Description
Extremely important: Flight rules require check-in boxes to be provided by the contestants. We sell kits for compliant boxes for Division C rules.
The multi-time national champion Stinger is back for 2026/2027! This state of the air airplane is capable of 3 minutes on the supplied rubber. It is beautiful in the air and features slow, graceful flights. This kit complies with 2026/2027 Division C Science Olympiad Flight rules.
The carbon and balsa wing mounts to a simple saddle which holds reliable adjustments via shims so that you can quickly assemble the model from a storage box and expect the same flight trim every time. This model breaks down for storage, making it easily transported in regulation size airline carry-on boxes.
This model features extensive, fragile structure which requires careful building to meet the minimum weight requirements. Make sure you are ready to build precisely and lightly before ordering this airplane. If you are new to Flight, consider our popular Senior Flyer as a robust alternative which uses heavier wood and simpler structure to make it easier to learn to build and fly.
The kit includes jigs and materials for two airplanes.
Stinger 2023 B/C Instruction Manual
Tools/materials required: rubber lubricant, winder, CA glue (or Duco/Ambroid/Sigment), 3M-77 spray adhesive, vaseline, razor blades, sandpaper, ruler, scissors. Don’t forget a check-in box for Division B or Division C!
Optional: Torque meter, turns counter (volareproducts.com), scale, forceps.
Recommended replacement rubber is 0.085″ rubber strip. Heavier builds may require 3/32″ rubber.
Flying the Stinger:
Build Video:
Legacy 2024 build instructions:
Basic trimming notes: Don’t expect much of a climb until you’ve hit 700-800 turns. Full power is around 1200-1300 turns typically. Make sure the rubber is well lubricated with silicone oil and that you are stretching the rubber 2-3 times relaxed length, winding in half of the turns before working your way in. Shimming to adjust incidence is your best bet for pitch trim. You do typically need to slide the wing surprisingly far forward as well. Turn trim is obtained by bending the rudder tabs in the tail fins, twisting the tailboom (model tends to turn to the high side of the horizontal tail), and twisting the propeller bearing to point the prop a few degrees to the left.
Flying tutorial:
J&H Aerospace is not affiliated with Science Olympiad; this product listing does not constitute an endorsement by S.O.
