Are Stock Struts Safe For Aerobatics?

[mybad]

I'm quite new to the Super Cub, but have been gaining experience and confidence, on wheels and floats. I am finally good enough that I no longer crash, unless I am taking chances that I shouldn't be, like flying at a distance after sunset!

I am at the point where I might want to do some aerobatics: dives and loops.

I have the stock BNF Super Cub LP. No CF in the wings and no ailerons.

I am concerned about the fragile struts. It seems I have broken one or both in just about every crash. Makes me wonder if they will break under the strain of a loop or dive. Hate to crash because of a flimsy part.

Do you / would you trust the stock struts for higher G maneuvers?

[iflyforfun]

Hi Bad, Yes the stock struts are ok. I never changed my struts and have countless hours of flying with them. I have done tons of mods, added extreme weight, flown with motors that are way to powerfull like a 35-36C, and done all sorts of high G maneuvers and never once has a stock strut failed. I like you have had them fail when crashing and that is what they are supposed to do. They absorb the impact and by breaking they prevent other more costly parts from tearing up. The only mod I can recommend for the strut is to place velcro across the fuselage and a piece of velcro on the tip of each strut. now you don't need to use the screws to hold the struts on. Makes for very easy and fast removal of the wing. If you are still concerned about the struts you can find lots of popular mods like using fishing line for struts, adding a CF spar, taping the underside of the wing with packing tape ect. Take a look in the mods section of the forum.

Ifly

[mybad]

Thanks for the advice.

I have replaced my strut screws with eye screws. One quarter-turn is all it takes to connect \ remove the strut.

[SCC]

Not sure if a 1/4 turn will hold on a loop.

[mybad]

Aug 14, 2011 10:18:04 GMT 1 SCC said:

Not sure if a 1/4 turn will hold on a loop.

Actually, the bolt is screwed in very securely.

The quarter turn I'm referring to is what it takes to reorient the SCREW EYE from parallel with the strut slot, to perpendicular to the strut slot. It is impossible for the strut to come off this way.

www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1068138&page=95

See images with post 1419.

Of course, this is a loose fit because the screw eye is not exerting any pressure at all on the strut slot.

[SCC]

Aug 14, 2011 21:32:55 GMT 1 mybad said:

Actually, the bolt is screwed in very securely.
The quarter turn I'm referring to is what it takes to reorient the SCREW EYE from parallel with the strut slot, to perpendicular to the strut slot.
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1068138&page=95
See images with post 1419.
/quote]

Now I see what you mean. That's a pretty smart idea.

[iflyforfun]

Thats a very nice Idea using the Eye-Screw that way.

[renard80]

Aug 15, 2011 1:21:05 GMT 1 iflyforfun said:

Thats a very nice Idea using the Eye-Screw that way.

I agree!

What a great idea!

That is probably the most simple way of securing the struts to the fuselage. I am certainly going to try it and I recommend everyone to at least have a look at the link.

Thanks for posting, mybad.

[mtgriz]

I now use the clever eye screw idea. Sure makes it quick and easy to remove the wing. I did have to grind down the sides of the eye screws so they fit through the slots of the stock plastic wing struts.

[renard80]

Feb 1, 2012 17:03:59 GMT 1 mtgriz said:

I now use the clever eye screw idea. Sure makes it quick and easy to remove the wing.

I agree entirely. I did do it (see my post from August, immediately above). It's simple and one of the most useful mods, in my opinion. Saves fiddling around with those small screws, sometimes out on a cold field.

Recommended!