So Pusher

From: torqueburner <beammeup_at_fast.net>
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 15:08:50 -0000

I recently stumbled across the "Pusher Progress" article written by John Barker. After
reading it, I was motivated to try my hand at a pusher. I persuaded one of my students
that he didn't really need last year's SO plane anymore. Cut the motorstick in half,
mounted the tailboom on pylons to clear the prop, reversed the propeller on the thrust
bearing, and voila, an airplane in no time at all. A photo can be seen in the "SO" folder in
the Photos section.

Since I had a homemade torquemeter, I printed up a CCW dial and stuck it to the face of
the meter with restickable glue stick. A few trim flights with a partial wind, then a few
more to get it up to the ceiling beams, and I ended up with a best no-touch fight of 2:40
under a 19 ft. ceiling. This was encouraging, since the plane that I cannibalized to make it
flew about the same best time last year.

Contrary to the observation in the Pusher Progress article, this plane had no tendency to
head for the side walls upon hitting the ceiling. It lost 4 or 5 feet of altitude, but
recovered and started to circle. I did observe that the circle was way too small - too much
stab tilt, I think - and the plane also leaned pretty hard to the inside as it circled. Maybe
the tight circle contributed to the recovery?

This plane is set up to circle to the left. Is that ok, or would it be better to circle right?
The wing has some offset to the left, and the stab is tilted toward the right, as this is how
the original plane was built. I'll appreciate any comments that anyone might have.

Dave Drummer
Kutztown Sr. High School
Received on Tue Jan 23 2007 - 07:11:19 CET