Plane not heavy enought to take A certicitificate test! Help

[Charlie Knill]

Greeting everyone

 

I am looking at purchasing a Parkzone Glassair but have hit a slight problem. The Glassair only weighs 950g.The required weight for the A certificate test is minimum 1kg. How would I make the plane heavy enough to take the test without upsetting the aircrafts balance?

 

TTFN

 

Charlie

 

 

Edited By Charlie Knill on 29/05/2015 14:21:32

[Dave Hopkin]

You could add weight, but that will require balancing and additional weight will mean higher wing loading, so it will have to fly faster to maintain lift, and its duration will be reduced

As you say you are looking into buying one, why not look at alternate airframes that match the A Cert requirements

Eflite Apprentice (with SAFE Tech removed/disabled)

ST Discovery

Seagull E-pioneer

Etc etc etc

[Morgan Goule]

As Dave says , it'd be easier to choose a heavier aircraft , the Max Thrust Riot's flying weight is 1350g

[IanN]

Posted by Dave Hopkin on 29/05/2015 14:28:19:

You could add weight, but that will require balancing and additional weight will mean higher wing loading, so it will have to fly faster to maintain lift, and its duration will be reduced

True, but at 54.5" span and an AUW of 33.5oz its not exactly going to be lardy so I doubt the extra 2oz - which could be "working" weight in the form of a bigger battery, assuming there's enough space to reposition the battery to maintain balance - would kill it

But on balance I agree with the above. Simpler to go for an airframe that already measures up to the A Test requirements, unmodified

[Charlie Knill]

I have looked at the Max Thrust Riot. Its too expensive. The Glassair is cheaper and RTFbut the problem is the weight. If I was to use the Glassair with 50 g of lead added do you reckon it would fly?

[FlyinBrian]

In all honesty I can not see an extra 50g being a problem. Fly it first and trim it out then add the lead under the CG location.

 

Sussex models have a v good offer at the moment for this model. £99.00 w/o Tx

Edited By FlyinBrian on 29/05/2015 14:53:51

[iqon]

would it fly with extra weight added - yes........ would you like it ......? nobody can answer that unless they have done it...I would chose an alternative wot 4 or riot.....or other.....may cost more but it will be worth it..

[Charlie Knill]

@FlyinBrian

 

That is who I am buying it from but I am buying the mode two one with the tx for £119.00 or theres about. Thank you everyone for your assistance.

Edited By Charlie Knill on 29/05/2015 15:00:38

[Simon Chaddock]

Charlie

The Glasair uses a 1300mAh battery which is pretty small for the size of plane so I would be willing to bet by the time you are ready to do your "A" you will have increased the size of the battery and probably be above the minimum weight anyway.

[Bill_B]

Personally I would just add the extra 50g or so over the CG area to achieve the min. weight target. The size and style of that particular model is well suited for the A test and as Ian has said, a few grammes extra on a high wing model of that size is neither here nor there. I hope the examiner has got an accurate and calibrated set of scales though.

Edited By Bill_B on 29/05/2015 15:10:40

[fly boy3]

I agree with Bill, 2ozs of extra weight will not be noticed on this wing span, if I remember correctly, it is the wing loading which is important in my view. Without knowing the spec. I think 2ozs would add a very small percentage to the W/L. Cheers

[Frank Skilbeck]

Also weigh the plane, the manufacturers quoted weight might be slightly out (or not including the battery)

Just watched the video, looks a nice plane, but it while it says the flight training can be turned off, it says that the stabilisation remains active, for an A test the plane shouldn't have any flight aids active.

Edited By Frank Skilbeck on 29/05/2015 15:39:20

[john melia 1]

50g is nothing , just add it and fly , dont overthink it

[The Wright Stuff]

Add 1 gram and make sure your examiner uses kg scales with only one decimal place!

[Dave Hopkin]

The other issue with a plane of that weight is going to be the wind buffeting, and weathercocking

Its going to be a calm day flyer I think

For the A test if the stabilisation cant be deactivated, a different RX will have to be fitted

[Mark Stringer]

How about something like the trainstar from HK? 1400 span, looks heavy enough .. ?71, add an ?18 HK 6ch radio and cheap battery and decent charger and you should be good to go
Just a thought... #edit# those question marks are pound signs but don't work when typed from my phone!?

Edited By Mark Stringer on 29/05/2015 16:47:33

Edited By Mark Stringer on 29/05/2015 16:48:09

[Charlie Knill]

One of my clubs examiners has said that with the Lipo installed it should only need a few more grams installed which is easy

TTFN

Charlie

[fly boy3]

Hi Charlie, If you have not actually bought the Glassair yet, it is well worth looking at Mark,s suggestion, re HK Trainstar. Seems to me a fantastic price with everything included. Great bargain, Mode 2 only I think. Cheers Also check it out on utube.

[Dave Hopkin]

I have flown a trainstar - good and rugged (its a plastic moulded fus so pretty strong)

The weak points - the tail wheel fitting is rubbish needs a better screw fixing (easy to do)

 

Trimming - Mine needed a lot of down thrust to get it flying

 

But once trimmed flies well and is pretty wind resistant

Edited By Dave Hopkin on 29/05/2015 17:17:26

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Oh dear do examiners need a set of scales now ? answers on a postcard to BMFA don't start picking on me i'm only kidding

John

[kc]

John, it would be awful to take the A test successfully yet be disqualified because the model was underweight! So fully complying with the requirements is best.

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

I agree K.C and I have a set of small expensive scales I used for fishing in the car and loads of stick on weights, we'll be o.k.

John

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

Posted by john stones 1 on 29/05/2015 20:00:00:

I have a set of small expensive scales I used for fishing in the car

Wow - that must be some car you've got, John - although I did once have an A40 with a permanent puddle in the passenger footwell...

[Morgan Goule]

I liked that one martin though it took me a while

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Very good Martin humour I like

John