Classic Fundamentals...a tutorial...post your building techniques HERE!

Edited for detail and accuracy...

Different types of "super" materials like carbon fiber. Carbon fiber can be used to add significant strength to balsa and ply with a little imagination and good gluing techniques.

Carbon fiber mat- I found this at BVN Jets for about $12.00 for a sheet 24" x 12" (Bob Violett Jets) in the materials section of his very interesting web site. The mat is like thin paper, accepts CA and all kinds of epoxies with different viscosities (thin to thick). The photo shows the Ace R/C High glider with the elevator reinforced where the dowel attaches and is wrapped around the 1/8" dowel to significantly add anti-twisting strength. 5 minutes using scissors, thin CA and my fingers with a plastic bag on them to sqeeze it around the dowel.

The carbon fiber "hair" stuff I believe is called "toe" (probably spelled wrong). I was given some years ago and peel of strands add thin CA and instant super strength. I mostly use it to make thin fiber glass/epoxy glass areas stronger like the exit holes of an exhaust on a belly pan.

The heavy weave is an exact replacement for 6 oz cloth except is 10 x more expensive.

The 4" wide material is super thin (thinner than 1/64 plywood) has a bonded white backing also super thin. I am using it to strengthen 1/4 light plywood firewalls rather than use 1/4 aircraft plywood. Balsa USA of Wisconsin was the source. Photo of firewall is a Deception fuselage I am currently building. Dave Brown retracts are mounted to the carbon fiber side of the firewall, carbon sheet bonded with thin CA. Forstner bit is used to counter-sink the blind nuts.

Not shown are the multi-tude of rods and tubes available to lighten, stiffen, very temperature stable AND save grams quickly at a generally high cost. As a note, I am very pleased with plain old lite ply with lots of lightening holes and a spruce brace...old school works great!

Source most or all of this stuff at a well stocked local hobby shop like Al's Hobby Shop in Elmhurst (Chicago), Illinois or mail order.

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba