First flights on my own plane in 46 years #^

[Terry Caron]

Finally got my "re-intro" trainer together.
It has the Brett Buck/DirtyDan set-up:
OS .20 FP ABN, 9x4 APC, baffled E-2030, remote needle, shimmed Hayes 3 oz clunk on muffler pressure.

Other than a couple personalized touches, lengthened/veneered ply doublers & salvaged RM lg, it's built stock.
I only hope it lasts long enough to make me wish I'd done more modding!
Also refinished the fuse w/tissue/clear spray can enamel.
Tail skid is from a plastic toothbrush handle, pinned and epoxied.
 
Flew it for the first time yesterday - beautiful weather, sunny, a bit gusty but the wind calmed nicely after ~ 1:30.

The good news:
It was trimmed out plenty well enough as built to be stable and controllable right off.
My bud Steve Maddox flew the initial trim flight and even did a few loops.
The Freak and I both made it thru 2 flights short-tanked to ~3 mins flight time - it was a bit gusty and I had 1 slack-line heart attack but amidst the palpitations I managed to remember to step back and recovered OK.
Even managed to take off and land 2nd flight.
I've landed a few times recently after being handed the handle but that's the first take-off I've ever attempted; had a lot of concerns but it pretty much took off by itself - which I found is what one should let 'em do.
Think I'm getting used to circling around - didn't end up on a knee.

The bad news:
I got in only 2 flights - the other guys were completely selfish and wanted to fly THEIR planes!!
And I forgot to have someone take PIX!!!

Waiting for next weekend is almost like waiting for Christmas as a young'un!

Terry

P.S. - the Nashville guys are great - I couldn't have experienced today if they hadn't helped, encouraged and most importantly, let me prang a couple of their planes the last month or so.
Cheers for them all!!


Terry
 

[Tim Wescott]

Cool!

A Slight Freak with that motor on it is a pretty good first airplane.

[Steve Scott]

Not a bad 2nd or 3rd plane either.  My son and I got a lot of mileage out of our FS with the same setup.  Someone noted it was pretty tail heavy - I just thought it was a bit squirrelly because of the short moments.

[Brett Buck]

Not a bad 2nd or 3rd plane either.  My son and I got a lot of mileage out of our FS with the same setup.  Someone noted it was pretty tail heavy - I just thought it was a bit squirrelly because of the short moments.

   Because of the short moments, and the relatively small tail, the allowable CG range is about the width of a human hair. It's worth getting tweaking it to get acceptable performance at the beginning of the flight without having it go crazy at the end.

    Brett

[Terry Caron]

Even with the muffler and LG I needed 1 oz on the tail to balance at the recommended LE - 1 5/8".
Must be close 'cause it wasn't the least bit squirrelly throughout the flights.
Also have linkage set next-to-minimum elevator deflection 'til I get more flight time.

Terry

[Avaiojet]

Terry,

Congrats on your flights!

Is that a 42" Flite Streak?

If so, the plans I have call for the CG being on the spar, 3" from the LE.

Also, how did you fuel proof the enamel clear?

I'm using Krylon rattle cans on my Streak.

Charles

[Tim Wescott]

If so, the plans I have call for the CG being on the spar, 3" from the LE.

The ARF Flight Streak is notorious for being nearly unflyable if it's balanced per the plans.

[Terry Caron]

Terry,

Congrats on your flights!

Is that a 42" Flite Streak?

If so, the plans I have call for the CG being on the spar, 3" from the LE.

Also, how did you fuel proof the enamel clear?

I'm using Krylon rattle cans on my Streak.

Charles

Hi Charles, and thanks much -

Yes, it's the Top Flite ARF.
I think it's been well established by many others that the CG on old plans is just wrong and their experiences show LE - 1 5/8" to be correct.
I just followed Brett's/DirtyDan's recommendation.
FWIW, the 3 flights yesterday bear it out - stable and maneuverable.

As to fuel-proofing, the spray I used tested f/p on scrap, at least initially - time will tell. 

Terry

[Paul Taylor]

Great flight report Terry.

Get tuned up and show up at the Memphis contest in October.
I know the combat guys are coming.   

[Terry Caron]

Tnx Paul -

I haven't been to a meet since the '96 Nats in Muncie.
I had a great time; saw Combat, PA, Foxberg, Speed, Team Race, even some RC stuff.
I was flying FF rubber fun things back then, so not an entrant in anything (nor even an AMA member) but I was accepted as a volunteer Official and got to help out in a few events.

I hope to show up at some regional meets this year as a spectator/encourager/admirer and Memphis should be easy enough.

Terry

[Avaiojet]

Terry,

Didn't know it was an ARF. You said you used enamel paint.

What did you paint?

Looks really good for an ARF and thanks for that CG note. I'll keep it in mind.

Charles

[Terry Caron]

Charles -

I removed all the Monocote from the fuselage when I lengthened/laminated the doublers, recovered in red tissue (matches quite well) then Satin clear sprayed, light sanding after ea. 3 coats, 12 coats Satin altogether. I think it makes a nice contrast to the shine everywhere else.
Wing/tail feathers original Mono.
I forgot to mention also installing alum tubing thru the (VERY carefully enlarged in 3 drill steps by hand - not much meat there) engine mount holes to prevent collapse of the (soft) hardwood engine bearers.

Being old and "old school", I won't say I'm proud of an ARF, but I'm sure pleased with it.
Mostly, no emotional attachment - a definite plus for a retread.   

Terry

[Paul Taylor]

Tnx Paul -

I haven't been to a meet since the '96 Nats in Muncie.
I had a great time; saw Combat, PA, Foxberg, Speed, Team Race, even some RC stuff.
I was flying FF rubber fun things back then, so not an entrant in anything (nor even an AMA member) but I was accepted as a volunteer Official and got to help out in a few events.

I hope to show up at some regional meets this year as a spectator/encourager/admirer and Memphis should be easy enough.

Terry

Terry
You will be doing insides and outsides by October. You could fly in beginner. It's all for fun.

[Terry Caron]

No promises Paul, but sure sounds like fun.
Already I know the plane is capable - it's the crusty nut on the handle that's problematic.
The only stunt I ever did was to fly inverted with a neighbor's Ringmaster when I was ~14 - a looooooooooooong time ago!
I must not have crashed or I'd surely remember having to apologize to him.   

Terry

[john e. holliday]

It is great that you soloed on the second flight.  I too had the ARF Flite Streak which started with Fox Stunt .35 and then was changed to a LA 25 as soon as I got one.   I have been flying CL since the very early 50's.  First contest was 56.   Several of my grandkids soloed on the ARF Streak.   I still remember my first Top Flite Flite Steak built from the kit back when they came out.  Green Head K&B .35 on 60 foot .018 cable.  Never did check the CG other than make sure the balance was ahead of the spar.  Flew great and was quick on the maneuvers.   It also taught me how to fly inverted after the T-Square was not more.  You will progress a long way with the Streak as long as you don't bruise the grass or put tar stains on it.

PS:You will also learn fast who to listen to and who not too.  Sounds like you have a great group of guys to fly with.   

[Terry Caron]

Tnx Doc - it was such a positive experience I'm already trying to decide what to put my .46 LA on as a replacement/step-up. 
I have a partially built Banshee from my brother, but the wing construction is so badly done I'd need to scratch-build a new one.
The prob there is I hafta set up my shop first.
So maybe another ARF, which I can mange in my office area  - Brodak's Smoothie or Oriental are very attractive.
Meantime, this weekend's weather is promising to be beautiful..........

Terry