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How to Convert Avistar Trainer Rubber Bands to Dowels

The Avistar 40 trainer is designed for beginners in the hobby of radio-controlled, or RC, flying. Not only is it a versatile but stable aircraft due to its overhead wing design, but by attaching the wings to the fuselage with rubber bands, Hobbico has built a plane that is less prone to damage during those rough landings. Once an RC pilot begins to feel more confident in his abilities, though, he might want to redesign the wings for a more permanent attachment via wooden dowels.

Things You'll Need

2 balsa wood blocks
Saw
Wood glue
Drill
Screwdriver
Wood putty
Sandpaper
Paint

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the rubber bands from the Avistar, then remove the wings from the top of the fuselage. The rubber bands are attached to the ends of two dowels that go through the top of the fuselage. Slip them over the dowel ends to remove them.
- 2
  Test-fit the balsa wood blocks inside the cockpit, one in front of the wing's servo tray and one behind. Trim them with the saw if they protrude from the top or hit any of the internal equipment. Cut the blocks to fit as close to the front, back and sides of the cockpit as possible.
- 3
  Glue the tops of the balsa wood blocks to the bottom of the wing with wood glue, placing one in front of the servo tray and one behind it. Let dry for an hour, then set the wing on top of the plane, with the blocks fitting inside the cockpit.
- 4
  Hold the wing on with your hand or with rubber bands and drill two holes through both sides of the fuselage and the wood blocks inside. Drill the front hole about 1/2 inch behind the existing front dowel, and the rear hole about 1/2 inch in front of the existing rear dowel.
- 5
  Unscrew the screws that hold the existing dowel caps in place on the left side of the Avistar. Remove the left-side dowel caps.
- 6
  Pull the existing dowels out of the Avistar and insert them through the holes you drilled. Reattach the dowel caps and tighten the screws to hold them in place. The wing should now be firmly mounted.
- 7
  Fill the holes left at the dowels' original position with wood putty. Let it dry for an hour, then sand the putty smooth. The putty should feather into the fuselage color.
- 8
  Touch up your Avistar by painting the puttied areas with a color that matches the rest of the fuselage.

Aviation