Super cub wont fly!

[Base3012]

So i have a super cub i think it is, it looks like a bigger version of the J-3 piper cub. I have a problem with it, it won't fly at all, I've had the battery fully charged and edited the elevation on the plane, still nothing just nose dive each time. Could it be my charger weight? Please let me know any suggestions

Btw im a beginner on this forums so not sure if i had this one the right topic

[BBCorvette18]

where is the Center of Gravity? it should be between 25% and 33% of the wing.

[Base3012]

Can u tell me how to determine this?

[CrimzonRider]

Welcome to WF.com, Base 3012.

Can you provide a link to your Super Cub? or at least wing span and manufacture?
Are you a beginner learning to fly or just on these forums.
Like BBcorvette already said it is quite possible that your Center of Gravity(your battery might not be placed/balanced correctly in plane), but something else might be wrong.

cr

Go to post #12(but it's all a very good read) on success of Flight

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31368

[Base3012]

My wing span is about 36" and there is no manufacture i can find it was ordered online so i dont know if there is one, maybe hobby zone might be it i can provide pictures if u need them. And im a beginner flyer

[CrimzonRider]

This one is 36"

http://secure.hobbyzone.com/flyzone/HCAA2500.html

if it is similar, just under specs. it explains how to find CoG. pretty easy

cr

[Base3012]

Ok this should help me so ty here are the pictures of the plane.

[firemanbill]

Make sure the numbers on your prop are facing forward (direction of travel)

Hard to tell in that pic but it looks like it may be backwards. If so you would get minimal thrust and no climb.

[Base3012]

Ok so i did the test when i hold it the tail flops downward, but i don't to add weight to the nose because it feels heavy enough, what should i do?

[Base3012]

Originally Posted by firemanbill

Make sure the numbers on your prop are facing forward (direction of travel)

Hard to tell in that pic but it looks like it may be backwards. If so you would get minimal thrust and no climb.

Ty for the advice turns out it was backwards i will change that but i will fly tomorrow so ill have to wait to try

[firemanbill]

Originally Posted by Base3012

Ty for the advice turns out it was backwards i will change that but i will fly tomorrow so ill have to wait to try

Thought so. You will have a LOT MORE THRUST now. She'll climb right on out for you!

Good luck and Welcome to WattFlyer!

[mclarkson]

If you have the plane sitting on your fingertips or, better yet, some pencil erasers, at 1.5" from the leading edge of the wing, at the root of the wing, it should be level front-to-back.

If the tail droops, it is tail-heavy. A tail-heavy plane will not fly.

The best way to adjust the center of gravity is to move the battery forward or, sometimes, to replace the battery with a larger, heavier battery.

If those are not options, you'll have to add weight to the very front of the plane.

[Base3012]

Ok i will move the battery more up, but honesty its the lightest part of the plane so lol

*edited*
Ok the plane is now balanced

[CrimzonRider]

Good catch firemanBill! pics are invaluable again!!

Good flying to you Base3012!

Just ask away if you have any questions, LOTS of good people here that been there done that!


cr

[Base3012]

I hope it goes great tomorrow while i fly it, and one more question, on the site you posted for that plane, it more suggested that i hand throw it or fly from the ground?

[CrimzonRider]

Originally Posted by Base3012

I hope it goes great tomorrow while i fly it, and one more question, on the site you posted for that plane, it more suggested that i hand throw it or fly from the ground?

IMO It might be a little "easier" to take-off from ground, but its kinda up to you and where you fly. It might be easier for you just to hand toss it. I use both ways just depends on the aircraft.

cr

[firemanbill]

I would just give her a little hand toss, not too hard though or it'll pitch up on you to much and stall. with that prop turned around it'll probably almost fly right out of your hand. Just power it up and light push it off away from you.

[Base3012]

I can get the prop off anyone know how?

[mclarkson]

That's a weird-looking mount. It looks like the nut is sunk down into the propeller. Can you hold the shaft behind the prop and turn the prop with your hand to back the nut off? That white thing looks like a plastic spacer which makes me suspect that the answer is, 'no.'

[Base3012]

No that wont work and yes it's kinda weird i had to counter-fit it with a different piece to hold the motor. But i cant get the prop off

[flydiver]

The only way to do that was to screw it on WITH the prop. Somehow you have to do as Mark suggests. If not chop it off however necessary without destroying the shaft.

BTW, the stock prop is 7x3. If you are using something other than that, esp if larger, you'll want to replace it anyway. Too large a prop can lead to a host of problems. Electric motors are kind of limited in the props they handle properly.

[mclarkson]

Yep. If all else fails, use a hacksaw or something to cut that prop off of there and replace it with a new one, making sure to mount it so that it will come off again next time.

[Base3012]

Ya i dont want to really do that but if i have to i will

[firemanbill]

If you have 2 nuts that fit that shaft put them both on it just out at the edge, tighten those two up together and it'll give something to hold onto as you turn the prop with that nut in it.

Or you could cut around that nut carefully and grab the nut with pliers.

The ABSOLUTE last thing I would do is cut the shaft

[BBCorvette18]

you cant get to the nut with pliers?