EasyStar Completed

The EasyStar is finally finshed. I was able to fit all of my 'current' components inside without any issues. There is not a lot of 'extra' room to fit the microcontroller board and wiring internally, so I will more than likely be attaching the electronics to do temperature, pressure, gps, in a separate detachable module. This will allow me to use other aircraft as test beds as well without having to tear apart a perfectly good plane!

Construction Continues: Organizing Internal Components

Here is a closeup of the motor mount (aircraft plywood) which I cut out to support my brushless motor. The original plans called for a brushed Speed 400 motor which was to be glued into the aircraft. Since my brushless motor is an 'Outrunner' (outer part of motor actually turns), I had to mound it to something immobile inside the motor fairing. Luckily, nothing was rubbing when I glued it all together.

One more motor mount closeup

Two halves of the the aircraft just before I glued them together

Here you can see some of the internal components (from front to back):

• The 6-Channel JR Receiver


• 500mW Video Transmitter


• Camera Voltage Regulator

The following items round out the rest of the components:

• Camera Battery


• Flight and Video Transmitter Battery


• Brushless Electronic Speed Controller


• AXI 2212/20 Brushless Motor

A New Beginning: EasyStar Construction Begins

After ordering on Thursday evening, my EasyStar (and accessories) arrived on SATURDAY! I spent a few hours Saturday and a few hours on Sunday getting the thing whipped into shape. The rudder looked awfully inadequate; so instead of proceeding how the kit recommended, I decided to modify the tail to use an aerodynamically balanced (and larger) rudder as you can see in the picture.

I discovered I was short one HS-80 servo for the elevator, so I'll be stopping by the local Hobby Shop to pick that up today.

Platform Selected: Multiplex EasyStar

The decision was between three aircraft; all available from Hobby-Lobby.



1. Multiplex EasyStar

Very affordable ($59)

Probably fits all my current equipment (propeller will most likely be too wide)

Easily upgradable

Spare parts available

2. Hobby-Lobby Wingo

Most expensive of the bunch ($99)

Landing gear

Greatest wing area (for slower flights)

Not as easily modified

3. Graupner UHU

Sort-of Landing Gear

Relatively expensive ($98)

(Honestly, I didn't research this one much)