Saturday, April 23, 2005

A Failed maiden and two successful flights

Well, things were a bit slow flying wise as I finished building the plane. I ended up using industrial strength velcro from Wally world, 6 bucks for 5 feet, and I will use it on all of my planes I am sure. Last Saturday I had the Formosa finished and maidened her. The rates on the ailerons were way too high. She was really twitchy and when I was trying to recover I rolled 3 times before hitting fairly hard. I glued her back together, reinforced the mount for the bottom wing which ripped out, and got the velcro worked out. I still need to sand the canopy a bit more to hold better, but she's holding find now. I'm using the 400 motor from the E-Starter, which is probably moving the CG forward, but she's flying fine, if not perfect.
Yesterdy I took her out with the aileron rates down at 60% or so. She was still a bit twitchy, but she flew fine. I can do manuel maneuvers, fly and even climb inverted, and do outside loops with ease. It's been allot of fun, and I can't wait until I get a brushless in June to really see what she can do. I'll definitely enjoy flying this plane. I'm also getting spray paint soon to make her look really slick as well. I guess that's it, some pictures should come soon. What I really ought to do is to get the e-starter working so I can put that in and take it to Ohio so my father in-law can try her out soon.