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Lab 06 Believer identification

Clayton
Fuselage assembly & documentation for simplified assembly
Tables created for the assembly of Fuselage, Motor, Servo, and main electronics
Nico
Identifying parts purchased and their function on the aircraft
Kenzie

Diego: Motor, Electronics, and Servo installation table
Fuselage assembly & documentation for simplified assembly
Tables created for the assembly of Fuselage, Motor, Servo, and main electronics
Bella: Air-frame Identification/laid out each part individually and used the manual to identify parts

Objective

The purpose of this lab was to identify, organize, and document all components within the MFE Believer aircraft kit while comparing manufacturer-recommended parts to those that were purchased for assembly. This process also allowed our team to become more familiar with the structure, systems, and integration of each component within a fixed-wing UAS.

Overview

During this lab, each group member was assigned specific sections of the Believer aircraft to identify and document. The goal was to create a clear and simplified assembly reference that could be used for future builds and maintenance.
Bella identified and labeled all air-frame components using the manual.
Clayton and Diego worked on the fuselage assembly, servo installation, and motor/electronics documentation.
Niko and I collaborated on comparing the parts we purchased to the parts that were recommended by the manufacturer. This included creating detailed tables showing component functions, equivalents, and compatibility between versions.

Procedure

Part Identification

We began by laying out all components of the Believer kit, separating them into logical categories such as wings, empennage, fuselage, motor, servos, and main electronics. Bella cross-referenced each item with the manual to confirm its name and purpose. This step ensured that every part—no matter how small—was accounted for before starting assembly.
Table
Air-Frame Picture
Air-frame identification
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1 left and right wing
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Decorations, warning, hazard stickers
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2 empennage connecting parts
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1 left and right wing covering plate
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1 left and right empennage
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2 empennage connecting parts
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2 wing inserting carbon tube
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1 left and right fuselage
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Cabin Cover
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Parachute cabin cover
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wing connecting parts
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Fuselage supporting carbon tube. (1412206mm and 1210206mm) and empennage connecting parts
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Cushion at battery area and cushion at flight control area
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16 AWG red and black silicone wire
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Battery Fixing Board, 2 antenna fixing board
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Electric Regulating cover
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servo fixing parts(servo installing base, servo presser, servor covering plate)
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2 Motor Installing Base, 2 tail reinforcing plate, 2 fuselage reinforcing plate, autopilot locating board, wooden plate of parachute hatch cover, stiffer of parachute hatch cover
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Magic tie straps, wire harness tube
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Servo extension cable 30 cm, female and male cable 35 cm, aileron/fuel gate Y wire 30 cm
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Tail button head screw M2X10
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Plastic Latch
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cabin cover locking nail
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Screw with pads
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Chuck
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Helmangle
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tail button head screw M2.5X8
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latching hook
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Tail button head screw M2X8
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large electronic current connector, servo single-head male connectors, servo single-head female connectors
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Stud
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diameter of heat shrink tubing 2.5mm*15mm, diameter of heat shrink tubing 6mm*15mm
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ball head, link rod, button head screw M2X10, Block nut M2, l
6. Transparent foam glue - not in kit
Self-Contained: 3.0 Philips screwdriver, electric iron, solder wire, lighter, knife, transparent adhesive tape, fabric adhesive tape
There are no rows in this table

Component Comparison

Component Familiarization 2

Niko and I focused on comparing our purchased parts to those recommended by MFE. We made a table listing each component, its purpose, and its equivalent. This required a lot of research since some of the links provided in the documentation were broken. We solved this by manually searching for the parts online, matching specifications such as voltage, weight, and compatibility. This process helped us gain a better understanding of how each electronic component interacts within the aircraft—especially the importance of choosing compatible ESCs, servos, and flight controllers.

Assembly Preparation

Clayton and Diego documented each major section of the build, creating simplified instructions for future assembly. This included notes on critical installation details, such as how the fuselage should be glued and aligned, how the servo horns should face, and how to safely insert the carbon tubes into the wings without damaging the foam.
Building & Installation 2

Personal Reflection

Personally, I think this lab went really well and was not as difficult as I initially expected. It helped me develop a stronger understanding of how each part functions within the aircraft and why specific design tweaks are made.
Working with Niko on the parts comparison gave me insight into the reasoning behind different part substitutions—like why certain ESCs or servos are chosen for better performance or fit. Even though we ran into issues with broken links and missing references, we were able to overcome them by researching and verifying each part manually.
This process made me appreciate the detailed systems integration that goes into assembling a fixed-wing UAS and gave me a better grasp on how the Believer aircraft operates as a whole.

Conclusion

Overall, the Believer Identification and Assembly Lab was an excellent learning experience that bridged the gap between theory and application. It gave our team hands-on exposure to real aircraft components, from servos and ESCs to flight controllers and airframes. By identifying, comparing, and organizing every part of the Believer, we built a stronger foundation for future labs involving system installation, wiring, and flight readiness.
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