Stated Model Weight Convention

[Dave Moritz]

Hello All:

Many folks posting here helpfully tell us how much their completed model weighs, usually in ounces. Whenever this happens, I'm left wondering what that figure includes. I can usually guess whether it's with or without the engine and muffler. But what about landing gear, fuel tank, fuel lines & filter, prop, spinner, kitchen sink, what-have-you?

What's the short and sweet of it?

Thanks.

Dave Mo...

[Tim Wescott]

By the rule book, unless otherwise stated.  One model, no lines, ready to fly.  Tank empty for a slimer, with battery for a zapper.

If you want to say what it is without battery or wheels or whatever, say so.  It's probably best to say "with battery" if you're talking about a 'lectric.

[Dane Martin]

I personally don't post a weight until it's weighed at a contest. Then that should be the "I'm about to go fly it officially" weight.

[Brett Buck]

Hello All:

Many folks posting here helpfully tell us how much their completed model weighs, usually in ounces. Whenever this happens, I'm left wondering what that figure includes. I can usually guess whether it's with or without the engine and muffler. But what about landing gear, fuel tank, fuel lines & filter, prop, spinner, kitchen sink, what-have-you?

What's the short and sweet of it?

   Usually, it's all-up, ready to go, with the battery in for electric, but no fuel for IC.

    And, technically, it's usually whatever it really weighs, minus 4 ounces, until a third party weighs it, then the scales are wrong.

     Brett

[Paul Walker]

L

    And, technically, it's usually whatever it really weighs, minus 4 ounces, until a third party weighs it, then the scales are wrong.

     Brett
[/quote]

Did you learn that from David, or Ted?  😂😂😂

[Brett Buck]

Did you learn that from David, or Ted?  😂😂😂

   It's just something you pick up over the years. One of the most notable examples was at some team trials, where the usual ridiculous bragging contest went on after model processing, and some guy with a 4-stroke Mustang weighed the most of any model present - and then won.

    But at the same time, everybody's airplane was coming out exactly where they though it would, mine within a  few grams, for instance. Another notable's airplane weighed in at 67 ounces, he immediately and vociferously objected, and spend the rest of the weekend stomping around in anger claiming that it really weighed 59, and the scales were wrong. Every time it seemed like he had moved on, his "buddies" needled him again, spinning him back up. Some buddies!

   The best thing about it was that the "buddy" was flying a similar design, that actually did weigh 58 or 59 - but it didn't fly *nearly* as well as the heavy one!

     Brett

[Steve Helmick]

Lots of folks seem to weigh their plane (speaking either greaser or electron) at home, locking that number into their brain, and conveniently forget that they had to add two ounces of tipweight, and five ounces of nose weight to make it fly reasonably well. No bueno...  Steve