Skipper XL water flights - Isle of Arran

iwan_canobi · March 25, 2016, 07:05:18 PM

Went away last weekend for a long weekend to Arran and just had to stick the Skipper in the car. Only had a few flights with it so far but couldn't resist sticking it in the water and having a go! It's an absolute blast to fly and much easier on the water than my Canadair failed attempts! Wasn't going far as I don't have an AP in it yet, but after the amount of fun I had I'll be sticking a Tornado OSD in it, I can see this becoming my go-to plane!

! No longer available

bignose13 · March 25, 2016, 08:50:40 PM

Nice Ewan
Nice change from a mini quad trying to smash into everything

Dillwhacker · March 25, 2016, 09:27:03 PM

What a lovely place to fly - note to self - find somewhere more interesting than fenland fields to fly!
I've been flying mine today and have really got to like it - take off from anything, good flight manners & easy to land, can't be bad.
Is it stock? Or did you mod it to have two aileron servos in the wings?
Any mods to stiffen up the tail to get rid of the flutter?

iwan_canobi · March 25, 2016, 09:53:04 PM

Cheers! Yeah it's an awesome place over there, just had to take the plane with me! It's not often the weather plays ball though! Need to find some local patches of water to fly from as well.

It's totally stock, not changed from the single aileron servo in the fuse, they seem like decent quality and are nicely protected from the water. Also haven't strengthened the tail although it was in my mind to do it. I may just stick a carbon rod in from the motor mount down into the fuse. The rudder hinge separated today when I was putting it back into the loft so will need to go and re-do all the hinges.

Dillwhacker · March 25, 2016, 10:19:06 PM

Interesting - I did the two aileron servo mod just for a bit of security / redundancy, and to make sure they were good servos.
But stock, mine had a horrid flutter when turning tight or flying fast - never figured out what it was, just a nasty low frequency vibe that went away when I shut the throttle. I only noticed it LOS when flying a bit aggressively - maybe not noticeable FPV - it didn't seem to affect the flight path, just a nasty sound. I was tempted to let it rattle till something came loose, but didn't have the bottle.
I figured it was aileron flapping, cos they seemed a bit floppy and the horns were right at the inboard edge. So I beefed them up with a stiffener plate of GRP and put the servos half way out, and now can thrash it about aerobatic like T.W.O. and there is zero flutter.
Where is your COG with a 4000? On the step?
P.S nice editing job on the video - love it.

drambuidhe · March 26, 2016, 08:58:56 AM

Lovely job mate!
Looks like you've got her nicely set up too!
My Mk1 Skipper is still in bits , I can't decide whether she's worth the effort to rebuild or replace.
The XL is tempting especially after seeing your vid. They certainly rank right up there with the best as far as water plane's go hey!
You certainly won't have all the frustrations that the Canadair gave you.
Look forward to more of the same ;)

mutley2 · March 26, 2016, 01:09:48 PM

Great vid Iwan, she looks like it's got a good turn of speed and flying off the water looks a hoot.
You using a Runcam Hd cos the footage is really good!

iwan_canobi · March 26, 2016, 02:22:51 PM

Quote from: Dillwhacker on March 25, 2016, 10:19:06 PM
Interesting - I did the two aileron servo mod just for a bit of security / redundancy, and to make sure they were good servos.
But stock, mine had a horrid flutter when turning tight or flying fast - never figured out what it was, just a nasty low frequency vibe that went away when I shut the throttle. I only noticed it LOS when flying a bit aggressively - maybe not noticeable FPV - it didn't seem to affect the flight path, just a nasty sound. I was tempted to let it rattle till something came loose, but didn't have the bottle.
I figured it was aileron flapping, cos they seemed a bit floppy and the horns were right at the inboard edge. So I beefed them up with a stiffener plate of GRP and put the servos half way out, and now can thrash it about aerobatic like T.W.O. and there is zero flutter.
Where is your COG with a 4000? On the step?
P.S nice editing job on the video - love it.

Thats odd, haven't experienced that with mine, but the tail / motor mount doesn't feel particularly steady so I don't think it would do any harm to strengthen it. CoG is a bit nose heavy with the 4000mah, it sits about 2cm in front of the step but it doesn't seem to mind it at all. Still wants to climb a bit under full throttle! Cheers about the video, it looks so cool in the air I had to include some los shots, thanks to the wife for video'ing! :D Although I had to shout at her for trying to film in portrait! :P

Quote from: drambuidhe on March 26, 2016, 08:58:56 AM
Lovely job mate!
Looks like you've got her nicely set up too!
My Mk1 Skipper is still in bits , I can't decide whether she's worth the effort to rebuild or replace.
The XL is tempting especially after seeing your vid. They certainly rank right up there with the best as far as water plane's go hey!
You certainly won't have all the frustrations that the Canadair gave you.
Look forward to more of the same ;)

Cheers! Your videos with the skipper were what inspired me to look at sea planes, and when this came up in the HK sale I couldn't say no! Really glad I got it, but even at full price I think its worth it! I'm not too far from you I don't think so should get a wee meet for some water flying over the summer! :D

Quote from: mutley2 on March 26, 2016, 01:09:48 PM
Great vid Iwan, she looks like it's got a good turn of speed and flying off the water looks a hoot.
You using a Runcam Hd cos the footage is really good!

Cheers! Yeah pretty happy with the speed, and seems pretty efficient as well. Will know some stats of actual speed and current draw etc once I get the Tornado fitted. Yeah it was the Runcam HD 2 I was using for recording and video out, pretty pleased with it but it does tend to under expose a bit in direct sun as you can see from the footage in the second half. But sun behind a cloud tends to confuse most cameras!

drambuidhe · March 27, 2016, 11:03:28 PM

You would be more than welcome here anytime . One of my flying buddies has just put an XL together for fpv use.
Mines out of action and maybe beyond it now. Once I can afford to replace it we intend to try some low level formation so one more would be great!
Anyone out there got a Skipper they've had enough of and want to turn it into some cash : :D

FlyingRock · March 27, 2016, 11:17:06 PM

Great videos Iwan! Always nice to see some close up water, makes for some great reflections...

What kind of flight time are you getting with the 4A 4S? Any significant foam carving to fit it in?