Tower trainer
05-26-2008 | 11:11 PM
#1
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From: Reno,
NV
Tower trainer
I had a tower trainer that I took the dihedral out the wing. I really liked the way it flew and the nimbleness of the trainer. I have flown a number of planes but I bought the trainer just for fun and in case some friends wanted to learn. I took it out this morning and started doing some basics like rolls and loops and stuff. Then I started showing off for my friend who purchased an Avistar but has yet to fly it. After some full speed manuevers the left side of the wing decided to go off and do its own thing. Here is the remains. The other half of the wing is about 200 feet away. 
05-26-2008 | 11:26 PM
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From: Hondo,
TX
RE: Tower trainer
I lost a half of a wing on my first trainer. Isn't it amazing how slow that independent wing comes down compared to the "YARD DART" that remains![sm=71_71.gif]
05-27-2008 | 02:45 AM
#3
RE: Tower trainer
I'm not sure what is worse. Crashing a hot little aerobatic number like a Katana, Extra or the like or being an experienced flyer and crashing a trainer
Stuff happens! Your freind is going to enjoy the Avistar. I have one that I use for the same purpose you use... Uhg Hmm... used your Tower Trainer for. I also have a H9 Arrow for this purpose that is currently in need of some repair after not being quick enough on the trainer switch while giving my Dad an intro flight lesson... He felt bad for "crashing my plane"... I was embaraced that I let him[&:]
Stuff happens! Your freind is going to enjoy the Avistar. I have one that I use for the same purpose you use... Uhg Hmm... used your Tower Trainer for. I also have a H9 Arrow for this purpose that is currently in need of some repair after not being quick enough on the trainer switch while giving my Dad an intro flight lesson... He felt bad for "crashing my plane"... I was embaraced that I let him[&:]
05-27-2008 | 11:35 AM
#5
My Feedback: (3)
RE: Tower trainer
ORIGINAL: TheBrickLayer
I had a tower trainer that I took the dihedral out the wing. I really liked the way it flew and the nimbleness of the trainer. I have flown a number of planes but I bought the trainer just for fun and in case some friends wanted to learn. I took it out this morning and started doing some basics like rolls and loops and stuff. Then I started showing off for my friend who purchased an Avistar but has yet to fly it. After some full speed manuevers the left side of the wing decided to go off and do its own thing. Here is the remains. The other half of the wing is about 200 feet away.
I had a tower trainer that I took the dihedral out the wing. I really liked the way it flew and the nimbleness of the trainer. I have flown a number of planes but I bought the trainer just for fun and in case some friends wanted to learn. I took it out this morning and started doing some basics like rolls and loops and stuff. Then I started showing off for my friend who purchased an Avistar but has yet to fly it. After some full speed manuevers the left side of the wing decided to go off and do its own thing. Here is the remains. The other half of the wing is about 200 feet away.
In any event, the ARF plane can be replaced for about $75, and they do fly adequately. I keep one on hand, use it to do instruction, to check out new jugs of fuel (I had some bad fuel one time) and to check out new receivers (same philosophy.) The covering is all peeling off mine, and I've neglected it, so will probably recover soon.
Best wishes,
Dave Olson
05-27-2008 | 11:58 AM
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From: Reno,
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RE: Tower trainer
The typical wooden spar that joins the wing halves was broken right down the middle. which is what I presume caused the crash. Also when I took the dihedral out I filled the entire crack with epoxy.
05-27-2008 | 05:24 PM
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From: Homestead,
FL
RE: Tower trainer
Just re-entering the hobby after about a 14 year layoff it appears that most of the ARF's don't have or recommend the center wing joint being fiberglassed.
I attended another clubs fun-fly this last weekend where one of our club's instructors trainer had a similiar wing failure as well. Many structural failures occur from fatigue even on trainers from continual over G-ing with poor structural support. Adding fiberglass to the mid section of the wing section would most likely prevent many failures.
I attended another clubs fun-fly this last weekend where one of our club's instructors trainer had a similiar wing failure as well. Many structural failures occur from fatigue even on trainers from continual over G-ing with poor structural support. Adding fiberglass to the mid section of the wing section would most likely prevent many failures.
05-28-2008 | 09:05 AM
#8
My Feedback: (6)
RE: Tower trainer
I have seen a lot of ARFs built this way, you really must go over the joints and check them on every ARF. The Chinese build fast, cheap, and are known for cutting corners. The will substitute lite ply for plywood, use CA instead of epoxy for firewalls, etc. I have seen some ARFs that needed few corrections but their is no way of knowning who is building what and when over there so you have to inspect them all. I mostly build my own stuff but when I do buy an ARF I always go over carefully and make corrections and add reinforcing.
