--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > I flew my Saphire with about 1lb of ballast. > >> Glenn Dean had a Saphire and I was thinking how nice it was to see him at the contest, since we seem to bump into each other where ever I go. We started flying together in Louisville, then he went out to Maryland, where he picked me up to do some sloping in Frederick. Anyway, I flew the Emerald not the Saphire, however both planes are very similar in flying characteristics. The Emerald offeres a selection of ballast storage options. I had some small plastic bags with shot in them (about 2"x3"...4 of them) stuff into the wing forward of the spar, since there is no wing root rib. The recommended storage area is behind the spar. You simply make a sort of open faced box from pieces of styro foam to keep the weigh from shifting in the wing. That location doesn't affect the CG as mine did (I pulled ballast from the nose to correct). The system used by Skip Miller and one that works for the Saphire and other 'roomy' fuses, is to purchase ballast 'plates' from RNR. They are inserted thru the canopy opening with an extention and secured with a screw inserted near the towhook. Picture a rod with a flat plate of lead on it. The rod can stay attached, while the ballast is in the plane. Remove the screw and pull the 'spoon' ballast. I had 16ozs and it turned out it was just right and was about average for the planes making time and landings. One of the guys mentioned that he pulled some out and found himself having trouble penetrating. It was the first time I ballasted and was really concerned about if the plane would make time, it worked in reverse, I had very little trouble punching into the huge 30mph'ish wave coming at us. Gordy RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
