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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Leester on October 25, 2007, 01:47:16 AM

Title: Stab & Elev weight
Post by: Leester on October 25, 2007, 01:47:16 AM

Hi:

The Stab and Elev for the MoBest weights in at 2 3/4 oz. 3/8 solid sheet stab and 1/4" tapered to 1/8" elevators. It just sounds heavy is it ? 22 5/8" span. If so would lightening the stab and putting in geodetic or straight ribs and cover with UltraKote cause any warping ? So should I leave it or lighten it ?
Thanks

Title: Re: Stab & Elev weight
Post by: Crist Rigotti on October 25, 2007, 06:35:53 AM

Lee,
On my airplanes of that size, I budget 3 1/2 to 4 oz finished with hinges and horn.  I'd say you're ok.

Title: Re: Stab & Elev weight
Post by: Leester on October 25, 2007, 11:54:22 AM

Thanks Crist, I can handle that. I wish the wind would take a hike, I'd like to fly somemore yet this season. HB~> HB~> HB~>

Title: Re: Stab & Elev weight
Post by: phil c on October 26, 2007, 03:00:52 PM

The last stab/elevator I built weighed 65 gr., 70 gr. with the horn, and had an area of 165 squares.  28 in. span, 7.5 in. root chord.  Completely finished and ready to glue into the plane.

You'd be well advised to hog out at least the stab and put in some 1/16 in. ribs.  It will probably save well over an ounce of weight, not counting the nose weight you won't need.  Since the elevators are tapered cutting them out for ribs will save a lot less weight and probably isn't worth it.

Title: Re: Stab & Elev weight
Post by: Gene O'Keefe on October 28, 2007, 01:22:46 PM

IMHO, I would have put at least 4 hinges per elevator.

Geno