Build simple Horizontal Stabilizer

[turbot]

Am going to add a Hstab in aprox factory location on an Air command 447 lowrider.

Thinking about the size & shape of the one currently offered by AC.
Theirs is flat so will probably use flat material for now. ( airfoil shape is better but dont have time for a more complicated design at moment ).

1/4" plywood is 1st material that pops into mind. Any suggestions ?

Any airfoil shape material readily available ?

[gyrojake]

Originally Posted by turbot

Am going to add a Hstab in aprox factory location on an Air command 447 lowrider.

Thinking about the size & shape of the one currently offered by AC.
Theirs is flat so will probably use flat material for now. ( airfoil shape is better but dont have time for a more complicated design at moment ).

1/4" plywood is 1st material that pops into mind. Any suggestions ?

Any airfoil shape material readily available ?

I would say 3/16 Lexan ( polycarbonate) would be better.


~~JAKE~~

[Rehan K.Janjua]

Yep Jake is right.

Lexon is easy to work with round edges and corners and the finish is good,
so the paintwork comes out nice and shinny without bondo and primer.

Use enemal base paints and not Duco base which reacts to lexon.

3/16 inch or chose mm size thickness.

Do change the total size, go for at least 8 sqft area.

Mount it like A/C does dehydreils on full flying tail or mount it on the keel.

You can also add wing lets angled for offset and thrust compensation.

Good luck.
Rehan

[RotoPlane]

Darren: I take serious note of what both Jake and Rehan say…but I'm not sure they meant it would be acceptable to use a flat 3/16" thick polycarbonate plate HS of 8 sq.ft….I think that would be a bit too flexible. If you find it practical, an airfoil shaped HS is preferable.

[Redbaron]

A stab built of Wood capped foam spars with ribs covered with fabric would be way lighter and possibly stronger than a glassed over foam tail. Lexan is unacceptable IMO

[turbot]

Anyone ever used a lexan Hstab ?

Micarta would be similar weight & probably alot tougher.

Airfoil shape is not going to happen this year unless can find some premade shape to modify.

[Aussie_Paul]

Originally Posted by turbot

Am going to add a Hstab in aprox factory location on an Air command 447 lowrider.

Thinking about the size & shape of the one currently offered by AC.
Theirs is flat so will probably use flat material for now. ( airfoil shape is better but dont have time for a more complicated design at moment ).

1/4" plywood is 1st material that pops into mind. Any suggestions ?

Any airfoil shape material readily available ?

I have used off cuts of 9" chord rotor blade extrusions mounted upside down attached to the keel. The first set I tried used sections from someones bent rotor blades!!! Fortunately not so many bent rotors these days!!!

When that proved successful I contacted a rotor manufacturer, who used 9" extrusions, and bought his of cuts. Used without the spar of course.

Aussie Paul.

[gyrojake]

If you were to build a stock stab, lexan would be more than good enough. If you wanted to build one with an airfoil, you can use 1/16 lexan bend it , rivet the ends and fill it with foam. I've also done this and it works great. Opinions and experience are two different things. I've never built a stab with 8sq feet area. My largest may be 5sq feet. A stock A.C. may have 3 1/2 to 4.

[Hank]

I would suggest using 1/4 inch plywood with a layer of fiberglass on each side.Strong and light. Don't let the fiberglass scare you. Once you read up on it and how to apply, its fairly easy. To get rid of the extra resin you can just use weights on top. I would not use Lexan.

[Bumperdog]

I used road sign with braces under.

[rickloon]

I would think twice before I used lexan, as it is very uv sensitive. If the paint coverage is perfect you may be ok but I still think it would be to flexible. I replaced a window on my boat with lexan rather than Plexiglas (acrylic) thinking it would be stronger. Well in one year it had yellowed and was cracking and was very weak .

[jany77]

http://www.acpsales.com/Carbon-Fiber-Honeycomb.html

[hoody]

paul, how much horozontal stab to put on a keel of a htl raff, and how can i get a stab to dawson creek in canada?

[turbot]

jany77 that link has got some nice stuff.
The fiberglass/ balsa is getting close to the right price .
their clearance section is interesting, but everything is a bit too small.

Looks like plywood is the best choice at the moment.

Anyone made a plywood h stab ?

[jany77]

im useing the honeycomb carbon fiber sandwich for hs and its very stiff and strong ,i filled the edges with dry micro and sand it ,its hard to beat the weight per square feet its about 5 oz versus 1/4 plywood is almost a 1 pound,i know its pricey 2'x4' sheet is almost 200$ but i think its worth it