iX5 and iX5s Racing frames

I've been told a thousand times, a frame isn't fast... its the pilot who is fast or slow.

I still beg to differ to a degree.

If you compare just the air flow between the iX5 and say the QAV220 frames its obviously clear that the iX5 range's clean lines and slender body offers far less wind resistance and allow for much more air to be pushed out from the prop.

This alone means this frame is faster in performance than alternative thick armed frames.

iFlight RC however did not just stop at a GREAT looking, robust and well performing frame. The iX5s is the beginning of the "composite" frames.

as Carbon Fiber is already a composite it might be a bit confusing but it stems from the materials used in the build of the main plate.

In the case of the iX5s, a lightweight material was used in two layers, sandwiched by two 1mm Carbon Fiber plates, which didn't just greatly reduce the weight of the plate but also added a little bit of flex to the frame, which in theory would absorb impact better.

Unfortunately in the case of the iX5s the two halves of the main plate delaminates and creates fractures and tears in either the lower portion or the top portion of the plate. That being said, you can still fly relatively well with only one half an arm attached :)

What's to come?

A new lower plate is currently in development and boasting some radically new concepts. The lower is covered on all sides by Carbon Fiber including the edges and beautifully finished. This was the one weak point of the iX5s, due to open edges, it was much more prone to delaminiation.

The "filler" in this case is 3 x light weight but strong balsa wood spars. This will ensure rigidity while maintaining light construction.

Conclusion:

My current favorite is still the Carbon Fiber iX5 lower plate but paired with a "Composite" top plate to keep the weight down to a minimum. Its a spectacularly awesome frame and hard as rock. I chased one into a tree at full throttle and it cracked but did not break, still fully flyable in its current state, which is very very impressive!

I look forward to reviewing the new Balsa version of this plate!