Quick Build Mini Wing Introduction and Flight - Sub 250g Radio Controlled

This is my forward swept mini wing. As shown in this video - it flies at a Sub 250 gram weight, and will fit in the front seat of my car.
It's a great flying plane - with flight characteristics similar to other flying wing aircraft and an endurance of around 10 minutes.
This video will show you the plane, discuss it's design and flight characteristics and show a demonstration flight.
Build video to follow in the days ahead.
I hope you enjoy.

[@todking1621]

yep I will be needing some of the files for this one and a few others, already modifying my laser to fit 20 x 30 for the foam board, was in wallmart only to find that they are still selling for about a buck. I remember about 9 years ago when I would take patterns and glue them to board and cut by hand. I gota say either you are some kinda 3d savant or I dont know what but these are thought out on a whole nother level, great work!!!

[@usefulaircraft]

Thank you for your comment. I’m working on getting plans together -and I’ll have them out on usefulaircraft.com when I get the chance. Work is really busy right now - but I’ll get around to it - it’s on the list. I’m sure you can relate.

[@Unknown15916]

You should have called it "Bird of Prey" !!! 😈 GREAT TO HAVE THIS EXPLAINED BY A REAL PILOT.

[@Unknown15916]

Don't worry about making KITS. The Chinese or FliteTest will steal your design for themselves ! - Robert 😆

[@usefulaircraft]

Thanks for the vote of confidence - sometimes I wonder if my tech talk gets too far into the weeds. I appreciate your comment.

[@FarmerFpv]

That is a great sub250g flying wing. It looks licked in. Excellent build.

[@usefulaircraft]

Thank you.

[@peytonswan4040]

Fantastic design!

[@usefulaircraft]

Thank you very much! Hopefully you’ll like some of my other designs as well.

[@knoppix20]

Looks like/inspired by design of nano Drak. Great job!

[@usefulaircraft]

I’ve heard a lot of great things about those - but I’ve yet to see one in person. My evolution of this design came from making small flying wings, and having trouble with getting the CG far enough forward. Working in aviation - I was familiar with the old Hansa jet’s - and they were my inspiration to sweep the wing forward. The central fuselage layout came from trying where to hide the battery. My early versions had much bigger batteries, and tucking them into the leading edge laterally wasn’t bringing the CG far enough forward - so I rotated the battery 90 degrees and built a fuselage. After building and crashing a million of them - the design evolved into what you’re seeing here. It was not an easy road - but I really like the finished product. Thanks for your comment.

[@PR31D]

Liking this alot. Following.

[@usefulaircraft]

Thank you! I hope to have share more of my designs when work slows down a little. I’m glad you enjoy.

[@AerialWaviator]

A great looking clean design. Thumbnail image caught my eye, so had to learn more. Look forward to seeing build video, as curious to how wing assembled.

[@usefulaircraft]

Thanks for your comment. I should have the build video out next week. I've got a busy couple of days at work ahead - but it's in process.

[@Rowan.Albright]

Well thought out design, I'll be interested in the build video!

[@usefulaircraft]

Thank you - I should have that video out next week - I've got a busy travel schedule in the days ahead. I appreciate your comment.

[@usefulaircraft]

Build video is up now. I hope you enjoy.

[@Rowan.Albright]

@@usefulaircraft thanks!

[@minirccreation7568]

Amazing wing 🎉

[@usefulaircraft]

Thank you - it’s fun to fly. I’ll share something about the flight characteristics later when I get back - I’m working on a subtle change I want to test fly.

[@shanesdiy]

Looks like another winner. Think this setup would handle the FPV "module" with a bit of tweaking or would that be too much weight for it?

[@usefulaircraft]

I know the airframe could handle the additional weight - but I have the DJI O3 air units - and it would take some effort to incorporate the flight controller for them and still remain Sub 250 (especially as they need a digital arming signal from a FC or a spoofer). I’ve heard Walksnail’s FPV systems are lighter - and I’d love to try with them - but I’m frugal and slow to buy new things while I’m facing a kiddo about to head off to college. I have flown previous versions of similar size flying wings with flight controllers - but they were not build to be sub 250g. The airframe will handle it - the capability is there, and maybe I’ll stew on the idea more. See what bubbles up. The seed change on my design was opening up the nose as I did on my plank and other builds. That gave the DJI air unit the cooling airflow it needed to run here on the warmer days. This plane has the older rolled nose that I used to use frequently. It has a look I like - but the airflow of the open mouth planes is far better at cooling the O3. But this plane, and others like it, are great to keep in my car, and when I need a mental break, and want to lose myself flying a pack somewhere - this is a great plane to have on hand. I toss it up and for the duration of that battery - I just lose myself in flight and simple RC. Don’t get me wrong - I love FPV - but RC and FPV hit different. FPV is more similar to being in the plane - you’re somewhat isolated in the googles. Flying RC is social. Folks come up and talk to you - and it’s just kinda zen. I love them both. Thanks for your note - sorry for the tangent.

[@shanesdiy]

@@usefulaircraft I have yet to get into FPV. Just in the last few weeks got my hands on some old analog gear (I'm very frugal as well) to play with. Haven't put it on a plane yet, haven't flown at all since I got it either, too dang hot still. Not terrible at first light, need to get out early and get my "therapy" 🙂.

[@RolfKni]

a nice flying wing, would be a good FPV project. best regards from the old world.

[@usefulaircraft]

I’ve got a design or two for flying wings that I may revisit. I started with them, but I found the pusher planks and tractor twins to be better suited for the space requirements of FPV, but I am enjoying the simplicity of RC builds, so I’ll probably go back to trying wings again. I appreciate your comment.

[@MrZeek101]

Great Design Brett looks like a win win Name " UA 93 "great flight video also Take Care

[@usefulaircraft]

Thank you!

[@thebunkreport]

6:20am and 93 degrees... Hmm... Arizona? Texas? I'm in Tempe, AZ, and I fly early because the temps are like what you described.

[@usefulaircraft]

North Phoenix. I'm right there with you. Thanks for the comment. I hope you enjoy the content. I've got plenty more to share.

[@yariminal]

Great video and explanation, Will it fly longer with a larger prop? like 5 inch etc.

[@usefulaircraft]

It’s really easy to over prop a motor. There are some efficiencies gained with larger props, or props with fewer blades, but once the prop is too large, the motor isn’t turning at the speed the ESC is commanding, and you start to see a heat rise that if left unchecked, will eventually burn out your motor (it usually just overheats, and the insulation melts on the windings, and the motor shorts out internally.) I’m not the smartest guy for sizing motors / props, and there are some builds I’ve used larger or multi bladed props that run the risk of burning out the motor - so I don’t always follow best practices. But have a look around online- there are some brilliant folks out there that really seem to enjoy figuring motor / prop combos. If I’m honest - I use a lot of cheap quad motors and props namely because they are inexpensive. You can spend as much money in this hobby as you want. I’m a fan of bulk buying cheaper parts so I can build more planes, and everything gets recycled into other builds unless I really love the design and it gets hung on a wall. Thanks for your comment!

[@villagepilot]

Just Sub… Keep it up… 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@usefulaircraft]

Thank you. I have plenty more to share.

[@TweakRacer]

Is that KEF airfoil on the Mini Wing inverted?

[@usefulaircraft]

Yep. I've flown it both ways. Works great. I honestly think the wing flies due to AOA, not Bernoulli. I've built up full wings, laser cut aerofoils, minimum weight, all the time spent in getting things perfect. Yet because this wing is so easy to build- I keep coming back to it. It's just fun to fly and quick to build. Thanks for your comment.

[@xaralampos1959]

Why the flying wing has an inverted airfoil ?

[@usefulaircraft]

Honestly, I liked how it looked. I built another plane with the same style wing, and it flew great inverted. So I tried building a plane with the wing inverted, and it flew great, and looked better. The plane flies due to Newton, not Bernoulli. It's all Angle of Attack. There are more efficient wing designs, but this plane is so simple and fast to build, and compared to kits that take hours and hours to build, this is a great trade off. Even if you crash it, you could recycle the parts and be back flying that afternoon. Thanks for your comment. I hope you enjoy.