How do I add ailerons to a new Slow Stick Kit?

[Crasher]

Ladies/Gentlemen: I have been flying my old Slow Stick for some time now using 3 channel, rudder, and it has "battle scars" from my early "learning curve" flights! I decided, and was told, that it is time for me to add another channel; ailerons. I decided that I would buy a new SS kit and start from scratch, as changing the dihedral would be required if I were to try and fly inverted, etc. With this being said, and the kit still in the box, just how would you suggest, in using the new wing, would I modify it for ailerons? If you have done it, in detail, how did you do it and were it's flight characteristics good? My current thoughts are to use the aileron cuts as moulded into the wing, with a 5g servo for each using a "Y" harness. I have never built an airplane with ailerons before, so any suggestions in this matter will be greatly appreciated! BTW; the new SS is Blue in color to, if this would help! Thanking you all in advance, this is Crasher signing off.

[CHELLIE]

SLOW STICK with Ailerons, part 1. How to install.

[stevecooper]

After flying it awhile you can make it nuts chopping the fuse, ( do it in stage's till you like it) mine loops near inside its length, have fun!
bubsteve

[mclarkson]

I have a Slow Stick with aileron mod.

A) You need to pull most of the dihedral out of the wings.
B) Make the ailerons bigger than the cut-outs stamped on the wings. I made mine as long as was practical.

Here's the best photo I have of the wings themselves. (I also have LED lights.) I'm using a dual aileron setup.


As to its characteristics, here are two videos of me flying the plane.

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

My setup:

• 2x HK15168 Coreless Analog 8g servos. (Elevator/Rudder)
• 2x HXT900 9g servos (Ailerons)
• Mystery brand 20A ESC
• HURC 2410-09Y outrunner
• GWS EP 1060 propeller
• 1300 mAh LiPo batteries
• Various HobbyKing and HobbyPartz LED strips.

[hayofstacks]

I added aleroins to my slow stick bipe, using the stock cut outs. Waste of time. I used the longest servo horns, a reletively short control horn, flattened both wings (top one was flat before). It was horrible. I could hardly get it to turn without rudder, and would never roll.

[JetPlaneFlyer]

Originally Posted by hayofstacks

It was horrible. I could hardly get it to turn without rudder, and would never roll.

You will need to use LOTS of differential (up-going aileron to move further than the down-going)

[hayofstacks]

I will have to check that out. I also only added them to the top wing, I was going to do the bottoms too, ut now I'm not sure if I want to.

[Nitro Blast]

I put the ailerons on my slow stick from way way way back, and in varying degrees of dihedral.

Its a great, simple, easy mod that gets someone new the chance to feel ailerons in a slow manner, and it still makes the plane very fun to fly for everyone.

[Turner]

That one in the first has the differential all wrong with downward travel greater than upward. I can't imagine it handles very well like that.

[Crasher]

Thanks everyone for your responses regarding adding ailerons to a new Slow Stick. In those responses, no one mentioned revising the orginal dihedral from its 2" at each wing tip so some number less. Being that this would be my first model airplane with ailerons, I would think it would be best if I flew with some dihedral with the understanding that I would be somewhat limited in some flying moves. Please, again, your thoughts on dihedral. BTW, I flew my Yard Stick here in Michigan yesterday, the weather was calm, 2" of snow on the ground, blue sky and 20 dgrs f. A near perfect day and I flew for 15 minutes, coming in only to warm my fingers! Regards, Crasher.

[mclarkson]

I wound up with a dihedral of about 3/4" (the wing tips are about 3/4" higher than the center.) It's on the plane right now and that's the best I can measure it.

Also, I just checked and I am running no differential on my ailerons. It rolls pretty slow, but it is a Slow Stick, after all. You can see in my videos above that it will roll, and turns just fine. I may try some differential and see how I like it.

[pizzano]

See:

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69521

[Crasher]

Thanks mclarkson and pizzano; great info! I think I will start out with 1" of dihedral on each wing tip, and go from there. I do understand, that with the SS's slow air speed, I am not going to have big expections on performance, but it will give me some experience with ailerons. My original SS using rudder and elevator has given me many, many hours of flight over my son's farm with great fun, and I fly it year around here in Michigan! I think I will mount the aileron servos on top of the wing with all of the wires below. This apears to be a solid mounting for the servos and with a quick glance, I can see that all is well with them before takeoff. Thanks again guys, you have been great in taking the time to share your thoughts and information! Happing "Slowsticking", Crasher

[mclarkson]

That should work. I cut pockets through the wings for mine and mounted them flush with the top of the wing. Hot glue around the edges and tape over the top holds them in place.

FWIW

[Mojo]

I can tell you that the Stevens Aero wing kit is awesome. Easy to build and repair

[Crasher]

Thanks guys and gals for posting your ideas and photos giving me the info that I was looking for on adding ailerons to a brand new Slowstick. I used the tips and advice and the job is done--my new Slowstick is now a 4 channel airplane! I attached, or attempted to attach hereto, a photo of my modification. Now, only if that snow would stop coming down here in Michigan! Thanks again, Crasher

[mclarkson]

I'm a little concerned that your ailerons won't be big enough. I can't say for sure, but others had advised me that using the stamped aileron cut-outs on the wing didn't provide enough control surface.

When I built mine, I made the ailerons as wide as possible.

OTOH, if it doesn't work well, it should be pretty easy to make them a bit bigger.

Let us know how she flies!

[Nitro Blast]

Mine are only the factory cutouts and they work great.... Although I would have made them longer had I thought if it myself!

[mclarkson]

Well, there ya go then. That's encouraging.

[Crasher]

Thanks again Mark and NB on your encouragement in adding ailerons to Slowstick! It will be interesting, indeed and it should be a exciting first flight, as this will be my first attempt at a 4th channel of operation! I guess, after many, many hours on my first 3 channel slowstick, which is still on the flight line, I must move on to impress any audiance with some new, exciting manovers!

I fly at my son's farm here in Michigan and I get up that way every week or so, so it won't be to long now before I give 'er a try--I'll keep you all posted! Happy flying, Crasher

P.S. It is snowing here again as I write this!

[hayofstacks]

With the stock cutouts, I could perform very lazy turns with full deflection and that was about it. I did manage to do some cordinated turns used as a flap effect for very strange looking landings.

I'm working on making some full strip aleroins right now. I have decided to add them on both wings(bi plane setup) and running a servo for each one.

[mclarkson]

I keep meaning to try some differential to see if that helps out at all.

[ronhawker]

I found a tip that said to get a better roll rate cut the wingtips off. I did and it helped. The wingtips seem to restrict the roll. Of course it is a slow stick and supposed to be easy to fly. Now split s's etc work pretty well. Not just fly the pattern anymore.