Balancing a Kadet Senior ARF - This Can't be right??!!
09-02-2002, 06:55 PM
#26
Junior Member
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Jacksonville,
FL
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SIG SR Balancing
What's all the fuss about - I have a Saito 120 on my SR
and it flies great! There is no added weight, but I did
beef-up the front end and made the wing 84". I use it
to drop 2 R/C parachutes at one time. You should see
that baby knife-edge (I did make a much larger rudder).
Don't be affraid to work with a SR - they are very versatile.
and it flies great! There is no added weight, but I did
beef-up the front end and made the wing 84". I use it
to drop 2 R/C parachutes at one time. You should see
that baby knife-edge (I did make a much larger rudder).
Don't be affraid to work with a SR - they are very versatile.
09-02-2002, 07:34 PM
#27
Balancing a Kadet Senior ARF - This Can't be right??!!
Bing222
Is your senior the kit or ARF? What all did you do to the front end to beef it up? how did you increase the wing by 4 inches?
Is your senior the kit or ARF? What all did you do to the front end to beef it up? how did you increase the wing by 4 inches?
09-03-2002, 08:51 PM
#28
Junior Member
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Jacksonville,
FL
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sig SR Balancing
In answer to rtn9105, my SR was built from a kit, but the
ARF is constructed almost identical to the kit. I "beefed-
up" the nose by placing 1/4" sq bass wood all around
behind the fire wall and a vertical piece all the way down
each side of the L.E. former. Also put one on each side
of the nose back from the fire wall to that former at tank
level. Wing span was increased by adding one extra
rib bay on each wing. My point in my reply was that you
can make alot of changes (and add weight) to a SR and
it will still fly great and float in for landings.
ARF is constructed almost identical to the kit. I "beefed-
up" the nose by placing 1/4" sq bass wood all around
behind the fire wall and a vertical piece all the way down
each side of the L.E. former. Also put one on each side
of the nose back from the fire wall to that former at tank
level. Wing span was increased by adding one extra
rib bay on each wing. My point in my reply was that you
can make alot of changes (and add weight) to a SR and
it will still fly great and float in for landings.
09-26-2002, 12:33 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Glen Carbon, IL
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Senior ARF balancing
I flew my Senior tonight for the first time, what a pleasure.
Pleasant relaxed flying , I wish I had had one for a trainer.
Contary to what I have read on other threads about balancing
and adding weight I had absolutley no problem. I mounted the Saito as far forward as possible on the motor mount beams. The plane balanced 3 15/16 back from the leading edge as per the instructions. I don't understand all the balancing issues.
Pleasant relaxed flying , I wish I had had one for a trainer.
Contary to what I have read on other threads about balancing
and adding weight I had absolutley no problem. I mounted the Saito as far forward as possible on the motor mount beams. The plane balanced 3 15/16 back from the leading edge as per the instructions. I don't understand all the balancing issues.
09-26-2002, 12:51 AM
#30
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (51)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Kirkland,
WA
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Balancing
Congarts. Wooduck! You're the first we've heard from that didn't need a bunch of lead. It's good to know that they don't all need it.
"A pleasure to fly"? You bet. My son has learned more about flying with the Kadet in two sessions than he did with 6-8 sessions with our Eagle II. The Eagle is a good trainer too but not anywhere near as "user friendly" as the Kadet.
"A pleasure to fly"? You bet. My son has learned more about flying with the Kadet in two sessions than he did with 6-8 sessions with our Eagle II. The Eagle is a good trainer too but not anywhere near as "user friendly" as the Kadet.
09-26-2002, 02:37 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Four Oaks,
NC
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Senior Kadet ARF--Balance
Hey Buckeroos! Quit worring about adding weight to the nose--simply mount a G-23 gasser up there and all your problems are solved. Just remember to re-inforce the firewall and replace the original nose strut with a heavy duty Fults unit & TNT main gear. Then go out there and have fun flying all day on a few pennies worth of gas. Now you see---no more balance problems!! Hurry up and get to it!!
Sam
Sam
09-26-2002, 02:40 AM
#32
BALANCE
Use long motor mounts and place the cowl as far forward as possible. Place engine on motor mount as far forward as possible. Also read that a small flywheel placed behind prop makes most engines idle and run smoother. That would also help balance. Thanks Captinjohn
10-21-2002, 11:43 PM
#33
Kadet Senior Balance?
Maybe this is a little late but what the heck! After reading these posts reference the Senior, and since I've built 7 of them over the years for people. I had to see just how good it really was.
Well it was perfect! To all of my expectations! I see by previous posts that some of you had problems balancing. Since this is strange to me and the Senior after deciding on which engine weight to use, it balanced perfectly. (Engine is a ASP 65 4 stroke) weight is 1:7 1/8 oz. Battery placed under the tank. This plane took off and went straight up in less than 8 ft. With minimal work I think in the next couple flights it may even hover. The modifications the manufacturer elected to make on this aircraft, ie. Barn Door Aileron's, Fiberglass Cowl, Split Wing for transport, I'll think serious to emulate on the next Senior Kit I build.
Landings are uneventful just as the ones I'd built years before. Even though it's an ARF! I don't think I could build it any better, but I will keep the two other kits on the shelf for the time being. Especially since this one will be used as a relaxer from Pylon, 3D/freestyle, F3A and Combat.
Well it was perfect! To all of my expectations! I see by previous posts that some of you had problems balancing. Since this is strange to me and the Senior after deciding on which engine weight to use, it balanced perfectly. (Engine is a ASP 65 4 stroke) weight is 1:7 1/8 oz. Battery placed under the tank. This plane took off and went straight up in less than 8 ft. With minimal work I think in the next couple flights it may even hover. The modifications the manufacturer elected to make on this aircraft, ie. Barn Door Aileron's, Fiberglass Cowl, Split Wing for transport, I'll think serious to emulate on the next Senior Kit I build.
Landings are uneventful just as the ones I'd built years before. Even though it's an ARF! I don't think I could build it any better, but I will keep the two other kits on the shelf for the time being. Especially since this one will be used as a relaxer from Pylon, 3D/freestyle, F3A and Combat.
11-05-2002, 01:47 AM
#35
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location:
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Balancing a Kadet Senior ARF - This Can't be right??!!
I've been using a OS 91 4 stroke for years. With a 16 oz tank and flying at half power it stay up longer than you want. No added weight needed with this set-up. The 14x7 is a little close to the ground, I had to put a longer nose gear to help. Great to fly.
11-05-2002, 02:02 AM
#36
Senior Member
Balancing a Kadet Senior ARF - This Can't be right??!!
I test flew one of these a couple of weeks ago. It had a Saito 72 up front and some nose weight added. They should be outlawed as trainers - learning to fly with one of these is like cheating 
. Wish my first plane flew like this one.
. Wish my first plane flew like this one.
11-06-2002, 06:43 PM
#37
Junior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Springfield,
MO,
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Balancing a Kadet Senior ARF - This Can't be right??!!
After the first wreck, on first flight, I rebuilt the front end using 1/4" formers and abundant gussets. The firewall has a total of 1/4" and 1/8" plywood. I added around 4 oz of weight. Now that the cowling is rebuilt with more epoxy, I suspect that will also help and I'll have to remove the weights or at least half of them. The guy I rebuilt for has a 46 on the front. I will use a 10-7 prop, but still feel that it is underpowered. Any ideas will be appreciated. I use rudder with aeliron and that seems to smooth out the turns. It flies soft to me.
11-07-2002, 03:21 AM
#39
Senior Balance
Ryan;
If your going to use the 46, then move it as far forward as the mounts will allow. put the battery under the tank again as far as it will go. Balance the aircraft so it balances right on the Spar. This is just about 4" a little bit behind recommended. It will fly just fine with this balance point.
If your going to use the 46, then move it as far forward as the mounts will allow. put the battery under the tank again as far as it will go. Balance the aircraft so it balances right on the Spar. This is just about 4" a little bit behind recommended. It will fly just fine with this balance point.
11-07-2002, 06:14 AM
#40
Senior Member
Balancing a Kadet Senior ARF - This Can't be right??!!
Russell, also toss that 10x7 prop and get an 11x6. You should notice a lot more pull. With that airframe you'll never realize the speed potential that the 10x7 is capable of anyway, so swap props and get more thrust.
11-07-2002, 12:25 PM
#41
Balancing a Kadet Senior ARF - This Can't be right??!!
What kind of RPM's are you guys getting out of your 46FX's with the 10x7 and 11x6 props? My Senior has a 46FX with a Macs muffler with a 12x5 and I get right at 9000, and it still smokes plenty good. I was concerned about letting it run that high. But if you guys are running that small of a prop, maybe I'm worried for nothing.
11-08-2002, 01:31 AM
#43
Junior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: DE
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Balancing a Kadet Senior ARF - This Can't be right??!!
catboatr
I just finished a Sig Rascal 40 ARF with an OS .46 LA and it balanced perfectly with a 2.5 oz heavy prop nut. I'm surprised at the major difference for a very similar model from the same company. Have you thought of trying lighter Main wheels and a heavier nose wheel?
I just finished a Sig Rascal 40 ARF with an OS .46 LA and it balanced perfectly with a 2.5 oz heavy prop nut. I'm surprised at the major difference for a very similar model from the same company. Have you thought of trying lighter Main wheels and a heavier nose wheel?
