Viewfinder
Scratch-built experimental RC electric canard pusher
Frank Horine (<REDACTED>) sent this photo of his experimental canard model aircraft. The canard is a one-off, intuitive, extemporaneous design with no plans, drawings, templates, or photos used as construction guides. Frank wrote, "Since canard-type aircraft are unique, I decided to use unique construction methods in keeping with the spirit of the project."
The airframe's integrity comes from carbon rods and tubes lashed together with electronic lacing cord tied with surgeon's knots. The frame is covered with rip-stop nylon fabric, forming a semi-monocoque structure sharing flight loads between the carbon frame, the cord ties, and the fabric covering.
The few aluminum parts on the aircraft are 6061-T6 and 7075-T3 alloy machined into component mount plates and carbon-rod coupling sleeves.
The 65-inch wingspan aircraft has 850 square inches and weighs 28 ounces. It is powered with an AXI 2208-34 motor spinning a 10 x 6 pusher propeller fed with a 2S 2,600 mAh Thunder Power LiPo battery through an 8-amp JETI ESC.
Flight times are approximately 40 minutes with 25-watt power consumption at level flight. Ground control is by steerable, tricycle 4-inch-diameter modified GWS wheels allowing operations from a grass field. Radio control is furnished by a Spektrum DX8 and AR6200 with a modified satellite receiver.
The model shares the same characteristics of full-scale pusher canards: oversized control surfaces because of the lack of propeller blast and a flat, stable, predictable stall recovery. Frank notes that it is "a real hoot to fly." Sharing in the fun is the mouse pilot seated on the canard elevator support rails. "I understand his crazy grin when I fly this model!" Frank noted.
"The open construction of the model appears fragile, but the aircraft has easily survived four hundred flights and a few crashes," Frank mentioned. "I will confess to all the crashes being pilot error on my part!"
Frank's photo was taken on the runway of the Montoya Flying Field in Alameda, New Mexico. He used a Canon PowerShot SX20 IS with a focal length of 7mm, f-stop of f/3.2 at 1/200 second, and an ISO of 80.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
