reelay:

Without an incidence meter, the angles of a model can be measured with a ruler and a straight edge.

The one degree of incidence for your model is measured respect to the stabilizer.

As the picture shows, a straight edge over or under the stabilizer can be used as reference, regardless its width.

For one degree of incidence for 13-3/4" chord, the leading edge of the wing needs to be 0.23997” higher than the trailing edge, which is just a hair less than ¼” (exact ¼” represents 1.041 degrees).

Either for this method or for using an incidence meter, make sure that the stabilizer and the elevator are perfectly in line, as well as the wing and the aileron, if the portion of the wing you measure has ailerons; otherwise, any measurement will be off set.

Using some kind of support, align and fix the wing respect to the fuselage and tail before measuring, cutting and gluing the cabana struts.

Regards!

Now we understand that everyone has shown a way to measure incidence. But it is alot faster and alot less troublesome to just use a meter.

thanks i think i can do that.

Let us know how it works out. Take the plane up and trim it out for level flight at a comfortable cruise speed, then land it and let us know where the elevator sits. I already have my own ideas about the outcome, but I'm curious to know how it works out.

worthless? You have obviously been lucky, and not too bright. I took off a trainer once and I had all I could do to fly it! I went to the hobby shop and bought an incidence meter at a friend's suggestion. I found that the stabilizer was off an 1/8 inch! Lucky for me it was a bolt on tail surface. I sanded a piece of light ply to a wedge and retested, the plane was in alignment. The next day the plane flew perfect! As far as your deck of cards comment, you are a moron! I have had my incidence meter show one degree of improper incidence twice! That requires 1/32" shim. Let me guess, you measure control throws with a ruler!

To be realistic, 90% of R/C pilots will build or assemble an airplane and if they can get it to fly level by pushing the TX trims they are happy. I have read many many threads where someone is complaining about how bad an airplane design is and I think to myself how easily that airplane could be adjusted to be a good flier.