Chris Good's RC Page - The Good Air Force

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I have been flying remote control planes since 1985 and have put together a large fleet of aircraft (107 as of November 2023).
All pictures are thumbnails, so click on them to see a larger version.

 Flying Wings & FPV Aircraft    VTOL & helicopters    Multi-rotors    Glow powered planes & helicopters    Large electric planes    Foam electric planes    Gone    Night Flyers    RC Electronics    RC Aerial Photography & Video    Flying Fields    For What Its Worth    Telebee 701 Gyro    $8 RC Airplane


Flying Wings & First Person View (FPV) Aircraft

 

 

16 Foot Wingspan Flying Wing - Built from my own plans.  This wing has flown in two powered versions, originally powered by two OS 91 VR-DF ducted fan engines with tuned pipes and Dynamax fans.  I then removed the ducting, and modified the center section to accept a Super Tigre 3000 (30 cc) engine with 18" prop.  It flies much better with the Super Tigre 3000 engine.  Eppler 334 airfoil. 35+ pounds total weight with ducted engines and fans, slightly less with the ST 3000.  The drag rudders are controlled by a special PIC controller. This page contains the schematics and source code for the PIC 12C508 drag rudder controller.  Six channels [ elevons(2 servos), throttle(1 servo), nose steering(1 servo), drag rudders(2 servos)] FLOWN with ducted fans, FLYING with ST 3000
 
 
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13 Foot Wingspan Flying Wing - Built from my own plans; Eppler 334 airfoil, 15 pounds with 6S 5000 mah lipo batteries, 5065 brushless outrunner motor with 50A ESC. The drag rudders are controlled by a special PIC controller. This page contains the schematic and programming for the 12C508 PIC drag rudder controller.  Seven channels [ elevons(4 servos), throttle(ESC), pneumatic retracts(1 servo), nose steering(1 servo), drag rudders(2 servos)]  FLYING
 

Blue Foam and Pink Foam Wings
: I designed these wings to be built using either Dow blue foam or Owens-Corning pink foam 1/4" thick insulation.  The main strength comes from carbon fiber doublers on the foam spars and cross bracing.  I have built many copies of various sizes, and conducted a pink wing group build with my club.  I worked with 12 flyers so everyone could have their own foam flying wing.  There are 13 pink flying wings in our RC club now, all built in my garage over several build sessions.  I provided the templates and plans, carbon fiber spars, foam, tape, glue, and building instructions, and everyone paid for or brought their own electronics. The standard wing has a two meter wingspan and is powered by 480 outrunner with a 40A ESC. All of the 5.5' span and larger wings have GoPro camera mounts and I have shot aerial video all over the US and Scandinavia with these wings.  Most of these wings are set up for FPV, and another one is a transitioning VTOL tri-copter.
 
               

13 Foot Wingspan Pink Wing LED - Scaled up version of my 6 foot wingspan flying wings.  This wing is powered by twin Tower Pro 3520 outrunner brushless motors, each with a 50A ESC. See this page for details and construction photos.

The wing has external white LED strips facing down, internal LED strips to light the wing from the inside, red and green LED wingtip lights, 16 super-bright LEDs facing down, and 7 super-bright LED COB lightbulbs.


9 Foot Wingspan Blue Wing LED
- This is a scaled up version of the 6 foot wingspan Blue Wing, with an E-Flite 32 motor and 50A ESC.  There is a HK 401B gyro on each elevon servo, each tilted separately to allow stability on both pitch and roll axis.  It has a GoPro mount, red and green LED wingtip lights, and 6 super-bright LEDs facing down.  The super-bright LEDs are controlled on/off via a commercial RC switch.  The photos below are construction and flight photos of this 9' wing.  FLYING
 
           
 


Ducted fan
version

8.5 Foot Wingspan Pink Wing LED FPV
- This wing is powered by a large brushless outrunner with a 70 amp ESC, spinning a 16" pusher prop.  The motor runs on a 5S lipo and draws 1000 watts a WOT. This wing takes off at 1/2 throttle in less than 50 feet, and flies around easily at 1/3 throttle.  It is very similar in layout to 9' Blue Wing above, with one HK401B gyro on each servo for stabilization, and 6 super-bright LEDs facing down.  The super-bright LEDs are controlled by a homemade flashing circuit with a PIC 12c508 reading a channel from the RC receiver and driving 5 TIP120 transistors. The circuit and PIC code is available on the LED pageFLYING - FPV

GoPro mount
Eachine 800mW 5.8GHz video transmitter
1200 TVL 5-12V camera
LC filter for cleaner video
OSD for battery voltage

-  dual voltage sensors; sensor #1 reads the main pack voltage (5S), and sensor #2 reads the separate FPV battery voltage (3S)

This wing used to be powered by a 4.75" electric ducted fan, shown to the left, but I am moving that ducted fan to another plane. The DF version used a
60 amp high voltage ESC, which I reflashed with BlHeli firmware. It drew 45 amps @ 37.8 volts (9S), or 1700 watts at wide open throttle on a fresh battery.
 
 



 

7 Foot Wingspan FPV Pink Wing - Flip32 F1 FC with MWOSD - I used the last of the left-over pink foam from my club group build to make this wing.  It is powered by a Turnigy G25 outrunner and a Red Brick 50A ESCFLYING - FPV

Flip32 F1 flight controller all-in-one (AIO), MWOSD 1.6 SW
- barometric pressure sensor for altitude
- current and voltage sensors
- running special compile of  iNav 1.7.2
- stick commands from DSMX receiver via PPM

uBlox GPS receiver
Orange 618XL 6ch DSMX receiver with PPM output
1200 TVL 5-12V camera

Immersion 5.8GHz 600mw video transmitter
LC filter for power to FC, camera, video transmitter for cleaner video
GoPro mount

 

6 Foot Wingspan Blue Wing FPV
- This was the first foam wing that I built from my own design.  I have taken this wing all over the country whenever I went on travel for work, and I now keep this plane at my company's flight test hangar in Yuma, Arizona for trips out west.  The photos below show the construction of this wing and a copy that I made for a friend.  It also has a GoPro mount.  FLYING - FPV
 
                
 

 

6 Foot Wingspan Blue Wing LED
- This was the second foam wing I built from my own plans, and I filled the inside of wing with hundreds of blue, white, green, and red LEDs that make the plane
glow at night from the inside.  I have also added several hundred LEDs on the outside; all the LEDs together draw 6 amps at 11 volts. This is controlled via a Lemon Stabilizer Plus receiver, with three flight modes: gyros off (manual), gyros on (rate mode), auto-level (gyros + accelerometers).  Gain adjustment is on a separate channel for adjustments while flying.  FLYING
 

6 Foot Wingspan FPV Pink Wing - Eagletree - This was built specifically for FPV flight.  The pitot tube is at the nose of the wing, and retracts into the wing for transport and storage.  More photos of the wing construction and the EagleTree system can be found on this page.   Power comes from a 480 outrunner with a 50A ESC, running on a 3S lipo.  FLYING - FPV

Here is video recorded from the downlink during a gains adjustment flight. 
Here is more video with the OSD layout updated to include GPS data. 
Photo in flight here


EagleTree System: OSD Pro, E-Logger V3
- sensors: GPS, current draw, battery voltage, attitude & airspeed - these last two can be read through a clear window in the wing surface
6ch DSMX receiver with PPM output
800 TVL 5V camera
Boscam TS832 600mW 5.8GHz video transmitter
LC filter for power to FC, camera, video transmitter for cleaner video

The Eagletree and FPV equipment has been removed from this plane and it is now controlled via a Admiral Stabilizer Plus receiver.  Admiral receivers are re-branded Lemon receivers with different firmware.  There are three available flight modes: gyros off (manual), gyros on (rate mode), auto-level (gyros + accelerometers).  However, Admiral made the interesting (and bad) decision to only allow two flight modes at a time to be selectable.  You have any two modes available via a two-way switch, but you cannot have three modes available via a three-way switch as you can with a Lemon receiver.  Gain adjustment is still on a separate channel for adjustments while flying.

 

6 Foot Wingspan FPV Pink Wing - Flip32 F1 FC with MWOSD - I built this as part of the club group build I organized with my RC club.  This wing has a GoPro mount and a 480 size outrunner with a 50A ESC, running on a 3S lipo.  I have installed electronics to make this an FPV aircraft with autopilot.  This wing has almost the same capabilities as the FPV EagleTree wing above, but the FC + OSD + GPS costs $17, instead of $200+ for the EagleTree system.    FLYING - FPV

Flip32 F1 flight controller all-in-one (AIO), MWOSD 1.6 SW
- barometric pressure sensor for altitude
- current and voltage sensors
- running special compile of  iNav 1.7.2
- stick commands from DSMX receiver via PPM
- COM1: MWOSD (shared with USB)
- COM2: GPS 5 hz update, soft-serial @ 9600 baud
uBlox GPS receiver
Orange 618XL 6ch DSMX receiver with PPM output
Boscam TS832 600mW 5.8GHz video transmitter
1200 TVL 5-12V camera
LC filters for power to FC, camera, video transmitter for cleaner video
 
 



 

6 Foot Wingspan FPV Pink and Blue Travel Wing - Flip32 F1 FC with MWOSD - I built this wing for traveling; the wing comes apart into three sections that can be put together quickly with bolts and blind nuts to join the center and wingtip carbon fiber spars.  It is a direct copy of my other 6 foot flying wings except for the three separate wing sections. The lower left wing surface is made from blue foam and the rest of the wing is made from pink foam.  There are more details of the construction on my flying wing webpage.  This uses a lot of the same electronics as my other FPV aircraft.  FLYING - FPV

GoPro mounts - one on nose, one on top center
Flip32 F1 flight controller all-in-one (AIO), MWOSD 1.6 SW
- barometric pressure sensor for altitude
- current and voltage sensors
- running special compile of  iNav 1.7.2

- COM1: MWOSD (shared with USB)
- COM2: stick commands from Crossfire receiver via Crossfire protocol, telemetry to Crossfire receiver for downlink to TX16S
- COM3: GPS 5 hz update, soft-serial @ 9600 baud (yes, this works, and the GPS is reliable)
- updated to MWOSD 1.6 via the Arduino IDE, configured with the Chrome MWOSD 1.6 Configurator

Crossfire Nano V1 Receiver
- use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
- Rx channel 1 & 2: Crossfire Tx/Rx
- Rx telemetry is displayed via iNav LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- RC channel 8 is set to output RSSI as signal, flight controller reads channel 8 for RSSI in video overlay
AKK 800mw 5.8 GHz video transmitter
- SmartAudio is connected to Crossfire receiver to allow video transmitter control from TX16S

800 TVL 5V camera
uBlox GPS
LC filter for cleaner video, supplies power to flight controller, video transmitter, camera, Crossfire receiver, GPS


 
6 Foot Wingspan Pink Wing - This was one of the pink wings built in 2016 with my RC club.  The pilot retired from flying and sold me his wing.  It is controlled via an Orange DSMX stabilized receiver.

 

 

5.5 Foot Wingspan FPV Pink Wing - This is yet another flying wing made from pink foam. This one was made from the scraps of all the pink foam left over from my club group build.  There is an HK 401B gyro on each elevon servo, each tilted separately to allow stability on both pitch and roll axis.  It is powered by a 450 outrunner and 50A ESCFLYING - FPV

GoPro mount
Lemon DSMX Stabilized Receiver:  manual mode, rate mode (gyros only)
Gyro gain on separate channel for adjustments while flying.



Nose Cam






Config #1


Config #2
 

5 Foot Wingspan FPV Pink Travel Wing - I built this wing for traveling, using the same wing separating sections as the 6' travel wing, but the overall span is only 5 feet to allow it to fit in smaller luggage.  It is powered by a 450 outrunner and 50A ESC.  The ESC BEC provides 5V power for the servos; this 5V power is separate from the 5V power for the avionics.  The avionics has gone through two configurations.  The first configuration used a Naze32 F1 flight controller and Lemon DSMX receiver.  The current configuration uses a F3 flight controller and Crossfire receiver.  FLYING - FPV
 
GoPro mount
Flip32 F3 flight controller (FC) + MWOSD all-in-one, 5V input, manual
- flashed & configured iNav 2.6.1 via USB
- flashed & configured MWOSD 1.6 via USB

- BMP280 baro pressure sensor added to FC via I2C
Beitian BN-180 GPS receiver in right wing
Crossfire Nano V3 Receiver in center wing
- use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
- Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
- telemetry is displayed via iNav LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
Lantian RC 3-Way Video Switcher
- camera input selected by aux channel from transmitter, uses channel pass-through on flight controller
- camera #1: 1200 TVL 5-12V camera, not stabilized, used for FPV flying
- camera #2: Runcam Split HD camera/DVR, roll stabilized via servo from FC gimbal control
- camera #3: 800 TVL 5V camera, facing down
AKKTek FX2 Dominator 5.8 GHz VTx in left wing
- SmartAudio is connected to Crossfire receiver to allow video transmitter control from TX16S
LC filter for clean 12V power to video transmitter
Holybro PM02 Power Module, manual
- provides LC filtered 5.2V @ 3 amps max to flight controller, GPS, Crossfire Rx, Runcam Split & cameras
- includes shunt for measuring current draw
Servos / control: left elevon (1 servo), right elevon (1 servo), throttle (ESC), camera roll (1 servo)


TBS Caipirinha 2 FPV Flying Wing - EPP foam wing.  This is another wing for traveling, as it comes apart into even smaller pieces than the 5' wing traveling wing shown above.  I bought the airframe and added all the electronics through two configurations.  The first configuration used a stabilized Lemon 7 channel DSMX receiver and the FPV equipment.  Once I was comfortable with hand launching and flying this wing, I took out the Lemon receiver and installed the F4 flight controller, Crossfire receiver, GPS, and 5V BEC.  Power comes from a 3S2P 18650 Li-Ion battery pack (~6000 mah), 2836 1200kv outrunner, and 40A ESC.  FLYING - FPV

Omnibus F4 3.2.0 flight controller - photo, pinout front, pinout back
- flashed & configured iNav 5.1.0 via USB
- BMP280 baro pressure sensor added to FC via I2C; this disables UART3 as I2C and COM3 pins are shared on this FC
Crossfire Nano V3 Receiver
- use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
- Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
- telemetry is displayed via iNav LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter

uBlox GPS
Mount for Caddx Orca 4K Stabilized Camera
5.8 GHz Video Transmitter
- SmartAudio is connected to Crossfire receiver to allow video transmitter control from TX16S
Foxeer camera for FPV
LC filter for clean 12V power --> video transmitter, camera, and 5V BEC
5V BEC for power --> flight controller, Crossfire Rx, GPS
Servos / control: left elevon (1 servo), right elevon (1 servo), throttle (ESC)


 

Nano Talon FPV - EPP foam plane.  I bought the airframe at the Lebanon PA swap meet in 2019.  Like the larger Talon that I bought in 2018, the Nano version had most of the electronics already in place.  I added a receiver and FPV equipment, and cleaned up the linkage to the elerudders for sharper control, as the stock connections have a lot of slop. I also added separate servos for each aileron, to keep that linkage tight.  This planes flies very well, and comes apart into small pieces that easily fit into luggage to take on trips.  It snaps together and can be assembled to fly in a few minutes.  This plane is tiny and disappears quickly when flying line of sight, so it is a good thing it is made for FPV.  FLYING - FPV

Omnibus F4 V3 flight controller, with baro pressure sensor, 3-6S input (PDF manual by Von Flori)
- flashed & configured latest iNav and iNav OSD via USB
- flight controller has 5V regulator, also provides power to GPS & Crossfire Rx
Beitian BN-180 GPS receiver in left wing
Crossfire Nano V3 Receiver in right wing
- use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
- Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
- telemetry is displayed via iNav LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
AKK X2 Ultimate 5.8 GHz video transmitter on nose hatch
- SmartAudio is connected to Crossfire receiver to allow video transmitter control from TX16S transmitter
LC filter for clean 12V power to flight controller and FPV equipment
30A ESC w/ BEC for servos - servo power bus is separate from avionics
Motor is mounted on vibration isolators
Servos / control: left elerudder (1 servo), right elerudder (1 servo), ailerons (2 servos), throttle (ESC) 


Reptile 800 Flying Wing

Flip32 F1 flight controller all-in-one (AIO), MWOSD 1.6 SW
- barometric pressure sensor for altitude
- current and voltage sensors
- running special compile of  iNav 1.7.2

- COM1: MWOSD (shared with USB)
- COM2: stick commands from Crossfire receiver via Crossfire protocol, telemetry to Crossfire receiver for downlink to TX16S
- COM3: GPS 5 hz update, soft-serial @ 9600 baud (yes, this works, and the GPS is reliable)
- updated to MWOSD 1.6 via the Arduino IDE, configured with the Chrome MWOSD 1.6 Configurator
GPS uBlox receiver
Crossfire Nano V1 Receiver
- use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
- Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
- Rx telemetry is displayed via iNav LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- RC channel 8 is set to output Crossfire LQ/RSSI as signal, flight controller reads channel 8 for RSSI in video overlay
AKK 800mw 5.8 GHz video transmitter
- frequency and power controlled via SmartAudio from Crossfire receiver and LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
1200 TVL 5-12V camera
LC filter  - cleans all power to flight controller, camera, and video transmitter
30A brushless ESC - 5V BEC provides power to servos (separate power from FC/camera/VTx)
 


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4 Foot Wingspan Razor
- EPP foam, 2410 outrunner and 18 amp ESC, Orange 6ch DSMX stabilized receiver, four channels [ elevons(2 servos), throttle(ESC), stabilizer on/off ]
I had this wing set up for FPV flying for a short time, but it is not smooth enough in roll for good video, so I moved the FPV equipment to a different airplane.  FLYING   
 

FPV version - not active

Paragon FPV - Flip32 F1 FC with MWOSD - I built this three meter wingspan glider from a kit in 1988.  I converted it to electric power in 2009 with twin 2410 outrunners and 18A ESCs.  I added FPV equipment in 2017.  Five channels [ left & right motors(ESCs), rudder(1 servo), elevator(1 servo), flight controller modes (3 aux channels) ]  FLYING - FPV

Flip32 F1 flight controller all-in-one (AIO), MWOSD 1.6 SW
- barometric pressure sensor for altitude
- current and voltage sensors
- running special compile of  iNav 1.7.2
- stick commands from DSMX receiver via PPM
- COM1: MWOSD (shared with USB)
- COM2: GPS 5 hz update, soft-serial @ 9600 baud
Orange 618XL Receiver w/ PPM output
Cyclops camera/DVR getting its power from a 5V regulator
uBlox GPS
Immersion 5.8GHz 600mw video transmitter
LC filter for power to flight controller/OSD, camera, and video transmitter for clean video
 



Old Wiring

Penguin FPV - Flip32 F1 FC with MWOSD -
EPP foam fuselage.  I bought the airframe at the Westminster MD swap meet, and installed electronics I had at home.  RMRC happened to be having a sale on the clear canopy the week after I bought it, so I ordered that and had it quickly.  After test flying it without an autopilot or FPV gear, I added the Flip32 FC and all the FPV equipment.  The wiring diagram shows how everything is connected.  It is powered by a 500 size outrunner and 50A ESC. Seven channels [ throttle(ESC), ailerons(2 servos), elevator (1 servo), rudder(1 servo), front camera pan(1 servo), video switch, flight controller modes (2 aux channels) ]  FLYING - FPV

GoPro/Gear360 mount under the clear canopy
Crossfire receiver
- use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
- Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
- Rx telemetry is displayed via iNav LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- RC channel 8 is set to output Crossfire LQ/RSSI as signal, flight controller reads channel 8 for RSSI in video overlay

Flip32 F3 flight controller (FC) + MWOSD all-in-one, 5V input, manual
- flashed & configured iNav 2.6.1 via USB
- flashed & configured MWOSD 1.6 via USB

- BMP280 baro pressure sensor added to FC via I2C
5.8GHz video transmitter
- frequency and power controlled via SmartAudio from Crossfire receiver and LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
LC filters

uBlox GPS
3-Way Video Switcher
- camera input selected by aux channel from transmitter
- camera #1: front 5V camera on azimuth servo, under clear canopy
- camera #2: fixed belly 5V camera looking down, under clear dome
- camera #3: fixed tail 5V camera on top of vertical stabilizer
 



Wiring

Talon FPV - Flip32 F1 FC with MWOSD -
EPP foam fuselage. I bought the airframe at the Lebanon PA swap meet on 2018, with most of the electronics already in place.  The motor and ESC that were installed when I bought it were both bad, but I had replacements that went in easily.  The Flip32 F1 flight controller and FPV equipment are the same as what I have installed to the Penguin, shown above.  The wiring diagram for the Talon is to the left; it is very similar to the Penguin.  It is powered by a 15 size outrunner and 50A ESC. Six channels [ left aileron (1 servo), right aileron (1 servo), left elerudder (1 servo), right elerudder (1 servo), throttle (ESC), flight controller modes (3 aux channels) ] FLYING - FPV

Crossfire receiver
- use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
- Rx channel 1 & 2: Crossfire Tx/Rx
- Rx telemetry is displayed via iNav LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- RC channel 8 is set to output Crossfire LQ/RSSI as signal, flight controller reads channel 8 for RSSI in video overlay

Flip32 F1 flight controller all-in-one (AIO), MWOSD 1.6 SW
- barometric pressure sensor for altitude
- current and voltage sensors
- running special compile of  iNav 1.7.2

- COM1: MWOSD (shared with USB)
- COM2: stick commands from Crossfire receiver via Crossfire protocol, telemetry to Crossfire receiver for downlink to TX16S
- COM3: GPS 5 hz update, soft-serial @ 9600 baud (yes, this works, and the GPS is reliable)
- updated to MWOSD 1.6 via the Arduino IDE, configured with the Chrome MWOSD 1.6 Configurator

1200 TVL 5-12V camera
LC filter
5.8GHz video transmitter
- frequency and power controlled via SmartAudio from Crossfire receiver and LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
uBlox GPS receiver
5V switching regulator






 
Bixler FPV - Flip32 F1 FC with MWOSD -
EPP foam fuselage. Powered by a 2410 outrunner and 20A ESC w/ BEC. Six channels [ elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), ailerons(2 servos), throttle (ESC), flight controller modes (2 aux channels) ]    FLYING - FPV

Orange 618XL PPM DSMX Rx
Flip32 F1 flight controller all-in-one (AIO), MWOSD 1.6 SW
- barometric pressure sensor for altitude
- current and voltage sensors
- running special compile of  iNav 1.7.2
- stick commands from DSMX receiver via PPM
- COM1: MWOSD (shared with USB)
- COM2: GPS 5 hz update, soft-serial @ 9600 baud

OP GPS
Eachine TX526 600mW 5.8GHz video transmitter
800TVL 12V camera in the picture has been replaced with a Cyclops camera/DVR getting its power from a 5V regulator
LC filter for FC/OSD + Cyclops DVR/camera + video transmitter
 

VTOL, helicopters, and multi-rotors.






6 Foot Wingspan Pink Wing VTOL Tri-copter - This flying wing takes off hovering like a tri-copter, the front motors tilt down slowly as the wing picks up speed, and it transitions to forward flight.  Landing is done by gliding or reversing the transition steps and hovering down.  This page has the details on the airframe and avionics development. 

FLYING in HOVER - working - hover video @ YouTube
FLYING in FORWARD FLIGHT - working - hover & forward flight video @ YouTube
, on-board video of forward flight @ YouTube
TRANSITION from HOVER to FORWARD FLIGHT - in work

front : Neo 450 880kv outrunner motor (x2)
front : HobbyKing 30A ESC, Dynam 25A ESC
  - SimonK firmware installed via USBASP & Atmega socket tool
rear : Turnigy 3536 910kv outrunner motor
rear : HobbyWing Skywalker 40A ESC
  - BlHeli firmware installed using Arduino Nano as programmer
KK 2.1 flight controller with Steveis 1.19 for hover flight, OpenAero VTOL for transitioning flight
two standard servos for elevons, two high-torque servos for front and rear motor tilt mechanisms
Orange DSMX 618X Rx via PPM to KK 2.1 flight controller

 









Electra VTOL Hexacopter - I built this Electra kit to be a VTOL electric glider, with four motors on the fuselage that are vertical for takeoff and landing, and rotate to horizontal for forward flight.  There are also two fixed motors in the wings that are just for vertical lift and roll control.  A KK 2.1-mini running OpenAero VTOL software is the flight controller, and the RC control is via a 6 channel DSMX receiver with PWM & PPM outputs.  All the electronics are installed internal to the fuselage.  Under Construction

Tilt motors on fuselage
- 2212 outrunners (x4), 30A ESC (x4)
Fixed motors in wing
- 2205 outrunners (x2), 20A ESC (x2)
KK 2.1 Mini Flight Controller
- OpenAero VTOL software, drives 6 ESCs & tilt servo
DSMX Rx
- PPM --> KK 2.1 Mini Flight Controller
- aileron PWM --> rudder servo
- elevator PWM --> elevator servo
6V switching regulator for power to Rx, KK 2.1, servos
 
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Align T-Rex 450 CCPM Helicopters (x4)
- I have four 450 size T-Rex helicopters. I also have an Airwolf fuselage under construction to go onto one set of mechanics.  Brushless motor, 40 amp ESC, Futaba GY401 gyro or HK 401B gyro, DSMX Rx, five channels[mixed cyclic/collective (3 servos), rudder(1 servo), throttle(ESC)]  FLYING 
 







NightOwl VTOL, versions 4 & 5
:  Same basic physical layout as versions 1-2-3, but with four control surfaces instead of three.  The layout and building instructions are at this thread at RCGoups.

Version #4 was the first fully functional version with four independent control surfaces, and counter-rotating engines.  The coordination of the four control surfaces and two motors takes elevon mixing plus all six programmable mixes in my computer radio.  Full details on this setup at RCGroups here.  Photos in flight here, and here.  Videos at YouTube here and here from 2008.  This VTOL aircraft is still flying 9 years later; here is some video from October 2017.  Originally this had twin counter-rotating Himax 2025 inrunners with 5:1 gearboxes & 18A ESCs. I later installed the motors from version #5 below.  Four Futaba S-133 servos control the four surfaces. five channels + mixers - FLYING

Version #5 is a cleaned up copy of version #4, with new motors and extra bracing between the four surfaces.  I originally had twin counter-rotating KB20-40-15L brushless motors and HE20 gearboxes, but replaced those with two KD A22-20L outrunners with 20A ESCs, and then later with some smaller KD outrunners.  The four independent surfaces are controlled by four HXT900 servos. Video at YouTube here.  Photo in flight here - FLYING

Versions 4 and 5 were upgraded with individual gyros and custom mixers for stability.  See this page for the required gyro modifications and home-made mixers.

I simplified the control mixing and eliminated electronics by removing the individual gyros and custom mixers.  Versions 4 and 5 both now use DSMX three axis stabilized receivers with the outputs going to mixers:  roll + pitch -> left and right surfaces, roll + yaw -> top and bottom surfaces, throttle -> both ESCs, gear switch -> stabilizer on/off.   With this setup, a roll command causes all four control surfaces to deflect.  A pitch command causes the two pitch surfaces to deflect, and a yaw command causes the two yaw surfaces to deflect.  The gains are tuned for hover to slow forward flight speeds. At high speeds, the gyros are turned off to avoid ringing.

 
Multi-rotors used to get stabilization from individual helicopter gyroscopes set at the appropriate angles for control on each axis.  Then the first combined 3-axis gyro boards were releases, such as the HobbyKing 2.1 board with rate gyros, but no accelerometer.  Modern multi-rotor flight controllers with gyros and accelerometers now allow much better stability and control over the old gyro-only configurations.  Acrobatics are possible with enough practice and the right settings.   These full-IMU flight controllers range from the HobbyKing KK 2.0/2.1 boards to ARM F1, F3, F4, and F7 CPUs running on small 30mm x 30mm boards with various sensors. 

My old HK 2.1 gyro-only boards (not the KK 2.1) were re-purposed as three-axis gyro stabilizers for two of my flying wings using OpenAero software.  I have also worked on home-made flight controller boards with Analog Devices accelerometer and gyros, and 16F PICs.  I have a few KK 2.1 boards left to run OpenAeroVTOL for the transitioning VTOL aircraft shown above.
 
  





 



 





 
 
All my multi-rotors are controlled by these ARM flight controllers running BetaFlight, with several different types of F1, F3, F4 FC's in my multi-rotors:  Naze32 FC, Flip32 F1 FC/PDB/MWOSD AIO, Fusion Vortex F1 FC, CC3D F1 FC, Flip32 F3 FC/MWOSD, F3 EVO + PDB/MWOSD, Omnibus F4 and Furious Racepit F4 with BetaFlight OSD. 

Brushless speed controls have advanced from standard ESCs to custom made ESCs with special software made specifically for very fast update rates from the flight controllers.  The latest multi-rotor ESCs do not have BECs, so they are smaller and allow the wiring and board layouts to be reduced.  I have a socket flashing tool used with a USBASP for Atmel based ESCs and OSDs, which I have used to flash various firmwares.  I also have an Arduino Nano programmed as a flashing tool for SiLabs and Atmel based ESCs, which I have used to flash BlHeli firmware. 

The two main firmware packages available for multi-rotors are SimonK and BlHeli:
SimonK - https://github.com/sim-/tgy              (ATmega8)
BlHeli - https://github.com/bitdump/BLHeli     (BlHeli = ATmega8 & SiLabs gen1, BlHeli-S = gen2, BlHeli-32 = gen3)

There are various communication protocols that are used to control an ESC.  Standard PWM, also used to control servos, is a pulse that is 1 to 2 ms long. At 2 ms, the maximum update rate is theoretically 500 hz, but because of the delay required between pulses, the maximum update rate for PWM works out to about 450 hz.  Oneshot125 is a pulse that is .125 to .250 ms long, or 1/8 the size of a standard PWM pulse, and will allow an update rate of slightly less than 4000 hz.  See here for more details on OneShot125.  Multishot is .005 to .025 ms long, or 1/10 the size of OneShot125.  DShot is a digital protocol, and runs at several speeds.  DShot can also be bi-directional, so the ESC can send motor data to the flight controller.

The latest SimonK version, 2015-09-12, supports OneShot125. See tgy.asm source code, line 214, for the details.  The source code for SimonK shifts the PWM input counter 3 bits, which results in 8x the original size of a OneShot125 pulse to fit with normal PWM processing. 

BlHeli supports OneShot125 and newer versions of BlHeli hardware also support MultiShot and DShot, which are faster protocols than OneShot125.  I use OneShot125 as a minimum in all my multi-rotors using BetaFlight or iNav.  DShot and Multishot are supported with the newer ESCs flying with F3 or better flight controllers.  BlHeli-S JazzMaverick 16.73 and BlHeli-32 also support bi-directional telemetry DSHOT, which allows for engine RPM and other data to be passed from the ESC to the flight controller, allowing for specific notch filters to be applied to RPM-associated vibrations.
 

Line of sight (LOS) multi-rotors
 

 

Quadcopter 2408 LED
- FLYING - LOS

Home-made carbon fiber frame with 12V red, green, white LEDs on booms
Flip32 F1 FC/PDB/OSD AIO, 3-6S input, manual
  -
flashed & configured with BetaFlight 3.1.7 via USB
TowerPro 2408-21 motor (x4)
XP-12A compatible 12A ESC, no BEC (x4)
  - BlHeli firmware installed using Arduino Nano as programmer
DSMX micro receiver w/ PPM output
 

Hexacopter 2410 LED -
FLYING - LOS

The Fusion Vortex F1 flight controller was on sale for $5 at HobbyKing (plus many hours of Internet research, wiring, and circuit tracing with an oscilloscope).  It includes an OSD and barometer for altitude sensing. 

Home-made carbon fiber frame with 12V red, green, white LED strips on booms
Fusion Vortex F1 FC/OSD, with barometric pressure sensor, 5V input
  - see this page or this thread at RCGroups to learn how to use the Vortex F1 FC on a non-Immersion multi-rotor
  - flashed & configured with BetaFlight 3.1.7 via USB
  - second ARM processor on FC board runs Immersion OSD
  - breakout board added to Fusion for easy connections
TowerPro 2410-9 1080kv motor (x6)
TowerPro Mag8 18A ESC (x6), BECs removed
  - SimonK TP70A firmware installed via USBASP & Atmega socket tool
  - See this page for details on installing the correct version of SimonK firmware to the Mag8 ESC.
Orange 617XL DSMX receiver w/ PPM output
Matek power distribution board with 5V output for FC
 



Hexacopter Flamewheel - FLYING - LOS

The Fusion Vortex F1 flight controller was on sale for $5 at HobbyKing (plus many hours of Internet research, wiring, and circuit tracing with an oscilloscope).  It includes an OSD and barometer for altitude sensing. 

Fusion Vortex F1 FC/OSD, with barometric pressure sensor, 5V input
  - see this page or this thread at RCGroups to learn how to use the Vortex F1 FC on a non-Immersion multi-rotor
  - flashed & configured with BetaFlight 3.1.7 via USB
  - second ARM processor on FC board runs Immersion OSD
  - breakout board added to Fusion for easy connections
Motors x6
ESC x6
  - SimonK TGY firmware installed via USBASP & Atmega socket tool
Orange 617XL DSMX receiver w/ PPM output

 



A-Tail 2410 LED - FLYING - LOS

Home-made carbon fiber frame with 12V red, green, white LED strips on booms
CC3D F1 flight controller, 5V input
  - flashed BetaFlight 3.1.7 with FTDI serial adaptor on flight controller COM1
  - configured BetaFlight via USB
  - 7805 voltage regulator with 5V output for FC
TowerPro 2410-9 1080kv motor (x4)
TowerPro Mag8 18A ESC (x4), BECs removed
  - SimonK TP70A firmware installed via USBASP & Atmega socket tool
  - See this page for details on installing the correct version of SimonK firmware to the Mag8 ESC.
DSMX micro receiver w/ PPM output
  - use CC3D receiver port pin 8 for PPM input





Quadcopter 18" - FLYING - LOS

The combination of these giant propellers, very efficient motors, and light weight all-carbon fiber frame make this a long duration quadcopter.

Homemade carbon fiber frame, 18" across diagonally from motor to motor
Afroflight Naze32 F1 flight controller, 5V input
  - flashed and configure BetaFlight 3.1.7 via USB
Orange 617XL DSMX PPM receiver w/ PPM output
Multistar 4225-390kv motor (x4)
XRotor 2-6S ESC (x6), no BECs
  - BlHeli firmware installed via USBASP & Atmega socket tool
  - configured BlHeli via flight controller pass-through
Matek LED & power hub, provides 5V to FC, buzzer and 5V LED controller built in (manual)
  - 5V waterproof LED strips on each arm, buzzer and LEDs controlled via aux channel servo forwarding in BetaFlight

Quadcopter 17" - Flying - LOS

The combination of these giant propellers, very efficient motors, and light weight all-carbon fiber frame make this a long duration quadcopter.

Homemade carbon fiber frame, 17" across diagonally from motor to motor
Afroflight Naze32 F1 flight controller, 5V input
  - flashed and configure BetaFlight 3.1.7 via USB
Orange 617XL DSMX PPM receiver w/ PPM output
Motor x4
ESC x4
  - BlHeli firmware installed via USBASP & Atmega socket tool
  - configured BlHeli via flight controller pass-through
Matek LED & power hub, provides 5V to FC, buzzer and 5V LED controller built in (manual)
  - 5V waterproof LED strips on each arm, buzzer and LEDs controlled via aux channel servo forwarding in BetaFlight - to be added

First person view (FPV) multi-rotors










BMP280


Crossfire Rx

Hexacopter Camera
FLYING - FPV

This originally flew with a KK 2.1 hardcase flight controller to test out the motors, ESCs, and frame. It now has a Flip32 F3 flight controller running iNav, with a uBlox 7 GPS receiver and magnetometer. The Flip32 F3 FC has 8 PWM outputs, so it is ideal for a hexacopter with a two axis gimbal.  PWM 1 - 6 go to the ESCs, and PWM 7 - 8 go to the gimbal servos.  The 2 axis camera gimbal is stabilized in roll and pitch, with additional manual pitch control from the RC transmitter.  It also has a split power bus, with 3 ESC BECs providing redundant power to the flight critical electronics: F3 flight controller, SBUS receiver, and GPS + magnetometer, with a large capacitor for brown-out protection.  The non-flight critical components of the camera gimbal servos get their power from the other 3 ESC BECs.

S550 frame
Flip32 F3 FC/MWOSD AIO flight controller, 5V input, manual
- flashed & configured iNav 2.6.1 via USB
- flashed & configured MWOSD 1.6 via USB
- BMP280 baro pressure sensor added to FC via I2C

uBlox 7 GPS receiver with magnetometer on COM2 + I2C

ReadyToFly Quads HT-450 1050kv motor (x6)
HobbyKing SS30A ESC, with BEC (x6)
- SimonK firmware installed via USBASP & Atmega socket tool - ran well
- reflashed with BlHeli via Naze32 flight controller pass-through
- ran VERY hot with BlHeli and ESC does not support damped light, so went back to SimonK
- reflashed with SimonK via Naze32 flight controller pass-through

Crossfire Micro or Diversity Receiver (have not decided yet) on COM3
- use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels

- Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
- telemetry is displayed via iNav LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
- Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter (need to change to SmartAudio VTx for this)

Boscam TS832 600mW 5.8GHz video transmitter - need to swap this out for SmartAudio-capable VTx

2 axis camera gimbal with 12V camera
LC filter, supplies power to video transmitter + camera

The Flip32 F3 FC has a normal jumper setup that can tie the USB connection to the flight controller COM1, USB to OSD, or OSD to flight controller COM2.  This last connection seems a waste to me, as you lose the COM2 port for other uses when it is connected to the OSD, while COM1 is unused and available for the FC to OSD connection.  Make a jumper connection using two bind plugs to connect the flight controller COM1 to the OSD.  With this setup, COM2 (pin 4, top and bottom of board) becomes available for other uses; I have COM2 connected to the GPS receiver.  This is shown in these images below to the right, with COM2 connected to the GPS receiver with the yellow and green wires. 
The images to the right show the jumper configurations for this setup:
  #1: COM1 to USB  - normal blue jumper, access flight controller for setup
  #2: USB to OSD  - normal blue jumper, access on-screen-display for setup
  #3: Two bind plugs configured for COM1 to OSD
  #4: COM1 to OSD with two bind plugs from #3  - used for normal operations
    - OSD Rx (pin 3, bottom of board) to COM1 Tx (pin 1, top of board)
    - OSD Tx (pin 3, top of board) to COM1 Rx (pin 1, bottom of board)
COM1 - USB USB - OSD Bing Plugs COM1 - OSD
 

 

Hexacopter 2205 #1 & Hexacopter 2205 #2 - FLYING - FPV

HobbyKing had a great deal for $5 each on 2205-2350 motors with 30A ESCs built in.  I bought enough of these motor + ESC combinations to build two hexacopters, and I had a couple spares left over for another project.  By hunting for special deals at various on-line stores, I was able to keep the total cost for these racing and acrobatic hexacopters with full FPV at less than $90 each.

Spedix 250 hexacopter frame
Flip32 F1 Flight Controller
  - flashed and configured BetaFlight 3.1.7 via USB
Multistar Elite 2205-2350 motor with built in 30A ESC CW (x3)
Multistar Elite 2205-2350 motor with built in 30A ESC CCW (x3)
  - configured ESCs with BlHeli via FC pass-through
Orange 617XL DSMX PPM receiver w/ PPM output
Eachine TX526 25/200/600mW 5.8GHz video transmitter
1000 TVL camera
GEP power distribution board
LC filter, supplies power to flight controller, video transmitter, camera
 





Pentacopters 2205 #1 and Pentacopter 2205 #2 - FLYING - FPV

This is a regular QAV 250 quad frame with a fifth motor on the back acting as a pusher.  This allows the quad to fly forward in level pitch with hover power on the four main motors, with the rear motor providing the forward thrust. I have the frame turned upside down to keep the four main motor props up high, away from the rear pusher prop which I have mounted low.

QAV 250 carbon fiber frame
Afro CC3D F1 flight controller with 4-in-1 20A ESC, 3-4S input, manual
  - flashed BetaFlight 3.1.7 with FTDI serial adaptor on flight controller COM1
  - configured BetaFlight via USB
  - configured ESCs with BlHeli via FC pass-through
Racerstar 2205-2300 motor (x4) - vertical lift
Multistar Elite 2205-2350 motor with built in 30A ESC - rear motor as pusher for forward flight
Orange 617XL DSMX PPM receiver w/ PPM output
MicroMinim OSD
  - compiled and flashed MWOSD 1.6 with Arduino IDE and FTDI adaptor
  - configured MWOSD 1.6 via FC pass-through
Eachine TX526 25/200/600mW 5.8GHz video transmitter
1000 TVL camera
LC filter, supplies power to video transmitter + camera + OSD

<add all details for setup using 6 channels>








Eachine Racer 250 Quadcopter - FLYING - FPV

I have upgraded this throughout from the stock version.  The bottom photo to the left shows the 'exploded' view of all the electronics.  I have small connectors for each major component (video transmitter, HD - DRV camera, RC receiver) so they can easily be removed for any electronics repairs or replacements.  The Fusion Vortex F1 flight controller was on sale for $5 at HobbyKing (plus many hours of Internet research, wiring, and circuit tracing with an oscilloscope).  It includes an OSD and barometer for altitude sensing. 

Eachine Racer 250 Quadcopter body
  - LC filters, 5V regulator, PDB, LEDs and LED controller built into main board

Immersion RC Fusion Vortex F1 FC/OSD, with barometric pressure sensor, 5V input
  - see this page or this thread at RCGroups to learn how to use this FC by itself
  - two ARM processors; #1 = FC, #2 = Immersion OSD

  - flashed & configured with BetaFlight 3.1.7 via USB
BG2204 2300kv motor (x4), soft mounted on rubber o-rings
upgraded to higher capacity ESCs to allow flying on a 3S or 4S lipo
  - BL20A BlHeli 20A ESC, no BECs (x2)
    - reflashed with latest BlHeli and configured via flight controller pass-through
  - ZTW Spider Series 18A ESC 2-4S, with SimonK, no BECs (x2)
    - reflashed to BlHeli via Arduino USBLinker
    - configured BlHeli via flight controller pass-through
Orange 617XL DSMX PPM receiver w/ PPM output
Racer 250 600mw 5.8Ghz Video Transmitter with OSD

HD 1080P camera + DVR combo
  - this HD camera/DVR combo originally came with the Eachine V-Tail 210 quadcopter
  - video from my front yard, video from the RCMB flying field
 

Long Range 10" Quadcopter - FLYING - FPV

Homemade carbon fiber 10" frame
  - GoPro Session mount - Caddx Orca 4K (same form factor) installed
  - 10x7 propellors
Furious Racepit F4 flight controller, 2-6S input
  - flashed & configured with BetaFlight and BetaFlight OSD via USB
  - BMP280 baro pressure sensor added to FC via I2C (need to enable I2C bus 3 for baro sensor)
Beitian BN-180 GPS receiver
Racestar 35A BlHeli-S 4-in-1 ESC, DSHOT 600 for control, firmware J-H-15, pinout
  - reflashed with bi-directional telemetry DSHOT BlHeli-S JazzMaverick 16.73 via flight controller pass-through
Racerstar BR2212 1000kv motors (x4)
  -  make sure to set the motor data correctly for RPM filters; 2212 motors = 14 poles
Crossfire Diversity Nano Rx
  - use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
  - Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
  - video transmitter is controlled via SmartAudio and Crossfire LUA scripts

Runcam Split V2
  - 1080P-60 HD video recorder on-board
Eachine TX1200 5.8GHz Video Transmitter, photo
  - controlled via SmartAudio from Crossfire Rx
LC filter, supplies power to video transmitter + Runcam camera
 



Hyperlow 5" Quadcopter - FLYING - FPV

Hyperlow 5" frame
  - GoPro Session mount - Caddx Orca 4K (same form factor) installed

DYS (Omnibus) F4 flight controller, 3-6S input, schematic #1 (Rx3/Tx3 incorrect), schematic #2 (Rx3/Tx3 correct)
  - flashed & configured with BetaFlight and BetaFlight OSD via USB
Beitian BN-180 GPS receiver
EMax RS2306 2750kv motors (x4)
  - make sure to set the motor data correctly for RPM filters; 2306 motors = 14 poles

HAKRC 35A BLHeli-32 ESC (x4)
  - updated and configured with latest BlHeli-32 firmware via flight controller pass-through
  - BlHeli-32 supports bi-directional telemetry DSHOT
Crossfire Sixty9 Receiver & 5.8 GHz Video Transmitter
  - use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
  - Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
  - built-in video transmitter is controlled via Crossfire LUA scripts
Foxeer Monster Camera V2 Blue
LC filter, supplies power to video transmitter + Foxeer camera
 

FPV Cycle Glide 5" Quadcopter - FLYING - FPV

FPVCycle Glide 5" frame
  - homemade GPS + VTx antenna mount extension
CL Racing F4S V1.6 flight controller, 2-6S input, image 1 / image 2 / image 3 / image 4
  - flashed & configured with BetaFlight and BetaFlight OSD via USB
Beitian BN-180 GPS receiver
Emax 2204 - 2300kv motors (x4)
  - make sure to set the motor data correctly for RPM filters; 2306 motors = 14 poles
LittleBee and Emax 20A BlHeli-S ESC (x4), DSHOT 600 for control, firmware X-XX-XX
  - reflashed with bi-directional telemetry DSHOT BlHeli-S JazzMaverick 16.73 via flight controller pass-through
Crossfire Nano V1 Receiver
  - use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
  - Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
  - Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
Caddx Loris 4K HD Camera - pinout
  - set to record at 4K 30FPS
AKK FX3 25-600mw 5.8 GHz Video Transmitter - pinout
  - SmartAudio is connected to Crossfire receiver to allow video transmitter control from TX16S transmitter
LC filter, supplies power to FC + video transmitter + Runcam Split Mini 2

Problems with SD card for Blackbox recordings; FAT16 versus FAT32.
   
Floss 5" White Props - FLYING - FPV
Artower F4 flight controller with built-in 200mw 5.8 Video Transmitter, 3-4S input (30 mm x 30 mm)
  - square buzzer version
  - flashed & configured with BetaFlight and BetaFlight OSD via USB
35 amp 4-in-1 ESC
2304 motors, 5x4.5 bull-nose props


Floss 5" Carbon Fiber Props - FLYING - FPV
Micro F3 Flight Controller w/ DSMX receiver & 4x20A ESC (20 mm x 20 mm)
- F3 flight controller running BetaFlight
- DSMX receiver built-in on main board
- 20 Amp 4-in-1 ESC on second board
Wolfwhoop 5.8 GHz 25-600mw Video Transmitter
1804 motors, 5x3 carbon fiber props

  

Quadcopter 180 - FLYING - FPV

Homemade carbon fiber frame
Omnibus F4 flight controller AIO, 3-6S input, schematic
  - flashed & configured with latest BetaFlight and BetaFlight OSD via USB
Racerstar 1806 - 2280kv motors
  - make sure to set the motor data correctly for RPM filters; 1806 motors = 14 poles
Emax 20A BlHeli-S ESC (x4), DSHOT 600 for control, firmware M-H-30
  - reflashed with bi-directional telemetry DSHOT BlHeli-S JazzMaverick 16.73 via flight controller pass-through
Crossfire Nano V1 Receiver
  - use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
  - Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
  - Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
Runcam Split Mini 2, camera + HD DVR @ 1080P 60fps
LC filter, supplies power to FC + video transmitter + Runcam Split Mini 2
 

Reptile Cloud 149mm Quadcopter - FLYING - FPV

Reptile Cloud 149mm Cinewhoop frame
Omnibus F4 micro flight controller, 3-6S input
  -flashed & configured with BetaFlight and BetaFlight OSD via USB
RacerStar 1407 3500kv motors (x4)
  - make sure to set the motor data correctly for RPM filters; 1407 motors = 12 poles
Spedix IS20A 20A BlHeli-S 4-in-1 ESC, DShot 600 for control, firmware G-H-15
  - reflashed with bi-directional telemetry DSHOT BlHeli-S JazzMaverick 16.73 via flight controller pass-through
Crossfire Nano V1 Receiver
  - use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
  - Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
  - Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
600mw 5.8 GHz Video Transmitter

Runcam Split Mini, camera + HD DVR @ 1080P 60fps
- LC filter, supplies power to FC + video transmitter + Runcam Split Mini
 



Hobbymate 130mm Quadcopter - FLYING - FPV

Hobbymate X130 carbon fiber frame
Omnibus F4 flight controller AIO, 3-6S input
  - flashed & configured with BetaFlight and BetaFlight OSD via USB
Hobbymate 1306 motors
  - make sure to set the motor data correctly for RPM filters; 1306 motors = 12 poles
Hobbymate 20A BlHeli-S ESC (x4), DShot 600 for control, firmware C-H-20
  - reflashed with bi-directional telemetry DSHOT BlHeli-S JazzMaverick 16.73 via flight controller pass-through
Crossfire Nano V1 Receiver
  - use TBS LUA scripts to configure Rx output channels
  - Rx channels 1 & 2: long range uplink control and telemetry downlink
  - Rx channel 4: SmartAudio - controls video transmitter via Crossfire LUA scripts on TX16S transmitter
600mw 5.8 GHz Video Transmitter, 5V output power to camera
Runcam Split Nano, camera + HD DVR @ 1080P 60fps
LC filter, supplies power to video transmitter + Runcam Split Nano
 

Eachine V-Tail 210 Quadcopter #1 - #5
- ALL FLYING - FPV 

Banggood had a great sale for this
quadcopter; it was $72 for everything to fly except the receiver, and that even included a 2-4S charger.  This airframe has several issues in its stock configuration, including the problem that the v-tail assembly breaks easily.  I made several changes, posted in detail here to RCGroups.  I removed the plastic v-tail assembly and extended the arms with carbon fiber to make a standard flat X platform without the v-tail. I removed the camera/DVR combo to go on another airframe.  I swapped out the 200mW video transmitter for a higher power model.  I also bought a second frame and flight controller from someone at RCGroups for $15 and built a copy of #1, with similar motors and ESCs.  Both copies have the same flight controller, camera, and video transmitter. I later bought two more sets of the FC + PDB/OSD to build versions #3 and #4 below, and then later bought another complete quadcopter from someone at RCGroups who could not get it to fly well. I made the same modifications I had made to #1 and #2, and now have a fifth copy.

The first two photos show a complete V-Tail system as it comes from Eachine, and modified #1 next to the unmodified #5.  The next two photos show the modifications made in steps, and finally #1 + #2 + #5 sitting with each other. The last photo shows all five together.           
Quadcopter 210 #1 / Quadcopter 210 #5

 
Quadcopter 210 #2

Stock V-Tail 210 frame with home-made carbon fiber extensions for flat rear arms.
EMAX RS2205 2300kv motor (x4)
  - soft mounted on rubber o-rings 
Kingkong 2204 2300kv motor (x4)
  - soft mounted on rubber o-rings 
EMAX 20A ESC, 2-4S, with BlHeli, no BEC (x4)
  - reflashed with latest BlHeli and configured via flight controller pass-through
Racerstar 22A ESC, no BEC (x4)
  - proprietary firmware (see this YouTube video for details)
#1: Lemon Satellite Receiver, #5: Spektrum 4648 Qaud Race Serial Receiver Lemon Satellite Receiver
SP Racing Evo F3 flight controller + PDB/OSD main board with baro & magnetometer, 3-4S input
  - flashed & configured with last F3 BetaFlight (2.6.1) via USB
- flashed & configured MWOSD 1.6 via USB and flight controller serial pass-through
5V camera
- soft mounted on vibration isolation
Eachine TX526 25/200/600mW 5.8GHz video transmitter
Quadcopter 210 #3  /  Quadcopter 210 #4

   
 
Home-made carbon fiber frame built to fit F3 Evo FC + PDB/OSD.
Racerstar BR2205 2300kv motor (x4)
  - soft mounted on silicone pads
Racerstar BR2205 2300kv motor (x4)
 - soft mounted on silicone pads
ZTW Spider Series 20A ESC, no BEC (x4)
  - configured BlHeli via flight controller pass-through
DYS XM 20A ESC, no BEC (x4)
  - configured BlHeli via flight controller pass-through
Lemon Satellite Receiver Spektrum 4648 Qaud Race Serial Receiver
SP Racing Evo F3 flight controller + PDB/OSD main board with baro & magnetometer, 3-4S input
  - flashed & configured with last F3 BetaFlight (2.6.1) via USB
 - flashed MWOSD 1.6 via USBASP & Atmega socket tool
 - flashed & configured MWOSD 1.6 via USB and flight controller serial pass-through
5V camera
- soft mounted on vibration isolation
Eachine TX526 25/200/600mW 5.8GHz video transmitter

Glow powered planes and helicopters.

 

 


1/12 Scale Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird - Built from plans. 102 inches long, 30 pounds - (2) OS 91 VR-DF with tuned pipes, Dynamax fans, pneumatic retracts, seven channels [left elevator(2 servos), right elevator(2 servos), left aileron(2 servos), right aileron(2 servos), rudders(2 servos), nose steering(1 servo), throttle(1 servo), retracts(1 servo)]

The photo to the left shows me, 6'4" tall, standing next to the 8'6" long Blackbird for a size comparison. The photo to the right shows my three big wings with the Blackbird, which makes the Blackbird look small. The wings are 11', 13', and 16' across.
 

 

 


Blue Super Hots : I copied my old Super Hots as I rebuilt it. OS 61 SF, four channels [ailerons(1 servo), elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(1 servo)] FLYING
 

 

 


Profile Hots
: I bought this at one of our club auctions.  MVSS .46, four channels [ailerons(2 servos), elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(1 servo)] FLYING
 

 

 


X-29 Canard: Forward-swept wing with canard; this plane has taken many, many forms from the original twin .40 push-pull. OS 61 FSR, five channels (canard = elevator, main wing = elevons) [elevator(1 servo), elevons(2 servos), rudder(1 servo), throttle(1 servo)] 
FLYING
 

 

 


Conniption III
: This is the third Conniption I have built from my own plans.  Take a look here to see the previous versions.   This model was previously powered by an OS 46 LA, and then an electric propulsion system with a Tower Pro 3520 outrunner and 50 amp ESC, before being converted back to glow power with the pictured OS 50 SF. Five channels [ailerons(2 servo), elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(1 servo)]  FLYING
 

 

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Ultra Hots
: I built this plane from plans.  SuperTigre 3000, seven channels [left aileron(1 servo), left flap(1 servo), right flap(1 servo), right aileron(1 servo), elevator(1 giant servo), rudder(1 giant servo), throttle(1 servo) ] crow flaps & ailerons, mixed elevator->flaps, flaps->elevator, ailerons->flaps. FLYING
 

 

 


Hanger 9 Ultra Stick
:  This was repaired from a crashed plane found in the trash at the field. This was originally powered with an OS 61 SF with V-Tech tuned pipe, then converted to electric power with a 50-65 outrunner and 70 amp ESC, and then converted back to the original OS 61 version.  Seven channels [left aileron(1 servo), left flap(1 servo), right flap(1 servo), right aileron(1 servo), elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(1 servo)], crow flaps & ailerons, mixed elevator->flaps, flaps->elevator, ailerons->flaps.   FLYING
 
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Thunder Tiger Raptor 30
- OS 37 SZ-H with pipe, Futaba 401 Gyro, five channels[cyclic fore-aft(1 servo), cyclic left-right(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(1 servo), collective(1 servo)]  FLYING
 

 

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Thunder Tiger Raptor 60
- OS 70 SZ-H with pipe, Thunder Tiger TG8000 Piezo Gyro, five channels [cyclic fore-aft(1 servo), cyclic left-right(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(1 servo), collective(1 servo)]  FLYING
 
 
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J-3 Piper Cub with floats
: Built from Goldberg Anniversary Edition kit, floats built from Goldberg Cub floats kit. OS 61 STATIC DISPLAY
 


 

Lanier Double Trouble
: Built from kit. This was originally powered by a Tower Pro 3520 and 50 amp ESC, then converted to use the pictured OS 46 SF.  Crashed and rebuilt in August 2020.  Five channels [ ailerons(2 servos), rudder and nose rudder (1 servo), elevator(1 servo), throttle (1 servo)]  FLYING
 

Large electric planes and gliders.


Double Trouble Electric
:  Built from plans.  This copy of the Double Trouble was built from the start to be powered by an electric motor. All power comes from a 6S 2650 mah lipo battery pack.   The second photo shows the glow and electric Double Troubles together; they fly about the same.  Turnigy 4250-410 outrunner with a 70A ESC.  Five channels [ ailerons(2 servos), rudder and nose rudder (1 servo), elevator(1 servo), throttle(ESC) ]  FLYING
 

 

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ACE Hog Bipe :
Built from kit, built from start for electric power.  Tower Pro 4130 outrunner with a 70A ESC.  Four channels [ ailerons(2 servos), elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(ESC) ] FLYING
 

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Balsa USA Phaeton II :
Built from kit, ailerons added to top wing. This was previously powered by an OS 61 SF, but has been converted to electric power.  Tower Pro 4130 outrunner with 70A ESC, four channels [ ailerons(2 servos), elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(ESC) ]  FLYING
 


Half-size Shadow 200 : I built this in 2002 from the plans of the real US Army Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV). I am a principal systems engineer and flight test director for the Shadow program. I have even used this for the initial training of our external pilots (EP's) for Shadow.  This was previously powered by an OS 61 SF with V-Tech pipe, but I later installed an electric propulsion system in place of the original glow engine.  TowerPro 4130 outrunner with a 70A ESC. Five channels [ elerudders(2 servos), ailerons(2 servos), flaps(2 servos), throttle(ESC), nose steering(1 servo) ] FLYING @ 21 years old in 2023
 
Half Shadow with OS61SF


Night Trainer LED
: Built from scratch. This was originally powered by an OS 61 SF, then converted to electric power with a 60 size outrunner and a 70A ESC. The original covering was stripped, and hundreds of LEDs were added inside the wings and on the fuselage.  I have eight super bright LEDs installed below the wing leading edge and one more below the nose.  These super-bright LEDs are flashed in sequence like the NightRider car.  All the LEDs are controlled by a home-made LED sequencer that is commanded via an RC channel from the ground.  See this page for full details on the LED electronics.  Five channels [ rudder(1 servo), elevator(1 servo), ailerons(2 servos), throttle(ESC), LED controller(12C508 PIC) ]  FLYING
 


Lancair
: I bought a raw fiberglass fuselage and wing foam cores at a swap meet, and built this. The power comes from two 60 size outrunners that are joined together on a single drive shaft, turning a 18x10 prop. Dual motor photo 1, photo 2. The motors were bought on line; the magnets had come off and the original owned did not want to fix the motors. I used JB Weld to re-glue the magnets to the cans, and they work great.  Each motor has its own identical 70 amp ESC, and everything is connected with a home-made custom wiring harness that includes dual fail-safe safety plugs, and a large BEC from the 6S 5000 lipo battery to provide power to the RC system.  Finished in white Krylon and Monokote.  This plane looks and flies great. Four channels [ ailerons(2 servos), elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(ESC x2) ] FLYING
 

 

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J-3 Piper Cub:
Built from Goldberg Anniversary Edition kit.  Power comes from a Tower Pro 3520 ourunner brushless motor with a 50A ESC.  Four channels [ ailerons(1 servo), elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(ESC) ]  FLYING
 

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Dynaflite F-4U Corsair :
Built from kit, turtle deck raised to hold internal pipe and scale ABS cowling added, and later modified for electric power. It was flown with a Tower Pro 3520 outrunner brushless motor and 50A ESC, but is currently set up for static display, so it does not have any electronics in it.  FLOWN - currently set up for STATIC DISPLAY
 

 

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Mini Funtana
: A friend crashed his Hangar 9 Mini-Funtana and gave me the wings and empennage.  I built a new fuselage from scratch and bought a cowl for $6 on eBay.  This is powered by a Tower Pro 2908-10 outrunner with a 40A ESC, and I have an Orange 6ch stabilized receiver in it.  Five channels [ rudder(1 servo), elevator(1 servo), ailerons(2 servos), throttle(ESC), stabilizer on/off ]  FLYING
 




 



Great Planes Extra 300S
: Kit built, 600 outrunner, 100A ESC, Five channels [ ailerons(2 servos), elevator (1 servo), rudder (1 servo), throttle (ESC) ]

These photos show a good method for mounting a brushless motor within a large cowl.  I use adjustable threaded rods to get the position correct with respect to the cowl and thrust-line, and then add in spruce cross-bracing for solid positioning and no twisting under the torque of swinging a large propellor.
 




 

FMS Extra 300 : Foam ARF, 550 outrunner, 70A ESC, Five channels [ ailerons(2 servos), elevator (1 servo), rudder (1 servo), throttle (ESC) ]  FLYING
 
 



E-Flite Extra 260
: Balsa ARF, EFlite 480 outrunner, 50A ESC, Five channels [ ailerons(2 servos), elevator (1 servo), rudder (1 servo), throttle (ESC) ]  FLYING
 



E-Flite F4U-4 Corsair
: Foam ARF, 480 outrunner, 50A ESC, Six channels [ ailerons(2 servos), flaps (2 servos), elevator (1 servo), rudder (1 servo), retracts (electric), throttle (ESC) ]  FLYING
 

 

E-Flite F-4 Phantom : Fiberglass ARF, 80 mm electric ducted fan, 150A ESC, DF32 brushless motor, Six channels [ ailerons(2 servos), flaps (2 servos), elevator (1 servo), rudder (1 servo), retracts (electric), throttle (ESC) ]  Pictured with 1/48 scale plastic model F-4 Phantom.
 

Thunder Tiger Slow Fly P-51 Mustang :  Balsa ARF, 480 outrunner, 50A ESC, Four channels [ ailerons(1 servo), elevator (1 servo), rudder (1 servo), throttle (ESC) ]  FLYING
 


 

Phoenix LED
:  Scratch built fuselage and wing, and a Mini-Ultrastick tail.  Originally this plane had two electric motors; twin rewound 2410-9 outrunners with 18A ESCs. It is now powered by a single Detrum BM3715A 900kv outrunner with a 40A ESC.  It contains hundreds of LEDs for night flying, shown illuminated to the right.  Four channels [ ailerons(2 servos), rudder(1 servo), elevator(1 servo), throttle(ESC) ]  FLYING





Ultimate Biplane : I bought this from a club member who was not flying it anymore.  It is a balsa built-up airplane, and needed a little clean up from hangar rash, but was pretty much ready to fly.  EFlite 15 outrunner, Castle 35A ESC.  Four channels [ ailerons(2 servos), rudder(1 servo), elevator(1 servo), throttle(ESC) ] FLYING


Bird of Time LED :
  I bought this kit at a hobby shop in Lake Havasu, Arizona, with the express purpose to build it as a night flyer.  It has hundreds of LEDs in the wings and on the fuselage, and 10 super-bright LEDs inside the wing leading edge.  Those leading edge LEDs are flashed in sequence like the NightRider car.  All the LEDs are controlled by a home-made LED sequencer that is commanded via an RC channel from the ground.  See this page for full details on the LED electronics.  Twin 2410 outrunners with 18A ESCs.  Three meter wingspan electric glider, five channels [ rudder(1 servo), elevator(1 servo), left motor(ESC), right motor(ESC), LED control ]  FLYING
 




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Solar Powered Electric Glider Test Aircraft

I am building a four meter wingspan plane to attempt to set two world records for solar powered remote control aircraft; longest straight line distance and greatest altitude gain. The two planes shown in the first two photos were the test-beds for solar testing.  The first plane had a four meter span with 48 watts of solar cells and was powered by a brushed speed 600 motor.  The second plane had a one meter span with 16 watts of solar cells and was powered by a GWS IPS 100.  Both planes have been cannibalized for solar cells and disassembled.  The structure of the larger plane was built too light and the smaller plane was built too heavy.   FLOWN - retired

Solar Powered Electric Glider Canard Mini-size

The third photo shows the mini test version of the design I have gone to for my solar project.  It contains 16 solar cells, measured at 9.2 volts open circuit and 2.1 amps closed circuit in bright sunlight.  IPS 100 geared motor, 4 amp ESC, 3 channels [ rudder(HS-55 servo), elevator(HS-55 servo), throttle (ESC)]  Ready for flight

Solar Powered Electric Glider Canard Full-size

Based on the results from the test aircraft and the design of the smaller solar canard, I have a new wing and fuselage setup that holds 140 watts of solar cells.  The canard section, shown to the right with solar cells installed, holds 40 watts of solar cells. The main wing, with the center section shown to the right with no solar cells,  holds 100 watts of solar cells. The final assembly will resemble the small solar canard above, but will be four times as large.  Under Construction
 


   

 


Olympic 650 :
This was my first kit, which I built in 1986.  I re-covered the Monokote after about 20 years, shown to the left.  I added a DYS 2826-1000 outrunner, 30A ESC, and folding prop in 2018, shown to the right.  Two meter wingspan electric glider, three channels [ throttle (ESC), rudder(1 servo), elevator(1 servo) ]  FLYING @ 37 years old in 2023
 
 



   
Gentle Lady LED : Built from a kit in 2018. This is powered by the same combination of DYS 2826-1000 outrunner, 30A ESC, and folding prop as the Olympic 650 above. There are 2 meters of high density white LEDs inside the wing with clear red and yellow covering, and the fuselage has white, yellow, red, and green LEDS along the sides.  Two meter wingspan electric glider, three channels [ throttle (ESC), rudder(1 servo), elevator(1 servo) ]  FLYING  





 

   
  


Sagitta 900 :
I built this from a kit in 1992.  I added a Neo 450 outrunner, 30A ESC, and 13x8 folding prop in March 2021. 2.4 meter wingspan electric glider, four channels [ throttle (ESC), rudder(1 servo), elevator(1 servo), spoilers(1 servo) ]  FLYING @ 31 years in 2023
   

 

Sagitta 600 : I bought this mostly finished kit at a swap meet in 2019.  I modified the aileron setup, completed the final assembly and finishing, and covered it with three colors of Monokote.  400 outrunner, 25A ESC, 12x8 folding prop.  Two meter wingspan electric glider, four channels [ throttle (ESC), rudder (1 servo), elevator (1 servo), ailerons (2 servos) ]  FLYING
 

EFlite Something ? :  Someone left the airframe at our clubhouse and no one else wanted it, so I took it home and put electronics in it.  We'll see how long it lasts. Hacker A20-26M outrunner, Hacker 12A ESC. Three channels [ throttle(ESC), rudder (1 servo), elevator (1 servo) ]  FLYING
 

Smaller electric foam planes.

 



 

Easystar LED
: I originally built a V-Tail for this fuselage, shown to the right top.  I have swapped that out for the standard empennage shown to the bottom right.  This plane has 4+ meters of LEDs running through it, lighting it from the inside for night flying, shown to the left.  Turnigy E500 6T 4000kv outrunner, 30A ESC, EPP foam, three channels [ elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle (ESC) ]  FLYING


 

 


UFO-Blue LED :
Flying disk covered with LEDs for night flying.  I built a 36" diameter version of a plane similar to this one, from this thread at RCGroups.  Check out this page to see the LEDs and how to set up LEDs.   There are total of 150 super bright LEDs on the plane, along with six super-bright LEDs and a circular LED sequencer controlled by a PIC, decode counter, and inverters.  The circuit and PIC code is available on the LED page.  450 outrunner, 30A ESC, five channels [ elevons(2 servos), throttle (ESC), LED flash mode, LED flash rate ] FLYING

UFO-Pink LED :
I copied the UFO-Blue, and made a new set of LED flashing lights with a different flashing sequence and different colors.  There are fixed LED strips, and 8 super-bright LEDS facing down. The super-bright LEDs are controlled by a PIC 12c508 reading two channels from the RC receiver and driving 4 TIP120 transistors.  The circuit and PIC code is available on the LED page.  450 outrunner, 30A ESC, three channels [ elevons(2 servos), throttle (ESC), LED flash mode, LED flash rate ]  FLYING
 
Both UFO's are controlled via Lemon Stabilizer Plus receivers, with three flight modes: gyros off (manual), gyros on (rate mode), auto-level (gyros + accelerometers).  Gain adjustment is on a separate channel for adjustments while flying.






 

 

Switcheroo
: This was built on a dare from a friend.  I was flying the Morback 4D at the field one day and he suggested that I build a plane that could fly both directions by swapping the motor thrust around.  The final goal is a plane that can transform in the air, but this version is the first step.  It can fly in both directions, in standard configuration and as a canard.  This version needs to be swapped around on the ground by physically moving the rudder, which is attached to the fuselage with velcro. 400 size outrunner, 20A ESC, four channels. FLYING - BOTH DIRECTIONS
 

  

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Foame IIx 3D Biplane LED (x2) : I have built three of these from the free plans at 3DBatix.com, two at full size and the other slightly reduced at 86%.  The 86% version has been retired, but the two 100% versions continue to fly great.  They hover and torque roll effortlessly.  The top to bottom wing aileron linkage can be made out a small piece of hinge material and a CF rod.  There is no slop and this is lighter and simpler than a clevis-based link. These planes are covered with LEDs.  The 100% versions are both made from 6mm Depron, and have 10A ESCs. The first is powered by a Typhoon 6/20 outrunner, and the other is powered by a 2410 outunner. The second 100% version is foldable, so I can take it on trips.  Here are the FOLDABLE instructions on making a transportable version.  Here is a video of it on a night flight at the Arctic Circle in Sweden in 2011.  Five channels [ left aileron (1 servo), right aileron (1 servo), elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(ESC) ] FLYING

 

  

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Morback 4D :
Built from plans on-line, with some modifications to make it lighter.  Variable pitch prop (VPP) for reverse thrust.  Himax HC2812-1080 outrunner, 17A ESC, VPP, six channels [ ailerons(2 servos), VPP(1 servo), elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(ESC) ] FLYING
 
 

 
Sobre : I bought the airframe at the Lebanon PA swap meet for $5.   It was in good condition, and I had all the electronics at home sitting in a drawer unused, so this went together quickly.  2408 outrunner, 10A ESC, five channels [ left aileron (1 servo), right aileron (1 servo), elevator(1 servo), rudder(1 servo), throttle(ESC) ] FLYING
 

 

Vapor and Mini-Vapor
- RTFs.  There are fun to fly inside, and outside when there is NO wind.  FLYING
 

 



 


F-27 Stryker LED : EPP foam fuselage, white & green & red LEDs, 25mm inrunner, 35A ESC, Orange 6ch DSMX stabilized receiver, four channels [ elevons(2 servos), throttle (ESC), stabilizer on/off ]   FLYING

 

 


F-27 Stryker Twin - Thrust Vectoring
:  EPP foam fuselage. Rudder is mixed into throttle for yaw thrust.  Twin counter-rotating 2208-12T outrunners with 18A ESCs, Orange 6ch DSMX stabilized receiver, five channels [ left elevon and motor tilt(1 servo), right elevon and motor tilt(1 servo), left throttle(ESC), right throttle(ESC), stabilizer on/off ]  FLYING

On-board video showing the dizzying spin rate of 1200 deg/sec, or 200 RPM, in an inverted flat spin.

I modified the setup by stiffening the engine mounts and servo pushrods, and attaching the props directly to the motor shafts without prop-savers.  This has increased the rotation rate.  This video shows the plane now rotating at 1350 deg/sec, or 225 RPM, in an inverted flat spin.
 
 

 
 
F-27 Stryker Yellow : EPP foam fuselage, 2210-2500 kv outrunner, 30A ESC, Orange 6ch DSMX stabilized receiver, four channels [ elevons (2 servos), throttle(ESC), stabilizer on/off ]
 

 

 

F-15 STOL/MTD - Thrust Vectoring
: The main airframe is based on JetSet44's F-15 plans at RCGroups.   I added the movable canards as they were flown on the real F-15 Short Takeoff and Landing / Maneuver Technology Demonstrator, and the thrust vectoring twin engine setup used on my SU-37, X-42, and Twin Styker.  I rewound two 2408-21 outrunner motors using 12 turns of 22 AWG wire, as detailed here at RCGroups. Twin counter-rotating 2408-12 outrunners with 18A ESCs, six channels [ left stab and motor tilt(1 servo), right stab and motor tilt(1 servo), left canard(1 servo), right canard(1 servo), left throttle(ESC), right throttle(ESC) ] FLYING
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SU-37 - Thrust Vectoring :
Built from JetSet44's plans at RCGroups. The only control surfaces are the independent full flying horizontal stabs. The twin electric motors are throttled independently via rudder mixing for yaw control, and are connected to the stabs for thrust vectoring.  Made from BlueCor, this plane flies amazingly well.  Twin counter-rotating 2408-21 outrunners with 18A ESCs, four channels [ left stab and motor tilt(1 servo), right stab and motor tilt(1 servo), left throttle(ESC), right throttle(ESC) ]  FLYING
 


 

X-42 Deltastorm - Thrust Vectoring
: Built from T3chDad's plans at RC Groups, with thrust vectored motors, modified rudders, and fixed canards.  Rudder is mixed into throttle for yaw thrust.  Twin counter-rotating Donkey ST2204-1700 outrunners with 10A ESCs, Orange 6ch DSMX stabilized receiver, five channels [ left elevon and motor tilt(1 servo), right elevon and motor tilt(1 servo), left throttle(ESC), right throttle(ESC), stabilizer on/off ]  FLYING
 

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ComBATs :
Built from kram242's plans at RC Groups.   This is from the creator of the Phlatboyz website.   I have two of these, and a friend at work has another one. Lunch was turned into combat time for a couple years.  Bluecor foam, 2408-21 outrunner and 18 amp ESC, four channels [elevons(2 servos), rudder(1 servo), throttle(ESC)]  FLOWN - currently inactive, no electronics installed
 

Finally, my only remaining car.


Team Associated RC-10 :
I still have my original carbon fiber frame RC-10 that I built in 1987 and have been driving ever since.  Electric car built from kit. Two channels [ steering(1 servo), throttle (ESC) ]
 




RC Transmitters - I have used Futaba, Airtronics, JR, and Spektrum radios through 35+ years of flying RC.  I started using 2.4 Ghz radios in 2010, and sold my remaining 72Mhz radios in 2018 when I went to only 2.4 GHz Spectrum equipment.  I currently have a Spectrum DX9 as my primary radio, and DSMX receivers in all my aircraft. 

I also have a JR XP8103 transmitter with an Orange UHF 915 MHz OpenLRS-NG UHF 1 watt long range transmitter module for my long range FPV aircraft.  My XP8103 transmitter is also modified with a discrete switch setup on channel 8, used to command multiple flight modes in the flight controller software I use for my FPV aircraft.  See my RC electronics page for full details on how to build this switch setup.

Finally, I have two RadioMaster TX16S transmitters with 4-in-1 internal RF sections, and Crossfire external modules.  These long range FPV aircraft are equipped with Crossfire receivers: 6' Travel Wing, 5' Travel Wing, Caipirinha Wing, NanoTalon, Reptile 800 Wing, 10" Long Range Quadcopter, Hyperlow 5" Quadcopter, Cycle Glide 5" Quadcopter.
 

Flight Controllers - Most of my FPV aircraft have a Flip32 F1 flight controller running iNav software.  I have 30 flight controllers in my FPV airplanes and multi-rotors, and 5 more FPV airplanes that use an alternate form of stabilization.

The Flip32 F1 flight controller has MinimOSD hardware, and I use MWOSD 1.5 and 1.6.  The Flip32 F1 is a variant of the Naze32 flight controller.  ARM STMF1 flight controllers, such as the Naze32 and CC3D, are not supported after iNav version 1.7.3, and not all capabilities are supported even with 1.7.3 because there is not enough flash space on the F1 processor to hold everything iNav can do.  If you want a special version of iNav for an F1 based flight controller, you need to set the #define attributes in the source code and compile your own unique version using 1.7.3 or earlier.  For the special variant I use, I selected version 1.7.2 due to some compile complexity with 1.7.3.   The AUTOTUNE flight mode for fixed wing aircraft is not supported by default, so I have turned off TELEMETRY and BLACKBOX, and enabled AUTOTUNE.  The Flip32 does not have any space for recording, so BLACKBOX can't be used anyway.  BetaFlight has stopped supporting both F1 and F3 flight controllers with the newest versions, so you have to stick to version 3.1.7 with a F1 flight controller, or 4.0.6 with a F3 flight controller.

If you use a Flip32 F1 flight controller, check the 5V and 3.3V outputs on the board carefully - they are not always labeled correctly or provide the actual voltages per the specifications.  The 5V outputs on my boards are anywhere between 3.6V and 4.9V.  The 3.3V output seems to be spot-on, but the drawings for the Flip32 variant I use say the default voltage on SW-UART2 is 5V; it is actually 3.3V by default, so you have to solder jumper 14 to get 5V.  Don't fry a Rx or GPS by plugging it into an incorrectly labeled voltage; ask me how I know that hard lesson.

Fixed Wing FPV
Flip32 F1 FC with iNav (x8) 7' Pink Wing, 6' Pink Wing, 6' Pink & Blue Travel Wing, Paragon, Talon, Bixler, Reptile 800 (all baro + GPS)
Flip32 F3 FC with iNav 5' Pink Travel Wing, Penguin (baro + GPS)
Omnibus F4 FC with iNav (x2) NanoTalon, Caipirinha (baro + GPS)
EagleTree System 6' Eagletree Wing (baro + GPS)
Gyros or Stabilized Receiver (x3) 9' Pink Wing, 8.5' Pink Wing, 5.5' Pink Wing
Multi-Rotor FPV
Fusion Vortex F1 FC with BetaFlight (x3) Quadcopter Racer 250, Hexacopter 2410, Hexacopter Flamewheel
Flip32 F1 FC with BetaFlight Quadcopter 2408 (baro), Hexacopter 2205 #1 and #2 (baro)
Naze32 F1 FC with BetaFlight Quadcopter 17", Quadcopter 16"
CC3D F1 FC with BetaFlight (x3) Pentacopter 2205 #1 and #2, A-Tail 2410
Flip32 F3 FC with iNav (x2) Hexacopter Camera, Quadcopter 18" (GPS + magnetometer)
SPRacing F3 FC with BetaFlight (x5) Quadcopter 210 #1 through #5 (baro + magnetometer)
Omnibus F4 FC with BetaFlight (x5) Quadcopter 130, Quadcopter 149, Quadcopter 180, Hyperlow 5", Flycyle Glide 5" (all GPS)
Furious Racepit F4 V1.1 FC with BetaFlight Long Range Quadcopter 10" (baro + GPS)

Gone - My planes that have passed on to higher levels of existence (firewood), along with planes I have sold or retired over the years.  The main page below only lists the aircraft I have that are flying.

Night Flyers - There are many electric aircraft scattered throughout this main page that I have made for night flying.  All of these night flyers have fixed LED strips, and five of these night flyers also have home-made RC-controlled LED flashing sequencers for their LEDs. This page shows these night flying planes and their various LED setups, along with wiring schematics and code for the PICs controlling the flashing sequences.  Any plane listed below with 'LED' in the name is a night flyer, covered with LEDs. 

RC Electronics - On this page:  HK Multi-rotor 2.1 flight controller (rate gyros only) + new firmware changes, HK KK 2.0 flight controller (rate gyros + accelerometers) + new firmware, HK 401B gyros with new timing circuits and home-made mixers as 3D stabilizers, split drag rudder controllers for flying wings, PIC-based servo PWM driver, Draganfly FET Interface PIC, RSSI on E-OSD, UHF OpenLRSng, Immersion Fusion Vortex F1 FC. The schematics and programming for all these projects is on this page.

RC Aerial Photography & Video - The low cost of small digital cameras and first person view (FPV) equipment has made aerial photography, video, and FPV a huge part of the RC hobby.  This page contains schematics and programming of the PIC-based camera controllers I have made for various digital cameras, and links to YouTube videos I have shot with my aircraft all over the United States and Europe.  Any plane listed below with 'FPV' in the name has first person view video equipment.

Flying Fields - Some of the RC flying fields I have flown at over the years in Colorado, Ohio, Nevada, Maryland, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Texas, New Mexico, California, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, Utah, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and at the AMA national flying site in Muncie, Indiana.  I have lots more photos and video from all over the United States and Europe on my Aerial Photography & Video web page.

Electric Power References:  Brushless Motor Guide, Brushless Motor Rewinding Wire Calculator, Tower Pro Brushless Speed Control User Guide, Tower Pro 50 and 70 amp Brushless Speed Control Manual, Tower Pro Motor Specifications, Hobby King 401B Gyro Manual

'For What Its Worth' - Some helpful RC hints.

Setup of the Telebee 701 Heading Hold Piezo Gyro - This gyro is a capable piece of equipment, but the directions that come with it are not very helpful.  This page will help.

The $8 Remote Control Airplane - How to make your own $8 RC aircraft.