Brett: You just learned something about harmonics, resonance, and the frequency at which things oscillate. Everything has a resonant frequency. You just found out what that was on your Skyraider. There isn't much you can do about it. All the suggestions above are good, the basic issue is what causes it and speed is right at the top of the list.

I know that you already know this, but here's a short refresher: The picture is of harmonics. Resonance occurrs when the length of something is coincident with it's fundamental frequency. If you reach that point, and give it a trigger, like perhaps vibration caused just about anything (engine perhaps...) it will make it oscillate at that resonant frequency, well, it will vibrate.... flutter. The harder you push it, the stronger the vibration will be at that fundamental frequency.. and at the harmonics, by the way. The combination can really tear things apart, and in short order.

My brother makes his own fishing rods. When he sets the line loops, he uses a method that I found fascinating. He applies a weight to the end of the line, attaches the loops on the rod at evenly spaced points along the length, then goes outside and casts the weight as he would while fishing. He watches the line as it pays out and adjusts the loops so that they will be at the nulls of the vibrations or oscillations of the line as it passes through the loops. He knows he has reached the most optimum setting for the loops when all the nulls occur at the loops. This where there is the least resistance for the line passing through the loops and his line travels a good deal further than they would if the loops were just placed anywhere along the pole. Believe me, it works. And, unfortunately what helps him with his construction of fishing rods hurts us with something called flutter.

If you want something that goes fast, well, you will probably have to invest in something designed to go fast.


CGr.