dougwill...

Thrust readings: I just take my trusty, super accurate, digital fish scale and hook it to the plane. Do not use bungy cords. (don't ask how I know this) I use a motor cycle tie down strap. I loop it under the elevators and over the fuse and bring the hooks together and hook them in the scale. One problem I had was you need to make certain the slack and weight is taken up and off the plane, or your readings will be off. I try to get it in a position, on concrete where I can loosly pull the plane backwards (works best with 2 people) That way I give a smooth steady pull until the plane moves backwards. At that point is where I read the thurst rating. Works very good, is easy to use, portable, fun, cheap, informative, competitive, creative, logical, smooth, uplifting, disappointing, clever, fast, and something everybody at the field wants you to do with their plane. Nice though because you can change a prob and instantly tell the change in thrust (surprising) or change fuel nitro content or make your buddy feel bad when he thinks he has 11 lbs of thrust and in reality it's only 9.

Thanks
Barry