Lt-40 tips and tricks
11-27-2002 | 07:02 PM
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From: Tampa,
FL
Lt-40 tips and tricks
I built it as per the plans. It builds very easily and quickly. Enjoy!
I don't know if it mentions it in the instructions but you might want to seal the gaps between the ailerons and the trailing edge.
You can seal it with many things - extra covering, scotch tape etc.
I don't know if it mentions it in the instructions but you might want to seal the gaps between the ailerons and the trailing edge.
You can seal it with many things - extra covering, scotch tape etc.
11-29-2002 | 12:56 PM
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From: Evans,
GA
Lt-40 tips and tricks
The instructions for this plane are very good and everything fits perfectly. I built one a few months ago and wouldn't change much, but here's my list of suggetions-
1. I used an aluminum main landing gear mount instead of the wire mounts provided. This has worked very well and saved a bunch of time straightening the landing gear up after hard landings.
2. The nosewheel wire is very weak considering the size of the plane and it only lasted around a month on mine. I replaced it with a Sullivan mount (very cheap) and have had no problems since.
3. I would add extra supports for the control tubes back to the rudder and elevator and make sure that they are as straight as possible when gluing them in. My rudder and elevator have to be re-trimmed every time I fly. No big deal, but more support could have helped.
4. I buit mine with about an inch less dihedral than the plans and the plane is still super-stable. If I were to build another I would take out more to help make inverted flight easier.
5. Run some jam nuts down on top of the aileron control arms. The plastic connectors on mine began twisting around during flight which made the flying "interesting" until I figured out what the problem was.
I was trained on my LT-40, soloed on the 9th flight, and have at least 50 flights since. No crashes, not even a tear in the covering anywhere. And it is acrobatic enough to keep a beginner very busy for quite a while!
1. I used an aluminum main landing gear mount instead of the wire mounts provided. This has worked very well and saved a bunch of time straightening the landing gear up after hard landings.
2. The nosewheel wire is very weak considering the size of the plane and it only lasted around a month on mine. I replaced it with a Sullivan mount (very cheap) and have had no problems since.
3. I would add extra supports for the control tubes back to the rudder and elevator and make sure that they are as straight as possible when gluing them in. My rudder and elevator have to be re-trimmed every time I fly. No big deal, but more support could have helped.
4. I buit mine with about an inch less dihedral than the plans and the plane is still super-stable. If I were to build another I would take out more to help make inverted flight easier.
5. Run some jam nuts down on top of the aileron control arms. The plastic connectors on mine began twisting around during flight which made the flying "interesting" until I figured out what the problem was.
I was trained on my LT-40, soloed on the 9th flight, and have at least 50 flights since. No crashes, not even a tear in the covering anywhere. And it is acrobatic enough to keep a beginner very busy for quite a while!
11-29-2002 | 03:24 PM
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From: Terrell,
TX
Lt-40 tips and tricks
build per planes,add wood stock to support landing gear block,brace the control tubes at each former,seal the gaps,balance plane by the prints,fuel up,then go fly.If you've a little nervous,then let a qualified pilot check it out on the ground and the air.
11-29-2002 | 03:34 PM
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From: Ashburn, VA
LT-40
You will get lots of advice, I have the LT-40 ARF, so here are mine :-):
1) I added some triangle stock to brace the tail fin. I thought it was fine, but the guys at the club said the LT-40 had a problem with it coming loose over time.
2) I would leave the wire main gear. Bending it back in to place seemed to be a GOOD thing for me. Once you get better you'll probably switch to a better plane, so I wouldn't mess with changing out the main gear.
3) I spent A LOT of time straightening the nose wheel gear. If you can get a better one that I would do.
4) I had a problem with the clump in the fuel tank jamming forward after hard landings. (Based on club recommendations) I lengthened the brass tube beyond what was called for and that fixed that problem. Note: When the clump jams forward, you can fuel starve the engine pretty easily.
Other than that, I agree to just go with the plans. SIG does a good job on them.
GB
1) I added some triangle stock to brace the tail fin. I thought it was fine, but the guys at the club said the LT-40 had a problem with it coming loose over time.
2) I would leave the wire main gear. Bending it back in to place seemed to be a GOOD thing for me. Once you get better you'll probably switch to a better plane, so I wouldn't mess with changing out the main gear.
3) I spent A LOT of time straightening the nose wheel gear. If you can get a better one that I would do.
4) I had a problem with the clump in the fuel tank jamming forward after hard landings. (Based on club recommendations) I lengthened the brass tube beyond what was called for and that fixed that problem. Note: When the clump jams forward, you can fuel starve the engine pretty easily.
Other than that, I agree to just go with the plans. SIG does a good job on them.
GB
11-30-2002 | 11:08 AM
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From: Evans,
GA
Lt-40 tips and tricks
Second that on the fuel tank clunk, though its not really just an LT-40 issue. You can check that the clunk is free just by turning the plane over and listening for it. Not doing this after a very hard landing is a good way to practice a dead-stick landing the next time up!
11-30-2002 | 08:11 PM
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From: Brockton, MA,
Lt-40 tips and tricks
I'll second the idea of putting some triangle stock on the fin to reinforce it (ask me how I know).
As for the nose wheel, see if you can find a Sullivan 'knuckle-style' nose gear, their p/n S865. You can see what it looks like at www.towerhobbies.com. Look for their part number LXFV50. That nose gear helped me out. The trick in landing is to remember to flare, so that you don't hit on the nose gear first, causing a bounce.
I've built four LT-40's. The first was stock, the nd and 3rd were slightly bashed, and the 4th (now my 'freight hauler') was kitbashed into a tail dragger with different tail feathers. Presently, I am trying to figure out how to mount a camera on it for in-flight photography.
It's a versatile plane. You'll never outgrow it. Even once you become more proficient, you'll keep going back to it just for some fun flying. Sig hit the nail on the head with this one.
Just my $.02
Bob
As for the nose wheel, see if you can find a Sullivan 'knuckle-style' nose gear, their p/n S865. You can see what it looks like at www.towerhobbies.com. Look for their part number LXFV50. That nose gear helped me out. The trick in landing is to remember to flare, so that you don't hit on the nose gear first, causing a bounce.
I've built four LT-40's. The first was stock, the nd and 3rd were slightly bashed, and the 4th (now my 'freight hauler') was kitbashed into a tail dragger with different tail feathers. Presently, I am trying to figure out how to mount a camera on it for in-flight photography.
It's a versatile plane. You'll never outgrow it. Even once you become more proficient, you'll keep going back to it just for some fun flying. Sig hit the nail on the head with this one.
Just my $.02
Bob
