Composite-ARF IMPACT
4
General information about
fully-composite aircraft structure and design
All the parts are produced in negative molds, manufactured using vacuum-bagged sandwich
construction technology. All parts are painted in the moulds, either single colour or designer
colour schemes. A new production method, called TAVS (Total Area Vacuum Sandwich), enables
us to present this aircraft with incredible built-in strength, while still being lightweight, and for a
price that nobody could even consider some years ago. This production process has huge
advantages, but a few disadvantages as well. These facts need to be explained in advance for
your better understanding.
Description of Parts
The Wings
Both wing halves are made in negative moulds, fully vacu-
um bagged, using only 2 layers of 2 oz. cloth in combina-
tion with a very hard 2 mm foam sandwich, which form a
hard and durable outer skin.
The ailerons are hinged already for you - laminated in the
mould and attached to the wing with a special nylon hinge-
cloth, sandwiched between the outer skin and the foam.
This nylon hinge is 100% safe and durable. You will never
have to worry about breaking it, or wearing it out. There is
no gap at all on the top wing surface, and there is a very
narrow slot in the bottom surface, where the aileron slides
under the main wing skin during down throw. This means
that the hinge axis line is on the
top
surface of the wing,
not
in the centre. This is NOT a disadvantage, if you program
in about 10% NEGATIVE aileron differential in your transmitter. This means that the ‘down’ throw
needs to be about 10% more than the up throw. Why? Because the axis of the hinge is not at
the centreline of the aileron, so it moves slightly in and out when operated, and the aileron gets
a little "smaller" in surface area when moving down.
The bottom slot needs some explanation, too. The cut line is exactly in the correct position so
that the aileron slides under the wing skin smoothly. If the cut was a few mm forward or back, it
would not work properly. So, make sure that the lip is not damaged, and that the aileron slides
under this lip perfectly. It will NOT lock at any time, if lip is not damaged. If damage occurs to the
lip, you can cut off 2-3 mm, but you should NEVER need to cut off more than this.
The Fuselage
The fuselage is also made in negative moulds, constructed using TAVS technology. It is extreme-
ly lightweight, yet more than strong enough for the recommended motors and use.
The landing gear mount is strong and doesn’t need any extra reinforcement. You have an
extremely light weight fuselage, and the gear loads need to be led into the structure gently. The
landing gear is a fairly flexible design, which works very much like shock absorbers. This plane
is not made for crashing, but the landing gear will take some hard landings without problems. Do
not change or modify it, as the results would only be negative. We had plenty of time and expe-
rience to engineer the strength needed in this area - and we did !
Centreline of hinge axis
Phenolic control horn