MR G

There have been some rumors that the composite-arf arplanes have been experiencing some wing failures. There have been 4 such rumors in my flying area alone, and if the rumors are true then there must be others. This is a concern for me because I have recently purchased one of these aircrafts.

If you know of a case where the Comp-Arf airplane has had a wing failure please respond. If there is enough response we may be able to find a solution to the problem or at least become more informed.

Thanks for any information regarding this issue.

schroedm

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Mr G,

Do you know if the wings that failed had the aileron servo bays 'boxed' as they should be?

I would guess that without the boxing there could be a little, yet enough, flex to induce a bit of aileron flutter which could almost instantly destroy the wing?

Let us know if you find out some more info.

rgds,
Mark

RickP

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Mr, G,
Those claims are un founded me thinks. Some dude had a problem with the 52% composite (I forget the make, but it was not Comp-ARF or Fiberclassics) with wing failure, but it was concluded that he had aileron flutter wich lead to the break up. Don't Fret it - just fly the heck out of it
RickP

schroedm

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Ah yes, the saga of the Giant Composite Models 44% Extra!

mu2driver

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The failure of the 33%ers are nonexistent as far as I am aware of, now the 3m wing has failed once that I know is fact, on the 20th or so flight pulling level from a down line the wing folded. The end result was my friend got a replacement withen 2 weeks. But this IS a extremely rare thing that a wing folds on any plane, and with the carbon blade spar I cannot see how you can fold it, maybe this is one reason they engineered a blade spar in the Super-Xtra? Fly it like you aint gotta dime in it! Stop worring your self!

Stratos

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I know of a 2.6m extra that 'exploded' in flight last year when the aileron
horns came out due to poor instalation (epoxy was still soft).

I wasn't there but I asked a bunch of the people that were at the event
and all said the same thing. It wasn't caused because of some defect on the plane.

At the time I think I was either waiting for mine to arrive or was just getting ready
to start instalation so I was concerned.

Stratos.-

mu2driver

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Wow you would think that someone could figure out that one part expoy and one part hardener and a thurough mix will do the job. Thats the first I have heared of that one and Im sure its not the last, some people?

RickP

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Yeah!
That's it not 52% LOL. Giant Composite, but wasn't the feedback good on that model as well? Wasn't it just this one case? Anyone know?
RickP

Flyfalcons

I don't know of any failures, mine is holding up great and I definitely make it earn its living.

mu2driver

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Yeah Ryan you sure do! Mine is also holding up just fine.

CrashMeister

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OK Guys, I've had a wing failure. Composite-ARF 2.6m Extra. Coming in to land I hit a pole and the friggin' right wing couldn't take the hit. Bummer Good news is that the fuse was not much damaged and the left wing was 100% OK. I had to spring for a new right wing (outstanding issue as of now, I'll report on that after it's resolved). Must say I was impressed overall at the way the airframe withstood the crash.

Craig.

mu2driver

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Man Craig that sucks! Sorry to hear that, but on the other hand at least the fuse is stronger than I thought.

wgeffon

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One of my buddies had his wing seperate at the tip. It came apart right at the seam.
He noticed it after a days flying when he was putting it back in the bags..
He is sure he flew it at least once that way..


This was a 2.6M FiberClassics.
He re-glued it and has been flying it ever since.

CranstonSnord

I personally saw three Comp-ARF wing failures. It happens.

Cranston

robhoneycutt

well mine is the heaviest around (nothing to brag about), but no problems with the wings holding up at all..

Rob

Shortman

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Wonder if the wing failures are from the older Fiberclassic planes and not the newer Composite ARF planes?

RCAIR-BAM

Barry Finks brother had a wing blow apart last year at a competition. Don't remember what happened but it was a defect as far as I remember.
Stratos: Who's plane had bad glue in it?
Kevin

Stratos

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Barry Fink's brother's
That's what Mike Brown told me when I asked what happened. It was during Mike's contest last year.

quist

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I had a 2.6 wing seperate with the wood trailing edge on its maiden voyage, which was only a 5 minute flight. the bottom of the wing was hanging. the first flight was only a trim flight, no snaps. The sent me a new wing.

Hammbone

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Hopefully these were all "older" planes that had the failures, and they've got the bugs worked out now in the assembly process. We'll still probably see or hear of failures (nothing is perfect), but I hope they are few and far between.

Jim

mu2driver

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What you mean too say Hammbone is that "You hope it dosn't happen to your plane"

Hammbone

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Yes, exactly! LOL
I was trying to make myself, and everyone else feel better.


Jim

mu2driver

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Well after putting mine through its paces I believe mine is in good shape! My bigest worrie is to not smash the ground!

Hammbone

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I have heard of some guys getting wing failures from smashing the ground.

Jim

mu2driver

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HAHAA yeah I see it all the time with the guys at my field having total failure after hitting the ground...