This is an average photo of my average equipment layout

I think the video transmitter is too close to the batteries in the front as i get drop outs when the batteries are in the way when turning. I dont want to bother mounting the vtx on the wing if i can help it, any ideas?
Just bank left at distance? haha

Opt, what antennas are you using? You shouldn't get drop outs when turning if you run CP antennas. (unless the batteries are RIGHT next to the antenna...)

Originally Posted by argo-2

Anyone tried reverse-thrust? Works pretty well on my AXN CloudsFly e-glider. Only change required is to re-program the ESC (can only do with certain brands of ESC though).

That does not sound like a bad idea!? C'mon Ian, tell us why not ;P

Car escs do have reverse

Originally Posted by philthyy

Opt, what antennas are you using? You shouldn't get drop outs when turning if you run CP antennas. (unless the batteries are RIGHT next to the antenna...)

cloverleaf vTx, stock whip vRx
I only had one drop out at about 600m away when i was banking right to come back to me. I'm fairly sure at that point the batteries would have been right between the antennas

Stock whip on vRx is always sub-optimal.

ian

I'm intending to build an SPW next, I didnt think this would really help with the batteries being in the way though. Does CP penetrate lipos?
The switch to the CL antenna was an improvement though, even if it is not very well made!
I'm using 2510mhz btw

Couldn't you use an extenson and mount just the antenna further out on the wing? Rather than the vtx too.

CP will not penetrate batteries. It is just the polarization, not the frequency that changes. CP helps with dB loss when banking (essentially eliminates it). Once you go CP on BOTH the Vtx and the Vrx, you should notice a better signal when banking. But yeah, I would still mount the Vtx antenna up higher, or better yet, farther out on the wing, away from the batteries.

What about using a normal propeller, and dont use brake on the esc?
Then the propeller will run free, and work as a brake, when the power to the motor are cut??


Ore just let the motor run slow ,acting as a brake, when comming in for a landing-And cut about ½ meter off the ground?

Can it work??

While a freewheeling prop might provide some useful braking, it's generally a bad idea to have
a spinning prop when you touch down. A stationary prop (even non-folding) will tend to just sort
of squirt out of the way when touches the ground, but a spinning prop has enough momentum
to drive a tip into the ground and then snap as the plane continues forward.
My ESC will freewheel with the throttle just above zero, and brake at zero, so maybe I'll see
if it'll help with the initial descent into the LZ and then turn brake on while in ground effect.

ian

Originally Posted by Daemon

While a freewheeling prop might provide some useful braking, it's generally a bad idea to have
a spinning prop when you touch down. A stationary prop (even non-folding) will tend to just sort
of squirt out of the way when touches the ground, but a spinning prop has enough momentum
to drive a tip into the ground and then snap as the plane continues forward.
My ESC will freewheel with the throttle just above zero, and brake at zero, so maybe I'll see
if it'll help with the initial descent into the LZ and then turn brake on while in ground effect.

ian

Looking forward to read about your test of the "freewheeling brake"

Why not just add an pop up air brake, it doesn't have to be anything too radical, or even glider style airbrakes?

A sheet of balsa on a servo would be enough surely? There's plenty real estate for it to be added either top or bottom (obviously top would be more sensible for landing)

X8 just about ready for maiden. Waiting on weather.

Nice visible colors vertcnc good job--good luck with the maiden don't forget the video