Elan trouble

[Ken Thompson]

Jerry,
I was having a problem balancing a plane a couple of years ago.  I figured 
out that weight on the tail has about 4 times the balancing effect that 
weight on the nose does.  This is due to the fact that my plane had about 4 
times the distance to the CG than the firewall did.
This could be the effect of your glass and paint on your tail feathers, 3 
extra oz. of glass and paint would be close to the weight you need on the 
nose to balance, if you use the multiple of 4.

Just a theory,

Ken
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry Wilson" <JWilsonJr at houston.rr.com>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 9:35 PM
Subject: RE: Elan trouble


> Jim,
>
> I don't know why it is tail heavy.  I was very surprised.  CG is noted on
> the plan. Fuselage is painted as are horizontal stab, elevator, and rudder
> which were also glassed.    Could be my glassing and paint job is heavy
> although I would not have thought so much weight could be attributed to
> this.  Rudder and Elevator servos are over the wing trailing edge as per
> plan.  Battery pack has been moved to the firewall.  Used Central carbon
> fiber push rod for elevator to MK dual bellcrank and MK control horns. 
> Push
> pull cable on rudder.  Receiver and throttle servo are about at the CG.
>
> Jerry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org] 
> On
> Behalf Of Jim Ivey
> Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 5:24 AM
> To: discussion at nsrca.org
> Subject: Re: Elan trouble
>
> Jerry
> Why is it  tail heavy. Maybe you are using the wrong CG point or did you
> put servos in the tail? Is the tail painted. I think figure out why, then
> solve the problem that way instead of adding all that weight.?
>
> Jim Ivey>
>> From: "Jerry Wilson" <JWilsonJr at houston.rr.com>
>> Date: 2005/06/29 Wed AM 07:14:53 EDT
>> To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
>> Subject: 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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