Bug HLG

John,

I bought a 1/8" micro carbon tube from Aerospace Composite Products 
(TU-0002).  According to the ACP website (www.acp-composites): 
"GRAPHITE TUBES - Graphite tubes are the ultimate push rods since 
they contain 95% unidirectional carbon fiber running longitudinally 
and are covered with a light glass scrim. This design offers a high 
stiffness to weight ratio and makes these tubes ideal for 1/4 scale 
aircraft pushrods, and slope soarer and helicopter tail booms."  

For lack of a gram scale, the boom deflects approximately 5/16" with 
four US quarters placed 13 5/8" from the fixed end.  I have 14 5/8" 
boom from the end of the pod.  With my convential tail (plans in 
carbon bug phots), the hinge line of the elevator is +1/2" from the 
end of the boom.  I have photos in the "Dan E." album.

Best of luck and sorry about your last 1/8" boom.
Dan

--- In BugHLG@y..., "John Gospodarek" <John.Gospodarek@i...> wrote:
> Maybe you have a thicker wall 1/8th inch tube. I am glad to here 
of 
> your luck with the 1/8th inch tubes. I will have to try again. I 
fly 
> kites and I know that you can get CF tubes of the same size with 
> different deflection rates. Mine was real floppy (lots of 
> deflection) and did not work well at the standard Bug length. Do 
you 
> know the manufacture of the tube you used? Also was it a Pultruded 
> or CF Raped or straight CF? Thanks. 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In BugHLG@y..., "Dan" <danstrider@a...> wrote:
> > I must disagree about the 1/8" booms.  
> > 
> > I have an extended 1/8" boom, around 14.5" inches out of the 
> > fuselage with cruciform feathers, and I can easily hit 50 feet 
> > during launches.  In fact, I went to the Down East Soaring 
Society 
> > thermal duration contest and consistently outlaunched a Taboo 
> ($400 
> > foam & fg hlg).  Granted, this was an open class contest and it 
> was 
> > just four of us messing with hlg's afterwards.  My launches are 
> full-
> > discus as hard as I can throw.  The Bug tracks straight up with 
no 
> > elevator preset, and tracks supurb with a hair down and right 
> rudder 
> > launch preset.
> > 
> > Yes, the boom is somewhat flimsier than the 3/16"  HOWEVER, only 
> > during launches does the tail see enough air to deflect the 
boom.  
> > Most flights do not produce enough force on the tail to deflect 
> the 
> > 1/8" boom.  I still have enough control authority to pull loops, 
> > another high-force on the tail manover.
> > 
> > Indeed, the decreased weight has helped too.  My times have 
> > definitely increased.  I flew a 3:23 after the DESS contest, 
> second 
> > flight of the day.  My best time of 4:30 was also done with the 
> 1/8" 
> > tail and cruciform setup.
> > 
> > Remember to keep the tail light!  With the extra long moment 
arm, 
> > weight becomes an issue.
> > 
> > Just my two cents' worth.  I feel an obiligtory need to defend 
the 
> > 1/8" boom with my successes.
> > 
> > Dan