What are your guys times right now?

[InfiniCuber]

It all comes down to if you know how to trim it. I was able to get 6th place at nationals( with a score of about 73) last year using the freedom flight model, but I saw some people at my state's tournament and other regional tournaments who could barely get 10 seconds per flight using the exact same model. The only difference is that I had trimmed my plane well enough and had tested it enough so that I knew exactly what it would do and how big its radius was.

What kind of issues are you having exactly? If your times aren't high, try adding some more winds onto the rubber band.

Well, my plane seems to be climbing all right, but it doesn't climb very high. I've snapped several rubber bands like a .081 30 cm loop broke many times after about 80 or so winds on a 15:1 winder. So getting more turns is becoming difficult. Also, the knots that show up once wound hit my motor stick and when they hit it mid-flight, it shakes the plane a bit (you can hear the plastic covering shake).

[someusername]

Well, my plane seems to be climbing all right, but it doesn't climb very high. I've snapped several rubber bands like a .081 30 cm loop broke many times after about 80 or so winds on a 15:1 winder. So getting more turns is becoming difficult. Also, the knots that show up once wound hit my motor stick and when they hit it mid-flight, it shakes the plane a bit (you can hear the plastic covering shake).

are there multiple knots or just one knot where you tied the loop together? if there is only one knot, I always try and hook the rubber band at that knot so the knot doesn't turn.
Regarding the issue of climbing, have you ever tried a thicker rubber band? If you put the same amount of winds in a thicker band ( say .091 or so ) then the torque would be greater, allowing you to climb higher. The tradeoff of a thicker rubber band is that it spins faster than a thinner one, so the winds are used up faster.

That's at least what I would try for now. You can also do things with the propeller pitch if need be, but I'm still experimenting with that so I'm not a very good source for it as of now

[Chris_L]

Adding on to what was said above, are you lubing your motor? 80 seems a little low for a .081 width motor, also you don't want your plane to climb too fast either, a lot of your flight should be in the climb.

[InfiniCuber]

Adding on to what was said above, are you lubing your motor? 80 seems a little low for a .081 width motor, also you don't want your plane to climb too fast either, a lot of your flight should be in the climb.

I am, I use armor all for all my rubber. And I agree, for some reason it snaps tho:/ But i agree, a fast climb is not ideal.

are there multiple knots or just one knot where you tied the loop together? if there is only one knot, I always try and hook the rubber band at that knot so the knot doesn't turn.
Regarding the issue of climbing, have you ever tried a thicker rubber band? If you put the same amount of winds in a thicker band ( say .091 or so ) then the torque would be greater, allowing you to climb higher. The tradeoff of a thicker rubber band is that it spins faster than a thinner one, so the winds are used up faster.

That's at least what I would try for now. You can also do things with the propeller pitch if need be, but I'm still experimenting with that so I'm not a very good source for it as of now

I have a single not, it stays at the back by the hook. I have tried thicker, ive tried the same lenght (30 cm) with the .081, .087, and .091 thicknesses.

[someusername]

I have a single not, it stays at the back by the hook. I have tried thicker, ive tried the same lenght (30 cm) with the .081, .087, and .091 thicknesses.

Why did you stop using those, or were they just not working out for you? Personally I have found more success in the thicker rubber bands.

[Chris_L]

Do you keep your rubber clean? Even small specks of dirt or slight tears could really hurt how many turns you can put into that piece of rubber. Also instead of doing it by length, try making your motors based on the 2 gram limit which should help you pack the most turns in as possible.

[bernard]

Do you keep your rubber clean? Even small specks of dirt or slight tears could really hurt how many turns you can put into that piece of rubber. Also instead of doing it by length, try making your motors based on the 2 gram limit which should help you pack the most turns in as possible.

Here's a video from North Carolina Science Olympiad showing how to make motors.

[InfiniCuber]

Why did you stop using those, or were they just not working out for you? Personally I have found more success in the thicker rubber bands.

My best time is actually with the thickest rubber, but with only 55 turns on the 15:1 winder. I was hoping to get a slower ascent with more winds on a thinner rubber, but it hasn't worked too hot thus far.

[InfiniCuber]

Do you keep your rubber clean? Even small specks of dirt or slight tears could really hurt how many turns you can put into that piece of rubber. Also instead of doing it by length, try making your motors based on the 2 gram limit which should help you pack the most turns in as possible.

I never thought of that. I should try that, thanks!

Here's a video from North Carolina Science Olympiad showing how to make motors.

Oh, sweet thanks!!

[jander14indoor]

Rubber is your fuel and your engine. Thickness is power/climb. Mass is fuel. NEVER fly with less than 2.0 gm of rubber, its like flying with a half full tank of fuel.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI