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Project 01

Summer Fixed-Wing Builds & First Flights

SUMMER 2025 FIXED-WING COMPLETED
Overview

Our first real club flights — assembling and flying the FlightTest FT Explorer foam board trainer, alongside a set of 3D-printed aircraft. These sessions gave us hands-on experience with aircraft assembly, CG balancing, control surface setup, and hand-launch techniques before ever turning on the transmitter.

PROJECT SPECS
AIRCRAFT 1
FT Explorer
AIRCRAFT 2
3D-Printed Planes
CONSTRUCTION
Foam Board + FDM 3D Print
LAUNCH METHOD
Hand Launch
FLIGHT RESULT
Successful ✓
LOCATION
Waco, TX
Gallery
Flight video: the plane climbs past the camera and banks across the sun
Launch video: a member throws the plane while the pilot stands by with the transmitter
A member standing in a field holding the plane overhead
Two members in a field under a stormy sky, one holding the plane up to launch
A large white flying-wing aircraft resting on a workbench in front of the garage shop
Three members in a field at sunset, one holding the plane overhead while another works the transmitter
A member in a red cap holding a dark foam plane overhead in a sunny field
Close-up of a black FrSky X8R radio receiver with its antenna leads
A yellow lightweight-PLA 3D-printed panel with ribbed lines across its surface
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