FT Flyer XP-4C

The Story

I bought the 3 pack Speed build kit a few months ago but haven't really done anything after a disappointing experience with the Nutball. Everytime I got the plane in the air, it would flip on its right side, and nose dive to the ground regardless of hand launching or taking-off from the ground.

I was fortunate to have a few AMA chartered clubs nearby. I joined one which had a member with experience flying FT planes. He took a look at the Nutball I built and noticed the wing was badly warped. The prognosis was that it would never fly straight. So, I decided I would give the FT Flyer a try since that's what he was flying and showed me its abilities. I was excited and couldn't wait to get started.

In the meantime, I was taking weekly lessons on a .40-size nitro trainer with a buddybox and an AMA certified R/C flight insructor, all a part of the club membership. This combined with many hours on Phoenix flight sim, I had become very comfortable with 4-channel flight. In fact, I had been doing inverted flight, knife-edges, etc on the flight sim for 2 years but was learning to fight the fear on the real thing!! It just ain't quite the same! 

The Reason

I finally finished the FT Flyer and took it to the field on a very windy afternoon to try it out. I knew it was way too windy to fly a plane like this, especially with my lack of experience! The maiden flight was scary as the plane shot high into the air really fast upwind and was almost uncontrolable downwind It was too windy and I wasn't reacting fast enough. Also, I kept trying to fly it like a 4 channel plane and was having a hard time making up for it's lack of response. I just kept saying to myself, "if it only had ailerons!".

On the way home, I kept looking at the back part of the wing trying to figure how to add them. After several raindy days of thinking about it, I grabbed a metal ruler, X-Acto knife, 1/2" pliers and wire cutters then measured, bent and cut. I removed 3 1/4 inches from the back of the wings to make for more traditional ailerons.

I put the original servos on the sides and two Turnigy 9-gram, metal gear servos on the wing, 3 inches in front of the previous location and took the cutout foam to seal the hole left from the original servo location.

The Results

Tail HEAVY!!! I've tried to balance it out but it means adding so much weight to the nose that the plane is alomst 50% heavier!

Unfortunately, the weather has been really bad here so I haven't had a chance to get it in the air to find out how it (bad) will fly.

So much for my novice engineering work! Still, it was a lot of fun and I can easily create a new one with better modifications.

At least, it's a start into a new adventure of building, flying and modifying.

Thanks!

Thanks to the Flight Test team. You guys are a blessing and your well produced videos make my day as I laugh at your antics. ... nice to watch after a long day at the office! Having co-owned a post-production company in the past, I know quality stuff when I see it.You guys rock!

Most of all, thanks for helping make the hobby fun, affordable & accessible to the masses!

Thanks to all the other followers who inspired me to attempt a mod in the first place.