PurgatorY
07-29-2007, 07:14 PM
Well, I dragged the plane out to the TEMAC field this afternoon, and Glenn and President Michael got test flights to get the airframe sorted out. THe left-hand elevon servoe got shifted forward 1/16th of an inch to ensure a constant right-turn against the roll induced by the 8-inch prop.
Weight: 13.5 ounces
Wingspan: 27 inches
Length: 39 inches
Motor: Dualsky XM2826CA-15
Prop: GWS 8x4.5
ESC REdcon 12amp
Battery: Dualsky 3s1p 1320mah
Glenn took the first flight and got the ailerons and elevator pretty well sorted out then landed it so I could make adjustments. Michael took the second flight and suggested shifting the left-hand aileron to give a right turn.
Both flights were with me holding the top of the airframe and then giving it a gentle toss. Third flight had Michael giving me the Tx and saying "go for it!"
I quickly found out that this plane is set up for a park flyer and is not the most sprightly thing in the world. My first landing was a lawn-dart that stayed there due to the CF strip spine between the two wing halves. A gentle pull out of the ground, checks for damage, suggestions for putting an EPP nose on, and Michael saying "well? It's a park flyer!"
One more flight had me on the sticks from start to end. Literally, full throttle to power up, gentle toss up at about 45 degrees, and the plane gently settling and then pulling up and away, tracking like it was on rails. Out to about 200 feet in altitude and then turning to the left to bring it around.
Left turns are easy, rights are harder for some reason. Have to keep the speed down to keep it from going verttical -- I let it do that and then had to roll out of the top at about 300 feet. Most flying was done at half to two-thirds.
Have to keep reminding myself to keep about 1/3 throttle during approaches as I tended to stal about four feet off of the deck in a traditional power/elevator approach.
Plane is slow to respond to inputs and this could be due to the lack of stiffness in the wing structure (no CF rods or strips in the wings).
However, it sure impressed the heck (hatch-e-double-hockey-sticks according to one person) and I've been asked for plans. Basically, it's the 1.24th aerodynamic study planset top and side views cut into halves, plus additional engine bumps to add stiffness at the back end and two braces around the lipoly pack opening.
Weight: 13.5 ounces
Wingspan: 27 inches
Length: 39 inches
Motor: Dualsky XM2826CA-15
Prop: GWS 8x4.5
ESC REdcon 12amp
Battery: Dualsky 3s1p 1320mah
Glenn took the first flight and got the ailerons and elevator pretty well sorted out then landed it so I could make adjustments. Michael took the second flight and suggested shifting the left-hand aileron to give a right turn.
Both flights were with me holding the top of the airframe and then giving it a gentle toss. Third flight had Michael giving me the Tx and saying "go for it!"
I quickly found out that this plane is set up for a park flyer and is not the most sprightly thing in the world. My first landing was a lawn-dart that stayed there due to the CF strip spine between the two wing halves. A gentle pull out of the ground, checks for damage, suggestions for putting an EPP nose on, and Michael saying "well? It's a park flyer!"
One more flight had me on the sticks from start to end. Literally, full throttle to power up, gentle toss up at about 45 degrees, and the plane gently settling and then pulling up and away, tracking like it was on rails. Out to about 200 feet in altitude and then turning to the left to bring it around.
Left turns are easy, rights are harder for some reason. Have to keep the speed down to keep it from going verttical -- I let it do that and then had to roll out of the top at about 300 feet. Most flying was done at half to two-thirds.
Have to keep reminding myself to keep about 1/3 throttle during approaches as I tended to stal about four feet off of the deck in a traditional power/elevator approach.
Plane is slow to respond to inputs and this could be due to the lack of stiffness in the wing structure (no CF rods or strips in the wings).
However, it sure impressed the heck (hatch-e-double-hockey-sticks according to one person) and I've been asked for plans. Basically, it's the 1.24th aerodynamic study planset top and side views cut into halves, plus additional engine bumps to add stiffness at the back end and two braces around the lipoly pack opening.