Introduction: How to Make a RC Autonomous Airplane
It doesn't matter if you're a beginner, intermediate, or expert in RC aeromodelling; if you love RC planes and enjoy flying them, you've come to the right place. Because in today's Instructables, I'll show you how to make your RC airplane that looks amazing and share some of my experiences and tricks that will help you get your dream plane!
Before we continue, you should be familiar with the following RC aircraft terminology:
- Precise measurements
- Becoming acquainted with electronics'
- Specifications for aircraft
There are more, but these three are sufficient, and remembering them while making will greatly assist you:)
Also, I will be sharing my design so that you can look at it for reference...
Step 1: What You Are Required
- Foam board or depron sheet https://www.amazon.com/Thickness-Polystyrene-Sign...
- Scissor & cutter's
- Control horns https://www.amazon.com/Hobbypark-W13%C3%97L18%C3%...
- Rubber wheels or some old toy car wheels https://www.amazon.com/BokWin-Black-Model-Aircraft...
- Glue gun
- Packaging tapes
- metal wires
- Plywood for landing gear
Electronics -
- RC Transmitter & Receiver https://www.amazon.com/FlySky-FS-i6-M2-2-4GHz-6-C...
- 1045 propeller https://www.amazon.com/RAYCorp-Propellers-10-inch...
- RC Brushless motor https://www.amazon.com/Hobbypark-Brushless-3-175m...
- lipopolymer battery 2200 mAh https://www.amazon.com/CNHL-2200mAh-11-1V-Battery...
- 10g servos https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Servos-Helicopter-Air...
- Servos extension and Y harness extensions https://www.amazon.com/Spektrum-Futaba-Harness-Sp...
- ESC ( Electronic speed controller ) https://www.amazon.com/RC-Brushless-Electric-Cont...
Step 2: The Fuselage
- For the fuselage, check out the above image or you can make your fuselage by taking different measurements ratios, and sizes.
- Cut two layers of the fuselage ( Image1) and join them by making the interior structure as shown above in image (image2).
Step 3: Vertical Stab & Horizontal Stab
- Now we will work on the tail section, For reference, you can see the measurements of my design.
- It's your choice how you want to give looks to your airplane.
- For more clarification look at the above images.
- Once done, Tape it.
Step 4: Assembling Step 3 & 4
- Now we will assemble the fuselage and the stabilizers.
- Make a cut at the end of the fuselage for inserting the horizontal stabilizer.
- Do the same for the vertical stabilizer make a cut at the horizontal center and stick the vertical stab.
Step 5: Making the Motor Mount
- Now take a plywood piece and mount the motor on it and then stick the plywood at the leading edge just remember the motor should be downwards; as the angle matters, the thrust will generate downwards so that lift can be achieved.
- Once done, stick more plywood at the corners for more strength as shown above in the images.
Step 6: The Landing Gear
- Now take a thicker steel rod and bend it as shown in the above image.
- Now attach the tires with the lower part and see if it's moving or not.
- Many people say that landing gears just add more Weight to their planes and they are not useful so yes it's kind of true but I personally recommend this because sometimes its too difficult to manage both the transmitter and the plane it's completely optional :)
- Once done, stick the landing gears to the bottom part of the plane.
Step 7: The Wings
- This is the most important part and this will decide your airplane characteristics.
- For making the wing take a thin steel rod and some strips of foam and stick them on the dotted lines image1.
- Now apply some heat and fold the wing from the dark line as shown in image 1.
Step 8: Assembling Electronics'
- Now we will be installing all electronics such as ESC, servos, and the battery.
- Install servos for the elevator, rudder, and ailerons.
- Install the servos and control assembly to each control surface keeping in mind the neutral positions of each control surface.
- Connect ESC to the motor and connect all other connections to the receiver such as -
- Channel1 - ailerons
- Channel2 - elevator
- Channel3 - throttle
- Channel4 - rudder
Step 9: Assembling Everything Together
- Check all the control surfaces before the fight and make sure that they are working properly.
- Check the CG of the plane before the flight.
- Make sure your all electronics are working properly.
- You can add different touches to your plane so that it looks amazing I personally love simple and classic planes.
Step 10: Maiden Flight
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FIRST MAIDEN FLIGHT !!