Hi everybody!

As you can see I'm a new member in forum and new in this hobby.
Thank you all for info, tips & tricks in this thread an in FPV thread as well.

I purchased HK Bixler 1400 EPO Kit in end of June 2012.
It arrived to Kazakhstan on 06 Aug 2012 in wet (oil) condition.

Box inside was Ok, just few oil drops.

I made basic mods like magnets, nylon bolt for tail and reinforsed spar with 4 mm carbon tube.


Finally I assembled it on 22 Sep 2012 and prepared to maiden flight.


Due to sickness and windy weather flight has been delayed until 26 Sep 2012.

I was really surprise how easy I can control it (several years in MS Flight Simulator).

Video of my ever first R/C flight and Bixler's maiden flight is here.

Bixler Flight #01 (2 min 53 sec)

Later I'll upload other videos (upon compilation).

On third flight I had a tip stall. Bixler crashed. I repaired it in couple days and it ready to flight again.

Welcome to the world of r/c. Congrats on your first flight. Enjoy.

Originally Posted by Scorpio9999

Hi everybody!

As you can see I'm a new member in forum and new in this hobby.
Thank you all for info, tips & tricks in this thread an in FPV thread as well.

I purchased HK Bixler 1400 EPO Kit in end of June 2012.
It arrived to Kazakhstan on 06 Aug 2012 in wet (oil) condition.


Due to sickness and windy weather flight has been delayed until 26 Sep 2012.

I was really surprise how easy I can control it (several years in MS Flight Simulator).
Video of my ever first R/C flight and Bixler's maiden flight is here.

Later I'll upload other videos (upon compilation).

On third flight I had a tip stall. Bixler crashed. I repaired it in couple days and it ready to flight again.

Wow. You are already a veteran in my book. All the mods were well thought out - You picked the perfect motor and parts - Your maiden was flawless - and for a bonus, your video was held to less than 3 mins. You are without a doubt the best beginner, builder, and flier that I have ever known.
The only request that I have is that you help other new comers that don't know as much as you do. Again, WELL DONE!!
AJ

Originally Posted by Scorpio9999

Hi everybody!

As you can see I'm a new member in forum and new in this hobby.
Thank you all for info, tips & tricks in this thread an in FPV thread as well.

I purchased HK Bixler 1400 EPO Kit in end of June 2012.
It arrived to Kazakhstan on 06 Aug 2012 in wet (oil) condition.
Attachment 5192196
Box inside was Ok, just few oil drops.

I made basic mods like magnets, nylon bolt for tail and reinforsed spar with 4 mm carbon tube.
Attachment 5192203

Finally I assembled it on 22 Sep 2012 and prepared to maiden flight.
Attachment 5192204

Due to sickness and windy weather flight has been delayed until 26 Sep 2012.

I was really surprise how easy I can control it (several years in MS Flight Simulator).

Video of my ever first R/C flight and Bixler's maiden flight is here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujeHseV8-6w&feature=plcp

Later I'll upload other videos (upon compilation).

On third flight I had a tip stall. Bixler crashed. I repaired it in couple days and it ready to flight again.

Very well done !

Originally Posted by Scorpio9999

Hi everybody!

As you can see I'm a new member in forum and new in this hobby.
Thank you all for info, tips & tricks in this thread an in FPV thread as well.

I purchased HK Bixler 1400 EPO Kit in end of June 2012.
It arrived to Kazakhstan on 06 Aug 2012 in wet (oil) condition.
Attachment 5192196
Box inside was Ok, just few oil drops.

I made basic mods like magnets, nylon bolt for tail and reinforsed spar with 4 mm carbon tube.
Attachment 5192203

Finally I assembled it on 22 Sep 2012 and prepared to maiden flight.
Attachment 5192204

Due to sickness and windy weather flight has been delayed until 26 Sep 2012.

I was really surprise how easy I can control it (several years in MS Flight Simulator).

Video of my ever first R/C flight and Bixler's maiden flight is here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujeHseV8-6w&feature=plcp

Later I'll upload other videos (upon compilation).

On third flight I had a tip stall. Bixler crashed. I repaired it in couple days and it ready to flight again.

Great job putting it altogether with the mods and a really nice Maiden.

I agree with AJ. You have proved you have talent in this hobby.

Vinc e

Thank you all for warm words.
Last days I was without phone line and Internet access as result. So, now I'm online again.
Meanwhile I made another two flights and one more mistake. I was flying right above of mobile network antennas on low altitude. As you can guess I lost signal and... crushed second time in 5-th flight.
Score 3:2. 3 landings and 2 crushes. Not so bad for begginer.

AJ,
of course I will help but in limitation what I know about this hobby.

For example, I broke a spar in first crush. It could be repaired if it wasn't separated in two pieses. At least for me it was working. I glued part where it was bent with epoxy. Bent it several times to allow glue come inside, then put it under some pressure to make it stright. When it was dry I reinforced it with 2 mm carbon rod (remember I had 4mm tube inside already). If you will fly without aerobatic it will keep wings in good manner.

Now I'm waiting for new carbon tubes but will try to repair the spar one more time and will make a static test.

In my plans for Bixler are: flaps and rectracts mounted on wings. I know many pilots will not support me in this but I want to convert 1-st Bixler to flying Lab.

While I was typing this text the second video has been uploaded on Youtube. It's the same flight but ground view. Operator is my nephew. He said it was hard to catch the aircraft. Enjoy!

Bixler Flight #01 GND.mp4 (2 min 40 sec)

BTW, on board camera is
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=25656
but I use just 720P as movie looks more solid and not shaked. I'll try a FULL HD later on and will let you know how good is it. It can record a video and provide output to transmitter (I don't have yet) for instance at the same time.

here is a suggestion for fixing your spar. I was having a problem getting carbon fiber tubes locally and did not want to wait for shipping. I got a carbon fiber arrow, stripped the feathers off, and used that. The narrow arrows are slightly larger than than the stock spar but I was able to get it in. I think this is far more rigid than the carbon fiber tubes that I was ordering and should hold up good. The arrow was available locally and was relatively cheap (cheaper than the tubes that I was looking at ordering)

has anyone ever repaired a wing on their bixler?

i have a chunk of around 2" missing from the leading edge near the wing tip

i dunno what to do

in the crash that cause the damage to the wing, the elevator got partially torn off too

the plan is to install hinges on all surfaces tho

Originally Posted by Scooch

here is a suggestion for fixing your spar. I was having a problem getting carbon fiber tubes locally and did not want to wait for shipping. I got a carbon fiber arrow, stripped the feathers off, and used that. The narrow arrows are slightly larger than than the stock spar but I was able to get it in. I think this is far more rigid than the carbon fiber tubes that I was ordering and should hold up good. The arrow was available locally and was relatively cheap (cheaper than the tubes that I was looking at ordering)

Nearest hobby shop I know in 400 km distance from me. As for hunter's shops here is but nothing as arrows. Not popular here or prohibited, have no idea. I'm a fisher.

Originally Posted by mudcow007

has anyone ever repaired a wing on their bixler?

i have a chunk of around 2" missing from the leading edge near the wing tip

i dunno what to do

in the crash that cause the damage to the wing, the elevator got partially torn off too

the plan is to install hinges on all surfaces tho

I think you should cut wing in right angle by knife. Cut piece of foam from any packing box as for radio or TV. Fit it inside the wing and glue by epoxy. Then shape a profile of leading edge by knife and/or sand paper. To finish apply armored tape on all leading edge of the wing.

I taped them from the beginning. I cut off ailerons, rudder and elevator during building stage and glued pinned hinges on epoxy.

Originally Posted by Scorpio9999

Nearest hobby shop I know in 400 km distance from me. As for hunter's shops here is but nothing as arrows. Not popular here or prohibited, have no idea. I'm a fisher.

How about using a piece of an old fishing pole. I know they are tapered but all you need is a section with the big end being the same diameter as the old spar. It should still give you some support and flexibility without breaking.

As for making first flights successful, i think scorpio9999 made a good point about using MS flight simulator for several years. I used FMS for a couple of years. I didnt own a transmitter or had a joystick,so i just used the keyboard for controls. i realized that after some time i was no longer having to think about how to react, whether the plane was coming toward or going away. When i finally got a real plane, a SS V4, i found that there was no problems mentally converting from key strokes to joystick movements. I have had at least 100 flights with no instruction or trainer and am able to do most acrobatic moves , and if i do crash, i tis either because the wind is blowing too hard in the wrong direction when trying to land, or its a spatial problem and i clip a tree because i thought the plane was closer than what it really was. So i am a firm believer that practice makes perfect.

damage to my wing after a crash with a tree - i think the actual damage was caused by tryign to retrieve it



should i cut the damage out an replace with foam?

any ideas on how i could shape the wing tip?

is it even possible?

Originally Posted by mudcow007

damage to my wing after a crash with a tree - i think the actual damage was caused by tryign to retrieve it

should i cut the damage out an replace with foam?

any ideas on how i could shape the wing tip?

is it even possible?

Get another wing. BTW - A Sky Surfer wing is identical to a Bixler wing. Of course, Banana Hobby is a bunch of thieves. So, the $40.90 for a wing set is a total rip-off. But, do some searching around and I am fairly sure you can find a wing set for much cheaper.
AJ

Originally Posted by ajbaker

Get another wing. BTW - A Sky Surfer wing is identical to a Bixler wing. Of course, Banana Hobby is a bunch of thieves. So, the $40.90 for a wing set is a total rip-off. But, do some searching around and I am fairly sure you can find a wing set for much cheaper.
AJ

cheers AJ i found a Sky Surfer wing set for $15 but its in the US of A an according to "Ready Made RC" but shipping seems a nightmare