by Wildpig » Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:18 pm
Here is some information about flying from another thread. These are my trimming instructions.
It's called Trimming.
You did right with a few test glides.
*Get the model balanced properly according to the plans.
Next, you will probably need to add a trim tab on the elevator. Check out Mitch's thread with his 400 series P-51 and other WWII models. Search the forum for: trim tab
You want the model to have a shallow, slow glide. No pitching up and down and no rolling to the left or right, either. This may require a trim tab on the rudder or on a wing.
*Keep making test glides, preferably over tall grass,adjusting the trim tabs until it has a nice steady glide.
Once you have a glide set up, lets just say that it glides at 4 mph. When you wind that rubber motor and let the model go, it will want to fly at 4 mph. But,the rubber motor tries to propel the model at say...20 mph. The only way it will stay at 4 mph is in a climb. With a balsa model that is usually a very steep climb and sometimes will even do a loop. The 4 mph is known as it's trim speed. An airplane will always try to fly at it's trim speed. This principle is true for any conventional airplane, regardless of size.
The bad part is that this steep climb leads to a stall and usually the model plummets straight into the ground and then you have a very discouraged balsa modeler.
To counter this effect, just add a downthrust shim under the thrust button. Search the forum for: downthrust shim.
You kind of have to guess with the amount of downthrust but, a 1/16" strip of balsa will probably be plenty. Might have to shave it a little thinner.
Questions.... comments???
Wildpig
Posts: 231
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:41 am
Last edited by
Wildpig on Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.