I am working on drawing and then building a Pilatus PC7 model and I have several questions regarding design. The plane will be approximately 1/5 scale which equals a length of 72 inches and wingspan of 78.

I do not want to build a simple box, instead I want to use stringers to run from the firewall to the back of the wing saddle, with one pair running back to the tail. Then I will cover with 1/16 balsa to the proper shape. The aft end of the fuse will be built the same way. I had planned on using eight 1/4 basswood squares to hold everything together. Question, is this going to be strong enough or should I increase the size of the basswood, increase the number of stringers, and/or change the wood. And what type of glue should I use to attach all of this together, CA, Epoxy, or Poly.

Since the wing is a three piece polyhedral wing, I have two choices, build a one piece wing and transport to the field that way, or build it in three pieces with the outer wing panels connected with wing tubes. Which would be the better way for strength, and if I were to use wing tubes, how deep into each wing panel should they go, and what size wing tubes. If I use the three piece wing, that would mean that there would be a flap and aileron servo in each outer wing panel, as well as retracts and one more flap servo in the center panel. Any issues that I have to consider there? The wing will be skinned foam.

I am drawing the bulkheads and plans in Autocad 2002 LT. I am not too experiences with Autocad yet, but struggling through. When I go to have the parts either CNC or laser cut, is there anything special that I need to do to get it done. Or just draw the outline and the parts can be cut from that.

I know this might be a bit early, but can anybody give a rough estimate on weight with a built up plane this size, which will have two aileron servos, three flap servos, one elevator servo, (The elevator is one piece), one rudder servo, one retract servo and one throttle servo? Sizes are to be determined, as are the type of retracts. And engine choices, I am not looking for unlimited vertical, I would like it powerful enough, but not overdone. I have a Saito 100, but nothing else large, would a .91 or 1.08 2-stroke be the ticket?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Doug