Hi Anya Foxy here! I am very excited today, Foxflite has reached a major milestone today breaking the first 500 page views! YAY!!!
With spring being so busy and my work cut out for me it has been harder to keep up with the blog posts but I managed to make it through the thick of it and now things are back on track!
I would like to formally thank my friends, family and you the reader for your continuing support of Foxflite!
I truly appreciate blogging for you guys!
THANK YOU FROM FOXFLITE!
Sincerely Anya Foxy! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Saturday, 19 April 2014
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
Airframe Considerations (a brief history and diagram of flight characteristics)
Hi Anya Foxy here with Foxflite! I am very excited this week to bring you part B. of the XP scratch build project! When building an aircraft there are a number of things to keep in mind in regards to design of your aircraft. What works best for one aircraft might not work as good for another aircraft so as a hobby builder you need to take this into consideration each step of the way!
Over the past sixty years or so jet designs have been getting increasingly more sophisticated and more powerful. This stems from the need to increase range, cruising altitude, cruising speeds and outward control of the aircraft.
Starting back with the Wright brothers Orville and Wilbur, there was this initial push to achieve manned flight! this has been a dream of man since before the time of ancient Greece when wise men regaled stories of Icarus and cited that it would not be possible to achieve flight.
The first flight of the kitty hawk which lasted only a few brief moments would revolutionize a bold first step into the modern age of flight. Over the next several decades this would lead to the advent of the biplane which originally was used as a scout plane in the early start of world war one. The aircraft then took another tiny step forward when a pilot brought his rifle along to shoot down German pilots.
This was the birth of air combat in it's early infancy.
Later efforts to improve upon the aircraft led to larger air conflicts and dogfighting in the skies over Europe.
During the second world war a race was on to build the most advanced aircraft giving birth to much loved and much feared designs as the Messerschmidt and the spitfire which became big players in what was at the time considered cutting edge aeronautical engineering.
In 1928 Air Commodore Frank Whittle an RAF air force engineer was credited with coming up with the first jet engines. His works were a precursor to Dr. Hans Ohain's work during the late stages of world war two.
In 1935 Ohain started his prototype of the jet engine and by this point surpassed the prototype stage to produce the Henkel HeS-3
Enter the jet age... Various designs have since then come available starting initially with the swept wing designs and then delta wing aircraft. Finally progressing into the era of the modern jet.
Each design carries with it a unique set of characteristics of which each is unique and many form the backbone of military aviation. Engine designs have also come along way since the turbojet.
Initially during the early phases of experimental jet construction not much was really known about how designs would affect the overall flight characteristics of the craft. Aircraft designs almost directly pushed away from broader more stable wings which caused a great deal of lift and stability for more aerodynamic swept wing designs to allow for higher speed. This sacrificed overall stability in favor of maneuverability and speed.
Over the past sixty years or so jet designs have been getting increasingly more sophisticated and more powerful. This stems from the need to increase range, cruising altitude, cruising speeds and outward control of the aircraft.
Starting back with the Wright brothers Orville and Wilbur, there was this initial push to achieve manned flight! this has been a dream of man since before the time of ancient Greece when wise men regaled stories of Icarus and cited that it would not be possible to achieve flight.
The first flight of the kitty hawk which lasted only a few brief moments would revolutionize a bold first step into the modern age of flight. Over the next several decades this would lead to the advent of the biplane which originally was used as a scout plane in the early start of world war one. The aircraft then took another tiny step forward when a pilot brought his rifle along to shoot down German pilots.
This was the birth of air combat in it's early infancy.
Later efforts to improve upon the aircraft led to larger air conflicts and dogfighting in the skies over Europe.
During the second world war a race was on to build the most advanced aircraft giving birth to much loved and much feared designs as the Messerschmidt and the spitfire which became big players in what was at the time considered cutting edge aeronautical engineering.
In 1928 Air Commodore Frank Whittle an RAF air force engineer was credited with coming up with the first jet engines. His works were a precursor to Dr. Hans Ohain's work during the late stages of world war two.
In 1935 Ohain started his prototype of the jet engine and by this point surpassed the prototype stage to produce the Henkel HeS-3
Enter the jet age... Various designs have since then come available starting initially with the swept wing designs and then delta wing aircraft. Finally progressing into the era of the modern jet.
Each design carries with it a unique set of characteristics of which each is unique and many form the backbone of military aviation. Engine designs have also come along way since the turbojet.
This also lowered radar profiles drastically, The cockpit was also pushed forward to allow for better vantage using line of sight. This proved a significant improvement on against the more classic forward prop designs which had somewhat limited visibility due to the bulky forward engine compartments.
continuing on.
When you take into consideration the shape and structures of aircraft it boils down to
the physics of aircraft flight. One has to do the math and decide what is best for them personally. Individual preference is key.
On a physics standpoint air is considered a fluid because it in essence acts similarly and when an object passes through the air it creates drag behind the object (fluid states are characterized by the scientific fact that they do not hold a resistance to force for any appreciable length of time, this means that forces can act on them creating dramatic effects which are observable under the right conditions an example of fluid dynamics can be listed as when you pull the plug on a bath tub or watch a motorboat along a busy river or lake as it cuts a wake. in the case of air however it is aerodynamic drag as opposed to hydrodynamic drag that follows a craft in the same function as a wake but on a much different scale.
Being that the air is thinner then water it requires a different set of characteristics entirely.
"Bernoulli's principle
states that within an airflow of constant energy, when the air flows
through a region of lower pressure it speeds up and vice versa.[43]
Thus, there is a direct mathematical relationship between the pressure
and the speed, so if one knows the speed at all points within the
airflow one can calculate the pressure, and vice versa. For any airfoil
generating lift, there must be a pressure imbalance, i.e. lower average
air pressure on the top than on the bottom. Bernoulli's principle states
that this pressure difference must be accompanied by a speed
difference." (quoted from wikipedia)
P1 + ρgy1 + ½ρv12 = P2 + ρgy2 + ½ρv12
Lift. Lift is a key factor in flight, As air passes over a surface it creates drag and divides the fluidity of the air which is notably seen in birds. When you look at a wing you will be able to observe a notable characteristic on the leading edge of the wing that sweeps backward in a broader arch then the underside of the wing
this is to create a difference in pressure which is much faster and more constricted on the top side of the wing then the underside of the wing while at the same time producing an opposite force with the weight of the wing on the underside and a much higher pressure while less constricted that is directed downward generating lift
(note that airflow must remain at a constant) this is an observable effect when you watch an eagle gliding on the wind currents during a gusty day.
The other considerations to take into account regarding aerodynamics are, Angle of attack, Centre of gravity and overall thrust to weight ratio. When you apply these factors you should have a successful build, Just remember, Stick with what works!
I am Anya Foxy logging off for today! Whew *falls over*
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
FAA regulations create grey area
Hi Everyone! Anya Foxy here from Foxflite! Many of us drone pilots have been sitting back in our foxholes wondering when we can use our drones for commercial use. well it turns out that in a recent court ruling Judge Patrick Geraghty of the NTSB National Transport Safety Board has dismissed a court case in which a pilot who was commercially filming for the University of Virginia was fined ten grand for using his drone to film a commercial for U of V's medical school at the beginning of the month.
Judge Geraghty ruled that the FAA had "failed to go through the proper channels to codify the policy into federal law" Pilots and Hackers rejoice!!! YAY!!!
the FAA policies did not clearly state regulations for model airplanes under the classification as "aircraft"
this is good news for everyone boys and girls but don't go dancing on the tables yet, this does not mean that you cannot get into trouble with the FAA for neglecting federal regulations.
as it stands it is not a crime to use a model aircraft for filming video according to the recent ruling by the NTSB.
if you wish to use a drone for doing wedding videos and or commercial use you may by law go ahead and do it. but you must still consider the FAA safety regulations that are in place regarding zone use.
"FAA regulations stipulate 0 - 700ft as zone G outside of designated airspace (stay away from airports)" and away from populated centers with a high density population that could be harmed by falling debris
this means essentially that drone pilots should at the least practice common sense and keep a spotter handy for commercial flight.
One should always look into local regulations before flying to make sure that you are not presenting a hazard to other.
To sum up some things here. it has always been legal to fly drones in the US because the wording in regards to the specific regulations regarding model aircraft (which drones are) does not exist with any clear definition.
<<<CNN ARTICLE >>>
I am Anya the foxy funkadelic Foxy from Foxflite logging out, YEAAAAA HUMPDAY!!!
Judge Geraghty ruled that the FAA had "failed to go through the proper channels to codify the policy into federal law" Pilots and Hackers rejoice!!! YAY!!!
the FAA policies did not clearly state regulations for model airplanes under the classification as "aircraft"
this is good news for everyone boys and girls but don't go dancing on the tables yet, this does not mean that you cannot get into trouble with the FAA for neglecting federal regulations.
as it stands it is not a crime to use a model aircraft for filming video according to the recent ruling by the NTSB.
if you wish to use a drone for doing wedding videos and or commercial use you may by law go ahead and do it. but you must still consider the FAA safety regulations that are in place regarding zone use.
"FAA regulations stipulate 0 - 700ft as zone G outside of designated airspace (stay away from airports)" and away from populated centers with a high density population that could be harmed by falling debris
this means essentially that drone pilots should at the least practice common sense and keep a spotter handy for commercial flight.
One should always look into local regulations before flying to make sure that you are not presenting a hazard to other.
To sum up some things here. it has always been legal to fly drones in the US because the wording in regards to the specific regulations regarding model aircraft (which drones are) does not exist with any clear definition.
<<<CNN ARTICLE >>>
I am Anya the foxy funkadelic Foxy from Foxflite logging out, YEAAAAA HUMPDAY!!!
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Scratchbuild Goodness - the materials you need to scratchbuild your way to flying
Hi Anya here from Foxflite! I am very excited today to report with spring in Alberta fast approaching we are going to be kickin it into high gear with new scratch builds, reviews and the latest flight videos!
Now I have been getting questions from some of my friends and a couple readers such as, " well how exactly do you build a scratch build, and what do personally you use for materials? "
Well my friends, I will tell you ^_^
what you will need for your scratch build to be successful can be found in any stationary supplies store, art store or big box store.
Elmer's foam board. (I prefer the laminated stuff because it is more resistant to water and that's great because if you splash down in a wet spot by accident you will be able to prevent the craft from turning to mush before your eyes)
An art knife to cut your parts out.
Jewelry snips and pliers always come in handy when working with servo wires as you may need to make corrections in the bend of the wire or length of the wire.
Gorilla glue (you can use hot glue but when dealing with heat and foam you have to be extra careful not to melt the foam inside.) I have personally found hot glue to be unreliable with a good number of reasons.
A fine paint brush or old makeup brush should be an asset in your toolbox because gorilla glue is moisture activated so you need to apply moisture as a catalyst to help the glue bond before you set the glue in place.
Now you will also need bbq skewers to help you remove excess foam from corner folds.
Lastly you will need carbon fiber spars ("ooh la la!") to help you prevent your air foil from folding over on it's self in flight. (16 gauge is perfect)
using these materials should help you get the success you are looking for in a scratch build.
I'm Anya the foxy fox Foxy with Foxflite bringing you into the small scale aviation a few days at a time!
Now I have been getting questions from some of my friends and a couple readers such as, " well how exactly do you build a scratch build, and what do personally you use for materials? "
Well my friends, I will tell you ^_^
Elmer's foam board. (I prefer the laminated stuff because it is more resistant to water and that's great because if you splash down in a wet spot by accident you will be able to prevent the craft from turning to mush before your eyes)
An art knife to cut your parts out.
Jewelry snips and pliers always come in handy when working with servo wires as you may need to make corrections in the bend of the wire or length of the wire.
Gorilla glue (you can use hot glue but when dealing with heat and foam you have to be extra careful not to melt the foam inside.) I have personally found hot glue to be unreliable with a good number of reasons.
A fine paint brush or old makeup brush should be an asset in your toolbox because gorilla glue is moisture activated so you need to apply moisture as a catalyst to help the glue bond before you set the glue in place.
Lastly you will need carbon fiber spars ("ooh la la!") to help you prevent your air foil from folding over on it's self in flight. (16 gauge is perfect)
I'm Anya the foxy fox Foxy with Foxflite bringing you into the small scale aviation a few days at a time!
Monday, 24 March 2014
WE ARE MOVING
Hi Anya Foxy with Foxflite, sorry I have not been around to post these last two weeks, things have been extremely busy with a sudden move to a new place and I slipped and fell on the ice and got a nasty concussion so medical needs have come first, ya, grr black eye :( .
unfortunately the blog had to be put on hold as well as some of the build projects until things get stabilized with my poor head. I will be hopefully able to get my XP-2 scratch build underway again within the next week or so. in the meantime though I will be trying to get as much content on the blog as possible!. I was really wanting to introduce a friend of mine and I am dying to get back into the full spring swing!
I am just one girl so bear with me while I move everything over.
more to come from the foxflite team! Promise!!!
I am Anya the foxy fox Foxy needing plenty of bed rest but I will be back!
unfortunately the blog had to be put on hold as well as some of the build projects until things get stabilized with my poor head. I will be hopefully able to get my XP-2 scratch build underway again within the next week or so. in the meantime though I will be trying to get as much content on the blog as possible!. I was really wanting to introduce a friend of mine and I am dying to get back into the full spring swing!
I am just one girl so bear with me while I move everything over.
more to come from the foxflite team! Promise!!!
I am Anya the foxy fox Foxy needing plenty of bed rest but I will be back!
Friday, 14 March 2014
Hello World ...
As an opening post on this site, I am just going to introduce myself, and my initial plans for what I will attempt to contribute to this space.
First, I'm relatively new to remote controlled flight. I haven't spent twenty years of my life building scale aircraft that actually fly. That said, it's not been for a lack of interest on my part, rather a matter of time and priorities. So, scale powered flight is a bit of a new area for me.
My interests? Broadly speaking, my interests in small aircraft are as follows:
1. Warbirds. As a child, I built a lot of balsa and plastic models of WWII era planes. Between an uncle who was interested in them, and a great-uncle who had served on a Mosquito bomber in WWII, it was a great way to connect with those two relatives.
I have long had plans to build a decent scale model of a Mosquito from scratch - but that's not something I'm going to tackle right off the start. I'm still looking for the right set of plans to start from.
2. Microcontrollers and data gathering. With Arduino and other open source hardware platforms having become relatively inexpensive, I find the idea of being able to gather raw telemetry data as well as video incredibly appealing. Since multi rotor craft have become common and economical to build, I am definitely interested in exploring this further. I am a software developer by profession, and that means that some of what I want to do is going to be a little bit complicated in this area - mostly because I want to push the boundaries of what can be done with an Arduino type device. I'll explain what I'm doing and why as we go along.
3. Non-Standard Building Materials. Years ago, I built a series of ultra-light gliders out of balsa and tissue paper. These were incredibly delicate craft - wingspans of 3+ feet, and a total mass of maybe 100g. No more than a penny needed to be used on the nose to balance the overall weight of the back. We would take these up a hill not far from my home and see how far they would fly. They would often go surprising distances, especially on hot, still days. Ever since then, I've been interested in building things out of materials that aren't "standard" - whether that's building using cardboard, or experimenting with new ways of fastening things together, I will be doing experimental builds. I ran across this the other day: The Cardboard Condor - and this is the kind of thing I find really interesting - because it violates the conventions.
I'm in the process of dredging up the pieces I need for a build (that I will actually document here), and figuring out what that is going to look like.
1. Warbirds. As a child, I built a lot of balsa and plastic models of WWII era planes. Between an uncle who was interested in them, and a great-uncle who had served on a Mosquito bomber in WWII, it was a great way to connect with those two relatives.
I have long had plans to build a decent scale model of a Mosquito from scratch - but that's not something I'm going to tackle right off the start. I'm still looking for the right set of plans to start from.
2. Microcontrollers and data gathering. With Arduino and other open source hardware platforms having become relatively inexpensive, I find the idea of being able to gather raw telemetry data as well as video incredibly appealing. Since multi rotor craft have become common and economical to build, I am definitely interested in exploring this further. I am a software developer by profession, and that means that some of what I want to do is going to be a little bit complicated in this area - mostly because I want to push the boundaries of what can be done with an Arduino type device. I'll explain what I'm doing and why as we go along.
3. Non-Standard Building Materials. Years ago, I built a series of ultra-light gliders out of balsa and tissue paper. These were incredibly delicate craft - wingspans of 3+ feet, and a total mass of maybe 100g. No more than a penny needed to be used on the nose to balance the overall weight of the back. We would take these up a hill not far from my home and see how far they would fly. They would often go surprising distances, especially on hot, still days. Ever since then, I've been interested in building things out of materials that aren't "standard" - whether that's building using cardboard, or experimenting with new ways of fastening things together, I will be doing experimental builds. I ran across this the other day: The Cardboard Condor - and this is the kind of thing I find really interesting - because it violates the conventions.
I'm in the process of dredging up the pieces I need for a build (that I will actually document here), and figuring out what that is going to look like.
Thursday, 13 March 2014
Drone that hurts people!
Hi Anya here from Foxflite and I have some thoughts to share on an article I found on Discovery news, I am rather disappointed by the level of ignorance It takes for someone to manufacture something so ruthless and dangerous as (CUPID).
Frankly everyone I think the whole thing is crap. there are better ways to dealing with society's problems then to fly up and electrocute them in the face potentially killing or maiming someone who may honestly be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
there is no honorable quality to the chaotic personal intercept drone and it if allowed to continue manufacture will become a serious black mark on the Multi Rotor industry and community.
after much consideration and attention to detail regarding the Chaotic Personal Intercept Drone, I find myself very irritated by this utter lack of common sense in even thinking that this is a good idea!.
more over this is a very damaging product that in foreseeable near future could ruin it all for everyone Be it hobby pilot or industry professional marked by a new wave of misuse and abuse that will undoubtedly be a public menace or the greater uneducated population at large.
READ THE DISCOVERY NEWS ARTICLE HERE >>> DISCOVERY <<<
To summarize my review, it is simply a piece of trash, the Developers clearly put no thought to the legality and ethics of this machine, The only people who should have something like that are police forces, this drone could be left to the hands of violent individuals who will go out and use it to maim, kill, or destroy public property.
this is Anya the foxy fox Foxy! signing off on the account that I feel sick to my stomach.
shame on you Chaotic Moon Studios...
Frankly everyone I think the whole thing is crap. there are better ways to dealing with society's problems then to fly up and electrocute them in the face potentially killing or maiming someone who may honestly be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
there is no honorable quality to the chaotic personal intercept drone and it if allowed to continue manufacture will become a serious black mark on the Multi Rotor industry and community.
after much consideration and attention to detail regarding the Chaotic Personal Intercept Drone, I find myself very irritated by this utter lack of common sense in even thinking that this is a good idea!.
more over this is a very damaging product that in foreseeable near future could ruin it all for everyone Be it hobby pilot or industry professional marked by a new wave of misuse and abuse that will undoubtedly be a public menace or the greater uneducated population at large.
READ THE DISCOVERY NEWS ARTICLE HERE >>> DISCOVERY <<<
To summarize my review, it is simply a piece of trash, the Developers clearly put no thought to the legality and ethics of this machine, The only people who should have something like that are police forces, this drone could be left to the hands of violent individuals who will go out and use it to maim, kill, or destroy public property.
this is Anya the foxy fox Foxy! signing off on the account that I feel sick to my stomach.
shame on you Chaotic Moon Studios...
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