Thrust angle for Superstar?
 

I recently purchased a Hobbico Superstar 40 ARF. The engine mount is already attached to the firewall. The engine attaches with 2 plates and 4 screws. I've been reading alot here about having some thrust angle with the motor. This mount doesn't seem to have any. The instructions doesn't mention it either. Should I put an angle on when I install the engine as the plates give you room to do so, or just put in on as straight as I can? Also, what's the best way to make sure the motor is aligned correctly> Do you measure from the tip of the stab to the tip of the propeller? Any help would be appreciated if anyone has ever flown a Superstar.

RE: Thrust angle for Superstar?
 

The Superstar flies very nicely if you line up the engine dead straight, without any right thrust, or especially, not any left thrust. If you can't get it straight, a very small amount of right thrust is acceptable (this means that the engine points very slightly at the right side of the nose when looking at it from the tail end of the plane).

A simple but effective way to check the alignment is to sight along the cooling fins on the cyl head, looking from the front of the plane -- it is easy to see if the engine is cocked one way or the other.

RE: Thrust angle for Superstar?
 

I agree with britbrat, it's not critical, so just try to eyeball it straight.

I haven't looked at the Superstar's firewall, but many planes have a little angle built in to the firewall. The idea being that you mount the engine straight on the mount, and the firewall provides the correct right and down thrust for the plane.

So, when in doubt, mount the engine as striaght to the engine mount as you can get it, and figure that the ARF builders probibly got the angle ok on the firewall.

If the angle is off, it will show up in the air. On a trainer, it won't be all that noticeable. Generally, if the thrust line is off to the right or left, the plane will pull that way more than it should when you apply power (note that all planes will pull a little bit as you apply power on take-off). You'll also see a tendancy to pull the nose to the side when you pull from level flight to a vertical climb. Since you won't be doing this much (intentionally anyway) when learning to fly, it's not that important.

RE: Thrust angle for Superstar?
 

I've had and have many hobbico arf's just center it and put the back of the spinner or drive plate about 1/4" beyond the nosesides, I use a small ruler to get it centered up.

RE: Thrust angle for Superstar?
 

Yup, Just get it as straight as possible... If its a tad off then an experienced pilot can easily trim it out for you