How's this for a beginner to start out?
 

Okay, here's the deal...As I said in another post, I've built many FF stick-and-tissue planes from kits over the past twenty years, but never have even seen or heard a model engine running.

I don't want to dive into RC and dump money into stupid mistakes (ie--crashing).

I abhor the idea of RTF's and ARF's, as I love to do the building myself. For some reason I love watching a pile of balsa sticks and sheet turn into a frame.

I've searched the free plans links listed here on this site and have found several large (5-8' span) models that I think would serve me well, be easy to build, and fairly sturdy.

Here's the idea...The plans I've found are mainly free-flight duration models--They were mounted with smallish glow engines set to run for a short run (8-15 seconds) and then the ship had a free flight back down to terra firma. These plans are some 60-80 years old, long before the advent of RC. Some were built with dethermalizers as the better-built ships were often lost when they hit thermals and flew away, only to land 30-40 miles away after a 4 hour free flight.

I'm thinking of building one of these as a "dead-stick" RC model. Sound crazy enough for you? Then read on.

These birds were built to be inherently stable. After all, no human controlled their flights, so they had to be self-righting and smooth operating. Most are fairly large, with a low wing loading ratio. With that in mind, how about adding a small RX unit and a single servo to control rudder so that I can keep in over the field I release it from?

I'm not at all worried about acrobatics or finess. I only want to keep from losing my ship.

I figure that if I do this, I can learn how to trim my plane so that it flies well by itself. Once I can do this, I can then build later ships with full RC ability, with powered flight.

Mainly I need advice on which control system to go with and advice on how to modify a non-RC stick and tissue to have control panels. Again, I'm thinking to start with only rudder for control. If I can safely turn my ship in a circle over a field, I'll be happy, as it will eventually land itself. I wonder about how I might need to adjust the wing loading with the additional weight of a servo and all additional gear, or if what I have in mind will be light enough that it won't affect flight much.

Let me know what you think. Understand that whether you agree with me or not, I'm gonna do it...So give me some advice to help me out!

:D

RE: How's this for a beginner to start out?
 

First advice, as long as you are adding a rudder you might as well add elevator while you are at it. That will give you even more control, espeacially when landing.
Look around vendor sites at the various kits, some have downloadable manuals. Those manuals, although not specific to the aircraft you will build, will give you a good idea of how to build and hookup the control surfaces.
Even though you are starting out with only a single channel or two a good 4 channel or even better 6 channel radio would be worth the purchase and you will be able to use the same radio in your future aircraft.
Best of luck

RE: How's this for a beginner to start out?
 

I've thought of adding elevator, but I'm worried that it may add a bit too much weight for the plane that isn't under power. I'll have to look into it.

About the 6-channel set up--Yeah, I've been told that too, and will go that route. No reason to buy a Tx that I can only use on one or two planes.

Thanks!

RE: How's this for a beginner to start out?
 

An interesting idea but might I suggest first you go to a local rc club and talk to the members, they might give you a test drive to feel the full experience. The method you are referring to is reminicent of the cox rc airplane days where all you had control of was the rudder. If you are trying to convert a ff model to rc, yes it will be stable but you will have to watch the rudder coupling. I mean to say that the more rudder you put to turn the aircraft the more the plane will want to roll and dive. You will not have the benefit of engine control or elevator to level out. to convert a small aircraft you will need a micro flite pack.build the plane so that you will have room to mount the radio and servo for the rudder near the cg. build mounts for the servo by running hard wood bracing perpendicular in fuse. run a pushrod guide from near the servo to the back of fuselage near rudder. run a 2 56 push rod down the guide and exit the fuselage. the rudder is just a piece of airfoil that is attached with hinges to the verticle stab, you can use ca hinges to attach.

RE: How's this for a beginner to start out?
 

Look for a fellow by the screen name of EvanRCU. He sells plans for an updated version of the Quaker called the Quaker 2000. It's and old timer design just like you're wanting. 105" span, .56 four-stroke for power, and should do exactly what you're wanting to do. These designs aren't good at surviving impacts and they take longer to build than most have patients to do now a days, but I think it's going to be exactly what you're looking for. He can tell you about what will work best in that plane and he's a very knowledgable fellow.

RE: How's this for a beginner to start out?
 

Thanks guys. I knew that if I posted a question you would help fill out the details of what I have in mind.