Aerobird tail adjustments
 

I just replaced the tail on my Aerobird challenger. I have not done a check flight yet, but I need some info first.

It says nowhere in the manual the degrees the tail should be in relation to the tail boom, nor can I find it on-line. I tried to turn the screws in equal amounts, but I am not too sure because I could be 1/1000 of an inch off and throw off the tail bunches because of the distance between the tail leading edge and the screw mount.

Also, if the tail angles are not available, should I err on the side of too much nose down force tail adjustment, or too much nose up? The Aerobird has a good power to weight ratio so I was thinking more toward the nose down side because I want to reduce the amount of time that it has to build up speed. I think it should stop before making too much speed (thanks be to the ground....., but just this once)

Thanks for any input that I get in advance. I know tons about full size helicopters, but not rc fixed wing.....Maybe I should give up on fixed wing and go rotary...at least I would know how to rig it........:D

RE: Aerobird tail adjustments
 

If the boom and fuse has not been damaged, then level with the boom should be close enough. when you fly it, if you have to trim up a lot or hold the stick back to stay level, then adjust the tail to tip down a little. The opposite if you have to hold the stick forward to stay level.

Good luck

RE: Aerobird tail adjustments
 

Don't fret. The Aerobirds are not that sensitive to tail adjustments. I essentially ignored the tail adjustment when I had my tail disassembled. I just tightened the tail screws up firm and threw the plane into the air. No problems. Like agcatsbest said, once you fly and determine it is pitching too much up or down, make trim adjustments then. Have fun!

RE: Aerobird tail adjustments
 

Thanks for your advice. I have been waiting for a day that is not so windy for a check flight

RE: Aerobird tail adjustments
 

If you do have a problem with the Aerobird flying straight, this may be helpful.

I have an Aerobird and an Aerobird Challenger. Combined I have over 300
flights on them. I have taught several people to fly their Aerobirds. Here is
the procedure I tell people to follow to get the plane to fly properly. I
can't be sure how much damage you have done to the plane due to crashes, so
let me just offer this as a starter.

Unless you have removed the white foam that sits between the battery and the
electronics, ignore CG for the moment. Do all of your flight testing with the
6 cell battery. The 7 cell makes it nose heavy and will change the way it
flies. When we are trying to fix it, I would use the 6 cell only.

1) With your transmitter on and all trims centered, and your battery connected
in the plane, but with the motor off, look at the control surfaces on the tail
from the back. Are the movable parts exactly even with the fixed parts? If
not then you are going into a turn the moment you launch assuming the motor is
straight and the tail is straight. More on that later. Normally, these
surfaces have to be
perfectly aligned.

2) The boom between the pod an the tail - is it solidly anchored or can you
move it around inside the plane. If it moves, it has broken loose. This must
be
fixed. It will either sag causing the nose to go down or it is twisted causing
the plane to turn right or left.

3) Check the tail, especially by the rigid plastic near the boom. Are there
any creases? I had a problem with my Aerobird that caused it to turn to the
right so badly that it crashed because it would go into a spiral. I tried
everything. Turned out there was a crease in the tail that caused the tail to
flex under pressure. On launch, this could take you into the ground.

4) It is possible for the tail to shift from a severe nose crash. There are
trim instructions in the owner's manual. AFTER you have checked the other
items and
fixed or found them to be OK, try trimming the tail for more up or down force.


Other points to be aware of:

When the motor is running, more air moves across the tail so that you get a
faster response for turns. The slower the motor is running, the slower the
plane will respond. When gliding, response can be very soft.

Make sure you are launching into the wind - directly into the wind, or the
plane will be turned by the wind when you launch. Same for landing.

Let me know how it goes.

If this doesn't help, I invite you to post photos.

These are what I would
want to see: All shots are with battery in and transmitter on, motor off.
All trims to center and not touching the stick unless I tell you to. All
tests are in Sport mode.

view from nose to tail - level with the top of the plane - to check alignments
view from tail to nose - same reason

Remove the wing, lay the plane on a table on its side with the tail hanging
off the end. Place a ruler or a suitable straight edge under the body
extending to the tail. I want to see if the boom
is straight

surface alignment - battery connected, transmitter on - make sure your trims
are centered

For the shots from tail, I want you to center the motor in the frame so that
you are shooting STRAIGHT down the shaft.

view from the tail at tail height - full left command
view from the tail at tail height - full right
same - full up
same - full down
sticks centered and hands off shot.
Finally view from under the tail.

RE: Aerobird tail adjustments
 

I finally had my check flight. This thing flew like a dream. I made sure the tail was level with the boom with a caliper and trimed per the manual. Wow flying is fun when you have more control over the aircraft (I had a firebird outlaw). I did crash once because I flew it behind a tree on accident then ran into anouther tree that I thought I had enough altitude to clear. I am going to zip tie the boom in place and add a little glue where it exits the fuse. The boom pops out of its clip and twists a little to easily for my tastes. I am going to do the motor mount mod also. Thanks for all the advice, it has helped a bunch

RE: Aerobird tail adjustments
 

Use clear packing tape to secure the boom where it enters the fuselage. Glues generally do not stick to the fuselage very well. Tape works great!