Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Ok

Got it, so it's time for a build thread. I would hope this is of use to some folks as it doesn't come with instructions. I'm sure they are working on this.
Some of you know I am picky when it comes to arf's, so when I say that this plane is pretty good quality for an arf, I mean it. I'm shocked at how straight the wings, and trailing edges of the control surfaces are. Any q's while I do this, fire away. I'm going to take lots of picks to document things. Also weights before and after.
Mine will have the Hacker C50 14XL in it.

So here goes.

Chris

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

So to start off, I'll do weights in grams.

Fuse 890
Canopy 57
Belly pan 183
Rudder (w hinges) 52
L stab (w hinges) 109
R stab (w hinges) 107
Wing 864
Wheel pants 45
Stab tubes 25
Tires 29
Foam pack 7
Linkage rods 12
Control horns and ball link pack 27
Screw pack 29
Screw pack 31
Tailwheel assembly 12
Chin cowl mount pack 19g

2498 without gear as I will use Bolly Gear. There is room to lose weight in lot's of places.

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Other things I will use. Weights in grams again.

Hacker C50 14XL with collet, prop washer and prop nuts 577
Jeti 90 102
22x12 116
TP 2 cell 910 Prolite 46
Jaccio 6v regulator 11
Tru turn spinner 42
Budd mount front 38
Budd mount rear 9
Airtronics 92186 Pcm receiver 44
Airtronics 94758 digital servo (rudder) 58
Airtronics 94761 mini digital servo's (aileron's and elevators) 20g each x 4
Flight Power 5350 F3A 1175
Bolly gear 128
Aluminum axles (?)

SO right now, I am at 4924. Plus a few things like servo screws and arms, servo extensions, putting wiring in for a shunt, pull pull setup, battery velcro. As stated, there are several areas I can lose a little so I think I can make weight with it. Time will tell.

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Hi. Chris
You start build Element 170 Electric version.
people are interesting about your progress

Alex Shim

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

I hope so Alex. I hope this isn't all for nothing. lol....

Anyway, today I got a few things done.
The front Budd motor mount is installed. Gotta call Jerry Budd to get a rear mount still. (His mounts really do make it easy to mount this motor.) The Hacker is temp'd in.

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Chris ... looks nice ... mine is arriving in like 10 days so I been told. I am tempted to go with EP but an outrunner, will see how one can be installed. Great to see your build thread. :)

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Thanks Tianci

You can easily install an outrunner in this plane. Just firewall mount it with a mount like the Esprit Models mount or something similar. Grinding out the plywood beams would be easy to do IMO..

You will like it for the price. I'm pretty happy with it so far.

Chris

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Chin cowl was pretty easy to mount. It comes with some premade plywood pieces and a few brass keepers. The holes are all there. I attached the pieces to the fuse with c.a. They were pretty self explanatory to me. Then I screwed the brass keepers into their plywood holders. Put epoxy on the edges, and attached them into the pieces on the fuse. Then put the chin cowl on and taped it in place.

Obviously make sure no epoxy get's on the fuse or chin cowl. Don't want to glue the two together. lol

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

One more of the chin cowl.. I gotta resize my camera pics now. Tired of the 1 pic at a time limit. lol

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Now I installed the rudder horns. I had some short Mk horns sitting here, so I used them. The hole in the rudder was larger than any bolt I wanted to put in (weight saving mode) so I put in the Mk's. I did this by finding a bolt that fits the horns, cutting it to length.. Then I found a carbon rod that was the perfect size to fit the bolt in (inside diameter), the I drilled out the hard point to the (outside diameter) carbon rod. I then ca'd the carbon rod in. Then installed the bolt (again with ca) and put the horns on.

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Finished horn

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Ok so next, I took and put the elevators and rudder on with the ca hinges that are pre hinged.
I always take and bend my ca hinges in half several times so that they already have a natural bend to them. It also helps keep the hinge in the right position when pushing the rudder on.
So when I go to install ca hinges, I cut a small amount of covering away from the pre cut opening. Then I obviously bend them all, then I insert ca into all of the holes on (one surface) the elevator (or rudder) (fairly quickly I may add), then I push in each of the four hinges into the hole to the bend point, then I push the control surface into the appropriate stab, and gap it. Then I finish the ca process on the whole hinge. Usually a couple of drops per side per hinge.
Make sure to keep a clean dry terry towel available (or paper towel) in case you have a ca run. Obviously try not to let this happen.

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Then I painted my canopy Candy Blue, trimmed it to the size that I wanted (it does come pre cut already though) , and glued it on using canopy glue. Not sure I like the Candy Blue on the Element yet, need to see it outside. Although, I guess it's too late. lol

Edit: Oh, btw, before I glue any canopy over monokote, I ALWAYS run an iron over the area. That way it doesn't bubble up under the canopy. I also do this before I glue on the control surfaces. It is an ARF after all. ;)

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Chris,

Slots right in there (the motor)... are you planning to remove most of the firewall? What about the original beam mount sides - it seems pretty beefy and I'm sure you could cut away some of that and save some weight?

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Yes I am planning on removing some of the beam slots. I also thought of removing some of the firewall. Although there's no need to do this for cooling on this plane as the batteries will be either on the wing, or under the gear. So I would put clear covering over the holes that I make in the firewall.

Time will tell really. Right now I'm placing an order with Central for some hardware. The stock stuff is ok, don't get me wrong, I just like what I always use.. That's the only reason I am replacing it.

Canopy came out good. Did you notice it's the same color you use Derek? Thanks for that.. lol

Chris

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Chris - Looking great! You are going to have that baby flying by Sacramento at the rate you are going.

Keep it up,

Jon Carter

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Tianci,

Here is the A60 mount. Has a rear support also.
Sold here http://www.espritmodel.com/index.asp...OD&ProdID=4646

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

That's my plan Jon. Would like to test fly it next weekend. If I can get some Bolly gear by then.

Anyone know if Rc Country in Sac has them?

Thanks,

Chris

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

You are welcome. All I did last night was dream of finishing my Element now... you are making it look easy. [8D]

I plan to use the exact same motor/mount as you - when you used the Budd mount, how far away from the nose is the prop washer? It seems that if one did what you are doing the prop washer would be recessed and won't be close to flush with the nose.

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Derek,
I have the Budd mount right against the nose (plywood) ring that comes pre installed, and it's about an 1/8" gap right now. I usually put a washer on the inside between the mount and the nose ring to get this spacing correct. Usually around 1/16".

C

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Excellent. I was concerned because I thought that perhaps the nose ring would be too think. I just picked up my 14XL (the one that was in my crashed eXodus) from Tinky last night - he and I went out to dinner.

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

You went to dinner with Tinky? I thought you were getting married.. LOL:)

C

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Wonder what the weight is on that mount...... must be pretty substantial.

Chris, have you measured the inside clearance for batteries yet? I assume you have and your FPs will fit ok?

Woodie
Team Placerville

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Maybe he's marrying Tinky!! [8D]

RE: Fliton Element 170 ARF build
 

Yes sir Don. Batteries fit with no problems. They can be as far forward as the firewall, and as far back as the rear of the wing. No problems with cg like this.