185
Balancing
Once your model is painted and your
detail work is completed, you’re ready to
balance. Attach the wing to the fuse
with bolts. Make sure the model is in its
flight ready status (i.e., all scale details
included like pilot(s), belly pan and other
details installed. Empty the fuel tank
and retract the landing gear.
First, balance your model laterally.
Determine if one side of the model is
heavier than the other. If so, you can
add lead to the light side’s wing tip by
removing the navigation lens and cutting
into the tip in an area concealed by the
painted portion of the lens. Add lead
into the cut out as needed and CA in
place.
The CG location has been verified by
extensive flight testing. The CG location
is presented in Appendix C. The T-34C,
as a trainer, needed to be forgiving and
easy to control - that’s why it has the
configuration it has. The CG range
must also be forgiving as there may or
may not be a pilot in the rear cockpit.
We have found the model to be forgiving
with regard to CG location, provided the
CG does not move outside our
suggested range.
Our prototype model’s CG was tested at
28%, 30% and 32% for test flights. We
found it performed best at 32%. We
recommend that you use a conservative
CG for the initial flights, about 30% so
that you can determine if further
adjustments are necessary.
To help balance the model on the pitch
axis, we recommend taping the provided
Mean Aerodynamic Cord (MAC)
percentage indicator in Appendix C to
the wing at the specified distance from
the LE at the LE break. Invert the model
and place on your CG stand. Your CG
device should be suitable for a 30 lb.
model.
To adjust the CG, shift the receiver
and/or ignition battery location(s) as
needed to achieve the desired balancing
point. With the RX battery in the wing
saddle, first try to locate the ignition
battery to achieve the right balance
within the space available in the left side
equipment bay. You can remove foam
at the center section (immediately
behind the firewall) so the battery can
span across the bays or remove foam at
the rear of the left bay. If the model is
still out of balance relocate the Rx
battery(ies). Try these recommended
battery locations; 1) cockpits, 2) wheel
well cavity (right side) and 3) equipment
bays. These battery location choices
should allow for proper balancing
without the need for adding extra ballast
weights.
Re-test the lateral balance.
Control Throws
Ailerons:
High rate = ¾”
Low rate = ½”
Mechanical or electronic differential is
preferred.
Elevator:
High rate = ¾”
Low rate = ½”
Rudder:
High rate = 1 ½”
Low rate = 1”
Steering:
High rate = 1 ½”
Low rate = 1”
Better to start off with less control
authority than too much. Your runway
surface will dictate.
Flaps:
Low deflection = 10-15 degrees
Full deflection = 40-50 degrees
Three position switch preferred. Initially
set elevator compensation to 0, flight
test to set proper compensation.
Attitude should be slightly nose down at
throttle setting appropriate for selected
flap setting.
Move transmitter controls to ensure
proper control surface direction. Have
another pilot confirm all is correct just to
be safe.
Summary of Contents for T-34C TURBO MENTOR
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