Rewing of LT-40
 

All,

Due to some accumulated damage, I am considering rewinging my LT-40. The guys at the field suggested I use a wing without dihedral.

Is there someplace that explains wing shapes? I know there is symetrical and flat bottomed, but don't know the difference (exactly).

Anyway, I was wanting to make the LT-40 more "sporty" without it becoming overwhelming for a novice (approaching 10th solo flight).

Suggestions?

GB

Rewing of LT-40
 

I wouldn't go completely flat. Just build your new wing with 1/2 of the dihedral than the plans state. Or give it something like 1" (with one wing flat on the building board)

Rewing of LT-40
 

Plans call for 3 1/2 inches I would go half of that. You could possibly extend the airelons to give them a little bit more surrface and use 2 servos instead of one. Consider making the wing a bolt on wing if you are going to try to get a little more wild with it.

Rewing of LT-40
 

I agree with Minnflyer. I wouldnt go completely flat until you have a few more flights under your belt. if you wanted to make it a bit more sporty, than you might consider taking out about 6 inches off each wing tip as well as maybe taking about half the dihedral.This will increase your roll rate, but still leave some stability. (The dihedral is what gives it stability in flight) When you get to the point of being completely bored with the plane, you might try and change the plane to a tail wheel. The LT-40 makes a good tail wheel trainer. As far as wing shape is concerned. The flat bottom airfoil creates more lift, but does not perform well when inverted. by making the wing symetrical. (curved on both sides, the plane will fly inverted as easy as it will upright. Symetrical winged planes are more difficult to fly. Once again.. I wouldnt recomend going to a symetrical airfoil till you have another gallon or so of fuel under your belt. I always recommend to my students to be absolutely bored and to be able to do EVERYTHING the plane is cabable of before moving on to their next plane. Good luck and smooth landings!

FW

Rewing of LT-40
 

My LT-40 can fly inverted just fine. Roll rate is a bit slow, but I am going to dial in a little more. Convert it to a taildragger? Now that sounde like fun! (Except a lot of guys at the field seem to stop with the nose planted, standing on the mains...)

Rewing of LT-40
 

I don't disagree that the LT-40 can fly inverted.. it just doesnt do it very pretty! LOTS of elevater. you will see what I mean when you transfer to a semi or symetrical airfoil plane. As far as the tail dragger is concerned. converting isn't real hard.. you just need to run an additional control rod to the tail, and install a decent tail wheel assembly. You can use an aluminum landing gear set instead of the wire wheels.The mains need to be slightly forward (abount an inch) of the CG. The main reason you see lots on aircraft on the nose at your field is the way people land them. I see way too many people land the plane before it is ready to land, and to top it off they forget to keep the elevater up when they are on the ground. 90% of every landing is the approach. If you have a stable aproach to the runway. I.E. Speed, angle of attack, decent rate, line up.. the rest is easy. fly it till it's a foot off the ground.. level out, and let the plane settle. as it sinks.. bring back the elevater and keep doing that till you touch down. This method works no matter the wheel config. of course take off is another story.. one best left to the instructer at your side :)

BTW if you can swing it.. The R C computer simulaters are really worth the money. you will save yourself alot of repairs and broke props by using the sim. I still use mine to practice IMAC patterns.

Cheers,

FW