Pylon style racer of my design.
EIGHT CELL 650 mah.
28", 11 oz.
Dizzy Scott on cam..

February 16, 2020 (2 min 33 sec)

For those who wish to extract the most performance out of an aircraft EXEMPT from the new international regulations, there are many options using racing quadcopter motors, esc, and batteries.
My fastest model uses a 350 mah EIGHT cell lipo that can sustain 20a+ or burst 40 amps.
At half stick, it launches straight up.
Turns 3.5x5" prop over 50k with over 4:1 thrust..

250 gram RACER 8s (2 min 30 sec)

Here is an early evolution of my sub 250 gram speedmodels, 1.5 yr ago.
Only 177 grams with 370 mah 6s.
High winds and use of speed range show good flight character and high efficiency.
That was less than 280 mah flight...
3s prop setup in pic..

Tiny pylon racer in winds on 6s, 25 volts! (4 min 48 sec)

Who wants to go 180mph+ for $100?
Check out what is going on in Germany..
http://speedcroco.de/FDD.html
To beat the regulations, they decided to form an under 250 gram speed competition.
I would love to see some interest for this stateside, so we can form our own events.
In the meantime, I am testing 8s power systems, and new designs..

7s maiden (4 min 6 sec)

Many motor, prop, and battery combos tested.
I am very happy with the 3.75x3.3 and 3.5"x3.3n prop on 4-7s 350 mah.
F20 15gram, 3200kv is limited to 350 4s and 3.75" prop.
F30 21 gram, 2300kv uses 3.5" for 6-7s.
F80 38 gram, 2500kv swings 4x3.3"-6x4"
The 70s vintage 6x4" stamped 20c (cents) gives explposive performance using 900 mah 4s on a 13 ounce plane.
The 4x3.3 on 8s draws less amps than most 4s props.
Max amps of 40-60 tested on the F80 Pro with no excess heat noted. Wow!
The smaller motors draw up to 20 amps.

Here is the 24"..

Minishark 24" (3 min 36 sec)

Here is the 30" running 8s on Tmotor F80 2500kv..

Minishark 8s madness! (5 min 8 sec)

...Continue Reading

New design uses 3 gram servos, 6 gram 30a esc, 1 gram switching bec, 15.5 gram motor, and 2 gram rx.

MOST NIMBLE SHARK YET!


24", balsa, foam core, using my signature .5x3mm carbon trailing edge.
5.5-5.9 ounces.
Tmotor F20 3200kv
350mah 3-4s gives surprisingly long flight!
4x3.3" APC (race quad prop)

Here is the first 30" design running a DYS 2100kv, 34g motor on 650 mah 8s and 4x3.3 APC.
14-15 ounces auw. Max 25a/800w.
Much less draw in air as burst flights like the video use only 500 mah in 4 minutes!!
(Video cut short)

Light 8s. (3 min 14 sec)

The "heavy" setup on 8s is 18 oz and OVER TWICE THE POWER as this last video.
Consider this a teaser...

Here is a 21.5" version using a 5 gram, 4000 kv quad motor on 4s and 3x2" prop.
Only 75 grams rtf with 180 mah 4s.
2 and 3mm depron, no spars.
Wing is 3 layers, sanded into a nice airfoil.

Microshark 22".
Foam core, 1/32" sheet, 3/32" elsewhere, no glass.
1306, 4000kv quad motor
2-4s 300mah.
88 grams empty vs 240g for the 28.5"
Flies great!

Over one hundred tested flights on 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8s on one test plane!
7s is the sweet spot, but 6s gives continuous wide open throttle.
7s goes 130 mph at HALF throttle and pulls away from that comically fast going to full stick.. while still being light enough to fly slowly.
28.5" 13.5 ounce.
Here is what only 550 mah of bursts look like....

Minishark 7s! (5 min 35 sec)

Going well on 7s, but 6s with larger prop is the sweet spot, being lighter with the same thrust.
All prototypes are flying well in the lingering summer heat.
New batteries and more powerful designs coming in time for cool fall air.
Working to get 8s perfected.
Here is prop failure and motor shed after a couple short bursts...

8s test with blade failure (1 min 49 sec)

Here is a twin 1500w potential system.
I aim to be a leader in power to weight, with a full 3000w+ static @ only 22.5 ounces!
Only 7 flights so far with 1500w total max.
Update later with more pics, tests, and video.
Update.. needed caacitors to run well on 6s..
Stuffed all I could inside the nacell.

About as high power to weight I have seen in person..
Video is over 1500 watts static @24.5v and 13 oz with 870 mah pack. (Yes, tested to over 60a)
15-25mph cross wind.
Launch into loop at only 40% throttle...
5 minute flight was 700mah/870!
Fastest passes at 3:00.
1.2 second delay on throttle, now tuned to .5.
(Now faster)
Everthing runs reasonably cool..

May 28, 2017 (5 min 16 sec)

Here is another 27.5" racer with over 1000w!

This one uses the mighty Tmotor F80 2500 kv and matching 45a esc.
Gemfan 5x4.5" carbon prop.
TP 860 mah 70c 6s.. (Two 11.1)
338 grams or 11.9 oz rtf.

UPDATE.. Make it 10.9 oz with Tatu 650

LIGHTEST 1000w+ plane?

These are the latest in an evolution of homemade micro pylon/hotliners spanning 24-27.5", and weighing 165-249 grams rtf.
They are foam core with balsa, using glass and carbon on the fastest version.

The goal is to achieve better than 1600w/lb by a good margin, as this appears to be the upper limit for high$$ hotliners.. all this UNDER the FAA regs or under 250 grams!
I am currently at 800w/249g with a 1000w++ setup coming..

Electra Shark (3 min 23 sec)

No plans. Airlfoil is carefully sanded 6mm layer, laminated with 1/32" balsa.
3/32" balsa elsewhere.
Motor is DYS Fire 32gram, 2100kv.
DYS XS30a. esc.
Maytek bec.
3 gram digital servos.
4x4" quad prop.
370-450 mah battery (2xseries)
7.4 oz, 210 grams rtf.
Draws only 15a at over 40,000 rpm!


Thank you Scott for camera.

27" (687mm) , 7.4 Oz (210 g) with 6s.
370 mah 6s.
2100 kv quad motor spins light 4x4" prop over 40k.
Everything runs cool, including tiny JST connectors.
4:1 THRUST!

Foam core with 1/32" sheet.
3/32" balsa fuse and fins.
No carbon needed.
All T.E. less than 1mm.
C/A hinges.

Shown with 24" 160 g. 5s version..

Another 24" racer with foam core and balsa wing.
100 grams empty.
5s, 370 mah weighs 59 grams.
Now using 6s quad esc..9g.

Last one to feature an HK 2300kv, 17g. motor

Next up... A 27" 6s racer at 200 grams..
Using racing quad motors for 500 watts to 200g!

Lightest wood aircraft to go 100 mph level flight.
5.7 oz with 370 mah 18.5v.
4.5 oz with 370 2s.
No plan. Highly sanded depron core wing with 1/32" sheet.
24" wing, 20" long. 3.5oz empty.