FrSKY X20 Case Upgrades

January 31, 2026February 1, 2026 / Spencer Gould

I wanted to upgrade my carrying case for my new X20HD from the soft wall case to something more heavy duty.

1st up the foam insert for the provided case is really good, way better than pick foam so I needed to work around that.

1), the case

I found the modern solution in the Harbor Freight Apache cases, and foam insert fits inside the 3800 model

https://www.harborfreight.com/3800-weatherproof-protective-case-large-black-63927.html

Sometimes they offer coupons so be on the lookout.

There are some alternate online options but the size may be different than what is covered here

As for the hinge to handle direction there was a 1/2″ gap so I used some high end packing foam in a nice dark grey from my Creality Ender 3D printer for that

Speaking of witch Creality is my go to for 3D printing equipment, its worth checking out

Creality on Amazon = https://amzn.to/4kkC20b

Creality web site = https://store.creality.com/

A recent review of the machine that did the 3D printed parts on YouTube:

2), maxing out the foam insert space

The next part in the puzzle was the 4 in 1 module I got to work with most of the protocols out there,

For this I picked the iRX4 Lite from iRangeX = https://amzn.to/4k5ZMF6

I had to cut out some of the foam insert for this to fit. I’m surprised that FrSKY did not already have this area opened up as it would save them foam / cost and weight.

3), interacting with the X20 Screen

While the X20 series is amazing technology and the screen is something to behold its also alot of small menu selections for average fingers to interact with.

For this part I found a good stylus on Amazon that works well with the screen and makes it easier to use = https://amzn.to/4qcRAoe

4), protecting the screen

I wanted to cover the screen while in the case or just when sitting out side, also needed a way to hold onto the stylus in part 3), enter the cover

Designed in Rhino 3D one of my favorite Cad Programs this easy to print cover takes around 1 hour on a modern core xy machine

I had to put the FrSKY logo on it because why not, with that in mind I have it up on Thingiverse for Free = https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7285780

5) filling the void

I still had several inches to take up in the Apache case so I decided to make a storage box for anything related to the X20,

The lids I went to town and made them have an ISO grid pattern as its stuck in my head after working on Aircraft Gas Turbines for a lot of my career. Also has a kind of NASA Equipment look to it. Silk / Metallic filament is a must for this!

I have the .3dm & .stl files up on Cults3D for this one: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/gadget/frsky-x20-and-hft-apache-3800-storage-box

For all the 3D printed parts I used my go to brand Sunlu available with quick delivery from Amazon

Silk Gold PLA= https://amzn.to/4tfOLW8

Silk Silver PLA = https://amzn.to/4c2dSoY

#AM

ELA 10 Eclipse – Aircraft of the month

August 3, 2025 / Spencer Gould

This month was kind of a head scratcher to find an aircraft to cover, going back to my LSA Expo 2018 coverage https://gouldaero.com/aviation-events-destinations/florida-events/lsa-expo-2018-sebring/ I came across an auto gyro I took quite a few pictures of, the10 Eclipse by ELA Aviacion ELA is based out of Cordoba Spain selling ready to fly Auto Gyro’s.

This type of Auto Gyro with a 2 blade main rotor and fairly slim profile makes it easy to transport and store in a trailer. The slow flight speeds can open up all kinds of flight adventures.

For the US market see https://elaaviation-us.com/ for details, looks like they are based out of Okeechobee FL

The composites work on this bird was truly impressive and the metallic green color I still remember to this day.

The tandem cockpit was quite ergonomic

impressive looking tail feathers

2 Blade main mast

Show special price and build sheet, good thing I took this photo to get the name of the aircraft.

Quite a few YouTube videos on the 10 Eclipse:

I could find no RC options for the 10 Eclipse, in fact RC auto gyros are very rare, I built a scratch built one around 20 years ago, here it is next to my Century 30 hawk RC Helicopter, It flew well but needed a better rotor system for more durability.

A few plans options on Outerzone: https://outerzone.co.uk/search/results.asp?keyword=autogyro

one of the few RC turn key Auto Gyro options is the Durafly Auto-G2V2 from Hobby King:

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/durafly-pnf-auto-g2-v2-gyrocopter-w-auto-start-821mm.html

Wilson Global Explorer – Aircraft of the Month

March 18, 2025March 18, 2025 / Spencer Gould

This aircraft of the month is the Global Explorer, designed by Dean Wilson for Hubert de Chevigny. Dean was the “grandfather of Idaho bush planes” founding Avid aircraft in the early 1980’s. While Piper Cub configuration aircraft dominate most bush aircraft Avid feature side by side seating with folding wings. The front and back wing spars are aluminum tubes and have wood ribs. They also feature full flying flaperons and highly under cambered airfoils. Avid paved the way for aircraft like the Kitfox, Highlander & Rans. My Dream homebuilt aircraft growing up is the Avid Magnum (9/22 aircraft of the month) a larger o-360 powered version of the flyer series.

While I remember reading about the Global Explorer when it came out and was flying to remote destinations in the 1990’s High quality photos & info in 2025 is a hard find. I would like to give credit to much of this info to Natural Serenity’s Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122220216806071365&id=61552140967525&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=RTugGMqzoH01zmai and Aircraft Adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aircraftadventures/p/CPLfz5cBxPv/?img_index=1.

As post in Facebook and Instagram can get lost quickly or even deleted thought I would pay tribute to Dean Wilson with this article.

Here is a copy of the text from the Facebook article above:

“Wouldn’t it be great to have a flying RV? Meet the Wilson Global Explorer. Possibly the largest homebuilt aircraft ever built, this monstrous machine was developed in the early 90s by Dean Wilson, prolific designer of the Avid Flyer line of homebuilts. The aircraft was built to order for french explorer Hubert de Chevigny, and designed as a “flying lab”, allowing the frenchman to explore remote regions days at a time. (like Jacques Cousteau)⁣

⁣With a gross weight of 8,000 lb, it was powered by 2 Lycomings (250hp and later upgraded to 300hp). Considering its huge wing area, it was more akin to a powered glider than aircraft, with a cruise speed of 95 kts. Perfect for exploring down low and slow. The cavernous fuselage could comfortably accommodate a small family, and even had enough room to fit an Avid Flyer or Robinson R-22 inside. A glass window built in the rear of the fuselage floor allowed you to watch the fishies..just like a glass-bottom boat!

Surprisingly, given its mission, there are not many pictures to be found, in fact some of the cabin interior shots are screenshots from a video. ⁣

⁣Explorer 1 crashed in France, as the pilot attempted to takeoff unaware the spoilers were deployed. “Explorer 2” was promptly built, where it resumed exploration flights in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego and Bolivia. It was then sold, and also crashed during a ferry flight. Last known location is somewhere in SW France – not sure if there’s plans to resurrect the Explorer. ⁣”

As you can see the global explorer is one huge homebuilt aircraft, the sea plane configuration and twin engines allow this aircraft true global reach.

The interior space of the aircraft is comparable to an RV, fuselage like its Avid predecessors is all small diameter welded 4130N chromoly tubing.

I’m surprised Jimmy Buffet or Kermit Weeks did not have one commissioned for their own use.

Was only able to find 2 videos on YouTube of the aircraft:

Additional Articles about the Global Explorer:

https://www.theautopian.com/this-giant-plane-was-a-ridiculous-flying-motorhome-that-carried-a-helicopter-and-had-a-fireplace/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson_Global_Explorer

Dean Wilson Articles:

Dean Wilson, Founder of Eagle DW-1, Selected for National Agricultural Aviation Hall of Fame

https://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/threads/dean-wilson-aircraft-designer.16225/

Additional info on the Global Explorer is very limited, there are some wood models on ebay (proceed with caution). With a good 3 view an RC scale model would not be too difficult to do.

Solar Stratos – Aircraft of the Month

January 19, 2025 / Spencer Gould

The Solar Stratos is record breaking test aircraft that uses solar power aimed to reach up to 82,000′ with a Propeller. This is U2 / SR-71 Altitude territory. The first flight was in 2017 and the is from Switzerland.

Yanko Design has a detailed article on the aircraft: https://www.yankodesign.com/2018/07/07/stratospheric-flight-without-a-drop-of-fuel/

The website for the aircraft is: https://www.solarstratos.com/en/

This aircraft could lead to new developments and a “tech refresh” in Solar powered UAV’s that could serve as an alternate to satellites.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solarstratos/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SolarStratos

I could find no RC, Books or Merch for the aircraft however the rctestflight channel has a 16 video series on solar powered RC aircraft.

Cessna Skymaster – Aircraft of the Month

December 21, 2024 / Spencer Gould

In keeping with the aircraft of the month being of unique aircraft that are not totally common this entry is from one of the most common GA manufactures out there Cessna. The Skymaster series is a unique puller / pusher configuration I’m sure got some inspiration from Dornier and later gave inspiration to the Adam 309.

Production ran from 1963 – 1982 with almost 3,000 built. It benefited with some parts commonality across other Cessna products helping its production duration and quantity. It even served in Vietnam as a forward air control aircraft.

With the aircraft coming from such a large GA manufacture and with such a long production run there is a good amount of items on Amazon for the Skymaster.