Hybrid Plank Flying wing

thingiverse

A flying wing with your choice of 36 or 48" wingspan, paired with motors ranging from 50 to 160 grams in weight. The body and vertical stabilizer are crafted using a 3D printing process, while the wing is made from foam sheets, three layers thick for added durability. This aircraft features a fuselage that can accommodate various motor configurations, including a 50g 1500kv motor paired with a 36" plank foam wing. It runs on a 1500mah 3s battery and has been showcased in a YouTube video. A different version of the model incorporates an 90g Leopard motor, as seen in another YouTube video. Please note that this flying wing is not suitable for beginners, as it requires a certain level of skill to operate safely. The design allows for flexible placement of batteries within the fuselage, enabling pilots to achieve the optimal center of gravity. This flexibility also means there are no pre-designed battery hold-downs. To achieve stable flight, it's essential to place the center of gravity at 16-20% of the wing's length. Pilots can either calculate this position or use an online calculator to determine the ideal placement. The fuselage has been designed with two nose options: one with a 25mm mount spacing for larger motors and another with 16x19mm spacing for smaller motors. The rear half of the fuselage and vertical stabilizer remain identical in both designs. With a plank flying wing, center of gravity is crucial for maintaining good control. By placing the battery at the rear, pilots can fly with heavier motors, while moving it to the nose allows them to use smaller motors. The printing instructions specify that the fuselage should be printed with 2 layers width and 50% infill for the motor mount area and wing spars. The rear half of the fuselage should be printed with a brim. The joiner should be printed with 3 or 4 layers thick and heavy infill, while the vertical stabilizer is best printed at 1 layer thick with 4% infill, standing on edge with a brim. For added durability, the unit was made from PETG material, which provides toughness. The parts were glued together using superglue. Regarding the foam wing, an existing wing with a 36" span built in KFM3 style and no dihedral was used. A leading edge spar was added to the middle layer, and the bottom edge of the wing should be flat or nearly so. To secure the wing, wood dowels can be installed in the holes and heavy rubber bands used. The trick to flying a plank is achieving the center of gravity at 16-20%. Pilots will find that 16% feels nose-heavy, while 20% may result in adverse yaw. Any further back, and it won't fly. Therefore, it's essential to either learn how to calculate this position or use an online calculator. The fuselage was designed with flexibility in mind, allowing batteries to be installed in the nose or far back for optimal center of gravity. No battery hold-downs were included to allow for various wing shapes and motor weights. For landing, a folding propeller and grass field are ideal. Take-offs can be easy by using a side arm, as seen in the video. The model should be held to your side with the motor pointing out from your body. Start turning on the power until the model begins to lift, then increase the throttle to max and guide it out on its flight. For elevon control, planks can be very sensitive with pitch control, making maiden flights exciting. For most maneuvers, only a slight pressure is needed on the controls. It's recommended not to use expo in the control setup, as it can lead to unpredictable behavior. If you have a quad motor and want to try something that will fit it, you can visit Thingiverse for more information.