mmattockx

Choices, choices... I received my Dominator kit in the mail yesterday. Christmas all over again! (can't understand why my wife rolls her eyes at the antics of grown men...)

Anyhoo, there are a couple of choices to be made in the construction. Namely:

1)V-tail or conventional tail

2) sport or racing ailerons

I figure I will go with the V-tail, since it is lower drag, looks cool, my radio will mix it and it is not a pattern plane. Sport aerobatics, but not precision. Any reason not to go with the V?

I am also thinking to use the sport ailerons (that is, they are longer than the racing ones), since I am not going to be running a Q500 engine and will not be going 160mph with it. Will I be able to set a decent low/high rate compromise that will give good low speed handling and not be stupid twitchy when ripping around? Power will be a ST40 to start, with upgrades to either ST45 or 51 as required when I get a tolerance built up.


Thanks,
Mark

daven

My Feedback: (1)

1. Build the conventional tail. It is much easier to get the incidence correct, especially if you have never built a V-tail before.

2. Yes, use the sport ailerons if You don't plan on putting a Jett or Nelson on there.

Great flying plane.

Mike Connor

My Feedback: (5)

I built my Dominator with a conventional tail but would go V-tail if I do another. The Angle of incidence can be tough and is critical on a V-tail so be careful. I also went with the longer sport ailerons and am glad I did. Even with the longer ailerons and a lot of throw it is far from touchy. Mine was powered by a 46FX and UT muffler and then a Sport Jett 46.

mmattockx

Thanks for the replies.

The sport ailerons it is, then. I will have to take a hard look at the V-tail arrangement before I commit to it, I never considered the incidence issues. I have done V-tails on gliders before, but nothing with an engine. Given the speed this thing will move out at, I will take extra care with the tail feathers.


Mark

freakingfast

My Feedback: (3)

V tails are my favorite, they just seem to fly so smoothly. I use high rate on rudder all the time because there is so little authority at landing with no prop wash (dead stick) over the V tail for cross wind landings. I'd go with the bigger engine, just don't use full throttle for a while.