up their pre-orders. The LHS didn't put the order in till 2 days later and they didn't get any in the first lot. They were put on the second lot and I received mine about 5 weeks later. If you didn't order till Mar. 29, you likely missed the second lot as well and you're waiting for the next shipment, which should be on the same boat as their latest release, the new F-16 and possibly the new Viper. The Horizon rep said something about the ship has reached the port but due to several extenuating circumstances, they can't unload stuff won't come off that ship for another couple of weeks.
On the other hand, you should check with some of the hobby shops around you. Some may actually still have stock that they received in the first and second shipment. If you can find one, you can cancel your order from Horizon (if that's where you ordered from) but I've been told that cancellations are a hit and miss. Their online system for both private and hobby shop sales is currently in turmoil. My LHS was told that their F-16's were "shipped" last 2 Fridays ago. When I asked them to check the following Thursday, they said Horizon never shipped anything. It's hard to believe anything Horizon says anymore as far as availability information. It seems their left hand doesn't know what their right hand is doing and neither is talking to the other.
From this point on, I will no longer pre-order anything from Horizon. I've already cancelled the F-16 and I'm still on the fence about the Viper pre-order. Logistics these days has become a nightmare.

I also have a Draco deposit with my LHS and they said which ever Draco arrives first either my direct order with HH or theirs is fine. They even said they would return my deposit if it arrives direct from HH first. Very nice consideration from them. I hope they get one first to help the local guys. I think HH over hyped their Red Wilga - over promised and under delivered for sure on this one. But I still want one....

[xviper]

I also have a Draco deposit with my LHS and they said which ever Draco arrives first either my direct order with HH or theirs is fine. They even said they would return my deposit if it arrives direct from HH first. Very nice consideration from them. I hope they get one first to help the local guys. I think HH over hyped their Red Wilga - over promised and under delivered for sure on this one. But I still want one....

Don't know where you live, but hobby shops in Canada usually get their new stuff from Horizon about a week later than private sales are shipped out. However, I do understand that their private and hobby shop sales are two different depts. and they may ship out at the same time for US destinations.

[Shelton1738]

Hey Guys I just hopped on this thread because I saw it was somewhat active and I need help. I want to get into RC planes and I have a older trainer that just needs a lighter battery pack the original owner said. I have 2 Electrifly 9.6V 3600mAh batteries with Dean plugs. These are super heavy. Are there two battery packs on the market with dean plugs that would be somewhat equivalent to this power needed? Thanks here’s a image.

[xviper]

Hey Guys I just hopped on this thread because I saw it was somewhat active and I need help. I want to get into RC planes and I have a older trainer that just needs a lighter battery pack the original owner said. I have 2 Electrifly 9.6V 3600mAh batteries with Dean plugs. These are super heavy. Are there two battery packs on the market with dean plugs that would be somewhat equivalent to this power needed? Thanks here’s a image.

For future reference, threads are topic specific and this thread is about the Eflite DRACO, so it's the wrong place to post your question. The forum you would want is the one for batteries:

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/electronics-and-rc-accessories/rc-model-batteries-chargers-and-power-supplies

If you do post up a new thread, you might provide more information, such as the plane you are planning to use these batteries in.

However, I'll touch upon your question here but if I don't answer it satisfactorily, you might start a new thread over in the battery forum.
Your picture shows NiMH batteries. You might want to check out a LiPo battery but they come in 2 cell or 3 cell that would approximate that voltage. A 2 cell will fully charge to 8.4V while a 3 cell will fully charge to 12.6V. If you go the LiPo route, you need to see if 8.4V will fly that plane or if 12.6V is too much and may burn something up. Go here to see all kinds of batteries. It'll show you the weight and the connector they can come with.

https://www.motionrc.com/collections/batteries

[Shelton1738]

I apologize and thank you so much

[bartje]

Hi Guys,

Time to chime in again, but now I can talk from experience. 😁

PNP version came in about 3 weeks ago. Assembly is a piece of cake when you've seen all the video's.
A few dents for transport damage and an almost straight tail wheel, what else could you ask for?
I was unable to get out the ESC out from under the battery tray so the XT90 connectors had to be soldered in place.
Battery had to be quite far back so I can only tighten one strap but with an anti skid pad underneath the battery that's not an issue.

Ordered some HRB 6S 6000 mAh packs for Draco and the freewing A-10 (that still has to be maidened) and Freewing Spitfire as my zippy compacts are >7 years old and the IR is on the way up (12 - 17 mOhm).

Last Friday winds were dead calm so a maiden flight was in order. Somehow I managed to program an up elevator mix with the flap instead of down 😱, but that was quickly corrected with the flight phase trims and reversed before the next flight.

In flight, what a beauty! Especially at dusk with all the lights on. It is a heavy piggy though. She likes to carry speed on descent and only bleeds it off very slowly even with full flaps deployed. Elevator authority is somewhat lacking on lower speeds. I like the (need for) rudder though!
Dislikes: the brake is set on as standard on this ESC instead of off.

On take off / not so subtle throttle application it tends to pull right quite severely. The opposite of what I'm used to with my other tail draggers.
Which also made me end up in the fence today. Applied throttle a bit quicker than on previous flights, had low rates on and voila, Draco veered right, full left rudder didn't have enough authority and hit the fence. Prop lost a blade and right wing tip is damaged, so no biggy in the end. Fixing my ego and getting a replacement prop will probably take longer. 😁

Landings are the biggest issue. I've spent the first 4.5 packs on trimming, landings and getting a feel for the characteristics in general. I like coming in on the mains and settling down the tail afterwards.

All in all a lot of landings/touch and go's and only one where Mr. Draco didn't bounce and that required it to be flown to the proverbial 1 mm above the ground to touch down with any vertical speed worth mentioning. Landing gear is definitely too springy. You can make it jump just like the A-10's nose gear.

I've got my CG at the recommended 100mm but it feels nose heavy.

Yesterday I happened to come across a video by Noonz Airborne RC (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc6Yqr_nxuA) evaluating the use of air tires on Draco.
His conclusion was basically that CG needs to be a bit further back at 115 mm (5m25s in the video) and you have to do three point landings with this bird to get somewhat decent landings.

So there you go, there sure is some room for improvement.
It definitely needs to be treated and flown like a scale STOL plane.
Now let's get some more scale behavior from the landing gear to begin with. 😊

[bartje]

Ok, damage report after hitting the fence.

Elevator receiver split. A little CA and 2x M2x30mm screws with locknuts from left to right are keeping things together now.


Elevator is missing a chunk, missing piece "re-expanded" and glued back into place.


Elevator alignment cut-out widened. Re-expanded for tight fit.


Wing tip light was torn out. Re-expanded some parts to make them fit again.



And the elevator servo was replaced. The stock one made the elevator go up and down in 3mm increments, which is somewhat odd.Put in a spare digital one, but man, what a PITA to get this servo replaced!

I've also opened up the shocks of the main landing gear and shortened the springs from 45mm to 40mm. That made the gear a bit softer and gave some minor improvement in bounciness on wheel landings, but it is by no means gone. 3 pointers are still the way to go for now.

If you want to get a good understanding on tail wheel aircraft behavior on various types of landing, it is worth to watch the two video's on Martin Pauly's channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3q2Swzi2q8

Be sure to watch both parts. It made me understand a few things I couldn't grasp before.

The battery was also placed back as far as possible and as the original props are not available anywhere in Europe, I put on a master airscrew 3x14x9 that I had waiting for another project.
All in all, Draco flies a lot more manageable now. Wheel landings (with various degrees of bounce as I always forget to give down elevator upon touchdown to keep the tail up), three pointers, one pointers (tailwheel first) and full stall landings are all possible.

And oh yes, I got myself a little steam cleaner (Kärcher SC3) to re-expand the foam where it was dented. That's a fun activity! The foam doesn't even gator that much.



Keep 'em flying!

[xviper]

Flew my DRACO this morning. People remarked at what a nice looking, big plane it is. It flew well enough and I even greased a couple of landings (no bounce) but it's difficult to do consistently. I am somewhat ambivalent about this plane. My best analogy would be like buying the biggest, baddest, most brilliant Roman Candle firework. I anticipate lighting the fuse and watching the display. However, when the fuse burns down, what I get is a tiny little sparkler. This thing was waaaaaay over-hyped and we have the infomercials and the fanbois of those who do the informercials to blame for that.

[Bajora]

Chased one around the club field this AM with one of my FPV quads: