I have crashed models with CA hinges & amongst the wreckage found broken bits of control surfaces still attached with CA hinges to broken bits of wing & tail surfaces, in other words everything had failed around them but they were still secure. The most damaged ones were stretched a bit but not broken. I DO pin them after installation.

Some of my models are 15 years old but the hinges are still fine. I think you summed it up when you said you thought the broken ones you saw were of inferior quality, lots of vibration on most big prop driven planes as well. Use a well known brand & I think you will have no problems.

With all their advantages I would use them on the type of jets (smaller, slower) I fly.

It depends on what type of jet you fly.

For something like a Nano or Baby Boomerang, probably yes.

For a really big, high performance jet like an Ultra Bandit or Lightning, no.

- John.