Flite streak weight

[Dwayne]

Hey all, I built a Flite Streak with FX 25 for some fast fun flying, it turned out great but nose heavy so I need to add some lead in the tail, I don't want to end up with a slug in the air so what would be the maximum weight  of a Flite Streak?
Thank you

[Balsa Butcher]

Just start adding tail weight 1/4 ounce at a time. Use the square weights with the hole in them. Attach to the aft fuselage 1/4 ounce at a time using a 4/40 screw and nut.  When the CG gets close to where you think it should be, go fly. Adjust as necessary until you are satisfied with the control response/flight characteristics. Dont worry too much about the all-up weight. It looks light and you want to fly fast anyway - I predict it will fly just fine.

[dennis lipsett]

Hey all, I built a Flite Streak with FX 25 for some fast fun flying, it turned out great but nose heavy so I need to add some lead in the tail, I don't want to end up with a slug in the air so what would be the maximum weight  of a Flite Streak?
Thank you

Dwayne,
Dump the muffler and save yourself up to 3 oz or so of nose weight . Get a tongue muffler , they weigh about 1/2 oz. The only redeeming thing about adding tail weight is that it takes a lot less then adding nose weight to achieve proper balance.

[Dwayne]

Both good idea's I'll do some digging I think I have a tongue muffler that'll do the trick.
Thanks
Dwayne

[Tim Wescott]

Balance is more important than weight.  A poor-flying dog that doesn't weigh much is worse than a pig that flies right.

(A feather-weight plane that flies correctly -- now that's cool).

What are you doing with this, and what are you using as a balance point reference?  I've been told two things about Flight Streak balance points:  One, that the CG marked on the plans that come with the ARF is way, way back from what you want for stunt, training, and maybe even combat.  Two, that for stunt you want to balance the thing 1-5/8" behind the LE.  I've got mine balanced at 1-5/8", and it's pretty darned good.

Mine has an extended nose, and still needs a brass spinner weight to balance correctly.

[Dwayne]

Balance is more important than weight.  A poor-flying dog that doesn't weigh much is worse than a pig that flies right.

(A feather-weight plane that flies correctly -- now that's cool).

What are you doing with this, and what are you using as a balance point reference?  I've been told two things about Flight Streak balance points:  One, that the CG marked on the plans that come with the ARF is way, way back from what you want for stunt, training, and maybe even combat.  Two, that for stunt you want to balance the thing 1-5/8" behind the LE.  I've got mine balanced at 1-5/8", and it's pretty darned good.

Mine has an extended nose, and still needs a brass spinner weight to balance correctly.

Thanks Tim, mine balances right on the back of the leading edge, way nose heavy.  Btw it weighs 28. oz.

[Jim Thomerson]

The large Flite Streak is supposed to balance right at the rear of the wooden leading edge.  Mine balances there and flies a stunt pattern to suit me.  I'll weigh it, but I think 28 Oz is fine.  Lighter is better, of course. 

[Dennis Moritz]

I have a Flite Streak built around an ARF wing. Extended nose and tail. One inch in front, two inches in back. I believe I enlarged the elevator some. Powered by a tamed Tower 40. Two or three head gaskets, stock through the venturi FP40 needle. It balances about 1/2inch ahead of the spars. Responds well for stunt. Not jumpy. I have added tail weight to stock Streaks powered by 40 sized engines with tongue mufflers. .272 venturi. Needed the help for the turn. How much does the fx 25 weigh? Is it a ball bearing engine. The plain bearing 40s I use, Fps and Tower weigh 8.5 ounces with a tongue muffler. Pull off the muffler. Use a tongue. Adding tail weight 1/4 ounce at a time is easy enough. Add weight till you like the feel. If it gets too jumpy, pull weight off. I have added over 1/2 an ounce to a jr Streak, powered by an FP15, a much smaller version of the design. It needed that in order to turn. Lots of fun. My favorite Flite Streak is an original TF plane covered in silk power by a Mark3Combat Special. It uses a bladder. Whatever that plane weighs, wherever it balances, it defines raunchy fast fun.

[john e. holliday]

Of all the Flite Streaks built back in the when  we put the hottest .35 we had on them, I don't think balance was checked until after they were flown.  Then most of those were changed to reduce the elevator throw as they would turn on a dime and give change.  As Jim says, balance just behind the leading edge and ahead of the spar.

[George]

Thanks Tim, mine balances right on the back of the leading edge, way nose heavy.  Btw it weighs 28. oz.

Dwayne, sounds like yours is balanced where Jim recommends. Have you flown it or are you just setting it up?

George

[dirty dan]

Balance is more important than weight.  A poor-flying dog that doesn't weigh much is worse than a pig that flies right.

...that for stunt you want to balance the thing 1-5/8" behind the LE.  I've got mine balanced at 1-5/8", and it's pretty darned good.

Well, I'll be dipped! That's pretty good information. One has to first wonder where you came across that gem. And then to reflect on why you so strenuously resisted such a balance setting for so long!

Dan

[kenneth cook]

                    All my Streaks are going to be equipped with a bladder compartment in the wing from now on. A T-8 fluorescent light tube fits perfectly right in front of the spar. Make it about 6" long and your set. That FX .25 is a hot setup with the combat guys. Ken

[Tim Wescott]

Well, I'll be dipped! That's pretty good information. One has to first wonder where you came across that gem. And then to reflect on why you so strenuously resisted such a balance setting for so long!

Yes I got it from you, and with thanks at the time and now.

No, I did not "strenuously resist" the setting -- as I said at the time I only resisted changing it quickly, as every large last-minute change I've ever made has resulted in crashes for me, not wins.  I listen hard to good advice, but I rarely salute, click my heels, and go off and take it without thinking.  Nor do I feel that I need to see that behavior in the folks to whom I give advise.

[dirty dan]

Tim,

Uh-huh. That's good to know. I'll have to keep it in mind.

At the very least it will save me a lot of time in measuring and then detailing the setup on a known-to-be-good model and then posting it here for your edification (as well as that of others).

Dan

[Bill Little]

Is the preferred 1 5/8" CG measured from the Front of the LE or from the Rear of the LE?

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Dwayne]

Hey thanks for all the great replies, the plane is for fun and to blow off steam after a hard day practicing the pattern. Yes I flew it once and didn't like the way it turned. I just rebalanced it 1 5/8" back  as per Dirty Dan and it only needed 1/2 once so all is well, I'll fly it tomorow(sat) and report back.
Thanks again 

[john e. holliday]

As a well known gentleman in Tuscon  told me one day while we were conversing,  "I try to help a person by giving advice, if they don't listen and use it, then they get no more advice anymore no matter the problem".   

[Avaiojet]

Tim,

Thanks for the info on that balance measurement.

I'm close to paint. I'm weighing mine on monday.

What engine are you using in your Flite Streak?

Charles

[Tim Wescott]

Thank Dan for coming up with the measurement -- I just regurgitated it.

I'm using an LA25; mine's kinda porky (34oz), if it were lighter I'd be using an FP20 on it.

[dirty dan]

Is the preferred 1 5/8" CG measured from the Front of the LE or from the Rear of the LE?

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Bill,

You have got to be kidding! Right?!

While I am mildly stunned at the question, more than happy to answer and I very much prefer to use the conventional practice of measuring CofG from the bellcrank pivot. If nothing else this ought explain why one should not willy-nilly move location of the 'crank from its preferred--and far superior--location, this having been endlessly debated and fully resolved over on SSW.

Always glad to help...

Dan

[Bill Little]

Brother Dirt,

Had to check and see if you were awake. 

As soon as I can fly again I will be using the FP .21 I "won".

Bill

[Eric Viglione]

I guess it's become a pet peeve over the years, but I've really come to dislike anecdotal references of C/G measurements from the LE because it can be a little vague.

I mean, sure, we all can find the leading edge, right? But when trying to mimic a known setup on our completed plane, there are a few minor things that could be understood incorrectly, or get in the way of a making a hyper accurate measurement, like:  1) the leading edge sweep continues forward into the fuselage... so are they referencing the C/G with a set of plans in front of them and using the pointy end of the wing hidden inside the fuselage? 2) Or, just outside the fuselage, where large fillets can get in the way, 3) leading edge bluntness depends solely on the builder and his sandpaper, which changes the dimension. And I've never heard it before, but I'll add Bills 4) front or rear of LE spar measurement option.

I much prefer the way Randy Smith states C/G locations when I've asked him in the past, in inches from the trailing edge of the wing. Most all our wings are straight trailing edge, Juno's and the like, and a few other jets etc aside. When Randy tells me 6.5" or 6.75" from the trailing edge, there is very little room for error compared to saying 3.5" or 3.25" from the LE.

I know, I know, the standard reference is to the LE just outside the fuselage, and most of us probably can't measure the C/G very accurately in the first place, but why leave room for the ambiguity?

I'll leave the B/C location discussion for someone else braver than thee who doesn't mind abusing departed equines.

EricV

[Dwayne]

Finaly got to fly it again and all I can say is WOW! If you own a Flite Streak do not balance it as on the plans. Mine is now balanced half way between the back of the LE and the front of the spare and let me tell you it makes all the difference in the world, it turns on a dime and tracks straight, I'm a happy camper.
BTW the FX .25 with a 9X6 is a bitchin little engine.

[Dennis Moritz]

CG locations on plans, or recommended CG is an approximation at best. Fly it. Adding tail weight or nose weight is often part of the trimming process. Turn rate, tracking, smoothness of maneuvers, is effected by numerous variables. Also different fliers will prefer different response characteristics.

[Dennis Moritz]

Yeah! That sounds like a good flying Streak.

[john e. holliday]

I now wonder why guys/gals ignore that little round dot with the X that is supposed to be the center of gravity according to the designer???   If in doubt as to the measurement to the dot that is usually on the fuselage side, measure from the front of the fuselage.   Then that is only for starters.   After you fly the plane and it is not tail heavy and still in one peice, then balance it the way you want it to fly. 

[George]

...I've been told two things about Flight Streak balance points:  One, that the CG marked on the plans that come with the ARF is way, way back from what you want for stunt, training, and maybe even combat.  Two, that for stunt you want to balance the thing 1-5/8" behind the LE.  I've got mine balanced at 1-5/8", and it's pretty darned good.

When Top Flite came out with the ARF somehow the balance point got printed on the plans incorrectly and is WAY BACK from normal. I understand many have written them but apparently it was never changed. The 1-5/8" is good.

Measuring from LE means the front of the wing without fillets.

George