Hey, I'm new... registered less then 30 seconds ago. Anyway, I'm working on building my first plane right now. It's a PT-20 and I am just about to sheet the wing so I can start covering afterwards. Anyway, the right side of my wing is heavier then the left. If I hold my fingers in the middle (I have a lot of dihedral, followed plans to make the trainer) it will shift to the right. But if I move my finger about half an inch or so to the right, it will balance perfectly.

I've tried sanding the right side more and to no avail. What is the best way to get the wings level? Tomorrow after work I will be going to the local hobby shop to pick up monokote and all my covering tools... so I'd appreciate it if I could get some help on this problem so I can get this bird ready for a test flight within a month. Thanks for any and all help and suggestions.

Don't worry about it right now. Finish the plane, THEN balance it. Read this article about balancing, the second part refers to Lateral (side to side) balancing.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/reviews.ph...ew&reviewid=84

Listen to Mike (Minnflyer). He's one of the most knowledgeable and affable guys on this site.

Do you have an instructor lined up to help you learn to fly?

I AM surprised that you didn't have some graphics for this one though Mike.
Dennis-

I've never actually bothered with lateral balance. But i would urge you to be, i am a very casual builder i don't care all that much. But listen to Minnflyer.Ok?

The Balsa USA Stik (my favorite trainer in spite of this partickalar post) has wing tips made of hugemongous chunks of balsa that you carve to shape. *grin* On my second one, I actually went at the tips with a saber saw.

Anyway - one of the tips was made out of balsa that was MUCH heavier than the other. The only time I've done this: Even after drilling lightening holes in the heavy one, I imbedded two (that's TWO!) double A's in the light one....... And I usually build light!

I love your dedication to perfection.
Build it then use your radio, batteries, and engine to balance the plane.

Add a bulb and make it really light! HA!



sorry...................

ROFL!

Pefection. Oh yeh. I don't know why but I love building this thing, if its even more fun flying, then I'm gonna love this. I don't think I'll ever buy an ARF.

I never owned an ARF. I only scratch-built one plane, but woulda kept on doing that if my eyes hadn't given up. When you build kits, and you keep your eyes open, there's lots and lots of options! Tag sales, flea markets, etc. I built whatever was a 'good deal' at the time, after I had learned to fly. While learning, I did a lot of head-scratching before settling on my Balsa USA Stik. Old guys like 'em - they're a really old design - but young guys have never seen one.

You don't get emotionally attached to one of these the way you would a fancier plane, and I'll tell you what - I'd fly when no one else would. When you can fly no matter what the weather, you can get in lots more flight time and, obviously, learn to fly faster.....

The 'good deals'? *grin* I bought the biggest roll of generic something-kote you've ever seen from the LHS for $5 - whoever bought it first didn't like it. So - I had bright orange planes for years! A Dynaflite (? I think) Skeeter $12. A 1/2A Hobby Shack SST $14. Baby Birdy (trade). Goldberg Electra ($25 closeout - I flew it with the original kit motor, no matter what the 'lectric guys promote). Ancient Sig Kadet - field box, plane, KB .40 and radio for $50. I had to replace the radio, it was illegal.

Keep your eyes open and build whatever comes your way.