Superskeg SK5 Tape On Nose Skeg

The Latest Advancement in Ectoskegology SK5* Tape On Nose Skeg $8.50
Add a Nose Skeg to Nosecone Ships

*Beta 2.0 Subject to Revisions and Still Under Development
Everyone says "Enough with the testing" so the SK5 beta 2.0 is now on sale but on the condition that there may be changes to the design and mounting instructions. Based on field reports and testing there have been several revisions to the mold and mounting instructions bringing SK5 Beta 2.0 pretty close to the final design but heavy use may reveal additional changes or withdrawal.
*Price includes shipping
(U.S. orders)

Injection Molded of Tough
but Pliable Polyethylene Plastic

Won't Shatter like
Carbon Fiber or Fiber Glass

Quick and Easy Installation

It would be best if sailplane manufactures included provisions for attaching skegs to nosecones at the time of manufacture but it looks like it's not going to happen and since there is no room for screws or backing plates on the inside of most nosecones the only solution is an ectoskeg. Some competitions prohibit arresting devices so the ability easily attach and remove a skeg is an important consideration which precludes a permanent skeg and adhesives so tape has become the preferred method of skid and skeg attachment to nosecones. One method of producing an ectoskeg is to use carbon or glass fiber however the process is messy and time consuming and carbon or glass skegs can fracture and form dangerous sharp edges. A better solution is a skeg molded from pliable shatterproof plastic.

A molded tape on nose skeg has been far and away the most requested product since the advent of nosecones however injected plastic molds are expensive to build and competitive R/C soaring in the USA is a tiny market so the challenge was choosing a design that would fit as many nosecone contours as possible using one mold in order to keep the unit price reasonable. After measuring countless nosecone contours it was discovered that even with different profiles most had an area with a similar taper that would fit a pliable ring. The SK5 fits more sailplanes than was predicted however a few models with blunt profiles will not fit and an additional mold for those planes would be cost prohibitive. The SK5 is injection molded of tough but pliable polyethylene plastic and can be installed or removed in the field in seconds.

Mounting Instructions: (Under Construction)
Place skeg on nose and apply pressure so ring conforms to shape of the nosecone. Wrap rear "wings" tightly with at least 3 wraps of Vinyl electrical or filament tape. TIGHT WRAPS OF TAPE ARE IMPORTANT TO DISTRIBUTE IMPACT STRESSES. Additional wraps of tape around the ring add strength and stability. Double sided adhesive "film" can also be used but only in addition to wraps of tape.

Update: Instead of wrapping tape all the way around the nose, I've found short pieces of tape filament tape across the "wings" and over the ring seems to work better and looks neater and probably has less drag. Let me know what method works best for you.

Teeth make nosecones more susceptible to being knocked off in flight so consider securing the nosecone with a piece of tape.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The user assumes full responsibility for the determining the suitability and safe use of this product and acknowledges the inherent risk of flying radio controlled aircraft. Some airframes are not suitable for use in precision spot landing tasks common in American Thermal Duration competition. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PILOT TO DETERMINE IF HIS/HER PLANE IS SUTIBLE FOR THE TASKS TO BE FLOWN. If you are unsure, contact the manufacturer and determine if your plane is suitable for use with landing skids and skegs and American style precision landing tasks.

The aim of the design was "one size fits all" but pointer
nosecones work best and blunt noses not so good.

Fits (Based on Field Reports):
Artemis
AVA
Compulsion*
Evolution XL
Fazer*
Fusion
Graphite 1
Icon
Luckenbach Aegea
NYX*
Onyx Lt.
Pike Perfect
Sapphire
Shadow MiBo Modeli
Sharon
Stratos
Starlight
Supra
Superstar
Tempest
Thermal Dancer*
Topaz +
Topaz RES
Xperience MiBo Modeli
Zenith*
(*Should Fit, not Tested)

Does Not Fit:
Breeze Plus*
Hera
Laser
Majestic (RES)
Pike*
Tragi

*Poor fit

If the blue navigation bar is not visible, Click Here to go to the home page