[RMX:#] Elan trouble

[vicenterc at comcast.net]

Fly and find out if it is really tail heavy.  If it is really tail heavy you will be very sensitive to pitch but you will know.  Pattern planes are not that bad to handle if tail heavy assuming that the pilots skills are good.  After flying you can make the decision.  I agree with Andi.  Start to move the radio gear (battery, receiver and servos).

Vicente
-------------- Original message -------------- 

Jerry,
I'm pretty sure there is a way to get the weight more to the nose without adding weight.
Maybe you can move some of the radio gear more to the nose or change the tailwheel
for a lighter version.
I think that the plane with the 120 and max. 9 lbs will fly pattern very well.
Andi

Andreas Currle 
BSH Home Appliances Inc. 
Process Engineer / Fabrication 
phone: (252) 672-4594 
fax:   (252) 636-4204 
email: andreas.currle at bshg.com 
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-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On Behalf Of Jerry Wilson
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 7:15 AM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: [RMX:#] Elan trouble


I have a dilemma and could use some advice from the group.
 
After over a year of building I have nearly completed my Elan which is my first attempt to build a fiberglass fuse pattern ship.  It is painted, covered, servos, push rods, and engine (120 four stroke) installed.  Weighs about 9 lbs.  Looks pretty nice.
 
The trouble is to get it to balance at the CG point on the plan (8" from wing LE) requires 11 oz in the nose.
 
According to Dick Hansen's plan the weight should be 8 - 10 lbs.  So it is still within the design range, at ~9.75 lbs.  But even if I can figure a way to add 11 oz of weight to the nose, I'm afraid the plane will not fly the pattern well and am having serious doubts completing.  My intentions were to fly one or two more Sportsman contests with it and then move on to Intermediate.  Would appreciate some opinions/advice from the group:
 
Should I try to figure out a way to add 11 oz wt. to the nose securely and finish the plane?
 
Or abandon the ship and move on to something else?
 
TIA
Jerry
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