Flite Test - Tail Heavy Plane

Flite Test - Tail Heavy Plane - FLITE TIP

Рет қаралды 277,658

12 жыл бұрын

Flying a tail heavy plane is a bad idea! RC planes work like a fulcrum, a little weight in the tail equals a lot of weight in terms of CG (Center of Gravity) and balance. So the further back the weight is from the CG the more leverage it will create and the more unbalanced your RC plane will be.
In this episode of Flite Test, we put a bunch of weight on the tail of the plane to show the extreme effects of a tail heavy plane.
More details and photos in the write up at our website:
flitetest.com/articles/Tail_He...
Links mentioned in this episode:
How To Balance Your Plane
flitetest.com/articles/balanci...
The Ventus
flitetest.com/articles/the_ventus
Retractable Landing Gear - Trojan T-28
flitetest.com/articles/custom_...
See more of Dave and the Quick FX series here:
/ knoptop
Special thanks to StoneKap Productions for this episode of Flite Test:
www.stonekap.com

Пікірлер: 214

@DiGiTaLFaKiE 2 жыл бұрын

Man it's been a lost time since I last saw this video. Was researching into how to induce a stall spin and how to recover and this vid popped up. Miss the old days when u guys weren't so excited about everything. Alot more chill.

@FliteTest 11 жыл бұрын

The point was to take a common, familiar plane that balances well and purposefully make it tail heavy. This helps isolate the characteristics of a tail heavy plane.

@tho1efx 11 жыл бұрын

I like how this guy asks questions. Feels like I'm getting more information than I would have otherwise.

@FliteTest 11 жыл бұрын

I think you mentioned you had a Fun Fighter F4F from your comment before. Those can be difficult to launch if you are at a high throttle setting. They are very small with a lot of torque. Were you able to fly past the launch?

@Fallingz 12 жыл бұрын

Nice to see more stuff for the new ppl that's getting into the hobby

@Andrei5656 12 жыл бұрын

I felt in love with this guy's voice !

@gbisaga 9 ай бұрын

Thank you! I always knew tail heavy airplanes were a problem, but I didn't know what kind of problems it would cause. Very helpful!

@abyssalreclass 8 жыл бұрын

When I was learning RC helicopters, I was told that a nose heavy helicopter flies poorly. A tail heavy helicopter flies once. Looks like that applies here too.

@icebox1145 8 жыл бұрын

+averagejoe2843 yep. ive heard that plenty of times while talking to fixed wing pilots

@finnleithomczyk5292 4 жыл бұрын

Yep it foes

@infiltrator7777 12 жыл бұрын

These videos are so good! I really enjoy them!

@gtoonstra 12 жыл бұрын

Great DOF in this episode, interesting use of lighting.

@ExperimentalAirlines 12 жыл бұрын

Highly valuable video, especially for noobs. Once you see a tail-heavy flight you'll always recognize it later. Spot-on with your recovery tips too.

@sethkearl8056 11 ай бұрын

Great video. Some adjustments to the FT3D xl (such as removing the landing gear for lighter gear) can produce a tail heavy airplane. Great lessons and video.

@stevedallas007 4 жыл бұрын

This will help me fix and fly my Dynam P51. It was way too tail heavy. Thank you!

@iloverc 12 жыл бұрын

again, great vid and nice to see Dave on this channel even though I miss Josh :)

@Evandiego16 8 жыл бұрын

Josh those aviators look sick! I got the same lanyard. Works great! Great video!

@sqlb3rn 7 жыл бұрын

I drilled a balsa .46 glow plane on the maiden flight right in the middle of a packed RV lot, because I didn't know to check the CG and it was way too far back. I was fighting it bad just to keep it in the air and knew there was no way I was going to land it in one piece. When I banked on final for my "controlled crash", it tip stalled, went over some power lines, and spiraled straight down into an RV lot. By sheer luck it didn't hit anyone or anything except pavement in a straight dive.

@MeganPhillips 8 жыл бұрын

Super helpful, Thanks!

@oldschooler75 9 жыл бұрын

Ty for the info, you guys are awesome

@RCFlyer007 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent video - thanks

@michaelmortensen8868 9 жыл бұрын

a truly balanced plane fly's like a dream. unbalanced , your sweating , heart racing, and most often disappointed in all the scraps you have to pick up. Take the time to balance your plane at the proper C/G point.

@darkarmy53 11 жыл бұрын

I just happen to watch this one day a wile back and 2 weeks ago I was flying my multiplex mentor and I tried the Floats and as soon as she left the water it was shooting for space and I did just what you said and trimed her out and took her in for a fast landing and it worked out perfect. Thanks a lot.. You saved me 150 $ in foam alone.

@harpoon_bakery162 4 жыл бұрын

where you gettin' your foam at?

@derrickmitchell39dm 4 жыл бұрын

I just had the hardest time balancing my tail heavy AR WIng. It was as if the CG kept shifting. I got it a little nose heavy now but I am unsure if it'll fly at the maiden but ima try it.

@F3HDemonDriver1 12 жыл бұрын

Another great video Guys!

@lonewolf7717 12 жыл бұрын

DUDE NO WAY!!! just received my second bix kit a week ago that had been on back order for four months!!!! thought you were joking about a bix 2.....but there it is, CRAP! HK has been paying attention to all the mods guys have been making to the original bix and tried to incorporate them in this new model. CF rod down tail check, extra air intake check, cutout for gyro under canopy check, better wing joiner method check, flaps check, larger wing area check and check.

@logansportpilotrp8174 8 жыл бұрын

Josh Bixler definitly one of the GO TO GUYS,really knowledgeable guy.I love your videos.

@robbennett 12 жыл бұрын

hey folks another great and FREE video I got to enjoy. thanks. People shut your yap and stop complaining. its obvious these guys are working hard under probably frustrating circumstances doing what they are passionate about. cut them some slack. this is better than 95% of the junk on KZfaq. you want to complain? look at the 3 total crap videos I've posted then come back. Then perhaps you can appreciate what this channel is.

@davidlewis2558 7 жыл бұрын

As the CG moves aft, the lift coefficient goes up because down force from the stabilizer decreases. Increasing stabilizer area can make up for some of the lost pitch stability.

@BMSWEB 12 жыл бұрын

BTW: Love Dave's Channel . . been a long time subscriber

@Mr27ace27 11 жыл бұрын

How does aft CG affect flying wings? A giant flying wing bomber that my friend built was pitchy and went into a flat spin when he tried to turn. Was it tail heavy?

@obRCmania 12 жыл бұрын

On my Ft flyer I always fly it tail heavy. It really slows the plane down which is great for flying indoor or in my garden. Also it uses less power to get off the ground and fly level. The CG is almost half the wing. It does not make the plane to unstable. in wind it is a little tricky and it is a little pitchy however, I think it is a good thing because if you are in trouble, you just pull up and it basically stops in flight then gentle goes into the ground.

@spraynpray 11 жыл бұрын

I sorta gave up RC about a year ago. I took it up when I was in CA and was bored out of my mind because everything is illegal in that state and to go anywhere took many hours. A trip to walmart was a 4 hour ordeal to buy a cup, or a spatula or something. I moved to AZ and now I'm too busy to fly RC. I will check out your link and I do appreciate it. The other reason I got out of RC was because I can't balance these darn planes.

@Laodell 11 жыл бұрын

Is there a difference in behavior when different masses are chosen to balance at different locations? ie. a heavier weight in the tail, closer to cg vs a lighter weight further out. Both would balance the plane, But would there a noticeable variance of momentum of the empennage between the two masses? Similar question for balancing out the wings?

@jamesberwick2210 Жыл бұрын

The way I was taught, back when we flew the old-style RC pattern planes, make a simple aileron turn, if it needs aileron to keep it in the turn, it's tail heavy, the more tail heavy, the more it wants out of the turn. If it wants to tuck and tighten the turn, it's nose heavy. Climb vertical, if the rudder is straight and it pulls one way or another, your thrust line is off. If you roll inverted and it drops, your stab, wing or engine incidence is off. It should fly equally the same if the wing is a true symmetrical airfoil. If it rolls wobbly, add aileron differential, that's less down than up aileron. When properly trimmed, the aircraft should roll on the proverbial string. It should fly hands off straight and level. I use the same for sport models. It worked back then, works today.

@SwitchRod 11 жыл бұрын

Wow! You certainly helped save many newbs some frustration and DOLLARS. Well done,,,and a perfect lead in to a video on tuning your aircraft. How About a series on CG, roll control, prop balancing, etc. Hmmm...maybe you have done it?! Maybe using both the Trojan, and something like a Mentor; so you teach about both tricycle and taildragger? Again...informative AND ENTERTAINING!

@guahcap 11 жыл бұрын

Great vids. Whered you get those aviators?

@c0ba1t 8 жыл бұрын

My maiden bix3 flight was tail heavy and lasted about 20 seconds. Now I have to figure out how to repair EPO.

@ericwillis777 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this - but what is tail heavy or nose heavy - I balanced at 27 % chord and it seems squirrly, very sensiitive, to me, and I 've nose dive'd in twice on trying to get it down on final turn. Is this still tail heavy symptom ?

@martinonumero 10 жыл бұрын

good day, what KV motor is in that plane and what size prop is on it?

@labooboo9 12 жыл бұрын

Could you do a tips video on the names and functions of the wires and plugs?

@kensproles5816 3 жыл бұрын

Josh! Can you give me plans or dimensions for your pencil CG machine? Please?

@aminul7236 4 жыл бұрын

Hi friends I have made a R.C plane. But has been developed a problem. It turns left and stall just after takes off. What is the possible cause. Please inform me. It's has max takeoff weight 1.5.kg. wing span 48 inch. I used 1400kv brushes less motor. 8 inch Apc prop. 832g Thurst. Is it enough for plane or required more?

@meZeusta14 11 жыл бұрын

I know this might be a little late, youtube won't let me post the link, but google RC CG calculator, and 'adamone' it's a nice calculator. I don't know if you are new to the hobby or not, so I hope I'm not offending in any way, but something that has been invaluable to me, are some of the experienced pilots in my club/area. My father in law introduced me to RC planes and has really helped me learn the ropes with things like CG and trimming airplanes. Hope this helps! Good luck!

@BOKI797 12 жыл бұрын

I was talking about 4 person Cessna Aircraft ! Don't know about fighters! But CG is a good Video!

@alflurin 7 жыл бұрын

I have a very tail heavy mini SkyHunter and I pushed the lipos up front as far as I can go, putted some lead weight but it is still tail heavy. Should I cut the two carbon fiber tubes that connect the tail to improve CG??

@f14tomcat30 7 жыл бұрын

Try a heavier battery

@dammuozz 12 жыл бұрын

really useful and informative!!!! =) thank you

@baldylee100 12 жыл бұрын

Nice episode, I hope Josh Scott is okay. Yeah Dave didn't have the same chemistry on screen, but he did really well. I don't think you're gonna get anyone that "clicks" as well as Josh Scott does, it's just him. One thing I'd love to see you guys do would be to get a Chris Foss Wot 4 (classic, as the wings are better for slower flight) kit, build it up and then fly it. It'd be really interesting to see how you guys get on with it ^_^

@FliteTest 11 жыл бұрын

Sometimes planes just don't fly well no matter where you put the CG.

@zabalasherry2529 3 жыл бұрын

hnvhmgjmhgu

@finleysaint2377 2 жыл бұрын

I realize it is kinda randomly asking but do anybody know of a good place to stream newly released series online ?

@amirking1935 2 жыл бұрын

@Finley Saint try FlixZone. You can find it on google =)

@saulbraydon5010 2 жыл бұрын

@Amir King yea, been watching on FlixZone for since march myself :D

@finleysaint2377 2 жыл бұрын

@Amir King thanks, I signed up and it seems like a nice service :D I really appreciate it!

@chuco425 12 жыл бұрын

I saw helicopter in the intro, does that mean there will be more helicopter videos? I never new being tail heavy did so much havoc on a plane, I always do glide tests before the maiden.

@Chio_OB 11 жыл бұрын

Great video, I have lost a plane or two due to bad balance!

@Lagggerengineering 7 жыл бұрын

2 balls on the back...

@MagicSteve46 12 жыл бұрын

can you guys do more slope soaring?

@parkercheatwood 12 жыл бұрын

Be kind LimitLess.Gotta ease a Dave into the mix somehow.Good vid guys. Thank you.

@drcuffe 12 жыл бұрын

I think I remember Chad said the episode didnt work and they gave up on it, so it was never aired. Maybe it will be included in a future vid?

@spraynpray 11 жыл бұрын

I have other planes that I cannot fly at all. 800mm FMS FW180 suggested CG is EXTREMELY tail heavy. I removed a ton of material from the nose so as to add lead and a larger battery than they suggest just to make sure it was nose heavy, but it was still tail heavy. Flew it one time ever, landed. The FMS 800mm Zero I gave up on. I never got it right and an "expert" tried to fly it for about 20 seconds, crashed it into pieces, so I gave it away. The F4F is porpoisey so I'm scared of it. No crashes.

@spraynpray 11 жыл бұрын

Launching was never a problem with my FFs. No roll, like a laser. My BF109 was a peach and did everything I ever wanted of a plane... until the elevator died at WOT. That was a sad day. Suggested CG in that plane was within a mm of what I found to be perfect, and the design of it made CG adjustments very easy. Same story with my PZ Corsair, it just works and I can tweak it little bits because when it's off I can fly it. The F4F hasn't been crashed but I can't really fly it.

@spraynpray 11 жыл бұрын

To be balanced are: EScale Zero, F4F Funfighter, and FMS 800mm FW. I'm willing to bet the 800mm FW is hopeless. The BF109 is mostly rebuilt using glue, fiberglass, CF rod, and a nose made out of a plastic cup from 7/11. I'm hoping I can balance that on my own. I just haven't because RC frustrated me so much. I sold off quite a few planes.

@turmat01 6 жыл бұрын

omg! Josh was so young! (another way of saying "omg! Josh got old!!!" XD)

@spraynpray 11 жыл бұрын

Hey guys, I have an honest question for you that is extremely frustrating to me. I have bought several planes from Hobbyking and Nitroplanes in the past. I literally have not flown in 8 months because of the frustration of balancing planes. I was once subscribed to your channel and unsubscribed for the same reason. I cannot ever find a good CG in my planes and so I just crash and spend 10 times as long fixing them as "flying". How the flying F do you get a good CG?

@xuzme720 11 жыл бұрын

I was wondering about that, too. The clip right before that is is MIA as well as far as I know. It looks like Dave from Sweden jumping out of the way of a tri-copter trying to lift another plane...

@bearospace 12 жыл бұрын

How many joshes can you get on the show? Now there's a challenge!

@murdockpt 9 ай бұрын

these old intros are fkn good

@prosjekt51 12 жыл бұрын

on your intro there is a heli crashing in to a dummy , whats the name of that vid? and please do more vids on helis ;) greatings from norway!!

@RevUnstableBoy 12 жыл бұрын

CG can be a matter of preference. my sig fazer, I built it to balance at the rear most recommended CG... then added 2-3oz of tail weight. I like tail heavy... then again.. I'm a little bit nuts.

@jetmanjo 12 жыл бұрын

Nice! Can you do one on Nose Heavy flight now?! :)

@hardusbooyse8896 2 жыл бұрын

can u show that pencil system to balance the plane?

@beefxer 12 жыл бұрын

Dave was a welcome change to the cast! I didn't feel like my intelligence was being insulted every few seconds by a wannabe hipster. This was a huge step in the right direction.

@FreakyLemon51 12 жыл бұрын

Can you guys build a variable pitch quadcopter?

@kevinbrooks6265 10 жыл бұрын

tail heavy is good for 3d correct ?

@finnleithomczyk5292 4 жыл бұрын

Is Dave still editing the videos?

@fenrir834 6 жыл бұрын

what is the use of a long nose?can i make a rc plane without a long nose?i don't care about whether it would affect the center of gravity because i would be using my battery to get my plane balanced.

@Ciiads 3 жыл бұрын

You are awesome👍😊❤️❤️❤️🤝🤝

@joshuadirect 12 жыл бұрын

@beefxer Don't worry. I'll be back next week :)

@nick10722 12 жыл бұрын

aft is where you shift the weight back right behind the cg slightly

@FliteTest 11 жыл бұрын

Just balance the plane where the manufacturer recommends. What planes are giving you trouble?

@FliteTest 12 жыл бұрын

Yes it's called "Balancing your Plane"

@bigjoker4u 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks I may learn to fly yet .

@RCFlyboy14576 11 жыл бұрын

Properly balanced planes are excellent for 3D, more so than tailheavy setups. However, a tail heavy is nothing to fret about if you prepare for it by practicing high alpha post stall flight as well as fighting wing rock. With those skills, a tail heavy setup will only be an inconvenience, but not a death wish.

@keegan707 9 жыл бұрын

In the intro there is a watermelon head on a torso that gets hit by an RC helicopter. I have looked high and low for that video. Can someone point me to where I may find it?

@Kyo-bd4tw 6 жыл бұрын

the video is Flite Test - Custom Air Brakes - Extra 330SC

@richardwinstanley7381 3 жыл бұрын

Being a beginner. Once the battery is in. What's the easiest way to balance the plane.

@Nubyrc 11 жыл бұрын

Havnt seen little josh in a wile does he still fly with u

@HisnameisRich 6 жыл бұрын

haha 2012 Bixler, what were you thinking with that beard?

@UrbanDrones 12 жыл бұрын

1:14 that airplane has balls :)

@eroticmasterbaker 9 жыл бұрын

If a plane is off balance left to right will that make the plane wobble?

@russellp1982 9 жыл бұрын

Not usually it just rolled to the heavy side but trim will hold it straight

@JasonUberig 12 жыл бұрын

Did you want to flip the plane? .... mighta been easier to lift those retracts and belly land ;-) Either way, nice flying... makes me want to go out and try making a tail heavy plane. Oh wait, been there, done that! LOL.... Oh, and Dave - good on ya for steppin in. Relax and enjoy the spotlight.

@illiop 12 жыл бұрын

Flitetest, bringing truck nuts to planes since 2012.

@BMSWEB 12 жыл бұрын

Some people fly like that with correct CG ;) LOL Good to see Mr Bixler flying like the rest of us

@ilikchez 12 жыл бұрын

I just made a nutball in 5 min and the rear control surfaces are.uneven what do I do

@indy007pb 11 жыл бұрын

My tufflight bouncer flies with the furthest back CG recommended by the manufacturer. It's a great 3D trainer. The 5 1/2" CG is too stable. The 6 1/2" CG is much more fun and capable.

@Eiooeek 12 жыл бұрын

Parkzone is famous for its tail-heavy UM planes.

@maxsmodels 6 жыл бұрын

Lost my Freewing ME-262 on the maiden due to being tail heavy followed by tip stall.

@alexbuilder6983 4 жыл бұрын

Maiden flight of my 6' Lancaster bomber got its wing torn off because it violently pitched up and then stalled, had no idea why now I know!

@BOKI797 12 жыл бұрын

Good job Flying that airplane ! A real airplane is the same except your life & your friends could be at risk! You have to figure 6 # per gallon the weight of each person & maybe even only take 3 people instead instead of 4 people! Could be hard to take off or in event of a stall you may not recover depending on the CG ! That's a good video to have on control of your plane!

@SkySherpa 12 жыл бұрын

The plane has got some balls!

@Oinikis 7 жыл бұрын

I built an arduino gyro thing, which I can use to control planes and quads. To test it, I built a tail heavy plane, so tailheavy it isn't able to fly, and my system was able to keep it pointing in one direction and make it fly. So that is another use for aft heavy planes.

@TakeshiM 7 жыл бұрын

is the code on github?

@Oinikis 7 жыл бұрын

Nope, I wrote it on my own. Saddly, I can't acces it now. But what I can do is tell you that I used MPU6050, and for that you'll find plenty of tutorials on the internet.

@nobodyspecial313 7 жыл бұрын

Wow, that's a super cool project! I'm not experienced with electronics, so I had to google the sensor you mentioned, and I'm totally amazed they can sell an entire board with a 3 axis accelerometer AND 3 axis gyro for less than $5.

@Oinikis 7 жыл бұрын

Actually, I buy mine for like 1 buck. Yes, it seems amazing at first how you can fit so many quite precise instruments into such a cheap board, but once you know how it works, you realize how cheap it is. That's 21st centur for ye.

@xuzme720 11 жыл бұрын

I found the killer heli video on "flite test gremlin". Still haven't found the multirotor lifting clip>

@birendrakumar-gl5gq 5 жыл бұрын

My scratch build rc plane after taking off went inverted and crashed what would be the problem??? Is it tail heavy?? And i had checked the CG,it was all right Anybody help please😥

@anthonysimonte6585 5 жыл бұрын

It could be that you don't have it trimmed right. I'm not an expert on how to fix that but that would be my guess.

@royd7984 4 жыл бұрын

Since you already knew about these problems, why no just probably balance this plane before you flew it? Unless you wanted to demo the problems you described so everyone could see it? Thanks