Comp-Arf Article by Bryan
The Valiant I designed was engineered by CARF to be a Top Level FAI Airplane for the next 3 year’s rules cycle, which will include heavy rudder usage and complex loop rolling segments. These are very demanding on a mono plane. It was designed with a "no mix" formula I have refined over 15 designs and 20 years of competition. Some of the features are counterbalanced flying surfaces for low speed authority and efficiency for complex rolling and snapping segments. However, these same counter balances give a soft feel around neutral for precise control without raising the Expos of a large flying surface. The chamfered trailing edge on the wings are for aerodynamic differential balance. This is intended to enable pure rolling at all speeds or attitudes. With the CARF proven lay up in composite balsa sandwich construction the airplane can be built at 10 pounds with glow engines and 10.75 pounds with electric, which gives the modeler an excellent flexibility for engine brand selection and installation of radio equipment. The complete canopy I designed to give you full access from the firewall to the rudder servo, which allows for the easy installation and service of a glow or electric setup, gear and RC equipment. The Valiant has a newly developed one of a kind composite wing and stab. I am very glad that CARF has opted to go with me on this experiment, which resulted in drastically increased work load and jig precision for them. With a scale style center hinging, it offers aerodynamic purity and efficiency. These smooth, non binding surfaces are jig assembled with Robart hingpoint hinges for anti wear and slop free longevity, that the FAI pilot has come to expect from a top level model. These new wings are assembled with the highest quality and lightest materials by factory craftsmen to reach the highest standards, and I must say, my expectations were surpassed by far. The prototype was first flown with skin hinged wings/stabs to have something to compare the final performance with. And wow, were these new wings and stabs terriffic! I have never flown something that smooth, that responsive – it’s unreal.
If you are looking for a powerful, good looking non mixing design, this airplane should be your first choice. With the control authority of a Bi-plane and the grace, stability and convenience of the Monoplane this design has a value that can not be matched in the F3A market as of today.
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