accipiter badius
So I got a new toy. I've always been interested in radio control airplanes, but have never been able to afford the hobby. A few weeks back I was surfing around on eBay when I happened into the Toys & Hobbies > Radio Control > Air category. It became apparent pretty quickly that there are now much cheaper RC planes than I had heard of 10 years ago.
I read up about electric RC planes and found out that their are several durable beginner level planes on the market for much cheaper than I thought. After a week or so, I had won an auction for a Shun Da Accipiter Badius from seller egrandbuy. This auction had the plane bundled with a tiny wireless video camera that could be attached to the plane. That was probably what convinced me I needed it.
A few days later it was here and I had it assembled and ready to fly by Wednesday. I took it down to the park by the Mississippi River and did my final checks. I was pretty nervous, but I figured I had to start sometime and launched the plane into the air. The controls were tough and the plane was stalling out immediately, but I was pretty shocked that it was actually flying. I did my best to get it back on the ground gently and started making adjustments.
After adjusting the elevator control rod and messing around with the radio's trim, I gave it another go. This time I flew it around in a circle for about 30 seconds. The plane was still trying to wildly oscillate up and down, so I did my best to get it back down softly as soon as I could. I played with the control surfaces a bit more, adjusting the throw of each before readying for a third flight.
As I was ready to launch, I saw a jogger approaching and decided to wait for him to pass before launching. He stopped as he neared me and asked if he could watch. I told him not to expect much because this was my third flight ever. He told me that he had flow RC airplanes for year and had several electric gliders similar to mine. After talking for a while, he balanced the plane by its wings and showed me that it was quite tail heavy. He helped me make a few more adjustments and moved the battery as far forward as possible to try to balance the plane better.
We were ready to go again and I could tell the guy wanted to fly it. I offered him the controls and he assured me he would do his best but there were no promises. He made a comment that he would help me adjust it to fly better so I wouldn't crash it before I got to fly good. I launched the plane and it immediately flew much better than before. He made a long, climbing smooth left turn, straight into a power-line pole. The plane crashed to the ground and he apologized. We went to survey the damage and I could tell the guy felt really bad.
The moral of this story is that I should have just flown the plane myself because both of us would have felt much better had I been the one who crashed. Anyways, I taped up the wing with packing tape and they are even stronger than before with almost no visible damage. I did have to buy a soldering iron to put a lead back onto the battery pack, but I really needed my own soldering iron anyways. I also added some weight to the front to get the plane to balance.
I've been out twice more in the last two days and gotten much better at it. This last time, I was able to make a few 3 minute flights with several turns and passes. The plane is quite durable and a lot of fun to fly. Next, I will try to attach the wireless video camera so I can fly my own reconnaissance missions! Stay tuned for slow motion clips of people running from a dive-bombing small aircraft.
I read up about electric RC planes and found out that their are several durable beginner level planes on the market for much cheaper than I thought. After a week or so, I had won an auction for a Shun Da Accipiter Badius from seller egrandbuy. This auction had the plane bundled with a tiny wireless video camera that could be attached to the plane. That was probably what convinced me I needed it.
A few days later it was here and I had it assembled and ready to fly by Wednesday. I took it down to the park by the Mississippi River and did my final checks. I was pretty nervous, but I figured I had to start sometime and launched the plane into the air. The controls were tough and the plane was stalling out immediately, but I was pretty shocked that it was actually flying. I did my best to get it back on the ground gently and started making adjustments.
After adjusting the elevator control rod and messing around with the radio's trim, I gave it another go. This time I flew it around in a circle for about 30 seconds. The plane was still trying to wildly oscillate up and down, so I did my best to get it back down softly as soon as I could. I played with the control surfaces a bit more, adjusting the throw of each before readying for a third flight.
As I was ready to launch, I saw a jogger approaching and decided to wait for him to pass before launching. He stopped as he neared me and asked if he could watch. I told him not to expect much because this was my third flight ever. He told me that he had flow RC airplanes for year and had several electric gliders similar to mine. After talking for a while, he balanced the plane by its wings and showed me that it was quite tail heavy. He helped me make a few more adjustments and moved the battery as far forward as possible to try to balance the plane better.
We were ready to go again and I could tell the guy wanted to fly it. I offered him the controls and he assured me he would do his best but there were no promises. He made a comment that he would help me adjust it to fly better so I wouldn't crash it before I got to fly good. I launched the plane and it immediately flew much better than before. He made a long, climbing smooth left turn, straight into a power-line pole. The plane crashed to the ground and he apologized. We went to survey the damage and I could tell the guy felt really bad.
The moral of this story is that I should have just flown the plane myself because both of us would have felt much better had I been the one who crashed. Anyways, I taped up the wing with packing tape and they are even stronger than before with almost no visible damage. I did have to buy a soldering iron to put a lead back onto the battery pack, but I really needed my own soldering iron anyways. I also added some weight to the front to get the plane to balance.
I've been out twice more in the last two days and gotten much better at it. This last time, I was able to make a few 3 minute flights with several turns and passes. The plane is quite durable and a lot of fun to fly. Next, I will try to attach the wireless video camera so I can fly my own reconnaissance missions! Stay tuned for slow motion clips of people running from a dive-bombing small aircraft.
7 Comments:
hi there I came across your blog because of accipiter badius and I was buying one :> Anyways, http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/cg_super_calc.htm
That is the Center of Gravity calculator, was wondering whether it would be helpful for you
By terminul, at 5:42 PM
hi..wondered into your site while i was looking up info on the very same plane you bought, and was wondering how easy its been to get use to flying it. this will also be my first rc plane. tho i've practiced on real flight sim. but i bet its not the same.. looking fordward to your videos...
By ikaracks, at 8:40 PM
I've had a Badius for over a month...for my 11 year old son..though I fly it as often as I can get the radio from him! We went through both props quickly..now using regular props from local rc store. It has tape all over the wings and some on fuselage...still flys fine, lots of fun for a good price...if you need parts, I just ordered a parts package for 29.99 that has the fuselage, wings (front & tail), engine, 2 props and connecting wires! If you tear yours up, change out the electronics and your new...at wonderhobby.com. This has been our 1st plane...great for the money!
By Anonymous, at 7:41 AM
I just got my plane in the mail today and it looks so good once put together, I'm scared to fly it. I am worried about balance also. I have had a couple of electrics before and they have all flown well. Ita always been the landings that aren't so perfect.
By wrong way feldman, at 7:29 PM
Hello, its wrong way again here, and I did fly my badius. It climbed all crazy like, it was almost outta control. I think that the C.G. is just a bit aft. I was able to get it back down with zero damage, thats pretty good considering the wind was a bit high. This is one awsome plane for beginers.
By Anonymous, at 10:31 PM
Hows it going I also fly an Accipeter I am very happy with it was able t keep it in the air today for the entire life of a fully charged bat. It was about 8 minutes. did not go very high maybe 100ft found that it performed very well at 75% throttle. first flight was a hairy one left the throttle wide open loss control panicked and slammed right into asphalt nose first only busted prop and plastic cover over bat compartment. Very durable plane . Had a Cart wheel landing also no damageAlso found that the least amount of wind you have is Ideal Especially if its your first couple flights.Very pleased with this plane Cant beat it for the cost
By Anonymous, at 7:26 PM
Just recently bought a accipiter badius on ebay. I have a couple of other electric planes that cost much more that is why I was so suprised that this plane did so well. Biggest problem is the strength of the main wings. I broke 2 by doing high speed loops. They just folded in on them selves. Does anyone have any suggestions for reinforcing the wings. Also found that larger batteries work better and seem to balance the plane better. Overall for the money this is a decent plane if you just want to fly around in circles.
By flyingtoohigh, at 6:48 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home