Motor Angle and Thrust Vectoring Experiments

I always thougt so too. But why can we see an obious downthrust angle in pusher planes like bixler, easystar etc.
Log In to reply

I think the reason that the plane pitches down on takeoff is because the motor is above the lifting surface. the wing creates drag making it slower than the motor which pushes itself down and towards the front, also this would make it harder for the plane to pitch up too because the plane would be pushing against its own motor. I've had trouble like this where i have mounted the motor above the lifting surface of a delta wing and it has plummeted to the ground. so I'm guessing that when you angle the motor to give a little upthrust it counters the effect of the motor wanting to push the plane down. cool plane BTW :)
Log In to reply

Very nice video. I think the effect of vectoring changes depending on distance from the cg. As your prop was (probably) very close to it, the upthrust would be most useful pushing the air into the stabilizers. If your prop was all the way back (like on the Parkzone stryker), the vectoring experience should be different.
Log In to reply

I've always wondered why my Bixler and other pusher planes like it have so much downthrust angle to the motor. I notice the hairy few seconds during a hand-launch where the Bixler pitches down until it gets some speed. I was thinking of getting a new foam body set for my Bixler as it's getting pretty dinged up. Before I transfer all of the mechanical parts to a new foam body I think I'll try chopping the motor mount to give it some upthrust and see if it improves anything. I wonder if they angle the motor the way they do to get prop clearance.
Log In to reply

Really great video! Thanks for posting.
Log In to reply

Nice video. I would guess up thrust would put more air over the tail surfaces. That may help controlability. That's just my stab in the dark though.
Log In to reply

Great experiment!

Though I'm personally lost as to why you got the best results...
Log In to reply

Wings look pretty flat without a great deal of lift , try a Ft or Armin wing with the test and post the results before I start my build ( tired of breaking props and bending shafts)
Log In to reply