I just finished building my first kit aircraft, but I think I made a big mistake; I put the receiver switch on the exhaust side of the fuselage. I was wondering if this is going to be a huge problem and if so how should I go about fixing the mistake. The plane I built is a GP Slowpoke 40 Sport powered by and OS .46. The switch is about a foot behind the exhaust. Thanks for any help!

Anthony

Being a low wing plane, I would not leave the switch on that side. Especially with a 40 sized two stroke. That switch will be full of oil after a couple of flying sessions. You need to move something.
Solution number one--take the switch out, and put it on the other side. Then, fill the hole left with some stock balsa, and cover over. No problem. Easy fix, and probably the best of the two suggestions that I have.
Solution number two--invert the engine. This would put the exhaust on the other side.

Very easy solution. Move the switch to the left side of the fuse. When you cover the fuse your covering will cover the old switch hole on the right side. But you will definately need to move it. Switch can get oil, exhaust, fuel in it and the switch will fail. Bye bye slow poke.

As stated, move it and fill the old hole with balsa. Use thin CA to hold it and cover over it. Noone will ever know.

Or solution 3 - Move the switch, cover hole with Scotch Tape, and ignore it

( Also a good place to use one of those Decals that came with you engine! )

Move switch and use cut out from other side to fill hole. It will not need covering then.

If you mount a charging jack on the side, it should also be on the non-exhaust side. Leave no opening for oil to sneak in and soak the wood.

Bruce

and one more suggestion since you are moving the switch. make sure the ON position is towards the back of the plane. if your prop happens to be unlucky enough to kick something into the switch, it isn't going to move it forward, but it certainly could push it back if your on position is towards the front.

This is a catastrophic error!!!!!!!!!!!! The plane cannot be fixed and will never fly!!!!!!!!!!!!
The best thing to do is to (gently) throw the plane away in the nearest (to me) trash can, and get a new plane!!![sm=bananahead.gif]

All the previous suggestions are good.

Scott