Curare control throws?
 

I picked up a 20+ year old Curare at a recent swap meet. After installing an engine, radio, and rebuilding the retracts she's almost ready to fly again.

I've placed the CG about 0.25 forward of the main gear, but I have absolutely no experience with pattern planes and wonder where I should start for control throws. Using the time-honored TLAR method (That Looks About Right) I've got them set to:

rudder 1.5 inches left/right
elevator 0.5 up/down
ailerons 0.5 up/down (no differential)

How's that for a starting point?

RE: Curare control throws?
 

I don’t have a Curare but my Tipo plan specifies the following on high rate

Ailerons 3/8” total travel
Elevators ¾” total travel
Rudder 3” total travel

RE: Curare control throws?
 

Do you mean 3/8" up/down or do you really mean only 3/8" total travel (or only 3/16" up/down)? Ditto on the elevator. Sure doesn't seem like much.

RE: Curare control throws?
 

The manual states “total travel’ on high rate. I assume that’s total of the up and down or right and left. The rudder cannot move 3” right and 3” left!

RE: Curare control throws?
 

That's almost exactly what I'm running on my old Tipo, IIRC. It has excellent response in all axes.

The intended speed range of these older ships necessitates relatively small throws, or the plane is going to be uncontrollable at speed. These planes aren't meant to be flown slowly like the current large pattern ships, or in a 3D type regime, so small surfaces and small throws are the order of the day. You can always crank them up or down to suit your individual flying style after test flying.

Rick

RE: Curare control throws?
 

I have the original artical that Mr. Hanson did for the Tiporare. The artical states:

Elevators: 3/8" up 3/8" down
ailerons: 1/4" up 5/16" down (bias)
Rudder: 2" right 2" left

These will do well for your Curare. Keep in mind that these throw are the "maximum" control throws.

RE: Curare control throws?
 

Lee

The post specifiying "total travel" is accurate. I've flown a Curare in SPA for the last two years. The anhedral stab is extremely effective. Too much rudder travel disurbs the air over the tail and causes the plane to do very strange things. Set with very mild throws, the plane will do anything you ask and track very well. If you can see a surface move at low rates, you probably have enough. High rates a bit more. My rudder is about 3/4" each way at low rates. That's plenty to hold point rolls and knife edge.

Steve Byrum