Here's a question about trimming. After a few trim flights on my GP Tracer, I found that I had to put in a lot of engine downthrust to keep it from ballooning up with throttle increases. Unfortunately, there is now so much downthrust that the plane takes a lot of runway to get off the ground. Could this be corrected by reducing the amount of downthrust and decreasing the wing incidence?

Thanks for any help,
DFF

A very good trim sheet can be found at the National Society of Radio Control Aerobatics website (NSRCA)... here's the link:

http://www.nsrca.org/trimA.htm

Sounds like you have the right idea, check the incidences. Try some power off vertical dives and see what happens.

Regards,
Scott

follow the logic young skywalker...

Keep us updated DFF, I'm almost ready for the test flight on mine and I'd love to know how it turns out.

Thanks for the answers guys. There is another flyer in my local club who also has a Tracer, and his plane exhibits some of the the same characteristics that mine does, i.e. took several ounces of tail weight to balance and the downthrust/right thrust problems. Once we get them sorted out, I think they will be good flyers. My pattern instructor once told me that it takes him half a summer to get a plane set up just right, so I don't feel bad putting a little more work into this one.

Again, thanks for your input.

best regards,
DF_Flyer

I have one with a GMS 47 w/retracts. Had to add 1.25 oz to the tail to balance level. I have not noticed any pitch changes with power changes. Tracks very well in knife edge with no hunting. Double check your incidence.