Ritewing Zephyr II Build

[M6TPV]

Laminate and then cover... The laminate will add a mass of robustness to the Wing for sure.

I've got the carbon effect covering too.. Take your time with the build and don't use 3M90 adhesive when covering... I did and only by the grace of god has it turned out OK.  The covering over the top of the lam will disguise any unsightly errors you may make when glueing in spars etc.

Bob

[Flyn]

Keep in mind chaps the more covering (dead weight) you add the harder it'll be to launch, the slower it'll fly, the higher the stall speed will be etc.

Keep it light & fast I say. ;)

Try to avoid double bagging!

[peweepete]

Flyn, just how much do you reckon the extra weight is?
Do they sell coloured laminate?
Cheers !!

[Flyn]

Not sure mate, but I've got a roll of carbon fibre wrap here that'll maybe just cover a ZII & I know I don't want that extra weight on mine!

Build it light keep it fast.

[peweepete]

Lol!!!
Your right about weight, it's everyone's enemy from cars to models (both sorts)!

When I was building my Elf dlg I was shaving off tenths of grams where I could -)

[MarkLloyd]

Thanks fellas,  so what your saying is I don't want to get a sleek model that ends up a fat bird with bad habits that I double bag for.......
Now about that zephyr........ ;D

[Ritewing]

The ZII was purposely designed to be heavy , it takes huge bats and a go pro just to CG.
Weight is all relative to speed , a heavier ZII  yes is harder to launch and lands hotter.
If you have a bungee then making it heavy is not an issue, or if you are a seasoned ZII pilot and launch with no issues then extra weight is not a problem. 
A heavier build tracks better than a light build.

For an extreme example..
I have  UAV contractor who fly's his ZII's at 28 lbs , they launch it with a pneumatic  launch system, it needs about 70 mph airspeed to get it airborne.
It cruises at 120 +mph for a short time to achieve its mission.

Before it lands it ejects its super expensive hardware pod that has a parachute .
Then the wing has its own mini chute and it floats down nicely.

They like it heavy because it fly's much more stable than anything they have used or made prior , this was a major part of their requirements.

I never try to make it light during the build, I just build it.

[Flyn]

The ZII was purposely designed to be heavy , it takes huge bats and a go pro just to CG.
Weight is all relative to speed , a heavier ZII  yes is harder to launch and lands hotter.
If you have a bungee then making it heavy is not an issue, or if you are a seasoned ZII pilot and launch with no issues then extra weight is not a problem. 
A heavier build tracks better than a light build.

For an extreme example..
I have  UAV contractor who fly's his ZII's at 28 lbs , they launch it with a pneumatic  launch system, it needs about 70 mph airspeed to get it airborne.
It cruises at 120 +mph for a short time to achieve its mission.

Before it lands it ejects its super expensive hardware pod that has a parachute .
Then the wing has its own mini chute and it floats down nicely.

They like it heavy because it fly's much more stable than anything they have used or made prior , this was a major part of their requirements.

I never try to make it light during the build, I just build it.

Hi Chris,

wow that is one extreme for sure, heavy will definitely track well but will need more power & speed to fly like you said.

I wont ever presume to tell you how to build your product, all I'm offering is the way I like to build the kits I've bought - I never go all out for lightness but like to avoid adding unnecessary weight, like to find a happy medium, maybe I just like it easier to chuck. lol.

In the latest build I've added a couple of short spars to the mid section between & infront of the bays - how this will fly & perform is unknown.

[M6TPV]

Wow...28lb's, that's one hell of a weight, I can only imagine what it's carrying in terms of video gear etc. 

I've laminated mine and intend covering it again with carbon effect and yellow oracover, I'll just have to wing it and see if it'll launch easily but intending adding the option for bungee launching if required, or change the number of batteries.

[skyscraper]

+1 for build as light as possible. If you want it heavier, its easy to add some lead!

"The only place weight is useful is in a steam roller." - Uffa Fox.

regards
Andy

[MarkLloyd]

Hi Guys,
I'm currently putting together my zephyr 2 and am spending lots of time reading the forums and checking out how other people are putting theirs together on youtube etc.  I've been flying an easystar2 fpv for about a year, it has been and still is brilliant.  This wing is a bit of a leap for me to a bit more excitement !

I've got quite a few 3 cell 2200ma batts and looking at the battery options I notice these will fit nicely, edge side on in the Z2 battery bay .  My query is whether I can or whether anyone has fitted maybe 3 or 4  ( could fit 5)   in parallel ? ...maybe 2 xt60 parallel leads in parallel?  It would just be nice to have batts that could be easily swappable between both planes.

I know 3s is going to be a bit more sedate that going 4s but I'm happy to take things steady at first until I get used to flying the wing.  I've attached a photo,  I'll be boarding out the bay with thin ply and if need be could shave a fraction of the bay sides to widen it.    If it's a sh*t idea let me know   (?)  Any thoughts much appreciated !

[Flyn]

Mate, that's a lot of lipo you got in there, yes you could do it like that but should you... Hmm good question. I know I wouldn't fancy launching it that heavy on 3s.

But please feel free to prove me wrong, all I'll happily be so ;)

Tbh I'd buy bigger packs & just go 4s as lining up loads of 2200s might be ok but what happens if one fails or you forgot to charge one?

I use x2 3300 4s, they seem to be the perfect size & weight & can give over 30mins slow flight or 15 flat out at 100mph!

[MarkLloyd]

Hi Flyn,

Many thanks for your thoughts on this. 

Yes, it feels like a house  brick with the 4 packs in and whilst 3 x 2200 packs apparently weigh a bit less than the equivalent 2x3300ma ( looking at average battery weights on hobbyking), the  two 4s will of course provide more grunt for the same capacity.

I suppose I was hoping to save a bit of cash too as I'll need to have maybe 4 or 6   3300mah  4 cell batts available to provide me with more than one flight per trip out !

I must say that adding to an already  complicated and busy wiring setup is now putting me off the idea of running more than 2 batts in parallel.  I think maybe I'm trying too hard and should follow that famous mantra of "keep it simple stupid" !!

So I'll check out 2 x 4s 3300.  May I ask what brand of 3300mah batts are you using or are most brands around the same physical size ?

I'll also need to get a pair of your spiral antennas.  Do they have to worked as a matched pair or can I use one of the pair on the Zephyr,  keeping the other as a spare and leave the existing fatshark immersion spiral antenna on the attitude goggles ?

Thanks again


Regards

Mark

[Flyn]

Hi mark,

It's always nice to be able to use what you've got but sometimes it's better to spend a little bit extra to get the best out of what you will have ;)

With rc it's always best to keep it as simple as possible, I've seen a few times where people have a multiple battery config where they forget to plug a lipo in with bad results as they think they can fly for longer than they actually can due to unplugged lipo.

Lipos are pretty much the same size for the mah, avoid turnigy nanotechs, they might be good for a few flights but in under 12 months I had them all go bad, with large voltage sags.

Gens ace are pretty good but a bit heavy. A good lipo are new dynamic lipos x2 3200 4s for £40

You can certainly have some antennas & you'll be able to use them as you please with whatever 5.8 antenna you please ;)

[M6TPV]

My Z11 is ready to maiden... Eeek!!! 

I am going to be running 2 x Zippy Compact 4S 3700mah batteries which brings in the AUW to about 2.8lbs.  I am lead to understand that this is about the average for the Z11 but before I commit her to the air can someone confirm that my Ritewing Motor, Phoenix Talon 90 and Batteries will give her the ummmmpf to get airborne?

I don't have the bungee launch system so it will be a by hand launch!!!


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