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-   -   Horizontal Stab Not Horizontal? (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/arf-rtf-75/579356-horizontal-stab-not-horizontal.html)

splais 02-24-2003 02:34 AM

Horizontal Stab Not Horizontal?
 
The horizontal stabilizer on the Majestic I am putting together is not horizontal by quite a bit. A 1/4" I would say. Unfortunitely I did not catch it in time. Can someone tell me what effect this will have on the planes flight characteristics. thanks.

Mettler1 02-24-2003 02:56 AM

Horizontal Stab Not Horizontal?
 
May track right or left in loops or turns. I'd fly it first and see what it does.

Before I'd cut out the stab I'd shim the wing to make them line up and try flying it again. I'm not sure how the rudder would react. Test flying would give you a clue.

Whirley Bird 02-24-2003 10:26 AM

Re: Horizontal Stab Not Horizontal?
 

Originally posted by Splais
The horizontal stabilizer on the Majestic I am putting together is not horizontal by quite a bit. A 1/4" I would say. Unfortunitely I did not catch it in time. Can someone tell me what effect this will have on the planes flight characteristics. thanks.
See what way it tracks off (if it does)
Rather then shim the wing make a small trim tap out of light aluminum to keep it in track.
Heck,I see a lot of full size planes at the airport with home made trim tabs places on the wings or Vert/Stab.
I even used them on blades on a gyro I flew from NJ to RI.
You may also consider building up one side on that control surface.
Fly it first and see what you have
GL

Dennis Tampa FL 02-24-2003 11:49 AM

Horizontal Stab Not Horizontal?
 
Id'l like to see a PIC and or more detailed expanation of how to do a trim tab?

I had the same problem on my 1st and only so far ARF ( also my 1st plane as im new to hobby ) I put thicker saddle foam on the side of the wing i wanted to lift but that trim tab idea sounds interesting.

Thanks Dennis

glowplug 02-24-2003 01:39 PM

Horizontal Stab Not Horizontal?
 
I had this happen on an ARF that I had. I shimed the wing but it still wasn't enough. It had a tendency to constantly bank to the left, so I manually adjusted the right aileron to be slightly up when the aileron stick was at neutral.

Mike

Whirley Bird 02-24-2003 01:59 PM

Horizontal Stab Not Horizontal?
 
1 Attachment(s)

Originally posted by Dennis Tampa FL
Id'l like to see a PIC and or more detailed expanation of how to do a trim tab?

I had the same problem on my 1st and only so far ARF ( also my 1st plane as im new to hobby ) I put thicker saddle foam on the side of the wing i wanted to lift but that trim tab idea sounds interesting.

Thanks Dennis

Dennis,If you go to an airport you;ll see many planes with trim tabs on all control surfaces that are trimmed from the cockpit while flying.
First you have to fly the plane because the 1/4 inch may not affect anything.
Fly it toward you with med power and low power and see what wing is pitching up.
If the right wing is looking higher then you need to add a small UP trim tap to the elevator on the same side.
I made a card board tab so you get the idea.
It's better then off setting the wing.It's an exaggerated view but you bend the tab UP to keep the wing that looks higher down and lower.
You also need to experiment.
A longer trim tab may only have to extend beyond the control surface 1/4 inch.
A shorter trim tab will have to be longer.
But fly it first.
You may not need anything.
I hope this helps


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