As my first 3D capable plane, I set up my new Giles 202 for insane throws.

Just wondering if this is what "3D throws" look like:

http://valak.netfirms.com/plane/Rudder Throw.jpg
http://valak.netfirms.com/plane/Elevator Throw.jpg
http://valak.netfirms.com/plane/All Throws.jpg

Not to burst your bubble but lots of throw doesn't mean a plane will 3D well. You need an airplane with lot's of power, low wing loading and large control surfaces.

What Giles is this and what engine are you going to use? While the throws look good the elevator halves look very small... if you haven't glued the hinges yet you could enlarge the elevator havles. From the looks I'd enlarge them by about an inch or so if you want it to have a chance to 3D.

Its just the little kit from great planes. http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/gpma0238.html

Saito 100 up front turning a APC 15x6 at 9400rpm. I tried to build it light and managed to get the plane without covering to 5lbs. 8oz. and don't ask me how Only weight added was 2 oz to the left wingtip for lateral balance.

You're right about the elevators. I'll probably extend them after I get used to the plane, but for now, they'll do.

Dunno about wing loading. How could I find this out?

Well you have plenty of power for 3D flying. If you are really interested in flying 3D with this plane I'd go ahead and enlarge those elevator halves now since it isn't covered or hinged yet. It isn't going to effect the normal flying of the airplane. Maybe someone with this plane can share their experiences with it and 3D flying.

Thanks for the advice WreckRman2.

Im thinking of a way to get it 1" longer in the back now

Only safe way is to rebuild them. They look very simply to build...

Go for 50% elevator at a minimum!! A 60% moving to 40% stab would be the best. It wont 3d greatly stock as it is.

Didn't want to rebuild the whole thing right away. Just trying out this quick mod to see if I have to. Original elevator size in red. 1" added to the rear, 1/2" to the side

http://valak.netfirms.com/plane/New Elevator.jpg

3dmike is right, you need less total stabilizer area and more total moving area.

http://valak.netfirms.com/plane/Ele Throw.jpg
http://valak.netfirms.com/plane/Elevator Ratio.jpg

New look at it

Quote:

The website you have requested has exceeded its daily bandwidth quota of 100MB and has been temporarily de-activated.

wups!

holy cow!

until now, I don't think I've exceeded 1MB/week

DOH, the price you pay for free hosting...

It doesn't cost me anything, but I hate when I have to pay for it.... or something

I'd love to see your pics, but your free hosting site is booting me.

Yeah, its being a goober. I didn't think so many people would look at the pics.

It won't be up again until tomorrow, the 24th

Is that a balsa reinforcement for the control horn mount?If so you really should use hardwood on all control horn mounts,especially with those type of horns.I use Rocket City horns,which are basiclly the same,and they will wobble and come loose in balsa.You should use hardwood,and drill and tap it so that the horn screws into the hardpoint.I also use epoxy when screwing them in.Just my.02.If it is hardwood,disregard this post,LOL.
Mike

Nex:

Could you tell us what control horns are that and where did you get them? They look very cool, and the pull-pull on the elevator looks very nice too.

Those control horns are Sullivan Super Horns,They are cool,but must be mounted in hardwood.They tell you how to install a hardpoint on the back of the package.They are $4.00-$8.00 a piece,depending on which ones you get.
Mike

mmm, just to add to this stuff....

I've got the plane finished and covered and I'm wanting to take it out to the field tomorrow to see how it runs, not really to fly. Anyway, Im kinda worried about my electronics. I really dont' want to run the antenna on the outside of the plane, but I can't really find a place to put it. Here are some pics of my current test setup.

http://www.valak.net

any advice?

Nex,

If you haven't made it out to the field yet - watch for violent tip stalls. This isn't just at slow speed. I have flown the full sized and several 30-40% Giles and they all have the same "gotcha". Because of the tapered leading edge, the plane snaps nice. If you yank it around the sky - especially with your new and improved elevator surface - drastic change in AOA will make the wind stall fast. The tip will stall first. Told a guy at my club about it - unfortunately, it was after he dirt darted two of them. Of course, a lot of this depends on airfoil - the closer it is to scale, the more temperamental it will be.

I flew the full scale plane for a year in competition and sold it. Now looking at modifying an old Akro to a Laser 200.

Good luck.

How do you go at modifying an acro to a lazer, they look totally different

Actually, they are very close;

http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepStephensAkro.html

http://1000aircraftphotos.com/Amateu...ephensAkro.htm

The Stephens Akro was first designed by Ed Allenbaugh and built by Clayton Stephens. Read more and see a Laser 200 two view drawing here:

http://www.ozaeros.flyer.co.uk/laser/laserspec.html

The major differences are structural and a larger engine. The canopy was changed and the turtle-deck added. The original Stephens Akro was first modified by Leo Loudenslager and transformed into the Laser 200. I knew Leo for many years before his untimely death and actually got to fly the airplane before the Bud Light sponsorship color change. I fell in love with the airplane then and still love it now. I have thought about trimming my 33% Laser 200 in memory of Leo, but it seems that everyone else is doing it. I will probably wind up sticking to my signature white, black and red with a checkerboard underside.

Thanks for that Kule, great project!! i always have thought that the lazer was the one to start it all.. cool.

Having an rare engine problem: The Saito 100 keeps dying everytime I perform a hammerhead. I make the turn at the top, dive, level out and add throttle, no response. This happened 4 times yesterday and only when I was trying that maneuver.

Anyone know of any solutions?