Flight Characteristics of Uneven Horizontal Stab?

[skulboep]

I just finished building a Hobbico Avistar ARF .40 trainer (60" wingspan) but upon gluing the horizontal stab I realized that it had dried a little less then perfect (you never can tell how things will shift around while that 30-min epoxy is curing :eek: )! Anyway, the wing and the vertical fin are at perfect right angles to each other (and I might add that the wing is perfectly parallel to the ground), and both tips of the horizontal stab are equidistant from the nose of the aircraft. However, the right tip of the horizontal stab is 1 and 1/8 inches above the left tip (the overall length of the stab from tip-to-tip is 23"). Does anyone know how this will affect the planes flight characterstics? It makes me sick to my stomach to think that there is the possibility that after all my hard work the plane may be unflyable. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

[Dave Robelen]

Hello Skul,
It really would be worth your while to cut things apart enough to reglue the stab level. If you leave it like it is, the model will not trim straight at different speeds, and it will turn to the high side of the stab with every aplication of up elevator. This would be a real nuisance on something like a flared landing, especially if the wind is blowing. If you rework it now, you won't have to contend with residue from the engine getting into the seams, and a nasty cleanup job. It would be well worth your while to block the stab level under the tips while the glue is seting.
Good luck, Dave

[skulboep]

Dave,
As I'm quasi-new to this, I must admit that I have never "un-epoxied" something before. Are there any tools/methods in particular that you would reccommend to "unglue" the stab? I was thinking just to go around it with a hacksaw, being careful not to cut into the fuselage. Exactly how hard will this be to do, considering that it's 30-minute epoxy? Any tips/suggestions would be great. Thanks again!

[Dave Robelen]

Hi,
Most of the epoxies can be broken down with heat. You might try running a soldering iron around the seam before using the hacksaw blade. Be sure and have good ventilation, some of the fumes are pretty nasty.
Regards, Dave

[tailskid]

I'd try flying it first and ask your instructor to evaluate its flight performance. I've seen some pretty 'tilted' wing/stab relationships and for training purposes, flew just fine. Aerobatics on the other hand were a different story.

[Gerryy]

I would agree, test fly first, cut and hack it apart later if needed. We have fancy radios with trim levers. find an experienced flyer to help.
GY

[NitroDad]

I do believe I would take Dave's advice on this one. He has probably built and flown more planes than all of us combine.