AVA Question

[Axle209]

I have a AVA in the box I need to ready for Soaring Season. Question: The way the rudder is attached it would seem you would knock it off on landings? How do guys keep from doing this on contest landings?

[jtlsf5]

I have a AVA in the box I need to ready for Soaring Season. Question: The way the rudder is attached it would seem you would knock it off on landings? How do guys keep from doing this on contest landings?


Land nose first. Sorry, couldn't resist... ;)

[seanpcola]

If you use the stab mounts with screws you should be fine within reason. I haven't damaged mine yet but I'm pretty careful to make my landing slides straight ahead with no side load. I've heard the biggest concern is the use of ballast adding a lot of load if landed wrong.

[slozuke]

Add a nose skeg and learn to use the spoiler to slow it down.
Also, I added small strip of CF tow along the bottom leading edge of the rudder to also prevent damage from sliding.

[Axle209]

TO jtls5 LMAO

[Axle209]

Thanks

[lincoln]

I never had any problem in the short time I had it, but if you were worried you could probably put on one of those skegs that goes behind the tow hook to hold the back end up. Shortens the landing slide, but not as much, I think, as one of those nose skids.

Keep in mind that I didn't fly mine in any contests before I broke it another way. (I hope to have it flying again this season.)

[BrianSmith]

I have had 6 or 7 Avas and never once broke that lower rudder section, and I'm pretty rough on my models. Just ask my friends. Brian

I have a AVA in the box I need to ready for Soaring Season. Question: The way the rudder is attached it would seem you would knock it off on landings? How do guys keep from doing this on contest landings?

[Bob Cook]

I have a Mini AVA, and no problems yet. I just land slow and straight in the grass. It seems fine.

Bob in Seattle

[Test005]

I agree, it seem strong enough.

(Although some clear tape on the bottom of the fin will save the covering material from getting worn. )

[Andy W]

The rudder is fine, but the sub-fin can get banged up a little. Some put a wire skid in front of it. I let mine take the beating, and it popped loose from the carbon at the back 827307 - design flaw I think, no reinforcement there, so I repaired it will a small balsa block. 865853 It has held up fine since then.
..a

[Andy W]

Speaking of design flaws, the threaded rod that you bolt the stab to is very short and simply glued into the carbon plate. Mine pulled out while installing the stab for a contest - glad it happened before the flight!!!
828108

This was a field repair, I found a longer bolt and cut it to length, and a made a small hole below the reinforced part so that a nut would slide in. Secured with loctite, there's no way for it to pull thru now!
1252250
..a

[bobthenuke]

I've had many flights on mine in the past two years with the removable vertical stab/rudder with no issues whatsoever. I glued a piece of narrow Tie-wrap to the bottom to prevent wear and it's worked well.

-bob

[Test005]

Andy_W: My threaded rod also popped out but I just cleaned it with alcohol and epoxied it back in. Works well for many flights now.

ps. That blinking avatar you got makes my eyes hurt :)

[Andy W]

Andy_W: My threaded rod also popped out but I just cleaned it with alcohol and epoxied it back in. Works well for many flights now.

Perhaps. If the stab comes off, however, it's "game over". I don't like the idea of a bit of epoxy on a few mm of thread holding my stab on..

ps. That blinking avatar you got makes my eyes hurt :)

Got your attention, though, didn't it! You can hit 'Esc' to kill the animation.. :)

[northwest]

I had the same concern, so I cut a small slit under the sub-fin and glued in a small nylon skid (cut from a 1" control horn) just so the covering wouldn't get a scraping. The plane usually lands pretty slow, but like the guys say, land nose first (by dropping the nose at the last second) and land straight.
I used sullivan golden clevises.
The only thing I really didn't want to do is to drill the boom to exit the push rods. I cut an exit slot at the back of the pod and run both push-rods & the antenna thru, anchored with clear tape.
I have had no problems at all with this plane!

[Axle209]

Thanks

[dwiddytoo]

I cracked one but it was an easy field repair, no further problems.

[Neil Stainton]

I think Andy's AVA was an early one, the rudder may be stronger in later models.

I have sold many AVAs via www.hyperflight.co.uk and have not had a single complaint or seen a failure or even damage.

I have also competition flown my Super AVA-e at 1.8kg (4lb) for 2.5 years, and experienced only scuffs to the underside.

Neil.

[Andy W]

There were several issues with mine - it may indeed have been an early model.
..a