MicronWings Student Flyer (Airframe Kit)

Note: We won’t be producing any more of this kit for the foreseeable future.
Instead, you can download the plans from the link below and cut your own airframe.

Plans are in PDF format (Sheet size is A4 210 x 297mm / 8.27 x 11.69 inches)
In print setting set “Boarderless Printing” and “Retain Size” if possible.
Check the test scale on the first page with a ruler before printing the other pages.

Materials Needed
1 x 4mm x 13cm round carbon rod (support rod for main fuse)
1 x carbon strip 3mm x 0.5mm x 37cm (Product Link)
6 x 28.5cm long 1.0mm carbon rods for wings and pushrods (Product Link)
1 x piece of sand paper (320 grit)
2 x rubber bands to hold wings on
* double sided tape
* Velcro dots or similar for mounting battery (Product Link)
1 x 2mm square x 45mm Carbon rod for motor mount (Product Link)
2 x small wooden control Horns (Product Link)
2 x wooden 5320 servo Mounts (Product Link)
4 x 0.5mm x 20mm Z Bend linkages (Product Link)
2 x pieces of bamboo skewers 3cm long each
4 x pieces of 1.5mm heat shrink – 20mm long each (Product Link)
1 x Gearbox 8.5mm White Housing (Product Link)
1 x 4mm prop adapter (Product Link)
1 x GWS 4540 Prop (Product Link)
2 x 5320 or 5330 servos (Product Link 5320 – 5330)
1 x micro receiver (Product Link)
1 x 1S battery (about 300 mah)
1.25 or 2.2mm Plywood (Product Link)
Depron 6mm Sheets (Product Link)

Specifications:

Manual Download

Overview:
The Student Flyer airframe has been designed with school students and first time flyers in mind. It’s a slow flying powered glider which gives great indoor performance for flying inside school halls, but with the advantage of a 58cm wingspan which also allows it to be flown outside on a calm day.

Included In Kit
* Airframe Parts
* Geardrive, Motor, Prop and Prop Adapter
* Wooden Wing Braces
* Carbon Struts
* Control Horns and Linkages / Pushrods
* Sandpaper
* Double Sided Mounting Tape
* Rubber Bands
* VELCRO® Brand Super Fine Dots

Needed to Complete
* Hot Glue Gun
* UHU Expanded Polystyrene Glue (link)
* Hobby Knife
* Pliers to cut carbon rod
* Ruler (preferably steel)
* Blenderm Hinge Tape (link)
* Masking Tape or Household Pins
* Soldering Iron to heat the heat shrink
* Sanding Block
* Small Screwdriver
* Battery Charger and Batteries
* Transmitter, Receiver and Servos
* Connectors for geardrive to Rx (or solder directly)

Airframe Overview Video

Outside Flight Video

Inside Flight Video

Kit Features

Recessed Tractor Prop
The airframe has been designed to have a recessed tractor prop protected by the fuselage skid. This gives protection to the geardrive and prop in the case of flying into a wall. Less chance of damage means less downtime and less repairs. Recessing the prop instead of simply making a pusher prop design allows us to keep all the good flight characteristics of a tractor prop setup. The boom which protrudes in front of the prop also gives the perfect location to mount a micro FPV camera.

FPV Options
The fuselage skid has a 20mm flat section on the top which can be used to mount a micro FPV setup or camera.

In the setup shown here, we have the camera mounted on the front and separated from the main micro FPV transmitter. The Aerial is positioned behind the wings.

Control Surface Protection
At schools, the airframes will usually be put into cupboards for storage after use, so this protector on the back of the fuselage protects the control surfaces from accidental bumps.

Battery Life and Flight Time
The low wing loading of this airframe allows the use of a large 300 to 380 mah battery which give flight times in excess of 30minutes on one charge. Less downtime changing and charging batteries gives maximum utilisation of the plane during the lesson.

Servo Mounts
The airframe includes these wooden servo mounts specifically designed for the 5320 SH or 5330 SH servos which match with the recommended receiver. Servos are held in with two screws instead of being glued to the airframe. Having an RC system where servos can easily be removed and swapped out if they happen to fail, reduces downtime and makes for fast and easy repairs.

Wing Design
The wing construction is quite basic and easy to complete in minimal time. The wings consist of just one sheet of foam which is bent at two points to form the air foil.  After bending, carbon rods are placed in the gaps for strengthening.

Wing Positioning
The wings are also designed to be removable, being attached with rubber bands. This allows for the airframes to be easily stacked away in the cupboard between classes.
The main wing spar also has a wooden tongue which locates into a slot in the airframe to hold the wings in exactly the right position. At the back of the wings, another positioning lug slots into the trailing edge of the wing to keep it dead straight.