Question about Silly Stick flying characteristics.

[Tmcfarland]

I have 4 flights under my belt on a silly stick. I am primarily a glider pilot so small power planes are new to me. I followed directions carefully on CG and it seems correct.
I have noticed that i can get it trimmed to fly level and stable at half power. But if i add power it pitches up. If i reduce power the nose drops dramatically. This of course leads to PIO’s which I am probably behind the curve on. Is this normal? I would expect it to stay level but climb or decend. Seems very pitch unstable depending on the power setting. Wondering if thats normal and I just need more practice.

 

[Jarron]

There is down thrust built into the motor mount, is there any chance you have it upside down?

 

[Wayne]

Do you have the larger "battery tray" on the bottom?

The plane is built with down thrust to combat this, you should have very little pitch change. It is possible to install the motor mount upside down.

 

[Tmcfarland]

PThere is down thrust built into the motor mount, is there any chance you have it upside down?

Do you have the larger "battery tray" on the bottom?

The plane is built with down thrust to combat this, you should have very little pitch change. It is possible to install the motor mount upside down.

Do you have the larger "battery tray" on the bottom?

The plane is built with down thrust to combat this, you should have very little pitch change. It is possible to install the motor mount upside down.

Do you have the larger "battery tray" on the bottom?

The plane is built with down thrust to combat this, you should have very little pitch change. It is possible to install the motor mount upside down.

I believe I have it correct with the flat surface down.

Do you have the larger "battery tray" on the bottom?

The plane is built with down thrust to combat this, you should have very little pitch change. It is possible to install the motor mount upside down.

I believe I have the motor mount correct. Flat spot is down.

 

[Wayne]

Yes, this looks correct. As viewed from the side the motor should be pointing downward about 3 degrees. If needed you can increase the angle with some small washers or other spacers between the motor and the motor mount, but really should not be needed.

This is a trainer, so we have some angle of attack on the wing, and this will cause it to change some with power input. This is by design, but should not be a radical amount. This angle makes the plane slower and easier to fly for a new pilot.

 

[RafaelAvila]

I believe I have it correct with the flat surface down.

I believe I have the motor mount correct. Flat spot is down.

One thing you can do is put something in the bottom back part of the wing between the wing and the wing support, that way you will reduce the attack angle, solving the "problem" for you, as Wayne have explained its a trainer plane so it's supposed to fly like that slow and easy for beginners, but putting something like a wood stick between the wing and the wings support in the back will make you fly more like a normal plane.