Floppy Disc (oz13216)

About this Plan

Floppy Disc. Radio control sport model.

Quote: "Corrugated polypropylene forms the basis of this fast-building circular flying machine, designed for either glow or electric power. Despite the unusual configuration, it's a terrific flier with no bad habits. Build one today! Floppy Disc, by Glen Weber.

The Floppy Disc is quite possibly the simplest, most rugged and fun aircraft ever invented! Its simple, rugged construction is accomplished by using common corrugated polypropylene board (as used in real estate signs). The 'FD' is quite happy with a .15 to .25 glow engine or an 05 electric, your choice. Performance is excellent with either.

Construction: Fuselage: Trace the plan template onto the polyboard with a ballpoint pen. Carefully cut out the pattern with a sharp X-Acto knife. With a screening tool (available at your local hardware store) or rounded nail and straightedge, score the in-dicated fold lines between the corrugations. Fold the fuselage like a taco shell. Insert the bulk-heads and glue (use triangles to ensure squareness). Glue in the front, side and bottom doublers. Fit the firewall between the doublers and epoxy it in place. Cut out the front hatch and secure it using your favorite method (we use tape).

Wing: Draw a 24-inch diameter circle on the board using a compass, string, stick or whatever. With the corrugations running from side to side (perpendicular to the fuselage), mark the fin and wing slots and cut them out. Mark the elevon locations and cut the bottom skin only; this makes an automatic hinge. This completes the wing construction.

Fin: Cut out the fin with the corrugations running vertically. Be sure to leave the tabs.

Assembly: With the fuselage flat on the table, insert the fuselage tabs flush into the front wing slots and glue (Polyzap works best!). Work your way to the rear, pressing and gluing the wing to the tabs and fuselage. This will produce the wing curvature required for flight. Place the fin in the slots and glue it at 90 degrees to the wing. Attach the landing gear if desired. Trim the tabs flush with the top of the wing.

Radio: We used two servos taped to the fuselage sides to operate the elevons with a mixing radio. You can also use a sliding tray or Du-Bro mixer. A third servo is used for throttle or, in our electric version, a motor switch with BEC was used. Hatches are cut according to the plans, on the bottom of the fuselage. Cut these on three sides only, so they will fold into place. Tape or attach them as you like. Our pushrods (yellow inner Nyrod) were run through the corrugations in the board, which acts as the outer pushrod guides. Control horns are attached to the elevons. Turn on the radio and check the elevons and throttle for proper operation.

Flying: With the elevons at the neutral position shown and the CG in the correct place, the Floppy Disc should handle just like any normal plane. It's fast, very stable, and will fly hands-off once trimmed. It has no bad habits and will perform any maneuver that elevons permit. Landing approaches should be kept fairly short, because the airplane sinks quickly with power off. (Yes, it does glide better than a field box!)

So, if you have some aileron experience, not much building time, and want a truly simple, rugged and fun plane, build a Floppy Disc. For the hour it takes to cut and fold, you will be rewarded with many hours of fun."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction