Solid wing Trainer

[ray copeland]

Our Brazilian exchange student came in from school last week and declared " I want to build an airplane!". So we sat down and drew up some plans for his first airplane. Wingspan 34 inches 1/4 inch balsa , 25 inches long, fox .19 . I showed Riccardo how to do most of the work including drilling the engine mounts and all gluing. Added a solid piece leading edge for a little airfoil. Time to fly, so we first hooked him up on a 1/2a coroplast plane with a cox goldenbee, after 3 successful flights with that, we headed to the big field with the "big" plane. He got in 3 flights that evening and did loops on the 2nd and third flight. He is so proud and sent pictures to his parents and can not wait to start on his next airplane project.

[Vincent Corwell]

Congratulations, another pilot initiated !!

I would like to make one like that and keep in stock
for any newbie who comes along

Can you please post the rest of the dimensions
wing chord, tail numbers etc

Ideal for a club to sponsor and teach beginners

Vincent

[john e. holliday]

Plane looks great.  Reminds me of the old Guillows Trainers from way back when I started.  All solid wood with upright engine to make starting easier.  My first Rat Racer I think was a take off of the trainers.  Now you have one started in the right direction maybe you can add some school chums to the list.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday

[ray copeland]

Wing is 34 x 8 , sitting back 6 inches from end of fuse. Engine mounts are offset about 10 degrees. After mounting the engine we rubber banded the wing and moved it around to get a usable cg, which is now 2 1/4 inches from le, slightly nose heavy but that is what we wanted. Overall length is 26 inches and fuse is 3 inch wide 1/2 inch balsa. We used 1/8 in. ply top and bottom from nose to end of wing and 1/2 x 3/8 maple engine mounts. Stab is 2 1/2x12 inches and elevator is 1 3/4 x 12.  Cloth hinges and 1/8 wire pushed thru holes in the plywood and bent for landing gear. Lines are 52 x .012. Seems very durable and i would think any engine from .15 to .25 should work.  

[peabody]

That's great!
The GSCB has several Guillow's trainers, including one that is 30 years old (!) and they work great to introduce control line flying as well for re-introducing our sport to those that hung up their handles years ago....

[LARRY RICE]

Here is one in kit form from Black Hawk Models, comes with wheels, decals and all hardware needed. Cost $39.00
Larry

[Brian Hampton]

This is the solid wing stunt trainer I built for my son. It does lovely rounds (including the clover) and vaguely recogniseable squares . Engine is a Magnum GPA 53 picked up cheap off ebay (not the best engine I've ever owned) and flown on full length .015" lines. 52" span and around 570 sq inch.