Mini Talon CG and stall tests

[@smackfpv]

Andrew. The best I found was at about 55 to 60 mm at a 1550 gram total weight. Back of this and it would almost always roll left on a hand launch. I read this is from the CoT being behind the CG. Might be wrong but made sense and no more launch failures for me lately.

[@SladkaPritomnost]

Great experiments, much appreciate Andrew thanks for sharing.

[@AndrewNewton]

It's a great little FPV platform, worth all the experimentation.

[@upperechelon3456]

Great video Andrew. Mine [mini talon] is pre-marked at 90mm my flying weight came out to 1419g with a 4s 3.2 lipo. I installed landing gear.

[@AndrewNewton]

Nice setup Jason. Still flying mine now, with INAV and DJI FPV.

[@spencerboaz2385]

I'v been subscribed for a while now , and I'm mostly a hex and quad guy but I'v learned so much from your channel , just like to say thanks Andrew . Still working on my scratch build plane .

[@AndrewNewton]

Very good of you to say it Spencer, many thanks

[@NOXFPV]

Thanks. Building mine now.

[@GroundControlRC]

Nice experimentation on the CG location. I usually try to find my CG, take it outside and give it a good toss and see how it glides for CG determination. I guess if I ever change the weight significantly I need to re-calculate. Happy Flying!

[@AndrewNewton]

Glide test might not be the best for overloaded planes I guess

[@EnglishTurbines]

I know on the servo wires is a bit nose heavy Andrew, but there is some logic behind it I think....Since this is a distance machine, a lot of people like to see just how little throttle they can fly it on...If the plane was set more tail heavy, the danger of entering a stall and spin would be so much greater and if you are kilometers away, that's bad news. It would be interesting to load her up with a typical 8amp 4S and see how far back you can set it then, but remember, you have to sip the amps with minimum throttle whilst all the time keeping it away from the stall....and a lot of pilots dont always have the benefit of an ASI. I think also the glide angle is a more valuable measure of success perhaps...? On the servo wires may give more gliding distance from a set height than a more rearward conventional CG? It likes to fly fast.

[@alasdair4161]

Great video Andrew. It's also interesting to measure rate of clime with respect to elevator trim setting at a given motor current value. Once CG is optimised it seems to climb much more efficiently with less up elevator, as do most pusher planes with a good thrust line. I always use this technique as a way of tuning best efficiency, rather than just trying to minimise straight and level current and be feeling around for the edge of stall speed, for those aiming for maximum range etc, there is a speed window there that allows for safer max efficiency cruising rather than just hanging around at minimal speed but it's really a mix of all three, attitude (trim), CG and thrust. Thanks again, good info.

[@AndrewNewton]

Interesting, you're tuning to a finer degree.

[@kevinlane]

Thanks Andrew CG issues probably explain why mine is currently in a 350 acre 10ft high maize field. Your final comments were also enlightening neither did I realise that it had wing clamp screws, no wonder they were so difficult to close up to the fuselage 😁

[@AndrewNewton]

Oh no, it will show up when they cut the maize I guess!!

[@stephengloor8451]

Needs quad motors 😀. Hopefully after this weekend I will have some MiniQuadTalon videos to post. Transitioning is always fun.

[@AndrewNewton]

It will be fascinating

[@kabturek]

great video! the biggest problem with a heavy setup and cg at more than 60mm is the launches - for a 1.6-2kg (or more - someone at the FB group said he uses 4s5p liion!) it needs a lot of force and stalls easy (and torque roll from the motor is bad) - the launches have to be "perfect". I'm happy with 60mm cg - it cruises at 4-5a and with a 4s 5.2ah gives me 40 minutes of flight (could fly more but 40 minutes its my limit xD)

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks Chaps, that makes sense

[@taqyon]

Wow I didn't know CG needs to change with a heavier setup. Explains why the Skywalker manuals are so "off". Will you consider loading it up and see how much weight you can launch with and then see how the CG is affected?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes looks like I'll have to try that

[@unixoid33]

So with all up weight about 1.5-1.6kg, optimal CoG shoul be about 60mm from the leading edge?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes according to RCGroups discussions, but mine is lighter and CG at 70mm. Have to try it yourself

[@kasatka60]

Спасибо за видео.

[@AndrewNewton]

No problem, it was fun to do

[@iforce2d]

70mm is exactly where I ended up too. All my flights so far have been around 1.6kg

[@AndrewNewton]

Excellent, glad I'm not the only radical

[@smoothvirus]

I keep mine right about 55mm

[@kartherton]

You know what i am going to ask Andrew, will it slope? 😀👍

[@AndrewNewton]

Of course it will Keith, hopefully this weekend

[@wdonno]

Hi, Can you post a link to the board thread on this topic?

[@AndrewNewton]

www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2043439-Talon-MINI-FPV-plane-official-thread

[@wdonno]

Andrew Newton Thanks!

[@junsal4]

Thanks Andrew, it was me. Hehehehe.

[@AndrewNewton]

Hey Don, you were right

[@Valkyry5]

Nice review. When I was flying mine, I made sure to give it about 5mm of reflex in the ailerons. That seems to tone down or smooth out its flight characteristics. I have tape my entire plane and pretty much used the power setup I've used in my Bixler. Inefficient 2200kv motor 2200mah and 40amp esc. Had to use some ballast on the nose to balance out the plane; wanted to keep the weight down ad much as possible. My AUW is 43oz. I have pictures on earlier on the Rcgroups. I'm one of the first one who have added flaps on mine. (G-LO)

[@AndrewNewton]

Oh yes I saw your flap mods, nice one.

[@voldelurubu619]

Interesting as I'm finishing my first mini Talon...

[@AndrewNewton]

Great plane. Mine is a light weight so the CG can be back further than most pilots have it.

[@fljugamaur5668]

ahahah (too far back ;-) )

[@AndrewNewton]

Had to try it