BMatthews,

Thanks for the reply! Have to admit that throughout a youth misspent flying control line and nearly 30 years with RC I've never laid eyes on a pylon much less seen one fly. Well, I did see one on video tape. Outrageous takeoff. Anyway, figured that if I was ever going to see one fly, I'd have to build and launch it.
Youv'e given this pylon conversion some thought so if you don't mind I'd sure like to ask a few questions.
Noted that you are going to retain the original CG. I'm assuming that it is located in an aft position, as seems to be the practice of the pylon designers. What's the idea here? The Satellite's CG is located about 80% to the rear ??? You think that ought to remain the same?
I'm taking to heart your plan to limit elevator area to about 10%. What would you think of limiting the surface to one side of the horizontal and mounting it inboard to help limit
any roll tendency, saving the weight of a cross-over rod, material and hinges. Minor, but if you don't ask, you don't learn, right?
Also, what do you think about installing spoilerons to handle the steering? That is, sans rudder. The purpose is to get the plane back to the field and enjoy some degree of control in flight. The terrain is pretty rugged here, if a plane lands off-field you can pretty much write it off. Anyway, just don't know what to expect nature of a turn would be. If you could even call it a turn.
Am assuming that your Air Express has a "modern" wing plan form. Do you see any advantage to that vs. the older eliptical shape?
Going to leave it at that. Thanks again for a helpful response.

ddubya

Free flighters go the extra mile in south Texas too.... they just return scratched, bruised, and probably snake bit... without their planes.