The first plan to be reviewed in this Winter 1983 issue is of the FAIRCHILD 22, C7E, by A. Lynn Lockrow of Indiana, Pennsylvania. The wing span of this model is 96 inches and the weight is given between 15 and 20 lbs. This a a superb plan with all details shown on three sheets. Wing area is 1536 sq. inches, and the wing loading at 20 lbs. figures to just under 30 ounces per square foot. My guess is a more realistic figure of between 33 and 35 ounces would be more like it.

This is still within the range of a medium wing loading. A Quadra is shown mounted in the model and I am sure the engine is adequate. Landing gear is shown as a one piece affair, made of aircraft aluminum. Since the shock struts are functional, I believe this should be fine. I have always believed in keeping the tail as light as possible. To me, dead weight added to the nose, to bring the C/G within range means I didn't build it right. Lynn shows a lite ply core for the entire empennage, with suitable stringers and leading and trailing edges tacked on both sides of the core and sanded to shape. I can't quite agree with this construction, but how many times have you built model airplane, kit or plans, just the way the plans direct you? I do not think that I ever built one without changing something to suit me. You only have to build a few to know how and where to make the changes to suit your style of flying. Just one of the things that keeps this Hobby/Sport, challenging. I have a very light method of construction, that I will elaborate on sometime, when the Plan Review is sparse.

Cowl and wheel pants are shown built up, but I am sure they can be purchased commercially. The wing is built in two sections and fastened together in the center with a very unique arrangement, which looks very good. Ailerons are fall inset full span, which is scale, and of a semi frise type. Main spar is 3/8" square top and bottom with webbing on both sides to form a box spar... lite ply and spruce as is the rear spar. Ailerons are operated by torque rods, with servos in each wing section. However, it would be no problem to mount the servos in the fuselage and work the torque rods in scale fashion. All in all this is a very excellent set of plans and one plane I intend to build. It is not a quick project, but one which will keep you interested and should fly like the BIG ONE. Lynn did himself proud.