I am interested in adding flaps to my Big Stik 40 ARF. The plane is already assembled. I plan to add a separate servo for each flap. Has anyone tried this? If so, where did you mount the servos, and how did you cut/build mounting boxes for the servos? How long should the flaps be? If there is a build log out there, that would be ideal.


Thanks in advance!

I haven't done it on the smaller Stiks such as yours.

However on the larger Stiks, I find that setting the inner "flaps" as secondary ailerons works best.

Then if you use an 8 channel TX and set the programming up for a GLIDER instead of an airplane, you get the best of all worlds.

This gives you flaps, snap flaps, spoilerons, inboard ailerons, crow, etc. etc. etc.

I find that I have no need for flaps, except for snap flaps, for super tight loops ( plane length! ).

I use inboard ailerons the most, to improve roll rate and 3D. I use CROW a lot to bring the plane to a halt in the air, and to slow it down once on the ground.

Just a thought.

Hay N410DC,
I've built several dozen Ugly Sticks and all the Big Sticks that Tower sells, at one time or another. I have gone the route with flaps in the past, but found that Flaperons worked best, for me. If you have a computer radio its easy to set up, no matter what manufacturer it is. If you want CROW...then by all means, install flaps, but as you stated, the model is built...then by using two servo's in the wing, Flaperons is the most simple to set up. I powered my .40 size Big Stick with a K&B .61 Twister...and with flaperons, would rotate in less then ten feet-and accelerate in the vertical.

Your model will want to climb, with the application of flaperons, so you may want to add some down elevator trim with flap application. You can do this by programing your computer radio, or make sure your down to approach speed with Flaperon application. Be ready for the model to climb a bit, but its not difficult to do and its simple to control. If your at full speed...and add full Deflection Down, with Flaperons...your in for a real interesting bit of flying...just don't ask me how I know.

No matter what you do...Ugly Sticks are a blast to fly and one of the most predictable flying R/C models you can aviate. I'm currently getting ready to build a large Twin Stick...with two 35cc gas engines (a AMR kit out of Canada...100"+ wing span). I just love this model type...

Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui

Thanks for the input. I have a Futaba 7C and am currently using flaparons, though I would prefer "dedicated" flaps to avoid the reduced aileron throws when the flaparons are lowered. I also like the versatility to program crow mixing, etc.