I'm currently flying a Trophy Trainer built per plans. It flys well, but seems sluggish on the controls, especially the down control. I'm just starting to read the design forum and some questions have been raised.
A quick measurement off the plans suggests about 615 square inches (measured flat, not the curve) and an elevator/stabilizer surface area of about 96 square inches. That works out to 15.6% of the wing area. As I recall reading, we are looking more for 24-25%, is that right?
Then the moments; from the thust line to the LE is 11.5 inches; tail moment is 14 inches. In one of the posts I gathered that the nose moment can be altered to help balance the plane; if shortened, how will that affect the ability to turn? (Actually I love the look produced by the long nose.)
And then the offset wing. It's only offset by 1/2 inch, is that really required?
I would like to build another TT with a larger (24-25%) tail surface area, centered wing and perhaps a shorter (by only an inch or two) nose moment.
Has anyone out there made mods to a TT, or have ideas or suggestions?
Brian