Why is this FMS Ranger RC plane so hard to land?

For a docile, high-wing trainer-type RC plane, the FMS Ranger gave Bill more than a few problems on landings. Why was that? Well this video shows exactly what's going on during the air/ground interface -- and it's not pretty.
Is this a candidate for "worst ever undercarriage design" on an RC model?

[@bunnykiller]

looks like the rear wheel struts are leaning forward, seems like it would work better leaning towards the rear...

[@nono9370]

Harder to Take off if that was the case

[@Johnn_T]

Its supposed to go on that way-see page 4 of the manual img.markhit.cn/fms-model/manual/20200007/1578391802409english.pdf

[@thercguy2428]

They look like they are the wrong way round

[@nono9370]

@@thercguy2428 They arent

[@thercguy2428]

@@nono9370 well then who ever designed the airplane must have been drunk

[@iforce2d]

Hey Bruce now you need a "main gear is backwards" counter for these comments lol

[@Rcschim]

I love this plane. Made a review of it last year, but probbably didn't fly it enough. Looking forward to this flying season now! Good to see this bouncy landing gear takes some beating (since we only have a grass field... greets, Mario

[@TastierBackInThe80s]

That raked forward main gear plus how soft the wire is. Reminds me of soft as butter Parkzone Super Decathlon back in the day.

[@davidwalle5025]

Great to see ron back in action

[@matthewwakeham2206]

The wheels look like they'd perform better swept backwards rather than forwards.

[@Johnn_T]

Probably wouldn’t rotate very well because they are supposed to be swept fwd like that. Might be good to do for a laugh though👍

[@assorted3744]

Actually you're right. the landing gear is on backwards. Turn them around and you'll find out it will land a whole lot better. I'm surprised Ron didn't see that.

[@billlynch1631]

@@assorted3744 no they are correct ,landing gear on a tric gear mains just behind CG and tail draggers just in front of cg so they can rotate easily

[@assorted3744]

@@billlynch1631 On a real Ranger yes with the FMS no. If you look at there site and manual it shows the landing gear in the opposite direction. I know since a friend of mine has the same plane. CG is perfect and landings are great. When you look around it's a 50/50 split in how you install it........

[@stevo43068]

Ron is looking healthy. Fun hanging at the 'field.

[@InoFughaul]

Ah yes... The banter, that's why we're here. Always a pleasure.

[@BRIANFORWARD1]

Hi bruce I've got the 800 ranger.. Landing gear not that good mind you my grass field is crap... Its now a belly lander.. Its surprising how much drag that undercarriage creates Best to you all👍👍👍👍👍 Brian 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@MCsCreations]

Really beautiful airplane, Bruce! 😃 Am I wrong or the back landing gear is a bit shifted forward? If so, that's probably why it's so bouncy when landing and make that noise in the grass! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Johnn_T]

Thats the way the gear is supposed to go

[@jakeclauson9863]

It's fairly normal but the wire they used for the axle way too weak. So if you land the slightest degree side ways it bends and acts like a steering wheel when it should be a straight wheel. But your not entirely wrong because if it was angled the other way it would be less prone to doing that. But I'm sure it's like that for balance, just needs thicker rod instead of thin wire

[@vonSchwartzwolfe]

I agree it looks like the wire gear is backward to me. Should be trailing back or straight. I've never seen gear angled forward like that before.

[@BruceHoult]

Main gear angled forward really looks dodgy. Unstable if it bends a little in the same way as forward swept wings are. If the gear was angled backwards it would be a little harder to rotate on takeoff, but I'm sure still no problem, and much more stable and less bouncy on landing.

[@koalatails6391]

@@Johnn_T Your probably right, but I would be tempted to reverse the gear and see if it works better.

[@landlifem5872]

That camera of yours has some pretty awesome zoom

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

With that big fancy radio full of buttons and switches and stuff, it's no wonder he hasn't found the rudder control yet!

[@CyclingMikey]

From the slo-mo it looks like the mains have a steering moment when a slightly hard landing bends the main undercarriage.

[@billlynch1631]

no they were tight causing the gear to flick out on landing just lubed them fixed the problem

[@captainaxle438]

The landing gear is like that on the real one it is supposed to be slanted forward. It also has steps on it for getting in and out of the plane

[@stewjade]

Hey Bruce, looking forward to your comments Re Trent Palmer and his case. BTW, love FMS stabilizers, adding them to lots of my planes so they only work on the ailerons. Works a treat, try it.

[@kr6dr]

Awesome zoom on that camera camera!

[@oliverward6344]

looks like a cross between my FMS kingfisher and Arows bigfoot lol, except for the dodgy trike UC

[@blankblank9117]

I've got a ranger 850mm. I converted it to tail wheel with bush gear/tires, added flaps and put nice servos on it. Flys like a large scale. Just small enough and Flys just right.

[@free-birdrocker8809]

The mains are spindly, put a real main thats full stout metal like the ugly stick gear on it, thats much stronger than those spindly things.

[@jonoedwards4195]

Great show Bro! Hope Your All Ruling.

[@olliea6052]

I wonder if the forward raked landing legs has anything to do with the noise, and the bouncy landings?

[@neilgillies6943]

That was rather unkind calling Ron a banker - we pronounce that differently here in Scotland 😜😜

[@vedasticks]

we havnt forgot whn the all waved tenners at the people out n the street from there fancy buldings

[@FaroukQazi]

I started flying on ranger. The best way to land is by giving enough up elevator just before touch down to be sure that rear wheels touch first. Safer to land this plane at low speed.

[@CalebT_RC]

The back gear is not solid cause of the design. It’s like hobbyzone carbon cub gear, it’s just thin wires unlike eflite stuff

[@jumpingjacks5558]

Did he assemble the rear landing gear the right direction?

[@Johnn_T]

See page 4 img.markhit.cn/fms-model/manual/20200007/1578391802409english.pdf

[@iangoss7841]

Surprisingly funny😅, thankyou for the Mood lifter.❤

[@SunriseRCAviator]

That was some flexible mains. The smaller 1220 Ranger lands super easy and might have to try this larger brother.

[@BlizzardActual]

I'm not going to offer a diagnosis (been plenty of that already) but did you notice it seems to want to wheelbarrow on takeoff as well?

[@mikeymike3240]

Why do I get the impression that the other flyers would love to swipe the camera from your hands 🙌 lol 😝

[@hamshackleton]

I think Bill's new toy needs soft rubber wheels, not hard plastic ones! - - And - if that 12" to the foot scale Cub had overflown our field today, it would have been advancing backwards at cruise power! (It was just a tad breezy!)

[@free-birdrocker8809]

You know, I had the mini-ranger, and the thing is a joke. I flew it multiple times and it just falls out of the sky? Crazy. I invested in a new foam body, decals and made it brand newish. Took it out and the throttle went wacko, esc? It flew a little and smacked into the ground. I'm done with FMS. They succccckkkk. LOL! Boy I sure miss made in Merica and Japan, better quality and the birds actually land....

[@richardkaz2336]

Rear wheel struts are arse about, swap them over so they aren't forward facing.

[@Johnn_T]

Nope…see the manual page 4! img.markhit.cn/fms-model/manual/20200007/1578391802409english.pdf

[@arlemooldijk1595]

Something must be wrong with the magnetic field in Tokoroa or the plane was created to fly in the Northern Hemisphere... 😂😂

[@slidey1788]

Gotta adjust trim for the coriolis effect

[@kokman62]

Great plane love flying my, but have spear front wheels they break

[@randyleazenby2351]

You might try putting the back carriage on differently. He has it on backwards. I Know I did the samething but after the first flight, changed it and have had no problems since.

[@iforce2d]

Poor old Bill, when will he learn to land a plane nicely :p

[@billlynch1631]

you think

[@gullrock14]

Must be the forward raked main LG.

[@chrischannon2739]

Any more footage of the turbine Retrojet?

[@stewjade]

Also grease ya wheels, makes landing so much smoother and quieter.

[@mischef18]

Nice looking plane though. Safe travels

[@roadhogrc]

Back weeks are on backwards

[@Johnn_T]

Thats actually the correct way they go on no sh&t lol…

[@MCsCreations]

I just commented about it when I saw your comment. I totally agree!

[@daxdadog]

If you go to FMS' website, the slideshow of pictures show the gear slanted backwards, instead of forwards. The full-scale Cessna 150/152 have the gear slanted forward, though.

[@musk-eteer9898]

the cessna 150 from E-flite main gear also slant forward but it is stiffer

[@tyronebirch366]

Your rear undercarriage is on the wrong way 😂👌

[@Johnn_T]

Page 4 img.markhit.cn/fms-model/manual/20200007/1578391802409english.pdf

[@paulbrouyere1735]

It sounds like there’s too much flutter on the wheel axes, and it looks like it has rubber legs. Seems to fly nice apart from the landings…

[@BeefSupreme-vk9sz]

I bend the rear wheels outwards to lower the tail or this plane flips on landing, I now made a ski from a milk jug , froze the front wheel with hot glue then glued the ski to the wheel, I used to fly my gas planes with 3 skis and never broke a prop, this plane with that little wheel is a prop breaker, now the ski skims across the grass

[@M4rkmcc21]

I just got this plane after watching this and a few other vids. I've upgraded the motor and fly on 5s. 1 of the easiest planes to land!

[@flyinbryanfpv]

really looks like the Bigfoot but with trike gear

[@brianpayne4549]

I have the same, exact plane. Mine sounds NOTHING like this. Also, it’s super easy to fly. Might want to start with balancing the prop.

[@MrShrek23000]

Why do the rear wheels look backwards

[@jasegazzard3743]

Hi Bruce just wondering where would I find a decent field stand hear in nz? I've got the wee robart one but looking for a higher one for my gas warbirds cheers Jase

[@Johnn_T]

I know where he got that lol i love watching bill and ron with Open TX 😂😂

[@stevendegiorgio3143]

That plane looks exactly like a Cessna 152.

[@billlynch1631]

yes that is what it is

[@godfreytomlinson2282]

The landing gear on mine is fine. Had a few hard landings and no issues

[@Tryinglittleleg]

Why is the gear facing forward

[@R.B_B]

The main landing gear is installed inverted.

[@R.B_B]

@@daviddou1408 kkkkkkkkk of course no. They insted to be angle to the back not to the front.

[@markzebell1549]

I can see the trailing landing gear is backwards. It's angle is forward not backwards

[@Johnn_T]

Nope-its correct-see page 4 of the manual img.markhit.cn/fms-model/manual/20200007/1578391802409english.pdf

[@robflange]

Main U/C is back to front??

[@richardjweeks]

My FMS explorer flies great but has terrible undercarriage.

[@billlynch1631]

I now have about 30 to 40 more landings with completely no problems and can say it say it is the best flying model I have and I have and I have lots ,the problem was all the wheels were a little tight so I loosened the screw in the front axal and lubed the mains as they were a little tight as well causing the springy wire to jump and buck on landing

[@xjet]

Bill, go look on the FMS website... the main undercarriage is definitely on backwards because the website shows pictures with the legs raked backwards not forwards.

[@billlynch1631]

@@xjet no got the manual in my hands and they are correct

[@xjet]

@@billlynch1631 Here's a picture from the FMS website: img.markhit.cn/fms-model/product/20200006/1578298743023FMS_1800mm_Ranger_IF_07.jpg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,m_mfit,w_600,h_600/quality,q_90

[@xjet]

@@billlynch1631 From the product page:www.fmsmodel.com/product/1800mm-708-ranger-pnp-only-shipped-to-us/3/

[@AnchorsAweighNarooma]

As full size Cub flys off into the distance the boys sort the radio and talk tec stuff. But all that aside the FMS looks the business, finally after a lot of talk the plane hits the crisp air, great flier. But the port wheel hit the grass on first landing not pilots fault, but the second and third landing well, we will look away and say nothing other than, nice roll rate. Wheels on the rear mains look like they are mounted the wrong way ?? but what S$!t do I know..

[@rustywp]

They put a "weaker" landing gear on a bigger plane! The flat aluminum gear of the 1220mm would be better.

[@millerrc5829]

I think it really should be flat aluminum for the main gear instead of that spring wire gear never liked them wire gear.

[@billlynch1631]

yes and i may just try that

[@oscarzt1652]

5:10 the undercarriage is made of spaghetti

[@SmokeU420365]

I'm pretty sure he installed the rear landing gear backwards.

[@Johnn_T]

See page 4 of the manual img.markhit.cn/fms-model/manual/20200007/1578391802409english.pdf

[@bsrc949]

His landing gear are on backwards. They are raked forward, will not absorb landing well. Turn them around so they are raked backwards .

[@Johnn_T]

See page 4 of the manual. img.markhit.cn/fms-model/manual/20200007/1578391802409english.pdf

[@kennybovaird8128]

Just throw floats on it and use it for your river, lake, or snow flyer!

[@jjb3568]

Nice vid

[@TheSkskitey]

I reakon the rear landing wheels are raked the wrong way , they should be raked to the rear not the front , the wheels move forward instead of back which a makes the plane wheels bog down , collapse and brake . Otherwise nice plane 😎

[@BerndFelsche]

Left and right swapped?

[@Johnn_T]

Nope! See page 4 of the manual…img.markhit.cn/fms-model/manual/20200007/1578391802409english.pdf

[@robertarata8684]

Probably an effect of the gyro.

[@daveday5507]

Well it IS Bill. Looks like the main wheels are too far back (there appears to be another fixing point further forward) and too flexible.

[@tamandua-rj7147]

my God. how many rc planes can a man have if he live at Tokoroa ?? no wives around ?? not fair

[@billlynch1631]

no I live in Rotorua and I have around 150-160 and no wife just two little dogs and they don't care how many planes I have

[@tamandua-rj7147]

@@billlynch1631 good for you Bill. but please get yourself at least one glow airplane. just for the fun of it.. know they are messy and some times very temperamental but it will be good for the channel...

[@bigfootpdx1545]

Looks to me like the gear is on backwards

[@Johnn_T]

Page 4 img.markhit.cn/fms-model/manual/20200007/1578391802409english.pdf

[@GENESUTUBE69]

Never land on the runway-- Land one foot above in a full stall with the stick at the bottom of your box

[@roderickjamesriddick6255]

Maybe needs Air Tyres ???

[@jamesturncliff5960]

Is that landing gear ever crappie 🤔

[@stevebroughton4787]

All the comments about the landing gear.....lol. Take a look at the Cessna 150/152.....which this model is loosely based on.

[@musk-eteer9898]

the wire landing gear is too springy and it need to be stiffer. it should be a metal bar not a metal wire.

[@wearemany73]

Landing gear is on the wrong way round.

[@stephaniekent8483]

looks like they on backwards! lol turn em round :)

[@Johnn_T]

Nope-see page 4 img.markhit.cn/fms-model/manual/20200007/1578391802409english.pdf

[@heli-man-]

Seriously can he not see the rear wheels are backwards that wouldn’t of happened

[@tedmoss]

Add some stiffness.

[@jakeclauson9863]

I nominate the fms ranger for weakest landing gear thus far.. Iv heard of weak gear bending or what not but not deflecting like that! That's ridiculous

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

I have a couple of Multiplex planes. I think they are worse. Great flyers though!

[@jakeclauson9863]

@@SomeGuyInSandy dang any worse than that an I'd rip the gear off and belly land em!

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

@@jakeclauson9863 Naw, they just require a nice touch to set them down, but sometime... Time to get the pliers.

[@rogerdixon3700]

UC seems too far forward.

[@LWJCarroll]

Very idilic with the birds twittering away in the background…

[@KB4QAA]

Too fast, cutting power too rapidly. Use flap for landings.

[@bliglum]

Answer? Because it's a foamy... Balsa have always made for superior airframes. But of course, foamy is really cheap and easy. And you get what you pay for eh?!?

[@Johnn_T]

Times change, foamies are the new Ply/Balsa. Dont hate the player hate the game!!

[@bliglum]

@@Johnn_T Yes, that's what I was doing, the pilots here are not at fault. I was "hating the game". I've flown both, foam planes suck.

[@tglore]

He put the rear wheels on backwards lol, they shouldn't sweep forward you dorks

[@Johnn_T]

Nope-see page 4, its correct img.markhit.cn/fms-model/manual/20200007/1578391802409english.pdf

[@TheSweeney]

Crap Pilot 👎

[@Johnn_T]

Lol@bill lynch he dont like your expert carrier landings 😂👍

[@billlynch1631]

@@Johnn_T I don't think he knows what he is talking about as I have lots of video on xjet to prove other wise but any time he wants to show me how its dun

[@shademe]

Are the rear wheels on backwards maybe?