I'm building an outstanding version of the CAP 232 from www.stevensaero.com

This is an electric airplane with 240 squares and flying weight of 15 to 20 ounces. Construction is exactly like the rubber free-flight we used to build. VERY light, but adequate, for excellent performance, even as an electric.

I hope to make mine come in at 12 ounces and use a Norvel .061. The mount is also going to have provision for a Norvel .074,,, just in case I need it. :devious:

The plans call for the usual right thrust but there is no down thrust. A call to Bill Stevens yielded the information that this plane doesn't need downthrust and in fact, tends to pitch up when the power is taken off rapidly,,, so that some are even putting in a little UPthrust. This all seems counterintuitive to me.

I do know how downthrust works and why its needed in many cases. A search on the net shows that Bill's assertion is generally true. I'm also converting a small electric ARF Extra 330. this one has the usual right thrust but also includes the expected downthrust. Both planes have similar force arrangements although the Extra has a semi-symmetrical airfoil while the CAP is fully symmetrical. In my experience a fully symmetrical airfoil doesn't necessarily negate the need for downthrust. Or am I wrong?

Can anyone confirm that all CAPs don;t need downthrust? Why? Any other comments?