E.T.s SKYFUN with Aeromax OSD & GPS.

English Turbines · April 23, 2017, 10:34:41 PM

E.T.s SKYFUN with Aeromax Navigator.

Having test flown the Skyfun recently LOS to see how she flies, I decided to fit the 1280mhz video and the new Aeromax OSD and GPS receiver....Wanting to keep it as aero as possible, I decided to try and keep as much inside as possible. The little 200mw VTX runs pretty cool, so I think it will be fine....I have yet to swap out the 2.4g FrSky reciever for my EZUHF one,but that should be fairly easy.
I had a Matek PDB laying around, so decided to use that to supply a healthy 5vdc to the OSD and GPS isolating it from the control side.....The supposed 12vdc output from the Matek measured 10.4v, so I just used an ESC output as Im not sure the VTX will run on 10v..Anyhow, it seems to work ok. 14 sats outdoors.
Like this, I can remove the FPV backpack and substitute a plain canopy if I need to for LOS flying...
This plane flies like its on rails and LOS, it was maintaining height on less than half throttle, even with the modest motor ESC setup. The 8 x 6 Cam prop seems just right for cruising and will hand launch even at half throttle. Im expecting 1km per minute with this one just cruising, so even with just 2550 mah onboard it will fly for 12 minutes easily. .... :)

:vulture:

Brucey · April 24, 2017, 07:40:18 AM

Loved my skyfun, flew so well and so cheap. But the foam is crap and brittle

English Turbines · April 24, 2017, 09:09:19 PM

Quote from: Brucey on April 24, 2017, 07:40:18 AM
Loved my skyfun, flew so well and so cheap. But the foam is crap and brittle

Hi Brucey,

Yep, it's not so good foam, too soft....I have some extra spars glued onto the underside of the wings, and used Glass strand Tape under there as well....
You are right about its flight characteristics, once I had toned down the Aileron movement it was stupidly easy to fly, real point and shoot stuff....Opening the throttle, no real trim change, even without the Stab engaged....I really rather like it and I only had 3 Lipos on it...lol...Typical Delta wing model, slick and smooth, but with a good glide on it dead stick.
Hobby King have jacked the price up again though...Typical.
Sure I could be tempted into another one though if I bust it......lol.

:vulture:

beesleyboy · April 24, 2017, 10:40:04 PM

Great fun, I had an FPV setup on a funjet, but made the mistake of having a rubbish RC RX and lost range really fast. lol
Hope you have more flight time.
;) G

Shikra · April 25, 2017, 10:29:01 AM

I had one of those Skyfuns and have to say it was a fantastic flyer.

The foam is crap though. I've seen a few laminated ones and that is probably the answer... I'd choose them over a multiplex funjet if wasn't for the damned glue.

One thing – please check the glue for the motor mount – it will come away in time.
I read that, checked mine quickly and it seemed OK so ignored it. Flew xx times and it came off.. Chewed up the rear of the plane real nice!!

Nice thread on them here: starting with motor mount reglue of course! http://forum.rcflyingclub.com/showthread.php?tid=72

Look forward to seeing the flight vid

Brucey · April 25, 2017, 11:13:00 AM

Yeah I laminated and ran carbon nose to tail for my 6s one.

Vortecks · April 26, 2017, 06:04:02 PM

I remember the last time I tried to fly a delta-wing like this..... it ended in tears of laughter and a 92mph pile-drive into the ground.

Good luck mate, I hope you have more success than me ;D

I think I should post more in here and hopefully educate at least one person in the vast knowledge I've gained. It's just a shame my piloting skills aren't as good as my knowledge!

Now, get out there and maiden this baby. As I always say......no video and it never happened :D

English Turbines · April 27, 2017, 03:47:12 PM

Quote from: Vortecks on April 26, 2017, 06:04:02 PM
I remember the last time I tried to fly a delta-wing like this..... it ended in tears of laughter and a 92mph pile-drive into the ground.

Good luck mate, I hope you have more success than me ;D

I think I should post more in here and hopefully educate at least one person in the vast knowledge I've gained. It's just a shame my piloting skills aren't as good as my knowledge!

Now, get out there and maiden this baby. As I always say......no video and it never happened :D

Hi Tony,
I hope to do its first FPV Maiden...as soon as the weather plays ball...The FPV kit has added some weight, but I still expect it to fly well, now it's been setup.
Now running on UHF because of the 1280 link...I think I still have the movements about right from the testing on 2.4G...If it flies FPV like it did LOS, Im going to be very happy, It's like a Cruise Missile...lol.

They must have changed the motor mounting, because mine is bolted through the foam as well as glued...?

I will capture the live downlink and post it of course...:)

:vulture:

Coyote · April 27, 2017, 04:12:19 PM

Ahhh a Skyfun, I have a soft spot for them, my last one was just too heavy though, too much weight for a few rough landings :)

English Turbines · April 27, 2017, 04:54:28 PM

UPDATE.....EZUHF fitted and FPV Link.

Converted the Sanders into a Dipole, it sticks out the bottom....It's ready for flight. I had to move the Lipo back a little because all that FPV gear is ahead of the C of G.
Tested, its getting Sats easily and absolutely no noise on the Video with the motor running. It can't be the PDB because the camera and VTX power is on one of the ESC outlets, but the 5vdc supply for the OSD is coming from the PDBs onboard BEC. He did say this new OSD was resistant to noise though...Just need to test fly it again now....Maybe tomorrow if the weather plays ball.
If it flies ok, I will try and get the RSSI out of Ch4 and into the Aeromax OSD although I can't see this one getting out of range really..

I will change the Camera for a Swift Mini when it arrives...

:vulture: