Should I have not flown?
06-29-2009 | 03:46 PM
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From: bellingham,
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Should I have not flown?
During preflight I found 1 CA hinge had torn. Right Alieron, 1st hinge by the fuselage. I used 2" clear tape on the top and bottom over the hinge area and flew the plane. I took it easy.
Because its at the end of the alieron I think I can turn and lift it enough to just cut a new one next to it.
would you fly with 1 out of 4 alieron hinges torn???
I hate to ask but....I want to try something else after this. I've always used CA hinges and this is the first I've seen break but the elevator on my arf moves much easier than my CA hinges.
I want something that offers less resistance and more total range than the CA hinges?
Because its at the end of the alieron I think I can turn and lift it enough to just cut a new one next to it.
would you fly with 1 out of 4 alieron hinges torn???
I hate to ask but....I want to try something else after this. I've always used CA hinges and this is the first I've seen break but the elevator on my arf moves much easier than my CA hinges.
I want something that offers less resistance and more total range than the CA hinges?
06-29-2009 | 03:54 PM
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From: Hamilton,
OH
RE: Should I have not flown?
I think you could fly it because it is by the fuse and not the end. That part of the aileron is support by the aileron arms. However, I would still replace it. I could be wrong. I have seen guys at the field fly them that close to the fuse and not had a single problem. Just a roll of the dice, because if that arm isn't expoxied in the aileron well enought it will pull off. Just a thought IMHO. Good luck.
Joe
Joe
06-29-2009 | 04:04 PM
#3
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RE: Should I have not flown?
First of all, no hinge will offer more total range than a CA hinge. The range of the hinge will depend on how sharp the bevel is and whether or not the TE of the wing is beveled. It will also be determined by the size of the gap.
All you have to do is:
Install the hinges and close the gap. Now, before adding the CA, move the surface both ways MORE THAT IT WILL MOVE IN FLIGHT. This will open the gap. DO NOT CLOSE IT AGAIN! If the gap is more than you can live with, re-bevel the surfaces. If the gap is good (about 1/32 - 1/16 inch) add the Thin CA.
Second, while a CA hinge might seem a little stiff at first, just remember that when you are flying at 60+ MPH, there is a LOT more air resistance holding that control surface than a CA hinge could ever compete with. in other words, it's not worth worrying about.
And finally, if the surface is very difficult to move, you probably do not have enough gap (Which is the biggest reason CA Hinges fail) using a different type of hinge will not fix this. If the beveled LE of the aileron is hitting the TE of the wing, that will limit the movement of any hinge.
All you have to do is:
Install the hinges and close the gap. Now, before adding the CA, move the surface both ways MORE THAT IT WILL MOVE IN FLIGHT. This will open the gap. DO NOT CLOSE IT AGAIN! If the gap is more than you can live with, re-bevel the surfaces. If the gap is good (about 1/32 - 1/16 inch) add the Thin CA.
Second, while a CA hinge might seem a little stiff at first, just remember that when you are flying at 60+ MPH, there is a LOT more air resistance holding that control surface than a CA hinge could ever compete with. in other words, it's not worth worrying about.
And finally, if the surface is very difficult to move, you probably do not have enough gap (Which is the biggest reason CA Hinges fail) using a different type of hinge will not fix this. If the beveled LE of the aileron is hitting the TE of the wing, that will limit the movement of any hinge.
06-29-2009 | 04:15 PM
#4
My Feedback: (8)
RE: Should I have not flown?
I like the plastic hinges. They take a lot more time to install but offer much less resistance than CA hinges (don't know if that really matters though). Also you can pull the pins to remove control surfaces if need be, rather than having to cut all your CA hinges.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXD941&P=ML
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXD941&P=ML
06-29-2009 | 04:36 PM
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From: Nutley,
NJ
RE: Should I have not flown?
I broke a hinge on my Showtime getting it into the car recently and wouldnt fly it until I fixed it. Im not one to take a chance considering the amount of money and time we spend on these things. A few hundred bucks is still a few hundred bucks no matter how basic the plane might be - but then add in the time repairing or whatever else simply for being careless. Not worth it in my opinion.
06-29-2009 | 06:43 PM
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From: bellingham,
MA
RE: Should I have not flown?
ORIGINAL: MinnFlyer
First of all, no hinge will offer more total range than a CA hinge. The range of the hinge will depend on how sharp the bevel is and whether or not the TE of the wing is beveled. It will also be determined by the size of the gap.
All you have to do is:
Install the hinges and close the gap. Now, before adding the CA, move the surface both ways MORE THAT IT WILL MOVE IN FLIGHT. This will open the gap. DO NOT CLOSE IT AGAIN! If the gap is more than you can live with, re-bevel the surfaces. If the gap is good (about 1/32 - 1/16 inch) add the Thin CA.
Second, while a CA hinge might seem a little stiff at first, just remember that when you are flying at 60+ MPH, there is a LOT more air resistance holding that control surface than a CA hinge could ever compete with. in other words, it's not worth worrying about.
And finally, if the surface is very difficult to move, you probably do not have enough gap (Which is the biggest reason CA Hinges fail) using a different type of hinge will not fix this. If the beveled LE of the aileron is hitting the TE of the wing, that will limit the movement of any hinge.
First of all, no hinge will offer more total range than a CA hinge. The range of the hinge will depend on how sharp the bevel is and whether or not the TE of the wing is beveled. It will also be determined by the size of the gap.
All you have to do is:
Install the hinges and close the gap. Now, before adding the CA, move the surface both ways MORE THAT IT WILL MOVE IN FLIGHT. This will open the gap. DO NOT CLOSE IT AGAIN! If the gap is more than you can live with, re-bevel the surfaces. If the gap is good (about 1/32 - 1/16 inch) add the Thin CA.
Second, while a CA hinge might seem a little stiff at first, just remember that when you are flying at 60+ MPH, there is a LOT more air resistance holding that control surface than a CA hinge could ever compete with. in other words, it's not worth worrying about.
And finally, if the surface is very difficult to move, you probably do not have enough gap (Which is the biggest reason CA Hinges fail) using a different type of hinge will not fix this. If the beveled LE of the aileron is hitting the TE of the wing, that will limit the movement of any hinge.
06-29-2009 | 06:51 PM
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From: bellingham,
MA
RE: Should I have not flown?
ORIGINAL: gaRCfield
In my opinion it is a bad idea to get in the habit of taking chances. If you lost an aileron, chances are you lose the plane.
I would not fly one of my planes if I saw a broken hinge.
In my opinion it is a bad idea to get in the habit of taking chances. If you lost an aileron, chances are you lose the plane.
I would not fly one of my planes if I saw a broken hinge.
I have grounded myself a couple of times...
steve
06-30-2009 | 12:37 AM
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From: Wellington, SOUTH AFRICA
RE: Should I have not flown?
I think it will depend on how good you can fix it at the field on the moment you find something not as it should be. Remember if something happens and lets say you loose total control and you crash into someone elses plane or into someone for that matter - would you live with your concience. This is how I see it. Yes things go wrong even with everything checking clear in pre-flight. But then the "guilt" when something happens isn't that big I think.
But at the end of the day it depends what type of person you are - a chance taker or not.
But at the end of the day it depends what type of person you are - a chance taker or not.
06-30-2009 | 07:18 AM
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From: Jacksonville, FL
RE: Should I have not flown?
I think you can answer your own question......I am offering you a ride in a full scale aircraft...oh never mind that broken hinge...I have put some 20ths sheet aluminum on the bottom of the wing......don't worry we'll take easy!!!!!!!!!!! would you go?
06-30-2009 | 07:21 AM
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From: Jacksonville, FL
RE: Should I have not flown?
I think you can answer your own question......I am offering you a ride in a full scale aircraft...oh never mind that broken hinge...I have put some 20ths sheet aluminum on the bottom of the wing......don't worry we'll take easy!!!!!!!!!!! would you go?
06-30-2009 | 07:42 AM
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From: bellingham,
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RE: Should I have not flown?
I quickly realized that its about impossable to insert just 1 CA hinge so I cut them all and redid all the CA hinges.
With slightly more gap than the 1st setup and the alieron works better than before.
With slightly more gap than the 1st setup and the alieron works better than before.
06-30-2009 | 02:28 PM
#14
RE: Should I have not flown?
OK my turn;
That tape "repair" is probably stronger than the original hinge on some smaller electrics. I fly spads, I have seen them that use tape for hinging. I would have done the same thing and flown it. Like he said, just take it easy and have fun! The chance of his tape repair failing is no greater than the chance of anything else that was not broken failing on an aircraft, so using the logic some suggest on here we should never ever fly because it could break and then crash into someone!
Give it a rst already Sheesh!!
That tape "repair" is probably stronger than the original hinge on some smaller electrics. I fly spads, I have seen them that use tape for hinging. I would have done the same thing and flown it. Like he said, just take it easy and have fun! The chance of his tape repair failing is no greater than the chance of anything else that was not broken failing on an aircraft, so using the logic some suggest on here we should never ever fly because it could break and then crash into someone!
Give it a rst already Sheesh!!
07-01-2009 | 12:53 AM
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From: Wellington, SOUTH AFRICA
RE: Should I have not flown?
ORIGINAL: Adui
The chance of his tape repair failing is no greater than the chance of anything else that was not broken failing on an aircraft, so using the logic some suggest on here we should never ever fly because it could break and then crash into someone!
Give it a rst already Sheesh!!
The chance of his tape repair failing is no greater than the chance of anything else that was not broken failing on an aircraft, so using the logic some suggest on here we should never ever fly because it could break and then crash into someone!
Give it a rst already Sheesh!!
07-01-2009 | 03:02 PM
#16
RE: Should I have not flown?
ORIGINAL: 42etus
If I find ANYTHING wrong with a plane during a pre-flight, I won't fly it until it's fixed. To me, it's not worth the risk.
Paul
If I find ANYTHING wrong with a plane during a pre-flight, I won't fly it until it's fixed. To me, it's not worth the risk.
Paul
07-01-2009 | 05:37 PM
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From: charlotte,
MI
RE: Should I have not flown?
Planes will fly with broken hinges, covering patched with scotch tape or electrical tape, loose muffler screws, missing tail wheels, knicks in the prop, missing spinners, stickey retracts, and short antenna wires. Practice flying this way and you're flying junk and are looking for trouble. And if you are looking for trouble you are dead centain to find it. Get in the habbit of not flying until proper repairs can be made. Model airplanes thought to be in good condition can and do give enough problems from time to time to give anyone all the thrills needed on a seconds notice. Don't add to the percentages.
