SkyHunter 1800 tail position

[@joecannon1231]

Thanks Andrew it's nice to know what can be done to the plane without upsetting it

[@AndrewNewton]

It's very versatile and forgiving I think

[@prestonshute7243]

Hope the manufacturer takes all your mods to heart and makes improvements to the plane. The change in the original prop should pay for the improvements to the tail plane. Nice video and sweet music too. 73

[@AndrewNewton]

TechOne hobby is the only designer that has asked for my opinion so far.

[@AirRoboTech]

Thinking outside the box, change it, test it. - love it ! Good work Andrew. and Balsa still rules, too.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks Q. I think I like testing ideas more than anything

[@jimmyhaley727]

perfect flying, video and the MUSIC is very soothing,,, great stuff by Andy,, again,, ole USN vet

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks Jimmy, it was fun to experiment, specially when someone told me it was a bad idea

[@supdog9289]

Perfect music score for this flight Andrew ! I watch all of your vids thanks for sharing your knowledge with us .Very helpful and useful past and present,

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks Sup Dog.

[@EnglishTurbines]

Small pair (or even just one) Rudder coupled to the Ailerons on a Mixer switch....and it will be a dream to fly. I did this to my big Skywalker 1900 and it transformed it by reducing the workload and giving predictable coordinated turns. For Heading Hold using an Autopilot, you need a Rudder, it's essential in fact. Surprised they omitted it really on such a big FPV bird like this one..? That weather looks so nice Andrew....

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes rudders are on the list

[@TheCrewl1]

Hi Andrew, I really enjoy your build and mod videos. I was wondering if you are planning to do a build/review of the new Dream Flight Ahi aerobatic slope soarer?

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks Crewl, looks like a sweet sloper. If Banggood stocks it (very unlikely)

[@timeanspace]

I like the addition of music!

[@patedwards6968]

Great test Andrew. It seems to fly well in all configurations. I think if you had heaps of battery up front you may need the tail all the way back. I find mine seems more stable with 10Ah as opposed to 5Ah. I'll be interested to see if adding rudders works out, I've seen others try with little effect but maybe you can make it work.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks Pat, we shall see

[@Shawn-os2kc]

I find that 4" or 6" is the best6 setting. Depending on my load. The rudder is a good idea, but you have to install them in the stablizer and use a enforcement rod. You servos can't be heavy. Have fun!!

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks Shawn, very helpful

[@Graybear78]

Yaw seem much better after moving the tail to the rear. I think I want one.

[@goldenmagnolia5424]

Hey Andrew! If you had to guess, with the plane sitting on a flat surface, how far "up" does the elevator angle (in degrees), have to be, to provide acceptable lift for the Skyhunter? I'm scared my servo isn't pushing my elevator far enough, and I'm not going to get good lift. My skyhunter is about 5.5lbs.

[@AndrewNewton]

Elevator should be level for normal level flight. For enough pitch control, maybe up and down 20 degrees

[@davidlee50]

Is there anything to protect the Foam body for years to come?

[@AndrewNewton]

Some folks use kevlar cloth on the bottom

[@lucbisschops]

He Andrew, great video, I see you choose to divide the tail, where did you cut the boom measured from trailing edge? Appreciate it

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks, I just shortened the booms by 4.5" then remounted the tail with with no tube poking out of the bracket

[@stevietee10]

Andrew, have you fitted rudder servos? if so how did they work out? I'm thinking rudder yaw would give much flatter turns which with a RUNCAM2 4K flat on a panning mount would give 'nicer' footage.

[@AndrewNewton]

No I didn't fit rudders but yes you're probably right.

[@GroundControlRC]

Good information on the tail position. She looks like a real cruiser ;-) Cheers and Happy Flying!

[@AndrewNewton]

Fun testing these things anyway

[@chrispicknally1413]

Andrew, what is the name of the song/group playing in the background - I love it!

[@AndrewNewton]

Hi Chris. It's Sugar Pines by Wes Hutchinson (KZbin Audio Library)

[@peterfranzen3538]

Looks like a realy good plane. This would be a good test bed aircraft for experiments like this one.

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes it is that sort of platform

[@triestelondon]

Do they ever play footie there or are they letting it go back to a swamp?

[@AndrewNewton]

I have only ever seen cricket played on this oval when it dries out over summer. All the good ovals are often used for footie and cricket

[@austntexan]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@gauravluckyrauthan4]

nice. what was the plane's weight??

[@AndrewNewton]

2kg

[@MickB235]

Does that field you fly at ever dry out? I remember you mentioning that it has very poor drainage

[@AndrewNewton]

It does in summer. We have had a wet winter.

[@madsloper]

Once you install the FPV gear and large batteries you will probably want the longer tail boom. Just saying.

[@AndrewNewton]

Maybe, if I'm silly enough to have all the extra weight forward of the CG

[@TheSkyPod]

Hey Andrew , when changing the tail position , did you have to adjust anything else (battery placement) for the CG , or did it not matter much ? Thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

A very popular question. Added the answer to the description

[@TheSkyPod]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks Andrew . I have to start reading more before asking questions . LOL I would have thought maybe the CG didnt change much because all the downward force is put on the portion of the wing where it connects to the tail, so it wouldnt react like a see saw where moving up on the see saw would definatly change the pivot point . Fulcrum principle at work?

[@AndrewNewton]

I'm guessing weight distribution changes have a bigger effect than lift distribution changes.

[@livinggood5545]

Andrew I have a question that might be answered already so sorry if it has been asked too many times..... When a plane comes out new design be it tractor, pusher or glider. How long do companies carry replacement parts for them? I know popularity probably makes a big difference. Just curious because round here a lot of rocky soil in the fields except where the hay is harvested. Thanks for posting and loved your video. Terry

[@AndrewNewton]

It varies a lot between manufacturers. Hobby King and Dynam are pretty good with spares, but not on all models

[@JoshWeaverRC]

You get good at making your own parts yet.

[@cirandavideo]

WELL-BEING AMENDMENTS

[@seaneleven3244]

Does it not mess up the C of G ? / Like your work -subscribed.

[@AndrewNewton]

Not with some clever rebalancing

[@franklee90]

beautifull. nice plataform.!

[@rango_unchained]

Have you considered a 3-axis gimbal and camera on this plane or any others you have reviewed?

[@AndrewNewton]

I have reviewed 2 gimbals and made a one axis gimbal. Haven't found one that is robust enough for fixed wing yet

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks for that

[@wordreet]

Jeez! That's a very stable aircraft if you didn't have to adjust the CG at all when moving the tails!!! Still sounds like it could do with a rudder or two.

[@AndrewNewton]

I did rebalance for each tail position.

[@wordreet]

I wasn't listening.

[@daviddavids2884]

thanks for posting. just one question. was the model re-balanced before each test. cheers

[@AndrewNewton]

Oh yes, essential

[@andreitelyakov6352]

Try to install V tail! Why not? Will be nice episode. Up side down V I mean.

[@AndrewNewton]

That would be Kool, maybe on a smaller scratch build

[@aerofpv2109]

It may resemble the RMRC Anaconda then but would still make for an interesting episode.

[@mountaindewdude76]

really a great video, Andrew! Great looking plane!!! It looks to be a sort of "Gentle Giant" in the air. It's got some good size but seems to fly very easily and smoothly. Thanks for sharing!

[@AndrewNewton]

I think a slightly smaller one would be perfect

[@mrreddog]

Get some 3D printed Boom Hinges, slides in my Jeep nicely..

[@AndrewNewton]

Great idea!

[@inspiredbyinspire9234]

So is this your new favourite plane? lol. I sure like it

[@AndrewNewton]

It's a good one but my all time favourite is still my scratch built Tigermoth

[@JoshWeaverRC]

One day I'll make a plane that folds up so well and then clicks back into place.

[@MABFR01]

ZOHD is that you ?

[@reefer2917]

I fly lots of wings, I love their agility, I have a few large ones 1.5 meters, and I was wondering how that sky hunter would go with NO tail at all and on elevons of course, are you tempted?? *-)

[@AndrewNewton]

Would need swept wing I would think, but I guess planks fly on the slope!?

[@reefer2917]

I've seen on the xjet channel a plank NO sweep at all with a nitro motor on it and it flew Great! the engine hung out the front , if you like like a nose on the plank but it flew very well!

[@iforce2d]

Plank with no sweep and no tail? Good luck :)

[@chrispicknally1413]

Thanks so much for your input on tail positions on the SkyHunter. I have two airframes and use your mid range setup as it also fits in my car with a little over 4.5 off the booms. I did convert my 2nd SkyHunter to a twin engine cargo plane, you can see it here: www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1767087-New-professional-FPV-plane-Skyhunter/page680

[@AndrewNewton]

What a stunning transformation Chris. Looks like it was meant to be like that. Makes me regret selling mine.

[@chrispicknally1413]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks a bunch, I love how it flies with the twin engines!

[@fido3561]

Great job. Kind of reminds me of the old C-119 the plane they used in the movie The Fight of the Phoenix. Made in 1956.

[@rrn5112]

Hallo Andrew nice testings. Can you also put Extra WingTips on Your List for great Sloap-Soaring and for in the Thermic ? Quote: With full length booms it will not fit in my car without dismantling , Is dismantling the tail with the carbon rods from the fuselage a option ,when you have more span Wings for the best sailing , I like testing ? Thanks (see combination Rudde-Elevator; f3j.in.ua/plus-f5j.html)

[@AndrewNewton]

Oh wow that is radical. Removing the booms from the fuselage is how it is dismantled for a smaller car. I am too lazy for that

[@stevietee10]

Andrew, "With full length booms it will not fit in my car " if you took your hobby seriously you'd just buy a bigger car :-) HAHA LOL

[@AndrewNewton]

Ha, I did take a tape measure when I bought this car, mostly for wingspan front to back. Trouble is the SkyHunter has extra width in the tail boom.