Side Pocket (oz16952)

About this Plan

Side Pocket. Radio control sport pattern model. Wingspan 57 in, wing area 584 sq in, for .40 engine.

Quote: "A .40 sized aircraft that fills the gap between low wing planes with trainer type wings and pattern planes. Side Pocket, by John Miller.

Your initial impression of the Side Pocket may be that it's just another .40 sized sport pattern ship. Not So. The Side Pocket is what should be considered a 'Basic Performance' aircraft, ie a ship capable of all of the existing pattern maneuvers plus the ability to land and handle, at low air speed, much like a trainer. To attest to this low speed stability, my prototypes are capable of hovering (right side up and inverted!) in a 15-20 mph breeze. The overall performance characteristics are attributed to the wing design which incorporates proven features of existing notable pattern aircraft designs (the late dim Kirkland's 'Intruder' and Rhett Miller's (no relation 'Compensator'), plus my own personal touch of designing aircraft over the past eight years.

My design criteria for this .40 sized ship was as follows:

(1) A .40 sized aircraft exhibiting stable to speed flight characteristics, ie easy to land.
(2) Capable of full pattern performance - smooth rolling, predictable stall turns, predictable inverted characteristics, etc. This requires a double taper wing planform.
(3) Easy to build - not requiring exotic fixtures. The wing and fuselage are built true on a flat work table_
(4) Comfortable sized engine, fuel tank and radio compartment. Side Pocket is capable of accepting (easily) a 12 oz. Slim Line style tank.
(5) Ample room for retracts.
(6) Pleasing lines.
(7) Capable of performing with a non-Schnuerle ported .40. The prototype uses a K & B .40 and can climb nearly vertical after rotation.

Side Pocket has surpassed all these criteria and my expectations. This is further exemplified by the four ships currently flying in our club, including a retract version. All four aircraft demonstrate excellent low speed stability and high speed performance attributed to the basic design.

Before beginning construction, you will need to cut all the parts to shape. I make my part patterns from sheets of poster board as follows: Lay the plans, face up, over the poster board with carbon paper in between. Pin to the work table. Trace directly on the plans using a ballpoint pen. Remove from the work table, Cut the patterns and lay directly on the wood. Trace the outline with the ballpoint pen. Cut the part out and use a sanding block to smooth any rough edges.

The CG location is critical in order to obtain nose-high flared landings. Side Pocket has flown with CG forward of plan location resulting in 'no spins' and a tendency for the nose to sink, objectionably, on landing. The prototype pictured in this article is MonoKoted and required approximately 1-1/2 ounces of lead in the tail! Other Side Pockets flying have also required tail weight..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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