My First Experience with Low-Winged (Modified AA)
 

I've heard that low-winged planes are very responsive, but also very hard to fly because they don't 'right' themselves after turning. Well, I have always wanted to experience it for myself :eek:, so I modified a Classic Trainer by removing the bottom wing and moving the top wing down, sweeping back at a certain angle. I also adjusted the angle of the motors so that the forward thrust is not affected.

This is how my Modified AA look like:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DSC07336.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DSC07337.jpg

Test Flight Report

After losing two modified AA due to strong wind :( (couldn't wait for the wind to subside...big mistake) a few days back, finally get to fly the third one sucessfully...with the wind still pretty strong

During flight, the plane lift off easily with lots of power, but tends to lose altitude quite rapidly during turning. the biggest shock that I have was during turning - It turns easily...but once turned, it keeps turning, and you need to push the stick at the opposite direction to 'right it again'. Initially, I had problem 'righting' it because the turning quickly became too steep, and so it just kept turning and spiraling to the ground [X(]

later, I learn that once the plane begins to turn, the plane must be 'righted' in the opposite direction immediately at full throttle. However, full throttle can only be applied at short burst so that it will not over 'right' it.

There is another thing that I'm puzzled - From what I know, I thought that the CG should always be around 1/3 of the wing from the leading edge. But I was wrong for my modified AA. It's not at the 1/3 , but 1/2 point from the leading edge. Strange...

My Subjective Conclusion

Do I think the modified AA flys better than my stock Classic Trainer or Sports Flyer? Well, it depends on what you want. If you want a relaxed flight, I think nothing beats the Sports Flyer in terms of stability, but somehow I just like my modified AA better becasue of its speed and quicker turning. However, it is definately not easy to fly and tend to crash more often if not careful.

Now I know why people say that novice should not fly low-winged aircrafts...:D

RE: My First Experience with Low-Winged (Modified AA)
 

A low winged aircraft is harder to control but you added a swept back
wing into the mix also. Make a low winger with a straight tapered wing
and you'll gain some of that control back into the turns. The swept back
wing is why the CG is 1/2 back the leading edge- causing the turn dives.

Like you said it's what you desire in flight characteristics and the swept
back wing can give you some crazy stunts.

The wind also might be causing some mayhem. One plane I flew on a
calm day was very responsive. On a windy day the same plane constantly
was being pushed into the ground as it came out of the wind. It had no lift
at all out of the wind. The next calm day it was back to flying normal again.

RE: My First Experience with Low-Winged (Modified AA)
 

Heh heh heh...you are giving me idea to buy another one for modification to a straight tapered winged...I think my wife is going to kill me...:D

RE: My First Experience with Low-Winged (Modified AA)
 

I'm sure she'll understand the necessity and importantance of
the endeavor we all share in the further advancement and contribution
to the aerodynamics of aviation we're all attempting to make- yeah right!:eek: