X-100 Infinity Wing Maiden

10 Replies to “X-100 Infinity Wing Maiden”

1. Hi Mark

   Sorry the maiden didn’t go well. If it’s any consolation, my Infinity Wing had a similar fate, although it didn’t get as high as yours. Mine went straight up for a few metres, and then straight back down.

   The damage wasn’t too bad. The wings were undamaged, and only broke at the tips. I’ve managed to reconstruct my wings, as the cracks in the tips were very clean, and no material was missing. The damage to the nose section was bad, but I’ve reprinted the broken sections, and I’m hopeful I’ll be able to reconstruct the fuse.

   I’ve was in touch with Eric Hadad (the designer) during printing and construction, and he’s been very helpful. I’ve contacted him about how the plane behaved. His suggestions for the next flight were similar to what I thought – bringing the CG forward, and reducing the elevon reflex. I’ve considered a bungee launch as well, but probably won’t try this, as it adds another variable (i.e. where to place the tow hook, how much tension in the bungee line, etc).

   You’ve probably already seen it, but there’s an RC Groups thread on this plane – https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3461065-3D-Printed-Infinity-Wing-Design.

   After contacting Eric about my crash, he sent me this video of a successful maiden of the Infinity Wing –
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlcknb8bmFc&feature=youtu.be

   I think what I’ll try next is bringing the CG quite a bit further forward, having neutral elevons, and using a hard hand launch at no more than level (maybe even a bit nose down).

   Hope this helps
   Jeremy

2. Just thought….it might be worth sending the video to Eric. He may have some insight into what’s happening.

3. Hi Jeremy,
   Thank you for all that info. I did send Eric an email with the video link attached. I am waiting on his response. I agree that the center of gravity is not far enough forward. I had moved it forward 25 mm from the original position and biased the nose slightly heavy but as we saw in the video she did not want to come out from a high angle of attack. Interestingly, as she descended to the ground nose first there was still no response to elevon input. I think the flat spin was due to being tail heavy.

4. Mark, it was a great disappointment to all there that this happened. I had been the ‘chucker’ for Jeremy’s model and still feel that I may have influenced its demise.

   One thing I notice in the video is that you seemed to be getting it under control until the canopy self ejected. Al;though the remnants of the model would not allow it I am wondering if it had damaged the left elevon as it wen, or even dislodged a servo lead.

   Apart from the time and cost of printing these models I am sure that you and Jeremy will get together and figure out what it is that you need to do so we can be treated to them flying in formation around the skies over NSFC.

5. Hi Dave,
   The possible effects of the canopy leaving the aircraft are interesting. Reviewing the video again, I magnified the view of the aircraft just before it hit the ground. The right elevon was in full up deflection but the left elevon seemed to be in a neutral position. You are correct in that the condition of the aircraft after the crash cannot be used to determine if the servo leads disconnected. The right elevon was mechanically OK. The left elevon actuator arm was snapped.
   I have not received a reply from the aircraft designer as yet.

6. Hi Mark
   Not sure if you’ve seen it, but there’s a Facebook page called 3DAeroventures Pilots Alliance – https://www.facebook.com/groups/3daeroventurespilots.

   There’s quite a few videos of the Infinity Wing (a lot good, some not so good), plus quite a bit of discussion about the flights. There is one mention of a bungee launch, but no video unfortunately.

   I’ve rebuilt my Infinity Wing, and it’s ready to fly. Do you have any suggestions for the setup (eg CG, reflex, throws, launch etc) before I try flying it again?

   1. Hi Jeremy,
      I am pleased to hear you have another bird ready. I have just completed printing the body of my second. I am aware of the Facebook group but I will never have a Facebook login. So, I will never see those discussions.

      As for set up of the Aircraft I do not set reflex before the first flight. I work out what is required using pitch trim and then set it for subsequent flights. For CofG I had set mine forward of the recommended point but this time I would go double that so make it 45 to 50 mm forward. If it is an overkill she will be nose heavy but she will be controllable. I would then incrementally back the CofG off. I would also launch the bird horizontally that way you can arrest any dive and avoid stalling.
      Regards
      Mark

7. Hi Mark
   Thanks for the suggestions.

   There’s quite a few videos of successful launches on the 3D Aeroventures facebook site (https://www.facebook.com/groups/3daeroventurespilots). One of thing I’ve noticed is that in some of them it’s quite windy.

   I think for my next launch, I’ll try it in a reasonable wind (maybe about 15km/h). My thought is that the rear wings need a bit of airflow over them at launch for the lift to balance the plane, and for elevon authority.

   1. Hi Jeremy,
      I am aware of the Facebook group but I will never have a Facebook login….
      A good head wind is always easier for a maiden (as long as it is a head wind along the direction of the runway). The lift on the front and rear wings will be the same for both. The extra airflow for initial elevon authority would be the major benefit. My next maiden of the X100 will be launching horizontally.

8. Agreed that the lift increase with a headwind would be equivalent on the front and rear wings. But would there also be a ‘lever’ effect in play, as the front wings are very close to CG, whereas the rear wings a quite a bit further from the CG? I.e. would a small increase in the air speed from a headwind at launch have a significant effect in reducing the tendency for the plane to pitch up at launch?

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