Greg Covey

Hi,

I built my E-flite Tensor 4D with the new Esskay [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/brushless-skatty.htm]400XT[/link] motor and the new Jeti Advance PLUS controllers soon to be sold at [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/index.htm]Hobby Lobby[/link].

Greg Covey

The new [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/jetiblue.htm]Jeti Advance PLUS[/link] ESCs have 6 programmable features that can all be very easily programmed from a jumper programming card.

You simply set the jumpers, plug the ESC control cable into the card and power up the ESC. In one second, you hear a single beep that says the card is done programming the ESC. Now you can go fly!

Greg Covey

My Tensor was built stock per the manual. I mostly used odor-free CA and kicker to glue the parts. I used some epoxy for the motor mount and the landing gear. The carbon rods really make this biplane rugged!

All up, I weighed 8.5oz without a battery pack. My 2-cell Thunderpower 860mAh pack weighs 1.5oz so my Tensor is RTF at 10.0oz.

The Esskay 400XT weighs about 1.5oz and can run on either a 2-cell or 3-cell Lithium pack when using an APC 10x4.7 SF prop.

Here are my current measurements:
[ul][*] 6.8amps with 2-cell Lithium pack (1.5oz)[*] 12amps with 3-cell Lithium pack (2.3oz)
[/ul]

This meant that the Thunderpower 860mAh cells would be a good fit. I could use the 2-cell pack for indoor flying and the 3-cell pack for unbelievable power when outdoor flying. With the 2-cell pack, the thrust appeared to equal the plane weight at about 2/3 throttle.

Greg Covey

...

Greg Covey

The [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/jetiblue.htm]Jeti Advance PLUS[/link] ESCs are now available at Hobby Lobby.

Greg Covey

I had a chance to maiden my Tensor yesterday in an empty parking lot. It flew great on either a 2-cell or 3-cell ThunderPower 860mAh pack. The plane could hover on either pack but it would really move out into the air with the 3-cell pack!

I'm glad that I could test fly it outdoors first before flying it in a gym because the turning response is a real learning curve. It basically forces you to learn to add rudder on the turns. I did, however, discover that it will not slide when on a knife edge so you can turn it 90 degrees with the ailerons and pull up on the elevator to swing it around before turning it 90 degrees in either direction for upright or inverted.

I also tried the logarithmic throttle setting since it was so easy to change back and forth on the Jeti PLUS ESC. This seemed to provide a more consistent power change over the full range of throttle.

This plane is a real hoot!

Shortman

My Feedback: (21)

Hey Greg you were at the AMA convention show in Ontario weren't you? I could have swore I saw you there, anyways I hope you are able to go out to the RCX show and do some flying with Josh and I. The tensor is an absolute awesome precision 3D plane.

Greg Covey

Hi Steven,

No, I missed that convention but apparently my stand-in was there because you weren't the only one that thought they saw me.

The Tensor is still freaking me out a bit but I got a couple more flights on it before the Super Bowl yesterday. I should be ok to fly it indoors next weekend at our local event but i'll have our local hover master, Devin, give it a full workout and check the setup.

Regards.

Devin McGrath

Glad to Greg sounds good. at the cubs roast i got the award for most improved pilot and 3d master lol

Greg Covey

Here are a few photos of Devin hovering his 7oz Tensor. He also hovered my more powerful 10oz Tensor on a 2-cell pack and commented that their was not much difference. On a 3-cell pack, my Tensor is even more ballistic for outdoor flying. The power and study design make this plane a very dynamic flyer for both indoor and outdoor flying.

I'll post a video of Devin hovering his Tensor indoors later this week.

Greg Covey

Here is a short video of Devin having some fun with his Tensor 4D.

[link=http://www.gregcovey.com/rcu2/AeroFlakes2_13_05e.wmv]AeroFlakes 02/13/2005 Devin McGrath Tensor 4D[/link] (1.5meg)

Greg Covey

Devin shows off his Tensor 4D plane even more.

[link=http://www.gregcovey.com/rcu2/AeroFlakes1_9_05b.wmv]AeroFlakes 01/09/2005 Video2[/link] (2.8meg)

Devin McGrath

the first video listed is flying at 6.9 oz with a 3 cell pack and the second video there is only on 2 cells at 6.4 oz

Yogi

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Greg, Could you list the equipment used in Devin's Tensor to come out at 7 ounces. Nice flying in the video it looks very light in the air just so smooth! Thanks Yogi

Devin McGrath

well sure this is the first time these have been "released" on the Internet but its really no secret its just all light stuff ....

[ul][*] AXI 2204/54 [*] CC Phoenix-10 speed controller [*] GWS R4-P Rx. [*] Blue Arrow 3.6g servos for rudder & elevator [*] GWS Pico servo for ailerons (really needs an HS-55)[*] Kokam 340mAh 3-cell pack (this brought mine to 6.9 oz)[*] Kokam 340mAh 2-cell pack (it was 6.4 or 6.5 after some repeated gluing)
[/ul]

Also build very light i almost used none of the original hardware in the tensor it's not going to get to 7 oz on this set up without some serious work in keeping it light

Greg Covey

A few notes on the Tensors.

We haven't seen the significant difference in performance of various weight Tensors like we did with the Shock Flyers. It is our belief that this is due to the Tensor's larger wing area and stabile box-like design. A 3oz diffference is noticable on the Shock Flyer but seemed much less noticable on the Tensor.

Greg Covey

Eric Powers hovers my Tensor on a 2-cell Lithium pack. While flying around the gym, the Tensor ran into a GWS Tiger Moth going the wrong way. We thought about trying to fly the Tensor with the Tiger Moth wing jammed into it but decided against it.

Devin McGrath hovers over to inspect the damage.

Devin McGrath

yea it was a demolition derby on Saturday rit should be better

kctrading

My Feedback: (2)

Hey Greg...what kind of max thrust will this motor make with the proper prop?

Ken

young gun 2

My Feedback: (1)

do you think that the esskay 400 xt will work for the ultrafly outrage if it is abour 11 oz. with a 640 mAh 3 cell lipo?