Building techniques

[jander14indoor]

I found 0.093 to be on the high end with last years rules, and I expect it to be again this year. I'd recommend trying something in the 0.080 to 0.085 range.

As to whether "TAN Indoor Contest Rubber" is the same as "Tan Supper Sport Rubber" you'd have to ask the company. I THINK it is, but better to check.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[danyalukin]

But again the problem in our gym is that it is moderately small (23ft) and what worked for me last year was a big ikatra (trimmed in width a bit) with a 90 motor. Isnt the small prop and rubber not efficient in small gyms? I think i will order the .085, and the 3/32 rubber, and alittle of the .090, in case it works well...do you think that is a fine choice?
And also, a construction question, what would be a more reasonable connection between motorstick and tail boom? I really didn't like the one Freedom Flights suggested, the wire bracing.... do you know of a better way?
THanks!
Daniil

[andrewwski]

I was always a proponent of flat-out gluing it, that however doesn't give much adjustability.

[danyalukin]

I was always a proponent of flat-out gluing it, that however doesn't give much adjustability.

But is there a better way, possibly? Stability is definitely important.

[jander14indoor]

But again the problem in our gym is that it is moderately small (23ft) and what worked for me last year was a big ikatra (trimmed in width a bit) with a 90 motor. Isnt the small prop and rubber not efficient in small gyms? I think i will order the .085, and the 3/32 rubber, and alittle of the .090, in case it works well...do you think that is a fine choice?

Like I admitted, I don't like the big Ikara props which need fatter rubber. If they work for you, you will need fatter rubber than I suggested, so yes, sounds like a good starting point.

And also, a construction question, what would be a more reasonable connection between motorstick and tail boom? I really didn't like the one Freedom Flights suggested, the wire bracing.... do you know of a better way?

That wire joint is one thing I personally absolutely hate about the Freedom Flight design.

I typically take one of two approaches. Either glue it at a reasonable angle for turn size in most gyms, or a mortise and tenon joint so I can disassemble a long motor stick/tail boom to get it in a box.. Neither is adjustable as I've seen only problems with this being adjustable.

Frankly, I've never seen much advantage to changing the tail offset so I just set it to give a reasonable circle and leave it. Changing the stab angle of attack to control flight attitude I use a lot and that's why I attach my stabs to the tail boom with tissue tubes, just like the wings.

Hope that's clear,

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[smartkid222]

That's a nice range of sizes in that rubber kit, but pretty pricey and not actually a lot of rubber. Only 12.5 ft of each size or 3-4 motors each. Barely enough to figure out which size is best, not enough to support an season of testing and competition

This is possible now with our new Competition Motor Pack. It features 75 feet of each of the following motor sizes: .079", .086", .093" (3.32"), .101", .108".

I belive it's 75 feet of each size. that means theres a lot more rubber in that kit than what you described. also, there are 5 sizes, not 6.
the issue with this is that it doesnt' say that it's tan super sport. it might be some other brand like sigmoid or something; might not work as well.

[smartkid222]

I see...Also, the A2Z Corp. has the the Tan super sport (i assume they resell it) and it is already cut to the sizes .095, .090, .085, .080, and we will not need anything greater or less than that, Im sure. Our team needs to start building soon, because we want to be more competitive this year, but the Fai model supply store is closing (9/12 to 9/23) so we are planning to order from A2Z.
The question is, will 3/32 (.093) be too strong, and Which sizes to choose from those listed above?

Also, Is ''TAN Indoor Contest Rubber ''(in catalog) the same quality as the ''Super Sport Rubber''? Are those just different names?
Those are the questions i have, and please keep in mind taht the .083 is not available at A2Z.

Thank you!
Daniil

A lot of places resell faimodelsupply.com rubber. A2z corp sells .095, .090, .085, .080 "Indoor contest rubber" and also .093 (3/32) "super sport" They sell them by around 15 feet each for around $4. If you order one of every pack thats $20, so it's not that expensive. I ordered one pack of indoor contest and the .093 of super sport and i assumed it was the same type of rubber. thinking about it, idk. Try to check with the website and let me know what they say. It's probably the same, it's just where they get the rubber from is different. The shippings was kinda expensive i thought ($13+), but i ordered a lot of stuff too so that might have been why.
You have a lot of time ahead though; dont' sweat it too much. (shipping was quick too, it took like 4(?) days).

[smartkid222]

But again the problem in our gym is that it is moderately small (23ft) and what worked for me last year was a big ikatra (trimmed in width a bit) with a 90 motor. Isnt the small prop and rubber not efficient in small gyms? I think i will order the .085, and the 3/32 rubber, and alittle of the .090, in case it works well...do you think that is a fine choice?

.085, .090, .093 sounds pretty good. if .090 worked last year, buying around the same sizes sounds logical.

That wire joint is one thing I personally absolutely hate about the Freedom Flight design.

Agreed. It was really the worst thing about the kit. it was so easy to accidentaly change something.

What is a mortise and tenon joint?

[danyalukin]

What is a mortise and tenon joint?

Type "mortise and tenon joint" in google and go to pics. It's self explanatory there..

[blue cobra]

How can you make a mortise and tenon joint?
And why do many, possibly most, teams adgust the whole boom? I just attach a rudder with rubber bands and it is adjustable to any gym. With some pencil marks I can also have it as consistent as AoA. This rudder is also easier to build than two rudders on the side of the stab.