CG for a Lanier 80" Cap?
 

I've got the Lanier Cap 232 21st Century ARF. I've got it assembled. Just need to place batteries. The manual says balance cg on the wing spar and it should lean toward the nose 10 degrees. I'm not sure how I'd measure 10 degrees.
I'd like to know what people are flying their CG on this plane? Thanks.

CG for a Lanier 80" Cap?
 

The starting CG should be 1" in front of the wingtube.
Lanier change the CG after the instructions were written.
I have been flying this plane since last spring with a Brison 3.2 and it is awesome.
Take care and good luck with yours!

CG
 

Thanks for the information.
What are you flying your CG at now - 1/2" in front of tube?
By the way, is that measured from the most forward part of the tube or from it's middle?
Thanks again.

CG for a Lanier 80" Cap?
 

Now my CG is closer to to wingtube, it is 1/2" in front of the tube.
I measured from the outside dia. of the tube.
Make sure you don`t have more than 1" of throw on you elevator because these planes will snap very easy.
1" doesn`t seem alot but it is alot but it is enough for your flair for landing.
Get familiar with the plane before you try 3D manuevers with it.
With the CG in front of the tube it will slow down real nice for landings.
Good luck with it!http://home.earthlink.net/~cub10/_uimages/johncap3.jpg

How does yours knife edge?
 

Cub1, I'm flying mine with the Brison 3.2 now as well (I had a 3W70 in it). Anyway I've been having alot a fun with it, but it scares me each time I try to knife-edge. It pulls to the belly of the plane significantly.
Does yours do that?

CG for a Lanier 80" Cap?
 

aftcg,

I don`t have any problem at all doing a knife edge.
She holds it all the way cross the field in a straight line.

I have been flying this plane for a good while now and it really does not have any bad habits at all.

The Brison 3.2 is the perfect engine for this plane....it will pull vertical to no end!!!

Overall weight
 

CUB1

What is the weight of your cap? I've got a Brison 3.2 in mine. I'm using JR 8411 servos on all surfaces. I may have gone a little over kill on the servos! Two on the rudder and one on each elevator, and one on each aileron. I should have used pull pull on the rudder with one 8411. I also have a Don Harris smoke system.
It will be making it's maiden flight next week end. I'm worried about the weight. It's right around 20 lbs. What do you think?

Thank for the input!

rbeck :(

CG for a Lanier 80" Cap?
 

rbeck,
Mines weigh 18-1/2 lbs.
I have all Airtronics coreless (94731) servos on the control surface, two servos in the tail for the rudder.
Don Harris smoke system, 24 oz. fuel tank and 32 oz. smoke tank, smoke tank on the bottom and fuel tank on the top. Both tanks are right in front of the wingtube.
My CG is one inch in front of the wingtube.
When both tanks are full my CG is a little nose heavy, but when the smoke tank is half empty or empty I`m ready to rock and roll with it.

If I take off with both tanks full I have to give it a little elevator to lift off. If I don`t fill the smoke tank up at all she will fly off without using the elevator.
I`m so use to it and now and know just what she can do and can`t do with the smoke tank full. You will burn the smoke up much faster than the gas anyway. I manage my smoke oil thru the whole flight, I usually take off with the smoke pouring out down the runway....pull straight up vertical for about 300' and hover with the smoke still on. That usually burns at least a 1/4 tank of smoke oil right away, then I hit the switch to shut it down to my next manuever.

You will like the plane, just make sur your CG is one inch in front of the wingtube on your maiden flight.

Also I have a back up battery and switch....yes the weight keeps adding up!!! :D :D :D

Cap Setup
 

Thanks Cub1!

Sounds like yours and mine are setup pretty much the same. What do you have a backup battery and switch for? I'm very much new at the big birds, I know of people using two receivers. one for the right side controls and one for the left controls. But I am unsure how the backup battery/switch works. Thanks for all your input!

rbeck

CG for a Lanier 80" Cap?
 

RBECK,

I use a back up battery and switch in all of my large scale planes, its what you call cheap insurance.
I don`t want to loose a expensive airplane because of battery failure or a switch failure.

Your battery voltage must be the same (example 4.8) but it can be different mah. I use two batteries and two switches and plug the backup switch in any open channel on the Rx.
If all of your channels are used upon your Rx, use a Y connector on your throttle servo and plug it into that.
If one of your batteries goes bad or shorts out or a switch goes bad the other battery and switch keeps power to your Rx and servos.

Always remember to turn both switches on before you fly.

Backup Battery
 

CUB1:

These forums are great when you get people like yourself, who answer questions from someone like myself, who needs guidence from time to time. I am looking for my spare switch harness so I can install a backup battery in my plane. I will let you know how my first flight with the Cap next Sunday goes. :D :D :D

Thanks Again!

rbeck

Knife edge flying
 

Cub1, for knife edge you don't have to mix in any elevator? Mine definitely pulls to the belly. I'm planning on adding a little upthrust in the engine - maybe that's what it needs. Do you have some upthrust?
Also I guess it could be my incidence is off. Did you check your incidence when you assembled the arf (I don't have an incidence meter).
Thanks for help, sounds like yours is dialed in nicely.

CG for a Lanier 80" Cap?
 

RBECK,
Thanks for the kind words,.......when I got into the big stuff and switch over to gas engines I was asking all kinds of ????? from a couple of my club members who have been down the same road that I was trying to go.
We all need some help now and then, and I`m still learning new things everyday myself.


aftcg,
I only have right thrust on my engine.....no mixing at all on the Tx.
I might have to move the elevator a little sometimes to compensate for the wind, but if it`s a calm day no elevator is required.
I would not put upthrust on any engine especially in the Cap 232 because they will balloon on you when landing if your touchy with the elevator.

RBECK,
I almost forgot to tell you, no more than 1" of throw on your elavator. When you get the feel of the plane crank more in for aerobatics only on the high rate.
Take of and landings keep it on low rate.

Too much elevator on any Cap will make it snap faster than any other plane I know!!!

Surface Throws
 

CUB1

I've got 1 inch on the elevators on low rate and 1 1/4 inch on high rate to start with. I've also got 3/4 inch on the ailerons on low and 1 inch on high and all I can get on the rudder. Does that sound like a reasonable starting point?
Most of the guys at our field fly 40 to 1.20 sized planes. Not much help on the larger planes. Do you have anything done to the inside of your plane, as an added wing fastening? I've got a dowel epoxied in each wing half. Drilled and tapped for a nylon bolt. looks like it should work pretty nice. Let me know if you have any tricks that might work better.

rbeck

CG for a Lanier 80" Cap?
 

RBECK,
Sounds like your ready to go, your throws are correct.
Good move on your wing fastening, I have mine done in a simular way.
Let me know how the maiden flight go.

Brison 3.2 what prop?
 

CUB1:

One last question. What are you running for a prop? Wood/Carbon fiber/Size and pitch. I have a Mejzlik which I'm having second thoughts about using on the maiden flight. Pretty expensive prop to ding. Hopefully that won't happen! But, if it does I think I should have a less expensive prop on. What do you think? :confused: :confused:

rbeck

Prop
 

RBECK,
For my first gallon or so I used a Mejzlik 20x10.....than I switch to a Mejzlik 22x10 to slow the plane down a little.

My Brison 3.2 was brand new when I first put it in the Cap and it got stronger real quick. I have only lean the low end 1/8 turn since I had the engine and that was after 3-24oz. tanks with thru it.

The 22x10 is the right prop for me and my rpm`s is around 7200.

When do you switch oil mix with the Brison?
 

Cub1, my Brison was new too. I've got about three gallons through and have already had to lean a little. The manual says it can take 20 gallons to break it in. It also says to use regular oil 64:1 until it's broken in. Did you wait 20 gallons to switch to synethic oil at a higher ratio? How do you know when to switch?
Also, what kind of oil are you using?
Thanks again.

CG for a Lanier 80" Cap?
 

aftcg,
I have been using Homelite 2 cycle oil from day one, yes the red stuff you can get at Home Depot stores.
My mix is 2.6 oz. to the gallon, I use the same gas in all my lawn equipment. My lawn epuipment has never given me any problems what so ever. And I have been cutting, trimming, and blowing grass for a long time.....long before flying gas planes.
I guess I`m from the old school, if it`s been working for me all these years why change!

I used the synethic oil once and did not like, I used amsoil for one flight two years ago and did not like it. I burned the rest of the gallon up in my car to get rid of it.

I not knocking synethic oil, but it is not for me.

Maiden flight
 

CUB1:

I made my first flight on the Cap last Sunday!!! She flew great. I see what you mean about 1" on the elevator. If your not careful, 1 1/2" will snap. The Brison 3.2 ran flawlessly,and the smoke system worked like a charm. I only had one problem,,,,,. The landing was a little hard. Just after coming accross the start of the runway,the right tip stalled. Guess I was trying to slow her down a little too much. I was able to catch it in time. A bit of a bounce off the mains and a slight prop strike. Nothing major.
Just got to get a few spare props for the future. I am assuming I just need to keep up a little more speed on the final approach. Maybe I can try it again next week! Thanks for all the help.

Rbeck :D :D :D

Thumbs up on the maiden flight!!!!!
 

RBECK,
I`m glad everything went okay for you.
You will learn how to grease the landing in when you get more stick time flying her.

Brison`s engines are excellent, what size prop are you using?

Cap 232
 

CUB1:
I had a Mejzlik 21x10 on for the first flight. I thought I would get a few wooden props for the next couple of flights,just in case. What size would you recommend?

rbeck :cool:

CG for a Lanier 80" Cap?
 

Tank size and make

CUB1:

I was looking at your earlier post about where you located your two tanks. Smoke and Gas. I look inside my Cap,and wonder how you did that? What is the manufacture of the two tanks? And how did you mount them?

rbeck

CG for a Lanier 80" Cap?
 

RBECK,
I`m using a Mejzlik 22x10 at 7200 rpms.
Your 21x10 should be fine too.

Very nice picture of the smoke system at work.

I have to get some updated pics of my Cap, I have advertising graphics all over it now and it makes it look like it was a built up kit.
I also painted the alluminum landing gear blue to match the blue covering on the plane.

Now when I go to the field they don`t ask me if that`s a ARF anymore!

Tank Location
 

The two tanks are on top and bottom, top one for gas and the bottom for smoke oil.

I will pull it of the shelf in my garage later today or tomorrow and take a pic picture of the plane now and the tank installation.

Here is one of the pics from my website last year after I first got the plane....excuse my messy work table :D


http://home.earthlink.net/~cub10/_uimages/Cap232.jpg