Hinges - GP Christen Eagle
 

In the thread on the GP Christen Eagle, there was a discussion regarding failure of CA hinges, and not limited to just the Eagle. Well yesterday, I was going over my LT40 trainer and found a broken CA hinge. I'm about ready to install hinges on my GP Christen Eagle and will not use the CA hinges. Any comments regarding using GP's nylon pinned hinges? (The control surfaces have already been cut for CA hinges.) Any other suggestions? I'm a little nervous about using Robart hinges, they seem tough to get lined up properly.

RE: Hinges - GP Christen Eagle
 

Use the CA hinges but add a couple where possible. I use ca hinges almost exclusively and have not had a failure(other than crash damage)! Did you have a crash with your LT. The other criteria is did you install them properly?
I do replace most of the ca hinges in the kit with Rocket City or other better ca hinges. I have CA's on my 31% Edge and also my Cristian Eagle. Full confidence in them. Good luck on whatever your decision is!

RE: Hinges - GP Christen Eagle
 

I use ca hinges as well I've had them on a g.p. pitts and a great planes patty without any problem. i have used both g.p. and rocketcity ca hinges and the are both fine. Just make sure you have enough gap between the surfaces and when you seal the hinge line don't get to close to the hinge with the heat because the heat can make the plastic in the hinge brittle.

RE: Hinges - GP Christen Eagle
 

I have used the CA hinges in my GP Wagstaff, GP 25% Giles, H( 80" Cap with no problems over many flights. However, after the 3rd flight on my GP Eagle three of the hinges on ailerons failed. They didn't pull out, they just broke. I landed without problem and promptly ordered Robart hinge points. My hinge points came with a jig for alignment. I won't fly it again until all hinges are changed out.

RE: Hinges - GP Christen Eagle
 

I didn't use the ones in the kit. I have used Raido South ca hinges for years with no trouble..


By the way anyone having problems with the spinner it the kit.My is warped and the hole is not centered on the backplate..Thanks Todd

RE: Hinges - GP Christen Eagle
 

I quit using ca type hinges a couple of years ago due to the loss of a fun fly airplane when several of the hinges failed in the elevator.

I replaced all the hinges in my G/P Pitts with Dubro pinned hinges and added one to each surface above what the plane was set up for. I fly it VERY HARD and have had no problems whatsoever with the flight surfaces.

RE: Hinges - GP Christen Eagle
 

I'm using Robart medium hinge points on my CE and am very comfortable using them. I have them on my MW Extra and they work flawlessly. I have seen CA hinges fail on larger planes.

RE: Hinges - GP Christen Eagle
 

I will probably use the Robart hinge points, but I am wondering how much wood is there in the trailing edge for the hinge points to glue too. The hinge points I think have about 1 inch or so of length on each side of the hinge to affix to. I guess whatever there is in the wing should be enough.

RE: Hinges - GP Christen Eagle
 

I used Robart hinge points in my CE, and they are holding up fine. I glued them in with Gorilla glue which creates a type of plug behind the wood due to the expansion of the glue. Totally safe. I did a test on a piece of same size balsa before, and could not pull the hinge out with pliers without destroying the wood.

RE: Hinges - GP Christen Eagle
 

I used Ca hinges in my 1/3 Scale Great Planes ARF Pitts and had the same problem. May of the hinges split. I replaced them all with CA hinges again but this time I stuck a pin in the center and slid the surfaces together with the pin in place. This left a small gap so the hinge would not crack with surface moved. No problem since. I was trying too hard to seal the gap. A pin sized gap should be no problem. I now love CA hinges.

KEEP FLYING!!

RE: Hinges - GP Christen Eagle
 

I had a 73" Hanger 9 cap 232 with CA hinges... 3 of them broke within one flying season..I'm a hinge point believer now!