I have a Pica Cessna 182, and wanted to see if I can fly it WITHOUT the wing struts on. I wasn't sure if that would jepordize the stability of the aircraft, or if it would fly just fine without them. Give me your imput.

Thanks!!!

I wouldn't attempt it. They were on there for a reason. If the wings fold up, it's goodbye Cessna.








Harry

I don't know about the Pica - I have the GP, but the instructions say the struts are for display only. They do not even stay on in flight (OK I admit it - I didn't read the manual before I flew her). I have made several flights, and have pushed the envelope many times with high speed rolls, loops, high G banks, etc and have not had the wing fold.

Do not misunderstand me, I do NOT know about the build of the Pica so I am NOT saying you can fly without your struts. Check your manual to be sure.

I've got the Top Flite, and I wouldn't dare fly it without the struts. They are fully functional on mine.

I had a friend fly the cessna from GSP without the struts and the wing folded. He had flown it many times with the struts and one of them broke so he took them both off. During his first flight without the struts the wing failed.

The struts are functional. Be sure to anchor them into a hardwood or plywood block. Use brass inserts in both the wing and fuselage.

I have the TF 182 and it's on floats. Plane weighs 15 pounds and I fly it without the wingstruts. The wing is plenty strong and is self supporting. As far as I am concerned they are for display only.

Bish

I like the idea of the struts on my 15.5 lb. TF Cessna to keep the wing and fuse from twisting. That's a deep bulky fuse hanging underneath that wing. I feel better about lessening the torque on the weakish saddle area with the struts on. I am not worried about the wing breaking. It's plenty strong.

Bish wheeler
I've a question for you, I'm planing to buy a cessna 182 but I like to know your opinion on those NITRO MODELS with a fiber glas fuselage, wich plane you think will be the best for whater flying, great planes or nitro models, also an O.S 46 will be enogh power to handle this bird....??? thanks.

If you don't want to use them because of set up or because of difficulty building them then maybe what I did on my TF cessna would help. I put hardwood blocks inside the wing and fuse where the struts screw into and drilled and tapped for 6/32 nylon bolts. Then went to my LHS and got some light metal airfoil shaped lengths and cut them to size. Flattened the ends and drilled to accpet the nylon bolts. Takes ten minutes to make and two minutes at the field to install.
Hope this helps.

Happy Flying


Tom

I can post a pic if you need it.

I wouldn't touch a Nitro Planes plane with a ten foot TX antenna. A 46 is too small for either plane, as a 61 is the low range. I've got a 91 Magnum 4 stroke in my Top Flite.

DEADEYE
Thanks for the advise, now tell me wich cessna 182 .40 will be the best for a whater fly with sea commander floats, and again wich engine will you fit in it. do you have any pictures of your plane tha I can see....???
hey man I'm pretty much new in to this and I like it, I've a ucan do3d 60 and my old trainer wich is the one on the picture it's a blast snow flying. thanks for all.

For a 40 size Cessna 182, go with the Great Planes ARF. I'm not sure of any 40 size 182 kits. The Great Planes ARF has a stellar reputation, and hey, it's a Cessna 182, so it's going to be a great flyer. Mine is a kit built Top Flite, 300+ hours over 3 years to get her airborne this last summer. I have cowl lights, NAV lights, a MARS rotating beacon, full cockpit kit, lighted dashboard, and GIJoe as a pilot. I built in flaps, a tail hatch, and a scale luggage compartment that conceals my switches, light controls, and fuel fill. It is fiberglassed with water based polyurethane, and painted with 2 part PPG automotive paint, and clear coated. It also has on board glow for extra insurance. 14 1/2 pounds ready for the air. The Magnum flys her extremely well and scale like. I putt around the sky at 1/2 - 2/3 throttle most of the time. I've got twenty or so flights on her this season. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you might have.

Deadeye
tha's what I call a great plane beatifull cong. friend.
yes greatplanes has the cessna 182 .40 tha's the one that you recomend me, and also what size of a motor should I use in it, remember about the floats.
thanks again.

Thanks for the compliments. It was a labor of love. For float flying, you need a little extra oomph to break the suction of the water. A 46 size bearing engine would be good for a two stroke, but if you really want to pull her good, a Saito 82 would kick butt. I have two of them and they are real powerhouses, and lighter than the 72.

heyyy...!!! DEADEYE
You ment to say that you've two saito 82 cause you able to sale one.????
give me a price and will talk about it right away.
and the one that I've is and OS max FXi .46 YOU THINK it'll work good.......???? but if you want to get rid of the saito let me know.
I know that I'm a pain on the rear, but you know got to ask the experts like you. thanks again for all your help

Sorry, tattis. My Saitos are going in a twin pretty soon. One is in a stick right now, and the other was in a SIG SE until disaster struck back in June. I think the 46 would be great, but a four stroke would be better. But that's just one man's opinion.

Deadeye,

You are an inspiration.............!!! I have this same model....the TF C182 that I bought in 1995.
I have the fuse almost done and the tail feathers (horizontal stab and elevators) complete.
I saw your idea about the hatch for the switches and fill stuff and decided to do the same.....it is
just too cool. Also, you made a good point about the nosegear strut from Robart so you cost me additional bucks but I agree with you about the looks and not cheating yourself on the looks and utility of the nosegear. I plan to glass the plane and paint it........this will be my first glass job and paintjob. I have been building RC planes since 1980 but this is one of my first ventures into scale.
On the subject of this thread.........I would not think of flying this plane without struts! Why build a scale airplane and then attempt to fly it as it is not intended. I am a full scale pilot as well and would not dream of flying a 172 or 182 without struts. The little extra effort to install the struts would be well worth it and make the plane look and perform like it should.

Cheers,
Andy

Hey Deadeye,

I've just purchased the TF 182 and am going to build it as my 2nd build this winter. May I say that I think your plane is absolutely awesome. I love your idea for the luggage compartment and will try to duplicate it in my plane. I also like the idea of the magnum 91 and was wondering what muffler you used inside the cowl to maintain the scale look. I also love your color scheme. If you have more pics, I'd love to see them. Doug ([email protected])

Hi oldtyme & captnd. Thanks for the comps on my 182. Too many red Cessnas out there, which is why I chose teal. The muffler I used on the Magnum 91 is the stock one, believe it or not. I had to bend the elbow (lots of heat) just slightly to get it in line with the left cowl flap. I then used a Dubro silicone extension to get it out of the cowl. The extension really gives the engine a unique and scale sound. Right click this link, and save target as: [link=http://www.designerimages.net/Video/RC/Randy/Cessna 182 maiden.wmv]http://www.designerimages.net/Video/RC/Randy/Cessna 182 maiden.wmv[/link] This is the maiden of my Cessna last spring.

I used a large aluminum Dubro iso mount for the engine, and she really runs smooth. On board glow by Expert (great little unit), full lights, full cockpit, fiberglass with water based polyurethane finish, and painted with PPG 2 part paint. This was my first fiberglass/paint job, and all I can say is get ready to sand! I sanded and primed for 2 months straight. Suprisingly; all the fiberglass, primer, filler, paint, clearcoat and vinyl (black and gray are vinyl, sealed under the clearcoat) added less than a pound. Even more detail about the plane can be found [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4171891/anchors_4171891/mpage_1/key_year%252Cproject/anchor/tm.htm#4171891]on my original thread here.[/link] Any more questions are more than welcome. I've got 20 or more flights on her now, but I still get the 'shakes' right before take off. If you guys really want to get an eye full, do a forum search for Cessna 182 by author SDCrashmaster. His plane is truly a work of art, and it inspired me to go that little extra mile, though, not quite as long a mile as his is!