just curious to plane crashes.

im wondering how most planes are fixed after a crash.
I know it depends on how bad the crash is...but for the most part....is it usually just taking out super glue and glueing it back together? or is it usually buying new parts? or what exactly?

Like you said it all depends on how bad the crash was. Everyone is different. Some cases you have to cut new parts and piece back together. I don;t think I've seen a crash where there weren't at least some new pieces of either balsa or ply needed.

That's one good reason to kit build. When you're finished, you can save the cutouts from the die cut parts to use as templates for making new ones if need be. If parts are pre-cut without a "skeleton" of wood around it, you can always trace the parts onto a piece of paper before building.

Good Point Minn,

I always either trace the ribs before building or keep the punchouts for them. In most cases the formers are shown on the plans and can be easily traced later if needed.

SocMan,

First, everyone is assuming you mean on a standard balsa and covering type plane (i.e., typical .40 sized trainer). Remember, there is a whole world of electrics that have foamies and other body types.

In any case, in my limited experience, balsa that breaks usually has to be replaced. However, most ARF manufacturers will sell you a new wing or fuselage, so its not usually necessary to tear the piece down and rebuild it from naked balsa (unless that's what you want to ).

Also, most of the commonly "dinged" pieces can be replaced, engine mounts, landing gear, etc..

Finally, a trainer usually doesn't fly all that fast, and if you use an instructor then use common sense, isn't all that likely to go nose down into the dirt at a hundred miles an hour. My most serious crash (in six months of training and soloing) resulted in a cracked engine mount.

GB

I build from scratch so I've never built a kit plane, but if you have plans do what I do. I scan the ribs, formers and any other part small enough to fit on my legal size scanner and store them electronically. This way, they are never effected by humidity, temperature, fire, spilling soda, kids wanting to help, wife on a cleaning binge, my own stupidity, etc...

By the By, I forgot to mention that if you have a piece longer than your scanner will accept such as one piece fuse sides, draw match lines on the plans and scan the piece in sections. When you print them out, simply line up the match lines and tape them together. You need to be careful about aligning the match lines, but you can reproduce parts perfectly every time.

Don't worry about it...

These things never break.

ouchie, minnflyer
now see socman all your gonna need here is about a pint of ca
some toilet paper and a 2 x 4 and that thing will be ready in no time.......hhahahahahahahahahahaha
Rog

thanks minn, now you got me freaked out