I enjoyed reading your review of the SIG Kadet LT-40.

I built the same airplane last winter. And I flew it this past summer (2010). My problem is lateral controllability of the airplane. In flight, it was remarkably insensitive to aileron control. Upon attempting a turn with ailerons and elevator, there was a lag in which nothing would happen, then the plane would turn quickly and the nose would go down. I would release the sticks and allow it to recover by itself, but with the loss of altitude.

And the primary result was that I crashed it twice. Since then, I have noticed that the left wing was heavy and I added 1/2 oz. of weight in the right wing tip. That right wingtip suffered some damage in the second crash and I had to replace three ribs. So, I had easy access to the interior to the wing and I placed the weight inside.

As I write this, I am still repairing the fuselage. But, my reason for writing is to inquire about the possibility of reducing the dihedral so as to improve lateral control (and sensitivity). The original dihedral is 4 degrees on each wing (included angle is 172 degrees measured on the bottom of the wing).

I set up 40% exponential in my transmitter (ailerons, rudder, elevator), so, I don’t think I fouled up in that department.

Or, am I doing something else dramatically wrong?

I am a new r/c pilot, but I hold a private pilots license for full size airplanes.

What is your opinion?

Thank you.

William Keyser