adding to elevator width??
 

hey guys,
i'm about to put one of these together (Hangar9 Sundowner 50)
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN4725

a member at our club has flown one and described is as i expect it to be....the only thing he had concerns with was the way you run out of elevator at low speed for landing.

my question is whether or not to add to the width of the elevator?
any ideas?

RE: adding to elevator width??
 

by its design I would guess that it needs to be landed fast, It wouldn't be hard to add some width to the control surface but is it actually needed? or was the pilot tring to land it too slow

RE: adding to elevator width??
 

I would have to ask, how are you looking at width. Is that going with the length of the plane, in other words the elev. would stick out the back of the plane more????

If thats what you are saying, I have done that to a couple of kits. But it was after I had built one and decided it needed it. I would add to the plane next time I built that same kit . I think its up to you, but remember it will add weight to the tail and way back there will make some difference.

good luck with it.

sticks

RE: adding to elevator width??
 

it seems to be the concensus from a lot of people who have flown this plane.
i'm trying to decide whether or not it would cause any snaproll tendencies as well whether at landing or normal speed.

RE: adding to elevator width??
 

yes i am asking about adding to the cord. maybe a 1/4" and then sand and recover.
2 -1/4" sticks added to (1 per side) shouldn't add that much to it, and i may need the weight back there with the Jett 56LX i'm installing.

RE: adding to elevator width??
 

summerwind,
Have you tried moving the CG back. This usually takes care of running out of elevator.
Darrol

RE: adding to elevator width??
 

The video shows a pretty slow landing:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...725#reviewsTab

Consider also taping or covering the hinge, so the elevator authority increases.

RE: adding to elevator width??
 

wow, i never saw that video..........thx

RE: adding to elevator width??
 

I have noticed at the field that the lighter versions of this plane flies better. The electric one looks pretty tame, around here, but I have seen one that was a nose heavy glow and it looked like a pain. I use to fly for fun some .15 QM racers and because of the fast speed, they were flown with just a little control throw, but landing I could actually slow the plane down pretty good because of the efficiency of the airframe. I had a high rate for slow flight so I would have enough control movement; not a bunch but more than the other.