Pilot Yak54 30cc help with getting it trimmed correctlly
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Pilot Yak54 30cc help with getting it trimmed correctlly
Hello guys.
Pilot yak54 26%
mdl 35 engine.
good flier but needs a few tweaks
problem im having is getting it trimmed correctly.
I have about 3/16 up trim in evelators for level flight.
balance per there dimension-played with that some while flying.
flip inverted and it wants to climb even with the up trim in evelators-weird, you would think it would go down.
What is problem?
Pilot yak54 26%
mdl 35 engine.
good flier but needs a few tweaks
problem im having is getting it trimmed correctly.
I have about 3/16 up trim in evelators for level flight.
balance per there dimension-played with that some while flying.
flip inverted and it wants to climb even with the up trim in evelators-weird, you would think it would go down.
What is problem?
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Thats what i was sort of thinking-just mounted per instructions.Not sure if kit is built with downtrust in it. I will check that. Thanks guys. If weather permits i will tweak this week-end. Will let u no outcome. Very nice plane if i can get the sticks to feel like i want.
#5
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First thing to do with any new airplane is to measure it out. It's impossible to make adjustments without a baseline. This particular airplane should be set engine zero up or down 2.5 degrees right, stab at zero and wing at +.5. Once this is sorted out and it still carries up trim then it's nose heavy.
Last edited by speedracerntrixie; 02-27-2014 at 10:05 AM.
#8
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Yes this is correct, this is done for two reasons. First the wing needs to be at a slight + to generate lift. I set the wing at + so I'm not flying the whole airplane at +. Yes it acts opposite when inverted but most guys are used to forward stick while inverted. The second is that it allows slightly forward CG without up trim. This will help tracking in horizontal flight ( forward CG ) and vertical tracking ( zero elevator trim ). Right thrust is to compensate for torque or P factor or whatever they happen to be calling it this week. The only need to adjust engine up and down thrust is to correct for the airplane pulling or tucking on an up line. With this type of airplane never adjust engine thrust to fix a horizontal flight issue.
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So you guys are saying i have a problem with stab incidence. Wing is fixed in a pocket,i cant change that. I can possibly pivot the stab around cf tube with mods to locator pin. I dont have any great tools for checking incidence but i can figure it out.
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Nearly all of these size/style/scale aerobatic planes with hatch-canopies are jigged/designed with the fuse top where the hatch mounts as being "zero", and parallel to the long. axis through the fuse fore-aft....that at least gives a common reference measurement starting place.
To get really precise...set the plane up fully assembled on a flat surface long enough for you to measure the L.E. and T. E. of both wing and stab, as well as the engine shaft. Getting those measurements and doing a little math gets you the "real picture" of how it is.
Then, any changes can be very easily repeated, tweaked, reset to get back to "zero".
Usually those wing and stab setups are very close, being that all the cutting is done by laser CNC....so I'm guessing (and based on personal experience with similar designs) that you have a combination of two issues... ONE - and likely most influential - thrust. You need to tell us if trim changes when you change power settings in level upright flight. That is nearly always the easy way to confirm thrust (or wing incidence issues). TWO - likely the CG is wrong as stated.... and too far forward.
To get really precise...set the plane up fully assembled on a flat surface long enough for you to measure the L.E. and T. E. of both wing and stab, as well as the engine shaft. Getting those measurements and doing a little math gets you the "real picture" of how it is.
Then, any changes can be very easily repeated, tweaked, reset to get back to "zero".
Usually those wing and stab setups are very close, being that all the cutting is done by laser CNC....so I'm guessing (and based on personal experience with similar designs) that you have a combination of two issues... ONE - and likely most influential - thrust. You need to tell us if trim changes when you change power settings in level upright flight. That is nearly always the easy way to confirm thrust (or wing incidence issues). TWO - likely the CG is wrong as stated.... and too far forward.
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I am going to check all that i can. I remember having some problems with stab bolt holes lining up when i put them on. I am almost positive that the problem will be there, but until i do some checking i want know. You may be right also, it could be a combination of things. I have moved cg both way,does not make much difference. Had it more tail heavy once-but didnt like that. The Plane is a nice kit and if your just like to fly on the wing its ok.. I'm getting more into 3d and can tell this plane has a problem somewhere. 4 things that come to mine.
up trim on elevators for level flight. Invert an it climbs. Knife edge rolls bad to canopy. When slowing plane down for landing it wants to flare up taking that elevator up trim. I did not figure on having an issue like this from a new plane. Must have been built on a Monday. lol
up trim on elevators for level flight. Invert an it climbs. Knife edge rolls bad to canopy. When slowing plane down for landing it wants to flare up taking that elevator up trim. I did not figure on having an issue like this from a new plane. Must have been built on a Monday. lol
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no trim change in power . Once i set trim for level flight engine doesn"t seem to effect it through power range. Even burning off fuel load does not seem to effect it much.
#16
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Ok that sheds a little more light. Everything there except for the pull in knife edge is saying tail heavy. Usually a tail heavy airplane will tuck in knife edge. Having stabs that are out of whack could be causing that pull. The elevator trim becomes more effective when the wing is unloaded. I bet on a vertical upline it pulls too. I am in no way suggesting these are the fixes though, the fist step is to measure it out. As Bob stated, the canopy rail is usually a good zero point. Measure down from there to wing TE and LE then make sure the engine is at 90 degrees to the canopy rail. Lastly see where your stabs are. Trying to fix it before you get all those measurements is like trying to align the front end of your car by sight.
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The good news - based on all you've written, I have to say I think you have both thrust and CG issues....that particular airplane at the flying weight it is at may NEED upthrust at the engine and DOWN elev trim, with the CG moved forward. I can explain why I think that, but it will take a lot of typing. Basically, since you cannot move either the wing angle or stab angle (decalage) with reference to each other, you are forced to "fake it" with moving the only things that can simulate decalage changes...and that's engine thrust, pitch trim, and balance.
PM me w/ your email addr for a comprehensive trimming chart.
PM me w/ your email addr for a comprehensive trimming chart.
#20
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Agreed I have had a couple 40% IMAC airplanes that needed just a tad of up thrust to maintain a strait vertical. He should be able to move the stab incidence by elongating the alignment pin holes and then adding shim material to the top side of the hole. My best guess at this point is the airplane is tail heavy by about 1/2" and the stabs are positive 5+ degrees.
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Agreed I have had a couple 40% IMAC airplanes that needed just a tad of up thrust to maintain a strait vertical. He should be able to move the stab incidence by elongating the alignment pin holes and then adding shim material to the top side of the hole. My best guess at this point is the airplane is tail heavy by about 1/2" and the stabs are positive 5+ degrees.