Balancing Spanwise
 

I got great advice on fixing my nose gear and my appreciative thanks goes out to all those good people out there with their suggestions now on to the question.
This question is still in regard to my Sig LT-40 ARF. Looking to find a way to balance the plane span-wise. When flying the wing still wants to drop to the right or muffler side and no amount of opposite trim has helped. I have taken the plane and removed the glow plug and held the plane by the engine crankshaft at the front and under the center of the fuselage at the rear and the plane shows that it is unbalanced by dropping off on the muffler side of the airplane. Now here is the dilemma, the Sig LT 40 ARF does not have a thick wing tip or leading edge to push any kind of weight into them. So what would you all suggest so I can balance this airplane span-wise? again thanks to all that respond with thier suggestions they are greatly appreciated and if we ever meet I will buy you a beer!!! Thanks

RE: Balancing Spanwise
 

Pennies! Just don't tell the government. hehe Seriously that's what I've used. First, have somebody help hold the plane. Then stack the pennies out on the tip of the wing next to the last rib. Add enough so that the plane is balanced. This will tell you how much weight you have to add. Remove the wing and cut a small hole in the bottom covering out where you stacked the pennies. Stand the wing against the wall so the hole is at the bottom. Now just epoxy the pennies, in a single layer, to the side of the rib. This distributes the weight so that the rib won't break. Recover the hole and you're ready to go.

Just my 2 cents worth. yuck yuck

Kerry

RE: Balancing Spanwise
 

Kerry, thanks for the very cool idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
steve

RE: Balancing Spanwise
 

I find it very unlikely that the plane is so out of balance laterally that you can't trim the tendency to turn out of it. I'm guessing that there's something more drastic causing it, like the horizontal stab not being in line with the wing, or the vertical stab not being in line with the fuselage.

I'm also guessing that if this is the case, that laterally balancing won't help.

Hope I'm wrong, and welcome to RCU! :)
Dennis-

RE: Balancing Spanwise
 

Read this... There's a section on lateral balance:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...?article_id=84

RE: Balancing Spanwise
 

DB is probably right but it can't hurt to laterally balance it first. They make stick on lead weights you can get at your hobby store that you can stick to the outside of the wing. or glue them inside the wing. You could also use lead weights for fishing glued in the wing.