Wright Stuff C

[bjt4888]

Ethan,

Good job building the FF kit, it’s an excellent design. Density is the best way to identify rubber. .094” rubber will generally vary between .059 g/in and .063 g/in. The least dense segment of .094” rubber will probably make an 18.5” motor that weighs about 2.2 grams. If you were to use this loop length (probably cut 38” pieces as 0.5” rubber will be used by the knot and another 0.5” will probably be cut off after the knot is tied) and make several motors, you will discover that you have a good selection of density variance to test.

There is a pretty big difference between .059 and .063 g/in.

Brian T

[Ten086]

Hey, so I'm new to Wright Stuff and am slowly making my way through Chuck Markos' guide. Is this correct?

Since the propeller spins counterclockwise (looking at the front of the plane), the plane basically wants to spin clockwise. That raises the right wing higher than the left (left-banked?) which will cause the plane to fly in circles but wastes energy, so you add the asymmetrical features in the wings (more area on left, leading edge higher on left) to keep the wings level. Then, to make the plane fly in circles, you tilt the stabilizer so that all of the energy from the motor is being used productively for vertical lift while the plane can still fly in circles due to the stabilizer?

[bjt4888]

Ten086,

Good job reading Chuck Marcos’ material. Yes, banking is mostly caused by the rubber motor torque and propeller rotation. However, not all banking is bad. Many competition fliers will deliberately induce some bank by balancing rubber motor torque, propeller resistance (with pitch, blade area, etc.), left wing offset amount, left wing washin, rudder or tailboom offset, etc. This deliberate banking, if successful, will occur during the first one or two circles (or so) and will result in minimal climb for the first 10-15 seconds of flight. After a couple of circles, and as the torque roll effect reduces, the banking will lessen or go away and the airplane will begin to climb. This is a trimming strategy that can be successful for low ceilings (maybe up to 30 or 35 ft.)

Left turn is induced by a combination of a number of trim settings, including: stabilizer tilt, rudder offset, tailboom offset, thrustline offset, etc. and is moderated by left wing washin and left wing offset. Each of these settings has a slightly different effect. Usually rudder has more effect during the higher power beginning of the flight and stabilizer tilt has more effect at the slower speed end of the flight. However, we are finding that the extra large stabilizer allowed by this year’s rules has a pretty strong effect throughout the flight.

Good job of researching!

Brian T

[arshah2]

okay so basically we have one rlly crappy plane and its not meant to be good, it was soley for practice on winding and launching for us freshmen (even though i dont really need that.. but others do so we made a plane for that). anyways, its turning right. it has never turned left. im assuming its because the stabilizer from the back is tilted so the left side is down, but i dont know if thats even the case. maybe its the way we are winding? any suggestions?

If the stabilizer is tilted downwards to the left, then that would be the most prominent reason that your plane is turning right. You might want to consider dropping some acetone on those joints and fixing them, as the most efficient plane has every force working together, rather than some forces turning right and some forces turning left. If that does not work, check your rudder. If the back edge is noticeable to the right or left of the plane, it could be causing the turn. set it straight and then after testing, change it. Also, make sure that your prop is a counter-clockwise prop. Part of generating the turn is caused by the torque of the propeller. Finally, check to make sure that your propeller is on a slight left angle, 3 degrees to the left of the axis of the motor stick.

Note: All directions are addressed as if one was sitting in the plane, looking forward.

Hope this helps,

arshah2

[klastyioer]

okay so basically we have one rlly crappy plane and its not meant to be good, it was soley for practice on winding and launching for us freshmen (even though i dont really need that.. but others do so we made a plane for that). anyways, its turning right. it has never turned left. im assuming its because the stabilizer from the back is tilted so the left side is down, but i dont know if thats even the case. maybe its the way we are winding? any suggestions?

If the stabilizer is tilted downwards to the left, then that would be the most prominent reason that your plane is turning right. You might want to consider dropping some acetone on those joints and fixing them, as the most efficient plane has every force working together, rather than some forces turning right and some forces turning left. If that does not work, check your rudder. If the back edge is noticeable to the right or left of the plane, it could be causing the turn. set it straight and then after testing, change it. Also, make sure that your prop is a counter-clockwise prop. Part of generating the turn is caused by the torque of the propeller. Finally, check to make sure that your propeller is on a slight left angle, 3 degrees to the left of the axis of the motor stick.

Note: All directions are addressed as if one was sitting in the plane, looking forward.

Hope this helps,

arshah2

this helps a lot thanks

[Alke]

My partner and I just tested our plane in our school gym. However, the AC kept pushing the plane around which gave us unreliable practice times. Furthermore, we can't turn off the AC. How do deal with air currents when testing Wright Stuff? What are good places to practice?

Thanks!

Ethan

[klastyioer]

My partner and I just tested our plane in our school gym. However, the AC kept pushing the plane around which gave us unreliable practice times. Furthermore, we can't turn off the AC. How do deal with air currents when testing Wright Stuff? What are good places to practice?

Thanks!

Ethan

competitions often have low ceilings anyways, so try to reduce climb and slow down the prop by changing the pitch. how high up are your acs?

[CrayolaCrayon]

My partner and I just tested our plane in our school gym. However, the AC kept pushing the plane around which gave us unreliable practice times. Furthermore, we can't turn off the AC. How do deal with air currents when testing Wright Stuff? What are good places to practice?

Thanks!

Ethan

You need to know your planes flight circle. Which direction does it shift over time? What I do when I go to a competition is I look at the vents and map out where I'll launch to the plane. It is encouraged in the rules for currents to be off, and it should either be on or off for everyone.

Try any local spaces or your school gym and see if you can arrange for the draft to be off if possible.

[Alke]

My partner and I just tested our plane in our school gym. However, the AC kept pushing the plane around which gave us unreliable practice times. Furthermore, we can't turn off the AC. How do deal with air currents when testing Wright Stuff? What are good places to practice?

Thanks!

Ethan

competitions often have low ceilings anyways, so try to reduce climb and slow down the prop by changing the pitch. how high up are your acs?

The problem isn't the plane hitting the ceiling. Instead, we are having issues with the drafts from the AC which pushes the plane around and produces unreliable practice data. We tried to turn off the AC, but no one in the school can do it. So, are there any other local places other than our school that we can practice?

Sincerely,

Ethan

[klastyioer]

My partner and I just tested our plane in our school gym. However, the AC kept pushing the plane around which gave us unreliable practice times. Furthermore, we can't turn off the AC. How do deal with air currents when testing Wright Stuff? What are good places to practice?

Thanks!

Ethan

competitions often have low ceilings anyways, so try to reduce climb and slow down the prop by changing the pitch. how high up are your acs?

The problem isn't the plane hitting the ceiling. Instead, we are having issues with the drafts from the AC which pushes the plane around and produces unreliable practice data. We tried to turn off the AC, but no one in the school can do it. So, are there any other local places other than our school that we can practice?

Sincerely,

Ethan

oh lol i was a dressing the air currents not hitting. maybe you could try like an empty college gym or something if they allow you to use it or in your school like a lobby, music room, other gyms, or even the auditorium. if it's risky, don't try it unless you absolutely have to. always try to avoid obstacles as best as you can. pm me if u can list what areas you think could be available and i'll let you know if you should go for it or not