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The C.G. Calculator

• Have you ever had difficulty in locating the correct balancing point of a new aircraft or of an aircraft that you didn't build?  The form on this page can help you locate the balance point in terms of the percentage of the Mean Aerodynamic Chord.  You will need to be able to supply some basic dimensions of the wing and the desired balance point.  For most aircraft the C.G. is at 25-33% of the M.A.C., but this can vary for different aircraft and wing plan forms.  Be careful what C.G. you choose to balance at!  It can make the difference a plane that flies like a kitten and one that flies like you have a tiger by the tail!!

The M.A.C. Calculator

• This calculator is much like the C.G. Calculator but it works in reverse.  You give it the basic dimensions of the wing and the position of the C.G. indicated on the plans and it returns the C.G. as a percentage of the M.A.C. (%MAC)  This is very useful for reverse engineering a design so that you can make your own design.  Try entering the data for you're last plane and see what %MAC it returns.  Then plug the numbers back into the C.G. calculator and see what you get back!

The R/C Trim Chart

• How do you trim a new airplane?  There's more to it than just setting those trim tabs!  With a little work you can finish the trimming job and have a truer flying aircraft.  Have a look, you may be surprised about how much you never thought of.  I was!

Teaching RC Model Airplane Flying 

• Just because you're good at something doesn't necessarily mean you can teach it.  This booklet is published by the Citrus County RC Club as a guide for their flight instructors and students.  The information applies mainly to how to teach beginners to fly but also has a lot of information for fliers at all skill levels.

Public Relations Presentation Outline Manual 

• This is a manual that can be used to make a presentation of our hobby. This manual acts as a Show and Tell On The Road, with outline and check-off list. This booklet is published by the Palos R/C Club as a guide for presentation of the hobby of model building and flying.

Home Made Clonepac for Futaba 8UA Radios 

If you own one of these fine radios you are already aware of what a Clonepac is.  You also probably know how much one costs.  Well, thanks to the efforts of some talented modelers you can now build one for about $5 - $10.  Full credit for their work is given on the PDF file.  Good luck and use this information at your own risk.  I can't try it until I get my 8UAF.  :)

Basic Design Parameters

I've seen quite a few examples of charts like this but it is still nice information.  With this information to help you, you should be able to design your own conventional aircraft.  Just find the shape you like and work within the parameters presented and you should be successful.  I can't remember where this one came from but the author is listed on the page.

Ron Van Putte on Canards

This article Presents some basic design parameters for canard aircraft as well as conventional aircraft.  With the equations presented it is possible to determine a good starting point for the center of gravity location for each type.  The article was written by Ron Van Putte, published in the June 1980 issue of model aviation and is presented here with Rons' permission.