Flite Test Explorer Speed Build Electric Airplane Kit (1447mm)

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Price: $39.99
Discontinued Online
This item is discontinued and no longer available for purchase. You may want to search our site for a similar item.
The FT Explorer carries all the simple lines, features, and characteristics that you will find with many of the most common and successful trainers, such as the Hitec Easy Star, the Sky Surfer, and of course, the Hobbyking Bixler series. The difference is that the motor, wings, tail section, and nose can all be swapped, reconfigured, or changed out to allow you to discover the performance changes of a new design. Our hope is that the community will design, learn, and share what they have created, so others can learn and grow. Just like the Mighty Mini Tiny Trainer, The FT Explorer comes with 2 wings– one for 3 channel flight and a sport wing for faster 4 channel operation. Both the B and C motor packs (c packs need 9x6 propeller) can be used on the FT Explorer to go from a light and slow trainer to a strong performing FPV platform or sport trainer.

Power Pack Compatibility:     
Flite Test Airplanes are all designed around the use of various "Power Packs" which include an inexpensive Motor, ESC, Servo, & accessory package to complete each aircraft!

Tech Notes:

Power Pack B - Offers a lighter set up, and is great for light weight building goals for trainer set up on the explorer.
Power Pack C - Increased power output, providing excellent thrust to carry the extra weight of FPV gear. Utilizes 9x6 prop. (NOTE: The new power pack style should be mounted as show in the video for power pack B)



Specifications:
Weight: 1.08 LBs (Fully assembled; without battery)
Wingspan: 57 Inches (1447mm)
Center of Gravity: 2.25 Inches (57mm) from leading edge of wing (Recommended)
Control Surface Throws: 12 Degrees
Expo Suggestions: 30%

Kit Includes:

  • Laser-cut Foam Airframe
  • Power Pod (Swappable)
  • Firewall
  • Push Rods
  • Control Horns
  • Bar-BQ Skewers
  • Velcro
  • Throw Gauge
  • Rubber Bands
  • Specification Sheet

Needed to Complete:

  • (1) Brushless Motor: Flite Test B or C Radial or Park 370 to Park 400; 1000kV Minimum
  • (1+) Propellers: 8x4.5 - 9x6
  • (1) ESC: 20-30 Amp
  • (1+) Battery: 3S 11.1V LiPo 2200mAh
  • (2-4) Servos: ~9 Gram Micro Servos
  • (1) 2.4GHZ Radio System (Radio & Receiver)
  • Misc. Building Supplies.

This product was added to our catalog on August 2, 2017

Maurice Eidson
Saturday, Nov 24 2018 (about 5 years ago)
Flite Test Explorer Speed Build Electric Airplane Kit (1447mm)
I have built several of these Explorer aircraft #FLT-1028 and they are one of the best flying (and cheapest in cost)planes anywhere. Please don not discontinue this model. I recommend this model to everyone!
Edward Malec
Monday, Oct 28 2019 (about 4 years ago)
Flite Test Explorer Speed Build Electric Airplane Kit (1447mm)
The build was easy and fast; the instructions clear.
My wing is strong; has NOT folded even thru loops, steep dives and hard pull-outs.
It's an excellent trainer. Even thou I built mine with no dihedral to make it more maneuverable, it's still easy to fly.
It was nice to have an extra wing, but I'd rather have parts for an extra nose, and a cheaper kit instead.
Maybe you could make two kits: one with a 3 channel wing, one with a four channel wing AND included parts for an extra nose in each kit?
Christopher Olson
Tuesday, May 5 2020 (about 3 years ago)
Flite Test Explorer Speed Build Electric Airplane Kit (1447mm)
Hands down the best way to learn to fly with a Flite Test build.

I jumped right into building one of their over wing planes that looked terrific, learned very quickly that my total lack of experience meant I often broke a prop and ended my flight early! So I took a step back before totaling my main plane and built up the Explorer to get used to flying, understanding a "bank and yank" control setup, and flying in light wind. This turned out GREAT! It handled a light breeze well, has HUGE control surfaces to maintain the direction you want to go, and with the glider wing is incredibly stable. The best part is, you can belly land it in a field and have zero worries about busting a prop due to lack of experience, After a few mishaps and a half hour of flying it was still ready to fly!

I let my father try it, who managed to land it in a tree over a pond! after getting it out of said tree,it went into said pond! it surprisingly floats well too! A evening to dry off and it's ready to fly again!

This is hands down got to be the best way to get into foam-board flying if you have NO prior experience, It's modular and easy to replace damaged parts, the large nosecone which would take the brunt of a nosedive landing is easily re-built and it's VERY stable in flight! I should have started with this plane to begin with, But I'm glad I have one made now!
Anonymous
Friday, Jan 18 2019 (about 5 years ago)
Flite Test Explorer Speed Build Electric Airplane Kit (1447mm)
Good job I am intreated in aeroplanes
And flytest channel also
Joel Hejnar
Saturday, May 22 2021 (about 2 years ago)
Flite Test Explorer Speed Build Electric Airplane Kit (1447mm)
I did not buy the kit, I built it from the free plans. Not a bad build, took me about a week to get it done, maybe about 5 to 6 hours of actual build time. And that's with not having a great space to work or proper tools.
I didn't have long enough push rods so I was unable to build the tail boom exactly as the plans said, was unable to us the push rod guides but I made it work.
I used a 5600mah battery which i needed to balance it out.
The first few flight attempts were not good, nose dived right away, maybe due to the heavier than recommended battery but I did have the correct CG. After adjusting the angle of the prop with some washers I got it airborne but needed full up elevator and had to through it almost straight up and just barely got it in the air.
All that said, once it got airborne and I got the rudder trimmed it flew great and was nice and easy. I am still new to the hobby so three channel beginner wing was perfect.
I made some more adjustments to the prop angle and manually rigged the elevator way up and finally on my second flight got it to fly nice and level.
I had to reinforce the tail boom with a carbon shaft zip tied to it as it was getting pretty floppy.
For my second flight I installed the Zohd kopilot and had a few hard crashes due to not reversing the rudder, oops. Got it airborne again but it was pretty banged up. The wings finally folded on me after about only 20 minutes overall flight time but with several hard nose down crashes.
The strength of the wings was my biggest concern going in and when I rebuild them i will add a carbon spar.
All in all it's a good plane but maybe mount the elevator with a little up attitude from the start.
David Beaver
Monday, Mar 8 2021 (about 3 years ago)
Flite Test Explorer Speed Build Electric Airplane Kit (1447mm)
Having built and flown a few of my own scratch-builds from foamboard, I took a chance on one of these FT Explorers. Written instructions would have been a plus, but the video os okay.
Im not quite done with this build, but noticed all the motor mount parts were not in the kit, mainly the angled side parts, and the firewall was seemingly larger than it should have been.
This is not a problem for me, but could be for those who are less experianced. I will be using up to 1300g thrust on this thing, so I was already planning on reinforcing the assembly with fiberglass and C.A. for resin.

Overall things seem to be going together well enough aside from the boom fitting way too tight in the pod... I will have to do some creative foam compression here.
I would post pics of my motor mount "fix" if I could.

The instructions are helpful. I will be able to use some of these techniques in future scratch-builds.

4 stars for overall quality being as expected...
-1 star for the missing parts that I was able to work around.
-David.

Maiden flight update:
I eeked-out a short maiden flight before dark, with scratch-built landing gear installed.
I litterally drove the thing around on the ground using the rudder for half a minute, then gunned the throttle and went for it...

The Explorer ran-out 15 or so feet and lifted off, no crazy stick corrections needed once in the air. Flight was predictable per the reviews Ive read here, it handled responsively yet not overbearingly so.
I used a 2212/980Kv/8x4 prop setup on 4S/1500mAh and stayed at 1/2 throttle most of the short flight with no tendancy toward a stall.
Landing in a light headwind, I simply cut the throttle and let it glide in, again, with no hint of stall, eased it down to a nice rolling landing on the wheels.
Rudder authority is excellent, in the air and rolling on the ground with wheels. I can see why this thing would fly well on a 3-Ch setup, though I opted to go directly to 4-Ch (aileron wing).
I would definitely recommend this bird to others that want a simple kit that flies well.

1 month update.....
All is well, except I pushed the wing too far even after adding a 5/16 x48" dowel rod during the build. It broke just past the servo and linkage. I believe that servo cut-out is a weak point with no support around it.

One too many hard climb-outs to vertical while running 1100g thrust 4S power system on a 900g plane. Still well worth the money.
Michael Easterday
Tuesday, Dec 8 2020 (about 3 years ago)
Flite Test Explorer Speed Build Electric Airplane Kit (1447mm)
This has been an great experience. Before I buy the kit and a C Pack, I've been playing with B Pack 3 Channel setup and building with dallar tree foam board. So far three complete planes, 4 wings, 5 noses, several props and finally have completed several flights. This old retired guy is finally living the dream of a lifetime. I had several issues along the way that I worked out solutions to, major one center of gravity. I bought Dubro 30" park flyer pushrods to enable mounting the servos at the very front of boom. I went sparingly with glue on the tail section and heavy on nose pieces. The nose cone I lengthened 3 1/2 inches, adding some side support and threw in some triangles to build a crush zone. Lost a battery on a brick wall. You will break the nose if a beginner so plan on building spares. I raised the motor 1/8' from plans for some prop clearance. By the way my second plane was built with foamboard from Hobby Lobby, big $9 4 in 1 sheet. Too heavy for B Pack. Nose is nice in this board and may use the fuselage section again with a C Pack. Plans now are to buy Simple Cub kit, build one of these Explorers 4 channel and finish up Sig balsa kits with glow and then with my Fokker TriPlane which is done go join a club and fly. Maybe someone will find this useful as I notice several folks have had discouraging results. I do have an AMA license by the way.
Ethan
Wednesday, May 6 2020 (about 3 years ago)
Flite Test Explorer Speed Build Electric Airplane Kit (1447mm)
This plane flew exceptionally well. I am a beginner and I successfully flew and landed the plane. It was a blast, as well as remarkably sturdy. It glides through the sky and guarantees high satisfaction. Thanks for reading my review.

Sincerely,
Ethan
Vincent Ravosevich
Thursday, May 9 2019 (about 4 years ago)
Flite Test Explorer Speed Build Electric Airplane Kit (1447mm)
Terrible. There is no way to adjust the angle of the motor mounts. I built mine and had one of our best pilots fly it, and it took max rudder trim to make it fly straight. First, I bought the smaller motor and it would barely make it over the trees at our flying field. This was listed as a good trainer. It should have been listed as a good plane to make people quit the hobby.