Balance

Went to balance my Duraplane 40 size trainer, with a OX46FX engine. WOWWWW! IS IT NOSE HEAVY:confused: . I had to sit the battery on the stabilizer to get it close to level:eek: . Bet that's not a good place for it:D .. All of the other components (fuel tank, servos, receiver) are mounted by the book. One suggestion I've had, is to move the main wing forward. I don't have a problem with that. Any other suggestions??:)

Freebird

Moving the wing forward is a great idea, if it's easy.

Move all the servos as far back in that tube thingie as you can. If it comes down to, put the battery on the stabilizer. Those things are not made for precision...;)

Put the engine as close to the firewall as you can. Don't use an APC prop (you've got enough thrust anyway!).

Get rid of spinner!

Use very light foam front wheel.

You could even make it into a taildragger.

Umm...Get a cheap used .40?

I had the same problem with my Durabrick. I moved the servos back, didnt help that much because there isnt a whole bunch of room. I also mounted the receiver as far back as I could and used a lighter battery pack, Nimh's seem lighter. Then I put some 2 component putty in the tail boom. I was able to get the balance dead on. I have a .40 on the plane, didnt help that much. Heck the plane is a tank!! But its fun, got any barns where you fly at? KEEP the Duraplane away from barns!! Duraplanes are attracted to them!!

I'll recommend ya gettin heavy duty extra wood (weight) and epoxy it at the near back of ya plane, this should balance your plane's CG.

I'll recommend ya try it on and see how the CG of ya plane goes, if it goes well, epoxy it to make it permanant.

Well, if its juz too much extra weight and doesn't much do the balance, don't bother about this idea. Consult ya hobby shop or someone who had flew this plane before.

I took the plane to the "LOCAL CLUB" meeting tonight:D what a great thing to do:cool: . A couple of the club instructors looked it over and they decided they would not have a problem flying it where the CG is. I (being new) don't know what that means, other than a "LOT":p . If your looking at this board and have not found a "LOCAL CLUB" get off your butt and do it:) . The experiance and advice is invaluable.

Freebird

Cool! If you get really good at flying your Duraplane, you already have the best mount and landing gear to build a Spad for very little investment when your ready for another plane! Check out http://www.spadtothebone.com

There is absolutely nothing wrong with moving your wing to get the CG correct, in fact, that's how we recommend you balance a Spad (wich are also built with gutterpipe fuselages). If you have enough room over your fuel tank for an additional wing dowel, just install another set of dowels to put your wing anywhere you want it...and that is a lot lighter than adding weights.

Thanks Tattoo and everybody for your response. I e-mailed DuraPlane about my problem and they would not recommend moving the wing. That's one reason why I hold a couple of "Local Club Instructors" responsible:D . That is a great idea to drill some hole in order to move the wing, if the "Instructors" find they do have a problem it won't take but moments to change :cool:. I like it.

This Site Is GREAT:p !!!!!!

Freebird