I have been blessed enough to be given the plane below for next to nothing. The question is, what kind of plane is it? The reason I ask is, I have no idea how to find the cg to balance it. Any ideas on how to find the cg? Also, should a 40 la power the airplane well?

Thanks guys!

It looks somewhat like an RCM Trainer. This was a Bridi design from the 70's and 80's and taken over by Great Planes. When kitted by Bridi it was available in three sizes, a .20, a .40, and a .60.

With that semetrical wing it should be a fun plane. Put it on a scale. If it is over 5.5 lbs it may be a little tough getting it off a grass runway with a .40 but it should fly. Sorry, no help identifying it but if you put the CG 25% of the wings length back from the leading edge it should be a safe starting point. ei. If the wing chord (length not span) including ailerons is 10 inches then put the C/G at 2.5 inches from the leading edge.

Bridi Trainer 40. They are a fantastic sport plane, and also make a decent trainer with the rates kept low. I used to build them with the cabin area left off so it was more like a stick, and powered with an OS .45 FSR they made one heck of a good flyer.

The one in the pictures I just finished up last night, power is an OS .40 FP with a 6-ch Futaba Conquest AM radio. This one weighs 5 lbs. 1.5 oz.

usafloadc17,

The CG range is 3-1/4" to 3-3/4" back from the leading edge. Surface throws are Aileron = 3/16" up/down, Elevator 3/8" up/down, and rudder 1/2" left/right. The LA 40 will fly it just fine. I've flown them on K&B Torpedo 40's and they did fine, and the Torpedo .40 didn't have any more power than the LA 40 has. If you are using this as a trainer, then seek out a flight instructor. This plane is not as forgiving as the flat bottom trainers available today, but as you progress you can kick the rates up about 50% more than the recommended surface throws and have a great second plane as well.

Hogflyer

thanks guys! That was a great help! I plan on setting up a dual rate. What would you use for low/high rates?

Take the Bridi recommended aileron and elevator rates and add 50% to them to start, then increase as needed. You won't break anything on this plane as rugged as it is (it is a Bridi design).

Aileron: Low Rate = 3/16" up/down
High Rate = 9/32" up/down to start, then increase to 3/8" up/down as desired (it'll handle as much as you can give it)

Elevator: Low Rate = 3/8" up/down
High Rate = 9/16" up/down to start, then increase to 3/4" up/down as desired (you can go more with a bolted wing option - if you reach the point where it wants to snap roll or stall a wing at full elevator throw, then back it off 1/8")

Rudder: Low Rate = 1/2" left/right
High Rate = all you can get

Just remember with the LA .46 it's not going to be a barn burner with unlimited vertical. It'll fly in the manner that planes 25 years ago where flown - on the wing, not the prop. It should have no problems getting off a grass field even it weight 6 lbs, and you'll learn the meaning of maintaining inertia and airspeed control.

Hogflyer