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How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane

Nov 15, 2011 01:23 PM

I decided to make a quick banner for my RC plane. It was basically free, but you might need to get a few materials if you don't have them. My plane is a Hobbyzone Champ, which is a hardy but tiny plane, weighing only 1.3 ounces with the battery. My how-to is modeled after this, which is intended for the Super Cub. It is the bigger version of the Champ, weighing a total of 25.2 ounces, which is more than 18 times the weight of Champ. As you can see, I was faced with a problem.  How was I going to make the weight 18 times smaller than the one in the video?

Orange model airplane on a runway.

Materials

  • A RC plane (of course).
  • A thin trash bag.
  • Colored Sharpies or permanent markers.
  • A washable marker, any color.
  • String, any type is fine, but I used nylon.
  • A large paperclip.
  • Duct tape or packaging tape (preferably packaging tape)
  • Three to five plastic coffee straws, I used five.
  • A small metal washer, for the weight.
Yoga mat and props on a patterned carpet.
Crayola red marker on a patterned carpet.
A collection of markers on a patterned carpet.
Yoga mat and props on a patterned carpet.
Crayola red marker on a patterned carpet.
A collection of markers on a patterned carpet.

Tools

  • Pliers
  • Scissors

Prepare the Garbage Bag

When picking your plastic bag, try to pick the lightest color and most lightweight bag. Cut the bag open to make a rectangle. Find the size that fits the words you are going to use and cut it. The width can be any amount, but I found it easiest to use the length of the plastic straws.

Plastic covering laid over a patterned rug.

The cut open plastic bag.

How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
Plastic covering laid over a patterned rug.

The cut open plastic bag.

How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane

Connect the String to the Banner

There are two parts to the string: the part connecting to the plane, and the part connecting to the banner. You will need to know the two half hitches knot, so you can adjust the lengths. Here is a diagram:

Different knot configurations on a rope hanging from a bar.

I used about three feet of nylon string, but this will depend on how large your plane is. Here is a diagram on how to tie your string:

Diagram illustrating the structure of an aircraft with labels for the banner, back, wing, and front.

If you can't tell, the loops go around the wing and can be tightened. Now to actually connect the string to the banner... But first, you have to bend the paperclip. Unbend the paperclip, then bend it around the washer. The washer should be very small!

I should have used packaging tape instead of duct tape, because it is lighter. I started taping the string at the top, went to the very bottom, and then went two-thirds back up so most of the weight is on the bottom.

A piece of gray duct tape applied to a textured beige surface.

Write the Letters

First, you have to outline your letters with a washable marker, so you can correct your mistakes. I chose to write "Hi everybody" because I didn't know what to write. Then you color your letters in with permanent marker. I got creative with my letters and put designs on it.

How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane

Empty...

Colorful abstract artwork in red and purple.

...full!

How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane

The connection to the string.

How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane

Empty...

Colorful abstract artwork in red and purple.

...full!

How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane

The connection to the string.

Attach the Straws

Basically all you have to do is glue the straws evenly over the surface. This will prevent the banner from crumpling on the width, and the wind will keep the length straight.

Cut Down on the Weight!

This is the most important step!!! If you don't cut down the weight, the plane won't take off or will take off and then drift back down. No, I am not exaggerating. Why would I be, I used bold print! This is very important! Here is what I did to cut down my weight:

The banner started at .8 ounces, way too much! I cut down the length of string that wasn't necessary. Next, I replaced all of the duct tape with packaging tape. I also cut parts off of the sides that didn't have writing on it. Last, I replaced the washer with a lighter one. When I weighed it again, it was a striking .3 ounces, which is barely the weight of the wheels!

Finished Pictures

Colorful letters spelling "CELEBRATORY!" on a clear banner.

All spread out!

Wrapped items secured with string on a flat surface.

All rolled up!

Orange toy airplane hanging from a ceiling.

Connected to the plane.

How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane

This is before I reduced the weight, the coil would be gone if it wasn't.

Colorful letters spelling "CELEBRATORY!" on a clear banner.

All spread out!

Wrapped items secured with string on a flat surface.

All rolled up!

Orange toy airplane hanging from a ceiling.

Connected to the plane.

How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane

This is before I reduced the weight, the coil would be gone if it wasn't.

These pictures are taken during a flyby. They are pretty bad because it is very hard to fly a plane, hold an iPhone, and take the picture (as you can imagine).

A wooden toy airplane flying over a grassy area with fallen leaves.
Autumn scene with fallen leaves and a decorative flag in a residential area.
How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
Colorful kite flying in a suburban neighborhood with autumn foliage.
A wooden toy airplane flying over a grassy area with fallen leaves.
Autumn scene with fallen leaves and a decorative flag in a residential area.
How to Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
Colorful kite flying in a suburban neighborhood with autumn foliage.

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