Trainers with rubber bands!!!! use a lot, don't just slap on a few and think its ok! i did this today and about lost my plane! luckily someone more advanced was there to set it down for me! i was told make sure that the wing wont move and/or lift off the Fuse !!! so slap about a dozen on there!!!!


Happy flights!!!

Dave

don't "assume", it just makes an "ass" out of "u" and "me"

ass-U-me

You need atleast four on each side and four criss crossed for a total of 12 to be really safe.

Bought a big packet from the Stationery shop and keep in the freezer so they don't perish. In NZ the 'proper' flying rubber bands would be nearly impossible to obtain and if you could they would be very expensive. I use 12 bands on the wing every flight. 8 crossed over the wing side to side front to back and 4 on the same side, front to back. I also reuse bands a few times until they become soft (quite easy to feel the difference between a good wing band and one that should not be reused) and then into the bin. I also figure that 12 bands gives plenty of surplus holding capacity (redundancy) and if a band should break while flying there are still plenty left to hold the wing. This has never happened to me. I never stretch bands straight from the freezer, giving them the time from home to the flying field to warm to normal temperature. As a check from time to time (like 2 or 3 times a year) check the rubber bands are holding the wing secure. I wipe clean the bands after flying with a rag and then I store the rubber bands in use at the time, in a sealed plastic container with some talcum powder in it to absorb any fuel residue. Never had an issue with the wing moving in flight. The plane does loops and other basic aerobatics.

I use 12

5 on each side and the last two criss-crossed

The last packages of bands I bought were from Walmart. I always use 12. Ten straight back and the last two crossed to keep the first ten on. After use I discard them all. They are too cheap to risk an in-flight failure at under $2 dollars for a 1/4 pound. I don't keep them in a freezer to make them last but I do keep them inside the plastic bag they came in, and also in a cardboard box to keep the unused rubber bands from getting sun damage.

When I first learned how to fly, there were some oldtimers that reused their rubber bands and kept them in a plastic box filled with talcom powder. They said that one or two would occasionally snap, and that was when I decided it wasn't worth it to be frugal there.

I use 8 rubber bands. 2 on each side and 2 criss crossed. Dont over do it either as that can be just as dangerous as using 2rubberbands. The dowels can break and we do not want that!

I criss crossed the last 4. If one of the 4 breaks, there are still one to hold the others.

I can't remember reading anything about how many RBs to use on a wing. It's just something I have learned over the years and never had any problems with them. I have also never though about the price of something like RBs in other countries. This web site is a true eye opener for me. I can go down the street to my local drug store and buy a box for almost nothing. I don't use them on any of my planes but I go through a lot of them when I'm building. Now I will think about it a bit more when I'm just cutting them off and tossing them out. I would like to know what the prices are for these in other countries?? I'm heading to the store to buy a bottle of alcohol, 91% for under $2.00 and a box of #64 rubber bands, about $1.50. Just wondering.
Gene

I no longer have any planes that require wings held on with rubber bands. However, I recall when I did use them no. 64 were the proper size and 10 was sufficient. Also to reuse them found that storing them in a container with cat litter or dust down was the best means of removing the excess fuel from them. Talcum powder was too messy.

I go with three on each side and two across, total of 8. My measure is 1 band per pound of plane, plus the two to cross to keep them all on. 12 is overkill.

Per Hobbico's instructions about two bands per pound of plane. I've used this rule of thumb for years and had no problems at all. It may be over kill but I have not lost a $400 airplane to a 1 cent rubber band yet.

Your right. I just started flying last week so I really didn't know for sure. Of course the last time I owned plane that required rubberbands was about 20 years ago.

Minnflyer also stated he uses 12 rubber bands, and he has probably forgotten more about rc planes than most people on here will ever learn. In other words he is one of the few on the forum that when he says something, listen very closely and follow his advise.

I use #64. I was taught 2 rubberbands per pound of weight. I use them on my "Ugly Stick". Some guys keep using them till they break. I use them for the day and throw them away.

Good luck.
Frank

An old timer back in the mid 1970's told me this formula for the minimum number or rubber bands: a minimum of 8 for any plane, and this includes 1/2A. Then you take the weight of the plane if above 4 lbs, round up to the next pound and multiply by 2 to get the minimum number or rubber bands. For example a 4 lb. 2 oz. plane would round up to 5, X 2 = 10 rubber bands. A 7 lb. 9 oz. plane would require 16 rubber bands minimum. Following this rule I've never lost a plane due to rubber band failure, and even with a few bands breaking in flight.

Hogflyer

When I instruct on a trainer (or test flying one) 12 RBs - cross the first two (and get the wing aligned) then 4, then cross the last two. Overkill - maybe, but I've yet to have a wing pop off in flight. At the end of the flying day, they get cut off. #64 RB are cheap by the bag from office depot.

I use screws. I hate screwing with rubberbands because you have to put so many on.

[] Im only using 6 on my Couger!!!!! Guess ive been lucky so far.

[color=#FF0099]My first plane was a Kadet Senior, and I was taught 12. I also threw them away at the end of the day....lots of flights, fuel exhaust, and the South Florida heat and sun. Our sun seems to do more damage than anything else. Sometimes the rubberbands pop all by themselves just sitting in the sun during a really hot summer day here.

Bev

Bev,

Did you try to over stretch those #64's on the Kadet Sr. or did you use longer rubberbands (#134, #66 or #135 are the next sizes in 1/4" width)?

Popping rubberbands is a given here in Kansas also on a nice, hot, 100+ deg. summer afternoon. One thing I try to teach my students is to always check the rubberbands before every flight since they can pop on the ground or in the air. When one pops I'll add 2 knowing a second rubberband is sure to break.

[link=http://www.bigwigbands.com/rb_sizes.html]Here's a chart for rubberband sizes vs. length/width.[/link]

Hogflyer

[color=#FF0099]Thanks...neat chart. Yep, I'm afraid so!!! I was using 64s on the Senior!!! I still keep a box in my arsenal...someone is always needing one to hold something together!

Bev

Hi!
...Been flying R/C for 35 years, teaching others, racing, sport flying ...you name it.... 6 rubber bands is enough on a high/low winged trainer.