Jet Trainer (oz14252)

About this Plan

Jet Trainer. Radio control sport trainer model. Pusher prop layout.

Quote: "The Jet Trainer belongs in the R/C aircraft training category. With its engine mounted in the tail, it was designed to be a rugged, easy to fly, pusher-powered trainer. My decision to create a pusher type trainer was based on several factors. I have built and flown many pusher type R/C aircraft. As pusher type aircraft are rather unique, a good trainer design might be quite popular.

Virtually all beginners start their R/C flying endeavors with a conventional tractor-powered trainer. The subsequent hard landings and crashes frequently result in damage to the engine, particularly to the vulnerable carburettor. A pusher design offers far greater protection to the engine (and prop). With the Jet Trainer, a hard landing or minor crash often requires nothing more than wiping the dirt or mud from its nose, checking it for structural damage, and then just flying it again.

The Jet Trainer was designed for three channel control (rudder, elevator and engine), although ailerons could be installed. As a pusher trainer, ailerons are not required. The Jet Trainer is very stable and will fly 'hands off' once it is trimmed properly. In fact, if there is sufficient altitude, the Jet Trainer will recover from virtually any awkward position that the beginner may inadvertently place it in, simply by releasing the transmitter sticks.

While the Jet Trainer is an R/C trainer, I attempted to incorporate an authentic full size Jet Trainer appearance in its design. The cockpit arrangement is for two side-by-side seats and my Jet Trainer was finished in camouflage colors to further create a scale image.

Construction: Prior to starting construction, it is highly recommended that the plan sheet be first studied so that the assembly methods and sequence are fully understood. It will also help to cut out all the formed or shaped parts first, so that a 'kit' is produced.

Cut the W1 (root) and W11 (tip) wing rib templates from 3/32 plywood or 1/16 aluminum sheet. All eleven wing ribs are made via the interpolation process, with these templates. Eleven rectangular 3/32 sheet balsa rib blanks are cut and sandwiched between the W1 and W11 templates, which are bolted together. The rib blanks are now cut, sanded, and notched, to conform to the end master templates, thus producing a complete set of wing ribs. The wing ribs for the other wing panel are fabricated using the same master templates.

The wing ribs are glued in place on the 3/16 notched main spar (W12) and the 1/8 x 3/8 spruce spars are added. The 3/32 plywood coupler plates (W15) are now glued in place in order to join both wing panel structures together at the proper dihedral angle.

The 3/32 balsa trailing edge sheeting is now glued in place, taking care not to break the delicate rib ends. The 3/16 square balsa leading edge stringer is installed and the 3/32 balsa wing sheeting is added from the spruce spars forward to the leading edge.

After sanding the leading edge face, the 3/8 square leading edge cap is glued in place. The balsa wing tip blocks, rib capstrips and bottom center section sheeting are new added. Drill the hole for the 5/16 hardwood dowel in the center of the leading edge end glue the dowel in place along with the soft balsa filler blocks, where the wing mounting bolts will pass through the trailing edge of wing. The top 3/32 balsa center section sheeting is new added and the entire wing is carefully sanded to the indicated contour.

The fuselage is constructed by gluing the respective formers in place between the two 3/16 fuselage sides, The nylon nose gear bracket and the hardwood, main landing gear blocks are glued in place. Install the plywood engine mounting plate (or conventional engine mount), the stabilizer, and bottom fuselage sheeting.

The fuel tank is now assembled and installed in the fuselage along with the rudder, elevator and throttle control rods. Be sure to arrange the fuel pick-up clunk (inside the tank), as shown on the plan sheet..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Scan by MarkD, cleanup by Circlip.

Supplementary file notes

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