I just finished an SIG LT 40 kit and I was wondering how rare it was to be exactly balanced on the CG with out moving anything in the plans? IE.. bat and ect....?

the reason that I ask is because when i went to balance the plane it did not need any weights or any thing moved to be balanced.

thanks,
Blindguarden

the LT-40 is designed really well...and is a design that has been around for a while...


Mine balanced just fine too.... it was a bit off for lateral balance...but not enough to worry.

there are other kits where it is off more.......

It's not that rare, that's usually why they put the components where they put them on the plans, if your using mostly the recommended equipment then it should be close to balancing with no weight. That's the goal anyway...

thanks guys I just wanted to know.

the only thing i did different was to put a size .46 engine instead of the .40 as per instructions.

thanks again

Blindguarden

I used an OS .46 AX on mine.... balanced fine... More than enough power.....

I had a 46AX on mine and need no weight anywhere.

Once you are done with it as a trainer, change the main gear to the dubro fiberglas stuff, move it forward and turn in into a taildragger and go have a blast.

In fact. Take off the stock main gear and nose gear, go get the Dubro Fiberglass main gear and a Fults dual strut nose gear and you will not be rebending the stock gear on every other landing plus you will gain about 2 inches ground clearance and about 2 inches width on the main gear which will give you better ground handling. and it's no added weight over the stock stuff and will cost around 30 dollars total to do.

The CG that is given on the plans is really just a starting point. The actual range of the CG is usually pretty variable, depending on your flying skill and style. But there are definite limits. Too tail heavy, and it will be really pitch sensitive, or not flyable at all. Too nose heavy, and it will be hard to take off and sluggish. If you must guess at the CG, it's better to be a little nose heavy, than tail heavy, especially on a trainer's first flight. After that, you can adjust it to suit your flying style.

Jesse

Post some pictures of that thing.

I am wrapping up college finals here in about 3 days. When finished, I am going to complete my LT-40 kit. I have the wing built now, but need to build the fuse and the hori and vert stabilizer, then cover it and throw the gizmo's in. I'd like to see what yours looks like.

Hello Bryris,
I will try to get some pics. up soon so you can see what she looks like. But let me tell you it is not all that great compared to others around, because it was my first covering job and I wanted to keep it simple but i will post some soon.

thanks,
Blindguarden

Thats fine. My LT-40 is my first kit too. Not covered yet, obviously. My only hope is to have the damn thing fly well.

Well here she is not too good but if was my first covering job and wanted to keep it simple.
I used Ultracote to cover it with and i was amazed how easy this stuff went on lol

Blindguarden

Looks sharp!
I'll bet you had fun covering that huge 6 foot wing!
Is that the GMS engine?
You're going to have fun flying that plane. I've taught two people on one and it's as much fun for me as it is for the students. Good luck and keep us posted on the progress.

Jesse

You should slap some window decals on that thing. That would top it off. It looks good otherwise!!

Enjoy.

I will probably be covering mine around late December. I'll the post the pics when I am done too.

hello whstlngdeath,

Yes that is a GMS engine and so far I have not had any problems with it.
I have not gotten a chance to fly her yet as I have not gotten an instructor yet but maybe my club will have someone train me with in the next few weeks.....at lease i hope anyway!!

Blindguarden

bryirs,
I am planning on doing that some time in the next day or so once i figure how to apply them lol.



blindguarden