Coyote II - Compact Long Range FPV Aircraft Kits

The Coyote II is a compact long range FPV capable airframe kit.
 
This kit includes the laser cut cardboard components to build Coyote II airframes.  The 3D printed parts may either be printed by you, or provided with the kits as described below.
 
Why multiple kits?
 
Experience has taught me that shipping a single kit will most likely get damaged in transit and is costly due to the size of the kit and packaging needed to protect it.  Bundling kits saves on shipping and allows for better shipped package rigidity.  Two kits ships nicely - but four or eight kits fit in the same box and ships for roughly the same price.
 
Plus it's nice to have extras - I figure one is just to learn - if you make it into a complete flying plane - great!  If not - use it as a learning experience, and any unused parts as spares.
 
The second airframe build line of sight.  Fly it as a conventional RC plane and learn how planks fly.  Mine flies great and balances on the CG marks with a 2200 4s lipo, and is a great park flyer.  It reinforces what you'll be doing in manual mode with a flight controller.  If things go well with it - maybe throw in one of the new, cheap digital FPV systems using the FPV Camera and VTX mount.
 
The third airframe gives you a chance to install a flight controller.  Set this up with a GPS, and give it some good Li-Ion batteries.  If you use 21700 Li-Ion cells like I do - you'll get an incredible long range ship.  You're going to love it - and if you nail the CG and takeoff trim every time, you'll have a great experience.  Remember - DO NOT ENABLE continuous servo auto trim.  Doing so will remove your takeoff trim - and you'll crash on takeoff on your second flight.  Get that plane flying nicely, and then swap in an FPV camera (camera's are easy to swap).  Enjoy your new long range FPV plank!
 
Lessons learned - now build that really clean ship.  Put it all together on that last airframe - and you've got a perfect plane.
 
Additionally, included are the basic 3d printed parts which will allow you to complete 1 FPV aircraft, and 1 Non FPV (Line of Sight) Aircraft.  Included 3d Printed parts are:
 
4 pairs of Flight Control Horns
2 Motor Mounts
1 Nose Ballast Latch (for a line of sight build)
1 FPV VTX Mount  (DJI O4, BetaFPV Digital VTX, Caddx Ascent Lite)
1 FPV Camera Mount (DJI O4, BetaFPV Digital VTX, Caddx Ascent Lite)
2 Nose Hatch FWD Attach Plates
2 Nose Hatch AFT Sliding Vents
 
These materials will help you sequentially build and fly all four kits.  Yes, that means you'll re-use parts from previous planes on your next build.  Or - 3d print your own parts and fly them all simultaneously (and save on kits).
 
There are many more 3d printed parts, but as my printer time is limited - they will be supplied as digital files to be printed by you.
 
What's the Coyote II like to fly?
 
This is not a plane for new pilots.  While it's handling characteristics are straight forward - IMHO - new pilots would be better served with conventional trainers to learn the fundamentals of flight before moving onto more challenging aircraft such as this.
 
I cannot stress enough: This plane can be built (and should) as a line of sight aircraft first.  That way you can learn the characteristics and challenges of pushers, flat (KFM-esq) plate wings, and the limitations and compromises of cardboard planks.  Unlike traditional tractor aircraft (propeller in the front) - pushers rely on airspeed (rather than propeller induced airflow) to increase flight control response.  This plane flies more like a ducted fan or a turbine in that regard - speed gives you better control.
 
After you can manage it as a line of sight plane - then build it with a FPV system and a flight controller - as this is when it really shines.  Sure, it'll be a heavier operating weight - requiring a better launch and higher speeds - but it really is fun to let it stretch it's legs in cruise mode or flying autonomously.  You'll be able to push the limits of your RC/Telemetry and video links, and you'll understand the appeal of this planes efficiency and simplicity.  It's an remarkably capable plane in a small package.
 
That said - this is not a plane for those seeking acrobatics and high stress maneuvering.  It's designed to be quick and easy to build, and a sedate, efficient cruiser for simple long range flying.  There are no hidden spars - no buried carbon rods - this is a cardboard plane.  It flies remarkably well and very efficiently within it's flight envelope - but if you push it beyond it's planned loading - it will fail catastrophically at the worst possible moment and in the most expensive way.
 
It's a form follows function plane.  It's not designed to look like anything else - every design decision was made to simplify, allow for ease of modification, and to be easily built.  I did not design it for you - I made it for me, because I'm a nerd, and I like to explore the world around me from the air, and run other experiments on a cheap, simple to build platform.   Well over a hundred build and design changes have distilled this plane to what it is today.
 
If you respect it's CG, set your takeoff trims, secure your equipment and fly within your abilities - you're going to love it.  If you're careful with your processes, use common sense, and methodical in your pre-flights - she'll serve you well and reward you with reliable, enjoyable flights time after time.
 
Even with a hangar full of planes to choose from - this is the one I choose 99% of the time because of the simple joy it brings me and its balance of capability and convenience.
 
I hope you enjoy it.
 
bt