David, I have a question about your Air Magic F-15 scale nozzles that you wrote about in RCJI. Please respond if you read this.

Thanks, Les

Go ahead !!
BRG, DG

David, thanks for responding so quickly. I'm going to put a set of Air Magic exhaust nozzles on my Avonds F-15 (like your article in RCJI). My question is; how did you address the stock stab pivots on each side. As you know, they extend through the factory turkey feathers into the exhaust cavity, and are held in place with a spring clip through a hole in the stab pivot shaft. It appears that you must cut the inside (nozzle side) mounts away to clear the new nozzles. How did you maintain the pivot bushing integrity when you do that? My solution is to cut the fiberglass away, cut the brass tubing to fit, make a new ply former, and blocking the stab up per the assembly instructions, glue the new former in place and then glass everything back. After that, I will have to shorten the CF stab shaft accordingly and drill another clip hole. I looked at your installation very closely (or as closely as I could in the mag), but didn't see how you re-attached the shaft - did you do away with the clip keeper, or did you do something else? Also, will my solution work and keep the integrity of the stab intact? I'm going to power my bird with a Simjet 3000, so it should have enough power to perform correctly, but I'd sure hate to lose one of the stabs in flight - that would definitely NOT be good!! I'd appreciate your thoughts on what I'm proposing before I begin the surgery.

Thanks in advance,

Les

Les, I do not use the kit pivots. I use the steel shaft and brass bearings from Air Magic. (the shafts are captured by plywood boxes in the stabs.) So far even with the JetCat 160 absolutely no problems.. I glued in some extra ply stiffening to support the bearings. Do not compromise in this are if you are using a powerful engine.
BRG, David Gladwin

David, thanks for the advice. I agree about the compromise - that's why I wanted to visit with you since you've already been down that road. I'll call Allen at Air Magic tomorrow first thing and order a set of the pivot assemblys to put in my bird.

Thanks, Les

The Air Magic pivots also allow internal mounting of the stab. horns, much neater than the kit design.

These pivots will definitely not fail if solidly installed. Dont forget to put some extra cloth on the stab where the plywood boxes for the pivots are installed. Bullet proof !
BRG, David.

David, many, many thanks for your advice. Will do as you suggest.

Thanks again,

Les