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Scale Model RC Helicopters > Scale center of gravity question
 
 
Trip
Heliman
Location: Shin Dae Ri, South Korea (U.S. Military)

Morning (OK, it's evening in Korea)

I have a Agusta 109 and a Bell Long Ranger, both Century fuselages with Hirobo shuttle mechanics. The Korean Gentleman (Mr Park) who helps me off and on with flying is very against using weights in the nose to set up center of gravity, prefers to trim the helo instead. My Long Ranger I bought used (from RR member) and it had weights already epoxied into the nose (Have kept them well hidden from Mr Park) and it flies great. Completed my new 109 a couple of month ago (only two flights so far due to work, but will retire in a year!) I set it up without nose weights and trimmed it out, but hate the way it flies. What is the best way to set up? should I use weight to balance the Agusta? Leave the weights out and wait for Mr Park to have time to trim it (will probably fly better to be honest)? Any input will be helpful.

Bill Harris
1SG, U.S. Army
Is it possible to have too many Helo's?
Tempest 90 3D
Gohbee 50
Caliber 30
Venture 30
Bell Long Ranger (Shuttle mechanics)
Agusta A109 (Shuttle mechanics)
Airwolf (Belt CP mechanics)
BlackHawk 450 nitro (this thing is a Bi*** to get parts for)
Belt CP (highly modified)
King II (even more modified)
07-26-2008 12:00 PM
 
 
wilerbee
Senior Heliman
Location: Hong Kong

Best to have the weights to balance the CG and use trim to fine tune.
07-26-2008 12:13 PM
 
 
doorman
Elite Veteran
Location: E.Berne, NY

Add The Weight!!!!

Proper CG is how I do ALL of mine (too many??, but your close!!!)
But I like to do it with weight that is functional if at all possible like a larger battery or a piece of equipment mounted further forward to get what I need.... "if at all possible"...
I have flown tail heavy machines and although you may be able to trim it to fly OK, it is now an out of balance and out of trim machine... with most of the new mechanics, everything at 90 degrees at half stick is the rule of thumb and the set up is JUST SO MUCH EASIER then it used to be.... And it shows on how the machines fly....
On a flybarless head you need to be nose heavy!!!! In my Jet Ranger there is a bag o lead that weighs in at 9 ounces in the landing light compartment.....
These are scale and you are not going to do 3D with them, so the little added weight where needed only makes them look and fly so much better....

Good Luck and keep it hidden

Stan

If there is a cure for this, please don't tell me about it!!!
07-26-2008 01:18 PM
 
 
Trip
Heliman
Location: Shin Dae Ri, South Korea (U.S. Military)

nine ounces? Had to think back to my days of balancing tires for perspective on just how much weight that is! I do like how the Long ranger flies with proper CG instead of trimmed CG (swash adjusted level flight), have been afraid to fly the Agusta again since it was pretty much uncontrollable and I spent too much time getting it built to crash it due to setup issues!. I impressed myself with being able to get it back down without breaking anything, then decided to put it in the air again, still did not break it, but dang it was close! has been on the shelf since!

That's a sweet Sea Knight! Once I have more experience(and more money) looking for a CH-47 Chinook

Thanks for the input, going to check at the Auto Hobby Shop on post for tape weights to epoxy in
07-26-2008 01:32 PM
 
 
Hoverup
Elite Veteran
Location: Gulf Coast

Hey First Sergeant - Go with the advice given here - add the weight. Thanks for your service in the land of the morning calm, just watch out for those YoBo's. I served 13 months there at Osan right after the Pueblo incident in 1969.

Cheers - Boyd
AMA80393
Major USAF
Retired
07-26-2008 02:44 PM
 
 
A&P
Senior Heliman
Location: Chandler, AZ

Definitely and the weight. For my MH-53 I molded a 4 pound lead plate to put in the nose to get it to balance! It has a long tail and not a lot of nose to off set it. It made all the difference in the way it flies.

Don't Panic
07-26-2008 07:48 PM
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monkey nuts
Senior Heliman
Location: chester england

the weight is definately better, ive flown balanced and unbalanced helicopters. ive noticed that if you dont use the weight and trim it, its ok in the hover but when your flying in forward flight the nose pitches up more, especially when you pull back on the elevator to slow down ready to land. the balanced heli doesnt.
07-26-2008 10:15 PM
 
 
seattle_helo
Key Veteran
Location: Seattle, WA USA

Arlo, how long had you been flying the 53 without that 4 pound plate?
07-26-2008 11:32 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
A&P
Senior Heliman
Location: Chandler, AZ

I started with 2 pounds of lead shot and kept adding more till it flew good. After I got it the way I wanted I melted it down and cast it as a plate. I'm working on moving more of the electronics forward and adding the cockpit and pilots should reduce the size of the plate.

Don't Panic
07-26-2008 11:40 PM
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Scale Model RC Helicopters > Scale center of gravity question
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