Sweet Leilani (oz11326)

About this Plan

Sweet Leilani. Control line speed model. Half A racer.

Quote: "Probably the most difficult accomplishment in model aviation is to motivate a youngster toward a particular event, especially one that is new to him. They tend to shy away from what they don't know about and stay with the familiars.

How can you stimulate interest in flying Scale, Navy Carrier or Speed when all the plans and kits available are so complicated? Most youngsters want to see a demonstration flight before they even consider the event. Too, many youngsters have no help available, nor the knowledge of the materials they will need. If they cannot accomplish their project alone and in a short while, most will not try.

The modelers of the Valley Isle Model Pilots Academy, on the island of Maui, undergo an extensive course in aerodynamics, construction and participation. Their bible is RJ Hoffman's 1955 Model Aeronautics Made Painless (available from the Academy of Model Aeronautics, 806 Fifteenth St NW, Washington, DC 20005, $1.50 plus $.25 postage). Mr Hoffman's compilation of over 50-years' experience in engineering is as precise as any to be found.

Sweet Leilani solves the problems for young modelers interested in attempting Speed. The design is by a lovely 18-year-old Lahaina girl. She is typical of most young modelers; to try something new, it must be fast and easy. Jocelyn Aotaki observed the different types of model aircraft older enthusiastis brought to the field each week, and suddenly she had an impulse to try Speed. Since all the plans we have available are quite complicated, Jocelyn hesitated, but the bug had bitten and she had to scratch.

Sweet Leilani more than satisfied Jocelyn's urge for speed. Every part of the model's design came from the proven results published in Hoffman's book. Simple construction was my problem to solve and remained foremost in my mind. As a result, Sweet Leilani can be built in a matter of hours from the materials found in most modeler's scrap boxes, except for the speed pan. Try - it may lead you to bigger and better things, maybe a Junior or Senior Speed record someday. Jocelyn's story is typical of many youngsters with whom I have come in contact:

After trying precision aerobatics and dive bombing, I wanted to fly something of shorter duration and with smaller planes. Rat Racing and Combat were fun, but too strenuous, Only Speed seemed to hold my interest.

Mr Swan and I satisfied my craving when we collaborated on Sweet Leilani. He kept the building to sheer simplicity. On Maui, you do not run down to your favorite hobby shop with every whim or fancy. For me, it is a 56-mile roundtrip, and then they might not have what I need. In his advance planning of building demonstration models for the club's activities. Mr Swan had already gotten pen bladders and speed pans from California. We were ready.

About the airplane, I now better understand why the butterfly tail is used on most speed models. It offers a 3% drag factor, less than any other empennage configuration. Several professional pilots have told us that they cruise faster and on less fuel simply by nosing down a few degrees instead of using more throttle. This slightly negatve angle of attack does not affect the wing's lifting abilities, and I wanted this fetaure in my design..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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