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Old 01-20-2008 | 07:29 PM
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Default RE: Center of gravity

I am not sure what you mean by that?
Old 01-20-2008 | 07:32 PM
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Default RE: Center of gravity

I'll second that!!
Old 01-20-2008 | 09:58 PM
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Default RE: Center of gravity

neuroza,

Bruce has a great idea....
Save this plane for your third or fourth model...
Get a sim or a .40 size trainer...
I personally discourage 3 channel models. They make you learn all over when you get to 4 channel models.
PT40, or NexStar are good trainers. (NexStar come with a flight sim you can practice with). Not the best model out of the box, but the Sim makes crashes much more manageable on your wallet, $.
I learned on a .40 sized trainer back in the '70s. I took a 15 year hiatus, and when I started back into the sport, it took me 2 trainers to get the hang of it again before I considered myself proficient at flying again. Granted the models were home-built and may not have been the best of quality, but teaching yourself to fly is a monumental task.
I HIGHLY encourage you to seek the assistance of an instructor.
It can save you a LOT of money, and time...

I am going through a divorce right now, and can't get to the field like I would wish... I frequently use Real Flight G4 to hone my skills while I cannot get to the field...
One crash on the SIM, and it paid for itself.

Good Luck in what ever avenue you choose to take, but listen to these guys... They DO know what they are talking about.

Bob
Old 01-20-2008 | 10:40 PM
  #29  
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Default RE: Center of gravity

Normally I 'd agree with you Bob. But for someone having to learn on their own I think a basic two channel glider or powered glider is a far easier teacher for the first time model. Yes it does mean more tasking for that first aileron model but by that time at least some of the flying skills are already ingrained and the pilot should be better able to deal with the extra new stuff. Like you I agree that a .40 powered full house trainer with no instructor would be an instant disaster.
Old 01-21-2008 | 01:47 AM
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Default RE: Center of gravity

What happened to Neuroza?

I hope our councel didn't scared him off!

I hope he didn't go right out and plant that thing and get discouraged!!
Old 01-22-2008 | 01:47 AM
  #31  
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Default RE: Center of gravity

In your example, the moments all look within reasonable proportion. For stability, one would want the CG to start @ the .25 (25%)point. Your wing is a rectangular planform with no sweep. So the ideal starting point is simply 75 units (mm or cm) back from the LE at the wing/body joint. It can go as far back as 33% or 99 units, but the farther back the CG is, the less stable the plane will fly. These basics are intended to give you a positive pitching (hence positive stavility). For a new flyier, this will have the best chance of a successful first flight, assuming good straight construction, which your pix looked good.

Good luck and I hope this is helpful.

RCS
Old 01-22-2008 | 11:52 AM
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Default RE: Center of gravity

There are two really tough issues here and both have been pointed out by others and my only addition is to combine them.

1. Learning orientation to fly on ones own... a very difficult task with a plane that looks to be a fairly hot sport plane... plain and simple... an almost impossible task.

2. Giving the plane a check out and maiden flight. Throw directions, throw amounts, balance, hardware checks, checking wing for warps, etc and then once in flight getting the plane in trim. A fast sport plane can be challenging for an experienced pilot familiar with his radio to get trimmed out if it needs very much trim... if trim throws aren't enough and it has to be landed out of trim... the landing requires a careful effort of even an experienced pilot.

These two issues in my opinion exponentially raise the difficulty factor to a degree that success would be in the miracle range.

Without question, I agree with others to let this plane rest until skill is gained with other aircraft. If you must learn on your own... I'd start with a parasol wing plane that is not overpowered and do it on a smooth air day. If at all possible, travel to have it preflighted and test flighted and trimmed. Once it can be flown well, then a trainer... then this plane.

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