I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of trimming the 1947 rubber-powered free-flight 32” Comet Stratus, built during early COVID by 87 year old Ed McQuaid. He asked me to fly her next time at Wawa, since he could not longer chase. I promised him a film, so here’s the result. After a few test glides to find the CG, I started at 100 & 200 hand winds, then 300. She looked ok, and only needed a slight shift of the sliding canopy & wing, which did a good job of getting the nose down on the climb. Next I stooge wound 400, then 560, and finally 750, for a nice flight over the high grass. I then moved over to the sod field, to increase my drift distance, but by then the air was dropping to 2-3mph. 960, then 1220, and finally 1450 for an ROG, with the same motor I used in the Dyna-Moe. Filmed by Tom Hallman using a Canon PowerShot SX-20, and an iPhone 11Pro & 14Pro. Music via the talented musicians at artist.io, who breathe life into my films.

Plan for the 1947 Comet Stratus designed by Carl Schmaedig, via the AMA plan service: https://plans.modelaircraft.org/produ...

Free-Flight Basics #1 about braiding motors:    • Free Flight Basics #1 - Series Premie...  
Free-Flight Basics #4 about thrust plates and nose blocks:    • Free Flight Basics #1 - Series Premie...  

*** 10 steps to trimming a rubber model, by John Koptonak: http://www.flyingacesclub.com/PFFT/Tr...

Also, these tutorials from Easy Built Models: https://easybuiltmodels.com/tips.htm#...

Here's a source for rubber: https://www.faimodelsupply.com/produc...
Rubber turns calculator: http://hallmanstudio.com/rubber_turns...

Article on the use of dethermalizers: http://www.hallmanstudio.com/DT.pdf
Badge Classic DT & spring (at the bottom of the page): http://www.starlink-flitetech.com/tim...

Looking for a Flying Aces Club near you? Check out this link: http://flyingacesclub.com/wp/about-th... If you click on the map at the area closest to you, it will automatically bring up an information request link. That request goes to FAC GHQ and also to the Squadron Commander of record for that squadron.

For more info on free-flight rubber-powered models, check these websites:
https://brooklyn-balsa.square.site
http://www.easybuiltmodels.com/
http://www.volareproducts.com/BUY/
http://www.flyingacesclub.com
National Free Flight Society - https://freeflight.org/
Mike Stuart's Flying Scale Models - http://www.ffscale.co.uk/
https://www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk

Flying Aces Club merchandise: https://www.cafepress.com/flyingacesclub
All profits support Flying Aces Club activities.
Center of Gravity merchandise: https://www.cafepress.com/centergravity