I'm currently at the point where I'm installing the aileron control horns. The manual says to attatch a large control horn using 2 x 1/2in SMS (sheet metal screws) but there is no way the supplied screws will fit on the aileron with the control horn backplate as well. My question is did you all use the square nylon backplate that attatches to the control horn or just the screw itself?? Every other ARF I've built, I've used the square backplate to securely attatched the horn to the control surface.

Send help,,,thanks!!!!

Get some proper bolts, Goldberg , Dubro, ect. Use The backplate and go all the way through it. Don,t trust the sheet metal screws.

the screws are always a tight fit into the backplate what i do sometimes is open the holes a tiny bit with either a small drill bit or exacto blade. you can however use just the screws and no backplate just make sure you c.a. them in.

No one out there build the Skybolt???? Maybe just every one is out there flying. Please tell me which bolts you used?? I know there's a few hundred of these out there.

The instructions have you drill a small hole for the screws, install the sheet metal screws, remove the screws, use thin CA glue to harden the threaded holes, then re-install the sheet metal screws. If you don't seriously over power your Skybolt it will be fine. I have not flown mine, but many have with no problems, and I have the same setup on several other models.

The instructions have you to use the backplates only on the rudder and elevators.

I don't like the supplied plastic control horns so I used Sullivan horns with four socket head sheet metal screws; 1/2" on the two forward holes and 3/8" on the two rear holes. Check your aileron thickness before you drill the rear holes.

Mike

Thanks for the help. I got them on there. Today, I worked on the control horns for the elevator and rudder. Did use the nylon back plate on them.

I did as the instructions indicated adding copious amounts of thin CA to harden the wood.

The horns hold just fine this way. You'd break the control surface before they would pull out.

The key is the CA to harden the wood.

Keep the throws at the lower rates until you are familiar with how the plane handles.