gard,

I'm not trying to insult you but from the nature of your questions I would Highly repeat Highly recomend you either 1 build a trianner kit to gain experience or 2 get some entry level books regarding model aircraft design/construction. You could download some actual kit instruction manuals from Great Planes website this would provide you with invaluable experience.

Going it alone is fine if you Know your way!

Thanks all for all the comments on the rudder/tailwheel, your inputs are much appreciated.

I've noticed the concern about getting a trainer and learning how to fly first, reverse engineering, etc etc. I agree that the best way to learn how to fly would be to get a trainer, and an instructor, and join a club and take it one step at a time. I also agree that reverse engineering is by far the best way to go, when you are actually trying to make something that you know will work. This is not the first time I have built something by myself.

However, I have no desire to learn how to fly RC planes at this point in time (nor do I really have the money). I dont care if my plane flys apart after getting one foot off the ground. That is not why I am doing this. I am doing this to apply knowledge. I am not just throwing together a random mix of pieces and parts in the vain hope that it might resemble some kind of acrobatic marvel. This is a well thought out plan, one that I have done a fair amount of work on. I picked the airfoils out carefully and specifically. I calculated how much weight I had to work with based on engine size and power output. I then used that to determine how much wood I could use, and then to decide how big a wing was needed. My point is is that I have done everything on my design for a reason. Reasons that I have worked out for myself, by myself. When things all go wrong, I will go find out where my reasoning went wrong. If I use somebody elses designs or ideas...then its just not my reasoning, period.

As I stated before...this will be done well away from anybody or anything else. The thing cant hold enough gas to get anywhere close to anything it could do damage to, except for trees, rocks, and swampland. I fully realize the potential harm that an airborne machine can cause, and am planning accordingly.

Please dont take this the wrong way, it is, quite frankly, an awesome forum and place to go to for help/knowledge/experience of all kinds, and I dont want to sound crass or angry. But when I feel the need to actually learn how to fly RC, I will do it properly, with a trainer and a club. This project wont cost me more than 10$ for the little bit extra that I need to buy...everything else is from scrap and donated materials.

Again, thank you for the concern and advice...but please dont think Im doing this to try and get into the sport. If it actually does end up working, I'll probably give it to my father who would get some enjoyment out of it. Either that or try to shoot it down with a shotgun. (<-- please dont take that too seriously )

I know some of you love doing this, and have spent a lot of time on it. And that you couldnt possibly understand why I would be so callous about this, or the advice given. My true passion is for cars, and I know how I get when somebody tries to go "fix something on their own" or says "bah its just the whatever, I can do that myself", but I truly believe that this is the best way for ME to learn.

Hopefully one day I will be ready to become a full fledged member of the RC community, but I doubt it will be this summer.

Thanks,
John