AVENGER FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is G10?

G10 is a precured composite material using fiberglass and epoxy resin. Besides G10's strength and toughness, it is also very easy to repair.

2. What's with the full flying stab?

The full flying stab makes replacement easy. Just loosen the control horn bolts, take off your control clevis, slide out the pivot rod, and you're ready for a new horizontal. From a aerodynamics standpoint the flying stab has 2 major benefits. First, a full flying stab requires less horizontal surface to provide sufficient elevator force. Secondly, this reduced area is more efficient through a turn because there is less surface area creating drag. A conventional stab provides more stability because it can carry more load. The problem with this approach is that with the correct CG location, the horizontal is lightly loaded and therefore the extra area only serves to dampen oscillation. Which in combat isn't exactly what we're after, we want responsive and quick, not necessarily dampened.

3. Why not use a one piece HDPE fuse like other designs?

We looked into making the switch but decided against it for a couple of reasons. HDPE is very susceptible to creep and stiffness degradation with temperature. Meaning, when it gets hot or you leave this material on its side it ends up crooked. I've seen to many people on the flight line trying to bend their fuselage back straight before a round. This didn't look very appealing and would just add another variable to try and keep track of. The other concern I had with HDPE fuses was all the pictures I began seeing of motors that were blown apart. The fuses were fine but the cylinder head was broke off the case. Personally, I'd rather break a $3 motor mount then a $75+ engine.

4. What is 60 psi crush foam?

The term 60 psi refers to the compressive yield strength or crush strength of the extruded closed cell foam. The crush strength is the amount of force applied over a 1 square inch area necessary to yield the material. The density of most 60 psi foam is around 2.2 lbs/ft^3.

5. Do the pins in the wing go all the way through?

No, the wing pins do not exit the bottom of the wing . They serve a couple purposes. For one, the front pin makes a great place to put your thumb for the under hand launch. Second, the pins are used to help absorb impact energy from a mid-air. The rubber band dowels in the fuse are tied to the pins in the wing with rubber bands. When a wing takes a mid-air strike the rubber bands stretch and absorb the energy which puts less stress on the foam and glass rods. Which in turn allows the wing to survive and you to keep flying.

6. Do you plan to offer a 72" version of the AVENGER?

Yes, the AVENGER 972 is in development. The 972 is a stretched version of the 964 and will use the 900 series fuselage. Before the 972 is released it will be prototyped and tested to assure TEAMseaholm customers are getting a performer.

NOTE: The AVENGER has won the RCCA Open B and Open Overall NPS (national points system) Championship the past 2 seasons.