Stabilizer replacement
05-26-2005 | 07:13 PM
#1
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From: SHARPSBURG,
KY
Stabilizer replacement
I thought I should start another thread for this question, but it relates to fixing my Twister tail end.
When the rudder broke off, it also took the stabilizer with elevator attached to it. I have read in another thread here about stabilizer incidence. Bear with me a minute while I think this thru. Most stabilizers are set along the wing centerline, right? I think this is the right term. Positive stabilizer incidence would mean the LE of the stab. is higher than the trailing edge. Negative stab. incidence would mean the LE of the stab. is lower than the TE. Forget the elevator for now.
So the stab. should be parallel to the wing, but above it some, according to what model you have. When I re-mount my stab. to the fuselage, it should be at zero incidence in relation to the wing, right? I know about getting it level from side to side by comparing it with the wing from behind. But looking at it from the side it should be parallel to the wing CL.
I never thought about these things years ago, just glue it on and fly it. But this Twister is flying really well and I want to make sure I get it back the way it was. I looked at my plans and it looks like the stab. is parallel to the wing CL.
How about some opinions on this? Its really got me interested.
When the rudder broke off, it also took the stabilizer with elevator attached to it. I have read in another thread here about stabilizer incidence. Bear with me a minute while I think this thru. Most stabilizers are set along the wing centerline, right? I think this is the right term. Positive stabilizer incidence would mean the LE of the stab. is higher than the trailing edge. Negative stab. incidence would mean the LE of the stab. is lower than the TE. Forget the elevator for now.
So the stab. should be parallel to the wing, but above it some, according to what model you have. When I re-mount my stab. to the fuselage, it should be at zero incidence in relation to the wing, right? I know about getting it level from side to side by comparing it with the wing from behind. But looking at it from the side it should be parallel to the wing CL.
I never thought about these things years ago, just glue it on and fly it. But this Twister is flying really well and I want to make sure I get it back the way it was. I looked at my plans and it looks like the stab. is parallel to the wing CL.
How about some opinions on this? Its really got me interested.
05-26-2005 | 08:43 PM
#2
RE: Stabilizer replacement
Put it back on as close as possible to parallel with the wing centre line as per the plans. There's been talk about setting the tailplane at other than zero incidence but these are the guys who swear they can feel the difference if the model runs into a flying ant 
but even then there's no general concensus on what amount is needed, if any.
but even then there's no general concensus on what amount is needed, if any.
05-27-2005 | 01:23 AM
#3
Senior Member
RE: Stabilizer replacement
RW, you'll be fine if the wing, stabilizer, and engine are all at 0 degrees, or parallel, viewed from the side (what we used to call a 0-0-0 setup). If you want the stab leading edge up, make it about 1/32 of an inch.
05-27-2005 | 01:34 PM
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From: SHARPSBURG,
KY
RE: Stabilizer replacement
just finished cutting the stab and elev halves and have them hinged together. I'll cut out the rudder tonight and get it all lined up and attach. I'm going with very little rudder offset this time, just barely enough to notice. Thanks guys.
