30-09-2010, 09:29 PM
Gday Peter
There is a "right" way and a "close enough" way to approach this issue.
The method also changes if you are are calculating for a straight wing aircraft as opposed to a swept wing. I find the "close enough way" is generally adequate for the straight wing.
For simplicities sake at this point, to calculate a straight wing merely mark a point 1/3 into the chord of the wing each side next to the fuselage. Balance the aircraft with your fingers on the points, if the wings are parallel to the ground and/ or the aircraft does not slide off your fingers you are in the ballpark. Add or remove weight as applicable to achieve the finger balance.
You would be surprised how well this works.
If you like I can go into more detail re the right way which is to calculate the mean aerodynamic chord, weigh your aircraft and go from there. There will be some omissions here but I know John J and Steve M like myself have all used the MAC method above. This is a much better method for swept wing aircraft.
I am sure you will get a lot more comments from other club members to help you with this.
Cheers
Rob B
There is a "right" way and a "close enough" way to approach this issue.
The method also changes if you are are calculating for a straight wing aircraft as opposed to a swept wing. I find the "close enough way" is generally adequate for the straight wing.
For simplicities sake at this point, to calculate a straight wing merely mark a point 1/3 into the chord of the wing each side next to the fuselage. Balance the aircraft with your fingers on the points, if the wings are parallel to the ground and/ or the aircraft does not slide off your fingers you are in the ballpark. Add or remove weight as applicable to achieve the finger balance.
You would be surprised how well this works.
If you like I can go into more detail re the right way which is to calculate the mean aerodynamic chord, weigh your aircraft and go from there. There will be some omissions here but I know John J and Steve M like myself have all used the MAC method above. This is a much better method for swept wing aircraft.
I am sure you will get a lot more comments from other club members to help you with this.
Cheers
Rob B