[SteveD]

Nice job Andrew,looks like a good flier.

[AJCoholic]

Update guys...

last saturday I attempted a test flight of the Seneca. Actually, about a dozen attempts. Sad to say, the little .040 twins just wont pull the plane fast enough to get to flying speed and climb. I did however get to do a lot more "power on test glides"... I am positive the plane will be a decent flyer with more power.

I have two Russian VA .049's that I am currently fitting into the Seneca. I have to rework the cowls and throttle linkages, but I will hopefully be ready to retest the plane in another week, weather permitting.

[AJCoholic]

Today at lunch hour, I went out and test flew my Seneca V at the local mine tailings. I had Dan Nadeau video taping and Brandon Webber was my launcher.

With the .049 VA's running wide open, the plane took off like a shot and was flying immediately! It flies so smooth, way better than I ever expected. Its fast, smooth and not pitchy or twitchy in any axis. Turns are very solid and so is the high speed staright and level flight. After about 4 minutes (I was actually just going to set up for my landing and kill the engines) I had one engine die (ran out of fuel) and I tried to correct my ading opposite rudder, but it snapped into a spin and after 2 turns it hit the snow. I was fairly low and had no time to react, other than to level it off just before impact.

The wing and nacelles were undamaged, but the fuse broke into about 4 or 5 pieces. The stab was also damaged but the rudder and fin are fine.

I will be repairing the damage, it is not too bad I think, the most trouble will be recovering and redoing the windows.

I also have two brand new VA MKII rc engines (also 049's) on order, they throttle very well and will be the 100% reliable engines I need for this plane.

So, I am not happy with the damage but it will be fixed and its part of the hobby to me, I didnt get upset. I was overwhelmed with the flight characteristics and it surpassed all of them.

[AJCoholic]

here is one of it up higher...

[ken park]

Sad to hear of your crash! - hope your flying again soon! - Its been great to follow your project on line in RCCANADA!

[AJCoholic]

Ken, its not that bad. Really! I will start repairs soon. I am making mods to install 2 ounce tanks now (instead of the 1 ounce) since the thirsty VA 049's seem to drink a bit more than the wee little .040's - like twice as much per minute!

I have the new engines on order, the tanks on order and will start repairs this weekend. I will also end up molding new cowls I think, the ones that fit over the 040's are just too short to fit over the 049's and the carbs.

Now I know how good she flies, I want to get it back into the air in time for the spring!

[ken park]

Your design is wonderful - wondering if a larger version say 2- LA .15 size would be good? I have real good power/reliabillity from the blue La .15's

[AJCoholic]

Sure, for two 15's I would say go to about a 55" ws, thats about 12 to 13% scale instead of my 10%

I am currently fixing the model, it may be done by the end of the weekend

[Frank Klenk]

That's a real impressive looking plane Andrew! Too bad about the engine flame out, darn twins. Looking forward to the rebuild and further flight test (and pics) with the new engines. Like always, have fun.

Franko

[AJCoholic]

You can down load some video here:

http://www.donatelli.net/_write/cont...sue.asp?id=190

There are three, the longer one is "seneca-small.jpg" the other tow are shorter clips.

I have the fuse all rebuilt! Just have to recover it. I also fixed up the stab and the other bits and pieces that were damaged. Not bad, a morning and 1/2 an afternoon's work.

Frank, its an awesome flying plane, you gotta' see the video...