RM Aerobat (oz15540)

About this Plan

RM Aerobat. Radio control sport aerobatic model.

Quote: "A 48 inch wing span aerobatic trainer and sports model for .20 - .29 engines and four function radio. RM Aerobat, by David Boddington.

CONGRATULATIONS ON GOING SOLO with the RM Trainer (oz6001). If these words are a little premature and you have still to make that first flight - or even complete the model - do not worry. Continuing the series with an aerobatic training model is intended for the high-flyers who are fortunate enough to have been able to take advantage of the great summer weather, have reached a proficient stage with the Trainer, and are raring to move into something more adventurous.

Although the Trainer is capable of performing basic aerobatic manoeuvres, it will not teach you much about the best ways of performing them - the design is too stable for that. The Aerobat is designed to bridge the gap between the basic trainer and more advanced R/C models, including aerobatic and scale types and faster sports models. When you have learned to fly the Aerobat to its full potential you will be ready to progress to low wing aerobatic designs, biplanes, scale models (types which are not too difficult) and such specialised subjects as pylon racers.

You can liken the training course to the method used in the RAF. Fledgling pilots start with a slower, stable aircraft and, after obtaining their 'wings', transfer to the more potent BAe Hawk. Only when they have successfully mastered this aeroplane are they deemed fit to take their place in the cockpit of an operational aircraft.

Log the hours: To attain proficiency with the Aerobat will require a lot of flying. Just being able to fly the model around and land it safely should not take you very long to achieve - providing you have done your homework on the Trainer. Reaching the stage where you can fly it in most weather conditions, can fly left and right hand landing circuits with equal facility and are as happy with the model flying inverted as the normal way up, will take rather longer. Do not be in too much of a hurry to move onto your next project (unless it is only the building part) use the Aerobat as a hack model and get in hours of flying with the design.

Setting out to build two Aecrobats is no bad thing, the phase of learning inevitably includes the 'over-confident' stage and frequently results in the lose of a model. Having a reserve airframe will allow you to continue to fly without waiting until you have rebuilt the crashed one, or constructed a new one.

Easier the second time: Having built the Trainer you should find the Aerobat easier to construct even though, paradoxically, the general construction is a little more difficult.

The wings, having a semi-symetrical wing section, cannot be built absolutely flat over the plan. More thought must be given to the installation of the radio equipment as there is less space available compared with the Trainer. Including different forms of construction is all part of the learning process. The Aerobat has been designed to use the same range of engines as the Trainer, 20 to 29. if you are using a lower powered 20 you must ensure that the model is built lightly or the performance will be disappointing - covering with one of the heat shrink plastic materials is acceptable in these circumstances. For the more powerful engines, including the schneurle ported 21's, total weight is not so critical, but keeping the weight to a minimum is always an important aim.

You will notice that the Aerobat is a tail dragger and does not have a tricycle undercarriage as normally fitted to the Trainer. There are two reasons for this: 1. It will give you experience of taking-off and landing with this form of undercarriage (often a feature of scale designs and other sports models). 2. It is easier to mount the undercarriage legs with this configuration.

Preparation: As with the Trainer, you should study the drawings and read the instructions until you are certain that you understand how the model goes together. (Part two of the plan is included in the next, December, issue of Radio Modeller). You should also prepare the parts for assembly by cutting all the wood parts - checking them for accuracy with the drawings - and forming the metal parts. Having all the accessories to hand before you start the project will prevent mistakes being made..."

RM Aerobat from Radio Modeller, November 1984.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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