Modifications to a trainer.
 

Hello Everyone

I just purchased a Skyward-40 trainer kit.

This kit has a single aileron servo mounted upside down in the wing centered.

I have asked some advice from someone that had/has the same kit but ARF and he's indicated that it is mounted with 2 servos to control the ailerons.

I will set it up for 2 servos , my question is do i use only a " Y " connector for the servos?


Also if anyone has assembled this kit have you made any modifcations to either enhance the flight characteristics or strengthen the structure. If yes ; what where the modifications.

Thanks in advance

Don't know that model
 

However,

A single servo is fine on a trainer.

If you go with two, then you can either use a Y connector or most 6+ channel radios can control both servos (which would allow you to set up flaperons later, if you wanted to).

Modifications to a trainer.
 

I will be installing an Airtronics 6ch in my trainer.

Is their a web-site that shows all the different control surfaces layouts and how to control them ?

Modifications to a trainer.
 

ghost bear is right, on a 40 size trainer you only need one servo just go by the plan sheet, my eagle 2 had a 60 inch wingspan and one servo worked fine, you may need 2 on a warbird or aerobatic plane for more control, trainers dont do much more than float around, maybe a roll,loop or inverted for a few seconds before its fighting to right itself, .........Rog

flaps might be cool though

I agree
 

I agree with the others. I have a skyward 60 trainer and it has only one aliron servo an flies great. By the way where did you purchase yours I have a friend who would like one.
Thanks

Modifications to a trainer.
 

Like the others have said, In doing a duel servo mod on that airplane, all you will gain is weight.

John

Modifications to a trainer.
 

ok but why does this member chaz have the same model except ARF and it came with 2 servo's ??


i dont get it ...even the plans dont show an option or anything

baffled

Modifications to a trainer.
 

Most ARF's are manufactured somewhere in Asia however that is not neccessarily true with Kits. Its quite common for any given wholesalers design Arf and kit versions to be made in entirely different countrys and subtle differences do creep in.

Your airplane if carefully built (that means light) will out perform the ARF everytime. Build it as designed and concentrate on learning to fly. Save the reengineering for later and a more appropriate airplane.

John :)

Modifications to a trainer.
 

one servo is all you need ,any thing else is dead weight for this plane,take the money savings and start your second plane.

Modifications to a trainer.
 

Thanks for all the info !!

I will keep you posted on what i will do ... decision's decision's

Modifications to a trainer.
 

not related to your specific question, but...

I'm learning on an old beater .40 trainer, but prior to buying that (for next to nothing) I had been assembling a .60 trainer.

I'm going to use aluminum landing gear on my .60, and reinforce the fuselage adjacent to the landing gear with think ply wood.

The field I fly at is grass, and when taxi-ing to the runway, or starting off on takeoff from still, the old beater .40 front landing gear just sponges into the grass until it 'breaks' loose. I'm told the aluminum gear won't have this problem. None of this is my idea, but was recommended by folk at the field.

Good luck!

Modifications to a trainer.
 

Dave0101

Originaly the kit was designed with steel rod landing gear (1987) know the kit ships with a on piece aluminium landing gear.

The nose wheel is still steel/spring rod but is steerable with the rudder control.

Thanks for the input.

Modifications to a trainer.
 

Hi dave0101,to brace the landing gear I use hardwood ,spruce ,basswood pine,etc,1/2 or 3/4 inch glue to the fuselage will give the landing gear wood plate something to glue on,if your landings are really rough then drill holes through the wood and pin in place with toothpicks or dowels,plywood will shear apart to easy.

experience
 

Francois,
Definitely reinforce the main gear. I have the 60 version of your plane, and just had to put a doubler in the bottom because the mounting bolts riped through. for the nose gear I like to fults dual strut gear.
Also be sure to seal monokote around windows with some clear dope.

Modifications to a trainer.
 

Starpoint

Did you have the flat aluminum landing gear or the round rod style landing gear. ?

In my kit i have the flat aluminum type and it is held down with 1/4" dia. nylon bolts.

At the hobby shop they said they changed this design to permit the bolts to shear off in a hard landing.

It's not mounted like in this picture.
http://www.udisco.com/hobbies/pics/000862.jpg
But they have changed it to use this type of landing gear.
http://www2.gpmd.com/image/b/bjsq0003.jpg

same thing
 

I have the same gear you have. Holds well just beef up the floor board.

Modifications to a trainer.
 

Ok Starpoint

Thanbks for the info i shall stiffen up the floor.

RE: Modifications to a trainer.
 

i have the exact plane as in that picture
still havent built it
not doing so well without radio or awl or anything i think i should start spending right?

RE: Modifications to a trainer.
 

The manual to your transmitter should have this info for what it is capable of doing.

RE: Modifications to a trainer.
 

If you fly off a grass field, check what size wheels come with the kit. Wheels that are too small try to push through the grass. This adds lots of drag and is hard on the landing gear. Wheels that are larger will ride over the grass making the plane easier to roll and steer. For our grass field 3" wheels seem to work the best. If your noise wheel is 1/4" smaller than your main wheels then use 3" wheels for the mains and a 2 3/4" wheel for the nose wheel. This will help a lot! [8D]