Airplane speed and handle spacing...

[REX1945]

I live in an area that never really gets hot (it's 62 today, maybe get to 66).

When I fly my planes at home they burn more fuel and fly faster that the do in wamer
places or at elevation. The fuel lasts longer when it's hotter as well.

I'm thinking that my handle spacing has to be narrower when flying at home due
to higher airspeed to get the same kind of control response I get when it's flying slower.
Loops seem tighter and corners tend to bounce easier.

Airplane : Legacy  (60 oz)
Lines :  64' (eye-eye).
Level Lap (home) : 5.02
Level Lap (away) : 5.2
Engine : Saito .56
Prop : Rev-Up 13-7

[Bob Reeves]

What you should be doing is re-tuning your engine setup so it is flying the same speed. This way your timing will stay the same no matter where you are flying.

[Brett Buck]

What you should be doing is re-tuning your engine setup so it is flying the same speed. This way your timing will stay the same no matter where you are flying.

  Agreed, but if the air changes enough to affect the engine, it's probably enough to affect the control response as well. Even when he gets it flying the same speed, it will likely still have a different feel. The speed is likely a minor factor in the control response, but his suggested adjustment is probably in the right direction.

   Definitely get the speed right and check again, but it's extremely common to need to change the handle spacing as the air density changes.

   Brett

[Steve Helmick]

Two years ago, when I went to Clovis last, I flew my model in the Seattle area, then Clovis, and then out on that dry lake near "Cinder Cone" on Hwy. 395. I thought it was ok in Seattle and Clovis, but when I got to that dry lake, I found that my "bottoms" were much better. I came home and narrowed the handle spacing one hole, meaning 1 hole on each end, or 1/4", and liked it better.

So, yes, handle spacing is something that one might change if temps change much, or if you've gone to a different altitude. I'm not sure about humidity, but suspect it would also be a factor?    Steve