Sdrawkcab (oz8005)

About this Plan

Sdrawkcab. Radio control canard sport model. A canard pusher design.

Quote: "An attention grabber and a versatile flier with solid ground handling characteristics. When it moves, continents from spectators are unavoidable. At low speed it is more docile than conventional trainers but at full throttle it is capable of all kinds of stunts and on the ground it out handles any other airplane. Sdrawkcab by G Villa Novoa.

Experimenting with new designs is a pleasure in itself for many modelers. That was the motivation which gave birth to the Sdrawkcab but, after flying it for several sessions, I became so excited about it that I felt the need to share it with more friends, and what better way in the world than trying R/C Modeler Magazine as the means to do that. Please take note that all tests were carried out in Mexico City at 6000 ft altitude so its performance at lower altitudes should improve significantly.

Plane appeal, or ability to attract plane lovers attention. The realistic impression that it gives of flying backwards, causes an inevitable reaction among spectators who will make comments about it. You will hear a lot of comments around you.

Name. From the clear impression it gives of flying backwards, it was easy to christen it, I just wrote down the word backwards, backwards.

Stall Characteristics. As theory says should happen with canards, practice demonstrated that this bird is really difficult to stall. You can feed full elevator at idle to get only the stab stalled first with wings still flying and with responsive ailerons. After the stab stalls, the nose goes down reducing the angle of attack and the aircraft gains speed; again in full control with just a few feet of lost altitude.

Speed Range. This design is so gentle at low sped that without doubt I would recommend it as a trainer, floating slowly around and making approaches is enjoyable, and with a 16 oz tank you can fly this way for twenty minutes. At full throttle it becomes a nice looking stunt aircraft in the sky. A low inverted pass is something to see, try inside and outside loops, split S's, Cuban eights, rolls, etc. I personally do not like spins, but for the sake of testing the model at sufficient height, I have tried to spin it a few times. I throttled to idle and applied up elevator gradually and when the stab seemed to start stalling I gave full ailerons (rudder was not enough). An impressive combination of spin and spiral dive resulted. Then I released the controls, gave some elevator, and opened throttle, the aircraft returned to level flight (while my legs shook since I do not like or do not practice this maneuver).

Ground Handling. It is so stable on the ground that I can compare it only with an R/C buggy and, with the location of the engine, you will never break a propeller again, even if you go off of the runway, make a hard landing, or like to practice touch and goes. Practical access to engine and radio. The radio system is so accessible that you will save time in the field for flying and not solving puzzles when you have to make an adjustment. You can inspect the fuel tank and lines without having to disassemble anything and can even remove the engine in five minutes.

Flying. If the CG has been placed where indicated on the plans, and you already know how to fly, the only recommendation I can think of is to generously feed elevator when taking off; it will take about 100 ft at full throttle. After breaking ground, release a little elevator and it will climb nicely. Now fly it in accordance with your confidence and ability. Landing approaches can be made at low speed with the nose a little up or moderately fast and straight with the nose leveled or slightly down. After you become familiar with the Sdrawkcab, you can move the CG a little at a time, but never do it more than 1/2 in forward or 3/4 in aft..."

Hi Mary/Steve - Here is G. Villa Novoa's Sdrawkcab from RCM magazine issue 05-82.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics.

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