1. Home
  2. ✈ RC aircraft models
  3. Clamped Engines

Clamped Engines

When I want to relax, I fly a no dihedral Hobbico trainer which has many flights and flies well. The 40 size engine was clamped to the mount rather than held conventionally by bolts. It flew well and all of a sudden became difficult to fly and after two cartwheel landings, I discovered that the engine had twisted in the clamps and I inadvertently was flying with about 8 degrees of right thrust when the plans called for none. At slow airspeeds such as on landing, it was near fatal so always check those clamps and your thrust line. The problem was difficult to detect.

Reply to
John F. Longworth
Loading thread data ...

This is just my 2 cents but why use clamps in the first place? Why take the risk? Even if you do alot of motor changes its not to much slower to just use bolts and nuts.

Reply to
James Overman

I think the idea is that if a begineer crashes the plane the clamped motor can move rather than break the engine mount or firewall. A trainer is probably fine with the clamp, but personally I like bolts better.

Reply to
Normen Strobel

The real reason for using clamps is probably to cut costs at the factory. They don't care what plane is being built or what engine will be put on it. All they need is one mount design and one strap design.

Reply to
Robbie and Laura Reynolds

Reply to
John F. Longworth

Man!!! What ever happened to the good ole preflight check. I have to do em cause I loose enough planes by the stupid way I move the sticks!!! I don't need anything else causing my plane to take a dirt nap. Eddie Fulmer

Reply to
Efulmer

dirt nap....I like that..!!

jk

Reply to
jnkessler

PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.