Awesome! I'll go check those threads out now!
I talked to Scott Anderson about it and he said to go all contest, and if necessary use carbon to reinforce. How do I know if a structure is strong enough? I guess I could stand on it like he does.
I was hoping to keep this plane around the 12lbs. mark with 1185sq.in. of wing. Lighter if possible, but I think going much lighter is going to start getting exponentially expensive (replacing fiberglass cowl, fairings etc. with carbon = $$$$$ for instance). I still haven't decided on an engine yet.
Thanks!
ORIGINAL: mmattockx
RVM,
The pattern guys use contest balsa exclusively and reinforce with lite ply, carbon and/or spruce where required. Look at the Black Magic and Insight build threads in the Pattern forum to see how it's done. The prototype Black Magic V2 came in at 9.5lb with a glassed and painted fuse and piped OS140. Dick Hanson has built 80" Cap 232's at under 11lbs with a YS140 and a 40cc gas powered 2M pattern ship with 1300sqin of wing under 11lb using balsa and ply with almost no carbon at all, so it can be done. It just requires careful wood selection and sparing use of reinforcement materials.
Just specify contest balsa when you talk to Dynamic and they will adjust to suit. Explain what you are doing and they will work with you to get your order sorted in the best way possible.
Mark