Flite Test - Tail Heavy Plane - FLITE TIP

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  • čas přidán 31. 07. 2012
  • 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
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Komentáře • 214

  • @DiGiTaLFaKiE
    @DiGiTaLFaKiE Před 2 lety +4

    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
    @FliteTest  Před 12 lety +9

    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
    @tho1efx Před 11 lety +10

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

  • @FliteTest
    @FliteTest  Před 11 lety

    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?

  • @infiltrator7777
    @infiltrator7777 Před 12 lety +2

    These videos are so good! I really enjoy them!

  • @gbisaga
    @gbisaga Před 11 měsíci

    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!

  • @Andrei5656
    @Andrei5656 Před 12 lety +1

    I felt in love with this guy's voice !

  • @Fallingz
    @Fallingz Před 12 lety

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

  • @Evandiego16
    @Evandiego16 Před 8 lety

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

  • @iloverc
    @iloverc Před 12 lety +2

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

  • @sethkearl8056
    @sethkearl8056 Před rokem

    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.

  • @gtoonstra
    @gtoonstra Před 12 lety

    Great DOF in this episode, interesting use of lighting.

  • @MeganPhillips
    @MeganPhillips Před 8 lety +1

    Super helpful, Thanks!

  • @abyssalreclass
    @abyssalreclass Před 9 lety +26

    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
      @icebox1145 Před 8 lety +6

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

    • @finnleithomczyk5292
      @finnleithomczyk5292 Před 4 lety +1

      Yep it foes

  • @stevedallas007
    @stevedallas007 Před 4 lety

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

  • @oldschooler75
    @oldschooler75 Před 9 lety

    Ty for the info, you guys are awesome

  • @sqlb3rn
    @sqlb3rn Před 7 lety +1

    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.

  • @F3HDemonDriver1
    @F3HDemonDriver1 Před 12 lety

    Another great video Guys!

  • @logansportpilotrp8174
    @logansportpilotrp8174 Před 8 lety

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

  • @RCFlyer007
    @RCFlyer007 Před 6 lety

    Excellent video - thanks

  • @ExperimentalAirlines
    @ExperimentalAirlines Před 12 lety +1

    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.

  • @davidlewis2558
    @davidlewis2558 Před 7 lety

    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
    @BMSWEB Před 12 lety

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

  • @derrickmitchell39dm
    @derrickmitchell39dm Před 4 lety +2

    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.

  • @robbennett
    @robbennett Před 12 lety

    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 CZcams. 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.

  • @c0ba1t
    @c0ba1t Před 8 lety +3

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

  • @spraynpray
    @spraynpray Před 11 lety

    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.

  • @lonewolf7717
    @lonewolf7717 Před 12 lety

    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.

  • @SwitchRod
    @SwitchRod Před 12 lety

    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!

  • @michaelmortensen8868
    @michaelmortensen8868 Před 9 lety +8

    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
    @darkarmy53 Před 11 lety

    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.

  • @obRCmania
    @obRCmania Před 12 lety

    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.

  • @aminul7236
    @aminul7236 Před 4 lety

    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?

  • @ericwillis777
    @ericwillis777 Před 3 lety

    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 ?

  • @FliteTest
    @FliteTest  Před 11 lety

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

  • @dammuozz
    @dammuozz Před 12 lety

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

  • @baldylee100
    @baldylee100 Před 12 lety

    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 ^_^

  • @Mr27ace27
    @Mr27ace27 Před 11 lety +1

    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?

  • @Chio_OB
    @Chio_OB Před 12 lety

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

  • @meZeusta14
    @meZeusta14 Před 11 lety

    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!

  • @FliteTest
    @FliteTest  Před 11 lety +8

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

    • @zabalasherry2529
      @zabalasherry2529 Před 3 lety

      hnvhmgjmhgu

    • @finleysaint2377
      @finleysaint2377 Před 3 lety

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

    • @amirking1935
      @amirking1935 Před 3 lety

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

    • @saulbraydon5010
      @saulbraydon5010 Před 3 lety

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

    • @finleysaint2377
      @finleysaint2377 Před 3 lety

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

  • @jamesberwick2210
    @jamesberwick2210 Před 2 lety

    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.

  • @parkercheatwood
    @parkercheatwood Před 12 lety +1

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

  • @kensproles5816
    @kensproles5816 Před 3 lety

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

  • @drcuffe
    @drcuffe Před 12 lety

    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?

  • @FliteTest
    @FliteTest  Před 12 lety +1

    Yes it's called "Balancing your Plane"

  • @alflurin
    @alflurin Před 7 lety

    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??

  • @labooboo9
    @labooboo9 Před 12 lety

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

  • @fenrir834
    @fenrir834 Před 6 lety

    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.

  • @spraynpray
    @spraynpray Před 11 lety

    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.

  • @Lagggerengineering
    @Lagggerengineering Před 7 lety +17

    2 balls on the back...

  • @bearospace
    @bearospace Před 12 lety

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

  • @spraynpray
    @spraynpray Před 11 lety

    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.

  • @BOKI797
    @BOKI797 Před 12 lety

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

  • @guahcap
    @guahcap Před 12 lety

    Great vids. Whered you get those aviators?

  • @murdockpt
    @murdockpt Před 11 měsíci

    these old intros are fkn good

  • @Ciiads
    @Ciiads Před 3 lety +1

    You are awesome👍😊❤️❤️❤️🤝🤝

  • @turmat01
    @turmat01 Před 6 lety +1

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

  • @keegan707
    @keegan707 Před 9 lety +2

    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
      @Kyo-bd4tw Před 6 lety +2

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

  • @spraynpray
    @spraynpray Před 11 lety

    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.

  • @martinonumero
    @martinonumero Před 10 lety

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

  • @beefxer
    @beefxer Před 12 lety

    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.

  • @jetmanjo
    @jetmanjo Před 12 lety

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

  • @xuzme720
    @xuzme720 Před 11 lety

    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...

  • @hardusbooyse8896
    @hardusbooyse8896 Před 2 lety

    can u show that pencil system to balance the plane?

  • @Laodell
    @Laodell Před 11 lety

    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?

  • @richardwinstanley7381
    @richardwinstanley7381 Před 3 lety

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

  • @MagicSteve46
    @MagicSteve46 Před 12 lety

    can you guys do more slope soaring?

  • @nick10722
    @nick10722 Před 12 lety

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

  • @maxsmodels
    @maxsmodels Před 6 lety +1

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

    • @alexbuilder6983
      @alexbuilder6983 Před 4 lety +1

      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!

  • @kevinbrooks6265
    @kevinbrooks6265 Před 10 lety

    tail heavy is good for 3d correct ?

  • @RevUnstableBoy
    @RevUnstableBoy Před 12 lety

    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.

  • @chuco425
    @chuco425 Před 12 lety

    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.

  • @finnleithomczyk5292
    @finnleithomczyk5292 Před 4 lety

    Is Dave still editing the videos?

  • @FliteTest
    @FliteTest  Před 12 lety

    He had to leave early that day... He'll be back next week.

  • @FreakyLemon51
    @FreakyLemon51 Před 12 lety

    Can you guys build a variable pitch quadcopter?

  • @SkySherpa
    @SkySherpa Před 12 lety

    The plane has got some balls!

  • @RCFlyboy14576
    @RCFlyboy14576 Před 11 lety

    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.

  • @illiop
    @illiop Před 12 lety

    Flitetest, bringing truck nuts to planes since 2012.

  • @prosjekt51
    @prosjekt51 Před 12 lety

    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!!

  • @bigjoker4u
    @bigjoker4u Před 12 lety

    Thanks I may learn to fly yet .

  • @BMSWEB
    @BMSWEB Před 12 lety

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

  • @flat_foot9017
    @flat_foot9017 Před 4 lety

    wait how long has this guy been doing youtube o_o

  • @UrbanDrones
    @UrbanDrones Před 12 lety +1

    1:14 that airplane has balls :)

  • @eroticmasterbaker
    @eroticmasterbaker Před 9 lety

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

    • @russellp1982
      @russellp1982 Před 9 lety +1

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

  • @JasonUberig
    @JasonUberig Před 12 lety

    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.

  • @joshuadirect
    @joshuadirect Před 12 lety

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

  • @Oinikis
    @Oinikis Před 8 lety

    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
      @TakeshiM Před 8 lety

      is the code on github?

    • @Oinikis
      @Oinikis Před 8 lety

      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
      @nobodyspecial313 Před 7 lety

      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
      @Oinikis Před 7 lety

      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.

  • @TheRattleSnake3145
    @TheRattleSnake3145 Před 12 lety

    That plane has Balls!

  • @Eiooeek
    @Eiooeek Před 12 lety

    Parkzone is famous for its tail-heavy UM planes.

  • @royd7984
    @royd7984 Před 4 lety

    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

  • @HisnameisRich
    @HisnameisRich Před 7 lety +3

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

  • @spraynpray
    @spraynpray Před 11 lety

    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?

  • @birendrakumar-gl5gq
    @birendrakumar-gl5gq Před 5 lety

    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
      @anthonysimonte6585 Před 5 lety

      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.

  • @n00ber420
    @n00ber420 Před 11 lety

    Wise man once say - "Nose heavy flies bad, tail heavy flies once."

  • @BOKI797
    @BOKI797 Před 12 lety

    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!

  • @kwizard8
    @kwizard8 Před 12 lety

    It would be nice to have a mix of both Josh and Josh (for humor) and Josh + other (for more informative).

  • @Nubyrc
    @Nubyrc Před 11 lety

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

  • @ilikchez
    @ilikchez Před 12 lety

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

  • @xuzme720
    @xuzme720 Před 11 lety

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