How to add ballast to fibreglass floats?
03-14-2016, 05:31 AM
#26
Joe, not sure why you're arguing so hard,, this statement is wrong, since the float extent out further than the fuse, it will take less weight to balance adding to the floats, can't dispute the physics of that.
Arguing whether a plane should be nose or tail heavy after adding floats??? That's a completely different conversation,,, well that would depend on the float's design of course. But it's been my experience, that since most of the mass of the float is forward of CG, Yes it tends to make them nose heavy more often. But things like water rudder linkages, extra mounting hardware for the rear float struts can shift the CG back too, there's never one answer for every design.
Why the plane needed nose weight is irrelevant to his question on how to best balance it
Arguing whether a plane should be nose or tail heavy after adding floats??? That's a completely different conversation,,, well that would depend on the float's design of course. But it's been my experience, that since most of the mass of the float is forward of CG, Yes it tends to make them nose heavy more often. But things like water rudder linkages, extra mounting hardware for the rear float struts can shift the CG back too, there's never one answer for every design.
Why the plane needed nose weight is irrelevant to his question on how to best balance it
Last edited by joebahl; 03-14-2016 at 05:34 AM.
03-14-2016, 07:09 AM
#27
I've flown several planes off gear and when the floats were added it caused them to be tail heavy.
Hence, adding the least amount of weight possible to the front of the floats solved the problem. I could swap back to gear and the plane was still balanced correctly AND the least amount of weight was added.
Hence, adding the least amount of weight possible to the front of the floats solved the problem. I could swap back to gear and the plane was still balanced correctly AND the least amount of weight was added.
03-14-2016, 07:23 AM
#28
I've flown several planes off gear and when the floats were added it caused them to be tail heavy.
Hence, adding the least amount of weight possible to the front of the floats solved the problem. I could swap back to gear and the plane was still balanced correctly AND the least amount of weight was added.
Hence, adding the least amount of weight possible to the front of the floats solved the problem. I could swap back to gear and the plane was still balanced correctly AND the least amount of weight was added.
Last edited by joebahl; 03-14-2016 at 07:30 AM.
03-14-2016, 09:44 AM
#29
True, but assuming that adding floats changes the CG, which has been my experience, then moving batteries around would have to be accomplished each time you changed from wheels to floats and vice versa and in the ones I have done that is easier said than done.
Whatever works
Whatever works
03-14-2016, 09:59 AM
#30
Yep and iam happy to say there are to many true seaplane plans for me to build from out there so my attatching float days are over . I still tend to make room in the nose of most of mine to slide lipos foward in case i have a CG issue but so far its no problem . Back to building guys and good luck. joe
03-14-2016, 10:33 AM
#31
The OP has left the building 
I often wonder what kind of impression we leave on people posting questions when 2-3 posters get in a *issing match over something so inconsequential as adding weight or not
Remember; if you want to be persuasive don't be abrasive
Now on the up side if you go to your local hardware store they sell these neat plastic plugs for screw holes that would be perfect for plugging holes.
I often wonder what kind of impression we leave on people posting questions when 2-3 posters get in a *issing match over something so inconsequential as adding weight or not Remember; if you want to be persuasive don't be abrasive Now on the up side if you go to your local hardware store they sell these neat plastic plugs for screw holes that would be perfect for plugging holes.
03-14-2016, 10:42 AM
#32
The OP has left the building I often wonder what kind of impression we leave on people posting questions when 2-3 posters get in a *issing match over something so inconsequential as adding weight or not Remember; if you want to be persuasive don't be abrasive Now on the up side if you go to your local hardware store they sell these neat plastic plugs for screw holes that would be perfect for plugging holes.
I often wonder what kind of impression we leave on people posting questions when 2-3 posters get in a *issing match over something so inconsequential as adding weight or not Remember; if you want to be persuasive don't be abrasive Now on the up side if you go to your local hardware store they sell these neat plastic plugs for screw holes that would be perfect for plugging holes.