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Old 04-04-2009 | 08:47 PM
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safeTwire
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From: Rye Brook, NY
Default RE: Plane won't fly level!

Technically...yes, the stabilizer incidence is checked.

Practically...sometimes no, for two reasons:1) A center line down the fuselage side is used, and most times this is NOT easy to locate/identify. 2) In most kits, stabilizer installation is uncomplicated, and installed with acceptable incidence.

IMO, what counts is the relationship (of incidence) between the stabilizer, wing and engine crankshaft.

So, since your stabilizer is happily epoxied in place...put a level on it, level it, then take a good SIDEVIEW look at your plane from far enough away so that you can eyeball from the front of the spinner to the end of the elevator (making sure that you aligned the elevator with the stabilizer)

Imagine a line through the chord of the wing (center of leading edge to center of trailing edge) and extend this imaginary line aft to the stabilizer.( or, from the stabilizer chord forward to the wing...whichever works). Most likely, you can visualize the incidence relationship.

With the stabilizer still level, you can get a good idea of your engines thrust line also.

Of course this all comes from a sport flier, but I hope is is of some help.