Skyray Mods

[Dan Labine]

Is there any advantage to "Fancherizing" the Skyray?
                I have added wing ribs between the ply ones and am going to use Morris controls instead of the supplied items. Adjustable leadouts and a tip weight box will also be added. I plan on using an Enya 35 for power.

I am about to start work on the fuse as the wing is almost complete..

Dan. 

[Andrew Hathaway]

If you're building from the kit, I'd make two changes... Add fixed flaps like a Flite Streak.  It increases the area and gives the wing a more finished look.  It makes a noticable difference in the air.  Also I'd slow the control response down a bit.  Using the outside hole in the bellcrank can make the plane twitchy, using the inside hole makes it more smooth.  If you don't like the slow controls you can always change the pushrod location at the control horn later.  The kit fuselage is already long enough as is, I can't see any reason to change it. 

If you were building from scratch, I'd toss all the lite ply.  I'd also use full ribs in every location instead of the alternating full/half ribs.  The plywood adds weight and doesn't hold up to crash damage as well as an all wood wing with full ribs. 

[Paul Taylor]

I made a few mods to mine, but that is because of running out of air space, and I forgot one time that down was up.

All jokes aside, I am not sure there are too many mods for a SkyRay. I have heard a few folks have put flaps on them and maybe make the stab/elev a little larger. Bret Buck has one that I hear can score high with in a contest. But some of the guys on the board I think could out fly me with a brick on a string.

I would suggest that you dump the single landing gear and go with profile gear. Keep as much weight off the front as you can.
Mine is heavy and is fun to fly if you just want to punch holes in the sky with lazy eights.

[Steve Helmick]

The wing is way heavy...an all-balsa wing would be a huge improvement. Mine flies real good, but is too heavy. I'm running a .25LA. A Flite Streak wing in a Skyray would be wonderful. Be sure to have adjustable leadouts and a tipweight box, and put the fin/rudder on straight. Yaw is not your friend!  Steve

[Dan Labine]

Thanks guys..

      It appears that the plane wouldn't be helped with any drastic mods.The fuse will stay stock but I'll add some fixed flaps and change the wing tips to increase wing area. I will also change the landing gear as well.

Dan