Hi, Im building a eagle 2 trainer. It came with plastic aileron hinges but I have CA hinges. Which hinge is better and which one do you think would last longer? thank you

C/A will be fine, opions you will proably get many.

I use both but on a model such as you've described they'll work just fine. I wouldn't hesitate to use them.

CA is faster and you don't need to be as precise with your hinge slots. They last a LONG time.

It took me about 3yrs and hundres--literally HUNDREDS of flights to wear out a couple CA hinges on the elevator of an LT-40. The rudder and aileron hinges never did wear out. Finally crashed the plane.

I'm even using CA hinges on a 4*120 with 83" wingspan. I just put 1 hinge in each bay for the ailerons. Thats 11 per wing side.

CA hinges are easier to install since you don't have to worry about getting glue on the hinge! You actually want to get glue on the hinge!

Greg

CA hinges work great and are easy to install. I prefer them over any other type in most applications. Here's the proper method of installing CA hinges:

CA Hinge Installation

There are several rules to follow for an easy, correct CA hinge installation. These rules are good for hinges from different manufacturers, including Great Planes and Radio South. I’ve used them on many planes from pylon racers to Unlimited class Fun Fly planes to even a giant scale Stinger (the 1/4 scale size hinges). I have never seen an in-flight failure using this procedure.

I have seen only two in-flight hinge failures. One failure was from catastrophic flutter, which also destroyed the wing panel. The other was due to doubled hinges and the use of thick CA.

Here we go:

Use a #11 blade to cut the slots.
Cut only once per side/per hinge.
Use only thin CA.
Do not double the hinges.
Do not use “kicker”.
Install after covering.

1. Slot the wood pieces, install the hinges, and mount the control surface. Gently push the pieces together.
2. Flex the control surface both ways for the maximum amount of travel you expect to use. This will automatically create the proper hinge line gap.
3. Slowly drop 2-3 drops of CA on each hinge at the hinge line on one side only. If any CA puddles in the hinge line, blot it with a paper towel.
4. When that is dry, apply 2-3 drops of CA to the other side of each hinge.
5. When both sides are dry, flex the control surface both ways.

That’s it! The wood will pull out before the hinge will let go. The surface will tend to stay centered and will not flop around. Both will help prevent flutter.

Dr.1

I use CA on smaller planes (60 size), and robart or pinned hinges on larger. I would not use plastic hinges that do not have a pinned pivot. Goldberg used to supply their kits with a plastic one piece hinge that was made of a material like a milk jug. I suspect they would break after flexing for some time, and would not trust them. CA hinges work great if installed correctly.

My Eagle 2 and Tiger 2 kits came with Klett plastic hinges. I used them and they are fine. Both airplanes are over 4 years old with hundreds of flights on each.

I've used lots of CA hinges as well, and they are equally good and maybe a little easier to install.

Thanks to everyone! I will go with the ca hinge! Safe landings!