Just getting my Funtana together after getting it for Christmas.

I've dreaded glueing on the stab as I feel that it is always the most error prone part of putting together an airplane. I probably spent 2-3 hours measuring and re-checking the stab alignment until I glued it. After I applied a filet of slow CA, I noticed that the stab was not exactly in horizontal alignment with the wing. When I look at it from behind, the stab is tilted probably 3 degrees in relation to the wing. It wasn't like that when I initially checked it.

What should I do? The stab is already very much glued in place. I thought about trying to change the angle a little bit by using the carbon rods to push up the low side. This seems to just flex the stab instead of leveling it out though.

How bad will it fly? I really wanted this plane to be as perfect as possible but it seems like it will destroy it if I try to fix it. I been fuming all week. My wife is sick of hearing about it.

Thanks,

chris

Chris, I would loosen the covering at the wing saddle. Just on the high side. Then sand the wing saddle until the wing is the same as the stab. Then put the covering back down on the wing saddle. Just be sure when you put the fin in place it's 90 degrees to the stab.
It wont take much to get it just right so sand a little at a time.
If you decide to leave it. It shouldn't make much difference. Years ago I built an Ultimate bipe with a twisted tail. I got the fuse off and didn't realize it until it was to late. It flew great. Better than the ULT I have now and it's straight.

David

Thanks dave for the advice. I think I'll go ahead and try the plane as it is now.

Your wing saddle idea gave me an idea. I could just add saddle tape to the other side and accomplish the same thing.

Thanks,

chris

CA Debonder can work miracles. You might need a few bottles and a LOT of patience but I bet you can get the stab loose.

That will work Chris, but it's not the best solution. It can put more pressure on the dowells in the front of the wing and cause premature wear. A lot of guys on RCU are lining the holes with brass in the fuse were the wing dowels slide in. I put a 1/4" block behind mine, but I think the brass is a better idea. It might be worth doing no matter what else you decide to do.

david