Just want to find out opinions on using CA hinges on larger planes. I'm finishing a 1/4 scale Hanger 9 Cap and am using pinned hinges instead of the CA hinges that were included with the kit. What do you people think?

I have both the H9 1/4 scale Cap and Edge. Both have the CA hinges. Been flying both for quite some time with no problem. FWIW, they seem to work fine and are easy to install per the directions.

I watched a plane go in at 100+ because of CA hinges failing. Put a Jett 90 six inches into the dirt. The hinge itself didn't break, rather the CA came loose in flight.

I personally pin all my hinges with toothpicks to ensure I don't suffer the same loss.

My $.02

The ritual of pinning came from paranoia not to different from witch hunting in Salem. It's been years since I've seen pinning at the field ('cept an old-timer and his cub). A friend had surfaces pull out, but the hinges had no adhesive on them. Just be sure they're glued in properly and they will be fine. Guess if you pin them, you don't have to glue them!

Never had any problem with CA hinges (knock on wood ). I've got them in two 1.20 size planes as well as some smaller planes.

I agree. If the MFG supplied them, I would assume that he has done his homework. Unless he wants every Tom, Dick, and Harry who bought his kit to be pounding on his door because his hinges failed, he would not supply inferior hinges with his kits.

Just be sure to use good, fresh, THIN CA, and I always drill a small hole in the hinge slot for better wicking.

Hey Good topic,
I hate the CA hinges. The surfaces always come out too stiff and I can't get enough throw from them. Even if I do the servos are really straining to get there.
I also agree that pinning the hinges is overkill. Just plane old epoxy and pinned hinges do the trick for me. This time I used the removable pin type and used a full length of .032 wire to fill the gap. I get mondo throw just letting gravity pull them down now. A real PITA to do, but for the performance over the life of the aircraft it's worth it.
Rick

I have a GP Ultrasport with literally hundreds of flights on it and the two inboard hinges on the elevators broke at the bending point. Fortunately the the outer hinges held and there wasn't a crash (plus I had sealed the hinges with Monocote). Perhaps I wore them out and the plane is also about 11 years old so maybe the technology has changed since...???? However that's enough for me. I've been using the Klett hinges (ones with the metal hinge pin) since then and will never go back. I also find that the easy hinges are not always that easy to install.

Just my $.02

...........Mark

hmm zen aerobatics GO with the ca the kit is cut for ca just do it like nike would

just my $.02