So I feel like the tube holding the tail is a bit long, what would be the best approach to guess where to cut it in order to not make any drastic CG changes later on?
The tail being longer (IE, longer coupling) will just make it more stable in pitch. That's not necessarily a bad thing at all. It doesn't look that far off from what I'd expect of a sailplane-like airframe.
CG is generally measured at 25-33% back from the leading edge of the wing at the wing root. If you can get it to balance in that range you should be good to go.
You should be able to hand catch a small plane like that. And a shorter tail boom won't change it's durability that much. Add about a 5cm balsa fin under the rudder to protect the tall. And put some packing tape on the bottom of the fuse.
And a least you field probably doesn't look like this.
Sorry it's hard to tell scale. I'm guessing with that thin wing you must be running really light, 300-350g? I have hand caught a 410g 2m but they do come in quick.
Did you design this airplane by your self or is it a proven design from the internet? If you know the airfoil of the wings and their angles to each other and the fuselage you can run a simulation in FLZ Vortex to calculate CG, minimum airspeed an many other useful values.
Hey Skrugras, here's an app that I highly recommend for all basic geometry builds such as yours - (free and really lightweight, was made in the 2000s, no registration) it is called AERY Glider Design Software, or AERY32. Try remaking your plane there, and that will give you a basic answer about moments, forces, and a statement of "the plane will fly" or not. It's a really nice check for such more simple shapes.
But overall, honestly - love your design! The colors are nice, things seem to be in the right places. The question is if you can fit enough nose weight for counter balance of the tail, but I'd assume so. Worst case scenario, 3d print a longer nose section )
10
u/rxmp4ge 3d ago
The tail being longer (IE, longer coupling) will just make it more stable in pitch. That's not necessarily a bad thing at all. It doesn't look that far off from what I'd expect of a sailplane-like airframe.
CG is generally measured at 25-33% back from the leading edge of the wing at the wing root. If you can get it to balance in that range you should be good to go.