An Incidence Incident

We all make mistakes and it's about time I figured out what I did wrong on this model. Let's take a bit of a dive into wing incidence, what it is, and why its important.

[@gregoryblackwell235]

Great video, and really nice learning from someone else's mistake!🤣 My comment doesn't have as much to do with incidence as much as with CG range. I noticed in your video that your target CG was within the first 25% of the wing chord. Based on my experience with full scale design and maintenance, not to mention over 40 years in the hobby, I feel that your desired CG range is far too conservative almost to the point of instability in and of itself. We are taught that with a relatively straight wing the desired CG should fall within the first third of the mean aerodynamic chord, or MAC, preferably between 25% and 33% for best stability and glide ratio. Personally I try for 30% and I'm generally happy with the results. Much aft of 33% and instability is almost certain. The old adage that "nose heavy planes fly poorly and tail heavy planes fly once" is very true. Once again, great video and good information. Thanks

[@GlidersByStefan]

Really useful video. I suspect I may have the same issue with one of my models, I will get an inclinometer and check

[@RCCAD2VR]

Holy Smokes! I just did an my first episode on wing design and I mentioned airfoil angle of incidence and briefly mentioned looking at coefficient of lift v alpha charts for the airfoil in use. Your explanation of what can go wrong when you miscalculate these is awesome! I plan on writing a blog post about this and will do another video episode on wing design, do you mind if I include your video as a reference when I produce the two? Thanks for sharing the deets on what happened with this model! -T 👍👍👍

[@JoshuaOrchard]

Absolutely. The entire point of my channel is for anyone to reference my work. Some channels only focus on the successes they may experience but I like to cover everything, both good and bad. You learn more that way!

[@adrianchupp]

It's a good lesson for all builders. Incidence meters are so valuable!

[@rperry70]

When in doubt always set 0-0-0 . It will work most of the time on typical RC models. And keep in mind, the incidence of the wing is a line running through the airfoil fro TE to LE. It is NOT measured with a straight edge on the bottom of the wing. This will always cause you to set more positive wing incidence than you want. There is a popular kit manufacturer that has you set incidence this way, and it is just straight up wrong.

[@smesui1799]

Aeronautical ENGINEERING education matters; model or full-scale. Hit the books before you hit the field !

[@steveniezgoda4941]

Thanks again for the info, much appreciated Josh!

[@russcole5685]

Thanks my man, in the middle of a project myself, luckily it's a fully floating tail, so that should sort out any of those issues, my biggest fair is thrust Angle. And being a ducted fan, uuuummmmm maybe give it a little vectoring so it's adjustable

[@frederickhaberlandt6674]

Excellent and educational discussion. Dealing with a minor incidence problem with one of my models so can relate. I suspect minor unrecognized incidence problems are the cause of some models that never really fly good ... maybe not bad, but just not good.

[@JoshuaOrchard]

Hey thanks! It's true that sometimes there is just something minor that can make a big difference. As a lot of YT content focuses only on successes, I also feel it's important to share failures because of how much is learned through that process. The discussion facilitates growth for me as well as those who stumble across my little corner of the web.

[@earthsciteach]

Incidentally, the incidence meter indicates excessive incidence.

[@roki5941]

Wish I had seen this video two weeks ago... 😅

[@thecraftking113]

Dang man .😞👍

[@earthsciteach]

Loopy loopsalot!

[@teretz571]

throw it in the bin, and learn from the experience