Home >> Hobbies >> Aviation

How to Build a Pilatus Porter Airplane

The Pilatus Porter is considered by many to be one of the best freight "bush" aircraft going. The aircraft is taildragger style, meaning the landing gear has two front wheels and a third that is under the empennage (tail). Building a radio controlled (RC) or model Pilatus Porter gives you a sense of the aircraft, and if it is a flying model, lets you fly the RC scale model in the air. There is a recommended sequence to building this aircraft that ensures a quality model is produced. Build your airplane to the scale you desire. The size of your airplane dictates the size of the bulk balsa sheets and blocks.

Things You'll Need

Balsa wood sheets (1/32-inch width)
Balsa block -- size determined by your chosen scale)
Marker
Scalpel
Dremel tool
Cutting board
Cotton swabs
Small paintbrushes
Aircraft epoxy
1/32-inch copper wire
Wire cutters
Sandpaper - superfine grit for balsa, 220 or higher
Magnifying hobby light
Hobby table
Propeller
Push pin
Wheel assembly

Instructions

- 1
  Measure and mark the aircraft pieces on the bulk balsa wood. Use a pattern to make the markings and cuts. Cut out the pattern pieces from the balsa wood using a cutting board and scalpel.
- 2
  Construct the wing first. Assemble the wing, gluing one rib at a time to the balsa wing half-sheet. As you progress, notice the wing bending and taking shape with each successive rib. Sand the underside of the wing once constructed, to smooth out the airfoil. Set the wing aside.
- 3
  Assemble the empennage (tail). Glue the rudders to the elevators. Elevators are the flaps off the horizontal end of the empennage. Use slow-setting glue to ensure the assembly is accurate. Slow-setting glue lets you make changes if you notice the empennage is not setting properly.
- 4
  Place the hinges onto the elevators using small pieces of thin, copper wire. Cut them down to your scale size and slide them through the end of the elevators and then to the empennage. This allows the elevators to move up and down off the hinge.
- 5
  Glue the edges of the two main sides of the fuselage. Align the glued edges and set the fuselage into position. Add support ribs down the inside of the fuselage to reinforce the structural strength of the airplane.
- 6
  Carve the nose out of the raw balsa block. Use a scalpel and then smooth out the nose using the Dremel tool. Push the propeller into the cone end of the nose, then glue the entire assembly into the front nose of the fuselage.
- 7
  Push the rear landing wheel into the back underside of the empennage using a push pin and a rotating cuff for the wheel. Make the wheel pivot under the tail.
- 8
  Assemble the front wheels and insert them into the sides of the front fuselage.
- 9
  Glue the wings onto the top of the fuselage at the wing attachments. Decorate or paint the plane to your specifications.

Aviation