Over 1 Year of Work - First Flight

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Today is the day! The Star Wars land speeder that we have been working on for almost a year is finally ready to take off! With the new 8 blade, carbon fiber, monster props custom built by our good friends at Xoar Int., we get to see how much thrust we can produce while lifting two full-size adults. Along with testing the power, we also test our new fly by wire control system. This control system gives us the ability to have both Gyro stabilization and also control our land speeder from inside and outside the aircraft.
Our goals are simple... go fast, don’t crash! If everything works out in this episode, our next step is to take to the water, snow, or anything else found on Tatooine and planets beyond!
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Whole Hovercraft Project:
• Real Life Land Speeder...
A-10 vs Tank:
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Largest RC Battleship vs dive bombers:
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[@AlexanderBellOpelika]

As an HVAC designer, those return air grilles you have at the back for the intake on the downward facing fans are not bad but there are much more open freer flowing grilles available, especially with straight fins. That 30 degree blade angle really hurts your air flow and adds unnecessary turbulence.

[@beaverc2884]

One place not to skimp is the bags, you guys could have talked with people that manufacture bags or have bags made for it. I really believe at least talking with hover craft manufacturers could help tremendously.

[@Cloxxki]

We all probably underestimated how hard it would be to make that inflatable board into a 2 person craft with anything but howling power. Skirts ought to be makable from semi-available materials, right?

[@Advil1024]

I suggested that several videos ago. Doesn't look like it happened.

[@rocketman221projects]

They sure seem to be doing a lot of work to avoid making a real skirt for it. I doubt they will ever get it to work well with that raft on anything other than a concrete shop floor.

[@akpolack]

A proper skirt would Greatly enhance performance

[@freesk8]

You have to stage the scene with Obiwan and Luke entering Mos Eisley: "These aren't the droids we're looking for." "Move along, move along..." :)

[@lady_draguliana784]

Looking Great! Some Material and techs to consider: Dyneema Pre-Stretched Fishing Netting (stronger, lighter, and more abrasion resistant than steel)! en lieu of vent holes, cut a largish hole about 1/4-1/3 the size of the hull in both dimensions in the middle of the raft's floor to make it into a skirt (thread-enforced tape can seal off holes outside of this perimeter of they're already cut), then cover it with Dyneema netting, which you can bond with the PVC using an iron (fold a flap over the net's edge, cover with parchment, run the iron HOT and press hard!) Remember, you want good containment to increase static pressure to hover, but you want good air flow to deal with varied terrain causing momentary-yet-repeated gaps for leaks.

[@area51ray]

Those covers over the intake i guarantee is restricting a lot of airflow.

[@Rabenov-wq8qy2qg5t]

Can't wait see You guys drive or fly or "ground effect" this thing to a drive-in!

[@FliteTest]

We are excited too! What movie should we go see?

[@benjaminbrown3939]

​@@FliteTestStar Wars A New Hope

[@TheSkyHive]

If you would have made the air cushion lime green you could have easily keyed it out and made it look like you were truly hovering.

[@Qwarzz]

If they could get Inspire 3 from somewhere they could first film the ride with it and then fly the same route without the speeder. This would then allow editing the skirt off. Might be a bit outside their scope...

[@__WJK__]

Was thinking the same exact thing. If they could come with a better/more ideal color for the skirt (other than white) it would help enhance the hover illusion by making the skirt blend better with the ground/terrain.

[@wilgarcia1]

I hope you guys can squeeze in another lifting fan so you can ride it. Looks awesome =)

[@opidopie]

I disagree as the fan is not the problem, the skirt design and it's pressure ratio and ride height is.

[@FliteTest]

Thank you! We have some plans to improve the bag/skirt and the lifting motors

[@scottdaniels3033]

It's always a good time watching your videos. Thanks for bringing us along for the ride

[@pimvanduijne]

A looong time a go i made a RC hovercraft from the plans that were all over the internet back then Griffon 2000 something. what i found is that you don't want the "tube" to be too stiff, but your set-up is different in that you have engines for the tube seperately. Basically you want it to leak air everywhere equally it might have worked with a third person sat on the nose at that time because they carry a lot of weight as long as it's leaking air on all corners. as soon as a corner touches your friction increases maybe 100x and it's not an airboat, so it's not going anywhere without a massive engine. One last thing if you do get it going (i know you'll figure it out) be careful not to flip it! you'll go real quick real fast and you can not brake so you have to turn around at speed and when you go sideways you go WHOOP upside down, especially with wind. good luck have fun!

[@kennethjessop6073]

Been there, done that. Wet sand ,so painless.

[@WdyWP]

Way to go y'all!!! Cannot wait to see the next revisions incorporated!!

[@bernarddostie8892]

You guys are true builders and didn't give up on that one. Crazy build series!

[@johnnymaynard299]

This is still, the coolest thing you guys have ever done ! Please don't give up on it ! In one word AWESOME !

[@drogaware1557]

Honestly, that is SICK. That's one of the vehicles I liked in my life, and you did a great job!! Congratulations 🎉

[@andymcgrady3954]

Love this! Looking forward to how it progresses in the future!

[@artvandelay8030]

I love this crazy build. To be continued....

[@FliteTest]

YES!!!

[@jackmehoff2961]

Bigger lifting motors, wind them up . You guys do unbelievable work, I`d love to visit someday . I remember when they said home computers would never be possible .

[@FliteTest]

Thank you! We would love to see you some day. Edgewater is always open! Next year we have plenty of Edgewater events where everyone can visit the grounds. Thanks again for your support

[@jackmehoff2961]

Awesome !@@FliteTest

[@daversj]

If you used a squirrel cage blower for the lift bag it would work better. They are designed to operate and overcome back pressures unlike a propeller with an improvised duct. We use them in ducted HVAC systems for a reason.

[@patrickrose1764]

Gentlemen. My thought is this . If you operated the land speeder on a planet with lighter gravity. The speeder would operate spectacular. Good luck 👍.

[@user-hk8cu1iq5c]

i love lerningne more a bout your projecs It's always a good time watching your videos. Thanks for bringing us along for the ride ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍

[@Sickzero]

Dave is right, even though nobody is in it, it's still darn impressive!

[@richb313]

Don't give up keep trying until it works.

[@FliteTest]

We love to the show the failures along with the successes. Thank you for joining us in this journey. Will get her going!

[@userTJ39780]

Looks like it was having a blast without riders. Time to re-work the bag.

[@heinzfritsche5049]

Finaly the force will be with you! Greetings from Germany!

[@jameswarren423]

Hey, it’s a great start. At least it moved remotely! A tweak here in there and you guys will be driving this thing around for milkshakes! Keep up the great work can’t wait to see it drivable👍🏼🫡🤩❤️

[@alanwanchorlytellc194]

RC? No no no! You are flying Luke's Speeder with The Force!

[@FliteTest]

😂😂😂

[@eriknulty6392]

WELL THAT WORKED JUST HOW I THOUGHT IT WOULD. single seater for sure.

[@skootr924]

Awesome! Been following this and I think a simple trash bag Jawa could be funny first R/C pilot 😊

[@vinniejudilla3921]

Getting closer

[@MrFester63]

Awesome job guys!!! 👏👏👏

[@FliteTest]

Thank You!!!

[@southerneruk]

Do you guys what to borrow my hovercraft book for 1971, it gives you all the maths for when you are building simple hovercraft

[@coyehayes793]

Great job! Next you should make a 1:1 speeder bike.

[@FliteTest]

Maybe!

[@peterpepelehew6283]

Almost ready for a day on the lake? Should get Project Replicator team involved - love the build from easy access material

[@FliteTest]

Yes ... Hopefully we will take it on the lake soon but first maybe the snow?!? 😂

[@nocloo6829]

Truly awesome!

[@ExploringJeeps]

Just get some cardboard cutouts of Luke, Ben and the droids I'm not looking for. Very cool!

[@schwabrichard9829]

It looks really good. If all else fails make some foam cutouts you guys and go for the effect shot!!!!!!

[@vcr210]

The Wright Brothers, Flite Test... Ohio is America's heart of aviation.

[@FliteTest]

Thank you 🙏

[@vancemacd6315]

Very cool. I wish we could see it the day it came out tho

[@wavesummit]

Very cool, I wish they had covered the hover skirt in a reflective surface like mylar, would add to the hover effect or have it translucent, still pretty neat.

[@RCDUDEFPV]

Great job !

[@morpar318]

Dammit man now you are going to have to build. All of the pod racers from Star Wars episode one.

[@GunnyArtG]

Make light weight Luke and C-3PO manikins and call it a day.

[@JohnHill-jm7tm]

This Old Man from Washington NC always enjoying your videos 👍. Y'all have come a long way in fulfilling your dreams ❤️. Been a fan from almost day one. Waiting to see what's next. Love You Guys ✈️🧔💝

[@offaxisfpv]

amazing as always

[@FliteTest]

Thanks you!!

[@WellingtonIronman]

Great job 😁

[@FliteTest]

Thanks 😁

[@makina323]

Literally sounds like an Xwing :o

[@greglarmore5257]

Hey Josh I’ve been watching you guys a long time love what you do! I’m glad you guys are still playing! I as a hobbyist just got into model railroading and want to build a rideable miniature railroad in my backyard you guys have that entire golf course in the property to do an amazing model railroading and bring another side of the hobby to the channel????!!!!!

[@user-ej5rf4zi5l]

It would be so awesome if you guys could get Mark Hamil to be there for the anugrual flight of the land speeder. But to see it working is amazing.

[@NBC_NCO]

I think you need more surface area on your bags/ skirt. I believe very large hovercraft take advantage of the The Coandă effect to increase lift capacity.

[@paulmcnamara2908]

Awesomeness right there And can only get better after some tweaking! 😁👌

[@FliteTest]

Oh yeah! We we won't stop until it WORKS 😂

[@terrywells3955]

To bad it couldn't hold you guys .but congratulations 🎉🎉🎉

[@FliteTest]

YES!!! To Be Continued!!!

[@chrismillersrcfamily]

Awesome

[@pokechopachunky2905]

I bought a junky golf cart with a smashed roll cage and I made this speeder for it out of foam and wooden stringers. I replaced the body and put mirrored sheet metal at the bottom to make it look like it's hovering and to hide the wheels. I drive it around the property and to get the mail. My two dogs have costumes and we get all the looks from passing motorists

[@__WJK__]

Do you have any video footage of your build on KZbin? If so, please posts link. If not, what are you waiting for, upload some footage & post a link!!

[@DavidCousins]

I'll be glad when you chuck this contraption and get back to model airplanes.

[@ViggoVazquez]

Starwars live action coming when?

[@N8_GR8]

Take a second and think about what live action means, lol

[@bladeRoller]

1980s

[@air-headedaviator1805]

You mean Star Wars in general? Lol

[@jocelyndeguise]

Huh... 1977? Is that a trick question, or maybe you don't know what "live action" means?

[@petergreeff7166]

Try make sugar rockets or rockets in general with rocket propellant.

[@jmtuts]

Once you get it figured out might I suggest: Eye and Hearing Protection and Helmets?

[@tim75052]

Great job guys! Maybe you can bring it to Oshkosh next year.

[@curiousviewer5991]

Would be really cool next Halloween if you have a skeleton dressed appropriately for the theme driving it around.

[@EJ-74]

AWESOME 🔥

[@N8_GR8]

Obi-Wan and Luke gonna love this one

[@asadabdulqaabir4006]

If you have seen 2 or 3 videos from these guys, then you already know that ALL of videos are 10 minutes of them explaining why they construct the model (no, no model construction footage), 3 minutes of them saying "let's do this, let's do this" and laughing like japanese teenagers and 1 minute or so of actual flying.

[@Dr.Stein99]

Nice work. Impressed.... If I had the facility myself, a group of supportive friends - I would do the exact thing. You know what ? That is such a great idea. I am glad you thought of it first. My hats off for such a remarkable influence. It's as if someone or something actually grants my wishes like some type of saint, such as Nicholas. Please have fun with that. If anyone is interested in a possible test drive pilot or otherwise, my services are open to entertain by interview, discreetly. Thank you.

[@freesk8]

Great project! :)

[@FliteTest]

Thank you! 🙏

[@zutai1]

when you get this prototype done, you need to get a real team on it. more power, to everything :P stronger down fans, jet engines for the 3 pots, fiber glass frame, etc.

[@akeel_1701]

Looks awesome... One thing that occurred to me was that this could have been an opportunity to try the new Toroidal propellers rather than traditional ones, they're apparently quieter and more efficient, but that's just a thought Anyway, great work., guys

[@adamo5689]

all the real word applications of these have been a huge bust... so far. it seems as though all the specs of the fins needs to be tailored to the application and since it took MIT a decade to figure it out, I wouldn't hold your breath.

[@Pittit75]

WOW

[@viperBSG]

Would toroidal propellers help with lift? I know there more efficient.

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

Failure isn't always the end Failure is finding out what to fix.

[@javen6873]

I love your video

[@peter360adventures9]

Awesome.

[@FliteTest]

Glad you think so!

[@Aheitchoo]

Freaking sweet

[@mrlionel1965]

This is really cool! I built a Universal Hovercraft UH12T4 about 15 yrs ago. I am actually thinking about building another one, but, the place I got my props from is no longer around. If you were going to build one now, where would you get the prop and hubs?

[@davessparetime83]

It needs more power for lift. Maybe add large EDFs one on each corner.

[@donkeycock2824]

Super cool

[@chrishechtl8330]

That is so cool! Pity they couldn't ride in it. Does anyone else want to see someone make a life size X-wing hovercraft?? Maybe redo that scene from the Force Awakens over water??

[@mikehansford5597]

So freaking cool on so many levels... when will the kit be available? ; )

[@drjmansplace5174]

Not a bad 1st run. A few kinks are expected.

[@fpvclub7256]

It looks like once the thrust comes up, the hover sags. Perhaps you can run them each off their own battery bank?

[@petter5721]

You should bring David back from Sweden 😀

[@donaldburkhard7932]

Why on off inside dash? Should be easier to reach if trouble. Are “jets” reversible for brakes? Maybe emergency brake underneath to grab ground?

[@DeryckThompsonChasingtheDream]

His wife was right.? Size does matter. lol Great Build guys super impressive.

[@user-li9nu3ek6f]

You need more Flamingo's under the hood.

[@TheWadetube]

Flite Test Guys, I have a challenge for you. I want to build a Ghost from Halo, it's a hover craft, but I don't have time and resources to get it done. It can strafe left and right, it has blasters but for the show it should be two paint ball guns. I believe the T shape is a problem, however, you could make a clear vinyl bridge from the seat out to the wings to add square area and lift for the passenger. It is a single seat, every gamer knows what they are. A single central propulsion fan could be behind the head with a screen, and two for steering in the side wings but to strafe left and right you need on actually IN the seat, like a motorcycle seat it could have a fan just underneath it to move left and right depending on the clockwise or counter clockwise spin of the prop fan inside, and it has to be purple or black or green.

[@philcamp8621]

If I had been paying attention when this project first started, I would have advised you guys to just make go-cart style chassis out of aircraft aluminum and just put an electric motor drivetrain for it. Then just mock up some faux skirts to make look like a hovercraft. Even use some type of audio system with speakers for a realistic sound effects!! Then it could have been used for dependable transportation around locally. Just sayin. Looks real good though, but a little ambitious. I LIKE YOU GUY'S BEING OVERLY AMBITIOUS!

[@__WJK__]

Why would they want to do that? Their channel is all about RC Planes & flight. A car-based hovercraft would be ideal for a go-cart channel, not for a channel dedicated to pushing the envelop on RC aircraft… a/k/a apples to apples vs apples to bananas :^) Plus, true hovercraft can traverse land & water, which go-carts cannot.

[@Heisenberg896]

come on lads, clarkson, hammond and may did this with a transit van... on water!

[@barrywood5357]

Nothing to see here walk on by jedi mind force is strong with this one nice one boys crack on

[@Santanig5]

will you make the small one available for down load? 3D printed would be exceptional.

[@TheSkinon]

Eoic, should've pulled apart a tx16s, cheaper tham spektrum and you get a full colour touchscreen...

[@davidograu9034]

Cool

[@stephencaparelli7733]

you need a centrifugal lift fan they give a much better pressure than props even those beautiful custom ones.

[@emuboy85]

Are you sure the lifting motors has enough airflow?

[@MaartenAnna]

Have you guys continued with this project? Any updates I might’ve missed?

[@colinboneham7387]

I’ve been waiting for this video & the yt didn’t notify me it had dropped…..

[@akproductions4032]

It might be better to use a bunch of smaller edfs to better pressurize the skirt than the giant motors

[@benhitchcock3057]

Why don't you use blower fans (centrifugal) for the main skirt? They are way better at low flow than the axial fans you have at the moment. You used to be able to buy an RC hovercraft about 30 years ago that had a blower fan for the main skirt.

[@BABALOOEY46]

Rctestflight has the propellers above the air cushion hole not inset like a ducted fan and gets really good lift… not sure if its to do with the inertia or vortices.

[@BABALOOEY46]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmq0dGl3i66HeLM

[@BABALOOEY46]

Here is his build

[@nonoyorbusness]

Adsum weels! 😊

[@Mar10usss]

Swipe to 9:00 for the actual testing

[@Linuxpunk81]

Which is pathetic and still doesn't work as intended

[@billverine765]

When are you releasing the build kit for the small version? Please, we are chomping at the bit to buy it. :) All the comments about the bag are spot on btw. I know you are trying to use everyday materials, but you will end up using way too much power and batteries with that raft as your bag.