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Old 02-13-2004 | 10:39 AM
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rfw1953
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From: Hampton Cove, AL
Default RE: CA Hinges on DP Extra

I posted a thread on this very subject a while back. There was a poll done and roughly 50% had a failure of some type with CA hinges and 50% didn't. The difference in the post I started centered exactly around the very question you are asking. I have a DA 50 on a Pitts 1/3 scale. I used the stock G.P. hinges that came with the kit. After only four flights two of the three hinges cut clean through on the rudder. I got the plane down with no damage. I had never had a CA hinge fail in the past, so I felt confident in using them. Now the question why did they fail? No binding so let's get this out of the way. I have always doused CA hinges with CA so this may have contributed. It was cold which may have made them brittle. Add to this the vibration form a gasser this size and I think you are setting up a problem to happen. Regardless, a 50% success ration is not a good plan when there are alternatives. Granted this wasn't a scientific poll but........ I replaced all the hinges in the Pitts with Kletts Flexpoint hinges. I used these because there wasn't much wood to bite into, or I would have used Robart Pinned hinges. The Kletts are pretty easy to install.

I continue to use CA hinges but have converted to the blue Radio South hinges and won't ever again use any CA hinges in a 1/4 scale up with a gas engine. Some guys use a crayon on the flex line and maybe not as much CA as I did. Not sure if there is a perfect answer but think too much CA, combined with cold weather and vibration from this engine all caused the failure. Yes it's more difficult to take the time to install them now and even then there isn't a guarantee, but it's easier to do it now then later, especially if you lose an airplane in the process. Now no doubt others will say they have used CA hinges in a gasser and never had a problem. Hey, thats fine. I did have a problem and simply sharing what I learned from the experience. IMHO.
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