Worst Maiden ever...?!

[dp106]

I attempted to maiden a new slope wing at the weekend, the "Pluto" from epp-modelle http://epp-modelle.com/product/pluto-epp/. Possibly one of my worst maidens ever!  God the thing was a nightmare to fly. After taking some advice on how to try and trim it we got it fly (a little bit) better but it was still a crazy roller coaster ride!

I'm hoping it was tail heavy so have added 25g extra nose weight.  Also reduced my throws mechanically as much as I can so I can increase the rates on the Taranis, ( I had them set to 10% at one point!)

Any other tips please, PLEASE let me know :)

youtu.be/UdfxqX9Jdk0

[Dillwhacker]

I don't know the plane at all, but I would definitely say tail-heavy, looking at it.

[dp106]

I don't know the plane at all, but I would definitely say tail-heavy, looking at it.

I hope so, if not it will be going in the bin pretty soon!  ;D

[Andy Sayle]

It looks like the control throws are a bit excessive to me. bringing the cg forward a smidgen may help, but I would  try giving a few test glides on a flat field first, in not a lot of wind.  Get it trimmed for a hands off nice straight glide first, and then venture up onto the slope...

Andy

[wgt40w]

Good thing this wasn't a maiden paragliding flight !!

                    ^-^

[dp106]

It looks like the control throws are a bit excessive to me. bringing the cg forward a smidgen may help, but I would  try giving a few test glides on a flat field first, in not a lot of wind.  Get it trimmed for a hands off nice straight glide first, and then venture up onto the slope...

Andy

I've reduced them as much as I possibly can, might cut a channel out so I can go even lower on the servo arm.

Good thing this wasn't a maiden paragliding flight !!

                    ^-^

Good job it is made out of epp, damn thing bounces well at least  ^-^

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Andy Sayle]

On a short coupled wing like that, I'd be surprised if you need more than 5-10mm throw on the elevator in total.  And aileron will be as much as you like to get a wickedly fast roll rate!    If you bring teh cg forward a bit, it will reduce the elevator sensitivity.  But, you will find the elevator trim will become very speed specific.  personal preference and all that!

[Dillwhacker]

If you can't control it in pitch, then deffo tail heavy.
I have a wing that is a pussy-cat with the Go-Pro on the front, and is impossible to fly without...
COG me old matey !
IMO.

[Loopdreams]

If the CG is as per the plan then it's too much throw.  If that's the case then could still put weight up front and it'll calm down but it won't be flying as well or as fast as it can do.  I've had loads of slope wings and the CG and control throws are pretty critical if you want it to fly to its potential.

[dp106]

The cg must have been a little off at I've added an extra 25g and it now looks spot on. With a thin plank life this is quite difficult to work out the exact point of cog.

My mechanical throws were too much to start with, I've reduced them as much as I can and increased my rates back up.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Loopdreams]

There's usually a thread on RC Groups for the various wings where you'll get lots of good info on setup.  I'm sure I've seen this shape before, is it an NCFM design?

[dp106]

Yeah it's a copy of the Bluto. The NCFM models are expensive for a foam model so this was a cheap alternative. The old adage of you get what you pay for its coming to mind but I'll keep at it for now..

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Coyote]

Looks like a lot more weight on the nose will calm it down a bit.

Funny watching it though, twitchy bugger :)

[AdamG]

The first 12 seconds of this video are my favorite  :laugh:

[dp106]

Yep thought I'd upload it for comedy value  ::) I'll be sure to video the next attempts to see if it gets any better..!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk