Bixler 2 available now. Hobbyking promises better flight times

A few weeks ago Hobbyking revealed in a picture on their facebook that a new version of the Bixler was supposed to be coming. Today they listed it an ARF version on their site.

While keeping the features of the first Bixler (the plane is named after one of the Flitetest presenters) Hobbyking has managed to improve flight times by giving it a bigger wing area (wingspan of Bixler 1 was 1400mm, version 2 has a wingspan of 1500mm) and other design improvements. The Bixler 2 in ARF form comes with a lower kV motor that can handle bigger props (7x5 for this version, was 6x4 for the 'old' Bixler. By enlarging the canopy area you are more versatile in the FPV equipment you want to use or use a larger flight battery. Also, the canopy is clear plastic now (was black foam).

Flaps are optional. Although the plane comes with a provision to add flaps, you don't need to use them. If you still want to use them, then you need 2 9 gram servo's and a servo reverser to your cart.

The price for the Bixler 2 ARF is US$ 69.99 while you can still get the old Bixler in ARF form for US$ 49.82. It's unclear what that price difference is coming from, maybe they want to sell out the previous Bixler.

For more information and specifications see: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=24474&aff=5361

Hi Silvain,

Down & Right (up & left for pushers) thrust are crusial to counter the torque steering, as i can see from the pic, the alignment is perfect (were red line meets the green), the center of the motor mount must be the same with the props center, NOT the motors center.

Generaly, Bix 2 behaves "strange" with gaining altitude very easy, it has larger wing span but relevantly the same distance betwen main wing and horizontal stabilizer with BIX 1. Just apply 5% flaps and you will understand what i mean.

You should play a little bit more with trims for the manual flights, because autopilot will take care the Alt hold.

On the other hand if you mess with the alignment and R&D thrust you will introduce roll and yaw issues.

my motor has 0,5 deggres right thrust and 20 d down thrust from the wings chord!

Oh! did you have the unbalanced prop adapter problem too?

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Comments

Maxime Carrier October 7, 2012 at 5:24pm

After some tests today :

- 2 x 1.3A 3S = 25 minutes (but I think it remain enough battery for 3 more minutes). No effort to save power, making stunt, going very fast.

- Has gimbal + fatshark transmitter, go very well surprising

More power to the motor should be appreciated but I didn't find a way to remove it without destroying.

It take 5 weeks before testing it correctly, god of weather hate me.
T3

James September 15, 2012 at 4:27pm

the bad prop adapter costed me a lot vibrations and at least 1a . But from your description this should not be the underpower reason. I can easily lift my gopro, a 3A battery, APM and the huge rfd900. Sorry for asking, your prop has the letters looking front? Some times, Hk props doesnt have obviews sides.
i hope its just that and you will not have to buy or fix anything.
Maxime Carrier September 15, 2012 at 9:42am
Maxime Carrier September 15, 2012 at 7:42am

Just tested mine, nice but It seems underpowered if you have little payload (2x 1.3a lipo).
T3

James September 15, 2012 at 6:59am

Hi Silvain,

Down & Right (up & left for pushers) thrust are crusial to counter the torque steering, as i can see from the pic, the alignment is perfect (were red line meets the green), the center of the motor mount must be the same with the props center, NOT the motors center.

Generaly, Bix 2 behaves "strange" with gaining altitude very easy, it has larger wing span but relevantly the same distance betwen main wing and horizontal stabilizer with BIX 1. Just apply 5% flaps and you will understand what i mean.

You should play a little bit more with trims for the manual flights, because autopilot will take care the Alt hold.

On the other hand if you mess with the alignment and R&D thrust you will introduce roll and yaw issues.

my motor has 0,5 deggres right thrust and 20 d down thrust from the wings chord!

Oh! did you have the unbalanced prop adapter problem too?
T3

healthyfatboy September 15, 2012 at 5:41am

It's normal to have a little bit of offset and you have to have that. If it was straight on, the torque from the motor would really mess up the flying characteristics. Leave it as is.
T3

James September 13, 2012 at 1:26am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlALuE7Y8Y4&feature=plcp sorry! i pasted the embeded..
T3

James September 13, 2012 at 1:23am

<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jlALuE7Y8Y4?fs=1&feature=oembed&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
T3

James September 7, 2012 at 3:22am

hi all,

I added a build album, if someone wants any ideas, also some comments from first auto (guided & RTL) test

http://diydrones.com/photo/albums/bixler-2-1
T3

healthyfatboy August 30, 2012 at 6:27pm

I used to fly a Sky Surfer, which is just the same as the Bixler, but this is before they started making some changes inside the cockpit fuselage area and it was really nice and open. In fact, I had two at one point. One I sold off to someone who was wanting to learn to fly and they have had a blast with it. Other than Ultra Micro planes, this is really a great way to learn how to fly and a nice platform to automate with the APM.

My second was going to be my dedicated APM/FPV airframe but I just haven't gotten around to building it as I have been busy with other projects. If you're looking for one, give me a ping.

There is another airframe that's supposed to be released next month that should be really nice and would be great for APM's. Once I get some more information, I'll report back with some more details.

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