Brah – Full-House Wing Assembly Guide

Brah, aka Shaka XL, is a 1.5m / 40in flying wing with flaps and ailerons that provides you with ultimate control over your RC Glider.

This model is a long-awaited development of the original Shaka Slope Wing.

It preserves the original shape while adding some features which did not exist in the previous design.

On the other side, the Brah inherits some design decisions of the original Shaka and there are some similarities in the build process as well.

We’ll refer to the original build guide as needed.

Elevons Only or Elevons & Flaps?

One of the main features of the Brah is the optional Flaps.

The wingspan and area of this flying wing are on the bigger side, so it likes to stay airborne, even when you need to land.

So we strongly recommend opting in for flaps, as these will help a lot on landings.

On the other side, the programming of a wing with flaps, also known as a full-house wing, maybe a challenge.

There are some basic recommendations that you can use to program your radio.

But if you don’t feel confident enough, get the hand of an experienced colleague, or just keep the control surfaces uncut and build it with Elevons only.

Part 1: The eFuselage

To get started, assemble the fuselage.

The best strategy here is to get the bottom, sidewalls, top sheet, firewall, and the walls that form the ballast enclaves together.

In the case of using long-setting glue, secure all the parts with masking tape or pins and position the assembly on a flat surface under load.

Let the glue sit this way making sure that the fuselage is straight.

Part 1.1: Pure Glider?

Similar to its predecessor, the Brah allows you to build the same fuse in a powered, non-powered, or universal.

It’s up to you!

The powered version in the pictures pictured above uses the F5K powerset with a 6×4 prop

For the unpowered version, pictured below, skip the FO part to make the sanding easier.

Part 2: The Vertical Fin

This part assembly is very straightforward, just position the parts right.

After the glue dries up, taper the rear (right on the picture below) part and round the needed edges before covering.

Part 3: The Wing & Final Assembly

Before assembling the wing we recommend deciding on the servo installation options.

Please, check the original Shaka Assembly Guide to see what the standard and low-drag options are.

Also, choose if you would prefer four servos, or just two, w/o flaps.

Choosing the above will influence the parts you will need to modify further in the build.

For representation purposes, we will describe the four-servo build option in the low-drag configuration as requiring the most modifications.

Radio Settings for OpenTX/EdgeTX

Below, you will find an overview of an OpenTX/EdgeTX model setup that is applicable for the Brah.

This is just one of the options, that allow for quick adjustments at the field, especially while flying the Brah with flaps.

Also, feel free to explore the Wingy 4S template by RC-Soar.

The process below will help configure the following on your own:

1. Motor disabling switch
2. Using the throttle stick for both motor control and brakes on landing
3. Dedicated endpoints and sub-trims for each servo
4. Combined values of Pitch, Roll, and Brakes for each “pair” of flying surfaces

Start by checking that you have your stick inputs added in the INPUTS screen.

Usually they are configured as soon as you create a new model, but worth checking.

Next, move to the curves, screen and make a 2-point curve for your brakes.

We’ll use it later.

Now, go to the MIXES screen where all the magic will happen.

We recommend starting with setting up the “global” mixes, starting from CH7 and below.

You will use the values of these channels to import signals to your “servo” channels where the physical actuators are connected.

Make sure to add a switch to your RBAKE channel, to use CROW mode later on.

As your next step, add the full 100% values of the global channels to your servo and thrust channels.

Adjust the 100 / -100 values to reverse the input where needed.

Your throttle channel should also a 2-position switch assigned to it.

In, say, UP position, the channel will take the input from the Throttle stick and apply it to the MOTO channel.

The brake input to all the control surfaces will be disabled in this position.

On the opposite, the DOWN position of that switch will make the motor inactive (MIN value in the MOTO CH) and activate brakes on the flying surfaces.

After the mixing is done, go to the OUTPUTS screen and adjust he neutral and endpoints for your servos.

As soon as it’s done you are good to go.

Now, if you need to adjust the aileron throw on the flaps – you go to the “global” channel and decrease the value of it.

The same goes for all the other inputs.

As the last bit, feel free to add some audio announcements or haptic feedback on the low battery, link quality, RSSI, etc.

And feel free to use this as a starting point to create a configuration you like.

Basic Full-House Slope Wing Settings

Since the Brah is the flying wing, there aren’t a lot of settings to take care of.

Just make sure to set the neutrals and get the CG correct.

For the Elevator, it uses tiny movement, just like the smaller Shaka

On the Roll, you can go “crazy” for the stunning performance.

And for the brakes, equal the throws on flaps and ailerons to get started.

Use the above values for your maiden flight considering these are the most conservative setup.

Adjust as you gain confidence with your Brah.

And Have Fun 😉