R/C MODEL AIRCRAFT DESIGN‘ongtime modeler Andy Lennon has been involved in aviation since the age of 15, when he ‘went for a short ride in a Curtis Robin, He soon joined the Montreal Flying Club and began flying D. H. Gypsy Moths and early two-place Aeronca ‘cabin monoplanes. He was educated in Canada at Edward Vl School, Strathcona ‘Academy, Montreal Technical School, McGill University and the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario. ‘Andy entered the Canadian aircraft manufacturing industry and later moved to general manufacturing as an industrial engineer. ‘Throughout his career, he continued to study all things aeronauti- cal, particularly aircraft design, aviation texts, NACA and NASA reports and aviation periodicals. He has tested many aeronautics theories by designing, building and flying nearly 25 experimental R/C models—miniatures of potential light aircraft. His favorite ‘model, Seagull I, Is a flying boat with wide aerobatic capabilities. ‘Andy is a valued contributing editor to Model Airplane News, and he has written for Model Aviation, Model Builder, RC Modeler and RC Models and Electronics. His two other books are “R/C Model Airplane Design” and “Canard: A Revolution in Flight.” He continues to fly full-size alrplanes and is licensed in both, ‘Canada and the U.S. And when he isn’t at his drawing board ot in his workshop, he's likely to be at the flying field testing yet another model aircraft design. &. Group Editor-in-Chief Thomas J. Atwood; Technical Ecitor Bob Kress; Publication Manager Debra D. Sharp; Copy Director Lynne Sewell; Senior Copyeditor Katherine Tolliver, Art Director Leslie Costa; Image Technician Christopher Hoffmaster. Copyright© 1996 by Air Age Inc. ISBN: 0-911295-40.2; reprinted 1999; 2002. Al rights reserved, Including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form, ‘This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced without the publisher's permission. Published by Air Age Inc,, 100 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT 06877-4606 USA. Chairman of the Board Aldo DeFrancesco; President and CEO Louis V. DeFrancesco Jt, Senior Vie President Ywonne M. DeFrancesco. PRINTED IN THE USA 2 THE BASICS OF RC MODEL AIRCRAFT DESIGNIntroduction Chapter 1 Airfoil Selection Chapter 2 Understanding Airfoils ..9 Chapter 3 Understanding Aerodynamic Formulas..13 Chapter 4 Wing Loading Design ... Chapter 5 Wing Design Chapter 6 CG Location and the Balancing Act .. Chapter 7 Horizontal Tail Design..32 Chapter 8 Horizontal Tail Incidence 37 Chapter 9 Vertical Tail Design and Spiral Stability «0.000042 Chapter 10 Roll Control Design ......47 Chapter 11 Weight Distribution in Design 50 Chapter 12 Improve Performance by Reducing Drag 52 Chapter 13 Stressed-Skin Design and Weight Estimating........58 Chapter 14 Design for Flaps ... Chapter 15 NASA “Safe Wing” .. Chapter 16 Landing-Gear Design Chapter 17 Ducted-Cowl Design. Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Design for Aerobatics ..90 Chapter 20 High-Lift Devices and Drag Reduction Chapter 21 Centrifugal Force and Maneuverability Chapter 22 ‘Canards, Tandem-Wing and Three-Surface Desigi Chapter 23 Chapter 25 Basic Proportions for RIC Aircraft Design ....125 Chapter 26 Construction Designs THE BASICS OF MC MODEL AIRCRAFT DESIGN