Kweasel,

I often prefer setting up a plane with a more forward CG. I observe that many RC modelers fly with, and many kits/ARFs recommend, a more tail heavy CG than really needed. Tail heavy has advantages for maneuvering, but reduces “feel” for airspeed. A most important thing to be predictable.

Flaps on models are very misunderstood. Unless they are some really special full span slotted and so on, flaps on a model don’t lower stall speed enough to make any real difference. For RC flying, flaps offer more benefit by improving stall behavior, like adding washout, and especially adding drag.

Problem with flaperons, as you have observed, is roll control suffers. This is because adverse yaw is magnified. Aileron input with flaperons deployed creates large differential aileron throw the wrong way! Flaperons can be made manageable by including a good amount of aileron to rudder mixing that activates as the flap action is deployed. But still these don’t produce lots of drag. If you drop them enough to start making high drag, the roll control problem gets really bad.

Drag is great fun. It allows steep approaches to spot landings, or great powered approaches. I recommend “split” flaps to anyone. They are the easiest to build. Just a surface hinged to a stick, then glue the stick into a slot cut into the bottom of the wing. The flap does not have to be exactly at the trailing edge. Just about any size, and installed anywhere from about 50% chord on back, works just great.

Multiflyer