ORIGINAL: chadxp1
Just finished building by Simple Flier (kit) and it came in too heavy. Kits calls out 5.1lbs. Mine wieghs 6lbs 3oz. I wonder if this is too much? I can do a couple of things to remove a little wieghts but I would rather not. (everyone knows this feeling). Does anyone know of a genral rule of thumb on precentage of wieght planes should try to be within in regards to wieght? Also would it be any advantage to go with lipo over my NiMh? I would have to have some type of voltage regulator with the lipo I guess as I need to be at 6Volts.
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For once I agree with Agar, that is about kit estimates concerning weight. It is, I suppose, a marketing thing.
Beautiful flying machine. Since I have no clue as to the size and weight you actually have I will just say some points in answer to your ??s concerning rule of thumb.
For airplanes with under 800 square inches wing area, a good general of thumb is not more than 1 pound per 100 sq. ins. wing area. All have flown heavier but it can get tricky. Ove 800 squares it seems OK to go a bit more weight per 100 square inches. You have a long nose-moment arm and a relatively short tail-moment arm. I sugest you not get too slow on approaches or quick-on-the draw when rounding out.
One item that I use frequently is some form of washout for most all airplanes, especially heavy ones. I can't really determine where the end of your ailerons are. If they do continue to the end of the wing I suggest that you cut them about 5-10% of length at the tips and glue the small cut-off portion to the Trailing Edge OF THE WING WITH ABOUT 2-3 DEGREES up. If that is impractical, then at least TAPER the last 15 to 20% of the ailerons Trailing Edge to at least only 50% of the aileron's main chord at the tip.
This "washout" will make landings and tight turns far less subject to the old "Tip Stall" thing that sends many machines to an early grave, or at best a rebuild.
Edited to add: As far as batteries, I still like Nicads and Nmih. I use a number of Lithuim Ion. The Lit. ION is as stable as a Nicad. Charges hang in there. I don't do electric models and I
don't assist fire-ball recoveries of Lit. Polymer. 