ORIGINAL: SNIGGEMANN
I am looking for some opinions and information on the Ryan STA kit by SIG. I am currently working on one that I purchased from a local swap shop. I have read some rather disturbing news about its design. A few posts that indicate the plane is not a good flyer and will probably crash! That is the reason SIG no longer offers the kit. I am wondering if I should even complete the project as I don't want a static model to look at I want to fly what I am building. There was also some mention of the real need to install all the flying wires that are indicated on the plan. I originally was not going to install them but now I'm not sure if that is a good idea. Anyone with experience with this kit please give me some advice.
The STA kit was designed by Maxey Hester. I have built several of them and they are great flying models. I think that the reason that they became unpopular was due to the proliferation of the ARF. You can actually get your hands on an ARF of this model, and while the construction (as with all ARF's) is suspect, it is easier for most people to have one that someone else built than to get deeply into a true builder's kit. Every one of these that I have built had a line of folks waiting to buy it before it was finished. As I said, they fly great, but as was posted earlier in this thread, be careful that you do not build in a loop antenna when doing the flying wires. I did not use the normal cloth and dope method of covering on any of the ones that I have build (due to the complexity of the color scheme) but used iron on flim and the model finished out within the reccomended weight range (on the high side). I did build in the flaps, and they appear to work well. Just remember to utilize a scale type of flap hinge. Speaking of hinges, set the model up for either a Robart hinge, or the DuBro epoxy hinge for the control surfaces. The supplied hinges are junk, and will become brittle over time. I think that you will really enjoy building and owning this one.
Bill, AMA 4720