The Skywalker X-8 is an EPO foam wing designed for long range FPV.
The large cargo space of the X-8 allows you to carry a lot of stuff. David designed this custom 360 degree pan rig that's controlled by the rudder and allows the pilot to see all around as he flying.
This custom add-on makes the FPV flying experience much better then the stock setup of this foam wing.
We installed an ArduPilot Mega 2.5 from 3D Robotics to provide additional flying control with options like 'return to home' which allows the plane to automatically fly a designated flight pattern.
Some design issues that we had were things like the wings, which are held on with only this small screw.
This bump on the nose causes the plane to jump around upon landing.
The large wing is not designed for high speed flying or inverted flight, but the cargo space will allow for extra batteries and components which will give you the option to setup the airplane for long flight times and long range FPV.
Chad's favorite part of this plane had nothing to do with the Skywalker X-8 itself, but the custom 360 FPV panning system David setup. A GoPro rig like this would be too heavy for a TwinStar II so that is the good side of what the X-8 can do.
Though the X-8 can carry a lot of things and flies great in calm weather, when compared the TwinStar II, we'd choose the TwinStar II or the FT Cruiser swappable.
This airplane is big! It's got some unique features that can be very useful for specific FPV setups and with all of the cargo space there are all kinds of options to customize the foam wing for your FPV needs.
The airplane does well as a large FPV plane and is pretty straight forward and relatively easy to fly.
David will be flying this airplane throughout the summer and plans to give an update of how the X-8 continues to perform.
We also had a chance to try out this RF Explorer which is a handheld RF spectrum analyzer. The device helped us fix some issues he had with the EzUHF Rx Long Range UHF Radio Control Link by showing us local frequencies that were interfering with our signal.
You can see more X-8FPV flying footage here:
You can see more images in the Forum post HERE!
We'd like to thank Chris Anderson of 3D Robotics for sending us the ArduPilot Mega 2.5!
You can learn more about the ArduPilot and the other components they have available at www.3DRobotics.com
Airplanes mentioned in this episode:
Skywalker X-8 FPV / UAV Flying Wing 2120mm
Multiplex TwinStar II ELAPOR Foam Twin Engine Airplane
FT Cruiser - Twin Engine Swappable Airplane
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Please!
Great Job Guys!
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Pan system..... When is that design going to be on the site. And then in the store.
Could you fly it with dual 5.0 batteries.
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I was hoping for more information on the electronics, and the modifications you've made to the fuselage/wings to route everything. I'm also implementing a split elevon system, allowing drag rudder, flaps, etc.
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Just get a bunch of brown packaging paper (pretty thick, with high amounts of wood fibers) and white woodglue (elmer glue, pattex doesn't matter). It is water based, so you can thin it with water, I usually thin it until it just starts to drip from a baboo skewer in drops.
Now you need to soften up the finish of the wing with a sand paper, than apply a thin layer of this thinned up white glue, layer the paper on it, than apply a second layer of glue on top.
Now use some plastic giftcard or similar, to wipe of the excess glue, press it to the surface firmly, because in the meanwhile you do force the glue through the fibers of the paper!
When it dries( can take up to a day) you will have a very tough surface that is sandable and paintable! It gives incredible amounts of strengh to any foam!
Make sure you do both sides of the wing at the same time, as while drying the paper will try to shrink and will warp the wing if only applied to one side!
I use this technology on all my airplanes, and it works beautifully!
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What APM parameters did you use for the X8?
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKar5IfFJ4Y
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Thanks!
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Great meeting David at the Toledo show, sorry I didn't meet Chad to.
Anyways, did you guys find the Ardupilot Mega 2.5 difficult to set up in the X8? I ask because I'm trying to set up the OpenPilot Copter Control Board (original) in a flying-wing. It has it's challenges, mostly not being able to set expo in the transmitter and or adjust trims either. Long & Short, I'm working it out, but I sure am adding lots of Hot-Glue Repairs. :)
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(as someone who hopes to buy an X8 in the future I have an interest in improved performance of the X8, and due to being a disabled Army Veteran on army disability pay, the mods need to be cheap)..
So what is this little known method? rather than covering the wing in fiberglass, which adds weight, which will then require an even larger motor and expense, a couple master scratch builders at that time built a sweet Panther with ducted fan, with extreme detailing including perforated air brakes like the original, etc, and what they used instead of fiberglass, was RICE PAPER.
Just sand, apply, sand, and paint. you then will have an ultra thin glassed wing and body that should be an incredibly strong combination with the foam.
The main objections to the design (other than cost, and time) could potentially be addressed by doing this. in fact you could fill the holes in the nose, as well as use the foam cutter to remove the "double chin". this would also be a great build project, as well as video.
The X8 allows for using or testing, Flaperons, Elevons, Spoilerons, and Stabilator mixing (also another good video).
And personally I wish to add a large oversize air-brake to the rear of the top cove by cutting the top cover cut in half, and the rear section screwed down, and containing the air-brake. (this may be a more effective means of FPV formation flying. rather than cutting power, just maintain the power, and control speed using the air-brake).
I'm personally looking forward to hearing more about the X8, and X8 mods including what I have stated above.
Best Regards
Gary Graham
http://www.youtube.com/user/weaponeer
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Great review. I found this UAV information on the Scan Eagle, it's quite similar to the X-8. It's insane what these guys had to go through just to fly a UAV over a flooded river to look at it, permits, wavers and certifications. People buzz around with their X-8's all the time shooting awesume video as seen in the review. Check this out, quite interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPlSuEgoIQQ
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Can you make a diy on the pan servo setup. The 10 turn pot can I use something like this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3590S-10K-ohm-10-Turn-Rotary-Wirewound-Precision-Potentiometer-1pcs-/261434110974
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