(Odd Question) Is it OK to use different thicknesses in BG plans?

[Retrospace101]

Hi there! This may be a dumb/odd question, but what happens for example if (ex: A plan demands 3/32" and 1/16" thick balsa...yet you are itching to build and dont have the other around and you build it all using 1/8" balsa). I know that at that point you've made a "different" sort of glider, but does that make it any harder to trim and stuff?


Thanks!

 

[Aeronerd]

Hi there! This may be a dumb/odd question, but what happens for example if (ex: A plan demands 3/32" and 1/16" thick balsa...yet you are itching to build and dont have the other around and you build it all using 1/8" balsa). I know that at that point you've made a "different" sort of glider, but does that make it any harder to trim and stuff?


Thanks!

Not harder to trim, but it will take longer to trim since you have thrown off the balance from the way it was designed. You will probably end up having to add more weight then if you had used the correct thickness of balsa. For example the tail end of most gliders needs to be lighter than the front end. by using heavier 1/8" balsa for the stab and rudder you will now have to compensate by adding weight to the nose.

Or maybe the thicker & now little bit heavier wings will shift the CG forward & you will have to add clay to the aft end. Overall it will be slightly heavier so your duration will be less. But as long as you get the CG where it needs to be it will still glide.