Thrust to weight ratios and wing loadings

[Michael O]

I am a Swedish retread and new to this forum. I grew up with 1/2A C/L aircraft, but most of my modelling career have been spent flying R/C aircraft. Because there seem to be an almost infinite amount of C/L wisdom available in this forum I have a couple of questions:

What is the typical thrust-to-weight ratio of a stunt aircraft (old time, classic and new)?

Also, is there some optimum wing loading for C/L aircraft? My reason for asking is that I have seen some very light Noblers that to me appeared to perform worse than heavier aircraft of the same type.

I am fully aware of the limited usefulness of the concept of static thrust-to-weight ratio, but I really would like to know what I should be aiming for.

Regards,
Michael O 
 

[Bill Little]

I am a Swedish retread and new to this forum. I grew up with 1/2A C/L aircraft, but most of my modelling career have been spent flying R/C aircraft. Because there seem to be an almost infinite amount of C/L wisdom available in this forum I have a couple of questions:

What is the typical thrust-to-weight ratio of a stunt aircraft (old time, classic and new)?

Also, is there some optimum wing loading for C/L aircraft? My reason for asking is that I have seen some very light Noblers that to me appeared to perform worse than heavier aircraft of the same type.

I am fully aware of the limited usefulness of the concept of static thrust-to-weight ratio, but I really would like to know what I should be aiming for.

Regards,
Michael O 

Hi Michael,

Many people do quote certain wing loading ranges in relation to different designs.  11oz. to 13 oz. seem to be the range I hear a lot.

The note about the Nobler is somewhat baffleing to me, but I don't disagree.  Baffleing because Mr. Gieseke has always built his Noblers very light! 

Bill <><

[Bob Reeves]

Have been a bunch of discussions on the ideal weight for a Nobler and the general conclusions as far as I understand things is with a 1-1 flap ratio it needs to be a little on the heavy side to preform properly. I never have a problem building too light I always seem to end up around 12 ounces per... Was speaking to an expert from Dallas and he told me he always builds for a target of around 13 ounces because the heaver wing loading seems to preform better in wind. Bill's 11-13 seems to be the most often quoted..

Not sure anyone can answer your thrust question, most of us have heard the number means nothing so haven bothered to measure it.