Time to start thread for the next bigger and better Plank. Current specs are shown below. We'll see how much it changes during construction.

Previously I mentioned that I ordered some parts from Hong Kong (Hobby King) and was waiting and waiting for it to arrive......

So at 11 days, it arrives from the other side of the PLANET. This is during the Xmas rush. No complaints on deliver. Kinda amazing really.

Very pleased with the stuff. Especially the switch. The black housing is solid anodized aluminum. The charge jack is mounted with a set screw ! very nice.

I've added a lost plane alarm to mix and will mount it in fuel port to serve as a horn for the alarm.....like it.

Kent

I will be carefully watching this build.

Are you at all concerned with the sand-switch interplay?

Eric

subscribed

I've had good results with those folks too. They do have a US warehouse - so some stuff is available in-country - comes much more quickly.

I'll make the switch sand-proof, when needed, by simply laying a piece of tape over it. It seems that the only thing that works with sand is a completely sealed covering like tape.

Sand will certainly get into the fuse between the wing/fuse joint, so I'll mount the switch on top in hopes of keeping it above the debris below.

If any switch is sand-proof all by itself, it would be this one. Nice tight mechanical lever in front of the electronics.

Also got an altimeter and lost plane alarm from Hobby King for this one. Both work great. Here's the "flight graph" of me carrying the unit to the 2nd story of my house.

Kent

Nice looking forward for the build

EZ

Originally Posted by Knoll53

Also got an altimeter and lost plane alarm from Hobby King for this one. Both work great. Here's the "flight graph" of me carrying the unit to the 2nd story of my house.

Kent

Methinks there's something seriously amiss with your staircase

Nice looking design.
Wth regards switches, I believe there are now magnetic switches that are activated by a magnet from outside the fuselage- so the hatch can be firmly closed for the whole flight session.
Your design also prompted the thought- you have quite a bit of sweep in the wing design so when does a plank become a swept wing?

Originally Posted by mhodgson

so when does a plank become a swept wing?

I would think when the sweep is enough to start providing some benefits for that sweep.

Sweep can provide a effect similar to dihedral.
Sweep can allow non-reflexed airfoils.
Sweep with twist can provide some yaw stability, is in Horten style.

This wing has negligible sweep and has been design as a pure plank. A reflexed PW51 with no twist.

The magnetic switch sounds cool. I could sure use one.

Kent

One example.
http://www.electricwingman.com/jeti-...ic-switch.aspx

Oh that is trick....like it.

Currently I am sand-proofing switches the mechanical way. I bury them and actuate with a short piece of music wire.

Kent

Zepsus.com as well, 7A and 15A.
Might have to try one myself, it would save fiddling with small hatches and switched and cold windy slopes.

Looking forward to your build.

Still quite green when it comes to foam and glass so I'd thought that I'd start with the fuse. Masonite templates each side worked pretty well.
The camera decided to take a break part way through....here's what I got.

Slicing up some foam (0 min 26 sec)

Kent

The fuse is currently lightly reinforced with some Kevlar UNI and some kevlar fabric at the wing area plus 2 layers of medium glass. I'll add more glass before I'm done, but first I'll populate the inside with formers and boxes, which will add some stiffness. I think I'll add some CF tow down the side, leaving the bottom open for clear antenna reception, then at least one more layer of glass.

Kent

Beginning to fab some odds and ends.

Kent

The LE of the fin is hollow to serve as an antenna tube. The antenna wire will exit at the top, well clear of the fuse for bungee launching. At the base of the fin, created an elbow guide to transition to a plastic housing to carry forward. This system is big enough to fish a standard pushrod through.

Kent