Sports Aviation Ryan STA 40 ARF
(link to images from the build)
I started my Veterans day weekend off with a early visit to my local Hobby People to check the sales, I needed a few servos. Looking at their flier I spotted a small picture of an STA Ryan, never did find the servos I needed. Their computer inventory showed one available, after digging in the stock room they brought out a large box. They were nice enough to let me inspect the ARF, after fondling it for a few minutes, I knew that it was a must have. My flying buddy and I really get into wing-on-wing flying around our field, it didn't take much to talk him into this project. After driving across town I ended up with two kits. After a quick inspection I found that the kits were not identical, one spinner red and the other yellow, the covering was different shades of yellow and one had chrome tail wheel wire and the other black. Jokingly, we decided that's how we'd tell them apart while we're the air.
With the two kits on the bench, I pulled out of my stock, two AXI 2826-10 motors, a couple Castle Creations Phoenix 45, some servos and I was ready to start the build. The only changes I made from the stock kit was removing a section of covering on the underside of the wing to beef up the landing struts and changing out the wing struts to K&S Streamline Tubing. After a week of doing my usual "ARF Mods" and assembly, I had two planes ready for maiden flights. Both planes flew with no surprises and still going strong after 50+ flights. These STA Ryan's are a huge hit at our flying field, it seems like every week someone else is bringing a new one out to fly with us.
I was commissioned to do another STA build for one of our fellow club members. After watching him fly my STA, I decided that the wing needed some more structure added to prevent it from folding while doing his high-G loops and turns. On this build I decided to document a few of the issues and modifications that were done on the first build, along with the new structural wing changes. Below is a list of modifications and a link to the build.
Changed from a single elevator servo into a duel elevator servo system and making two carbon push rods.
Changed the wing struts to K&S Streamline Tubing.
Created a battery access with a hatch in the fiberglass cowl.
Added structural wood the the landing gear mounts.
Added plywood blocks to the wire gear for attachment of the wheel spats (note: the plastic flange was cut off).
Reinforced the landing gear wire (after I had a landing wire break at the weld).
Added a 1/4" carbon rod to the wing panels
While doing some exploring on e-Zone, I found Ken Myers link to an STA build. Ken did a excellent job and went into great detail on his build.
These are the specifications off the Hobby People web-site:
Specifications:
Features: