FliteTest FT Explorer Modifications

thingiverse

These are a few of my FT Explorer designs that have significantly improved the plane's manageability and longevity. 1) Chassis - This is a wire chassis used to house the electronics within the body of the FT. It will accommodate a flight controller with a mount pattern of 30.5x30.5, where I've utilized an omnibus F4. An XT60 connector located towards the front allows for longer batteries to be installed in the nose, while an elevated section at the front securely holds an FrSky X6R, enabling antennas to be fed through the top of the plane at optimal angles. A buzzer/beeper mount is situated in the back. The entire assembly is retained by M3 screws and bolts (three mounting points), and it's recommended that you glue the nuts into the body before inserting it into the plane. THIS MUST BE PRINTED WITH SUPPORTS - I employed tree supports in Cura. The Fusion 360 file for this design is included, allowing you to make any necessary adjustments. 2) Wing Guards - The rubber bands used to secure my wing to the plane began cutting into the wing. Print two front guards; the back guard will require mirroring (you can accomplish this in Cura), necessitating a second print. 3) BBQ Skewer Mount - The BBQ skewers I utilized previously never felt stable within the foam-board and lacked sturdiness. Glue these mounts in place where you would typically install standard bamboo BBQ skewers, increasing the surface area for support. Two models are provided: one designed for areas of the plane that are one piece of foam-board thick, and another for regions where the foam-board is two pieces thick.